'Th^ Vefiription, CuUtire, and Vfe of Maiz» Communkaud' 
by Mr.Winthorp. 
THe Corn, ufed in New- England before the Englifh Planted there, 
is called by the Natives, known by the name of Maij^ in 
fome Southern parts of America^ whcre^ and even in the Northern 
parts, amongft the Englifh znd Vutch^ who have plenty of Wheat and 
Grain^ this fort of Corn is Ail! much in uk both for Bread, and other 
kind of food. 
T he Ear is for the men partjabout a fpan long, compofed of feveral^ 
commonly 8. rows of Grains, or more, according to the goodnefs of 
the Ground ; and in each row, ufually above 30. Grains, Of various 
colours, as Red, White, Yellow, Blew^ Olive, Grceniih, Black, fpecked 
(kiped, d^f. fometimes in the fame field, apd the fame Ear. But the 
White and Yellow are the mo(i common. 
The Ear is cloathed and armed with feveral ftrong thick Husks. Not 
only defending it from the Cold of the Night C being tlie latter end of 
September in fome parts before it be fullripe)and from unfeafonable 
Rains: but alfo from the Crows, Starlings and other Birds i which be- 
ing allured by the fweetnefs of the Corn before it hardneth, come then, 
in great flights into the fields, and pecking through the top of theCoo 
ver, devour as far as they can reach, 
The Stalk groweth to the hight of 6. or 8. feet ; more or ]efs:,accord» 
ing to the condition of the Ground, ox kind of Seed. The Virgtniati 
groweth taller than that of New England. And there is another 
fort ufed by the Northern Indians far up in the Country, that groweth 
much (horter than that of N^f«>-E?;j^/^^J. 'Tis always joynted like a 
Cane. And is full oi fweet juice, like the Sugar-Cane. And a Syrup 
as fweet as Sugar may be made of it ■> as hath been often try'd. And 
Meats fweetned with if,have not been diftingui(hed from the like fweet- 
ned with Sugar. Trial may eaflly be made, whether it will net be 
brought to Cryftallize or (hoot into a Saccharine Powder >,as the juice 
of the Sugar- Cane. 
At every joynt there are longLeaves almoft like fl3gs,and at the top^, 
a bunch of flowers, like the blolToms of Rye. 
It is Planted between the middle of March and the beginning of 
June. But moft commonly from the middle of April to the middle of 
May, Some of the Indians take the time of the coming up of a Fi(h, 
called Aloofes ^ into the Rivers. Others of the budding of fome 
Trees. 
In the pure Northeily parts,they have a peculiar kind calld Mohaukj 
Corn, which though planted in June^ will be ripe in feafcn. The. 
Aalks of this kind are fhorter, and the Ears grow nearer the bottom of 
the iklk, and are generally of divers colours. The: 
