206 MAIZE. 
thirty pounds ; and it generally contains betwixt two 
and three hundred nuts or seeds. These are each 
about three times as large as an almond, of somewhat 
oval shape, blunt at one end, sharp at the other, and a 
little flatted on the sides. Some varieties of the fruit, 
however, contain no nuts. 
The season in which the jack fruit is in perfection is 
about the month of December. Though esteemed by 
many persons, it is so difficult of digestion, that great 
caution is requisite in eating it. The unripe fruit is 
sometimes pickled ; it is sometimes cut into slices, and 
boiled as a vegetable for the table ; and sometimes fried 
in palm-oil. The nuts are eaten roasted, and the tvood 
serves for building materials. 
TRIANDRIA. 
222. MAIZE, or INDIAN CORN (Zea mays, Fig. 58), 
is CL species of grain muck cultivated in America and other cli- 
mates: the grains are of yellow colour, somezchat shaped like 
flattened peaSy and grow closely set round the upper part of high 
perpendicular stalks. 
To the inhabitants of many countries of warm climates 
the cultivation of maize is a very important pursuit. 
These plants are propagated by sowing the seed in rows, 
in March, April, or May: they generally produce two 
crops in the year, and yield, according to the soil, from 
fifteen to forty bushels per acre. As soon as they are 
ripe, the ears are gathered. They are shortly afterwards 
threshed, and the grain, when separated, is spread out 
to dry in the sun ; for, if it were heaped together in 
this state, it would ferment, and sprout or grow. 
The American Indians parch this kind of corn over a 
fire, in such manner as not to burn it. Afterwards they 
pound it, sift the meal and preserve it for their chief 
food. They make it into puddings and cakes, or bread, 
the quality of which is extremely nutritive. Maize is 
useful for poultry and cattle of every kind; and, if con- 
verted into malt, a wholesome beverage may be brewed 
