Star.
London, England, 1829-09-25 00:00:00

COBBETT'S CORN.

A numerous and respectable fleeting of those inte-
rested in the introduction of American Dwarf, or Cobbett's Corn,
took place in the Cowieston Tavern, Paisley, Thursday evening last.
In addition to the other ornaments of the room, the table was
graced with a fine plant of this corn in a Bower-pot, in which it had
been raised. Mr. Lee, of Stanely, on being called to the chair, said
that the fine plant on the table was a specimen of the variety by which
nature delights the eye, and indulges the appetite of man. What-
ever country or climate we visit, nothing is so ready to attract the
eye of the traveller as the varied plants, shrubs, and , with
which its surface is decorated. In fact, the whole productions of
earth, air, and sea, are nothing bet an endless variety ; and man
the most perfect work in creation, presents to our limited mind an
infinite intermisture—in colour, habit, temper, and form. There
are few things more striking than the remarkable way in which the
earth is suited for the production of this variety ; for one kind of
grain takes up one part of the soil for its nourishment which is of
no use to another, and what is left by the one kind goes to nourish
another kind when planted—thus a farmer may have a crop of oats,
and a crop of peas alternately, for several years successively, without
running out his ground so much as two successive crops of either
kind would do. Therefore, the greater the variety of different kinds
of crop the better for the farmer, the landlord, and the country ge-
nerally. He had not yet bad expeperience of Cobbett's corn to au
extent that enabled him to say how far it would affect the ground
in this respect, but he had no doubt that it would be found an ex-
cellent preparative crop to some of the other kinds of grain at pre-
sent in cultivation in the neighbourhood of Paisley. For these
reasons be considered its introduction as likely to be a national
benefit, and worthy of the attention of every landlord and farmer.
It was no argument against its introduction into this country, tha:
it had hitherto been confined to warmer climates. The most im-
portant of the present crops had been introduced in a similar man-
ner to this country, and under more unfavourable auspices ; for the
matchless pen of its introducer had silenced every clamour against
it, and extended its cultivation in one year throughout the United
Kingdom. It was far different with some of our other crops and
improvements in this respect ; for the first person that attended to
summer fallow in Scotland, was looked on as only making a pre-
tence to cover his poverty, and the first who cultivated turnips
was looked on as a downright fool; and although it was only about
a cen:ury since the introduction of this root, he was of opinion
there were as many raised annually in Great Britain, as wool
nearly pay the interest of the national debt.
Mr. U. HILIWZRSON said, that from what had fallen from the Pre-
sident, they must be well aware of the great benefit likely to result
from the introduction of this plant. It was looked on by the
American farmer as his mod valuable crop. It was the staide
article of food used by the inhabitants of Spain, Portugal, and
France. It was likewise cultivated to a great extent both in Africa
and Asia, and he had no doubt it was the corn so often referred to
in the Old Testament, and the corn which our Samoa, with his
Disciples, plucked, and ate on the Sabbath-day. He therefore
thought, that Indian Corn was by far too limited a term for it.
seeing there was such a variety in its nature. and the countries
where it was in use, and therefore, he thought American Dwarf,
or Cobbett's Corn, was a proper name to give the kind which had
been introduced into this country. For the encouragement of the
public--pirited individuals who had planted it, one of the gentlemen
present had offered a guinea as a premium to the person who would
produce the best ear raised in the West of Scotland ; and they were
called together on this occasion to fix the time and make other ar-
rangements for the competition. He would, therefore, reconimend
every person present to give their opinion openly and candidly as
to the hest mode of conducting the business. and making the Public
aware of the importance of this grain. After several other Gentle-
men bad delivered their opinions, it was fixed that the competition
should take place at Paisley, on the third Friday of November, be-
teg Paisley fair, and that those interested in its introduction, with
their friends, should afterward+ dine together. A Commit tee was
appointed to make the necessary arrangements, and Mr. Duncan
Henderson, grocer, COWICSIOII, was appointed Secretary for com-
municating with those at a distance. Three Gentlemen Were also
appointed to he judges on the occasion. •We understand that the
particulars will be given in an advertisement, when the prelimina.
ries are completed. It was likewise mimed aid agreed to, that a
subscription should be opened for a Ynd prise of a silver medal toe
the best plant ; and from the manner it seas filled op by those pre-
sent, there is every likelihood s$ a third, if not a fourth prize bang
awarded.—Glasgow Free Press.

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••• THE EVENING STAR.
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