The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-26
.sa,,.r b. The Editors Of The National 1.slligsncer.

|PANEGYRIC ON THE VIRTUES OF INDIAN CORN
ITS IMPORTATION INTO ENGLAND FREE OF
| DUTY.
The reports that we have received through the
English prints about the free importation Of Indian
corn into the British ports have turned attention
TO this subject. Il is the great staff of life for the
mass Of the laborers Of the South and the South
west Il enters largely into the general consump-
ton Of the people, both of the North and the South
1t grows, BESIDES in most of the important sections
Of our extensive country. 1t is, Of course, one of
the great staples Of our agrcuure but it is as de-
srabe to us as it would be to Great Britain, if it
could be introduced into the consumption of her
people. Some prejudice may exist against the use
Of il in England; but il is prejudice only, which must
yield to time. None are SO intimately acquaint-
ed with the value Of the grain as the people of the
United States who use it in such variety of ways,
and who would honestly recommend it to the adop-
ton Of other countries. But the people Of England
might perhaps be better disposed to listen to the ex
perience ofone Of their own countrymen; and, there
FORE we beg leave tolay before them the contents Of
aPaper which was prepared for their benefit two
or three years ago. II may even present, if not
some new ideas, at least some old ones dressed up
IN new shape, to our own countrymen. They
will be amused, if not instructed by this panegyrc
ofan English gentleman on one Of our great Amer
lean productions. II has not, as far as we are ad-
vsed, ever been published before.
ON INDIAN CORN
SIR Under the existing circumstances of this
country, In regard to the importation of foreign
gram and breadstufs, beg to draw your attention
or moment to the importation of Indian corn free
o. DUTY and hope its importance (at least as mp
pears to myself will plead my apology for tres
passing on your time.
;, Indian corn is Of universal consumption in the
onmed States of North America, as feed for horses,
ieedng and fatiening neatcatle, hogs, and poultry,
'or human food, and for spirituous dstiation. Nor
can any substitute be named or found in competi-
uon with II. II is wholesome, healthy, palatabe,
ana efhcent; and in the middle, southern, and south
western States of that country, is cultivated to far
greater extent and advantage, and with less expense
ana risk, than other grain.
Indian corn is wholly a summer plant, and the
tropical suns and rains of the United States are high
favorable to certain and abundant crops, II takes
ule whole summer, from spring TO October and No
emoer to perfect it; whilst wheat, oats, tarey and
c, 70 That country, harvested in June, early
IN July. This fact alone speaks much in favor Of
Indian corn.
The weight per acre Of their crops of Indian
ooln averages double the weight per acre Of their
erops o. wheat, besides having the great advantage
WIN less risk Of bad crops) of summer cultivs-
w. over that of an autumn cultivation and win
'cr care and risk; and the former also takes less
'eeu for sowing than the latter.
Indian corn is also full as heavy as wheat. meas
ute Tor measure; and in the grinding and dressing,
we oiia OF the former is also much less than that of
the latter.
TO these various causes the comparative cheap
"ess OF Indian corn over wheat is owing in that
Country.
"The price Of Indian corn in the United States ia
generally little over half the price Of wheat, as. a,
The present time the best Indian corn is eighteen
ihillings sterling per quarter Of eight bushels and
The best wheat ihirty-two shillings in the Phiade-
pha market.
Poultry (including turkeys) is so plentiful and
cheap in the United States as to form part of the
food Of the common laborer but this would be inn
possible, were it not for the cheap production and
attening quality Of their Indian corn; and as TO the
unbounded plenty, good quality, cheapness, and uni
Versa use Of their pork or bacon, need not here
say anything. Indeed, nothing is SO satisfactory to
the buyer Of animal food in that country, as the
knowledge or assurance that it is corn-fed-always
meaning Indian corn.
For the food OF man, Indian corn-mesl is used in
the form Of mush or porridge, in buildings, and in
various forms Of Indian cakes or bread. II is also
used IN small quantities, mixed in their wheaton
bread, TO render the latter lighter, moist more
agreeable, and far better keeping; and in all these
forms OF using Indian meal in the United States
becomes a palatahle food with the consumers
strangers as well az natives.
indian corn being an agreeable, nutritious, strong,