Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-01-31
Indian Corn.

Indian Corn
Rice is probably the chief article of susie
nance of The larger number of human beings
wheat of the next class in number; but the
grain which ought 10 be most cultivated and
relied on is our Maize or Indian Corn. lis
production demands labor and care, but the
growing plant can hardly be surpassed in lux
urlance or beauty, and we know nothing else
above grounh-certainly no grain-of which
so large an amount of food can be annually OBJ
taned from well cultivated acre. 1t is far
more reliable for good yield than wheat, and
the insects which assaiit are far more within
the reach of mans extermnating warfare. 1t
grows rankly and natures seasonably over
two-thirds of the eartl's habitable surface.and
under thorough cultivation, will yield one hun
dred bushels or two and half tons of highly
nutritious grain 10 the acre, beside a large
amount Of fodder for cattle; or sowed proper
y and cut green, as many as twelve tons to
the acre OF the best food for cattle has been
obtained.
The world hears enough of our cotton crop
and any worm, or blight, or drouth, or flood,
or premature frost affecting it, is telegraphed
and trumpeted all over the civilized world
political orators and mercantile writer's talk
as though the world existed by the grace of
cotton, whereas our corn crop is worth three
of our cotton any year of our lives. But our
corn is mainly consumed at home, while our
cotton in good part goes abroad, and this be-
Titles the importance of tile former and mag
ies that of the latter.
There is a stupid prejudice throughout the
Free States against the use of corn as an article
of human food, which seems to be based on
presumption that ii is coarse and homely
grain, designed for hogs and cattle. In tie
South, this prejudice is unknown, and corn
bread of various kinds, and other preparations
of this grain, are constantly provided and
freely used in every household, from highest
to lowest. Much OF this prejudice is simply
absurd, but ii has some foundation in the cur
rent ignorance with regard to the preparation
ana preSefNalOH Vi lll6 IIouI VI ColH. 1He
plant has been known to the civilized world
for comparatively few ages and is not yet
fully understood nor fairly treated by the great
majority even of our own people, while in
Europe it has had no chance at all. Tie
farina of corn is among the sweetest and most
delicate of any which the earth produces, if
properly cured. But the ripe grain contains
moisture, and the -four readily absorbs more,
and IN consequence good part of that con-
sumed in this country, with nearly all that is
sent abroad, is in the first place very mper-
fectly prepared, and then dampened, heated,
sourcd, or rendered musty, until it is not de-
cent food for wel-bred hog. This is no
fault of the grain bnt of the wretched methods
current of curing, grinding, packing and trans
porting it. On account of these, British and
Irish papers speak dsparagingly of the taste
of corn bread, without the remotest idea OF
what that taste rightfully IS
Mr. J. r. Stafford, an Ohioan, has for sew
raj years been engaged in deyising and per.
eciing improved methods Of putting up Corn
Flour. His recently patented methods have
eceived the stamp of scientific and practical
pprobation, earning him several gold medals
md other gratifying testimonials. The new
nd extensive mills constructed under his
uspices at Atlantic Dock, Brooklyn, are now
urning out an abundant supply of ''Indian
'orn Flour" and "lndan Corn Farina," of the
est quality, utterly Invested of moisture and
0 put up as to be proof against deterioration
+ change by transportation, time or tempera-
IRE. We advise every one to procure a box
t this -four and one of this farina," as
arnples Of the best preparations Of grain for
uman food ever yet made. The attention Of
hippers of breadstuffa, we presume, has al
sady been drawn to them. When time has
cen afforded TO test their endurance aud ex.
elence, very large export trade in these
rticles will doubtless grow up. and the con-
lmption of Indian corn, both at home AMI
broad, be largely augmented. Y Tribune