The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-11-09

$40 go as far as Ho0-Twenty-Seven
Methods OF Cooking Indian Corn.
Economy is the word now, or should
be, in every family. Some are compelled
to economize, others do from motives of
benevolcnce, that they may be better
able to assist their less fortunate friends
and nelghbors; while others will practice
economy from patriotic motives. There
are over twenty million inhabitants in
the Northern and Middle States. If by
economy in food, clothing, Injuries, fur
niture, carriages, and in sundry other
items, the aDsraye reduction of current
expenses for one year be only cents a
! day each. the sar,ngs wW amount to
ocer fce hunlred million doliars $780,
0Ou,O0OD This would balance the four
hundred millions expended by the Gov
eminent, and leave one hundred millions
as an offset to the extra expenses and
contributions of those not connected with
or employed by Government, so that the
nation would have quite as much wealth
after years war, as it peace had pre-
vailed and the people had gone on in
their previous modes Of living. The
half million soldiers will of course save
money during the year, for even the
humblest private gets all his food, cloth
ing, and travelling expenses, besides
Sl36 Ill money, which all come out of the
four hundred million dollars expended
| by the Government, while the balance is
nearly all paid to manufacturers, labor
ers, cutivators, etc., here at home.
We believe the people can and will
reduce their expenses I cents day each,
on the average. With some the saving
will amount to but one or two cents daily,
while others will far exceed the 7 cents.
There are many ways in which people can
expend less than they would have done
under other circumstances. In the sin
| gle item of clothing much will be saved.
Some will buy one coat or one dress less.
Some will wear 81 or s. bonnet
instead Of Il 81 or SIS one. Some will
wear good substantial pair Of boots or
shoes instead of IL fancy pair that would
cost more and give out sooner-and this
| will be il nlanitect saving of health and
comfort. i he old harness will do to
drive to church or to town for another
year. But we cannot part;cularize fur
Their. One of the few good effects of
this war will be to bring US back to more
economical habits which will cling to
US afterward.
The main object of the present chapter
Is to assist, if we can, in economy in
food. Did it ever occur to the reader
how little, comparatively, we, as a pee
pie, use Indian corn! | his crop is grown
more generally, and with more certainty
than any other, and its actual production
far exceeds that of all other grains taken
together. And yet Il few pounds of meal
per month, for dessert buildings,
and occasional other dishes. is about
the extent of the consumption of
corn in the great majority Of the
families in the Northern States. Some
families use much more, but these are
exceptions to the general rule. And
yet, Il b"shel Of ground corn nDorJs quite
rs much hcaithtul nourisAmcni, as u
bushel OF wteat. A busheI of corn
wei chs 5G lbs, and onshcl of wheat 90
lbs; but there is more waste in grinding
the wheat, in the form of bran and ship
stuff. Corn differs from wheat mainly,
having little less gluten, and rather
more oil and starch. For the colder
half Of the year the oil and starch of the
corn are better adapted to the wants of
the body, than the large amount of gluten
in wheat Corn contains all the Gle
ments needed in the body, and IN just
about the proportion they are required
IN Winter, while they are nearly suited
for food in warm weather. A bushel of
corn contains four times as much nutr-
nent as bushel of potatoes.
We have just examined the market
prices of Wheat, Corn, and Potatoes, in
different parts of the country. The
examination shows, first, that taking the
country together, the price of buShcl
Of corn and bushel of potatoes is about
the same, Uhey vary considerably in
some localities, but not generally y and
yecond, that bushel of wheat sells lol
~ times as much as u bushel Of corn
We therefore find that, on the average,
| an dulOullI vi HOullS1ulclt CUSHING p III
the form of wheat, and 81 in the form of
potatoes. (Four-fiflhs of the weight of
potatoes are watcr.) So, then, of three
families requiring the same amount of
nourishing food, what would cost one
$40 year in the form of corn, would
cost the second 500 in the form of
wheat, and the third SlGO in the form of
potatoes.
Why, then, do not people consume
:. more corn? AnsWer. Fashion OF GUS
tom has much influence, and ignorance
of the value of corn, or of good modes
Of cooking it, does the rest. TO do
away with the last named difficulty, we
propose to give here considerable
variety of methods for preparing corn,
and corn meal, so as to make them pala
table. OF the healthfulness there is no
doubt, and from the methods given
below, every house wife can find one or
nlere that will suit the wants and taste
OF those for whom she provides.
The following directions have all been
furnished expressly for this number of
the .fmericaa Agrtculturist. Each of
the several editors families have been
called upon for contributions, and we
have each asked our friends for their
best receipts. Wife's written cook book
| has knnn r,pconl. oil apd Ua hara nonc,,1-