The progress., 1890-06-21
CORN AS HUMAN FOOD.
Efforts to Introduce the American Article
Move Extensively in European Markets.

|
The Kansas City Star publishes a
very sensible article on corn as food.
1t will be seen by the article in question
that an effort will be made during the
coming Summer to introduce that cele-
brated American product to the
European nations through the medium
of the Edinburgh Exposition, which
opens in May next:
The Western farmers will be inter-
ested in the announcement that the
American Indian corn exhibit will he a
notable feature of the Edinburgh ex
position, which opens in Nav. The
display of American agricultural pro-
/ ducts at the Paris fair last wear was
quite incomplete, and the opportunity
which that occasion afforded for adver-
tIsIng the resources of the United
states was not adequately improved.
Kansas and Missouri each appropriated
considerable sums to secure proper
representation, but it is doubtful
whether the results have justified the
outlay, though it is believed that the
right kind of a display would have
been highly advantageous.
An effort will be made to correct
this mistake at the Edinburgh expo
sltlon. The Chairman of the Execu-
tl|e Committee and the Lord Provost
OF Edinburgh have taken the matter in
hand, and they will make Il special
point OF enlightening the public as to
the merits Of Indian corn ~ food. #
which so little is known at present in
Europe.
1t will be difficult for the pcople of
this country, where corn is such a
popular article of diet. to understand
how limited its consumption is in the
old world. Indeed, it is stated
that during the famine in Ireland.
when America sent to the distressed
island ship-loads of supplies, nothing
but the pangs of extreme hunger over
came the prejudice which existed in
Ireland against corn as a source of
nutrition for the human stomach. II
is still held by the better class in
Europe that corn is unfit for food. and |
its wholesomeness is yravely disputed. |
II would seem that, by proper effort,
this apprehension could be removed.
The lectures and writings of scientific
experts have failed to accomplish this
result, and a more convincing method
must be employed If the people of
the Old World knew how palatable and
wholesome Indian corn is in all of the
shapes in which it is prepared for
human consumption. the foreign de-
mand for that cereal would increase tc
degree that would quite remove all
danger OF production in thi:
country. Corn has the merit of cheap
ness, 1t contains Il very large percent,
age OF nutriment, and being proof
against the process of decay which rem.
ders other food commodities perishable,
il can be transported to the uttermosf
parts of the earth and preserved fol-
any length of time. a comparison of the
stalWart, cOrn-fed American with the
Mongolian. VINO feeds on
rice, and with the degenerate Romans
who subsist upon macaroni, furnishes 7
proof Of its health-giying properties:
All that Is required tc pOpularizc it il
to enforce its claims in manner :
which compel recognition. The mo-
ment is ripe for such an undertaking.
and the Edinburgh fair furnishes the !
\
But there must be departure from Q
the usual plan of display. The stomach a
as well rs the eye must be enlisted
The proof of the pudding is in the
taste. In connection with the corn ex.
hibit IT Edinburgh there should be h
for cooking it in its various
popular forms. and thus it would be
presented in new light to the /
European public. The mere prepara. =
ton of it in such shape would consti- !
tute strong attraction, and cause it to j
be talked about far and wide. With |;
the seductive flap-jap, the toothsome
pone-not to speak of mush and maize il
plead for it, Indian corn
would soon be able to make its way iu
he markets of Europe. S'
The time is coming when America j.
will find in lands beyond the sea ap =
outlet for its surplus of corn. and that II
lay may be fastened by wcIl-dirccted T.
stroke of the enterprise and ingenuity Oh
or which the people of this country y
ire noted. If the toiling millions OF !
he old world can be impressed by ~
PRACTICAL demonstration with the merits IL
If Indian corn as food. and can be ii
aught to cat it, it will soon cease to II
,e an article of fuel in this country, II
md will pay handsome profit to the " "
PRODUCER. The experiment on the "
,lan suggested is worthy Ct Il trial. |
nd it is believed that it would insure "
satisfactory and successful results. '"