The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-04-17
CORN AS HUMAN FOOD.
Efforts to bo Made to Introduce Maiso Il
EurOpean Markets.

Efforts to be Made to Introduce Maiss In
European Markets.
It will be difficult for the people of
this country, where corn is such popu-
lar 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 overcame the prejudice
which existed in Ireland against corn as
source Of nutrition for the human
stomach. 1t is still held b. the better
class in Europe that corn Is unfit for
food. and its wholesomeness is gravely
disputed. 1t would seem that, by
proper effort, this misapprehensionc could
be removed. The lectures and writings
Of scientific experts have failed to &C
complish this result, and more con-
vincing method must be employed. II
the people Of the Old World knew how
palatable and wholesome Indian corn
is in all of the shapes in which it
10 prepared for human consumption,
the foreign demand for that cereal
would increase to degree that would
quite remove all danger Of oyer-produc-
tion in this country. Corn has the merit
of cheapness, it contains very large
percentage Of nutriment, and being
proof against the process OF decay which
renders other food commodities perish
able, it can be transported to the utter.
most parts Of the earth and preserved
for any length OF time. A compar lson
Of the stalwart, corn-fed American with
the understood Mongolian, who feeds on
rice. and with the degenerate Romans.
proof Of its health-giving properties. All
tnat is required to popularize it is to
enforce its claims in a manner which
will compel recognition. The moment
is ripe for such an undertaking, and the
Edinburgh fair furnishes the Oppor-
tunity.
But there must be departure from
the usual plan Of display. The stomach
as well as the eye must be enlisted. The
proof Of the pudding is in the taste. In
connection with the corn exhibit at
Edinburgh there should be facilities fo'
cooking it in its various popular forms,
and thus 1t would be presented In new
light to the European public. The mere
preparation Of it in such shape would
constitute strong attraction, and cause
1t to be talked about far and wide. With
the seductive aap-jap, the toothsome
pone-not to speak Of mush and maize
pudding-to plead for it, Indian corn
would soon be able to make its way in
the markets Of Europe.
The time is coming when America
will find in lands beyond the sea an out
let for its surplus Of corn, and that day
may be hastened by well-directed
stroke Of the enterprise and ingenuity
for which the people Of this country are
noted. II tho toiling millions of the
old world can be impressed by practical
demonstration with the merits of In
dian corn as food. ana can be taught to
eat it. 1t will soon cease to be an arti.
Gle Of fuel in this country, and will pay
handsome profit to the producer. The
experiment on the plan suggested il
worthy of trial, and il is believed thai
it would insure satisfactory and success
1ul results. Kansas City STA