The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-11-06
THE CORN PLANT.

that time j. Represented
TO nave been from two hundred to more than
thoasaudioid.
THE CORN PLANT,
or its grain frequently entered into the forms
the ceremonies and the mythology of many of
the Indian tribes both in Nor; h aud IN South
America, an instance OF which may be illus
trated IN the following alcgory, rs related by
MIR. Schoolcraft. o! the 0ubbeways:
A young man went ont into the woods 10 fast,
Rt that period OF life when youth is exchanged
for manhood. He built lodge Of boughs in
secluded place, aud painted his face of a SOM
Der hue. BY day he amused himself IN walk
ing about. looking st the various shrubs and
wild plants and at night he lay down In his
bower Withdrawing open, he could look up into
the sky. lie sought gift from the Master OF
I.ife and lie hoped il would be something TO
benefit his race. On the third day he became
too weak to leave the lodge and as he lay gaZ-
ing upwards he saw spirit come down in the
shape OF beautiful young man, dressed IN
green aud having green plumes on Ms head,
who told him 80 sFise and wrestle with hlm, as
this Was the only wag in which he could OBJ
tain his wishes. He did so and found ms
strength renewed 10y the effort
This visit aud the trial Of wrestling were re-
peato 'or four days the youth feeling at each
trial that. although his bodily strength de-
cliued. a moral and supernatural energy Was
Impaired, which promised hIm the final VIC
tory. On the third day has celestial visitor
spoke 10 him. To morrow" said he, will be
the seventh day Of your fast, and the last time
] shall wresi!e with You. You will triumph
over me and gain your wishes As soon as you
have thrown me down, strip OF my clothes aud
bury me on the spot, IN
SOFT FRESH EARTH.
When you have done this, leave me- hut come
occasionally 10 visit the place aud keep the
weeds from growing. Once or twice cover me
with fresh earth"
lie then departed, but returned the next
day. and. Is be had predicted, WAS thrown
down. The young man puuciually oheyed his
instructions IA every particular, and soon had
the pleasure If seeing the green plumes Of his
SKY visitor shooting up through the ground.
He carefully weeded the earth and kept IL fresh
and soft and in due time Was grathed 10y be-
holding the msturcd plant bending with its
golden fruit, and gracefully waving It's green
leaves and yellow tasseis IN the wind. He
then invited las parents to the spot TO behold
the new plant.
1T Is Mondamiu." replied his father; cit is
the spirits grain"
They Immediately prepared feast and in
Tited their friends 70 partake Of IL; and this
is the origin Of Indian corn.
The introduction OF wheat into the North
American Colonies dates back 10 the earliest
periods o. their settlements by Europeans. IL
was first sOHu. with other grains. on the Eliza
beth Islands, In Massachusetts. by Gosnold, at
the time he explored that coast in 1850. Ia
1911 wheat rs well as olher grains, was also
Sown in Virginia, and by the year l645 there
were cultivated
MANY HUNDRED ACRES
in that Colony. Although premiums were
offered as an encouragement Of its growth ia
l6ll. Il was not much cultivated for more than
q century after, IN consequence Of the lli-
directed attention 70 the culture OF tobacco.
PrIGT 10 the Revolution the primitive soils Of
New York, New Jersey and New England ap-
par not 20 have rewarded the cultivation Of
this grain much, 10 any, beyond the wants OF
the inhabitants Considerable quantities were
raised on the Hudson and IN some parts of
New jersey and Pennsylvania. which were ex-
ported 10 the West Indies and New England,
aud 10 Great Britain, France, Portugal and
SPAN. ia tie years Of scarcity previous TO I7>3.
IL 40 New Jersey raised more wheat than
ar. other Colony.
Z, Is not known with certainty TO what
eouHiry rye owes It's OF gin. il was supposed
tut ~ had been found Wild upon the Caspian
Caucs> an desert. but more recent observations
have shown that fhis wild plant is different
from the cultivated varieties. particularly in
growing the central stem Of the car so brittle
that il cannot be tbrasbed.
Wild rye Is also found IN Sicily; but this,
TOO. has characteristics by which IL differs from
Certainty whether the parent Of this plant has
totally vanished, or has become go altered by
cultivation IN the course Of time, that we can.
not recognize IL in the species 10 which IL &C
tually does owe lis origin.
RYE WAS CULTIVATED
IN most Of the North American Colonies soon
after their settlement by Europeans. Gorges
speaks o. il as growing IN Nova Scotia in 1922
u nas introduced into New Netherland pior "a
1926. as il Is mentioned among the products
cent o Holland from the little colony on Man
haitian Island that year.
Tie introduction Of barley into the North
American Colonies may be traced back 10 the
periods 81 their settlements. IL Was sOwn by
GOsnOld. together with other English grains
on hanha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth Is
lands IN 1902 aud by the colOuigts Of the Lon
dos Company IN Virginia in 1911. By the year
1916 O. WIS ralsed in abundance in that colony
bBt s0oH after lis culture was suffered 10 de.
cline 10 consequence Of the more profitable and
increased production Of tobacco.
The cat when considered in connection with
the artificial grasses. aud the nourshmcut and
improvement il affords 10 livestock, may b,
regarded AZ one u the most important crops wt
produce its history Is interesting from The
circumstance that while IN many portions o.
Europe, when ground into meal, it forms an
IMPORTANT ALIIEEr FOX MAN,
one variety. at least, has been cultivated from
the days 81 Pliny on account Of it, superior FL
ness ~ an article Of diet for the sick The
country 81 its origin is vailed ia the same I'M
certainty ss that Of barley or rye. though tia,
most common variety IL said 20 be indigenOu
10 the isle Of Juan Fernandez, while another
sort, resembling IL. is found growing wild il
California.
This plant was introduced into the Nortf
American Colonies soon after their settlement
by Europeans. IL was s0wn by GOsnold On tht
Elizabeth IsiauSs IN 1902 cultivated in New
fOuHoiaud in 1872, aud introduced by the col
ODIstg on Massachusetts Bay IN 1923
The common or Irish potato, 90 extensiyeI,
cultivated throughout niest Of the temperate
countries Of the civilized globe, contributing a
- docs 20 tue necessities Of large portion 0
the human race. as well AS 10 The nourishmen
aud iattenug Of stock is regarded as but 0
little less importance in our national econ
Omy than wheat, rice. or maize. 1t has beer
found IN an indigenous state IN Chilli on Ia
mountains near Valparaiso and Mendoza; ais
near hontevideO. Lima Quito as well as II
Santa Re de bOgOta and more recently il
Mexico, on the banks Of The OFzaba; but SOM
Of these, II cultivated. doubtless would prove !
belong 20 other species than that Of the com
mon potato Of The numerous genus to which i
belongs.
that Of the sweet potato is involved IN Obscurity
the accounts Of their introduction int
Europe are somewhat conflicting and oftel
they appear 70 be COMPOUNDED with one another
The common kind was doubtless
INTRODUCED INTO SPAIN
IN the early part Of the 10th century, from Oh