The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-27

oScht vi Tile department Oh agricultural
has been in Berlin, trying to teach the
Germans to eat corn. Having set up small
kitchens in different parts OF that capital,
he has distributed corn bread, corn Jap
jacks, corn dodgers and other preparations
of the grain among the people, serving
them hot and either free OF charge or at 4
nominal price. He has succeeded in in
teresting that government in the subject
to such an extent that corn mixed with
rye has been recommended officially for
the rations of the army. Owing to the
fact that the cZar has prohibited the ex-
portation of rye from Russia, on account
OF the threatened famine, Germany main
supply of that cereal has been cut off. 1t
is proposed therefore that, in place or rye
bread, the soldiers shall be supplied with
bread made half Of rye and half Of corn.
Thus, there is reason to believe that this
great European nation Will have acquired
taste for the American vegetable before
long, and so become a regular purchaser Of
it from the United States.
Already merchant named Wilzynski
has opened a great store on one of the
principal streets of Berlin for selling by
wholesale and retail bread made of corn
and rye. Inasmuch as his product is Of
fered for 40 per cent. less than rye bread
can be bought for, 1T has every prospect of
obtaining popularity. When ten loaves of
the new food can be got for the price of six
loaves of the old, the inducement from the
point OF view of the toiling masses is very
great. 1t is anticipated that before long
the bakers all over Germany will be bak-
ing bread of corn and rye. Another firm
In Berlin Is about TO go into the manu-
facture and sale of cornmeal mush, put up
IN packages of a pound and half each, or
TO be sold in cardboard dishes. An inter-
national exhibition, to be opened at Leip-
sic February 4, will be largely devoted to
cooking and domestic economy generally.
An agent of the department of agriculture
will probably be sent there TO make show
of corn and the methods ~ preparing it.
AS for the project of sending ship loads
of corn to Russia, Secretary Rusk says
that it is like throwing bread upon the
waters with string tied TO it. But he
adds that the time has come for American
exporters to actively take up the business
of introducing the new cereal abroad, fol-
lowing up the initiative of the govern
ment. Uncle Sam may open up trade,
but he cannot be expected to drum for
custom. There is a call now for the exer-
ton of individual enterprise in this mat
ter.
The only form of corn at all known in
Northern Europe as human food is corn
starch. 1t is mostly sold in Great Britain
under other names 10 conceal the fact that
it is product of maize, so strong is the
prejudice against the grain as an article of
diet. If seems very surprising that the
leading cereals of the New World
should not have been adopted as bread
stuff in the Old World. where the cry for
''cheap bread" is so bitter and agoniziny.
Hopes are entertained, however. of teach
ing these people across the ocean to use
maize by cooking it for them publicly, by
distributing literature advertising its
qualities and comparative cheapness, and
by eniisting the influence of governments
and the agricultural press. incidentally,
the increased demand would be of great
benefit 10 the farmers of this country. 1t
is reckoned by Secretary Rusk that an adj
vance of cents bushel for corn during
the next decade would add 81 900. 000, go to
the value of this crop during that period.
While American wheat meets with COM
petition from Russia, India and the Ar
geutine Republic no country in the world
can compete with our corn as 10 Qualtr or
price. The soil and climate of the
United States produce superior
growth of the grain, the cold winters
hardening 1t and the warm summers
bringing il To perfection. First-rate rail-
way facilities and 8 comparatively short
ocean voyage afford 10 the domestic prod
uct great advantage over corn from the
Argentine and India. Long trips over
seas through the heat of the tropics cause
the grain 10 sweat" and deteriorate An
inferior grade OF corn grown in Italy is
consumed TO a considerable extent in that
country. From Southeastern Europe
comes the corn of the Danube, a small
variety. which Is preferred for chicken
feed 70 the American, owing TO the size of
the grain. In ireland corn in the form of
mush called 'stiraboUt," has been slowly
coming into favor, and is largely used
when the potato crop fails. The tuber IS
preferred in times of plenty. although
corn is cheaper and more nour.shing. Ire
land today takes more corn as human food
than any other country in Europe.
To illustrate the strength OF the preiu-
dice against corn in that part Of the world,
mention NAV be made OF an instance in
the city Of Glasgow, where Il was proposed
by member OF the poOrhouse board 70
substitute maize for CostlIer food in that
institution. The mere suggestion brought
O storm about his ears, because of his in
humanity in thrUstlng upon defenseless
paupers a food which was only 1t for pigs
American canned goods Of all other kinds
are largely sold in Europe, but canned corn
is almost never seen there. Ii demand for
il could be created, IL would mean hun
dreds OF thousands Of dollars yearly 10 the
proprietors and workers OF our canneries.
Agents Of the department OF agriculture
have been exhibiting the cereal in this
form also abroad, with the hope Of teach
ing the people 70 Ike IL Wherever corn
dishes Of various sorts have been prepared
and distributed by them, they have been
received so favorabIy IS 10 give good
grounds for confident expectation IN this
regard.
In addition 20 showing corn and It's d.f-
ferent uses st exhibitions and other public
gatherings throughout Europe. il Is sug-
gested that the adoption OF q grocery store
propaganda would aid materially in intro
ducing the food. Under this plan lew