The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1893-11-04
ORIGIN OF GRAIN AND FRUITS.


ORIGIN OF GRAIN AND FRUITS.
Many Kinds Have Been Known from Inn
memorial Times.
The grains and fruits used as food by
man originated in different ATTITUDES,
and first existed in wild state. some
being indigenous to the tropics and
some to the temperate zone. As they
became improved and differentiated
they were distributed in different
countries according to their utility ana
the spread of agriculture. 1t was but |
natural that the first gradual changes
from wild to a cultivated state |
should have taken place in general IN
warm countries where the climate and
the advanced state of civilization con-
spired to effect their amelioration.
For instance, the grape is indigenous
to America and had existed here in
wild state long ages before the con-
tinent was discovered by Column
bus, but it was first put to practical
use in Egypt and Central Asia'
to which localities its origin is some
times attributed, and whence it was In
reality distributed throughout the
western world. A similar remark may
be made of rye, one of the most valued
cereals, which is a native OF the tenn
perate zones, and spread thence toward
the south. 1t is supposed to have been
unknown in India, Egypt and ancient
/ Palestine, and, thouyh it was more or
less used by the ancient Greeks and
Romans. it was from the north OF Eu-
I: rope that they received it.
! Nearly all the grains now in use are
of unknown antiquity. Wheat was
cultivated in all ATTITUDES as far back
in the past as we have authentic knowl-
edge. Barley is thought to have origl-
| mated in the Caucasus, but 1T was
known and used everywhere in the
most ancient times. Oats, like rye, was
unknown in ancient India and Egypt
and among the Hebrews The Greeks
and Romans received it from the
north of Europe. Had there been an
early civilization on this continent the
: wild oats found here and there would
probably have developed into the use
full cereal now considered absolutely
essential to the proper nourishment OF
horses. This continent is credited
with having given Indian corn to the
, old world, but this useful cereal was
doubtless known in India and China
many years before the discovery o.
America. Cotton was used for making
garments in India at date so remote
that it can not even be guessed at Th'
, fact is mentioned by Aristotle Th'
! first seeds were brought to this countr,
in 1921. In 1850 the culture is men
toned in the records of South Carolina
In 1885 the culture was general alont
the eastern coast of Maryland, and II
1776 we heard of it as far north as Cap
Nav. The use of fax for making cloth
ing is nearly as ancient as that OF cot
ton, and perhaps more so, plants Q
soft and flexible fiber having bee
without doubt among the first vegets
BILE productions of the ancient worl
and their practical value discovere
soon after the invention of weaving.
The orange is thought by some I
have been first known in Burmaf
whence it was disseminated through
out the far east, in which connection
is curious to note that the Greeks an
Romans, to whom this fruit was Ill
known, placed the islands OF the he
perides, where grew the golden apple
in the far west. The Introduction I
the orange into Spain is said to be dr
a to the Moors, who cultivated it in A
dalusia. The peach is accredited
r. Persia. The name itself is said to
a corruption of the Latin word #
es Persian the word ''malum" (frui
or being understood. The origin OF tt
er word pear is uncertain, but it is su
posed to have been improved, like Il
apple, from some wild shrub, speclmel
Is, of which are occasionally found in t
west of France The plum had sin
ed lar origin. Were our civilization as Q
ut as that of Asia and Africa the wi
ia plum found in numerous localities
of this continent would, after thousan
ty of wears of culture, have develop
vn into mum berless varieties. The apris
lei comes from Persia. The nectaril
m which partakes of the nature OF
plum and the peach. is of com parati
rio ly recent origin, and came first, WI
out doubt, from union OF the two.
The cherry, in its improved con
MS ton, is of Persian descent, and is
ID, other fruit that might have been
we proyed from our wild varieties had {
4 | civilization been contemporary w
me that which preceded Egypt and Bal
Ter lon in the valleys of the Tigris
to Euphrates. Peaches, plums and ch
fries were all known to the anci'
,us Greeks and Romans
arr The apple, the most useful and sa
'ri factory of all the fruits OF the temp
ate zones, has been known from II
;. immemorial. 1t originated from SO
IT, of the hardy species that are TO,
per sometimes almost as far north as
er Arctic circle. 1t is fruit that Ii
the cold, and is found in the great
9 10 perfection in parts of New Engla
pen New York and Michigan, where
'ul' winters are severe. As it approac
the equator it loses its f
ness of taste, while stille preserving
CHIT beauty. The following tribute
emit American apples is from the Bri
the Encyclopedias: 1.-THE most esteeme.
her all American apples is the Newtt
aid Pippin. globuiar, juicy, gener'
and highly aromatic fruit. Other Am
can varieties of note are VILLA
Family, Astrakhan, Gravestein,
lxed for winter use the Baldwin, Spitz