The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-18
CORN AS EUROPEAN FOOD.
why 1t Is Not Liked 4here as in This
Country.

Philadelphia Record
A clever writer, noticing the European es-
innate of visible wheat, observes that the
deficiency makes a golden opportunity for
the introduction of Indian corn-or maize,
as it is called all over that contiEent-as
breadstutf. 1t was cabled over from Lon
den some days ago that the European
wheat crop lin the so-called famine year
1891 exceeded 1896 by than SO,00O000
bushels" Then the deficiency was made
up by the American crops; yet wheat in
Chicago ruled very low in the early part OF
farmers hands. 1t rose just in time to ma
terially help Mr. McKinleys prospects in
the Central Northwest.
In 1897 the estimated deficiency is put at
200 .OCO COO bushels in Europe and is greater
than the crops of the Uni ed States can sup
ply; SO that much interest is felt in the
Argentine crop, which is just nearing har-
vest time When one grain crop is deficient
and rises in value, greater use will be
made of other cereals Now our comment
ator these facts thinks that there is a
golden chance to bring to the attention or
Europeans the use made in America OF
for human food. At is conjectured by
him, as well as by multitudes of others,
that there is a prejudice abroad against
putting on the table what has been regarded
is true; and yet the advance made in the use
of oats shows that this is only partial
view. One recalls DR.. Sam Johnson's def
milton of oats as "a cereal used in England
to feed horses, but in Scotland to feed
men," And the old laird's reply: Yes; and
what fine horses they have in ENGLAND ana
way into wide use as a breakfast food on
its merits. So will corn when Europeans
shall grow the same corn that is generally
used in America. r
Corn is not an unknown crop in Europe.
1t is raised in France and Italy, and eaten
by the peaSdntry there and in English aims
houses; but it is poor stuff, and would be
discarded even in America for human food:
1t is associated with a very obstinate and
offensive eruptive disease known as poda-
gra.' The malady is attributed to grinding
in the ergot that attacks corn, and is ia
miliar enough TO American farmers. This
fact is we'll known in Europe, and accounts
cereal there. What is still more important
is that the corn mostly used on American
tables seldom crosses the Atlantic. and, If
it does, 1t seems to undergo a change IN
the voyage. For example our sweet corn
is good only while succulent and In the
milk" AS a source of meal we do not use
it ourselves. and it shrinks so in ripening
that no farmer would raise it for his cattle
or his poultry. AS aIVegetable 1t is poor
stuff unless picked in exactly the right con-
dition, and eaten as soon thereafter as 1t
attempt to put it on English tables must
fail unless 1t can be grown there. The
canned article is now we'll prepared; but
in that form it would be rather expensive
for general consumption and the people
would hardly know how TO use so unfamll-
lar an article in SO unfamiliar way-that
is, as a vegetable.
after grinding. To have it, in perfection.
nice, plump, clean ears should be selected,
and the meal should be frequently prepared,
and cooked within a few days after grind
ing. 1t is under conditions like these that
maize becomes a human food in America,
and when rightly handled it affords delica-
cieS fit for the gods But it is a delicacy
here and the Atlantic ocean is an inSuper-
able bar to its being delicacy in Europe
Europe will only learn it's value as she shall
country for human food, and shall learn
American methods of serving ii.