Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-08
WILD CEREAL AS FOOD
PRODUCT OF RICE PLANT GROW
ING IN MARSHES.
Principal Fattenipg Agent for Wild
Fowls-Also Valued as Break
fast, Food.

The Department of Agriculture has been
making Investigations to ascertain the
properties of the so-cailed wild rice which
grows over a wide area3n the United States
and southern Canada. in fresh water lakes
and river sloughs and along the seacoast
where streams meet tidewater.
Wild rice Is considered as very I'M
portant plant. since 1t is probably the chief
starchy food of about 30. 600 Of the Amer
lean aborigines and the principal fattening
agent for mvriads of wild fowl in the east
ern half of the United States. On account
OF its great value as food for game birds
1t has been widely recommended as a suit
able plant for shallow lakes and sluggish
streams which are maintained as shooting
preserves.
The seed has been extensively marketed
but In most cases with results unsatis-
factory to the buyer, for 1t usually fails to
terminate So nearly universal has been
the difficulty that seed men who do not
wish to disappoint their customers have re-
very small quantities.
1t was supposed for a time that the loss
OF vitality was due to the scorching to
which the seed was subjected when gath
cred by the Indians for food. but 1t was
soon found that seeds that had never been
scorched also failed to sprout
Series of Experiments.
experiments based on the observation that
the grain Of wild rice is somewhat soft and
moist at maturity and falls into the water
Immediately without hardening The results
OF these experiments tended to show, IL is
SAID. that the way to preserve the vitality
OF the seed is to keep 1t from becoming
thoroughly dry, but at the same time to
aerate 1t sufficiently, to prevent molding
i he practical course suggested to buyers by
the Department of Agriculture is to place
their orders for the seed before the time of
the wild rice harvest, have it shipped I'M
mediately in maturity and SOW II at once.
The observations and experiments that re-
suited In these conclusions were made to
two Investigators, Mr.. Carl s. Scofield
who examined the plant in its natural sit
ua ton in Minnesota. and Mr.. Edgar Brown,
who conducted the storage and termination
tests.
AS Breakfast Food.
This cereal has recently been put 10 an
other use. 1t has been placed on the mar
ket. though in a small way 1t Is true. as
new breakfast food. 1t resembles common
cereal grains quite closely in composition.
1t contains little fat, in this respect re-
sembing common rice. barley and wheat
more closely than corn and oats. 1t IL
said that. judged by its composition and
value as a heat-prOducing food. 1t compares
very favorably with the common cereal
grains. When raw 1t ihas starchy taste
and when cooked Its taste resembles that
of barley.
The Department of 4 Agriculture issued
report on the uses and propagation of wild
rice last July embodying detailed account
o. the experiments made and their results.
This. 1t Is believed, has been of much
benefit to growers of, the grain and has
caused widespread Interest in its culture.
Seedsmen, it is claimed: can handle the
patrons by following The departments sug
geStions. -