Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-10-28
The Valve of Johnny Cake.


States government has had a coiiii'i's-
sioner in Europe teaching the i"ii''
tants of the Old World countries the
value of corn in it's various 1oriiis as
an article of food. This COMMISSIONER
whose name is c. J. Murphy, has oeen
eminen,ly successful in his Efforts SO
much 50 in fact that. today more 'oi
is used as food in Ireland and beis u''i
than is used by the people oil Cne'e
| Sans entire domain. Although IN
dian corn is a native product Vi ou'
soil and although three-fourths Oh All
that is raised is grown in the Chlteu
states our own people are strangely
indifferent 10 its great nutrl'i'e
value. 1t was often the only food OF
rho sturdy pioneers who founded our
countrv and it has always been found
wholesome. cheap and nutritious, yet
the American people. today, do not
take proper pride in it or make proper
use of this great native cereal.
AS a result Of Mr.. Murphy's efforts
in the foreign market, there is now
.rcat bakery in Belgium which bakes
over 10000 loavcs Of corn bread, every
week. which it calls Murphy bread"
in honor of the American commission
or. In 1895, the United States sent
> 100 900 bushels of corn to Belgium.
Last wear its exports Of corn to Bel
cirm were over 10000, 900 bushels. and
in that thrifty little kingdom corn is
the king of cereals. The per capita
cor sumption is over one-half bushel
yearly. In Germany also the use of
American corn as food is rapidly in
creasing. and over 500 bakeries in Bcr-
lin now manufacture corn bread. When
Mr.. Murphy first began his missionary
work in Europe, our exports of corn
were only 24.OO0.0OO bushels; in 1900
there were over 213. 900 900 exported and
the price of corn for the producer in
time from 20 cents to over so cents per
bushel. At the present time it is
gratifying to note that this great
American staple is being so we'll util-
lied abroad, and the efforts of the de-
partment of agriculture deserve warm
est commendation.
In the meantime it is il great pity
that. while this good work has been
done abroad. corn remains SO much
neglected on the table of the American
family. Although it is an old and
familiar saying that corn is king"
nevertheless there are several pretend
ers in the cereal world who come peril
ously near to the throne. Mr. Murphy
says that IF our people would learn
to eat more corn it would be much to
point Of view and as matter Of
health" The suggestion is timely and
worthy Of consideration by all Ameri-
cans. Iowa, our leading corn state
anticipates one of the heaviest corn
yields Of recent years this fall. but Of
the 500 900. 900 bushels predicted how
many Will he devoted to home con-
sumption: Or how much will be used
for food in the East? Mr. Murphy
speaks of "Johnnycakc" and ash
cake of the southland. 1t is another
case of-not a prophet, but n profit not
being without honor save in it's own
country. The Old World has learned
| the lesson: the New World has to re-
call it. The pioneers thrived on corn
brnau-that was before the days of
roller process milling and all the new
| tangled appliances of civilization. Mr..
Murphy sees in the sturdy pioneer a
tribute to corn bread. Place beside
him the wheat bread fed man of today,
compare them carefully and then read
Corn Meal Murphy's suggestion
again. 1t will seem more important
then.
!