The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-05-13
THE WILD RICE LEGEND.


Longfellow's "Hiawatha" relates an
interesting legend of the origin Of the
corn plant. A legend of similar charm
has been handed down telling Of the
origin of the wild rice which is rel
ished not only by myriads OF wild
fowl but is staple article Of food
with many northern Indians. The
story is that long years ago the Indian
tribes lived in the sunny south, but in
course of time they increased, cover
ing all lands, except the north. In
order to prevent the extinction Of
game many tribes became cannibals.
One tribe, whose chief was Babomwa-
giwiskung. thought this was wrong.
Wandering one day far from his haunt
in search of game, he became exhaust
ed from fatigue and hunger and lay
down to sleep. In vision he saw
beautiful white spirit. which told him
to gather his tribe together and take
them to the northland, where they
would have peace and plenty. On his
journey he would come to great lake,
on the shore Of which he would find
birch bark basket containing seed
which he was to SOW upon the waters,
and this would grow and produce a
food that would prove everlasting.
The only condition exacted was that
his tribe should always live in peace
and harmony with the white race. The
directions were carried out, the seed
planted. and wild rice grew, furnish
ing nourishing food for the Indian
and proving a great attraction for
wild fowl.
The existence of this legend is cited
to the present day to explain why the
Chippeway Indians have never been at
war with the whites Wild rice still
forms staple article of diet with
many northern Indians, while the ex-
tensive fields of it are the gathering
place for wild fowl, some of them
flying hundreds of miles to reach them.
The plant thrives in ponds or flowing
streams, varying in depth from few
inches to four feet. The seed is often
sown in game preserves and private
ponds and seems to do well under q
variety Of soil conditions. though 1t
seems to flourish best where the bot
tom is soft black mud. The seed
| may be sown in spring or fall. prefer
! ably the latter, and may be secured Of
several northern firms Where wild
rice grows the ducks will come to feed,
and the hunting in many locality
where there are suitable ponds or
streams could be greatly improved
were some wild rice sown.
WOULD START A POULTRY FARM.
A nearby reader of these notes, a
young man who has but limited
| amount Of money to invest in any
business enterprise, writes for sugges-
tons as to how and when he could
to best advantage start poultry farm.
He expresses a preference to be near
some body of running water, so that
he could keep ducks and geese as well
as chickens, anG would like enough
land to raise the grain needed In his
operations. 1t would be impossible to
state without knowing conditions in
timately whether one town were bet
ter than another as market for poul-
try products. There is little question
that there are many where the condi-
lions would be all right. Success in
any case would depend more upon
the man than the conditions We
would suggest to our friend that he
visit several of his nearest market
ccnters, inquire the price of small
parcels Of land which would be suit
able for poultry raising. try to as
certain the cost Of buildings, equip
mcnt, ETC., when he would be in shape
to make wise decision. If he has
not had considerable experience in
poultry raising he would do well to
start in on modest scale, charging
his operations as he acquires familiari-
| ty with the business.