The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-09-05

Corn is such a commonplace, ordi.
nary sort Of thing and SO uninterest-
ing to most OF our city-bred people
that perhaps few OF them realize just
how important is the role It plays In
the economic well-being of the Unit
ed States. Some Of the more striking
facts, as brought out in an article by
Edward Albes in the Bulletin of the
Z Pan American Union, Washington, ID.
O. may surprise some Of them. For
instance, the United States produces
sthree-fourths Of the entire corn crop
of the world. In 1915 the country's
production amounted to $685., 536, 900
bushels, having farm value OF over
~ 65, 100000. When it is stated, more
over, that II we add the value OF the
record-breaking wheat crop of 1915,
5 amounting to $930,302, 900, to the val.
ne Of the big cotton crop of the same
year. amounting to $602,393, 900, the
Z sum Of the two still lacks $223, 165, 900
OF reaching the value of the humble
corn crop some idea of the import.
snce Of the last named may be had.
Rub of the thin-mostly very thin
veneer of civilization anu place HIM
In the primitive environment oil his
remote ancestors, man VIII prove 10
be about the same animal. Ills ele.
mental nature has undergone but lit
Tie change. doubtless, his brain has
been developed and his mental mia.
Schinery somewhat improved, but his
complicated physical structure Is but
little altered. 10 keep that physical
structure In good repair and 70 keep
the entire human machine III q higu
state of efficiency, man has found
that he needs a variety of IoOd That
maize was unknown To European, AS.
tatic, and African peoples before tue
ya1scoVery OF America Is now well es-
tabished. Just where III the Amer.
{ 1cas 1t originated Is mooted cues.
ton. According to COndoiie, at the
time OF the discovery OF the new con-
t1nent maize was one OF the staples
OF Its agriculture, from the La tlata
Valley to the United States. The ma.
uves planted 1t around their tempo.
sTary dwellings where they did not
FORM a fixed population. The burial
) mounds OF the natives OF North Amer.
lea who preceded those OF our day, the
stombs OF the lncas-the catacombs OF
ears or grains Of maize,
Just as monum9nt of ancient Egypt
contain grains OF barley, wheat, and
m1let seed. In Mexico goddess who
bore q name derived from that OF
maize corresponded to the Ceres OF
the Greeks. and the first fruits OF the
maize harvest were offered to her.
At Cuzco the virgins OF the sun Of
Tered sacrifices OF bread made from
the meal OF Indian corn. Nothing is
better calculated to show the antique.
" and generality Of the cultivation
or plant than this intimate connec-
ton with the religious rites Of the an
Client inhabitants
1T was not only in Peru and Mex
leo, however, that maize was exten.
stvely cultivated. 1t was the great
1000 plant OF practically all the Amer
acan indians who sought the aid OF
}cuinvation In obtaining food. Colum-
pus found 1t to be the principal food
fof the natives OF the Island of Santo
Domingo, and his was the first nc.
count OF the grain made public in
Europe. Linguistic evidence shows
That 1t was introduced into the United
States from the tribes of Mexico and
from the Caribs OF the West Indies,
but the time Of this introduction can
only be conjectured. That it was
long before the appearance Of the Eu.
ropeans is. evident not only from its
,iearly and widespread cultivation by
tribes Of the area now embraced in
the United States, but from the fact
that indications Of its cultivation are
found In mounds and In the ancient
pueblo ruins and cliff dwellings, while
corroboratiye evidence is found In the
fact that several varieties had al
ready been developed at the time Of
the discovery, four being mentioned
{ es In use among the Indians Of Tir-
Einia."