Many hands make light work, and in consequence the whole
ground under maize cultivation was thinned in little over a week.
Latterly the maize had grown so fast that the boys declared they
could almost see it grow, and at the end of two months after sowing
it was all in flower. The maize, or Indian corn, strongly resembles
water rushes in appearance, and the feathery blossom also resembles
that of the rush. Indian corn forms the main article of food in
South America, and in all but the Northern States of North America.
It is equally useful and common in India, and in other tropical
countries.
Scarcely less is it used in Italy, and other parts of southern
Europe. It was first introduced into Europe from the East by the
great family of Polenta, who ruled the important town of Ravenna
for nearly two hundred years. Ground maize is still called Polenta
throughout Italy; and the great family will live in the name of the
useful cereal they introduced when all memory of their warlike
deeds is lost except to the learned.
One evening when Mr. Hardy, with his wife and children, was
strolling down in the cool of the evening to look with pleasure
upon the bright green of their healthy and valuable crops, Hubert
said:
"Isn't Indian corn, papa, the great yallow heads covered with
grain-like beads one sees in corn-dealers' shops in England?"
"Yes, Hubert.
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