Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/167

147&#93; MAI tfeilfi of this moss frequently attains the length of 18 inches ; and, being Covered with many long and soft leaves, it may be advantageously employed for besoms and brushes. — LiNTN-EUs remarks, that the wan- dering Laplanders construft their couches of this elastic vegetable ; and, according to Steller, the inhabitants of Kamtschatka employ these stalks as wicks in their lamps made of earthen ware. MAIZE, Guinea-wheat, or Indian Corn, Zea Mays, L. a native of North America, where it is cultivated to a considerable extent, and forms an important article of food. Maize is propagated by setting the seed in equi-distant rows, from two, three, to five feet asunder. In America, it is planted from the beginning of March to the end of May, or the commencement of June ; but the most proper season is towards the middle of April. For this purpose, the earth is open- ed with a hoe to the depth of three or four inches, and in each hole are deposited four or tive grains, at a little distance from each other. ■ As soon as the young plants ap- pear, the weeds are carefully era- dicated, and the earth gradually heaped around them, till the ears appear; after which they are left till the harvest arrives. The ears are then gathered, and dried in an open situation 3 for, if this corn be heaped together, it is apt to fer- ment and putrefy, or to sprout and gi'ow. — The best method of pre- semng it is, to thresh it out, as ioon as the harvest is completed, to dry it perfectly in the sun, and deposit it in cool, di^, and airy situations. This valuable plant produces a M A L [147 much larger number of ears, -which abound with a greater proportiorl of wholesome, mealy matter, than any European grain ; and, as In- dian corn prospers in low, swampy situations^ where it tends to dry- up the superfluous moisture, and to render the soil firm, we conceive it may be advantageously cultivated in the southern counties of Britain.' Maize is subservient to a variety of purposes : its bulky stalks afford an excellent winter-food for cattle j provided they have not been cut: in too dry a state. The Americaa Indians parch the corn carefully over a fire, without burning it ; after which they pound it, sift thet meal, and preserve the latter for their constant provision. The more civilized colonists prepare excellent bread from Indian wheat, byknead-» ing the flour into a stiff paste, either» alone, or mixed with that of rye or wheat, which is fermented with leaven or yeast, and then regularly- baked. I'hey also convert the maize into a species of malt, from which, as well as from the bread itself, they brew a Avholesome be-* verage. . MALLOW, or Malva, L. a genus of plants consisting of 53 species, four of which are natives of Bri- tain : the principal of the latter is the sylvestris, Common Mallo-w% or Mauls, growing in hedges, foot- paths, and among rubbish ; flower- ing from June to Augu.'-t. — The leaves of the Common Mallow pos- sess a mucila;,inou3, sweetish taste, and were forR)erly often used in food, with a view to prevent cos- tiveness. At present, deco6lion3 of tins plant are sometimes pre- scribed in dysenteries, and urinary complaints ; though it is chiefly employed in emollient cataplasms, L '-if clysitfirs.