National Future Farmer

WADING
Saved
through icy water,
carrying their children and
household goods through the
crashing surf, the Pilgrims faced death
and starvation on the bleak, wintry
coast of Plymouth.
They stood on a bare rock, but their
eyes were fixed on the stars. They had
come to tear a new nation from a wild,
unchartered wilderness. Little did they
know half their number would perish
in the attempt.
They hLiilt a log fort at the foot of
the hill, staked otT plots for spring gar-
dens, cut logs and stalked game in a
fearless way that interested the SLilking
Indians.
But the Pilgrims were losing their battle
with starvation. They sat huddled
around their small fires. Their faces
were pinched and white, eyes deepsunken.
Those claimed by death were
42
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This story is about the huinble
beginning of agriculture in our
country. As you read compare
it with our land of plenty as we know it.
Corn links fhe past to the present.
It saved the Pilgrims from starvation
that first dreary winter at Plymouth.
buried in the dead of night so the Indians
wouldn't guess their weakness.
The savages became bolder and
bolder, creeping stealthily through the
wintry woods to peer in through the
w indow of the log building. They were
amazed to see the pale, conquered faces.
And why not? The savages had prepared
themselves for the winter. Their
lodges were hung with dried venison
and fish, and stored with grain and dried
berries. They faced no famine.
Indian runners ran like red leaves
before a howling gale to bring news
of the starving Pilgrims to their great
chief, Massasoit. Faces were painted
and war axes were sharpened to a keen
edge. They could wipe out these
strangers with one bold stroke.
It v\as Massasoit who puzzled over
the question. Should they kill or make
friends w ith these people who had come
The Indians— unofficially—were our
first farm specialists. This statue
of Chief Massasoit Is at Plymouth.
A reproduction of the first fort and
meeting house at Plymouth. It was used
for protection and church services.
The National FUTURE F.\RMER
By Kelvin Wallace Coventry
out of the sea? His word was law!
His decision would mean life or death
for the struggling colonists.
At last he went to a mound of earth
—an Indian treasure mound. His face
was as expressionless as a rock. He
opened the mound and brought forth
heavy baskets filled with small kernels
of grain, yellow, red and black— Indian
corn that was more precious than golden
coins. Massasoit made his decision.
It was .Squanto, the Indian farmer,
who later that spring made friends with
the Pilgrims and taught them how to
plant a corn crop. The corn was
planted in hills with three herring used
in each hill as fertilizer.
How did the Indians know when to
(Continued on Page 44)