ANCIENT MOUND
GRAINS
By Dr. Wm. J. Snow Brigham Young University It is a fact well attested by archaelogists and historians alike that when Spain began her colonization in the New World, there were no horses, cows, pigs, or chickens in all North or South America. In fact, the only domesticated animals of any kind were the Llama and Alpaca in Peru, and the dog which was a companion of the Indian everywhere. Moreover, none of the ordinary grains was to be found—none native to America. Wheat, barley, oats, rye, horses, sheep, cattle, pigs and chickens and numerous other species of flora and fauna were contributions of the Spaniards to America during their first century of colonial achievements in this newfound world. In presenting these facts the writer of this brief survey has been challenged on various occasions and on different counts. Some students have been disturbed to find that no horses were in use here when the Spaniards came. Others have maintained that wheat is indigenous to America and that a sample had been found near Payson and carefully cultivated, and that from this sample came the Kofod wheat known in some sections as Ancient Mound wheat. In support of this latter contention, correspondence is submitted from the Deseret Farmer, Salt Lake City, Utah, December 8, 1906, (p. 14.) HISTORY O F T H E KOFOD W H E A T For three years Mr. J. W . Paxman of Nephi, has been endeavoring to get a history of the Kofod wheat, the wheat that has excelled all others up to date for the dry farms of Juab County. While calling at this office during the week Mr. Paxman left the following letter which is self explanatory and which gives a satisfactory history of the wheat in question. The Utah Arid Farm Company used this wheat on their farm last year and the Los Angeles buyers wrote after the receipt of the first car that it was the best wheat they had ever received from this section. It will be observed that the correct spelling is Kofod and not Kofoid, as given heretofore: Manti, Utah, Nov. 11, 1906. J. W . Paxman, Nephi, Utah. Dear Sir: As per your request of some time ago, I have traced the origin of the Kofod dry land wheat, and I herewith give it to you:
