Three centuries of vegetable history are on display as crops in Cornell Plantations' Pounder Heritage Vegetable Garden reach their late-summer peak and university gardeners invite the public to inspect their handiwork.

The Pounder Garden provides an overview of the history of vegetables from the colonial times to the present, and how these vegetables have changed in response to changing demographics, world wars and new technology. Many New World crops -- such as potatoes, corn, tomatoes, beans and squash -- have become staples for cultures around the world and, in some cases, have influenced human migrations.

Plantations' focus crop this year is corn, with interpretive signs and special plantings to illustrate the history and evolution of that important crop. Visitors to the Pounder Garden are asked not to pick the vegetables but are welcome to feed the mind.

Cornell Plantations' grounds are open to the public, free of charge, from dawn to dark each day. For more information, call (607) 255-3020. Or visit the Cornell Plantations website at http://www.plantations.cornell.edu to learn "What's Blooming at Plantations" and get the online guide to the Plantations Path as well as schedules of Plantations classes and special events>