Maize played an important part in the economic life of the Pawnee. Most
of the infrequent tillage was done by hoes consisting of bison scapulae
lashed to bent or forked sticks. Hoeing was done only once or twice a
year. The small cultivated patches, ranging in size from one-fourth
to four acres, were usually located in the loose alluvium along creek
bottoms. In addition to corn, beans, squash and watermelon were grown.
All agricultural work was done by the women. They also gathered a large
number of tubers, plants, berries, and fruits to supplement the diet.
These included wild plum, huckleberry, chokecherry, sand cherry, wild
potato, ground-bean and others.