Cast Iron Corn Finial

This CORN finial was on all four corners of the fencing around a grave site in the Huguenot Cemetery in Saint Augustine, Florida. This cemetery was established soon after Florida became a U.S. territory, and was used for the interment of victims of the 1821 yellow fever epidemic and then for the burial of members of the city's Protestant population. Why do you suppose someone would choose ears of corn for their grave site fencing? Do Y.F. victims or Protestants seem the most likely to choose corn??
This pic was taken on the "cookie to Florida" trip. Another reason to drive cookies to Florida - you get to see cool stuff like this.