Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1899-10-05
A BANNER CORNFIELD.
On 5000 Acres 600, 600 Bushels of Corn
Have Been Raised.

have Been RAISED.
/ South CT Ava, in southern Illinois,
/ from the brow CT one OF the Kinkai id
/ hills, can be seen the most magnificent
/ field CT corn upon which the white
mans vision has rested since the time
the Pilgrims landed and learned to
know the merits CT maize in hasty puG-
ding. The September sun is putting
the golden color upon 5000 acres OF
corn in enc great body. This is the
bannsr corn field Of the world 1t
will give this year 100000 bushels Of
corn, an average of 100 bushels to the
acre. The statement will be question
ed. And the people WHO know most
about corn outside of the American
bottom viii be the first to challenge.
Even the Egyptians CT Illinois look
askanca at such a claim But thoss who
have seen the extraordinary spectacle
agree that nowhere in the world is
there such crop OF corn maturing IN
the same ground space.
Even from the nearest hilltop this
field appears to be a solid mass. AS
far as the vision reaches the corn *
tends without apparent break. On
closer approach the spectacle is even
mere Impressive. The corn stands at
an average height of fifteen feet. So
heavy IS it that man four rows from
the outer edge cann1t be seen. At
little distance the edge Of the great
Dody presents an unbrOken line. Close
view shows an occasional. dividing
in h., fI,,., -
or lane. On either side eli these lanes
the corn rises like a wall high above
the wagon. Having once entered the
lane, the traveller finds it iznpractica.h1a
10 turn around. The only thing to do
IS to drive to the outer side of the great
lt5ld. Nobody who. has ridden through
the 6,U00 acres questions the estimate
CT 100 bushels t3 the acre. And mo-
Dody who has visited the field since
the present crop began to mature can
remember to have seen the like of II
EFen the cultivators CT this excep-
tlonal field admit that they have never
nad such crop as this years. tn
mem there IS nothing unusual in a
yieId 81 seventy-fvs. bushels 10 tba
acre: In unfavcrable seasons thew han |
aaIely count On fifty to sixty bushels |
I 1UO bushels for the entire tract is |
tIe record breaker. A capitalist from |
me greatest corn raising section of |
IIllnols, the Vicinity of Springfield last |
week bought 600 acres of this banner !
held Of CORN He paid SIS, 900. A cash !
oHer OF $4,000 for 1000 acres was re- !
FUSED. by way CT interesting contrast. |
II may be stated right hera that less |
IMAM zen years ago the ground uDon
winch stands the banner corn cron IF |
me banner corn year changed hands at !
81 an acre. Where the banner. cron il
denting and hardening, within baIf a |
dozen years wild ducks had a summer
nesting place.
Inc banner corn field of the United
states occupies what was recently Rio
Lake, IN the American bottom. Water
stood at depth Of two feet over an
formed tract, perhaps tv77
lnIIes VIDE and four miles long in its
Igest measures. Long ago an abort
we attempt at draining was made, but
It failed Of its purpose Big Lake con-
tinued to furnish sport to the ducIz
but was worthless in all other
MIR. Whitney Gilbreth of
Ava, began to speculate upon the pos
Slbl1tles OF reclamation. The fellow
citizens Of Mr.. Gilbreth are now rather
9Th to recall the uncomplimentary
-hings they said about his want OF
sound sense in wasting his time with
Big Lake. They saw him put into the
2yerfowed land his money until he
owned thousands Of acres. They saw
| drainage district formed A steam
lredge cut a channel twenty-five fest
vide from the lake to the Mississippi
liver. This ditch ranges from eight to
thirty feet in depth. The citizens
commented sarcastically and could
hardly be patient until the time to say
I told you So" That time never
anne for them. The water drain from
ne lake into the cut had passed away,
eaving in one body 5000 acres CT al
most inconceivably fertile land And
hat is where today ripens this mass
# corn which beats the world
Two ether lakes have since bsen in
luded in the drainage district Ca
als nearly thirty miles il all have
een dug. Where these other lakes
we're are other bodies CT corn
600 and 5000 acres in ex-
snt. They will show yields pro-
ortiOnate to that of Big Lake :
But there is only one body OF
600 acres which will give 100000
ushels.-St. Louis Globe-Demoerat.