Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-09-16

Mr.. Howe was confronted with the ar
gument that since he had made the
suggestion he should carry it out. He
decided to do so. and, with the assist
ance of the citizens Of Atchison, corn
carnival was given and has since been
Kansas event when crops have been
plentiful enough to warrant it. Last
years was the first corn crop that did
not warrant a carnival, but this year a
record breaking corn crop will be cele-
brated by a record breaking corn carni-
val. 1t will be the fourth carnival, and
if it proves as much benefit to Kansas
and develops as many new facts about
corn as have previous carnivals its
value will be too great TO be estimated
in dollars and cents.
The corn carnival has resulted in
stimulating a greatly increased inter-
est in corn growing in Kansas and Ne
braska. 1t has brought out many in
teresting experiments; it has resulted
in vastly increased acreage of corn
in these states and has incidentally
made northern Kansas cattle fatten-
ing country. 1t has brought hundreds
of families to northwestern Kansas,
heretofore known only as barren
waste. but where wonderful crops
have been grown for several years
past, one years yield paying for the
land in many instances. 1t has demon
strated that the finest hats can be
made of cornhusks and that corn corn
husks and cornstalks have wonderful
possibilities for decorative purposes.
This year the acreage of corn sown
in Kansas was probably the greatest
in its history, and the yield of corn to
the acre will be enormous. Early in
August the yield was estimated at
over S00,O00,0O0 bushels by L. COrtel-
you, president of the Kansas Grain
Dealers association, and by the state
department of agriculture. The condi-
tions continued perfect, rains coming
just when needed, and not field of
corn in Kansas was injured in any way.
CornstalkS grew to incredible heights,
and big. heavy ears of corn developed
which hung over and threatened to
fear themselves loose from their source
of nourishment. The station agent of
the Missouri Pacific railroad at Downs,
Kan, cut cornstalk which measured
% feet and 4 inches, nearly equaling
the American record of % feet and 6
inches, held by Tennessee. 1t was in
the middle of August that this stalk
was cut, and the corn had not attained
it's full growth. and the Tennessee rec
ord will in all probability be beaten in
numerous instances before the Atchi-
son corn carnival is held.
1t would be interesting to know just
how much corn Kansas will raise, but
it will be impossible to get the correct
figures, and kanSans must be satisfied
with the feeling that it is the largest
ever grown in the United States, and
no doubt an equally large crop of corn
has never been raised anywhere ON an
equal amount of land in any country
Estimating the Kansas corn crop at
300,000.GG0 bushels, it would take 600,-
900 cars of 10000 pounds capacity to
move it. Ii the cars were SO feet long
they would reach 21.60O,00 feet, or
1880 miles. Twenty cars to train
would make 10000 trains. 1t would
take 10000 men 800 days to husk the
corn if each man fusked 60 bushels
day, and 100000 teams would be re-
quired to haul it at one load each.
Heretofore the corn carnival has
been held Oh only one day, as there are
not sufficient accommodations in Atchi-
son for the thousands of people who at
tend, but this year a sort of prelim-
mary will he given on the day pre-
ceding by ]. z. Pomeroy, a Cripple
Creek millionaire. who formerly lived
in Kansas. and who is enthusiastic
over the progress made by the state
In the corn industry. The corn carni
val will consequently be held on the
10th and 21st of September, the first
being Pomeroy day. Mr.. Pomeroy will
pay for band concerts by two of the
best bands In the west, free vaudeville
shows, an elaborate display of fire.
works, etc. This day is meant to bring
a few thousand visitors to Atchison;
Just about as many as can find ac-
commodations. All the railroads run
special trains from a radius OF about
300 miles for the corn carnival prop
er, making the round trip fare so small
that 1t is practically nothing. The
trains usually start the afternoon be-
fore the carnival, and all night long
crowds of eXcursionists are picked up
at the little depots along the line.
When the train arrives in Atchison it is
in half a dozen sections and is met by
bands and bowling, hilarious, good
hitured, corn throwing crowd. The ex-
cursionists knowing what to expect
have provided themselves with shelled
corn to throw at the crowd in return
and have caught the enthusiasm before