Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-12-29
REALM OF KING CORN.
States with Millions of Acres Of This
Crop-Carnivals Held.


Crop-Carnivals Held.
The corn plant grows in about every
State In the Union, and people
throughout the country think they are
familiar with It; but to appreciate
what corn really means one should
make a tour through some Of the
Western States where the fields may
be miles rather than acres in extent,
and where the harvest of q farmer
means nearer 100000 than 1000 BUSH
els, says the New York Tribune. 1t Is
in this part Of the country that one
can as easily get lost in a cornfield as
he would in forest. SO vast are the
fields. In the bottoms" of Kansas
and Nebraska a man riding through a
patch ON horseback will often be hid
den from view, as the tops Of the
plants extend above his head, resem-
bling young trees in their proportions.
1t is no wonder that the people of
many Of the prairie States celebrate
the coming Of king corn" as the
Southerner does the appearance Of
"king cotton" for some Of these COM
monwealths alone produce enough
corn in year to feed a nation. The
corn patch Of Iowa, which covers over
100000 acres yearly, sometimes pro-
duces 3OO,0O0.OOO bushels. Nebraska is
another 100000 State, but Kansas,
the State of the sunfower, takes the
lead with nearly 100000 acres each
year devoted to this cereal. There are
counties in Kansas where one can see
square mileS-not acres-planted en-
drely with corn, where fields are so
large that standing at one end the
visitor sees the horizon unbroken by
anything except a mass Of plants
swaying in the breeze.
1t is not strange that the corn har-
vest Is made the occasion Of fetes or
carnivals in some Of the Western com
munttes. The idea probably origi-
mated from the corn festival of the In
dians, but the red man would never
recognize the old-time festival In the
transformation which it has under
gone. Weeks before harvest time prep
aratons are made. The prominent
I citizens Of the town contribute to q
fund for decoration, music and usually
guests at banquet.
The services Of some leading orator
are secured and the governor is invited
to attend with other notables. A spe
cial week is set apart at a time wher
the farmers have finished gathering
the grain and have leisure to attend
The railroad companies are induced
to offer special rates for Transportation
and with others offer prizes for the
best designs and decorations. A pro
gram is arranged, consisting of process
sions, public meetings, concerts and
other attractions which will interest
the townspeople and visitors. Gener
ally a committee OF leading citizens
headed by the mayor, take charge
and large sums OF money are expend
ed in arranging the carnival.
Each resident vtes with his neighbo,
in the decorations, and there is shown
what can be done with the grain ii
honor Of which the celebration is held
Some Of the designs are truly wonder
full. AS single stalks can be procured
which are fifteen feet in height, an op
portunity Is offered to construct pa
godas, booths and other ornamental
buildings with walls and roofs Of tn
plant. The stalks have such strength
and Hghtness that they can be easil,
made into representatives of castles
forts and historic structures. Th
leaves are worked into an inconceiva
BILE variety Of designs. The womeI
and girls make costumes out Of tn
husks, even to hats and bonnets. The,
are woven into parasols and umbrel
las, while frequently the front Of
building viii be hidden by a covering
Of them, thirty or forty feet in length
with openings cut for the window
and doors.
The manufacture OF corn miliner.
has become an art among the Wester,
women. At q carnival held in Atchl
son the principal milliners Of the tow,
produced some wonderful creations O
headgear entirely from the silk, husk
and tassels. Many Of them were wor
during the carnival week By the belle
Of the place.
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