The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-09-24

CarntvaIs Held in states where NH
lions of Acres Are Given Over
60 This Crop.

60 This Crop.
The corn plant grows In about every |
state In the union. and people through
out the country think they are familiar
with IL; but to appreciate what corn
really means one should make tour
through some OF the western states
where the fields may be miles rather
than acres In extent, and where the
harvest Of farmer means nearer lOV,'
600 than 1000 bushels II is In this part
OF the country that one can as easily get
lost In cornAeld as he would In FOR
est, so vast are the fields. In the bot
toms" OF Kansas and Nebraska q man
riding through patch on horseback
will often be hidden from view. as the
tops of the plants extend above his head,
resembling young trees in their proper
tons. says the New York Tribune
II Is no wonder that the people OF
many of the prairie states celebrate the
coming Of king Corn" as the southern
or does the appearance OF King Cot
ton" for some OF these commonwealths
alone produce enough corn In a year TO
feed nation. The corn patch OF Iowa,
which covers over 5000, 600 acres yearly,
sometimes produces 30O.000O 900 bushels.
Nebraska is another 100000 acre
state, but Kansas, the state OF the sun
flower, takes the lead with nearly 9,OO0.-
900 acres each year devoted to this
cereal There are counties In Kansas
where one can see square miles--not
acres--planted entirely with corn, where
fields are 80 large that standing at one
end the visitor sees the horizon un-
broken by anything except a mass OF
plants swaying in the breeze
II is not strange that the corn harvest
ls made the occasion OF fetes or carniyals
In some OF the western communities
The idea probably originated from the
corn festival Of the Indians, but the red
man would never recognize the oldtime
festival ia tho transformation which Il
has undergone. Weeks before harvest
time preparations are made The prom
inent citizens OF the town contribute 10
| a fund for decoration, music and usual
| ly the entertainment OF Itownspeople and
guests Al a banquet
The services OF some leading orator
are secured and the governor is invited
TO attend with other notabilities. A
special week is set apart at a time when
| the farmers have finished gathering the
grain and have leisure to attend. The
railroad companies are induced to oifer
special rates for transportation, and
with others offer prizes for the best de-
signs and decorations A programme ia
arranged, consisting OF PROFESSIONS
public meetings concerts and other at
fractions which win interest the towns
people and visitors, Generally a com
mittee Of leading citizens. headed by
the mayor, takes charge. and large sums
OF money are expended Ia arranging the
carnival
Each resident vies with his neighbol
In the decorations and there IL showf
what can be done with the grain IL
honor OF which the celebration 10 held
Some Of the designs are truly wonderful
As single stalks can be procured whiel
are is feet In height. an opportunity II
offered 10 construct pagodas booths ans
other ornamental buildings with wall
aud roofs of the plant The stalks hav'
such strength and lightness that the
can be easily made into representation
OF castles. forts and historic structures
The leaves are worked into an incan
celvable variety OF designs Thewomei
and girls make costumes out Of tn
husks, even to hats and bonnets. The,
are woven into parasoIs and umbrellas
while frequently the front Of building
will be hidden By a covering Of them
30 or 40 feet In length. with opening
cut for the windows and doors.
The manufacture Of corn milliner,
has become an art among the westerl
women. AZ carnival held IN Atchiso
= the principal milIiners Of the town pro
q duced some wonderful creations Of head
3 gear entirely from the silk, husks an
e tassels Many Of them we're worn dur
ing the carnival week by the bellies Q
q the place
T. needed Nomen.