The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1903-09-18
KING c0RN's BROAD LANDS.
CarnfvaIs Held In states where MIL
lions OF Acres Are Given over
90 This Crop.

sThe corn plant grows in about every
81 Ie 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 Ia extent and where the
harvest Of a farmer means nearer 100.-
900 than / LOCO bushels 1t is in this part
OF the country that one can as easily get
lost In a cornfield as he would in a for
est, 50 vast are the fields. In the hot
toms Of Kansas and Nebraska man
riding through a patch on horseback
viii often be hidden from view, as the
tops Of the plants extend above his head.
resembling young trees In their propor-
tions. says the New York Tribune.
1t Is no wonder that the people Of
many Of the prairie states celebrate the
coming Of King Corn" as the southern
er does the appearance Of King Cot
ton, for some OF these commonwealth
alone produce enough corn in year to
feed nation. The corn patch Of Iowa
which covers over 200, 900 acres yearly,
sometimes produces 100000 900 bushels
Nebraska Is another 100000 acre
state. but Kansas. the state Of the sun
flower. takes the lead with nearly 9.0o0.-
700 acres each year devoted 10 this
cereal There are counties III Kansas
where one can see square miles-not
acres-pianted entirely with corn. where
helds are 50 large that standing at one
end the visitor sees the horizon un-
broken by anything except a mass Of
plants swaying ln the breeze.
Il is not strange that the corn harvest
IL made the occasion offetes or carnivals
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 the transformation which il
has undergone Weeks before harvest
time preparations are made. The prom
inent citizens Of the town contribute 70
a fund for decoration. music and usual
ly the entertainment OF townspeople and
guests at banquet
The services OF some Lending orator
are secured and the governor is invited
to attend with other notabilities. A
special week is set apart al a time when
the farmers have finished gathering the
grain and have leisure to attenN The
railroad companies are induced to'ofier
special rates for transportation and
with others offer prizes for the best de-
signs and decorations. A programme is
arranged. consisting. Of professions,
public meetings, concerts and other at
fractions which win interest theSowns-
people and visitors. Generally a COM
miftee Of leading citizens. headed by
the mayor. takes charge. and large sums
of money are expended in arranging the
carnival
Each resident vies with his neighbor
In the decorations. and there Is shown
what can be done with the grain in
honor Of which the celebration is held /
Some Of the designs are truly wonderful. I
As single stalks can be procured which I
are Is feet in height. an opportunity is
offered 10 construct pag0das. booths and I
other ornamental buildings with walls /
and roofs Of the plant The stalks have
such strength and lightness that they
can be easily made into representations
Of castles. forts and historic structures
The leaves are worked into an incon-
variety Of designs Thewomen
and girls make costumes out Of the
husks. even to hats and bonnets They
arc woven into parasols and umbrellas,
while frequently the front Of a building
win be hidden by . covering Of them.
20 or 20 feet In length. with openings
cut for the windows and doors.
The manufacture Of corn millinery
has become an art among the western
women. AT a carnival held In Atchison
he principal milliners OF the town pro-
inced some wonderful creations Of head
year entirely from the silk. husks and
assels. Many Of them we're worn dur
ng the carnival week BY the bellies Of
he place.