The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1903-06-12
LARGEST MAP In N's.
l THE WORLD,

Southern slope of lesson Hill at the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition, st.
Louis, is the largest geographically |
correct map ever constructed.
49, This map iss4s0 feet long from east
to west and extends from north to
south s240 feet. The map is the main
feature Of the large open air exhibit
by the Bureau Of Plant Industry Of
the Department of Agriculture, and
is personally superintendcd by d. A.
.Brodie, late Superintendent of the
Western Washington Experiment
Station, under the direction of Prof.
w. J. Spillman. agrostologist of the
United States Department Of Agrl-
culture.
The Bureau of Plant Industry is
made UP Of eight Offices comprising
vegetable physiology and pathology,
fibre plant investigation, poisonous
and medical plants investigation and
every phase Of plant life. Each Of
the eight toifices is presided over by a.
chief, and by vote of the combined
offices w. j.. Spillman, professor of
agrostology, was elected to have cons
p.ete control OF this exhibit authora
ized by an act OF Congress-: Mr.. Bros
die was selected to have supervision
of the planting and cultivation.
The several acres were fenced off
early in April, and the entire tract
was richly fertilized. The ground
was p1owed@ and narrowed, the soil
pulverized, and the entire tract sowed
to cow peas. This crop not only en-
riches the soil, but prevents the
growth of weeds, and will render the
subsequent plowing unnecessary. AS
the crops to be grown will be required
to be planted at. intervals up to a
short time before the opening OF the
Exposition further plowing would
prove impracticable. When an ex-
hibit is ready to be installed the gard
eners simply pull up the COW peas
covering the space required. The
ground is found to be in receptive
condition and requires but little work
upon it. eao. laz
The monster map is, of course, the
main feature Of this comprehensive
exhibit, and the crop grown on this
small farm will cost the government
considerably more then $1,000 pei
acre.
A belt of blue grass lawn 20 fee'
vide establishes the boundary ant
coast lines Of this gigantic map
The boundary lines between the states
ire marked by cinder paths three fee
vide. The territory comprising thu
fourteen states and territories Of tn,
Louisiana Purchase is marked by ;
white gravel. The states tbemselye
! are to be planted In growing crops 0
the principal agricultural products Q
the state. The cinder and grave
r walks serve as promenades, and are 0
] sufficient width to permit the fre
passage of visitors. Thus labyrinl
! of passageways is created and tn
. visitor may wend his way through tn
maze and see by actual demonstrate
Just what crops are grown in ever
part OF the United States and ho
they are raised. Tue cereals will |
: the features OF the great northwe.
!, while down In Florida will be see
: growing the pineapple and orange an
il other semi-troplcal fruits and crop
|. Tobacco will be prominent featu
Of Kentucky's allotment, while sug;
, cane and cotton will be found grow
4 ing in the plots Of ground rcpresen
ing other S)uthern states.
Not only will the products of eat
% state be shown on this may by gro'
le ing crops, but the section of the sta
ol on which each commodity is mo
E. grown will be shown. In the gre
oil northwestern state of Washlngto
so the map at st. Louis. shows tn
wheat, corn, potatoes. hay and t
O. wild grasses that thrive in the sen
is arid districts are more largely gro'
sh in the eastern portion, while in t
BIT west, hay, clover, vetches, timotf
orchard hay and grasses, hops, stra'
berries, raspberries, and blackberr
!, are more grown. Thus on the SIN
he plot of ground that represents
is great state, will be found score
ere different crops growing. There "
ore be no actual dividing line betw'