New-York tribune., 1903-07-26
REALM OF KING CORN. !"
States zcith Millions of Acres of This
Crop -CarniUaLs Held.

The corn plant grows in about every State in the
Union and people throughout the country think
they 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 farmer means nearer 100000 than
1000 bushels 1t is in this OF the ntry that
one can easily get lost in cornheld as he
would in a forest, so vast are the fields. In the
bottoms of Kansas and Nebraska a riding
through patch horseback viii often be hidden
from view the tops IF the plants extend ABOVE
his head resembling young trees in their proper
tions.
tt is no wonder that the people Of many of the
prairie States celebrate the coming Of King Corn"
as the Southerner does the appearance or king
Cotton" for some of these commonwealths alone
produce enough in a year to feed a nation.
The corn patch Of Iowa, which covers
100000 acres yearly sometimes produces 3o0O0oOOO
bashels. Nebraska is another 5000 ooO acre State.
but Kansas, the State Of the sunhOwer. takes the
lead with nearly 100000 each year devoted to
this cereal There are counties in Kansas where
one can see square miles-not acres-planted
tireiy with corn. where fields are so large that
standing end the visitor the horizon
unbroken by anything except mass OF plants
swaying in the breeze
1t is not strange that the corn harvest is made
the occasion of fetes or caruivals in some of the
V Western communities. The idea probably Originat-
ed from the corn festival of the Indians. but the
red would never recognize the oldtime festival
Weeks before harvest time preparations are made.
The prominent citizens OF the town contribute 10
fund for decoration, music and usually the enSer-
tainment of tOwnspeople and guests at a banquet.
The services of some Leading orator are secured
and the Governor is invited 10 attend with other
notabties A special week is set apart time
when the farmers have finished gathering the grain
and have leisure attend. The railroad companies
are induced to oner special rates Tor pOrta-
ton. and with others offer prizes for the de-
signs and decorations. y programme is arranged,
consisting OF professions pubic meetings, concerts
and other attractions which viii interest the
tOWnSpeOple and visitors. Generally a committee
of leading citizens. headed by the Mayor, takes
charge, and large sums of money are expended in
arranging the carnival
Each resident ves with his neighbor in the deco
rations, and there is shown what be done with
ths grain in honor OF which celebration is he'd
Some of the designs truly wonderful. As single
stalks can be procured which fifteen feet In
height. an opportunity is offered TO construct
paSodaS, booths and other ornamental buildings
with walls and roofs OF the plant. The stalks have
such strength and HghtneSS that they be easily
made into representations OF castles. forts
JOric structures The leaves are worked into an
inconceivabie variety of designs The women and
girls make costumes of the husks even 10
and umbrellas. while frequently the front of
building VIII be hidden by a covering OF them
thirty forty feet IN length with openings cut for
the windows and doors.
The manufacture OF corn millinery has become an
among the Western women. At Il carnival held
produced some wonderful creations OF headgear en-
urely from the silk, huSks and taSsels Many OF
them were worn during the carnival week by the
bellies of the place.