Evening star., 1903-08-17
States With Millions Of Acres Of This
Crop-Carniva1s Held.

From the New York Tribune.
The corn plant grows In about every
state in the Union. and people throughout
the country think they are familiar with
1t; 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 a farmer
means nearer 100000 than 1000 bushels.
1t Is In this part of the country that one
can as easily get lost in cornfleld as he
would In forest. SO vast are the fields.
In the bottoms Of Kansas and Nebraska
man riding through a patch on horse
back will often be hidden from view, an
the tops of the plants extend above his
head. resembling young trees in their pro-
portions.
It is no wonder that the people of many
OF the prairie states celebrate the coming
appearance Of king Cotton" for some 4
these commonwealths alone produces
enough corn In a year to feed a nation
The corn patch of Iowa, which covers over
oOO,OOO.OOO bushels. Nebraska is another
S,OOO.OOO acre state. but Kansas. the state
or the sunfiower. 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 entirely with corn. where fields
are SO large that standing a. one end the
visitor sees the horizon unbroken by any
thing except mass of plants swaying iH
the breeze.
1t Is not strange that the corn harvest IL
made the occasion of fetes 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 old-time festival
In the transformation which 1t has under
gone. Weeks before harvest time prepara-
tions are made. The prominent citizens Of
the town contribute to fund for decora-
ton. music and usually the entertainment
of townSpeople and guests at a banquet.
The services of some leading orator are
secured and the governor is invited to at
tend with other notabilities. 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 offer special rates
for transportation, and with others offer
prizes for the best designs and decora tions.
program is arranged consisting OF
professions, public meetings. concerts and
other attractions which will interest tha
townspeople and visitors. Generally
committee of leading citizens. headed by
the mayor. takes charge. and large sums
Of money are expended in arranging the
carnival.
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. AS single
stalks can be procured which are fifteen
feet in height. opportunity is offered to
construct pagodas, booths and other orni-
mental 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 inconceivable variety of designs.
The women and girls make costumes out
of the husks. even to hats and bonnets.
They are woven into parasols and un.-
brellas, while frequently the front of a
building will be hidden by a covering of
them, thirty or forty 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 carnival held in Atchison the principal
milliners of the town produced some won
derful creations of headgear entirely frosa
the silk. husks and tasseis. Many of them
were worn during the carnival week by the
bellies Of the place.