The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-10-21
OKLAHOMA PLANS
BIG CORN FESTIVAL
State Took First Prize at the
St, Louis Fair
HOME COMING" WEEK, TOO
Eastern People Are to Be Invited by
Their Former Friends to Have
Thanksgiving Dinner There.
Starts November 8.
HOME COMING WEEK, TOO

Oklahoma City, o. 1.-THE chamber OF
commerce, assisted by the citizens of the
city, WILL beginning November 26 and
lasting until December 8, inclusive, hold
corn carnival here on a larger and
more interesting scale than those of a
few years ago attracted so much atten-
ton to Sioux City and Atchison.
For the last five or six years merchants
of this city have been offering prizes for
the best specimens of different products
of the farm, thus interesting the farmer
in the perfection of the quality of his
crops.
The specimens SO accumulated would be
prepared by the merchants and shipped
to their friends in other states to show
what could be done on a bit of land in
Oklahoma. The summer of the Worlds
fair at St. Louis. the merchants of the
city interested the farmers of both ter
ritorles In the selection of prize samples
Of corn, and small premiums We're offered
for the best specimens. So much interest
was taken In the matter, and such fine
samples of corn were selected, that the
merchants, instead of sending 1t away,
decided to select the best and make dis
play at tho Worlds fair
Great was their surprise to find that
when the awards were made on agricul-
turaI products Oklahoma had taken the
prize on corn, having a better display OF
corn than any other country or state in
the world.
Souvenir Plan Abandoned.
Last year, as souvenirs to friends and
others in the states" five thousand cot
ton bolls, just as they were ready to
burst, were enclosed In small foxes and
sent to all parts of the United States.
At first, on account of the unprecedent-
ed corn crap Oklahoma will harvest this
year, 1t was almost decided to send ears
of corn, but when the cost of postage was
considered the expense would be too
great in relation to the result Then the
corn carnival was agreed upon.
A new building, now almost completed,
will be fitted up and used for the corn
palace. Three floors, 175 by 40 feet in
dimensions, will be devoted to various
displays, and 1t is believed there will be
no room untaRen. 1t is proposed to offer
prizes ranging from fifty cents to fifty
dollars for the best examples of corn,
and exhibits will be invited from every
place in the two territories. Whenever
Oklahoma Is mentioned 1t means the two
territories, because Of the proximity of
statehood
Many county and district fairs are
being held in Oklahoma this year. all of
which will have been over by the time
of the carnival. The best exhibits of corn
shown at these fairs will be brought to
Oklahoma City, together with all other
Individual exhibits Out of all an exhib-
1t will be made up to send to the James
town exposition next year, and 1t Is be-
leved Oklahoma Will capture the prize
on corn and sustain Its reputation.
Every Variety of Corn.
In the selection of the exhibits each va
riety must be strictly free from any mix
lures. Corn entered white must not
have a tlnge of any other color In it. The
yellow corn will be required to have no
white capped grains, and should have all
red cobs. In fine every variety shown
must be strictly first-elass In every re-
spect. The score card and rules of the
Oklahoma Improved Breeders Associa-
ton will govern the awarding of the ex-
hibits.
In connection with the corn carnival,
and as part of the fall festivities, there
will be another feature. This will be sim
liar to the Kentucky Homecoming held
in the Blue Grass state during last June
The usual fall excursion rates will be In
effect on all railroads by that time and
the carnival management will take the
matter up with all railroads through the
passenger associations for greatly re-
duced rate embracing the whole United
States
Governor Frantz will issue an open let
ter to the people of Oklahoma to invite
their friends back In the states to
spend Thanksgiving In oklahoma By
having the rate of fare arranged to ex-
tend to any part of Oklahoma, through
Oklahoma City, the visitor can make his
destination Oklahoma City and from here
visit any part of the territory at no extra
expense 1t was announced some time
ago that this feature would be arranged
for this fall In Oklahoma, but after the
decision to have corn carnival 1t was
concluded to combine the two entertain
mentS.