The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1908-10-01


signs stretched clear across the
broad streets of our city that greet
ed the eyes of the thousands OF
farmers and other visitors who came
to attend the Harvest Festival, the
first event OF the kind that was ever
held here. The weather could not
have been more perfect for the
after-harvest celebration. The equln-
oxal storm which lasted for several
days cleared up in good time, and
vet the flax was not in fit condition
to thresh so soon after a soaking, so
the farmers had not one excuse for
remaining at. home on last Monday
and Tuesday. They came from all
directions, bringing their families
prepared to have good time and en-
ioy all that thousands Of dollars
spent by the business men, would
give them in the way of free enter
tainments.
Monday morning was spent In the
distribution and display Of the thouse
ands Of exhibits brot in from all
parts of Ward ad adjacent counties.
Farmers brot in great loads of a "
riety Of vegetbles, butter, eggs bread.
pastries, home grown preserved
fruits, corn and grain besides some
fine cattle were also driven to the
Festival. Y.
Once the various exhibits had been
taken to the right merchants they they
were displayed on long display bench
es built in front of each place OF
business. The display consequently
covered the entire business district.
and it was a pleasure to Just walk
slowly along the streets and gaze on
the products Of the richest farming
district Of the world. People stood
aghast at the very idea that corn OF
all kinds could be successfully grown
in North Dakota, but there 1t was
raiesd by Mr.. So and So. and you
Just had to believe it. 'That farmer
must have picked his Macaroni wheat
over by hand" we heard one by
stander remark. The wheat was 50
fine that 1t looked i. but We know
that this was not done. The farnl'
er would have been 4 month sorting
his wheat over in order to get a
peck Of the best.
Turnips that almost filled . tub,
also came in for their share Of com.
pliments. II was going to bring in
i some Of my turnips." farmer was
4 heard to remark, but do you know
thought that I would not stand a
ghost Of show to get the premium
Z and didn't 80 to the trouble. Now ]
am certain that I could have walked
away with the premium" Hsndreds
4 OF farmers who came to look on,
could have booted themselves for not
bringing something. No doubt a mum
Der OF prize winners were left q
heme. 4
Such a gathering for the farmers
proves invaluable. We saw them
standing along the strets in groups
discussing the best methods Of rails
ing certain vegetables and grains
Many farmers attended the Festiva,
for the expressed purpose of securing
tho best kind Of seed. We know q
a gardener who disposed Of a hun
dred bushels Of fine potatoes for seed
at q dollar q bushel. The Nestiva.
proved very profitable for him. Others
took orders for seed oats. seed wheat
FAX, etc. 1t u all very we'll for
farmer to read that It Is possible t.
successfully grow pop corn for IN
stance in North Dakota, but let hin
see the corn and talk with the MAJ
who raised it, and ten chances to ont
ne will plant little OF this sex
another year.
The farmers enjoyed the free ex
hibihons. AS they stood on tn
street Monday and Tuesday and say
the free exhibitions given by some 0
the best dacers, gun juglers, AM
other vaudeville artists in the cour
try. and relied that the busines
nea due down sooa and deep i