The daily sentinel., 1909-05-27
LAND AND IRRIGATION
EXPOSITION WILL OPEN
in CHICAGO THIS FALL
OF Great Interest to Prospective Set
tiers. The Chicago Tribune. as
Non-Competing Interest. As
sumes Financial and
Executive Respon-
sibility.
BY Frederick H. Griswold-

What has the farm to offer!
The reply to this question Will pc
evident to all who visit the United
States Land and Irrigation Exposition
that is to take place in the Chicago
Coliseum from Nov. % to Dec 4. The
exnosition will be the first of its
kind. and the novelty of it has ap-
pealed to all who have heard of the
plan. ;.
certain that this display viii outciass
any of the shows ever seen in the
Coliseum. which has become famed
as the best place in the Middle West
for high-class exhibits. In addition
to a complete display of the products
that have brought wealth from the
soil, there are to be specially design
ed decorations, panoramas and paint
ings, all arranged artistically. and
these are to surpass all previous ef-
forts.
The exposition is not to be mag
nified county fair--it is to be unique.
Its success is assured beyond the
shadow of a doubt.
The initiative for this exposition
came from the numerous railway and
land interests that center in Chicago,
where practically all of the active
colonization agents have established
their HEADQUARTERS But in order to
have the idea carried out successfully
on a big scale, it was necessary to
have guarantees of both money and
publicity, and these have been fur
nished by the Chicago Tribune, which
has promised to use its influence for
the benefit of undeveloped sections
in gaining colonists and other aids to
progress.
Primarily. the exposition is meant
=. al l. ,t.rl. a of ha
wonderful opportunities open to the
settler. There are thousands toiling
in eastern offices and factories to
whom information of this sort Will
come as blessing for they are tired
of their chains, but do not know how
to break them. Other thousands,
coming out of mere curiosity possi-
bly,, will see what a home in one of
Natures favored spots means and
will plan TO join the army that is
marching westward.
Tourists search out scenic beauties
during their travels, but they are not
the class who remain. 1t often hap
pens that many who would be desir-
able settlers never travel more than
fifty miles from their homes. and to
them the exhibits will mean the rev.
elation of a new world of possibili-
ties. Their horizon will be broadened
and they will receive a new inspira-
ton.
Undeveloped districts of all sorts
will be benefited by the exposition.
The possibilities of dry farming will
be shown, along with the wonders of
irrigation and the humid regions will
not be neglected. Even the reclama-
ton of swamp lands is to find place
anything, in fact, will be included
If II represents strong movement
for the general good and the develop
ment of latent agricultural resources.
Every effort is to be made to make
the exhibits as comprehensive as pos
sible, and the interests behind the
movement are now getting the neces-
sary material together.
Not since the convention of gov
ernors. summoned to the White
House by President Roosevelt, has
there been hint of anything of equal
scope, and even at the convention the
exhibits were lacking.
The Land Exposition will open at
the same time as the annual Inter
national Live Stock Exposition, and
this is an important point as fully
100000 visitors come to Chicago ev-
cry year when the prize cattle. horses.
sheep and hogs are on display. With
the double attraction this season, it
will be possible for anyone visiting
Chicago to see in condensed form
practically all that the West and
South have to offer
Interest in colonization has never
been as keen as today, and the desire
to take advantage OF the agricultural
possibilities that are offered has re-
suited in an extraordinary display
OF land hunger on the part of the
general public. And the majority
thnCQ Ia
displaying this anxiety to join the
movement back to the soil realize
that they lack accurate knowledge of
the problems of irrigation, dry farm
ing and the drainage of overflowed
lands Let this information be pre-
sented in an attractive manner, and
the liveliest interest will be shown.
me home instinct Is strong with
the American people. Sometimes this
instinct Is overruled and the possessor
thereof lives for years in a tiny. i'll
ventilated flat. or exhausts his vital
ity in an office; but the feeling is
there' nevertheless, and some day the
craving Tor freedom and a place that
can be called home will win the
mastery.
These men will be shown what
nature offers to the one who wishes
TO make home for himself. Prac-
Icaliy every part of the West. and
south, OF any consequence from the
agricultural point of view. will be
represented by attractive displays
and views Final arrangements have
about been completed. and 1t is prac-
ticaily certain that the splendid ex-
hibits made at Seattle by various de-
partments of the government will he
dropped off at Chicago on the way to
Washington. The date has been set
SO that this can be done easily.
me government exhibits are of the
greatest interest to the farmer and
the stockmen- One of the finest dis
plays is to be made by the Reclama-
ton service. Models of yarinus nroi