The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-02-05
THE NATIONAL CORN SHOW.

THE NATIONAL CORN SHOW.
One of the most Interesting and in
structive agricultural exhibits which
were ever made in the United States.
as well as far and away the most ex-
tensive, was held ut Oma ha. Neb.. when
the National Corn exposition was in
session from Dec. . to 10. The man
ayers have interpreted the word corn
to include any kind of grain or grass,
while the courtesies extended on such
occasions permitted the display Of al
most all products Of the soil. An in
spection Of the various exhibits made
it plain that no violence had been done
In the above plan. for corn was clearly
king in the big snow. the space cover
ed by ears of corn laid side by side ap-
proximating 65.OOO square feet, or bet
ter than an acre and quarter. This
exhibit was magnificent. comprising
the best types and quality Of corn
produced in the whole country and ex-
pressing a large degree of intelligence
and care on the part Of the men who
grew 1t. Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas
seemed to lead in the extent Of their
corn exhibits. but the sweepstakes
prizes for single ear. best ten ears and
best bushel Of corn were awarded to
Indiana farmers on a finely developed
type known as the johnson County
White. In the auction held during the
exposition the sweepstakes ear sold
for SIS. much below the price paid for
last years. while the best ten ears
brought $3.50. An interesting as we'll
as significant fact connected with
these sales was that better than so
per cent Of the prize corn was bid in
by Iowa men. including all the sweep
stakes exhibits. This is likely the re-
suit of the preaching Of Professor Hol-
den's seed corn gospel"
Next to corn the most striking exhib-
1t was the alfalfa palace, which. though
in an obscure corner Of the exposition
quarters, was highly instructive. espe-
cially to those who were little acquaint-
ed with the interesting habits and
great economic value Of this great leg
ume. In this exhibit, which was fur
nished largely by Nebraska and ad-
joining southwestern states, were bales
Of sweet and fragrant hay, alfalfa seed
and meal. while cookies and cakes con-
tanning 60 per cent of the finely ground
leaves were tasted and relished by the
visitors. The virtues and wonders of
the plant were told In q terse and orig
inal way by N. c. Dunlap, the Nebras-
ka state alfalfa expert and superin-
tendent Of the $4,000 acre Watson
ranch, near Kearney. In the small
grain display the finest samples were
shown BY the Rocky Mountain and Pa
cidc coast states, where q limited rain
fAn and irrigation give ideal conditions
for the maturing and curing Of the
grain and straw. However, Minnesota
and the Dakotas exhibited fine samples
Of wheat and oats and Wisconsin Of
oats and barley.
A very instructive feature Of the ex-
position was the practical and tangi-
BILE way In which the work Of the ex-
pertinent stations Of a dozen or more
states was represented. together with
the products and pursuits In which
they lead. The breeding of corn and
small grain, the diseases which adlict
them. best methods Of selecting the
seed and preparation Of the seed bed,
the study Of soils, milk production,
feeding rationa, silo construction and a
hundred other practical subjects were
given interesting presentation. Among
the special features worthy Of mention
were the denatured alcohol distillery
in operation under the supervision OF
the agricultural department at Wash
ington. the splendid exhibits Of the
boys and girls clubs Of Nebraska I'm
der the supervision Of q. c. Bishop, the
daily concerts and lectures. the corn
show maid illusion and, on the closing
day Of the exposition. the allegorical
marriage Of King Corn and Queen Al
falfa. The exposition was a vast I'M
dertaking. and a large measure of
credit is due the officers Of the national
association and the citizens Of Omaha
for the efficient manner in which II
was conducted.