The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-03-05
MY COUNTRY
OF THEE
ByS. J. FULLWOOD
INDIANA

Illinois, which lies in the east
north central portion of these
United States. The extreme north
west corner Of the state borders
on Lake Michigan, and is but a
short distance from the city linn
its of Chicago, Illinois. 1t, lndi-
ana, is bounded on the north by
Lake Michigan and Michigan; on
the east by Ohio and Kentucky;
on the south by Kentucky; and
on the west by Illinois. Indiana is
the 37th state from the stand
point of area in our country.
The Ohio river, that great ma
ior water transporting agency,
separates Indiana from Kentucky
all the way from east to west. The
Wabash river forms about half
of the western boundary line of
Indiana. Approximately $50 miles
of river transportation is possible
in or through Indiana.
The great seal for the state of
Indiana is circular in shape, and
about the size of silver dollar.
Between the outer edge Of the
seal and the inner rim of same
we find (reading from left to
right, Seal of The State of In
diana; and at the bottom in the
same space "lSl6". The picture
i'm the center of the seal shows
the rolling land of Indiana, with
the sun midway past the horizon:
In the foreground is picture OF
man busy in the process Of hew-
ing down a giant tree. A buffalo
or wild boar is seen galloping
away from this industrious indi-
vidual, across a fallen tree trunk.
The whole portrayal is evidently
symbolic of early pioneer life IN
this great commonwealth. -.
We are told the state seal OF
today is basically the same as that
of the Indiana territory. Used as
early as 1901 on official tcrritor-
ial papers" 1t was authorized but
not described in constitutions of
1916 and 1851. The seal is kept
by the governor of the state.
On March 3 1881, the Hinnia
(zinnia clcgans) was made the
official flower for the state OF
Indiana. 1t grows in vast vari-
ETY. of colors and very abundant
~ in all parts of the state, under
cultivation.
Indiana has state tree. On
the same date as the Iinnia was
made the state flower, so was the
branch and blossoms of the Tulip
tree (liriodcndron tulipifera),
made the official state tree. This
tree blooms in May or June, and
is found for the most part in the
southern portion of the state.
The Indiana state flag or BAN
ncr as it is called, is beautiful in
appearance. 1t is Of deep purple
background, with a torch of gold
emblazoned upon it. Surrounding
the torch are thirteen stars. One
large star at the top of the torch
(which is lightedD, indicates the
state of Indiana. Above this large
star is written Indiana" The
size Of the banner is five feet six
inches fly by four feet four
inches hoist. The significance of
the flag is: Torch--liberty and
cnlightment; outer circle of stars,
thirteen original States of the
Union; half circle of five stars
five states admitted before lndi-
ana; large star, Indiana - the
nineteenth state.
The nickname of the state is.
Hoosicr state. The state capitol
of Indiana is at indianapolis.
The major crop of the state is
corn. Iowa and Illinois are the
only two states which exceed In
diana in the production of this
crop. Wheat is the second major
crop, and over 90 million bushels
of wheat were raised from just
a little over one million acres OF
land. Livestock raised in this state
arc: horses, cattle (including
milk cows), sheep, swine and
chickens. The dairy industry Is
very large in the state.
The major mineral of Indiana
is coal. In this production, Indiana
ranks fifth in these United States.
Petroleum is produced in large
quantities also. In seven counties
of the state there are over seven
billion tons of oil shalc, readily
accessible. Of this vast acreage,
the federal government has with
drawn $4,000 acres from public
entry. :.
Transportation ranks very high
in Indiana. Over 1000 miles OF
railways are found in the state.