' 



certain the reason for the dying out of the wild vice. 

 made a careful study of the situation and came to the conclu- 

 sion that the carp was sucking the rice plants. As the carp 

 multiplied and lived on the rice plant, the rice died out and 

 the ducks refused to come. Vance decided that the elimina- 

 tion of the carp was the only remedy. He suggested the build- 

 ing of coffer dams around certain fields. Fishermen were then 

 sent in to take the carp out. The dams kept other carp from 

 getting to the rice plants. As a result the rice is growing 

 well once more and the sportsmen of that region are rejoicing 

 at their good fortune in having found Vance of Minnesota to 

 advise them. 



Vance gathers tons and tons of wild rice during the season. 

 Some of it he sells for the use of restaurants. Some of it he 

 saves for seed and some of it he manufactures into flour in his 

 wn mill. 



His Own "Reaper." 



The "wild rice king" has patented a boat, driven by a stern 

 wheel, that harvests the rice. The scow is driven through 

 hallow water easily. He has large reels on either side. 



ese reels knock the rice out. It falls on canvas conveyors 



at dump it into the bottom of the boat. From one and a 

 half to two tons of rice are gathered a day by the use of this 

 scow. 



Vance has a mill of his own where he grinds wild rice flour. 

 This flour is somewhat like buckwheat in that it has the same 

 consistency and is just about as gritty. The gems and pan- 

 cakes made from this flour are said to be fit only for kings. 



Vance has well earned the title of "the wild rice king." 



