lE'TEODUCTIOK 



As most of you are aware, I enjoyed the distinguished 

 honor of representing the young agricultural giant, Ne- 

 braska, at the " World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial 

 Exposition," New Orleans, La., J 884-5. When I ac- 

 cepted the position tendered me by the president of the 

 United States, as commissioner, I determined to make a 

 point on the great staple product of Nebraska, corn. The 

 first banner I flung to the breeze in government building, 

 had inscribed on its folds, "Corn is King." To go south 

 and claim king for any other soil product than cotton, 

 especially at the " Cotton Centennial," was deemed an in- 

 tolerable bit of impudence, in nowise orthodox a broad- 

 gauge departure. Cotton, sugar, and tobacco, all elevated 

 their nasal protuberances, saying by actions, which are said 

 to "speak louder than words," " How dare you!" Min- 

 nesota, u the state with boundless wheat fields glinted." 

 our next door neighbor at the exposition, was " to arms" 

 u in the twinkling of an eye/' pressing the superiority of 

 wheat and invoking the muses to aid her in obliterating 

 our banner inscription. Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, and 

 Dakota set themselves to work manufacturing huge artifi- 

 cial ears to eclipse our natural growth of " Chester County 

 Mammoth." For a time outsiders entertained doubts as 

 to our ability to maintain the advanced position taken. 



