diff options
Diffstat (limited to '29665-h/29665-h.htm')
| -rw-r--r-- | 29665-h/29665-h.htm | 7595 |
1 files changed, 7595 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/29665-h/29665-h.htm b/29665-h/29665-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..24ead5c --- /dev/null +++ b/29665-h/29665-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7595 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Prairie Farmer, Vol. 56, No. 4., January 26, 1884. + + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; +} /* page numbers */ + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.lowercase {text-transform: lowercase;} + +.u {text-decoration: underline;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +.figleft { + float: left; + clear: left; + margin-left: 0; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 1em; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + +.figright { + float: right; + clear: right; + margin-left: 1em; + margin-bottom: + 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 0; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + + +/* Poetry */ +.poem { + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left; +} + +.poem br {display: none;} + +.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + +.poem span.i0 { + display: block; + margin-left: 0em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i2 { + display: block; + margin-left: 2em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Prairie Farmer, Vol. 56: No. 4, January 26, +1884, by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Prairie Farmer, Vol. 56: No. 4, January 26, 1884 + A Weekly Journal for the Farm, Orchard and Fireside + +Author: Various + +Release Date: August 11, 2009 [EBook #29665] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRAIRIE FARMER, JAN 26, 1884 *** + + + + +Produced by Susan Skinner, Juliet Sutherland and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/illus-001.jpg" width="600" height="189" alt="The Prairie Farmer + +A Weekly Journal for + +The Farm, Orchard, and Fireside." title="" /> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 95%;" /> +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="" width="100%"> + +<tr><td align='left' style='font-size: small;'><span class='smcap'>ESTABLISHED IN 1841.<br />ENTIRE SERIES: Vol. 56—No. 4.</span></td><td align='center'>CHICAGO, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1884.</td><td align='right' style='font-size: small'>PRICE, $2.00 PER YEAR, IN ADVANCE.</td></tr> +</table></div> +<hr style="width: 95%;" /> + + +<p>[Transcriber's Note: The Table of Contents was originally located on +page 56 of the periodical. It has been moved here for ease of use.]</p> + + +<h2>THE CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">Agriculture</span>—Raising Onions, Page <a href="#Raising_Onions">49</a>; Royalist 3d, 4500, <a href="#Royalist_3d_4500">49</a>; Illinois +Tile-Makers' Convention, <a href="#Illinois_Tile-Makers_Convention">50-51</a>; Better Management Needed, <a href="#Better_Management_Needed">51</a>; Seed Corn +from South, <a href="#Seed_Corn_from_South">51</a>; Field and Furrow Items, <a href="#Field_and_Furrow">51</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Live Stock</span>—Items, Page <a href="#LIVE_STOCK">52</a>; Herd Books and Records, <a href="#Herd_Books_and_Records">52</a>; Competing for +Sweepstake Prizes, <a href="#Competing_for_Sweepstake_Prizes">52</a>; Raising Young Mules, <a href="#Raising_Young_Mules">52</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Dairy</span>—Wisconsin Dairymen, Page <a href="#Wisconsin_Dairymen">53</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Veterinary</span>—Impaction of the Paunch, Page <a href="#Impaction_of_the_Paunch">53</a>;</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Horticulture</span>—Lessons of 1883, Page <a href="#Lessons_of_1883">54</a>; Illinois Hort. Society, <a href="#Illinois_Horticultural_Society">54</a>; +Diogenes in His Tub, <a href="#Diogenes_in_His_Tub">54-55</a>; Possibilities of Cherry Growing, <a href="#Possibilities_of_Cherry_Growing">55</a>; +Prunings, <a href="#Prunings">55</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Floriculture</span>—Gleanings by an Old Florist, Page <a href="#Gleanings_by_an_Old_Florist">55</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Editorial</span>—Items, Page <a href="#editorial_items">56</a>; The Cost of Cold Winds, <a href="#THE_COST_OF_COLD_WINDS">56</a>; Good Work at +Washington, <a href="#GOOD_WORK_AT_WASHINGTON">56-57</a>; Wisconsin Meetings, <a href="#WISCONSIN_MEETINGS">57</a>; Answers to Correspondents, +<a href="#Answers_to_Correspondents">57</a>; Wayside Notes, <a href="#Wayside_Notes">57</a>; Letter from Champaign, <a href="#Letter_from_Champaign">57</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Poultry Notes</span>—Chicken Chat, Page <a href="#Chicken_Chat">58</a>; Chicken Houses, <a href="#Chicken_Houses">58</a>; Items, <a href="#poultry_items">58</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Forestry</span>—Items, Page <a href="#FORESTRY">59</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Scientific</span>—Official Weather Wisdom, Page <a href="#Official_Weather_Wisdom">59</a>; A Remarkable Electrical +Discovery, <a href="#A_Remarkable_Electrical_Discovery">59</a>; Items, <a href="#Scientific_Items">59</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Household</span>—Christian Charity (Poetry), Page <a href="#CHRISTIAN_CHARITY">60</a>; Items, <a href="#Household_Items">60</a>; The Night +Cap, <a href="#The_Night_Cap">60</a>; How to Treat a Boy, <a href="#How_to_Treat_a_Boy">60</a>; Pamphlets, Etc., Received, <a href="#Pamphlets_Etc_Received">60</a>; Compiled +Correspondence, <a href="#Compiled_Correspondence">60</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Young Folks</span>—Jule Fisher's Rescue, Page <a href="#Jule_Fishers_Rescue">61</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Literature</span>—Between the Two Lights, Poem, Page <a href="#BETWEEN_THE_TWO_LIGHTS">62</a>; The Two Overcoats, +<a href="#THE_TWO_OVERCOATS">62</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Humorous</span>—Bait of the Average Fisherman, Page <a href="#BAIT_OF_THE_AVERAGE_FISHERMAN">63</a>; Whose Cold Feet, <a href="#Whose_Cold_Feet">63</a>; +Changed Relations, <a href="#Changed_Relations">63</a>; It Makes a Difference, <a href="#It_Makes_a_Difference">63</a>; Items, <a href="#Humorous_Items">63</a>. Question +Answered, <a href="#Queries_Answered">53</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">News of the Week</span>—Page <a href="#GENERAL_NEWS">64</a>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Markets</span>—Page <a href="#FINANCIAL_AND_COMMERCIAL">64</a>.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Raising_Onions" id="Raising_Onions"></a>Raising Onions.</h2> + + +<p>There are two causes of failure to make this crop uncertain. One is +because the soil is not kept clear of weeds, and the other is that it is +not properly enriched. To raise a good crop of onions requires a light, +loamy soil, worked into as fine a condition as possible, to render +cultivation easy.</p> + +<p>The greater part of the preparation should be done in the fall, and +especially the application of the manure. Well rotted manure is the +best, and that which is free from grass, oats, or weed seeds, should +always be selected. Of course, if the manure is properly rotted the +vitality of the larger portion of the seed in it will be killed, but +unless this is done it will render the cultivation much more difficult. +Stiff, clayey, or hard, poor land can be made a great deal better for +the onion crop by a heavy application of ashes or well rotted bagasse. I +prefer to apply ashes as a top dressing in the spring, working it in the +surface, as I find by experience that they are not only valuable as a +fertilizer when used in this way, but are also of great benefit in +keeping down the weeds.</p> + +<p>A plot of ground that is seeded with crab-grass should not be selected, +as the pulling up of the grass injures the growth of the onions. Onions +feed near the surface; in fact, the larger portion of the bulb grows on +top of the soil, and as a natural consequence the plant food should be +well worked in the surface. Of course it is too late now to talk about +fall preparation. If we want a crop of onions from seed this spring, +whatever preparation there is must be done between now and seeding. I +should plow or spade up the soil as soon as possible, if there is a thaw +out either the last of this or any part of next month.</p> + +<p>If you can save up and rot a supply of poultry manure and leaves, you +can have the very best manure for a good onion crop.</p> + +<p>Another important point in raising a good crop of onions is to have good +seed and sow it early. The first favorable time in the spring must be +taken advantage of, if you would have the best success with your crop. +As good seed is necessary in any crop, so it is with onions. Test your +seed before risking your entire crop, as by the time you plant once and +fail, and procure seed and plant again, it will be too late to make a +good crop. I always take advantage of the first chance in March to sow +my onion seed. We usually have a few warm days sometime about the middle +of the month when this work can be done. Of course I do not say that +this is the case every year. The first favorable opportunity should be +taken advantage of, is what I want to impress upon those who expect to +make a crop; let this time come when it will, any time early in the +spring. If the ground has been plowed or spaded well during the winter, +a good harrowing or raking should be given. If you have the poultry +manure, now is the best time to apply it, working it on top of the soil +with a rake. If you have not the poultry manure and have ashes, give a +good strong dressing of ashes, raking evenly over the surface. Mark off +in drills twelve inches apart, and not more than one inch deep; lay off +the drills as narrow and as straight as possible, and then drill the +seed evenly. Try to keep them in a straight row, as it will aid much in +the cultivation. Cover lightly, but press the soil firmly upon the seed. +They will withstand considerable cold, damp weather before rotting.</p> + +<p>Last year I sowed my onion seed on the 23d of March; the next ten days +were cold, rainy, dark, dismal days, with two or three freezes. Yet my +onions came up all right and made a good crop.</p> + +<p>As soon as the shoots make their appearance above the ground a good +raking with a fine steel rake can be given. This will give them a good +start and destroy the young weeds that will begin to make their +appearance at the same time. After the onions start to grow, cultivation +is the making of the crop, and the cleaner they are kept and the oftener +the surface is stirred the better will be the crop.</p> + +<p>As to varieties, the old Red Wethersfield and the Danvers Yellow are my +favorites. The Yellow Strasburg is a good yellow variety, and there are +quite a number of others that are good. In cultivating I keep the +surface level, as they do better if kept in this way than if they are +hilled up. Thin out so that the plants do not crowd each other—they +should stand two or three inches apart—if you want large onions at +maturity.</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 2em;">N. J. Shepherd.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 4em;">Miller Co., Mo.</span> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Royalist_3d_4500" id="Royalist_3d_4500"></a>Royalist 3d, 4500.</h2> + + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/illus-001b.jpg" width="400" height="288" alt="Royalist 3rd 4500" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Royalist 3<sup>rd</sup> 4500 +<br /> +Elmwood Stock Farm +<br /> +PROPERTY OF COL. C. F. MILLS, SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The bull Royalist 3d, 4500, here portrayed, stands at the head of the +superb Jersey herd owned by Col. Charles F. Mills, Springfield, +Illinois. He was bred by Mr. Samuel Stratton; dropped December 13, 1878; +got by imp. Royalist 2906; dam imp. Nelly 6456. Royalist 2906 received +the first prize over all Jersey in 1877; first prize and silver cup at +St. Saviour's Show in 1877; first prize at the great St. Louis Fair as +a three-year-old, and grand sweepstakes at St. Louis Fair in 1879 as the +best Jersey bull of any age. Her sire, Duke (76), won first prize over +the Island, Herd Book Parochial prize, and first Herd Book prize at +Royal Jersey Show in 1875. Merry Boy (61), I. H. B., grandsire of +Royalist 2906, won first prize at St. Mary's Show in 1874. Stockwell II +(24), I. H. B., great-great-grandsire of Royalist 2906, won third prize +over the Island and second Herd Book prize at the Royal Jersey Show, +1871; the bronze medal at the Channel Island Exhibition in 1871, and +third prize at the Royal Jersey Show in 1872.</p> + +<p>Nelly, the dam of Royalist 3d, 4500, has produced 21 pounds of butter in +seven days since importation, and Mr. Stratton is authority for the +statement that she received the special prize at the Farmers' Club, +Island of Jersey, for the best butter cow, having made 16 pounds Jersey +weight of 18 ounces to the pound, or 18 avoirdupois pounds, in seven +days. Her sire, Lemon (170), is the grandsire of Mr. C. Easthope's +celebrated Nancy Lee 7618 (test 95 lbs. 3½ oz. unsalted butter in 31 +days), and Daisy of St. Peters 18175 (test 20 lbs. 5½ oz. unsalted +butter in seven days).</p> + +<p>Taking all things into consideration, we doubt if there is a better +Jersey bull in the world than Royalist 3d. Certainly he has no superior +in this country. Mr. Mills' Jersey herd is a model in all respects, and +the popular chief clerk in the State Agricultural rooms may well be +proud of it.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Northwestern Importers' and Breeders' Association, Minneapolis, +Minn., have bought $20,000 worth of Fresian stock of the Unadilla +Company, West Edmeston, N. Y.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="Agricultural" id="Agricultural"></a> + +<img src="images/illus-005.jpg" width="500" height="152" alt="Agricultural + +Farmers, Write for Your Paper." title="" /> + +</div> + + + +<h2><a name="Illinois_Tile-Makers_Convention" id="Illinois_Tile-Makers_Convention"></a>Illinois Tile-Makers' Convention.</h2> + +<h3>BUSINESS OF THE YEAR.</h3> + +<p class='center'>(<i>Continued from last week.</i>)</p> + +<p>An interesting feature of the proceedings of the Tile-Makers' Convention +was the brief reports of members regarding their business last year. +About forty manufacturers reported. In the majority of cases the demand +has been fair; in a few very brisk; in quite a number it was said that +sales could be made only at a reduction in prices. It was easy to see +that in some sections of the State the work of tile-making was overdone, +that is, the supply is in excess of the demand. It was the general +expression that prices could not be greatly reduced and leave a +reasonable profit to the manufacturer.</p> + +<h4>HOW TO INCREASE THE DEMAND</h4> + +<p>was the question this year. Last year at this convention the talk was +upon "How shall we supply the demand?" The answers to the question of +how to increase the demand were various. Some advocated a rigid +adherence to fair living prices, and thus teach farmers that it is +useless to wait for cheaper tile; make a first-class article and the +cheap tile that is hurting the trade will be forced out of the market. +There was a general advocacy of a wider dissemination of a knowledge of +the benefits of drainage. Show farmers and fruit-growers that they can +add new acres to their farms, and take from tiled land a sufficiently +increased yield the first year to pay for tiling, and that their land is +worth more dollars per acre after tiling than the expense amounts to, +and the demand will multiply many fold. Teach the farmers how to lay +their drains properly, so that no disappointment will result, and every +acre drained will advertise the profits from drainage. Circulate facts +in regard to drainage as contributed to the agricultural papers, and +even the newspapers. Subscribe for these papers and distribute them. +Circulate the essays read at tile-makers' conventions. Talk drainage +everywhere and at all times. These were among the means sensibly +advocated for increasing the demand for tile.</p> + +<h4>WINTER TILE-MAKING.</h4> + +<p>It is but recently that the manufacture of tile has been carried on in +winter, but now many establishments are running the year round. It was +not claimed that the business can be prosecuted as advantageously in +winter as in summer. But it gives employment to men, and the +manufactories are thus enabled to keep skilled labor always on hand. It +was thought that though the profits are small it is really better to run +in winter where there is a demand for tile. In most cases it is better +to make brick a portion of the year. There is always a demand for good +brick at paying prices. If it will not pay to produce all tile, or so +much tile as may be turned out, this will afford relief and keep the +machine in motion.</p> + +<h4>TILE MACHINERY.</h4> + +<p>Mr. Billingsby, whose position allows him an excellent opportunity of +judging, said there has been rapid improvement in the machinery for +tile-making. Great advance has been made in machines for preparing clay, +especially in the rapidity of handling it. The buildings for drying tile +were a great deal better than five years ago. The means of ventilation +are becoming excellent. The kilns are better and can be more +satisfactorily managed. There is yet need for a cheaper tile +factory—one where the investment of only a few hundred dollars will +answer.</p> + +<h4>PROTECTING DRAINS.</h4> + +<p>It was generally conceded that it is best to have some device at the end +of the drains to keep out rabbits, water animals, etc. Wires stretched +across did pretty well but must be carefully looked after to clear away +the roots and refuse that come through the drains. Two or three devices +to take the place of wire were exhibited and were generally thought to +be greatly superior.</p> + +<h4>OPEN DITCHES.</h4> + +<p>An interesting feature of this convention was the introduction, for the +first time, of the discussion of tile ditching by machinery in a paper +prepared by Hon. F. Plumb, of Streator, Ill. Mr. Plumb has been +experimenting for several years with tile ditches, using both animal and +steam power. He gave it as his conclusion that the machine of the future +would be a machine that would perfect the ditch by one passage over the +ground. He has perfected and is now manufacturing a steam power machine, +at Streator, Ill., which is spoken of very highly by all who have seen +it at work in the field. Mr. Plumb claims that the machine will cut +twenty rods of three-foot ditch in an hour, and give a grade and finish +to the bottom of the ditch equal to the very best hand work. The +capacity of the machine is varied to any depth up to four feet, and for +any sized tile up to nine-inch. Two men can operate the machine. The +cost of cutting ditches, laying and covering tile is reduced to about +ten cents per rod. He has already sold several of his machines, and is +to be congratulated on the success he has attained in securing a good +tile ditcher. We can conceive of no one thing that will conduce to the +sale and use of tile so much as such a machine as the Plumb Steam Tile +Ditcher. The machine is indorsed by C. G. Elliott, of Tonica, Drainage +Engineer; by Mr. Pike, President of the convention, and others who have +seen it at work in the field.</p> + +<h4>LAYING TILE BY MACHINERY.</h4> + +<p>There was nothing among the devices exhibited at this convention that +attracted more attention or received more favorable private comment than +a model of Chamberlin Brothers' Patent Apparatus for Tiling. The model +only was shown, but working machines are in operation in Iowa, and they +are giving excellent satisfaction, as attested by such men as Thos. B. +Wales, Jr., of Iowa City, and Daniel H. Wheeler, Secretary of the +Nebraska State Board of Agriculture. The apparatus is upon the old +principle of the mole ditcher requiring the same capstan power. One team +is sufficient to run it. The apparatus is composed of a beam or sill, +horizontal in position, and a coulter seven feet long at the rear end of +the beam, and perpendicular to it a spirit level attached to the beam, +aids in regulating. The coulter can be run anywhere from one to five +feet deep. The front end of the beam is provided with a mud or stone +boat to prevent sinking in the mud, and with a jack screw for regulating +on uneven ground. Attached to it, and following the mole, is a carrier +200 feet long, made concave in form. On this the tile are laid and +carried into the ground. A start is made at an open ditch or hole of +required depth; when the carrier is drawn in full length a hole is dug +just back of the coulter, two by three feet, down to the tile, a stop +placed in front of the tile, the machine is started which draws the +carrier from under the tile, when it is again located as before, and so +on. Different sized moles are used according to the size of the tile to +be laid. Any one can easily count up the advantages of this mode of +laying tile, provided the machine can do the work it is claimed to do, +and of this there seems to be no question, if we may believe the +testimony of those who have seen it in operation.</p> + +<h4>DRAINAGE LAWS.</h4> + +<p>The following by Senator Whiting, of Bureau county, was read by the +Secretary:</p> + +<p>Illinois is a good State as nature made her, and drainage is destined to +add wealth almost inestimable. Drainage enterprises are everywhere +seen—in extent from the small work beginning and ending in the same +field, to the levees of Sny Carte, and the canal-like channels through +the Winnebago swamps. Drainage is naturally divided into two classes:</p> + +<p>1. Individual drainage, where the land-owner has his own outlet +independent of others.</p> + +<p>2. Combined drainage where one can not drain without joining with +others.</p> + +<p>The smallest of these combined works is where two only are concerned. +The Hickory Creek ditch now in progress in Bureau and Henry counties is +thirteen miles long, has a district of about 15,000 acres, owned by over +seventy-five persons. This combined drainage partakes of the nature of +public works. For this class the constitution has been twice amended, +and many elaborate laws have been enacted. These laws have had their +vicissitudes, and are not yet free from complications. The first +drainage legislation commenced forty years ago, by a special act, to +drain some wet lands near Chicago. In 1859 two special acts were passed +for lands on the American bottoms. In 1865 a general act was passed. All +these enactments were under the constitution of 1848 which was silent on +drainage, and the courts annulled most of these as unconstitutional. In +1870 the new constitution was framed containing a brief provision on +drainage. The late Mr. Browning, a leading member of that convention, +drafted a drainage bill which was enacted into a law without change. +Large enterprises were organized and got well started; but again some +complaining person appealed to the courts, and this law too, was +declared too big for the constitution. The constitution was then +enlarged to meet if possible, the views of the court. Two elaborate laws +on the main question were passed in 1879, and these with several +amendments since made rest undisturbed on the statutes. One of these is +generally known as the "levee law," and the other as the "farm drainage +act." They cover nearly the same subject matter, and were passed to +compromise conflicting views. These laws relate to "combined drainage." +"Individual drainage" was not discussed. As the law does not undertake +to define how deep you may plow or what crop you shall raise, so it was +thought unnecessary to make any provisions about the drainage of your +own land.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Court Decision</span>.—To the public surprise the Appellate court at Ottawa in +two decisions pronounced individual drainage unlawful. As this decision +is notable, and the subject of controversy, its history should be known. +In 1876, Mr. C. Pilgrim, of Bureau county, laid about sixty rods of +two-inch tile up a slight depression in his corn-field, discharging the +same under a box culvert in the public road. This depression continued +into a pasture field of Mr. J. H. Mellor, of Stark county, about +eighteen rods to a running stream. Mr. Mellor sued Mr. Pilgrim for +trespass, and the case was twice tried successively in the circuit +courts of Stark and Bureau counties. The juries each time decided for +Mr. Pilgrim, but the Appellate court each time reversed the decision; +and finally worried Mr. Pilgrim into yielding to a judgment of one cent +damages. The material part of that decision is as follows:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mellor vs. Pilgrim</span>.—"The appellant had the right to own and possess his +land free from the increased burden arising from receiving the surface +water from the land of appellee through artificial channels made by +appellee, for the purpose of carrying the surface water therefrom more +rapidly than the same would naturally flow; and the appellant having +such right for any invasion thereof the law gives him an action. * * * +If, as we have seen, the appellee by making the drain in question +collected the surface water upon his own land and discharged the same +upon the lands of the appellant in increased quantity and in a different +manner than the same would naturally run, the act was unlawful because +of its consequences, and the subjecting of appellant's lands to such +increased and different burden than would otherwise attach to it, was an +invasion of appellant's rights from which the law implies damages, and +in such case proof of the wrongful act entitles the plaintiff to recover +nominal damages at least."</p> + +<p>Under this decision it is not easy to see how a man can lawfully cut a +rod of ditch or lay tile on his own land, unless he can contrive some +way to stop the flow of water.</p> + +<p>1. The lower man may recover without proving that he is damaged because +to drain is "wrongful."</p> + +<p>2. Such drainage being a continuing trespass, subjects the perpetrator +to never ending law suits and foredoomed defeats.</p> + +<p>3. The lower man may forbid you to drain, or exact such tribute as he +may dictate.</p> + +<p>4. As the first man below must be consulted, why not the second, and how +far this side of the Gulf is the limit of this trespass?</p> + +<p>Here, as I have elsewhere, I challenge this as bad law. It reverses the +order of nature, as well as custom, and can not be endured as the public +policy of Illinois. Let us contemplate the exact opposite principle. "A +land owner may drain his land for agricultural purposes by tile or open +ditch, in the line of natural drainage, into any natural outlet on his +own land or into any drainage depression leading to some natural +outlet."</p> + +<p>This proposition is generally regarded as self evident, but out of +respect to the court, let us give some of the considerations on which it +rests:</p> + +<p>1. Improved agriculture is an element in civilization.</p> + +<p>2. Drainage belongs to good agriculture, is extensively practiced and +must often precede the plow.</p> + +<p>3. The surplus water can not be stored or annihilated, and the course of +drainage is indicated, in most places determined by nature, in the +drainage depressions which are nature's outlets.</p> + +<p>4. The law of gravity, with or without man's work, is constant and +active in moving the waters to the lower level. The ditcher's art is to +remove the obstacles to a freer flow.</p> + +<p>5. Excessive water is a foe to agriculture; and for the general good it +should be collected into channels, and as speedily as possible passed +along on its inevitable journey.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Objections answered</span>.—It is said to be a universal law maxim, "that you +may use your own as you will, but not to the detriment of your +neighbor," and that this principle forbids this kind of drainage. This +maxim may be general, but it is not universal. My neighbor may have +built his house and other domestic arrangements in the lee of a natural +grove of timber on my land. The removal of this grove may be a real +grievance by giving the wind too free a sweep; yet my right to change +this waste into a grain field will not be questioned. My warranty deed +is my right thus to improve my land, though it be "to the detriment of +my neighbor." He should have foreseen the contingency of a removal of +these woods. On like principles a land owner may remove an excess of +water so as to raise corn and not rushes. In the removal of woods my +neighbor may not have an immediate remedy for his ills, but the effect +of my ditches may be turned to good account by continuing them, and thus +improving his land as I have mine. My warranty deed is my right to +cultivate my own land, and this right carries the right to cultivate it +in the best manner. The lower man should have taken judicial notice that +water runs down hill, and that in this progressive age ditches may be +cut and tiles laid.</p> + +<p>But it is said that this court decision follows the English Common law; +and now being settled by a decision, it is not open for further +consideration. In this progressive age nothing is settled until it is +settled right. Judge Taney once judicially settled the status of the +African race. The common law was held to forbid the bridging of +navigable streams. Harbors could only be made where the water was salt +and affected by the tides. The Dartmouth college decision was held to so +cover railroad corporations as to shield them from legislative control. +These have all been overturned by the march of events, and this +Appellate court decision is not necessarily immortal. For fifty years +the farmers of Illinois knew no such rule. The public roads have been +improved by side ditches which dropped the water into the first +depression. In 1873 there was placed in the road law a provision that a +land owner may drain on the public road by giving timely notice, and +this stands through all revisions. Blackstone in his commentaries does +not class this kind of drainage as a nuisance or trespass to lower +lands, but he does its opposite, where the lower man neglects to "scour" +a ditch, and thus sets back the water to the harm of the upper man. If +this court rule is common law, as claimed, then it may be further said +that a rule for the dark ages when drainage was exceptional, is not +necessarily the true rule, since drainage has become so large a part of +good agriculture.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Action of the General Assembly</span>.—Early in the last session, bills were +introduced into each House to overturn this court decision. These were +defeated, but late in the session there passed with much unanimity a +bill of the following title, which became a law: "An act to permit +owners of land to construct drains for agricultural purposes." Sec. 1 of +this act reads as follows: "That the owner or owners of land in this +State shall be permitted to construct drains for agricultural purposes, +only, into any natural water-course or any natural depression whereby +the water will be carried into any natural water-course, or any drain on +the public highway, if the road commissioners consent thereto, for the +purpose of securing proper drainage to such land, without being liable +in damages therefor to any other person or persons or corporation." This +was intended to establish the right of "individual drainage."</p> + +<p>But we are told that the courts will not respect this law, for the +reason that it seeks to legalize trespass.</p> + +<p>Here we join issue with our objectors and stand by this declaratory law. +It embodies the general opinion and practice of the people; it is +plainly conformable to the physical laws of nature and the requirements +of civilization. Lands are held subject to laws thus grounded, and these +considerations will not tolerate laws or decisions the very opposite.</p> + +<p>These declarations are not much more radical than a declaration that we +stand by the law of gravity as constitutional.</p> + +<p>The public are busy in overturning this court decision by everywhere +disregarding it. The few who stopped draining in deference to the court, +have resumed under shelter of the statute. If all violators should be +prosecuted with vigor, tile-making might decline, but courting would be +lively. Courts and judges must be multiplied, and every lawyer in the +State would have fat business for the next ten years. Some judge will +soon give us a precedent in accordance with reason, and this will settle +the matter as effectually as did one taste of the tree of knowledge +reveal good and evil. It will soon be seen that individual interest is +best promoted by general and free drainage—that presumption should be +in its favor, and that one man should not be clothed with power to stop +others from making improvements.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">New laws.</span>—The next legislative work on drainage should be to revise and +consolidate the law. On some points the law is duplicate, and on one +triplicate. It is generally demanded that the law shall be less cumbrous +and more summary. This can be done to some extent when it shall be found +that the courts favor drainage. So far they have had a very tender +feeling for complaints. When drainage shall be acknowledged to be +lawful, laudable, and necessary, like plowing, laws may be greatly +simplified and made more effectual.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">River districts</span>.—Illinois being generally level, many of our inland +streams waste a large amount of land by overflow and drift. Roads, +crops, and bridges are insecure. To a large extent this may be remedied +by straightening the channels, and hereafter keeping them in repair and +clear of drift wood. If the lands along these rivers, which would +receive benefits from this work, were made into a district and +classified according to benefits, the burden on them for proper +improvement would not be great, and it is believed that dollars would be +realized for cents expended. This waste is growing worse year by year. +Enough land could be reclaimed along the Kaskaskia, Little Wabash, Big +Muddy, Saline, and Henderson to more than make a New England State. The +State may well afford to do the engineering and give an enabling act, +that the people interested may organize as they decide to improve their +respective rivers. When so improved, it will become practicable to more +effectually drain the district by lateral works.</p> + +<p>Illinois being so generally level, and much of our black soil resting on +clay, here is to be the favorite field for the ditcher and tile-maker. +Invention has an inviting field, and already foreshadows rich results. +Your association, though a private one, touches the public interest very +broadly. You reveal and make possible new sources of wealth, which +promises to agriculture a new era of development. You may do much to +settle true principles and proper public policy, so that this great +drainage enterprise may move along harmoniously. The law-maker and the +tile-maker are necessary factors in this grand march of improvement.</p> + +<p>Other valuable papers were read which we shall take occasion to publish +at some future time.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Better_Management_Needed" id="Better_Management_Needed"></a>Better Management Needed.</h2> + + +<p>A little forethought on a farm is a good thing. It saves time, money, +and much of the vexation that is liable to come without it. Like the +watchman on a ship a good farmer must always be looking ahead. He must +be quick in his judgment of what should be done at the present time, and +he should have a good perception to show him the best thing to do for +the future.</p> + +<p>It is a mistaken idea that many possess who think there is no brain work +needed on a farm. Farmers are usually looked upon as an ignorant class +of people, especially by many of the city friends who often do not see +the large, sympathizing feelings that lie hidden beneath the rough +exterior of country people. They are in many cases better educated than +they look to be, and they have a chance to use all the education they +have at their command in the performance of the many and different kinds +of duties that are to be done in the occupation of agriculture. There is +much work to be done and it requires to be done at the right time to +give a profitable return for the labor. To have things done properly a +farm requires a good manager to eke out the labor force in the way it +will do the greatest amount of work. Most farmers are willing to work, +and take pleasure in doing so. All perform the harder parts of farming +with an energy that is surpassed by no other laboring class in the +world. Farmers deserve praise for this, I think, for it requires a great +deal of pluck to work as hard as many of them do.</p> + +<p>It is not, however, the actual hard manual labor that pays the best. The +hardest part of the work may be done and there still remain enough to +render the job far from complete. The minute parts of an occupation are +the ones that distinguish it from others. These parts constitute trades. +They require a special training to perform them, and the more perfectly +they can be performed by any one, the more successful will that person +be considered as a tradesman. A fine workman receives more pay for less +work than one who does rougher work, simply because it is the minute +parts that bring in the profit. This is so in the mechanical trades; it +is so also in farming and yet many seem to be unaware of the fact. How +numerous are those who leave out the minutia; mechanics learn a trade in +a short time at least well enough to make a living by it. Many farmers +have spent their whole lives upon farms and are still scarcely able to +make a decent living; and the reason of it is because they have left +undone those parts which would, if performed, bring in profit.</p> + +<p>It is not the lack of an education that causes so much poor success. It +is a lack of care in action and a want of observation in seeing. A man's +experience is what makes him wise. He gains this experience by coming in +contact with and observing those things which he meets.</p> + +<p>In schools children are taught from the works of men. These works are +arts, and since art is but the imitation of nature, all education is but +imitation of that which the farmer boy has the chance of seeing before +it becomes second hand. There is no place that has greater facilities to +give observation its full scope than a farm. All farmers can, with the +aid of the right kind of books and papers, be reasonably well educated, +and most of them have a better comparative knowledge than they think +they have. Many of the city cousins are superficially educated. City +people can talk, but the greater part of the talk of many of them might +be more properly called chattering. No farmer need feel below them +because he is more retired and has a greater amount of modesty.</p> + +<p>It is true, perhaps, that one can not seem more insignificant than he +really is. Great men are constantly dying, but the living move on just +the same. Each person's position seems valuable to few, and yet there is +almost an entire dependence of man to man. Every one can not fill the +highest positions, but they should make the best possible use of the +faculties that are given them. If this is done there will be no regrets +in the future in regard to what might have been done in the past. Life +will then be thought worth living and much more happiness will cluster +around it than now does.</p> + +<p>There is no greater lack of education, perhaps, in agriculture than in +the other vocations of man, and most farmers have a good share of well +developed muscle to aid them in their work. The requisites are supplied. +How many use them, at least in the way they should be used. All of the +work could be done, but there is too small a number of good managers to +oversee and carry out the performance of the little jobs that require to +be performed at the right time.</p> + +<p>There are some people in every business who, in the race for success, +far outrun their competitors. This may be noticed on a farm. It takes +but a short time to tell by the work a man does whether he is a good +farmer or not. If a person is a good farmer and unites that quality to +that of business management he will be successful in his attainments. +Through success he will be honored by the members of his profession. He +will be praised by all other people, and above all he will in the silent +thoughts of his own mind have the satisfaction and pleasure of knowing +that he is not a cipher in the vast human family. He will be pointed out +as an example to those who are perhaps bowed down by discouragement. He +will in all probability be called lucky when his success is really due +to decisions that are arrived at by the experience and close observation +of the past. If more farmers would be content to give their thoughts, as +well as time, to farming, there would be more success and happiness in +the occupation that depends above all others on good management.</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 2em;">S. Lawrence.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 4em;">Quincy, Ill.</span> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Seed_Corn_from_South" id="Seed_Corn_from_South"></a>Seed Corn from South.</h2> + + +<p>I am an interested reader of <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span>, and knowing that +thousands of farmers take the advice they get from its pages and act +upon it, I wish to say that the suggestions of B. F. J., Champaign, +Ill., regarding seed corn from portions of the country South of us will +not do. Last spring hundreds of farmers in Western Iowa planted seed +corn that came from Kansas and Nebraska, and the result was that none of +that from Kansas ripened, while but little of the Nebraska seed did any +better. It all grew nicely, but was still green and growing when the +frost came. It may be claimed that much of that grown from native seed +was no better, but it was better and considerable of it ripened, and +from this native seed we have the only promise of seed for next year's +planting. If farmers expect a good crop of corn they should not get seed +from a southern latitude. No Iowa farmer would buy seed corn now that +grew in Kentucky, Kansas, or Missouri. The only seed corn on which our +farmers rely implicitly is that which they have gathered before frost +came and hung up near the fire to be thoroughly dried before it froze. +That corn will grow.</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 2em;">S. L. W.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 4em;">Manning, Iowa.</span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Field_and_Furrow" id="Field_and_Furrow"></a>Field and Furrow.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">All</span> manures deposited by nature are left on or near the surface. The +whole tendency of manure is to go down into the soil rather than to rise +from it. There is probably very little if any loss of nitrogen from +evaporation of manure, unless it is put in piles so as to foment. Rains +and dews return to the soil as much ammonia in a year as is carried off +in the atmosphere.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Rice</span> contains more starch than either wheat, rye, barley, oats or corn. +Of these grains oats carry the least starch, but by far the largest +proportion of cellulose. In nitrogenous substances wheat leads, followed +by barley, oats, rye and corn, while rice is most deficient. Corn leads +in fat, and oats in relative proportion of water. Wheat leads in gum and +rice in salt.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Convenience</span> of farm buildings is an important aid to good farming, +especially where much stock is kept and there are many chores. Water +should always be provided in the barn-yard, the feeding boxes should be +near where the feed is kept, and the buildings should not be very far +removed from the house. If this results in more neatness about barns and +barnyards than has been thought necessary, it will be another important +advantage gained.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> President of the Elmira Farmers' Club tells the Husbandman that his +crop of sorghum got caught by the frost, and too much injured to be of +value as a sirup-producing substance. But he fed it to his cows which +ate it greedily, and soon began to gain in milk. He thinks he got about +as much profit from the crop as if it had been devoted to the original +intent.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Governor Glick</span>, in a short address before the State Board of +Agriculture, last week, stated that Kansas history is the most +remarkable on record; that in 1883 her people had more money to the head +than any other people under heaven; that the State had received 60,000 +immigrant population in 1883; that it will receive 160,000 in 1884; that +in ten years it will have 2,000,000 people, and that thereafter Kansas +will not care anything about bureaus of immigration—it will have people +enough to work with, and the rest will come as fast as they are needed.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Farmers' Call</span>: The experiments conducted during the last season at the +Missouri State Agricultural College fully demonstrate the advisability +of mulching potatoes. We believe every experiment so far reported gave a +similar result. The cost of the materials for mulching is usually very +small, leaves or straw being plentiful and cheap upon the farm. The +materials manure the ground; and mulching saves hoeing. The potato +requires a cooler climate and moister soil than our latitude affords. +Mulching tends to secure both. The result in every case has been largely +increased yields of superior quality.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> old saying, no grass no cattle, no cattle no manure, no manure no +crops, is as true to-day as when first spoken. Grass takes care of him +who sows it. The meadow is the master mine of wealth. Strong meadows +fill big barns. Fat pastures make fat pockets. The acre that will carry +a steer carries wealth. Flush pastures make fat stock. Heavy meadows +make happy farmers. Up to my ears in soft grass laughs the fat ox. Sweet +pastures make sound butter. Soft hay makes strong wool. These are some +of the maxims of the meadow. The grass seed to sow depends upon the soil +and here every man must be his own judge. Not every farmer, however, +knows the grass adapted to his soil. If he does and seeds by the bushel, +or other measures, he is apt to be misled.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Including</span> millet and Hungarian there were in Kansas this year 3,730,150 +acres of land devoted to the raising of hay. The yield per acre was 1.61 +tons, or a total product of 6,002,576 tons. None of the tame grasses +have as yet attained a large area in this State, the most extensively +grown being timothy which has an area of 95,844 acres. The great bulk of +the grass lands mentioned above is the prairie, protected by fence. The +eastern third of the State probably contains four fifths of the tame +grass area. The question of the growing of tame grasses in Kansas is +receiving much attention from farmers, it becoming of vast importance as +people increase the number of their farm animals. The question no doubt +will be satisfactorily solved within a few years, and the tame grass +area will increase to its just proportion.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> agricultural changes in Great Britain continue to be of a marked +character. The area devoted to grain crops the past year was 8,618,675 +acres, which is 214,705 acres less than in 1882. Potatoes were planted +on 543,000 acres, and turnips and Swedes on 2,029,000 acres—all +showing a slight increase; but mangolds, vetches and other green crops +have declined by 21,000 acres on the figures for the previous year. +Clover and the grasses show an increase of 58,500 acres. The change from +tilth to permanent pasturage is again conspicuous, there being +15,065,300 acres as compared with 14,821,600 last year. Ten years ago +grass covered 13,000,000 acres, while arable land has fallen during that +period from 18,186,000 to 17,319,000 acres. Orchards are on the +increase, and also market gardening. In the matter of live stock there +is an improvement which leads to the hope that the heavy losses of +recent years will be made up.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p class='center'><b>Illinois Central Railroad.</b></p> + +<p>The elegant equipment of coaches and sleepers being added to its various +through routes is gaining it many friends. Its patrons fear no +accidents. Its perfect track of steel, and solid road-bed, are a +guarantee against them.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h3>FARM MACHINERY, Etc.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/illus-011a.png" width="100" height="192" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="center" style="font-size: x-large;">NICHOLS & MURPHY'S</p> + +<p class="center" style="font-size: large;"><b>CENTENNIAL WIND MILL.</b></p> + +<p>Contains all the valuable features of his old "Nichols' Mills" with none +of their defects. This is the only balanced mill without a vane. It is +the only mill balanced on its center. It is the only mill built on +correct scientific principles so as to govern perfectly.</p> + +<p class="center" style="font-size: large;"><b>ALL VANES</b></p> + +<p>Are mechanical devices used to overcome the mechanical defect of forcing +the wheel to run out of its natural position.</p> + +<p>A wind wheel becomes its own vane if no vane is used, hence, vanes—save +only to balance the wheel—are useless for good, and are only useful to +help blow the mill down.</p> + +<p>This mill will stand a heavier wind, run steadier, last longer, and crow +louder than any other mill built. Our confidence in the mill warrants us +in offering the first mill in each county where we have no agent, at +agents' prices and on 30 days' trial.</p> + +<p>Our power mills have 25 per cent more power than any mill with a vane. +We have also a superior feed mill adapted to wind or other power. It is +cheap, durable, efficient. For circulars, mills, and agencies, address</p> + +<p><b>NICHOLS & MURPHY, Elgin, Ill.</b></p> + +<p>(Successors to the <span class="smcap">Batavia Manf.</span> Co., of Batavia, Ill.)</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class="center" style='font-size: x-large'>Sawing Made Easy</p> + +<p class="center"><b>Monarch Lightning Sawing Machine!</b></p> + +<p class="center">Sent on 30 Days test Trial.</p> + +<p class="center">A Great Saving of Labor & Money.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/illus-03ga.png" width="400" height="209" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="center">A boy 16 years old can saw logs FAST and EASY. <span class="smcap">Miles Murray</span>, +Portage, Mich. writes, "Am much pleased with the <b>MONARCH LIGHTNING +SAWING MACHINE</b>. I sawed off a 30-inch log in 2 minutes." For sawing +logs into suitable lengths for family stove-wood, and all sorts of +log-cutting, it is peerless and unrivaled. Illustrated Catalogue, <b>Free. +AGENTS WANTED.</b> Mention this paper. Address <b>MONARCH MANUFACTURING CO.</b>, +163 N. Randolph St., Chicago, Ill.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + + +<div style="width: 100%;"> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 45%;"> +<img src="images/illus-03da.png" width="100" height="76" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 50%;"> +<p class="center" style="font-size: x-large"><b>CHICAGO SCALE CO.</b></p> + +<p class="center">2 TON WAGON SCALE, $40. 3 TON, $50.</p> + +<p class="center"><b>4 Ton $60, Beam Box Included.</b></p> + +<p class="center">240 lb. FARMER'S SCALE, $5.</p> + +<p class="center">The "Little Detective," ¼ oz. to 25 lb. $3.</p> + +<p class="center"><b>300 OTHER SIZES. Reduced PRICE LIST FREE.</b></p> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 45%;"> +<img src="images/illus-03db.png" width="100" height="140" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 50%;"> + +<p class="center" style="font-size: x-large">FORGES, TOOLS, &c.</p> + +<p class="center">BEST FORGE MADE FOR LIGHT WORK, $10,</p> + +<p class="center"><b>40 lb. Anvil and Kit of Tools. $10.</b></p> + +<p class="center">Farmers save time and money doing odd jobs.</p> + +<p class="center">Blowers, Anvils, Vices & Other Articles</p> + +<p class="center"><b>AT LOWEST PRICES, WHOLESALE & RETAIL.</b></p> +</div> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 45%;"> +<img src="images/illus-03f.png" width="163" height="200" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 50%;"> +<p style='font-size: x-large;'><b>THE PROFIT FARM BOILER</b></p> + +<p>is simple, perfect, and cheap; <b>the BEST FEED COOKER;</b> the only dumping +boiler; empties its kettle in a minute. <b>Over 5,000 in use;</b> Cook your +corn and potatoes, and save one-half the cost of pork. Send for circular. +<b>D.R. SPERRY & CO., Batavia, Illinois.</b></p> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class="center" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>HOOSIER AUGER TILE MILL.</b></p> + +<div class= "figleft" style="width: 14%;"> +<p><b>Mills on hand.</b></p> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 70%;"> +<img src="images/illus-011f.png" width="521" height="186" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class= "figright" style="width: 14%;"> +<p><b>Prompt delivery.</b></p> +</div> + +<p>FOR PRICES AND CIRCULARS, ADDRESS</p> + +<p style="font-size: large;"><b>NOLAN, MADDEN & CO., Rushville, Ind.</b></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<h3>MISCELLANEOUS.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 30%;"> +<img src="images/illus-011e.png" width="150" height="90" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 65%;"> +<p class="center" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>EVAPORATING FRUIT</b></p> + +<p><b>Full treatise</b> on improved methods, yields, profits, prices and general +statistics, free.</p> + +<p class="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>AMERICAN M'FG CO.</b></span><br /> +WAYNESBORO<br /> +FRANKLIN COUNTY, PA.</p> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: x-large'><b>Self Cure Free</b></p> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="" width="50%"> +<tr><td align='left'>Nervous</td><td align='center'>Lost</td><td align='right'>Weakness</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Debility</td><td align='center'>Manhood</td><td align='right'>and Decay</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>A favorite prescription of a noted specialist (now retired.) +Druggists can fill it. Address</p> + +<p><b>DR. WARD & CO., LOUISIANA, MO.</b></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span style="font-size:x-large;">40</span> (1884) Chromo Cards, no 2 alike, with name, <b>10c.</b>, 13 pks, $1. +GEORGE I. REED & CO., Nassau, N.Y.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>REMEMBER <i>that</i> $2.00 <i>pays for</i> <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span> <i>from this +date to January</i> 1, 1885; <i>For</i> $2.00 <i>you get it for one year and a +copy of</i> <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer County Map of the United States, +free</span>! <i>This is the most liberal offer ever made by any first-class +weekly agricultural paper in this country</i>.</p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a name="LIVE_STOCK" id="LIVE_STOCK"></a> +<img src="images/illus-04a.png" width="500" height="270" alt="LIVE STOCK DEPARTMENT. Stockmen. Write for Your Paper." title="" /> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">American</span> breeders imported from Scotland 850 head of polled cattle last +year.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">W. C. Vandercook</span>, Secretary of the Northern Illinois Merino Sheep +Breeders' Association, recently took 900 Merino sheep to his recently +purchased ranch in Norton county, Kansas.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Estill</span>, of Estill, Mo., passed through Chicago, a few days ago, with +forty head of Angus-Aberdeen and Hereford cattle. Estill & Elliott now +own one of the best polled herds in the West.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> second regular annual meeting of the Kansas State Short-horn +Breeders' Association will be held in the Senate Chamber of the Capitol, +Topeka, Kan., during February 12 and 13, beginning at 7 <span class="smcap lowercase">P. M.</span> of the +12th.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> seventh annual meeting of the Dutch-Fresian Association of America +will be held at the Butterfield House, Utica, N. Y., February 6, 1884. +Essays and addresses are expected from a number of distinguished stock +breeders.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Lafayette County Thoroughbred Live Stock Breeders' Association was +recently organized at Higginsville, Mo. They will hold annual public +sales and otherwise advance the improved stock interest. Their first +sale will be held at Higginsville, October 15 and 16, 1884.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> following is a list of Jerseys exported from the island during the +past year: Mr. Francis Le Brocq exported 848 cows, bulls, 28—total, +876. Mr. Eugene J. Arnold sent out 656 cows, 47 bulls—total, 703. +Sundry shippers sold 158 cows and 7 bulls—total, 165. Grand total, +1,744 head.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Our</span> readers will not fail to notice the public sale ad. of Mr. Wm. Yule, +of Somers, Wis., who will, on the 19th day of March, disperse his entire +herd of thoroughbred Short-horn cattle. The herd numbers forty head, and +is the opening sale of the season, and will be one of the most +attractive ones of the year. They are all of his own breeding. Send for +catalogue, which will be ready about February 15.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Horse-stealing</span> seems to be as prevalent in England as in this country. A +late London live-stock journal says there is as much of it going on as +there was half a century ago. A gang has recently been operating in +Kent, Essex, and Surrey quite extensively. The thieves are no respecters +of breeds, taking hunters, cart horses and carriage horses with equal +boldness. Arrests are becoming frequent, and it seems likely the gang +will soon be broken up.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Herd_Books_and_Records" id="Herd_Books_and_Records"></a>Herd Books and Records.</h2> + + +<p>The following addresses may be of use to many readers of <span class="smcap">The Prairie +Farmer</span> who may wish to record stock or purchase books:</p> + +<p>American Short-horn Herd Book—W. T. Bailey, Secretary, 27 Montauk +block, Chicago, Ill.</p> + +<p>National Register of Norman Horses—T. Butterworth, Secretary, Quincy, +Ill.</p> + +<p>American Clydesdale Stud Book—Charles F. Mills, Secretary, Springfield, +Ill.</p> + +<p>American Hereford Record—Breeders' Live Stock Association, Beecher, +Ill.</p> + +<p>Holstein Herd Book—Thos. B. Wales, Secretary, Iowa City, Iowa.</p> + +<p>Herd Register—American Jersey Cattle Club, Geo. E. Waring, Secretary, +Newport, R. I.</p> + +<p>American Poland-China Record—John Gilmore, Secretary, Vinton, Iowa.</p> + +<p>Central Poland-China Record, Mr. Morris, Secretary, Indianapolis, Ind.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Competing_for_Sweepstake_Prizes" id="Competing_for_Sweepstake_Prizes"></a>Competing for Sweepstake Prizes.</h2> + + +<p>Our readers will remember that we last week made mention of a change in +the sweepstakes rings at the next Illinois State Fair. This was a slight +error. The change was made with reference to the Fat Stock Show. In this +connection we present the argument of Hon. John P. Reynolds, on the +subject before the board and which governed the board in its action.</p> + +<h4>THE ARGUMENT.</h4> + +<p><i>To the State Board of Agriculture.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Gentlemen.</span>—The undersigned, Superintendent of class A., respectfully +submits the following report for the past year, including the fair in +September, and the Fat Stock Show in November.</p> + +<h4>THE FAIR.</h4> + +<p>It was perfectly apparent to any one familiar with the displays of +previous years in this department, that the breeding of fine cattle in +this country is, at the present time, attracting the attention and +commanding the best and most intelligent care of not alone the farmers +who have been bred to their avocation, but of capitalists, who +comprehend the great money values involved, and who either of themselves +or through their sons have set out to identify themselves with this +great interest. As the result of the fact the display of cattle was more +varied as to breeds and greater as to number, if not superior as to +quality, than at any fair, while the visitors in attendance seeking to +purchase and studying the question of breeds with a view to purchase for +breeding purposes, were never so numerous nor so much in earnest.</p> + +<p>Under such circumstances, it may easily be imagined that the awards of +prizes, not for the money value of the prizes themselves, but for the +bearing of such honors upon the interests of exhibitors in regard to +sales, assumed an unusual importance and involved a corresponding +responsibility on the part of this board. Impressed, as I think, with a +proper sense of that responsibility, and of the embarrassment which +always surround that position, as your representative I discharged the +duty to the best of my ability.</p> + +<p>The most serious and perhaps, the only embarrassment which I should +refer to in this report, was the absence of so large a proportion of the +members of awarding committees originally selected, rendering it +necessary to fill the places of the absentees by selections from the +by-standers after the cattle had been called to the rings. Some of you +"have been there" and have a realizing sense of the difficulties +involved in the effort to make these substitutions intelligently and +with conscientious care, on the spur of the moment. To do so in all +cases with satisfaction to one's self is simply impossible, and to do it +in all cases with satisfaction to unlucky competing exhibitors is not to +be expected. If I could do the first and feel sure that the talisman had +been wisely selected, it would be easy to disregard complaints, if any, +which are known to be unjust.</p> + +<p>The question of so modifying our committee system as to avoid the +embarrassment I have referred to and thus to secure a better deserved +confidence in the justice of the awards is one I hope to hear discussed +at this meeting as it has been probably at every meeting of our +predecessors for the past thirty years.</p> + +<p>Possibly we are in the light of our own experience, with a different +system at the Fat Stock Shows prepared to try something else at the +fairs; but of this I do not feel certain.</p> + +<h4>THE FAT STOCK SHOW.</h4> + +<p>The remarks I have made in regard to the display at the fair and the +great interest it excited apply with, if possible, still greater force +to the Fat Stock Show. Your record shows all material facts in respect +to numbers and quality of the stock on exhibition, and I need not +enlarge.</p> + +<p>The importance of this enterprise, in its relation to the meat supply of +the world, can hardly be over-stated, and its direct results to the +producers of the meat producing breeds of stock as well as to the +consumers, are too apparent to require discussion.</p> + +<p>The rules and methods adopted by the board for conducting this show +seems to need but little change—some slight modifications of the +requirements of the premium list will be proposed when that subject +shall come up for consideration, but beyond these there is but one +subject which I regard as of sufficient importance to demand a +suggestion from me at this time. I refer to the number of and division +of duties among the awarding committees.</p> + +<p>The method of selecting judges seems to me all right and there was much +less difficulty in securing their attendance than at the fair. A few did +not respond, but their places were filled satisfactorily in most cases. +The wisdom of the appointment of your committee to decide upon the age +of all animals on exhibition, prior to the commencement of the work of +the judges and entirely independent of any suggestion or wish on the +part of exhibitors, was practically demonstrated so that there is +probably now no desire to discontinue it. In this case their discussions +corroborated and established the statements and good faith of the +exhibitors themselves in every instance except one, in which one the +result was unimportant.</p> + +<p>The special feature to which I desire to call your attention may perhaps +be best understood if I express my own views in regard to it.</p> + +<p>At present it is the practice for one committee of judges to make the +awards on the animals of each breed in their several rings of yearlings, +two-year-olds, and three-year-olds. After that has been done it is the +practice for another committee to select the sweepstakes animals from +among all the entries of all ages of that breed without regard to the +prizes which the former committee may have awarded.</p> + +<p>Now it not infrequently happens, and is always liable to occur, that the +latter committee selects as the best animal of any age one which the +former committee did not deem worthy of any prize at all or at least not +a first prize, when judged by them in competition with these of its own +age only. Evidently there is a mistake somewhere. Both decisions can not +be correct. Both committees, we are bound to assume are equally honest, +disinterested, and competent, because the members of both committees +considered in making up a decision such discrepancy of judgment and the +system which renders it possible may be almost excusable, perhaps, but +in the Fat Stock Show, where we deal so fully in details and exact +figures, and where we pretend to use our best efforts in every practical +manner to get at and publish for the benefit of a confiding world the +reliable, bottom facts obtained by the labors of paid experts, reach a +conflicting record is not, in any judgement, one to be greatly proud of.</p> + +<p>There is one plain, just and proper remedy for this, to wit: Restrict +the award of sweepstakes prizes in the several breed rings to such +animals as have taken first premiums in the rings for ages, and restrict +competition for <i>grand sweepstakes</i> to such animals as have taken +<i>sweepstake</i> prizes in the breed rings as have not otherwise competed at +all. The awards of all special prizes should follow the decisions in the +regular rings when not offered for animals not included in the regular +rings.</p> + +<p>Under this rule every animal competing for a sweepstakes prize, with +possible exceptions in the grand sweepstakes, would have received the +highest indorsement of the committees, and hence there could be no +pretense of prejudice on the part of the judges and hence, too, it would +matter very little whether a new competent committee were called for the +grand sweepstakes or that committee was composed of judges who served in +the rings, the latter, in my opinion, being preferable, because of their +larger opportunity in becoming familiar with the points of difference +between the competing animals.</p> + +<p>I am persuaded that no objection to the remedy as I have stated it, +would or could properly be made except by those whose animals were not +included in the first prize or sweepstakes winners, and the only +objection I have ever heard to the adoption of the rule, even at the +fairs, is based on the idea that those animals (or the owners) failing +to take prizes in the rings for ages, should have a "new trial" before +an entirely new jury in sweepstakes. But how about those who won the +verdict in the first trial! Is there any justice in requiring them to +submit to another trial between themselves and those they have once +vanquished? and if there is any propriety in that, why not in still +another new trial and more new trials before new juries until every +animal in the show has received a first prize, or the treasury has been +exhausted or the community fails to furnish any more jurymen?</p> + +<p>If it were simply the "consolation stakes" to non-prize winners, some +loose practice might seem justifiable, but it is not the best policy in +conducting the competitions of the Fat Stock Show to be influenced by +any considerations except those which relate to fair, impartial and +intelligent decisions, and no decisions can be fair, impartial and +intelligent which conflict with each other and which, as a whole, fail +to form a consistent record.</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 2em;">John P. Reynolds</span>,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Supt. Class A.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">James F. Scott</span> purchased 200 mares and 500 one and two year old colts to +be delivered on the 15th of March at the San Antonio Viego ranch.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Raising_Young_Mules" id="Raising_Young_Mules"></a>Raising Young Mules.</h2> + + +<p>Where land is not too high, and pasturage good as well as cheap, keeping +good mares from which young mules can be raised is certainly a +profitable business; especially so where corn and hay are grown on the +farm, and the mares can be profitably worked at least part of the year.</p> + +<p>With a liberal supply of corn fodder for winter feeding, and a good +pasture, with hay and corn during the coldest weather, and when at work, +this branch of farming is not only easy, but certain and profitable. A +mare in good condition, not counting pasturage, can be kept for eight +dollars a year. Service of jack here is generally six dollars, making +keeping of mare and service cost fourteen. There has been no time since +I came to this part of the State when a mule colt would not bring all +the way from twenty-five to fifty dollars, depending, of course, upon +the size, form, and general condition at weaning time. Allowing nothing +for the work the mare would be able to do, which certainly ought to be +sufficient to pay for her keep, there is left a good margin for profit. +Or if we count the interest on the money invested in the mare, still we +have a good profit left. The difference paid for young mules shows two +facts: first, the importance of a good sire, or jack, and the other of a +well-formed mare. It certainly costs no more money to keep a well-formed +animal than it does to keep a poor one. Of course, at the start, one may +require a somewhat larger outlay of money, and in this way, if we count +the interest on the money invested, cause young mules to cost a trifle +more than if cheaper animals were used. But this is more than +compensated for by the larger price the colt will bring.</p> + +<p>The difference between a mare that will bring a mule that only sells for +the lowest price here at weaning time, twenty-five dollars, and one that +brings a mule that will sell for fifty, the highest generally obtained, +would make quite an item in the amount of profit to be derived from her +keep, and especially where the same animals are kept quite a number of +years for this purpose, as is often the case.</p> + +<p>And this is not all; the mule will himself pay handsomely for keeping. +Mules a year old, that are broken to the halter, so that they can be +led, bring from eighty to one hundred dollars. When two years old, and +broken to to the wagon as well as saddle, one hundred to one hundred and +twenty-five dollars is the general price. Of course a pair of well +matched mules, well broken to harness, at three or four years, will sell +all the way from three to five hundred dollars, depending upon their +color, form, size, etc. And this difference is, in nearly all cases the +result of the difference between good and poor jacks, as well as good +and poor mares. One other point must always be taken into account in +this work, and that is in having mares that are sure breeders.</p> + +<p>I find that those who have made most money out of this line of farming +or stock-raising are those who, when they have secured a valuable brood +mare that is sure of bringing a first-class mule colt, they not only +keep her, but they take good care of her; and in this way they secure +the very best results and realize the largest profits.</p> + +<p>Where proper care is taken not to overwork or strain them, mares can +always be profitably worked in planting and cultivating the corn crop, +as well as cribbing it in the fall; fully enough work can be done to pay +for what they eat and the pasturage. So that the cost of service and +interest on the money invested is what the mule costs at weaning time. +After that time, of course, they cost something more, as weaning time +generally comes in the fall at about the time that pastures fail, and +corn fodder, wheat straw, and hay, with a small amount of grain during +the winter must be fed to keep the colt growing in good condition. Many +farmers who do not care to go to the trouble of breaking young mules, +dispose of them at weaning time; while others find it profitable to buy +these up at whatever prices they are obtainable, and keep until they are +two or three years old; during this time they are broken to lead, to +ride, and to work.</p> + +<p>To be sure, there is some risk connected with this, but, on the whole, +it is considered very remunerative—so much so that many young men who +manage to get enough cash ahead will buy one or two mule colts in the +fall at weaning time and keep them until well broken in, and they sell +at a profit, and in this way make a good start for themselves. As +compared with other branches of stock-raising, there is less risk in +this than in almost any other branch of farm stock.</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 2em;">N. J. Shepherd.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 4em;">Miller Co., Mo.</span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/illus-05a.png" width="500" height="84" alt="The Dairy." title="" /> +<span class="caption">Dairymen, Write for Your Paper.</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2><a name="Wisconsin_Dairymen" id="Wisconsin_Dairymen"></a>Wisconsin Dairymen.</h2> + +<p>The convention of Wisconsin dairymen, at Lake Mills, last week, was an +excellent one. It was largely attended by the most prominent and +experienced dairymen of this wonderful dairy State.</p> + +<p>The people of Lake Mills did their utmost to make the visit of delegates +pleasant, and they succeeded admirably. The crowning feature of their +hospitality was the banquet on Thursday night. The feast was prepared by +the ladies of the M. E. church. The supper, the toasts and responses, +the music and all were enjoyable in the highest degree. Wisconsin +dairymen believe in banquets. A leading member of the convention +declared that the prosperous history of the association began with its +first banquet.</p> + +<p>Governor Rusk was in attendance at this convention, and his address was +one calculated to encourage and help on the association. He assured the +members that if they thought the association needed legislative aid, all +they have to do is to ask for it. If they ask for $5,000, he will do his +best to have the appropriation bill passed, and he will sign the +enactment promptly when it reaches him for signature. He believes +Wisconsin one of the foremost of dairy States, and he wants it to retain +its position.</p> + +<p>Among other prominent gentlemen present who participated in the +discussions were Prof. Henry, of the Agricultural Department of the +State University; Hon. Clinton Babbitt, Secretary of the State +Agricultural Society; Hon. Hiram Smith, Chester Hazen, S. Favile, J. M. +Smith, J. H. Smith, J. B. Harris, Inspector of Dairy Factories, Canada, +and T. D. Curtis, Syracuse, N. Y.</p> + +<p>The election of officers resulted in retaining the incumbents of last +year for another year's service. These gentlemen are: W. H. Morrison, +Elkhorn, President; D. W. Curtis, Fort Atkinson, Secretary; H. K. +Loomis, Treasurer.</p> + +<p>One of the prominent papers read was on Co-operative Dairying, by J. B. +Harris, Esq., of Antwerp, N. Y., who is employed by the Canadian +government as inspector of cheese and butter factories. We will give it +in full, and follow next week with some account of the discussions.</p> + +<h4>CO-OPERATIVE CHEESE-MAKING.</h4> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>In all human efforts, grand results have been attained chiefly +by concert of action.</p> + +<p>In our own time, everything is done by co-operation. Railways +across continents, canals uniting oceans and seas, bridges +almost of fabulous proportions, enterprises in engineering and +commerce, never before known, evince the extent to which modern +genius is availing itself of concert of effort in testing human +capacity.</p> + +<p>There is a visible tendency in all branches of business toward +co-operation and centralization.</p> + +<p>In looking down upon a large city, the unity visible even in the +diversity of human affairs manifests itself in a manner truly +wonderful. The air is literally filled with a vast net-work of +wire, crossing and re-crossing in every conceivable direction, +and over these, backward and forward, the thoughts of men are +made to vibrate with the speed of lightning, in the elaboration +and consummation of thousands of business schemes, and the air, +as well as the buildings and streets, is full of human activity +and enterprise. The lawyer, sitting comfortably at his desk in +his office, talks with his banker, physician, grocer, a hundred +clients, and his family, all seated like him himself at home, or +at their various places of business. Thus is the telephone made +the instrument of human co-operation and concert of action.</p> + +<p>It is now less than thirty years since dairymen stumbled into +the practice of co-operation in the business of making-cheese. +Previous to that time cheese-making in this country was, to say +the least, a crude affair. Every farmer ran his own factory, +according to his own peculiar notion, and disposed of his +products as he could "light on" chaps. In that day, +cheese-making was guess work and hap-hazard. To-day it is a +science. Then there were as many rules and methods as there were +men. To-day the laws which nature has enacted, to govern the +process of converting milk into cheese, are codified, and +cheese-making has become a profession. In that day the +accumulated results of the cheese industry of a neighborhood or +township was a sight to behold—all manner of circular blocks, +of concentrated error, large and small, thick and thin, when +heaped together presented a spectacle that would now bring a +smile upon the countenance of the most sober and dignified +cheese-maker in the State.</p> + +<p>The condition of the market at that time was quite as crude and +irregular as the system, or rather the want of system, in +manufacturing. There was no cable, no regular reports from the +great business centers of the land, no regularly organized +boards of trade, railroads not as numerous, less daily papers +were in circulation, and many other circumstances which left the +seller comparatively at the mercy of the buyer, and the purchase +and sale of a dairy was conducted upon principles similar to +those usually practiced in a horse trade.</p> + +<p>The great changes which since that day have taken place in the +dairying world are due chiefly to a division of labor, the +introduction of system and co-operation. Our machinery, we are +sorry to say, is not yet quite perfect in all its parts, and +does not move with the precision and harmony of the orchestra, +to which we have already alluded. Yet, although still in its +infancy, it has already produced and does annually produce +results grand indeed.</p> + +<p>If we take a glance at the various industries at which men are +to-day engaged, intellectual, commercial, and mechanical, the +painstaking exactitude everywhere practiced will be found to be +a growing subject of wonder and admiration. The secret of this +lies in the fact that perfection in any department of business +not only enlarges that business but also enriches those engaged +in it. For example: there are perhaps ten times as many watches +manufactured in the world to-day as at any other period in its +history. It is a profitable business, or men would not engage in +it, and the superhuman effort that is being continually put +forth to increase the value, by making as perfect an article as +human power can produce, establishes conclusively the assertion +that there is always a profit in doing well. I am glad to +observe that in the cheese industry of the United States and +Canada, the light of this truth has to some extent aroused the +slumbering dairymen. To quote from the Utica Herald of Sept. 11, +1883: "It is estimated that about 700,000 men are employed in +this business, in one capacity or another, and that about +15,000,000 cows are used to furnish the one product of milk. The +returns from this product are over $800,000,000. The total +amount of capital invested in dairying in the United States is +estimated to reach the enormous sum of $2,000,000,000." In +consulting these figures we hope there is no person so dense of +understanding as to entertain for a moment the idea that had the +old system of every man his own cheese-maker prevailed that +anything approaching this grand result would ever have been +attained. Never. The concert or effort attained in the factory +system is the key note to this grand, soul-inspiring chorus.</p> + +<p>But an experience of twenty-five years in the dairy industry +leads me to the conclusion that in the music of our business +there is yet much discord. The dairymen and factorymen fail to +understand the spirit of the piece we are attempting to perform, +and fail to catch the idea that individual profit and prosperity +depend upon the success of the business as a whole. No chain is +stronger than its weakest link, and so long as there remains a +slovenly dairyman in the business just so long our system will +be incomplete and the working of co-operation remain imperfect. +Perfect concert of effort, unbroken unity of hand with hand, in +all the various details of the business, reaching down to the +most unimportant items in the production of milk and the making +of cheese, will produce in the long run the most profitable and +permanent results to the individual as well as to the community.</p> + +<p>"But," say some, "there is too much of the millennium, too much +of theory, too much of the unattainable, in all this." To such I +answer that there is much of the millennium, much of theory, and +much of the unattainable in the Sermon on the Mount, and yet our +Divine Master preached it, nevertheless.</p> + +<p>It may perhaps be considered chimerical and theorizing to talk +of a time when there will be no such persons among dairymen as +what are known to the cheese-maker as a skimmer or stripper, but +we hope such a time will come, nevertheless.</p> + +<p>To what purpose do A., B., and C., and a score of other +industrious, honest, painstaking fellows, exert themselves to +collect a model dairy, sparing neither time nor expense in +providing themselves with perfect sets of improved appurtenances +for those dairies, from rich, well-watered pastures down to +good, substantial three-legged milking stools, and labor +incessantly from sunrise until sundown, that their barns may be +in perfect order and everything connected with the business neat +and clean, in order that their material may come into the hands +of the manufacturer in a perfect condition—if heedless, lazy, +shiftless, dishonest, ignorant, good-for-nothing D. keeps about +him a herd of sick, disconsolated racks-of-bones, to wander over +his arid and desolate fields in search of food and drink in +summer, or with backs humped up, hover together for shelter +under the lea of a wheat-straw stack, their only food in winter, +and using a kit of dairying tools, the very best article of +which is an old, water-soaked, dirty wooden pail, drawing his +whey from the factory in the old, rusty, time-embattled milk +cans, in which it is allowed to stand until the next milking, +and which, after an imperfect washing, and refilled and returned +to the factory, freighted with a compound sufficiently poisoned +to nullify and undo the best efforts of a hundred A., B., and +C's. It may be theorizing and visionary to talk of a time when +the spirit of co-operation shall have driven such fellows out of +the dairying business, to betake themselves with a pick-ax and +spade to the ditch, but that such a time may come ought to be +the earnest prayer of every thorough-going friend of +co-operation in the land.</p> + +<p>It may seem like castle building and an unprofitable waste of +time to indulge in theories and construct plans by which the +rivalry among factorymen may be kept within a limit sufficiently +circumscribed to prevent the fear of loss of patronage from +interfering with, and lowering the standard of, our cheese. It +is too often the case, nowadays, that factorymen are deterred +from a full and complete discharge of their duty to themselves, +their patrons, and the world in general, by a fear, by no means +groundless, that a bold and upright course with regard to the +material brought to them will result in a damaging, if not +entire loss, of their occupation.</p> + +<p>The unwise extent to which men have gone in the erection of +cheese factories, has increased competition to an extent +decidedly prejudicial to the interest of the cheese-consuming +world. A., having invested his entire capital in the +construction and equipment of a factory, will be quite likely, +when B., C., and D. erect factories in his immediate +neighborhood, to hold his peace when sundry varieties of swill +milk are offered at his door, instead of speaking out an +equivocal protest against the insult thus offered to his +professional pride and sense of decency.</p> + +<p>To the dairyman naturally given to slovenly and careless habits, +the restraint to which he might otherwise be subjected is +practically removed when nearly equi-distant from his place of +abode there are three or four factories, instead of one, and he +knows that if rejected at one place, he can without +inconvenience go to another, and thus it transpires that at five +factories in every ten there will be found a conspicuous absence +of thorough and inexorable discriminations which ought always to +prevail in the receipt of milk for factory purposes.</p> + +<p>For this abuse there is, in our estimation, a remedy however +theoretical and visionary it may appear, and that is concert of +action and co-operation among factorymen. Men in all branches of +business, nowadays, associate with each other, and form +themselves into bodies for the purpose of closer union and +mutual protection, and when this is done for the general good, +as well as individual advancement, the purpose is laudable and +universally successful.</p> + +<p>We know of no business in which the necessity of combination is +so great as that of cheese-making, and, what, let me ask, could +be more desirable and praiseworthy than an association of +cheese-makers, for the purpose of sending the swill milk of the +country to the hogs, where it belongs, instead of making it up, +as at present, for human consumption.</p> + +<p>We have an idea that such an association might be successfully +formed, and that, when once in effectual operation, it might ask +the legislative body of its country to enact a law, entitled "An +Act for the suppression of swill milk, and for the general good +of mankind," in which it should be provided, among other things, +that in every case where a dairyman has left a factory on +account of having had his milk rejected for cause traceable to +his negligence, that in all such cases, the factory or factory +company knowingly receiving the milk of such rejected party, +shall be liable to some appropriate penalty.</p> + +<p>The extreme sensitiveness of milk in the absorption of taint +from the atmosphere, or any substance with which it comes in +contact, ought to be thoroughly understood by all persons +engaged in handling it, but, we believe, that but few +comparatively are alive to the true facts of the case. I +herewith present several paragraphs clipped from journals of +recent date:</p> + +<p>"There are seventy-five cases of typhoid fever in the town of +Port Jarvis. Dr. McDonald attributes the spread of the disease +to the use of milk from the farm of Mrs. Thomas Cuddebach, in +whose family there have been several typhoid cases, holding that +the milk conveyed the disease germs. Nearly all of the parties +now sick had used milk from the farm."</p> + +<p>"A dairyman from Dundee has been apprehended and fined for +allowing his wife and daughter to milk cows and assist in the +sale of milk, after they had been engaged in nursing a child +suffering from scarlet fever. No less than nineteen cases of +fever, four of which resulted fatally, were traced to this act +of carelessness."</p> + +<p>With these facts in view, how can it be expected that any amount +of diligence on the part of a cheese-maker can atone for the +unpardonable sin committed, day after day, by the heedless and +unobserving patrons, of leaving a can of freshly drawn milk +standing all night in an unwholesome barn or yard, until it has +absorbed a whole family of pestilential odors, and then to carry +it to the factory to corrupt and poison everything with which it +comes in contact.</p> + +<p>Some may suppose it a mere theory to speak of a condition of +things in which abuses of this character can not be found, but +during an experience of five years as cheese instructor, in the +Province of Ontario, during which I superintended the making of +cheese in about 400 different factories, and during the last +year inspected the milk from about 65,000 cows, the property of +about 7,000 dairymen, I occasionally made up vats in which there +was no discoverable taint and which, I was pretty certain, came +from the farms of well drilled, well posted dairymen, and, from +a circumstance of this character, I am led to the conclusion +that what has been done once can be done again, and I make such +facts a text upon which I found my plea for more thorough +co-operation and diligent painstaking in the work of producing +milk for factory purposes.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>There may be times when peculiar atmospheric conditions will +exert unfavorable influences, and seasons when drought and wet +weather will produce changes, over which human efforts have no +control, and for these sufficient allowance must be made. We +quarrel with the stupidity, shiftlessness, and ignorance of men, +and not with the providence of God.</p> + +<p>In this day and age of the world there is no excuse for +ignorance upon the points to which we have alluded. Wisdom +uttereth her voice in the streets, and he who will not hear her +ought to be drummed out of the camp of dairymen. As a rule, a +common carpenter puts more thought into his business in a month +than many dairymen do in a year. Indeed, it would be difficult +to point out a single branch of human industry, of one-half the +magnitude which the manufacture and sale of cheese has reached, +carried on in a manner so slipshod and slovenly as dairying.</p> + +<p>The banker, the columns of whose ledger fail by one cent of +balancing, spares neither time nor money in searching out and +correcting the error; the merchant brings to bear upon his +business a care and insight so unceasing and laborious that his +locks are soon sprinkled with premature silver; the machinist +works to plans from which the variation of a thousandth part of +an inch can not be allowed to pass uncorrected; but the dairyman +too often stumbles along through his work without thought, or +employs the little intellect he has in putting in and harvesting +his crops, leaving the dairy in the meantime to take care of +itself. There are too many men engaged in dairying who can see +nothing in the business beyond the factory dividend; men to whom +filling the milk pail and the can are the Alpha and Omega of +life. To such men such a thing as an ambition that their county, +town, or neighborhood shall attain and hold a reputation for +being the banner cheese district of the State or nation, is as +thoroughly unknown as the configuration of the bottom of the +Dead sea.</p> + +<p>In saying what we have about the patrons of cheese factories, +and the closer and more thorough co-operation among them, we +have been actuated by no feelings of unkindness or ill will, nor +have we arraigned them upon trivial or imaginary charges. The +indictments we have found against them are all true bills, +against which too many of them will be unable to sustain the +plea of not guilty. We have been constrained to our present +course by an overmastering sense of the importance of greater +care, deeper thought, and closer union in pushing forward one of +the greatest industries of the day. I am confident that before +another step can be taken in advance it must be preluded by a +correction of the errors which we have feebly attempted to +portray, all of which lie outside and prior to the factory. As a +body, cheese-makers can do little better than they are now +doing, until there is some improvement in the material upon +which they are called upon to exercise their skill, and the +practice of crimination and recrimination, the factorymen +tossing the blame upon the dairymen and the dairymen upon the +factorymen, which is made use of to conceal the real source of +our mistakes, will continue to shield him from the eyes of a +discriminating public until the care and diligence of dairymen +strip him of this shelter and drive him forward on the march to +improvement. </p></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>REMEMBER <i>that</i> $2.00 <i>pays for</i> <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span> <i>from this +date to January</i> 1, 1885; <i>For</i> $2.00 <i>you get it for one year and a +copy of</i> <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer County Map of the United States, +free</span>! <i>This is the most liberal offer ever made by any first-class +weekly agricultural paper in this country</i>.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/illus-05b.png" width="500" height="112" alt="VETERINARY." title="" /> +</div> + + + +<h2><a name="Impaction_of_the_Paunch" id="Impaction_of_the_Paunch"></a>Impaction of the Paunch.</h2> + +<p>Impaction of the paunch (the first stomach or rumen) in cattle, +sometimes also called grainsick or mawbound, differs from bloating or +hoove, mainly thereby that the distention is more solid than gaseous, it +being either with food alone, or with food and gas. Symptomatically it +differs also from hoove by the absence of eructation, and by the +hardness of the flanks and the smaller volume of the swelling. It arises +from gorging with almost any kind of food, even with grain or with +chaff, at a sudden change of diet; but it is particularly liable to +arise from a surfeit of turnips, fresh grass, or any other succulent +food at the commencement of the season. The instrument called a probang +ought to be introduced, either to decide whether the case be one of +hoove or one of mawbound, or to ascertain the degree in which the latter +disease exists. If the probang bring on a sudden rush of gas, the +disease is wholly or chiefly hoove; and if it encounter a solid +resistance, the disease mawbound, and exists in a degree of aggravation +proportioned to the nearness of the point at which the resistance is +felt.</p> + +<p>In mild cases of impaction of the paunch, when the animal does not seem +to suffer much pain, and is not materially fevered, but merely ceases +rumination or chewing of the cud, refuses to eat, and lies long and +indolently in one posture, a dose of oil, or a little forced walking, +are frequently sufficient to effect a cure. In cases which, though on +the whole mild, are accompanied with a kind of inertia, or with an +insuperable reluctance to rise or to move about, stimulants, such as +ether diluted with alcohol and water, may be required to rouse the +paunch into renewed action; but whenever such remedies are necessary, +they must be given in cautious doses, and always accompanied with some +gentle purgatives. In very bad cases, when the animal seems sinking +through inertness into death, or in which moans, swells at the sides, +becomes almost as a board in the flanks, appears to suffer great and +increasing pain, and seems eventually to be overwhelmed with anguish and +to be passing into unconsciousness, it must be promptly decided whether +we have sufficient time and encouragement to try the effect of +stimulants, purgatives, the stomach pump, and other comparatively gentle +measures; and if not, we should, without much delay, cut through the +left flank into the paunch, and with the hands withdraw the contents. +The cutting operation itself is attended or followed with little danger; +but in the extracting of the food, no matter how carefully performed, +some small portion is liable to drop into the abdominal cavity; and +this, in consequence of its indigested condition, resists absorption or +expulsion, undergoes an irritating decomposition, and may very probably +originate some serious inflammatory disorder. Any animal which has +suffered a very bad case of impaction of the paunch, ought, immediately +after complete restoration to health, to be sent to the shambles; for, +independently of the lurking danger consequent on the artificial +extraction of the food, or even upon the relaxation which follows the +administration of a stimulant, the paunch is so much overstretched and +injured by the mechanical effects of the distension as to be temporarily +incapacitated for the proper discharge of its functions.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h2><a name="Queries_Answered" id="Queries_Answered"></a>Queries Answered.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">Probably Ringbone</span>.—W. B. S., Sciola, Iowa. In the absence of any +information to the contrary, the lameness may be regarded as due to the +development of ringbone. There is no certain cure for this disease. All +that may be expected from treatment is to retard or stay its progress or +development; but in all cases more or less stiffness or lameness will +remain, depending upon the extent of its development. Then, subsequent +hard work, or any cause of renewed irritation, will be apt to further +aggravate the case, and cause additional enlargement and increasing +lameness. The usual course of treatment in such cases consists in +blistering or firing, or both combined, with subsequent long rest or a +season's liberty on pasture.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Uneasiness</span> is a species of sagacity; a passive sagacity. Fools are never +uneasy.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>REMEMBER <i>that</i> $2.00 <i>pays for</i> <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span> <i>from this +date to January</i> 1, 1885; <i>For</i> $2.00 <i>you get it for one year and a +copy of</i> <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer County Map of the United States, +free</span>! <i>This is the most liberal offer ever made by any first-class +weekly agricultural paper in this country</i>.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/illus-06a.png" width="500" height="146" alt="HORTICULTURAL" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Horticulturists, Write for Your Paper.</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<h2><a name="Lessons_of_1883" id="Lessons_of_1883"></a>Lessons of 1883.</h2> + +<h3>BY O. B. GALUSHA.</h3> + + +<p>Progress in all arts and sciences is the one grand aim of all +associations and of all agricultural and horticultural societies and +journals; and to study the results of each year's experiences and +observations, comparing them with those of previous years, and also with +the ideal of perfection which each laborer in these several departments +of industry has pictured in his own mind, is the best preparation for +achieving desired results in the future.</p> + +<p>In the present paper we will take a brief retrospect of the fruit crops +of 1883, and inquire into the causes of successes and failures.</p> + + +<h4>STRAWBERRIES.</h4> + +<p>We begin with the strawberry, which, though small and unpretentious, has +been from year to year rising in importance until it has become second +only to the apple in the estimation of a majority of consumers.</p> + +<p>The past year's experience has taught, as does that of each year, that +great care should be taken in selecting varieties adapted to each +particular soil and situation. This may be said to be the important +thing in strawberry growing.</p> + +<p>It is a difficult thing to find such varieties by the ordinary means of +selecting; namely, recourse to the catalogues of growers. Man has a +wonderful amount of selfishness in his composition. I say wonderful, for +it is a wonder when we consider how much better he would enjoy life were +all selfishness eliminated from it, and benevolence, coupled with true +self love, were substituted. "Each crow thinks its own young the +blackest," and each (almost) originator or "exclusive owner" of a new +variety of plant or tree, labors hard to convince himself and others +that he has the best of his kind; but, owing to the weakness of human +nature, even the sincere among these are liable to be biased, and thus +mislead others. The only safety, therefore, lies in planting such +varieties as you know to succeed well near you in similar soil, while +new varieties, commended as superior by persons of known integrity and +experience, for similar soil and climatic condition, should be tried +only on a small scale as an experiment. If they succeed, you can soon +have plenty of plants of your own growing—if you prefer to grow them. +This advice, though often before given will bear frequent +repetition—for the desire for "something new" is as prevalent with us +now as it was with the Athenians in St. Paul's time. We have seen Big +Bobs, Great Americans, and other monstrosities dwindle to pigmies in the +hands of ordinary cultivators, and the demand for Sharpless become less +sharp through its sensitiveness to the influence of Jack Frost; and +hosts of other sorts, really good and valuable somewhere, and under +peculiarly favorable conditions to be comparatively valueless for +general cultivation. Therefore every person designing to plant should +repeat to himself this injunction—"Go slow on new varieties."</p> + +<p>It is not desirable for persons who plant for their own use solely to +select the pistillate varieties; for these, although the most profusely +productive when well fertilized, are liable to overrun their staminate +neighbors, and soon render the "strawberry patch" unproductive, or +productive only of small or imperfect fruit. The leading pistillates +offered in the catalogues now are Crescent, Col. Cheney, Windsor Chief, +Jersey Queen, Big Bob, Manchester, Green Prolific, Golden Defiance, +Champion, Park Beauty, Gipsey, and some others.</p> + +<p>There are a few sorts, having perfect blossoms, which give profitable +returns on a variety of soils, and which may be considered safe to +plant. These are Charles Downing, Miner, Bidwell (kept in single rows or +single plants), Piper, Cumberland Triumph, Phelps ("Old Iron Clad"), +Sucker State, Finch, Capt. Jack (acid), Longfellow (with good, rich +culture), Mt. Vernon (late), and for sandy soil, Kentucky (late). This +list may be said to constitute the cream of the thousand and one +varieties offered which have been well tested. Of course those who grow +strawberries for market will plant largely of some of the pistillate +sorts, owing to their great productiveness.</p> + +<p>The past year has taught the folly of too great haste in removing the +covering from strawberry plants; as those which bloomed early were badly +damaged by the frost. Plantations, also, which were partially screened +by rows and belts of evergreens produced twice to three times the +quantity of fruit that was obtained from the same varieties fully +exposed. Plants in orchards also escaped to a great degree, for the +trees were in leaf when the destructive frost occurred, and thus gave +partial protection. Strawberries are at home in a young orchard; the +cultivation given the plants is good for the trees, and the slight shade +of the young trees is no perceptible detriment to the plants or fruit.</p> + +<p>The general crop was about one-third an average—the chief damage being +done by the frost—though the tarnished plant-bug was very destructive +in Southern Illinois, and did some damage in other localities. Prices +were from fifty to a hundred per cent higher than usual—supply and +demand being the factors, in the fruit trade, as well as in all others, +which regulate prices.</p> + +<p>Spring is better than summer or autumn for planting strawberries. In +thirty years' experience in strawberry culture I have never, except in +two instances, found any advantage in summer or fall planting, and in +these pot-plants were used, which are too expensive for general planting +and not always preferable. Three or four of the varieties named, 100 of +each, planted as early in spring as the ground is in good condition, in +rows three to three and a half feet apart, and confined, as they run, to +narrow strips, will give an abundance of fruit for two or three years +for a large family. Certainly such planting and care is as good an +investment as can be made upon any farm or in any garden.</p> + + +<h4>RASPBERRIES AND BLACKBERRIES</h4> + +<p>were more nearly a failure, generally, as a crop, in 1883, than +strawberries, but owing to a different cause, namely, the severe cold of +the previous winter. None of the cultivated varieties escaped unharmed +wherever the mercury sank lower than 30 degrees below zero, and 32 +degrees below was marked nearly everywhere north of the latitude of +Peoria and Bloomington, in Illinois, and in many places 36 degrees below +was recorded. Blackberries also suffered; even the hardy Snyder not +escaping; and a similar disaster threatens the crops of these species in +1884, for as I write, on a clear, sunny day, the mercury has not risen +higher than 16 degrees below zero, and this morning (January 5,) was 33 +degrees below here in Peoria, and 35 degrees below in Bloomington. The +canes went into the winter in good order, however, and, if no intense +cold prevails hereafter, the damage may be less than last winter when +they were not as well hardened.</p> + +<p>Since we can not prevent the recurrence of these polar region +down-pours, we can prepare our canes of raspberries and blackberries for +enduring such extreme cold, by commencing cultivation early in the +spring and discontinuing by the middle of June, also by stopping the +growth of young canes, by pinching or chopping off, when not more than +two and a half feet high, and again, as soon as another foot in length +is made, stopping both uprights and laterals. If all weak canes are kept +cut out, and those shortened for fruiting the next year not allowed to +stand nearer than eight or ten inches of each other, they will become +"ripe" and firm in texture before cold weather overtakes them. The +hardiest of the red varieties are Turner, Thwack, and Cuthbert; and of +the black-caps, the Soughegan (earliest), Tyler, and Gregg (latest). The +black-caps named endured the winter fully as well as the hardy red +varieties.</p> + +<p>Of blackberries the Snyder still heads the list for hardiness and +general value north of the latitude named, though Early Harvest bids +fair to be of value. Taylor was damaged a little more than Snyder, while +Barnard, Ancient Briton, and Stone's Hardy rank with Snyder for +hardiness.</p> + +<p>Raspberries and blackberries should be planted early in the spring, if +not done in late autumn, in rows six to eight feet apart. Red +raspberries may be set two feet apart in the rows, and black-caps and +blackberries wider—two and one-half to four feet, according to stock of +plants or desire for quick returns; for all will bear the next year +after planting. Give good cultivation the first year and mulch in the +fall, along the rows of both raspberries and blackberries, with manure +free from grass seeds, and cover the entire surface between the rows of +blackberries with old prairie hay, corncobs, or straw; or, if +cultivation the next year is intended, the inter-row of mulch may be +omitted.</p> + +<p>The intense cold of these two consecutive winters should not deter land +owners from planting these fruits. These extremes come in cycles; and, +though old Jupiter is now, and was last winter, exerting an unusual +disturbing influence upon our planet, he will this year calm his temper +and give us nine or ten years of respite from his powerful magnetic +sway.</p> + + +<h4>CURRANTS, GOOSEBERRIES, AND GRAPES</h4> + +<p>were less affected by the severity of the winter of '83-'84 than by the +late frosts of spring, which destroyed the young shoots of grapes and +the blossoms and young fruit of the berries. Currants are yearly growing +in favor and the price of the fruit advancing; and now currant culture +is profitable and likely to continue so for a series of years.</p> + +<p>Ground can not well be made too rich for currants and gooseberries. +Plant in rows four feet apart and plants three feet apart in the rows; +give thorough culture or deep mulch over the entire surface, cut out all +wood of three years' growth (or after first crop is often considered +better), and a good crop is almost certain. Red Dutch, White Grape, +Victoria, and Versailles are still the favorites; and American Seedling +(or Cluster) and Houghton are usually the most profitable gooseberries.</p> + +<p>Every one who can raise corn and potatoes can as easily raise, with +little trouble and expense, grapes enough for a family's use. Plant such +hardy sorts as Moore's Early, Worden, Concord, and Martha, in rows seven +or eight feet apart, and same distance in the row, give good cultivation +the first year, cut back to two or three feet in autumn, lay the short +canes on the ground and hold down with a spadeful of earth. Plant posts +four feet high and stretch two No. 15 wires along them—the upper one on +top—and in the spring, as the vines grow, tie to the wires, keeping one +cane only for fruit this year and two new ones for next year's fruiting; +and a crop is as certain as a crop of corn. Cut out weak canes every +year, and encourage those starting nearest the ground, cutting back each +autumn one-half or two-thirds the growth; cut out old canes. It is not +necessary to lay the canes down and hold them to the ground or cover in +this latitude, though this work will pay well.</p> + +<p>In two weeks orchards will be discussed.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Illinois_Horticultural_Society" id="Illinois_Horticultural_Society"></a>Illinois Horticultural Society.</h2> + + +<p>The annual meeting of the Executive Board of the State Horticultural +Society was held in the agricultural rooms at Springfield, January 9th. +Present: John M. Pearson, Godfrey, President; A. C. Hammond, Warsaw, +Secretary; S. M. Slade, Elgin, Arthur Bryant, Princeton, Dr. A. G. +Humphrey, Galesburg, H. M. Dunlap, Champaign, and E. A. Reihl, Alton.</p> + +<p>A large amount of routine business was transacted, not of public +interest, after which the board proceeded to arrange for a grand fruit +exhibition, to be made by the society at the next State Fair. This +collection will not be entered for a premium, but only to show the +diversified horticultural products of the State.</p> + +<p>The public-spirited citizens of Illinois, and particularly of Chicago, +have decreed that the State Fair of 1884 shall eclipse anything of the +kind ever held in the Northwest, and the State Horticultural Society, +desiring to keep abreast of the times, will make a display of fruit that +the State may well be proud of.</p> + +<p>It was also decided to offer liberal premiums for horticultural products +to be exhibited at the next winter meeting, which will be held in the +Industrial University, at Champaign, the first or second week in +December.</p> + +<p>After some discussion as to the best method of interesting the students +in our work, it was decided to offer premiums, first and second, for the +best essays on horticultural subjects. The board and members of the +society hope that this offer will be the means of bringing out a number +of papers from the young gentlemen and ladies of the institution.</p> + +<p>There seems to be a determination evinced by the members of the board +and society to make an aggressive, vigorous campaign the present year, +and to bring our work more prominently before the people than ever +before.</p> + +<p>The following are the standing committees for the year:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Orchard Culture—B. F. Johnson, Champaign; Henry Mortimore, +Manteno.</p> + +<p>Forestry—Thomas Gregg, Hamilton; L. C. Francis, Springfield.</p> + +<p>Vegetable Gardening—A. L. Hays, Jacksonville.</p> + +<p>Grapes and Grape Culture—Ayres, Villa Ridge; M. A. Baldwin, +Jacksonville; D. J. Piper, Foreston.</p> + +<p>Strawberries—J. G. Bubach, Princeton; Henry Wallace, Villa +Ridge; O. B. Galusha, Peoria.</p> + +<p>Raspberries, Blackberries, Currants, and Gooseberries—H. G. +Vickroy, Normal; Wm. Jackson, Godfrey; D. Wilmot Scott, Galena.</p> + +<p>Pears—C. N. Dennis, Hamilton; Parker Earle, Cobden; W. T. +Nelson, Wilmington.</p> + +<p>Peaches—J. B. Spaulding, Riverton; H. C. Freeman, Alto Pass.</p> + +<p>Plums and Cherries—Dr. A. H. Sanborn, Anna; L. C. Francis, +Springfield.</p> + +<p>New Fruits, Trees, and Plants—J. T. Johnson, Warsaw; E. +Hollister, Alton.</p> + +<p>Gathering and Marketing Fruits and Vegetables—R. W. Hunt, +Galesburg; Ed. Rogers, Upper Alton.</p> + +<p>Utilizing Fruits—G. H. Clayson, Crystal Lake; —— Roberts, +Godfrey.</p> + +<p>Floriculture—Thomas Franks, Champaign; Joseph Heinl, +Jacksonville.</p> + +<p>Landscape Gardening—J. P. Bryant, Princeton; Prof. Standish, +Galesburg.</p> + +<p>Vegetable Physiology—Prof. Burrill, Champaign; G. H. French, +Carbondale.</p> + +<p>Entomology and Ornithology—Prof. S. A. Forbes, Normal; Miss +Alice Walton, Muscatine, Iowa; Miss Emily A. Smith, Peoria.</p> + +<p>Geology and Soils, as Affecting Plant Life—Wm. McAdams, Alton; +Henry M. Bannister, Kankakee; Henry M. Shaw, Mt. Carrol.</p> + +<p>Horticultural Adornment of Home—Mrs. Lavina S. Humphrey. +Galesburg; Mrs. H. N. Roberts, Alton; Mrs. P. V. Hathaway, +Damascus. </p></div> + +<p>The appointment of ad-interim committees was referred to the members of +the board from each horticultural district. A portion of them asked time +for consultation, which was granted. When the entire committee in +appointed, the names will be reported to <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span>.</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 2em;">A. C. Hammond</span>, Sec'y.<br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Diogenes_in_His_Tub" id="Diogenes_in_His_Tub"></a>Diogenes in His Tub.</h2> + + +<p>And first, Diogenes would discourse of that remarkable polar wave that +struck us on Saturday the 5th of the year, and its probable effect on +the fruit product. Great fear is manifested on all sides, and not +without grounds: yet the conditions, it seems to me, have been so +favorable that there is cause for hope. Remember that there was no very +sudden change, the temperature having been low for two or three weeks +before, and no sudden rise since. The sudden changes seem to be the +ones—coming in the midst of winter—that are the most destructive to +our fruits. So I conclude there is ground yet for hope; and unless some +future disaster should occur, Dio., if living, will expect to eat of +several sorts of fruit this year grown on his own grounds. Keep in good +heart, brethren; Providence will send us all we deserve.</p> + +<p>But hasn't that man at Cape Girardeau a level head? Dio. himself could +not have given as many sensible suggestions concerning farmers' +libraries, as he did in No. 1. All farmers and horticulturists can not +go as deeply into periodicals as he, but they can profitably go much +deeper than they do. Take a farmer's home provided on his plan, and then +imagine, if you can, sensible sons running off to breaking on freight +trains, or selling soap and candies behind counters! Improbable.</p> + +<p>And then, again, in No. 2, his thoughts on naming country houses. How +suggestive!</p> + +<p>The Editor in No. 1, favors interdiction of French liquors, etc., as +retaliation for their interdiction of American pork. Dio. says interdict +them as a matter of protection to ourselves, without regard to hog or +hominy.</p> + +<p>"Man of the Prairie" was looking out for a little colder weather. Did he +find it—and is he satisfied?</p> + +<p>An extremely suggestive paper that, of Prof. Budd's on the "Cherry +Possibilities." Further investigation in the wide field of European +horticulture is demanded, not only in regard to this but to most other +fruits. Even unpromising sorts, not prized there, transplanted here, may +turn out to be the most valuable of any. I fear the agricultural +colleges are not taking as much interest in this matter as they ought. +Our State Society ought, and doubtless does, feel thankful to Prof. B., +for his presence and wise counsel at its late Bloomington meeting. His +remarks will be found valuable reading in the forth-coming volume of +Transactions.</p> + +<p>Seedsmen's catalogues will soon be floating around thick as autumn +leaves, and planters will be puzzled what to buy. My experience may be +worth something: Of tomatoes, I know nothing better than Acme and +Trophy, and I think favorably of the Golden Trophy—though with some the +color is objectionable. The Short-horn carrot can't be beat for table +use, nor the Egyptian beet. Of the former, planted pretty thick in good +soil, in rows two feet apart, 400 bushels per acre can easily be grown; +and besides being good for stock, they are mighty good for men and +women. In squashes the Hubbard and Boston Marrow are standbys, and that +little Perfect Gem is likely to prove A No. 1. And give me the Stowell +Evergreen sweet corn and the Winningstadt cabbage yet all the time. But +Dio. will not be fooled with so many new sorts in 1884 as he has been in +former years.</p> + +<p>Yes—increase the tax on dogs, and collect it; so say the Iowa +stock-breeders, and so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> echoes every sensible friend of the farmer and +his interests.</p> + +<p>Next time Dio. proposes to call up a subject of much importance to +everybody, and one that badly needs ventilating.</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 2em;">Dio.</span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Possibilities_of_Cherry_Growing" id="Possibilities_of_Cherry_Growing"></a>Possibilities of Cherry Growing.</h2> + + +<p>The insertion of one little word gives too unfavorable an idea of the +best varieties of the Griotte cherries, grown all over the interminable +steppes north and east of the Carpathian mountains in Europe.</p> + +<p>As printed the paragraph reads: "Some of the thin-twigged Griottes, with +dark skins and colored juice, are as large as the Morello and nearly or +quite as sweet."</p> + +<p>The copy reads—or should read—"as large as the English Morello and +nearly or quid sweet."</p> + +<p>As you say my object in talking the matter up is the hope of interesting +some of the large nurserymen, like those at Bloomington, in the +desirable work of importing and propagating the Griottes, Amarells, and +the Asiatic sweet cherries known as "Spanish," of the East plain, on a +large scale.</p> + +<p>Why should our Western propagators permit our importing of fruits, +ornamental trees and shrubs, to be done by the nurserymen of the Eastern +States.</p> + +<p>If we turn to a good map of Europe we will see at a glance that the +importing of fruits so far has been from the west coast of France, +Belgium, and Holland, or from the south of England. As with our west +coast, this whole region has been made a land of verdure by the soft, +humid air of the Gulf stream. Tracing on the map the line of the +Carpathian and Caucasus mountains, we find three-fourths of all Europe, +north and east of these ranges, without a mountain or hill traced on the +great expanse except the Valdai hills, and these are only bluffs not as +high or extensive as those of our rivers and dividing ridges. It is the +greatest plain section of the world, and is the ancient home of the best +fruits of the temperate zones. Common sense should lead us to give trial +to the horticultural products of this plain. To find apples, pears, +cherries, and plums as hardy, and as well adapted to the hot summers and +cold winters of Illinois and Iowa as the Fameuse apple, we need not +enter the empire of Russia. Northeastern Austria has a variable summer +and winter climate, which will not permit the growing of apples of the +grade of hardiness of the Ben Davis, Stark, Jonathan, and Dominie; of +pears of the grade of Flemish Beauty, or of cherries of the grade of +Early Richmond as to foliage and ability to endure low temperature. The +commercial nursery-man who will visit the "King's Pomological +Institute," at Proskau, in North Silesia, will see at a glance, as he +wanders over the ground, that the fruits, forest trees, ornamental trees +and shrubs of the nurseries of England, France, Belgium, etc., suddenly +disappear with the Carpathians on the edge of the great steppes.</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 2em;">J. L. Budd.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 4em;">Ag. College, Ames, Iowa.</span> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Prunings" id="Prunings"></a>Prunings.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> soil for window boxes is the same as for plant culture in pots; the +best is that formed by rotted sods with a little well decomposed stable +manure mixed with it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Rhubarb</span> requires deep, rich soil. A good dressing of well-rotted manure, +put on the ground this winter when it is not frozen, will start off the +plants briskly in the spring. The same is true for asparagus.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Russel Heath</span>, Carpenteria, Cal., has an "English walnut orchard" of +two hundred acres of rich, level land, near the sea-shore. The trees are +from ten to twenty-five years planted. His crop in 1882 was 630 sacks of +70 pounds each; this season he expects the harvest will aggregate about +one-third more.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Gardener's Monthly</span>: The writer found among the gardeners in Canada, when +in that country recently, that the English plan of preserving grapes in +bottles of water was in not uncommon use. The bunches are cut with +pieces of stems, and then so arranged that the ends are in bottles of +water. By this plan the grapes can be preserved far into the spring +season.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> American Cultivator: "Can you tell we what kind of weather we may +expect next month?" wrote a farmer to the editor of his paper, and the +editor replied: "It is my belief that the weather next month will be +like your subscription bill." The farmer wondered for an hour what the +editor was driving at, when he happened to think of the word +"unsettled," and he sent a postal note forthwith.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Farmer and Fruit Grower: Mr. Willis, Lamer, a prominent fruit grower +of the Cobden region, says he very distinctly remembers that the freeze +of 1864 killed young fruit trees to the snow line, and that he cut his +peach trees to that line, and saved that much. In 1864 the temperature +was about the same as it was on January 5, 1884—in the neighborhood of +21 degrees below zero. Mr. Lamer thought no damage was done to +strawberry plants.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A pomologist</span> gives the following excellent advice in regard to +maintaining the fertility of fruit lands: "Encourage the utmost variety +of vegetable growth near and upon your orchard lands, and never rob the +soil of its honest dues. Give judicious and thorough cultivation and +pruning; and with our generous soils and climate, I do not believe the +child is yet born that will live to see our orchards languish on account +of poverty of soil, or any necessity arise for the importation of +fertilizers."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Country Gentleman says two things are necessary for the growing of +good asparagus, namely, plenty of room for the plant to grow, and +copious manuring. The latter is best applied to thick beds by covering +the whole surface with manure two or three inches thick, late in autumn, +and forking it in very early in spring, before the new shoots start. +Thick beds, however, should not be planted, but the plants allowed three +or four feet each way to each. Three by five is a common and suitable +distance, and large stalks may be obtained in this way.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Charles Merritt</span>, of Battle Creek, has been very successful with +strawberries. His plan is to plant rows about two and one-half feet +apart and plants nine inches in the row; he prefers the spring time. He +manures highly, cultivates thoroughly and mulches with clean straw late +in the autumn. The next season he gets a large crop, and, while he is +taking it off, another patch is being treated in a similar manner for +the next year's crop. The second year with any bed he simply pulls out +the weeds, and after picking turns it under. This plan proves to be +satisfactory.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">T. F. Leeper</span>, of Warsaw Horticultural Society, says: I have been greatly +interested in the condition of orchards this season, and have examined +quite a number. One orchard in my neighborhood died during the summer—I +supposed it was winter-killed, but an investigation showed that the +roots had been destroyed by mice. Last spring I reported a number of +trees in my orchard, winter-killed. These trees have been dug up and it +appears that they too, were killed by mice. In my orchard the greatest +injury by winter-killing has occurred in the draws or low places and I +would not plant another orchard without tile drawing such places.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/illus-07a.png" width="500" height="172" alt="FLORICULTURE." title="" /> +</div> + + +<h2><a name="Gleanings_by_an_Old_Florist" id="Gleanings_by_an_Old_Florist"></a>Gleanings by an Old Florist.</h2> + + +<h3>THE PANSY.</h3> + +<p>Gray, in his Manual, says: "Viola tricolor (pansy or heart's-ease) is +common in dry or sandy soil. From New York to Kentucky and southward, +doubtless only a small portion of the garden pansy runs wild. +Naturalized from Europe."</p> + +<p>Seen in this condition the flowers are very small, not more than +one-half an inch across and oblong in shape. Cultivated at its best it +has a flower two inches in diameter, almost an exact circle in outline.</p> + +<p>All this has been brought about by lovers of flowers during a long +period of years, by saving the seed of only the best, a sort of survival +of the fittest, and only to be kept up by rich soil and constant +cultivation, for if left to itself the pansy dwindles back into its +original nature.</p> + +<p>It has another peculiarity also: the young plants always bring the +largest flowers, so that if the extra large flowers are wanted they can +be obtained only by seed annually, or a division of the old roots by +cuttings. The latter is too much trouble for most cultivators in the +country, and named kinds are never thought of, while in the old they +used to be; perhaps it is still common for the pansy grower to name his +pets, and reproduce them each year by cuttings or division of the roots.</p> + +<p>The seed that brings the largest and best flowers generally come from +Germany, although some of our own florists save them themselves for +several consecutive years. I was a long time before any fixed character +was maintained in color in this flower, but now seed from certain kinds +will mainly reproduce its like, hence are often so used for massing +kinds of a color. The plant being a native of the cooler and moister +parts of Europe is better adapted to their climate than ours, and hence +as our spring weather is more nearly like their original climate than +our other seasons, they luxuriate in it; it is the only season in which +the florist finds much of a market for his goods, and even then he +receives some round abuse for selling very large noble flowers that +quickly deteriorate after leaving his hands. This, however, is not his +fault, the hot weather being one cause, the other that the plant refuses +to produce large flowers except in its young state.</p> + +<p>There are two methods adopted by a florist in the preparation of his +stock; one, by sowing the seed in the fall and wintering the young +plants in cold frames, or even by means of a slight protection of brush. +The other by sowing the seed on a bench in the green-house in January. +If sown in the fall early enough to get well into rough leaf, if they do +not flower in the fall, which they usually will do, they are ready to do +so at the first peep of spring, as they flower at a comparatively low +temperature. If sown in January, they are transplanted once on other +benches, from which they are lifted and transferred either to the +outside borders or to other cold frames as the case may be. It is not +best to keep them in a green-house longer than necessary, say the first +of March, as the conditions of a green-house will bring about the small +flowers similar to the hot weather of the summer.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/illus-28.jpg" width="250" height="288" alt="THE PANSY." title="" /> +<span class="caption">THE PANSY.</span> +</div> + +<p>By the different systems the market florist can have his goods always at +their best during the selling season, which ranges from the first of +March up to the first of June. They are so easily grown he can afford to +sell cheap, even if his goods are of the very best, and will usually +bring about seventy-five cents by the single dozen, down to as low as +three dollars by the hundred. Enough sod should hang to the roots to +keep them fresh, and they will, after planting, go on flowering just as +though they had never been disturbed. Nothing can be done with this +plant, at least worthy of the name, in the window, hence it should not +be attempted. To enjoy the large flowers as long as possible during +summer, if there is any choice of position, give them the coolest and +moistest place in the garden, not forgetting plenty of watering in dry +spells. A rich, loamy soil, inclined to be porous, will give the best +satisfaction, but almost any garden soil will grow them.</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 2em;">Edgar Sanders</span>.<br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h3>DRAINAGE.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: x-large;'> +<b>PRACTICAL<br /> +FARM DRAINAGE.</b><br /> +<br /> +WHY, WHEN, and HOW TO TILE-DRAIN<br /> +<span style='font-size: small'>—AND THE—</span><br /> +<b>MANUFACTURE OF DRAIN-TILE.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p class='center'>By C. G. ELLIOTT and J. J. W. BILLINGSLEY</p> + +<p class='center'><b>PRICE, ONE DOLLAR.</b></p> + +<p>For sale by</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">THE PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO.,</span><br /> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 4em;">150 Monroe St., Chicago, Ill.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center'> +<span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE SHEPHERD'S MANUAL</b></span><br /> +A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON<br /> +<span style="font-size: large;">THE SHEEP.</span><br /> +<br /> +Designed Especially for American Shepherds<br /> +BY HENRY STEWART.<br /> +</p> + +<p class='center'>Finely Illustrated</p> + +<p><b>Price, $1.50</b>, by mail, postpaid. Address</p> + +<p>PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO., Chicago.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>$2.00.</b></span> +FOR THIS AMOUNT WE WILL +send a copy of THE PRAIRIE +FARMER for one year, also a handsome Colored Map +of the United States and Canada—size, 4×2½ feet.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p class='center'> +<span style="font-size: large;">OUR</span><br /> +<span style="font-size: x-large;">New Clubbing List</span><br /> +<span style="font-size: large;">FOR 1884.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="font-size: x-large;">THE PRAIRIE FARMER</span><br /> +IN CONNECTION<br /> +<span style="font-size: large;">WITH OTHER JOURNALS.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> + +<p>We offer more liberal terms than ever before to those who desire to +take, in connection with <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span>, either of the +following weekly or monthly periodicals. In all cases the order for +<span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span> and either of the following named journals +must be sent together, accompanied by the money; but we do not require +both papers to be sent to the same person or to the same post-office.</p> + +<p>We send specimen copies only of <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span>.</p> + +<p>Our responsibility for other publications ceases on the receipt of the +first number; when such journals are not received within a reasonable +time, notify us, giving date of your order, also full name and address +of subscriber.</p> + +<p class='center'>WEEKLIES.</p> +<div class='center'> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="" width="80%"> + +<tr><td align='right'></td><td align='right'>Price of the two.</td><td align='right'>The two for</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Harper's Weekly</td><td align='right'>$6 00</td><td align='right'>$4 60</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Harper's Bazar</td><td align='right'>6 00</td><td align='right'>4 60</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Harper's Young People</td><td align='right'>3 50</td><td align='right'>2 55</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>New York Tribune</td><td align='right'>4 00</td><td align='right'>2 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Toledo Blade</td><td align='right'>4 00</td><td align='right'>2 20</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Chicago Times</td><td align='right'>3 25</td><td align='right'>2 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Chicago Tribune</td><td align='right'>3 50</td><td align='right'>2 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Chicago Inter-Ocean</td><td align='right'>3 15</td><td align='right'>2 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Chicago Journal</td><td align='right'>3 25</td><td align='right'>2 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Peck's Sun</td><td align='right'>3 75</td><td align='right'>3 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Milwaukee Sentinel</td><td align='right'>3 00</td><td align='right'>2 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Western Farmer (Madison, Wis.)</td><td align='right'>3 00</td><td align='right'>2 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Burlington Hawkeye</td><td align='right'>4 00</td><td align='right'>3 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>The Continent (Weekly Magazine)</td><td align='right'>6 00</td><td align='right'>5 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Detroit Free Press, with Supplement</td><td align='right'>4 00</td><td align='right'>2 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Detroit Free Press, State edition</td><td align='right'>3 50</td><td align='right'>2 20</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Louisville Courier-Journal</td><td align='right'>3 75</td><td align='right'>3 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>St. Louis Globe-Democrat</td><td align='right'>3 00</td><td align='right'>2 15</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>St. Louis Republican</td><td align='right'>3 00</td><td align='right'>2 15</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Scientific American</td><td align='right'>5 20</td><td align='right'>4 15</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Interior (Presbyterian)</td><td align='right'>4 50</td><td align='right'>3 60</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Standard (Baptist)</td><td align='right'>4 70</td><td align='right'>3 60</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Advance (Congregational)</td><td align='right'>5 00</td><td align='right'>3 35</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Alliance</td><td align='right'>4 00</td><td align='right'>3 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>New York Independent</td><td align='right'>5 00</td><td align='right'>4 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Christian Union</td><td align='right'>5 00</td><td align='right'>4 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Boston Pilot (Catholic)</td><td align='right'>4 50</td><td align='right'>3 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>American Bee Journal</td><td align='right'>4 00</td><td align='right'>3 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Florida Agriculturist</td><td align='right'>4 00</td><td align='right'>2 75</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Breeder's Gazette</td><td align='right'>5 00</td><td align='right'>3 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Witness (N.Y.)</td><td align='right'>3 50</td><td align='right'>3 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Methodist (N.Y.)</td><td align='right'>4 00</td><td align='right'>3 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Chicago News</td><td align='right'>3 00</td><td align='right'>2 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Globe (Boston)</td><td align='right'>3 00</td><td align='right'>2 75</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Youth's Companion, new subs.</td><td align='right'>3 75</td><td align='right'>3 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Youth's Companion, renewals</td><td align='right'>3 85</td><td align='right'>3 25</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Weekly Novelist</td><td align='right'>5 00</td><td align='right'>4 25</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Ledger (Chicago)</td><td align='right'>3 00</td><td align='right'>2 90</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>American Bee Journal</td><td align='right'>4 00</td><td align='right'>3 25</td></tr> + +</table></div> + +<p class='center'>MONTHLIES.</p> + +<div class='center'> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="" width="80%"> + +<tr><td align='left'>Harper's Monthly</td><td align='right'>$6 00</td><td align='right'>$4 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Atlantic Monthly</td><td align='right'>6 00</td><td align='right'>4 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Appleton's Journal</td><td align='right'>5 00</td><td align='right'>4 25</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>The Century</td><td align='right'>6 00</td><td align='right'>4 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>North American Review</td><td align='right'>7 00</td><td align='right'>5 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Popular Science Monthly</td><td align='right'>7 00</td><td align='right'>5 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Lippincott's Magazine</td><td align='right'>5 00</td><td align='right'>4 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Godey's Lady's Book</td><td align='right'>4 00</td><td align='right'>3 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>St. Nicholas</td><td align='right'>5 00</td><td align='right'>3 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Vick's Illustrated Magazine</td><td align='right'>3 25</td><td align='right'>2 25</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Am. Poultry Journal (Chicago)</td><td align='right'>3 25</td><td align='right'>2 75</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>American Bee Journal</td><td align='right'>3 00</td><td align='right'>2 25</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Gardener's Monthly</td><td align='right'>4 00</td><td align='right'>3 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Wide Awake</td><td align='right'>4 50</td><td align='right'>3 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Phrenological Journal</td><td align='right'>4 00</td><td align='right'>3 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>American Agriculturist</td><td align='right'>3 50</td><td align='right'>2 50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Poultry World</td><td align='right'>3 25</td><td align='right'>2 75</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Arthur's Home Magazine</td><td align='right'>4 00</td><td align='right'>3 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Andrews' Bazar</td><td align='right'>3 00</td><td align='right'>2 40</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly</td><td align='right'>5 00</td><td align='right'>4 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Frank Leslie's Sunday Magazine</td><td align='right'>5 00</td><td align='right'>4 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Frank Leslie's Ladies' Magazine</td><td align='right'>4 50</td><td align='right'>4 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Our Little Ones</td><td align='right'>3 50</td><td align='right'>3 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Peterson's Magazine</td><td align='right'>4 00</td><td align='right'>3 30</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Art Amateur</td><td align='right'>6 00</td><td align='right'>5 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Demorest's Magazine</td><td align='right'>4 00</td><td align='right'>3 00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='left'>Dio Lewis' Monthly</td><td align='right'>4 50</td><td align='right'>3 50</td></tr> + +</table></div> + +<p>For clubbing price with any publication in the United States not + +included in the above list send us inquiry on postal card.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h3>SEEDS, Etc.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> + +<img src="images/illus-16e.png" width="500" height="250" alt="FERRY'S SEED ANNUAL FOR 1884" title="" /> + +</div> + +<p>Will be mailed <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">FREE</span> to all</b> applicants and to customers of last year + +without ordering it. It contains illustrations, prices, descriptions and + +directions for planting all Vegetable and Flower Seeds, Plants, etc. + +<b>Invaluable to all.</b></p> + +<p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">D. M. FERRY & CO.</span> DETROIT, Mich.</b></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 200px;"> + +<img src="images/illus-057c.jpg" width="200" height="169" alt="" title="" /> + +</div> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: x-large;"><b>J. B. ROOT & CO.'S</b></p> + +<p class='center'>Illustr'd Garden Manual of +VEGETABLE and FLOWER +SEEDS, ready for all applicants. +Market Gardeners<br /> +<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SEEDS</b></span><br /> +a Specialty. Write for +Wholesale Price-List, +☞ SENT FREE<br /> +<b>ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS</b>.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<p class='center' style='font-size: x-large;'>CONSUMPTION.</p> + +<p>I have a positive remedy for the above disease; by its use thousands of +cases of the worst kind and of long standing have been cured. Indeed, +so strong is my faith in its efficacy, that I will send TWO BOTTLES +FREE, together with a VALUABLE TREATISE on this disease, to any +sufferer. Give Express & P.O. address. DR. T. A. SLOCUM, 181 Pearl St., +N.Y.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + + +<p class='center' style='font-size: larger'><b>"THE BEST IS THE CHEAPEST."</b></p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: x-large'><b>ENGINES, SAW MILLS, THRESHERS, HORSE POWERS,</b></p> + +<p class='center'>(For all sections and purposes.) Write for <b>Free</b> Pamphlet and Prices to +The Aultman & Taylor Co., Mansfield, Ohio.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: x-large;'>PUBLISHERS' NOTICE.</p> + +<p><i>THE PRAIRIE FARMER is printed and published by The Prairie Farmer +Publishing Company, every Saturday, at No. 150 Monroe Street</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Subscription, $2.00 per year, in advance, postage prepaid. Subscribers +wishing their addresses changed should give their old as well as new +addresses.</i></p> + +<p><i>Advertising, 25 cents per line on inside pages; 30 cents per line on +last page—agate measure; 14 lines to the inch. No less charge than +$2.00.</i></p> + +<p><i>All Communications, Remittances, etc., should be addressed to</i> <span class="smcap">The +Prairie Farmer Publishing Company</span>, <i>Chicago, Ill.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/illus-08a.png" width="500" height="132" alt="The Prairie Farmer" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center'><b>Entered at the Chicago Office as Second-Class Matter.</b></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: x-large;'>CHICAGO, JANUARY 26, 1884.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h4>WHEN SUBSCRIPTIONS EXPIRE.</h4> + +<p><b>We have several calls for an explanation of the figures following the +name of subscribers as printed upon this paper each week. The first two +figures indicate the volume, and the last figure or figures the number +of the last paper of that volume for which the subscriber has paid: +EXAMPLE: John Smith, 56-26. John has paid for THE PRAIRIE FARMER to the +first of July of the present year, volume 56. Any subscriber can at once +tell when his subscription expires by referring to volume and number as +given on first page of the paper.</b></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>[Transcriber's Note: Original location of Table of Contents.]</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="center"> +<table summary="" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="40%"> +<tbody><tr><td align="left"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1841.</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1884.</span></td></tr> +</tbody></table></div> + +<p class="center" style="font-size: x-large;">The Prairie Farmer</p> + +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> + +<p class="center" style="font-size: x-large;">PROSPECTUS FOR 1884.</p> + +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> + +<p class="center" style="font-size: x-large;">SEE INDUCEMENTS OFFERED</p> + +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> + +<p class="center" style="font-size: x-large;">SUBSCRIBE NOW.</p> + +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> + + +<p>For forty-three years <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span> has stood at the front in +agricultural journalism. It has kept pace with the progress and +development of the country, holding its steady course through all these +forty-three years, encouraging, counseling, and educating its thousands +of readers. It has labored earnestly in the interest of all who are +engaged in the rural industries of the country, and that it has labored +successfully is abundantly shown by the prominence and prestige it has +achieved, and the hold it has upon the agricultural classes.</p> + +<p>Its managers are conscious from comparison with other journals of its +class, and from the uniform testimony of its readers, that it is +foremost among the farm and home papers of the country. It will not be +permitted to lose this proud position; we shall spare no efforts to +maintain its usefulness and make it indispensable to farmers, +stock-raisers, feeders, dairymen, horticulturalists, gardeners, and all +others engaged in rural pursuits. It will enter upon its forty-fourth +year under auspices, in every point of view, more encouraging than ever +before in its history. Its mission has always been, and will continue to +be—</p> + +<p>To discuss the most approved practices in all agricultural and +horticultural pursuits.</p> + +<p>To set forth the merits of the best breeds of domestic animals, and to +elucidate the principles of correct breeding and management.</p> + +<p>To further the work of agricultural and horticultural organization.</p> + +<p>To advocate industrial education in the correct sense of the term.</p> + +<p>To lead the van in the great contest of the people against monopolies +and the unjust encroachments of capital.</p> + +<p>To discuss the events and questions of the day without fear or favor.</p> + +<p>To provide information concerning the public domain, Western soil, +climate, water, railroads, schools, churches, and society.</p> + +<p>To answer inquiries on all manner of subjects coming within its sphere.</p> + +<p>To furnish the latest and most important industrial news at home and +abroad.</p> + +<p>To give full and reliable crop, weather, and market reports.</p> + +<p>To present the family with pure, choice, and interesting literature.</p> + +<p>To amuse and instruct the young folks.</p> + +<p>To gather and condense the general news of the day.</p> + +<p>To be, in brief, an indispensable and unexceptionable farm and home +companion for the people of the whole country.</p> + +<p>The style and form of the paper are now exactly what they should be. The +paper used is of superior quality. The type is bold and clear. The +illustrations are superb. The departments are varied and carefully +arranged. The editorial force is large and capable. The list of +contributors is greatly increased, and embraces a stronger array of +talent than is employed on any similar paper in this country. We +challenge comparison with any agricultural journal in the land.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span> is designed for all sections of the country. In +entering upon the campaign of 1884, we urge all patrons and friends to +continue their good works in extending the circulation of our paper. On +our part we promise to leave nothing undone that it is possible for +faithful, earnest work—aided by money and every needed mechanical +facility—to do to make the paper in every respect still better than it +has ever been before.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p class="center" style="font-size: x-large;">SPECIAL NOTICE</p> + +<p>To each Subscriber who will remit us $2.00 between now and February 1st, +1884, we will mail a copy of <b>THE PRAIRIE FARMER for One Year, and one of +our New Standard Time Commercial Maps of the United States and +Canada</b>—showing all the Counties, Railroads, and Principal Towns up to +date. This comprehensive map embraces all the country from the Pacific +Coast to Eastern New Brunswick, and as far north as the parallel of 52 +deg., crossing Hudson's Bay. British Columbia; Manitoba, with its many +new settlements; and the line of the Canadian Pacific Railway, completed +and under construction, are accurately and distinctly delineated. It +extends so far south as to include Key West and more than half of the +Republic of Mexico. It is eminently adapted for home, school, and office +purposes. The retail price of the Map alone is $2.00. Size, 58 × 41 +inches. Scale, about sixty miles to one inch.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: x-large;'><b>READ THIS.</b></p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: large;'><b>Another Special Offer.</b></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/illus-08b.png" width="500" height="281" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: x-large;'><b>"The Little Detective."</b></p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: large;'><b>Weighs 1-4 oz. to 25 lbs.</b></p> + +<p>Every housekeeper ought to have this very useful scale. The weight of +article bought or sold may readily be known. Required proportions in +culinary operations are accurately ascertained. We have furnished +hundreds of them to subscribers, and they give entire satisfaction. +During January, 1884, to any person sending us <b>THREE SUBSCRIBERS</b>, at +$2.00 each, we will give one of these scales, and to each of the three +subscribers Ropp's Calculator, No. 1.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: large;'>OUR PREMIUM LIST.</p> + +<p>Revised, extended, and properly illustrated will this week be sent to +every subscriber. There must be something offered in it that every one +needs or would like to have. The terms are the most liberal ever +offered. All readers are hereby constituted agents to solicit +subscriptions to <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span>. If those who can not enlist in the +work will hand the <span class="smcap">Premium List</span> to some person who will do so, they will +confer a great favor upon the publishers and editors. What we all want +is to double our present list before the first day of April.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: large;'>RENEW! RENEW!!</p> + +<p>Remember that every yearly subscriber, either new or renewing, sending +us $2, receives a splendid new map of the United States and +Canada—58×41 inches—FREE. Or, if preferred, one of the books offered +in another column. It is not necessary to wait until a subscription +expires before renewing.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: large;'>WE WANT AGENTS</p> + +<p>in every locality. We offer very liberal terms and good pay. Send for +sample copies and terms to agents.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><a name="editorial_items" id="editorial_items"></a></p> +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Adams County (Ill.) Fair at Camp Point will be held the first week +in September. The premium list is out.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> seventh annual fair at Jerseyville, Ill., will be held commencing +Tuesday, October 14, 1884, and continue four days, with $5,000 premiums.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">At</span> the Cape of Good Hope Agricultural Society's trials, November 11, +1883, the Johnston Harvester Company were 1st in the trial field, and +also for the machine best adapted for the colony.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> growth of the Western live stock business has stimulated parties to +organize a Union Stock Yards Company at Sioux City, Iowa. The company +has a capital of $100,000. The shipping of dressed beef may become a +branch of its business.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">One</span> of the most popular and instructive essays at the late Wisconsin +Dairymen's Convention was entitled "<span class="smcap">The Farmer's Garden</span>," contributed by +J. M. Smith, Esq., of Green Bay. This essay will appear, in full, in the +next issue of the <span class="smcap">Prairie Farmer</span>.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">French</span> papers declare that the Government crop reports for 1883 are +exaggerations. If land has risen in value and stock doubled in price, +the extra cost of running a farm more than makes up for it. The impost +duty on all agricultural products has also alarmingly increased.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Merritt</span>, United States Consul General at London, directs attention +to the falling off in the value of exports from Great Britain to the +United States during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1883. The total +value of declared exports from the various United States consular +districts in Great Britain and Ireland during the year was $165,207,987, +a reduction from the figures for the preceding year of $14,231,858.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Calkins</span>, member of Congress from Indiana, succeeded on Monday in +getting a suspension of the rules and the passage of a bill providing +that in any suit against an innocent purchaser of an article +manufactured in violation of the patent law, if the plaintiff shall not +recover twenty dollars or over, he shall recover no costs. This bill is +a blow aimed at the drive-well patent agents, and others of that ilk who +are perambulating the country to the annoyance of farmers. If the bill +passes the Senate, and there appears no valid reason why it shall not, +it will put an end to this species of robbery now so prevalent.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> only general advices we have regarding winter wheat come through the +extensive grain commission house of W. T. Baker & Co., Chicago. They +have private reports which indicate that the crop maintains a very high +average, and, with the exception of a few points in Southern Illinois, +Kentucky, and Tennessee, is doing as well as could be expected at this +season of the year. In Kentucky and Tennessee the ground is quite bare +of snow, but north of the Ohio river, from Kansas to Ohio, the wheat, as +a general thing, is well covered. The crop, however, was generally sown +late, and in many quarters fears are entertained of the final outcome.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Nebraska State Farmers' Alliance held a meeting at Kearney on +Wednesday of last week. A platform was adopted declaring in favor of +national legislation to regulate railway traffic, demanding the +abolition of national banks and the substitution of Government currency, +demanding a tariff for revenue only, expressing sympathy with labor, +asking protection to labor organizations, recommending the abolition of +convict labor, asking Congress to reclaim all unclaimed land grants and +reserve the public domain for actual settlers, and opposing the +acquisition of public land by foreigners.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Do not</span> forget that the Annual Farmers' Institute, or Agricultural +Lecture Course, at the Illinois Industrial University will be held from +Tuesday, January 29th, to Friday, February 1, 1884. Four lectures will +be given each day, at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., by Dr. +Peabody, Regent of the University, Professors Burrill, Jillson, +McMurtrie, Morrow and others. The topics discussed will be: +<i>Soils</i>—Their Origin, Physical Characteristics, Chemical Composition, +Drainage, Cultivation, Fertilization; <i>Plants</i>—Their Structure, Growth, +Nutrition, Seeds, Movement of Sap, Development and Distribution, +Economic Products. Addresses will be given in the evenings by Dr. +Peabody, Governor Hamilton and others. These lectures and addresses are +given as a part of the work of the College of Agriculture of the +University. No fees or examinations are required. All interested are +cordially invited to attend.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_COST_OF_COLD_WINDS" id="THE_COST_OF_COLD_WINDS"></a>THE COST OF COLD WINDS.</h2> + + +<p>Prof. Shelton, of the Kansas Agricultural College, puts the question of +sheltering stock in an exceedingly pointed manner. He has lately been +feeding ten steers in an experimental way. He found that for the period +of ten days ending December 29, the average gain per head was thirty-one +and one-tenth pounds. The weather was warm and sunny. The steers were +fed in an unbattened board shed. During the succeeding ten days, when +the cold was intense almost the entire time, the same steers, fed on the +same rations, and in the same shed, gained but six and six-tenths pounds +per head. About a year ago the Professor fed a lot of pigs for three +weeks of the coldest weather, in open yards, and found them to consume +more than three times the amount of food to pound of increase than the +same number of pigs in the warm basement of the barn. He has a cow kept +in a bleak "Kansas barn" which shrinks in her milk from one-fourth to +one-half after twenty-four hours of very severe weather. From all this +the conclusion is what we have so often taught in these columns, though +not as forcibly as the Professor teaches by his careful experiments, +that you can not burn feed as fuel to support the body of an animal and +at the same time have the animal stow it away in the form of muscle and +fat. The fact is that our farmers throw away one-half their feed in +furnishing animal heat that they might just as well save by paying a +small lumber bill and expending a moderate amount of labor.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="GOOD_WORK_AT_WASHINGTON" id="GOOD_WORK_AT_WASHINGTON"></a>GOOD WORK AT WASHINGTON.</h2> + + +<p>Surely the House of Representatives is getting down to solid work since +the holiday vacation. Mr. Holman, for instance, found no great +difficulty in getting a resolution passed declaring that in the judgment +of the House all public lands heretofore granted to States and +corporations in aid of the construction of railroads, so far as the same +is subject to forfeiture by reason of the nonfulfillment of the +conditions on which the grants were made, ought to be declared forfeited +by the United States, and restored to the public domain.</p> + +<p>This was good work, but Mr. Holman's second resolution, also passed, was +fully as much in accordance with public feeling and desire. It is to the +effect that our laws relating to public lands should be so framed and +administered as to ultimately secure freeholds to the greatest number of +<i>citizens</i>, and to this end all laws facilitating speculation in public +lands authorizing or permitting entry or purchase in large bodies ought +to be repealed, and all public lands adapted to agriculture, subject to +bounty grants, and those in aid of education ought to be reserved for +the benefit of actual and bona fide settlers, and disposed of only under +the provisions of the homestead law.</p> + +<p>There was some opposition to this resolution.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> Mr. Kasson feared such a +law might work injury to the cattle industry. Mr. Bedford, however, +neutralized Mr. Kasson's influence by declaring that he did not propose +that four or five cattle kings should own the West as four or five +railway kings own the East.</p> + +<p>It may be that our readers would like to take down the names of members +who voted against the resolutions. Here they are: Barksdale, Bingham, +Bisbee, George, Horr, Kean, Libbey, Lyman, Morse, Muldrow, Poland, +Ranney, Reed, Rice, Russell, Stone, Van Eaton, Whiting.</p> + +<p>Now that the representatives have resolved that these things ought to be +done let us see if they will stand up to the rack and attend to their +part of the doing.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="WISCONSIN_MEETINGS" id="WISCONSIN_MEETINGS"></a>WISCONSIN MEETINGS.</h2> + + +<p>Feb. 5 and 6—The State Horticultural Society in Senate Chamber, +Madison.</p> + +<p>Feb. 5—The Wisconsin Cane-Growers Association, Madison. Prof. Wiley of +the Department of Agriculture will be present.</p> + +<p>Feb. 6, 7, and 8—Farmers' State Convention, under the auspices of the +State Society, at capitol.</p> + +<p>Feb. 13 and 14—16th annual meeting of the Southern Wisconsin +Cane-Growers' and Manufacturers' Association at Whitewater.</p> + +<p>Feb. 6—The Wisconsin Swine Breeders will hold a meeting at the capitol, +for the transaction of such business as may come before them and the +discussion of subjects appertaining to successful breeding and feeding +of swine. All interested in this subject are invited to attend.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Answers_to_Correspondents" id="Answers_to_Correspondents"></a>Answers to Correspondents.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">J. C. McConaughy, Rochelle, Ill.</span>—1. How can I secure a blue-grass +pasture? 2. How much seed to acre? 3. Can blue-grass be grown +successfully mixed with other grasses? 4. What season and what soil is +best adapted to secure a good catch? 5. Can it be grown on low, wet +land?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Answer.</span>—1. There are almost as many ways to obtain a blue-grass pasture +as there are men who undertake the job, though essentially the practices +are alike. The usual method is to sow the seed in the spring or fall, +either alone or with clover or timothy. 2. The seed is very light and +chaffy, and weighs only fourteen pounds to the bushel, and the amount +sown varies from five to seven pounds to the acre. 3. Yes, though after +a few years blue-grass, on a true blue-grass soil, roots every other +grass out and reigns with a divided empire with white clover. 4. Any +good corn or wheat soil will produce good blue-grass—the usual method +of obtaining a blue-grass pasture is as follows: To one bushel of good +timothy seed one quart of red clover is added, and this quantity is made +to cover from five to six acres. The seeding may be done in the fall +with fall grain, in the spring with oats, or on stubble or wheat land on +the snow in February. After, in the month of August from a peck to a +half bushel of blue-grass is sown upon the young timothy and clover. But +little or nothing can be seen of the blue-grass for the first year and +it does not show vigorously until the third year. Thereafter if the soil +is a true blue-grass one and the land is pastured, blue-grass and white +clover dominate to the exclusion of everything else. Perhaps the surest +way to obtain a stand of timothy and thereafter a set of blue-grass, is +to prepare the land carefully and sow rye in October. On this sow +timothy and red clover as above on the snow in February or March; +pasture the rye, but not too closely, to 15th of May. Harvest the rye at +the usual time, and the yield will be all the better for the pasturing, +and sow the blue-grass seed on the stubble in August. 5. No, but red top +will in spite of your best efforts to the contrary unless you till and +thoroughly break up the land.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John Zimmerman, Cameron, Mo</span>.—1. Has setting trees on a fence line as +posts for barb-wire been a success? 2. If so what kind of tree is the +best? 3. Will the hardy catalpa do, if so what distance apart?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Answer</span>.—1. Barb-wire has not been introduced and used long enough for +trees set for the purpose of posts to grow to a sufficient size. But in +many cases aged Osage orange hedges, which have been suffered to grow +up, have been thinned out so as to leave a tree every ten, twelve, or +fifteen feet, and on these barbed-wires have been strung and made a +fence, which so far has proved satisfactory. The same success was +obtained where fruit and shade trees standing in a line have had +barbed-wire attached to them. But the precaution must be taken to nail a +strip—a common fence picket will answer—to the tree and then the +barb-wire to that. If this is not done, and the wire is fastened by a +staple to the tree, the wood soon overgrows, cracks and increases the +strain on the wire, damages the tree and spoils the fence. 2. Almost any +fast growing tree will do, but hard wood varieties are preferable. 3. +The hardy catalpa may do, but for low land we would just as soon have +the common willow. Eight feet apart is a good distance. The wires may be +fastened to these when they have acquired a diameter of four or five +inches, and later every other post may be removed. For high and dry land +in your latitude one Osage orange is worth a half-dozen catalpas, +because it is just as easily grown—and when grown it furnishes the +strongest and most lasting timber known. We may add here, that where a +fence is wanted across sloughs, or through permanently wet or moist +land, posts large enough for barbed-wire may be grown in a couple of +years or so—this by cutting stakes six or seven feet long and from +three to five inches in diameter from the common willow, and setting +them in March. The stakes require attention the first summer, in case of +dry weather or drouth, but nothing more than that the moist earth shall +be pressed up against them to prevent the young roots from drying out.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">M. D. Vincent, Springfield, Mo</span>.—1. Can you tell me how badly oranges +were frosted during the late cold spell in Florida? 2. Is there a record +of colder weather at Charleston, S. C., Savannah, Ga., if so when was +it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Answer</span>.—1. It is hard getting at the facts. One report is that neither +oranges nor the trees were injured at Palatka, fifty miles south of +Jacksonville, while another just as credible says the fruit was badly +frozen on the trees as far south as Enterprise, 100 miles south of +Jacksonville. The probabilities are, that there was a good deal of +damage done to fruit on the trees, but no permanent or serious injury to +the orchards. 2. The mercury may not have been lower for 100 years at +Charleston or Savannah than the late cold spell, but during the winter +of 1834-35 the weather was so severe the orange trees were killed to the +ground 100 miles south of Jacksonville. Snow to a foot in depth fell at +Millidgeville, Ga., Lat. 33, and several inches over all northern +Florida. Some apprehensions are felt that these southern sections are +not safe from severe frosts for this winter and the next, since it is +pretty well known that these extreme cold periods return about every +half-century—the winters of near fifty and one hundred years ago having +been made remarkable by terribly severe and protracted cold.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">J. H. J. Watertown, Wis.</span>—Give us the best remedy for chillblains?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Answer</span>.—Tincture of iodine painted over the parts; or 10 grains of +salicylic acid extended in an ounce of half water and half alcohol. Both +to be applied with great caution, and largely diluted where the skin is +broken and ulcers have formed.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Charles C. Peters, Olney, Ill.</span>—If you were about to plant an orchard on +levelish, but at the same time naturally well drained land, would you +advise throwing up ridges as the common custom is in some sections?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Answer</span>.—It might be advantageous to throw up ridges so as to secure +permanent moisture; but the trees should be set in the depression +between them instead of on the ridges.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Thoroughbred, Lexington, Ky.</span>—There is a belief or an opinion current +among a class of breeders, always ready to accept and experiment with +new fangled notions, that the draft breeds imported from abroad, +especially the high priced French horses, are fed from birth on a more +or less regular ration of bone or flesh meal. This they claim is for the +purpose of developing bone and muscle. What do you know of the facts?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Answer</span>.—Not much. Some of the foreign journals contain accounts of +experiments in feeding soluble phosphates of lime, but no two agree on +results, except that when the salt is judicially fed, no harm is done. +The subject is worthy of investigation and especially by Kentucky +breeders, since it would establish the claim that their soil, being +especially rich in the phosphates and nitrogen, produces grain, hay, and +forage of superior strength for feeding purposes, which appear again, in +their high bred stock of horses, sheep, and cattle.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> fourth National Agricultural Convention, under the auspices of the +American Agricultural Association, will be held at the Grand Central +Hotel, New York City, Wednesday and Thursday, February 6th and 7th, +1884. Addresses will be delivered and papers read by leading thinkers +and writers on topics of general interest, and all identified with +agriculture and kindred pursuits are cordially invited to be present and +participate in the proceedings. Delegates will be present from all +sections of the country, and arrangements for reduced rates of fare are +being made with the railroads leading into New York. The annual meeting +for the election of officers and the transaction of other business, +including the matter of a national agricultural fair, will be held at 12 <span class="smcap lowercase">M.</span> +of the first day of the Convention.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Wayside_Notes" id="Wayside_Notes"></a>Wayside Notes.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="font-size: 50%">BY A MAN OF THE PRAIRIE.</span></h2> + + + +<p>I notice that Mr. Sanders, of the Treasury Cattle Commission, thinks it +beneath the dignity of Congress to adopt retaliatory measures against +France and Germany for prohibiting American pork products from entering +those countries. He thinks it a far better scheme to appoint a small +army of inspectors to examine all the pork before it is shipped from +this country. This might be more dignified, and after a time effectual, +but how shall we make France and Germany stop shipping their poisoned +goods to this country? Will they be equally "dignified" and appoint +inspectors on their side that will be satisfactory to our people. +Probably they would after a few months of prohibition; never before. +Dignity is a good thing, but protection to the health and wealth of the +people is better. Besides, Government inspectors are expensive luxuries, +and by no means always efficient. A fat Government appointment is a nice +thing—for the appointee, as Mr. Sanders is aware, but it is not +profitable to the tax-payers of the country to multiply them too +extensively. In my opinion the easiest way out of the muddle is to +strike back and to hit where it will hurt worst.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Clinton Babbitt, Secretary of the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, +is reported to have said at the late meeting of the State Dairymen's +Association that he had a very poor opinion of editors. In fact, that he +held them in about the same esteem as Ben Butler does. Now I don't +suppose it makes an iota of difference to any editor under the sun what +Butler or Babbitt think of him; what Ben and Clint need to look out for +is what the editors think of them. Big Ben got an inkling of this a few +weeks ago; Little Clint's turn may come next.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>For some time I have been noticing the advanced style of writing in the +two or three "Down East" agricultural papers that come under my notice. +They bear evidences of "culcha" that are truly encouraging, but here is +a case that is actually exhilarating, or would be were it not somewhat +bewildering. It is from an article about the Jersey Lily, Mrs. Langtry: +"Who ever vocalized such a word with a more complex intonation, or with +a more marvellously intimate union with a more inextricably intertwined +relationship to the most exquisite sensibilities that accompany and mark +the infinite flights and reachings of the soul, as within its human +casement it burns with fire divine?" Now, I call that decidedly fine, +and were I the owner of a whole herd of Jerseys I should endeavor to +engage this genius to write them up for me. At any rate I think he +should be brought West to help on the Jersey boom.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>I sent the editors of <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span>, the other day, from +Springfield, where I was paying a flying visit to the agricultural +rooms, a copy of the Reynolds argument for a change in the awarding of +sweepstakes prizes on cattle. Mr. R. applied it to the Fat Stock Show +alone, and I believe the State Board adopted the suggestions. But for +the life of me I can not see why the principle is not equally applicable +to the State Fair premiums, and indeed to similar exhibits at all our +fairs. Next year I hope the State Board will extend the innovation to +the State Fair, and from this it may be it will extend to similar +organizations of lesser magnitude.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>I notice that the National Academy of Sciences have decided that glucose +is not injurious to health. Well, this is good news, at any rate, but it +does not follow that manufacturers and merchants have the right to mix +it with cane sugar or sell it to us for genuine cane sirups, or real +honey, or pure sugar candy, or in any of the other ways in which we are +made to pay two or three times what it is really worth. It does not do +away with the great need of a rigorous food adulteration act, though +there is great satisfaction in knowing that when we eat it we are not +taking in a mild death-dealing potion. But, come to think of it, there +are other great scientists in the country besides those composing the +National Academy. Some of them have decided in a contrary manner. Is it +not best to have the question decided by a majority vote of reputable +chemists, and then stick to the good old things, whichever way the +decision may be? On principle I don't object to suine, oleo, or any of +the objectionable articles. All I want is to know when I am buying, and +paying for them in real genuine dollars. Bogus dollars are every whit as +respectable as bogus butter or bogus honey, though the law makes it a +little unhealthy to use them with any degree of liberality.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Letter_from_Champaign" id="Letter_from_Champaign"></a>Letter from Champaign.</h2> + + +<p>A light rain yesterday (the 18th) was the first for five weeks, and the +first sign of a January thaw we have had. But it began to snow at dark, +continued lightly all night, and has been snowing, blowing, and drifting +to-day up to this hour, 2 <span class="smcap lowercase">P. M.</span> Coming soft at first, that part of it +will lay where it fell, and the uncovered portion of the wheat has got a +new blanket, which we hope will out-last January. We have had but one so +long uninterrupted spell of sleighing for these many years, and that was +in the winter of '78-'79. With the exception of the few very cold days +before and after the 5th, the month has been quite favorable for stock +and all the labors of the farm.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The damage done by the cold wave of January 4th to 7th is believed to be +greater than first reported. Growers tell me that Snyder blackberries +are killed down to the frost line, which proves it is not iron-clad, as +some believe. Accounts from the Cobden fruit region are of the gloomiest +character, everything being given up for lost but the strawberries. The +Fruit-Grower says they will have to rely on them and their truck patches +this year, and advises an extension of early potatoes, tomatoes, and +Japan melons. According to local records at Anna, there has been nothing +like it since the first week in January, 1864; and the estimate of the +damage done in '84 is computed from what followed in '64, rather than +from what is absolutely known. Let us hope that they are mistaken, and +that the Cobden fruit region will sustain its well-earned character as +the source of a perennial fruit supply.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>It appears the cold wave did not reach its minimum in Central Florida, +lat. 27, till the night of the 9th, ice having been found on the morning +of the 10th, near Enterprise, three-fourths of an inch thick. Oranges on +the trees were frozen through, and the leaves killed so they will drop. +But though here and there a branch may be frosted and will die and have +to be removed, little permanent damage to the groves has probably +resulted. Central Florida is distant, as the crow flies, from Central +Illinois, about one thousand miles. Suppose the cold wave moved steadily +southwest, it follows, then, its rate of speed was not far from 200 +miles every twenty-four hours. It is easy to comprehend how a complete +signal service might warn of the approach of cold waves in time to take +every necessary precaution to meet and disarm them.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>But as much of a stinger as the late cold turn was, it was a mere cool +breeze compared with that which fell on Florida and the entire Southwest +in the winter of 1834-35. Then snow covered all Northern Florida, and in +Central Georgia it lay on the ground some days, a foot deep. The young +orange trees were all killed to the ground, and few of the aged trees +escaped without the loss of most of their branches. But they soon +recovered—sprouting from the roots and stumps with great vigor, as they +will again do after the late freeze. And this is one of the strong +points of the orange. It will sprout from the stump or root when the +trunk is removed, as surely as the young hickory or chestnut, and when +transplanted young and trees of considerable size, will bear mutilation +with about as much indifference as the Osage orange or soft maple.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Those who expect Congress to do anything that will hurt German and +French importers, by way of retaliation for prohibiting pork and pork +products, will be pretty sure to be disappointed. Senator Williams is +responsible for the statement that the reason why agriculture is treated +with so much contempt, is it sustains no lobby. But you may be sure the +importers will not fail in that respect, as millions will be spent to +prevent legislation which will seriously interfere with the enormous +profits of the foreign importing houses in New York. Perhaps Senator +Williams will inform us what it will cost to keep up a well appointed +lobby in Washington, and how much the average one-horse lawyers in +Congress expect, in money down, in the way of a retainer. Huntington +could tell, and so could Jay Gould; but both are silenced for the +present, and Villard too.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>"Put your thumb down there." That the trees on low lands which bore big +crops in 1874-75, are just the trees which bore crops equally in '83, +and the very trees also which have made the most vigorous growth both +previously and last year. The whole matter is a question of nutrition.</p> + +<p style="margin-left: 2em;"> +B. F. J.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>REMEMBER <i>that</i> $2.00 <i>pays for</i> <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span> <i>from this +date to January</i> 1, 1885; <i>For</i> $2.00 <i>you get it for one year and a +copy of</i> <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer County Map of the United States, +free</span>! <i>This is the most liberal offer ever made by any first-class +weekly agricultural paper in this country</i>.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/illus-037.jpg" width="500" height="107" alt="Poultry Notes" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Poultry-Raisers. Write for Your Paper.</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2><a name="Chicken_Chat" id="Chicken_Chat"></a>Chicken Chat.</h2> + +<p>Somebody says that "Plymouth Rock pullets are not always early layers, +for they often grow for ten or twelve months before laying, though some +lay as early as six months after hatching."</p> + +<p>Well that's news to us, and we have kept Plymouth Rocks quite a while, +too. We have had Rock pullets commence laying at six months, and once we +had a few that didn't do a thing toward earning their own living till +they were almost eight months old; but seven months is nearer the +average, and that is what we count on when selecting the pullets that +are to be kept for winter layers. The pullets that are hatched from the +first of March up to the first of May, commence laying all along from +the middle of September to the first of December. Pullets that we want +to commence laying in February, are selected from those hatched in July. +It would really be very gratifying to me if the people who know no more +about the Plymouth Rocks than they do about the fate of Charlie Ross, +would keep their twaddle out of print.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>One of my correspondents is very anxious to know if the Langshans are +the "coming fowls." Hardly. Fanciers who have tried them pronounce them +the "best birds that were ever imported from China," which is pretty +high praise, but all the same they are not popular with farmers. They +will never hold the place that the Plymouth Rocks hold. Since you wish +to buy fowls of the breeds for which there will be the greatest demand +next season, I should advise you get Plymouth Rocks and Wyandottes. +These, in addition to the Light Brahmas and Brown Leghorns that you +already have, will give you the four breeds that are the most popular, +and if you have good stock, and let people know that you have eggs to +sell for hatching, you will probably have orders for all the eggs that +you will care to sell.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Another correspondent wants to know the meaning of the word "strain," as +applied to fowls, and I don't wonder that he asks the question, for the +word is used "promiscuous like" by every tyro in poultry breeding.</p> + +<p>When any poultry-raiser has bred fowls of any breed long enough to fix +his notion of what constitutes a standard fowl of that breed upon them +permanently, he may claim a "strain." For instance: Smith believes that +the Light Brahmas should have very short legs, and he breeds for short +legs until they are permanently fixed, and everybody who knows anything +about Light Brahmas knows one of Smith's short-legged Brahmas at sight; +then, but not before, Smith may claim a strain of his own, and it is +proper for others to speak of "Smith's strain" of Light Brahmas. But +Johnson, who buys of Smith, or of some one who has Light Brahmas of +Smith's strain, this year, should not next year talk about "my own +strain" of Light Brahmas. It takes years of steady, judicious breeding +after a certain type to establish what may truthfully be called a +strain, and it can only be done by breeders of rare skill and long +experience in mating fowls for breeding.</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 2em;">Fanny Field.</span> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chicken_Houses" id="Chicken_Houses"></a>Chicken Houses.</h2> + + +<p>I often read inquiries about the best plan for building hen houses. My +plan is, for 100 fowls, to build a house for them to roost in, eight or +even ten feet wide and sixteen feet long, one story high with tight +floor of yellow pine flooring. I prefer a tight floor because it is +easily cleaned out, and every time it is cleaned out and swept the floor +should be well covered with slaked lime; one cleaning a week is often +enough.</p> + +<p>A building of the same size should be built with a dirt floor, or close +one, as preferred, about ten or fifteen feet from the roosting house for +the hens to lay and sit in. A petition may be made of laths dividing the +house into two compartments, the front arranged for the laying hens and +the back compartments for sitting hens; then the laying hens will not +disturb the sitting hens. A closed passway should be made, say one and +one half or two feet square leading from the roosting house to the +laying house with a sliding door at each end to be used at pleasure. As +it often happens in cold, snowy weather in winter it is not desirable to +let the fowls out, then the slides at each end of the passway can be +opened and feed and water placed in the laying house (because the floor +in that house will always be cleanest), and all the fowls will soon +learn to go in there to eat and drink, and lay if they want to. It is, I +think, bad policy to force fowls to roost, lay, and sit all in the same +room.</p> + +<p>The boxes that contain the nests should be made so that they can be at +any time taken out and the nests turned out in a pile, set on fire and +the boxes held over the fire to kill any lice that may be sticking to +them.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">B. F. C.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 4em;">Hike's Point, Ky.</span> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><a name="poultry_items" id="poultry_items"></a><span class="smcap">A person</span> signing himself a "Nobleman's Gardener," says in an English +paper that it is a mistake to use poultry manure as a top-dressing for +garden crops; for farm crops also, if the poultry and pigeon dung were +in any considerable bulk. This, however, is not usually the case, and a +hundred weight or two would not make much of an impression on a farm. +The manure in question is a powerful fertilizer, containing ammonia, +phosphates, and carbonate of lime in considerable quantity, also uric +acid, all of which are valuable ingredients for the support of crops. +The simplest method of preparing the manure for use is to partially dry +it, then mix it with perfectly dry sifted soil or ashes in sufficient +quantity that will enable the entire mixture to be rubbed through a +half-inch sieve. A man can do this comfortably with the hand inclosed in +a thick leather glove. In this finely powdered state it can be stored in +a dry shed till wanted for use. It is an excellent top-dressing for +onions, strawberries, and, in fact, for all vegetable crops that need +assistance, also for fruit trees and lawns. It is best applied in +showery weather in the spring—for lawns at the rate of two ounces, +vegetable crops and strawberries three ounces, and fruit trees four +ounces per square yard. If in very large bulk and needed for use in +fields it would scarcely be necessary to pulverize it, as mixing it with +dry soil, etc., and turning the heap over a few times would suffice for +its ready application.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> strength of the donkey mind lies in adopting a course inversely as +the arguments urged, which, well considered, requires as great a mental +force as the direct sequence.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h3>MISCELLANEOUS.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: x-large;'>Cheapest Farms for Sale in Illinois.</p> + +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: large;'><b>BEST FRUIT REGION IN THE STATE.</b></p> + +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> + +<p> +Send for my List of Farms and timbered Lands for sale.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">DEWITT C. SMITH, Land Agent.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Stone Fort, Saline Co., Illinois.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>When you write mention <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span>.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: large;"><b>MARKET GARDENERS,</b></p> + +<p><b>And all others</b> who want the <b>BEST</b> Cabbage, Onion, +Beet, Carrot, Parsnip, Cucumber, Tomato, and other +Seeds, <b>direct from the Farm</b>, at the <b>Lowest +Prices</b>, can now get them at wholesale rates. Catalogue, +with directions for cultivation, <b>Free</b>. Address +JOSEPH HARRIS, Moreton Farm, Rochester, N. Y. +Seeds for the Children, 25 per cent discount. If you do +not want the Catalogue, let the Children send for it, and +send at once, as this advertisement will not be repeated.</p> + +<p>When you write mention <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span>.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: x-large;">BLUE STEM SPRING WHEAT!!!</p> + +<p>The best variety of Prairie Wheat known. Yields +largely and is less liable to blight than any other variety.</p> + +<p>Also celebrated Judson Oats for sale in small lots.</p> + +<p>Samples, statement of yield, and prices sent free upon +application to</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;">SAMPSON & FRENCH.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Woodstock, Pipestone Co., Minn., or Storm Lake, Ia.</span></p> + +<p>When you write mention <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span>.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="font-size: x-large"><b>EUROPE</b></p> + +<p style="font-size: x-large"><b><span style="margin-left: 2em;">EDUCATIONAL</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">EXCURSIONS</span></b></p> + +<p><span style="font-size: large;">1884.</span> <b>Combining unequalled advantages.</b> +Send for Descriptive Circular, Free. <i>Register +early.</i> <b>E. TOURJEE, Franklin Sq., Boston.</b></p> + +<p>When you write mention <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span>.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>FOR SALE—One-half interest in a thoroughly equipped +CREAMERY located in one of the best dairy +districts of Wis.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">J. G. Snyder & Son.</span>, Mt. Hope, Wis.</p> + +<p>When you write mention <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span>.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><b><span class="u" style="font-size:x-large;">Cut This Out</span></b> & Return to us with <b>TEN CTS.</b> & you'll get by +mail <b>A GOLDEN BOX OF GOODS</b> that will bring you in <b>MORE MONEY</b>, in One +Month, than anything else in America. Absolute Certainty. Need no +capital. M. Young, 173 Greenwich St. N. York.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h3>FARM IMPLEMENTS. Etc.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + + +<p class='center'><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE "NEW" BIRDSELL</span><br /> +<span style="font-size: large;">CLOVER HULLER.</span></b></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/illus-040a.jpg" width="300" height="148" alt="" title="MONITOR JUNIOR" /> +<span class="caption">MONITOR JUNIOR</span> +</div> + +<p>SAVES all the Seed, CLEANS Ready for +Market as Threshed.</p> + +<p class="center caption" style="font-size: x-large">THE BIRDSELL</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/illus-040b.jpg" width="300" height="160" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption" style="font-size: large;">COMBINATION SPRING WAGON.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Besides manufacturing the <b>"New" Birdsell</b> +Clover Huller, for which we have the sole right, we +make a specialty of <b>HALF PLATFORM</b> and +<b>THREE-SPRING WAGONS</b>.</p> + +<p>Send for illustrated Catalogue and prices. Address</p> + +<p><b>BIRDSELL MANF'G CO. SOUTH BEND INDIANA.</b></p> + +<p>☞ When you write, please mention this paper. ☜</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 25%;"> +<p class="center" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SEED CORN</b></p> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 65%;"> +<p class="center" style="font-size:large;"><b>FOR SALE.</b></p> + +<p>A large quantity of first-class, selected Iowa seed corn, in large or +small quantities. Address</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><b><i>MITCHELL VINCENT</i>,</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;"><b>Onawa, Iowa.</b></span></p> +</div> + + +<p>Please state you saw ad in this paper.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/illus-15e.png" width="150" height="105" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p><b>THE STANDARD REMINGTON TYPE-WRITER</b> is acknowledged to be the only +rapid and reliable writing machine. It has no rival. These machines are +used for transcribing and general correspondence in every part of the +globe, doing their work in almost every language. Any young man or woman +of ordinary ability, having a practical knowledge of the use of this +machine may find constant and remunerative employment. All machines and +supplies, furnished by us, warranted. Satisfaction guaranteed or money +refunded. Send for circulars. WYCKOFF, SEAMANS & BENEDICT, 38 East +Madison St., Chicago, Ill.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: x-large;"><b>SEEDS</b></p> + +<p class='center'><b>ALBERT DICKINSON,</b></p> + +<p class='center'>Dealer in Timothy, Clover, Flax, Hungarian, Millet, Red Top, Blue +Grass, Lawn Grass, Orchard Grass, Bird Seeds, &c.</p> + +<p class='center'><b>POP CORN.</b></p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'>Warehouses</td><td align='left'>{115, 117 & 119 Kinzie St.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'></td><td align='left'>{104, 106, 108 & 110 Michigan St.</td></tr> +</table> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Office. 115 Kinzie St.</span> CHICAGO, ILL.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class="center" style="font-size: x-large;">FAY GRAPES</p> + +<p>CURRANT HEADQUARTERS ALL BEST NEW AND OLD.</p> + +<p><b>SMALL FRUITS AND TREES. LOW TO DEALERS AND PLANTERS. +STOCK First-Class. Free Catalogues. GEO. S. JOSSELYN</b>, Fredonia, N.Y.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div style="border: solid 1px; padding: 0.5em;"> +<p class='center' style="font-size: xx-large;"><b>☞ A CHANCE OF A LIFETIME!</b></p> + +<p><b>This Offer Holds GOOD UNTIL MARCH 10th ONLY.</b></p> + +<p><b><span style="font-size: xx-large;">$40,000</span> IN PRESENTS, GIVEN AWAY. +NO BLANKS! every Subscriber gets a Present.</b></p> + +<p>The proprietors of the well-known and popular weekly paper, <b>THE GOLDEN ARGOSY</b>, being desirous +of introducing their paper into every home where it is not now taken, have organized a stock company with +an <b>AUTHORIZED CAPITAL OF $200,000</b> for the purpose of pushing the <b>Argosy</b> extensively, and have +decided to give away to all who subscribe before March 10, 1884, <b>$40,000</b> in presents. <b>Read our Great Offer</b>.</p> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: large;">FOR ONLY FIFTY CENTS</p> + +<p>We will enter your name on our subscription books and mail <b>THE GOLDEN ARGOSY</b> regularly for +three months, (<b>thirteen numbers</b>), and immediately send a printed numbered receipt, which will entitle the +holder to one of the following magnificent presents.</p> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: large;">PARTIAL LIST OF PRESENTS TO BE GIVEN AWAY:</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="" style="font-weight: bold;"> +<tr><td align="right">5</td><td align="left">Cash Presents of $1,000 each</td><td align="right">$5,000</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">5</td><td align="left">Cash Presents of $500 each</td><td align="right">2,500</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="left">Cash Presents of $200 each</td><td align="right">2,000</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="left">Cash Presents of $100 each</td><td align="right">1,000</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="left">Cash Presents of $50 each </td><td align="right">500</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">3</td><td align="left">Elegant Upright Pianos, $300 each</td><td align="right">900</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">5</td><td align="left">Elegant Cabinet Organs, $100 each</td><td align="right">500</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">25</td><td align="left">Sewing Machines, $30 each </td><td align="right">750</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">20</td><td align="left">Gents' Solid Gold Watches, $40 ea.</td><td align="right">800</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">30</td><td align="left">Ladies' Solid Gold Watches, $25 ea. </td><td align="right">750</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">20</td><td align="left">Beautiful Diamond Rings, $30 ea..</td><td align="right">600</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">20</td><td align="left">Gents' Solid Silver Watches, $15 ea.</td><td align="right">300</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">25</td><td align="left">Ladies' Chatelaine Watches, $10 ea. </td><td align="right">250</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">30</td><td align="left">Boys' Silver Watches, $10 each</td><td align="right">300</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">100</td><td align="left">Waterbury Watches, $3.50 each </td><td align="right">350</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">20</td><td align="left">Gents' Solid Gold Chains, $20 each</td><td align="right">400</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">20</td><td align="left">Ladies' Gold Neck Chains, $15 each</td><td align="right">300</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">20</td><td align="left">Solid Gold Bracelets, $15 each</td><td align="right">300</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="left">Elegant Bicycles, $85 each</td><td align="right">850</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">5</td><td align="left">Silver Tea Sets, $100 each</td><td align="right">500</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">5</td><td align="left">Sets Parlor Furniture, $100 each</td><td align="right">500</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="left">Elegant Boys' Suits, to order, $20</td><td align="right">200</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="left">Girls' Outside Garments, $15 each</td><td align="right">150</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">50</td><td align="left">Gold Pens and Holders, $2 each</td><td align="right">100</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">500</td><td align="left">Extension Gold Pencils, $1 each</td><td align="right">500</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">500</td><td align="left">Pair Nickel-Plated Skates, $2 each. </td><td align="right">1,000</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">500</td><td align="left">Large Photograph Albums, $2 each</td><td align="right">1,000</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">500</td><td align="left">Pair Roller Skates, $2 each </td><td align="right">1,000</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">500</td><td align="left">Two-Dollar Greenbacks </td><td align="right">1,000</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">500</td><td align="left">One-Dollar Greenbacks</td><td align="right">500</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">500</td><td align="left">Magic Lanterns, $1 each </td><td align="right">500</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">500</td><td align="left">Boys' Pocket Knives, $1 each</td><td align="right">500</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">500</td><td align="left">Ladies' Pocket Knives, $1 each</td><td align="right">500</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">1000</td><td align="left">Oil Pictures, $1 each</td><td align="right">1,000</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">500</td><td align="left">Solid Gold Rings, $2 each </td><td align="right">1,000</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">1000</td><td align="left">Autograph Albums, $1 each</td><td align="right">1,000</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><b>And 92,532 OTHER USEFUL AND VALUABLE PRESENTS RANGING IN VALUE FROM +TWENTY-FIVE CENTS TO ONE DOLLAR</b>, making a grand total of 100,000 presents to be given to +the first one hundred thousand subscribers received. <b>Every one gets a present.</b> All of the above presents +will be awarded in a <b>fair and impartial manner</b> by a committee chosen by the subscribers. Among the +last 92,532 presents are 50,000 of one article, which we manufacture and own the patent, and that retails at +One Dollar the world over and never sold for less; it is something needed in every home, <b>and is well worth +Five Dollars in any Family</b>; millions have been sold at One Dollar each. Being owners and manufacturers +we can afford to give 50,000 to our subscribers, believing that you will be so well pleased that you will +always be patrons of the <b>Argosy</b>;—besides all this you have a chance to get one of the most valuable presents +offered in our list. <b>THE AWARD OF PRESENTS will positively take place March 10, '84.</b></p> + +<p><b><span class="u" style="font-size: x-large;">THE GOLDEN ARGOSY</span> IS A WEEKLY PAPER</b> for the <b>Father</b>, the <b>Mother</b>, +the <b>Boys</b>, and the <b>Girls</b>. It is the most <b>BEAUTIFUL</b>, +<b>USEFUL, ENTERTAINING, INSTRUCTIVE, +AND POPULAR WEEKLY</b> published. It has the best corps of <b>first-class authors</b> in the United +States, including such as <b>HORATIO ALGER Jr., EDWARD S. ELLIS, OLIVER OPTIC, HARRY +CASTLEMON, FRANK H. CONVERSE, Rev. EDWARD EVERETT HALE</b>, and a host of others +too numerous to mention. It is <b>Beautifully Illustrated</b>, and its reading matter is all original from the +pens of noted authors. Its regular subscription price is <b>50 Cents for Three Months; $1.00 for Six +Months; $1.75 for Twelve Months</b>; without present or premium; but in order to secure 100,000 subscribers +at once we make the <b>following liberal offer</b>.</p> + +<p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">FOR 50 CENTS</span></b> we will send you <b>THE GOLDEN ARGOSY</b>, weekly, for three +months and one numbered receipt, good for one present. <b>FOR $1</b> +we will send <b>THE GOLDEN ARGOSY</b>, weekly, <b>six months</b>, and <b>two</b> numbered receipts good for <b>two +presents</b>. <b>FOR $1.75</b> we will send <b>THE GOLDEN ARGOSY</b>, weekly, for <b>one year</b> and <b>four</b> numbered +receipts, good for <b>four presents</b>.</p> + +<p><span class="u" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO YOU.</b></span> If you will <b>Cut this Advertisement out</b> and +show it to your <b>friends, acquaintances and neighbors</b>, +and get five to subscribe for three months, and +send us <b>$2.50</b>, we will send you your subscription free, and one numbered receipt; get ten to subscribe and +we will send you <b>two</b> numbered receipts and <b>the ARGOSY</b> for six months; get twenty to subscribe for +three months and we will send you the <b>ARGOSY one year</b>, and <b>four</b> numbered receipts, good for <b>four +presents</b>. A few hours' work will give you <b>a subscription free</b> and a <b>chance to win one of the most +valuable presents. SAMPLE COPIES FREE.</b></p> + +<p><b>THE GOLDEN ARGOSY</b> is a well <b>established</b> weekly paper and is backed by +<b>HALF A MILLION DOLLARS CAPITAL</b>, so that every subscriber may be sure of <b>getting just +what we promise</b>. <b>List of the Awards</b> will be forwarded to all subscribers immediately after Mar. 10th.</p> + +<p><b>HOW TO SEND MONEY.</b> Send small sums, from 50 cents to one or two dollars by <b>postal note</b>, +cash or stamps; larger sums should be sent by <b>registered mail or post office order</b>. Address all orders to</p> + +<p><b>THE ARGOSY PUBLISHING CO., 81 WARREN STREET, NEW YORK.</b></p> + +<p><b>REMEMBER, the above Presents are given absolutely free to our Subscribers. +CUT THIS OUT and show it to your friends, neighbors and acquaintances.</b></p> + +<p><b>☞ IT WILL NOT APPEAR AGAIN. ☜ + AGENTS WANTED EVERYWHERE.</b></p> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: large;">WHAT SUBSCRIBERS SAY.</p> + +<p>I cannot <b>speak too highly</b> of the <span class="smcap">Argosy</span>, my boys +think they could never do without it.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right;"> +Mrs. <span class="smcap">M. E. Axtell</span>, West Richfield, Ohio.<br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Argosy</span> has been <b>so good</b> this year <b>I must have</b> +it another; enclosed is $1.75.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right;"> +<span class="smcap">Dan. W. Huntington</span>, Boston.<br /> +</p> + +<p><b>I like the Argosy very much</b>, and think it <b>greatly +in advance</b> of the usual style of papers for the young—<b>the +boys like it</b>.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right;"> +<span class="smcap">Mrs. Agnes S. Armstrong</span>. Ephraim, Utah Ter.<br /> +</p> + +<p>I have taken a number of papers, but <b>I never had one +I like as well</b> as <span class="smcap">The Argosy</span>. To sit before the fire +these cold evenings and read it <b>is the best enjoyment +I know of</b>. To-night I am reading my old papers over +again.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right;"> +<span class="smcap">W. S. Knowlton</span>, Portland, Me.<br /> +</p> + +<p>I should take the <span class="smcap">Argosy</span> another year <b>if I had to sit +up nights to earn the money to pay for it</b>: enclosed +is $1.75.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right;"> +<span class="smcap">Ed. L. Pemberton</span>, Ansonia, Conn.<br /> +</p> + +<p>I am <b>so deeply interested</b> in the <span class="smcap">Argosy</span> <b>I should +be lost without it</b>; please extend my subscription +another year.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right;"> +<span class="smcap">Winnie S. Moore</span>, Audubon, Ia.<br /> +</p> + +<p>I have been a reader of the <span class="smcap">Argosy</span> the last year, and +<b>cannot now do without it, let it cost what it will</b>.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right;"> +<span class="smcap">D. E. Brothwell</span>, Wakefield, Kan.<br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Argosy</span> is the <b>very best paper</b> of the kind published. +<b>I would not do without it for twice</b> $1.75.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right;"> +<span class="smcap">Frank G. Johnson</span>, Painesville, O.<br /> +</p> + +<p>I prize the <span class="smcap">Argosy</span> <b>above all youth's papers</b>. Its +high moral tone and instructive reading is sure to leave +a <b>lasting impression with its readers</b>.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right;"> +<span class="smcap">Mrs. Ida Austin</span>, Fort Halleck, Wy.<br /> +</p> + +<p>The character of the <span class="smcap">Argosy</span> <b>commends itself to all</b>.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right;"> +<span class="smcap">Wm S. Clark</span>, Washington, D. C.<br /> +</p> + +<p>I have read the <i>Golden Days</i>, <i>Youth's Companion</i>, and +<i>Wide-Awake</i>, for boys and girls, <b>but give me the</b> <span class="smcap">Argosy</span>; +<b>I would not give it for any other paper I ever saw.</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: right;"> +<span class="smcap">A. B. Willis</span>, Brooklyn, Ill.<br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: large;">NOTICES FROM THE PRESS.</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Golden Argosy</span> is handsomely printed on tinted +paper, and is freighted with reading matter that can be +safely placed in the hands of our youth.—<i>Herald</i>, Norristown, +Pa.</p> + +<p>It is <b>sparkling</b> and <b>pure</b>, interesting and <b>high-toned</b>. +The best authors in America contribute to its columns.—<i>Journal</i>, +Lewistown, Me.</p> + +<p>Parents and guardians who would place fascinating +as well as instructive, reading before their children, +<b>would do well to subscribe to it</b>.—<i>Church Union</i>, N. Y.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Golden Argosy</span> has <b>eclipsed</b>, in <b>every</b> respect, +its older but less enterprising contemporaries.—<i>Daily +Transcript</i>, Peoria, Ill.</p> + +<p>Full of <b>life</b> and <b>vim</b>, it commends itself to those desiring +to be entertained and instructed. The illustrations +are <b>superb</b>. We commend it to the reading public.—<i>Vanity +Fair</i>, San Francisco, Cal.</p> + +<p>It has taken a <b>leading place</b> among the best papers of +its class. The publisher <b>evidently understands</b> boys' +tastes.—<i>Times</i>, Indianapolis, Ind.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Golden Argosy</span> is a <b>bright, sparkling</b> paper for +boys and girls; <b>neither sensational on the one hand +nor dull on the other</b>.—<i>Press</i>, Philadelphia, Pa.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Golden Argosy</span> is a youths' paper, and <b>contains +more interesting reading matter</b> than any other +similar publication in the country.—<i>Telegraph</i>, Dubuque, +Iowa.</p> + +<p><b>It is a first-class paper, fully equalling the</b> <i>Youth's +Companion</i>, and, being once introduced into the home, +will be sure to remain.—<i>Herald</i>, Camden, Me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Golden Argosy</span> is <b>as far removed from the +prosy inanity of Sunday-school literature as it is +from the demoralizing sensationalism of the half-dime +dreadfuls</b>.—<i>N. Y. World.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Golden Argosy</span> is not only <b>beautiful in appearance</b>, +but every way <b>commendable in</b> the <b>character +of its contents. It is one of the few papers</b> for young +people that <b>judicious fathers and mothers</b> care to put +in the hands of their children.—<i>Detroit Free Press.</i></p></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>REMEMBER <i>that</i> $2.00 <i>pays for</i> <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span> <i>from this +date to January</i> 1, 1885; <i>For</i> $2.00 <i>you get it for one year and a +copy of</i> <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer County Map of the United States, +free</span>! <i>This is the most liberal offer ever made by any first-class +weekly agricultural paper in this country</i>.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="FORESTRY" id="FORESTRY"></a> +<img src="images/illus-042.png" width="500" height="141" alt="FORESTRY." title="" /> +</div> + + + +<p>Henry Stuart writes the New York Times: A wise and careful system of +agriculture might have left our fields still fertile and productive, so +an economical use of the forests might have made them a perennial source +of wealth. Fortunately the injury is not beyond a remedy, for it is +easier to restore a growth of timber than it is to bring back fertility +to a barren soil. It is easy to care for what is left and to replant and +renew the growth, and even to do this better and more quickly and with +more and quicker profit than nature has done it. It is easy, too, by a +wise and practical use of the forests that are left, to so husband them +as to take regular harvests from them as the farmer regularly harvests +his fields or selects the fatlings from his flocks. He does not gather +in all these at one fell swoop, taking the fat and the lean and the +young and the old, as the fisherman gathers all into his nets, and as +the lumberman has felled the woods, but he selects those that are ripe +and carefully rears the rest until they are ready. Had the timber been +culled in this way from the forests year by year there would have been a +periodical harvest, and as the mature trees were cut out a new growth +would spring up. But, on the contrary, as in the old fable, the goose +has been killed for its golden eggs, and the source of a lasting profit +has been recklessly sacrificed.</p> + +<p>Fortunately the land is left, and can be put to its proper use as soon +as it can be controlled. And still fortunately, by a wise +administration, the forests may be made a profitable source of public +income, instead of, as heretofore, the prey of the spoilers. It is +useless to complain of past mistakes. They have been, as we have pointed +out, mere incidents of our system, and possibly unavoidable. But the +time has come when the system must be changed, and the necessity for a +change has become so apparent that it can not be long delayed. It is not +only the commerce of the country that must suffer by a continuance of +the system, but agriculture suffers still more; and it is not only the +public who will gain by a change, but the example will be followed by +the farmers, who will doubtless soon learn to take care of their own +timber lands and plant more, and so the benefit will be general. +Besides, the farmers will not be long in discovering the profit in +growing timber, and would plant groves as one of the most profitable +crops that could be grown upon their rougher lands, or as a resting and +restorative crop for their worn soil.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Before</span> the New York Academy of Science a few days ago, Professor Albert +R. Leeds gave some "facts gathered from eight years of personal +inspection as to the alleged destruction of the Adirondack forests." He +said that a rapid course of spoilation was going on in the outskirts of +the forest, and the effect of it would soon be felt in the flow of the +Hudson. The impression that the Adirondacks were pine-producing was a +false one. Pine trees were seldom seen and the mountains were covered +with spruce and hemlock. But the spruces, owing to a disease which +attacked them a few years ago, are rapidly dying off. On the Ausable +river and along the shores of Lake Champlain the destruction of the +forest is especially great. Persons living about the forest start fires +in the woodland which spread rapidly and are more destructive to the +trees than the lumbermen. Professor Leeds thought that the railways +which are making their way through the forests would be an important +element in their destruction, for the sparks of the locomotives would +originate forest fires. He said that the purchase of the forests by the +State might not require so great an expenditure of money as was +anticipated.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">In</span> closing an article on "Forestry and Farming," the Germantown +Telegraph maintains that the idea that farmers and land-owners generally +entertain that they may not live to enjoy the advantages of the +tree-planting, should be utterly banished from their minds. It will +require only about twenty years to realize the most liberal hopes of +success; at least it will add to the value of the farm by the fact that +the amount of timber is to be increased instead of diminished. We all +know how anxious every purchaser of a tract of land is to know whether +there is any and how much timber upon a farm offered for sale. In fact, +there is no greater mistake made than to cut down the wood upon a farm +when purchased, with a view to meet the second payment; and this mistake +is invariably brought home to everyone in a few years. It is like taking +the life-blood out of the land.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="Scientific" id="Scientific"></a> +<img src="images/illus-041.jpg" width="500" height="130" alt="Scientific" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<h2><a name="Official_Weather_Wisdom" id="Official_Weather_Wisdom"></a>Official Weather Wisdom.</h2> + +<p>Almost from its invention the barometer has been vaunted an indicator of +impending weather, and now we are in possession of numberless rules for +interpreting its indications, mostly of a vague and indefinite purport, +few, if any, pretending to accuracy and certainty. As mankind are always +desirous of attaining weather wisdom, these rules have tended to give +the barometer its widely recognized reputation, rather than any really +infallible principles, clearly formulated. With no other philosophical +instrument have people so deluded themselves as with the barometer. +Meteorology having become almost an official monopoly, the officials +seem to have made the readiest and largest amount of reputation out of +the barometer as a weather glass; for all that they have had to do is to +compile rules from a number of authors, without any necessity of +acknowledgment, print as much as they please at the Government expense, +give it away freely, and the notoriety of authorship is secured easily +and expeditiously. Thus the British nation has been officially supplied +with about eighteen different editions of the Barometer Manual, widely +differing from each other according to the views of the authors; for +although the book remains the self-styled authors change, much the same +as with the Cambridge books on mathematics. A study of the edition, +"Coast or Fishery Barometer Manual," teaches that the barometer +foretells coming weather; that it does not always foretell coming +weather; that only few are able to understand much about what it does +tell us; that it may be used by ordinary persons without difficulty; +that its indications are sometimes erroneous: that any one observing it +once a day may be always weatherwise; that its warnings do not apply +always to the locality of the instrument; that storms frequently occur +without its giving any warning; that barometer depressions happen with +and without gales; and similar ambiguous or contradictory assertions ad +nauseam. It is perfectly astounding to contemplate that official +authority sanctions such inconsistent teaching, and moreover +disseminates it far and wide, forcing its circulation by giving it away +gratuitously on humane and eleemosynary grounds. Where only such +confusing advice and direction can be given is it becoming to stamp it +as official? it is lamentable inconsiderateness to expect fishermen to +be able to dodge the weather by such guidance; and it is time to stop +this easily concocted nostrum for notoriety; for it is vague and +inconclusive in every precept, and has scarcely an assertion which is +not contradicted by some other.—<i>Engineering.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2><a name="A_Remarkable_Electrical_Discovery" id="A_Remarkable_Electrical_Discovery"></a>A Remarkable Electrical Discovery.</h2> + +<p>The London Times of recent date states that a new electrical contrivance +has been perfected by Mr. A. St. George, the inventor of the telephone +which bears his name. This invention, which is really supplemental to +the telephone, will enable every description of conversation carried on +through the instrument to be not only recorded but reproduced at any +future time. Briefly stated, Mr. St. George's invention may be thus +described: A circular plate of glass is coated with collodion and made +sensitive as a photographic plate. This is placed in a dark box, in +which is a slit to admit a ray of light. In front of the glass is a +telephone diaphragm, which, by its vibrations, opens and closes a small +shutter through which a beam of light is constantly passing and +imprinting a dark line on the glass. Vibrations of the shutter cause the +dark line to vary in thickness according to the tones of the voice. The +glass plate is revolved by clock work, and the conversation as it leaves +the telephone is recorded on the sensitive plate, the imprinted words +spoken being fixed as is done in photography. The plate can be brought +forward afterwards, and when replaced in the machine and connected with +a distant telephone, will, when set in motion, give back the original +conversation.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><a name="Scientific_Items" id="Scientific_Items"></a><span class="smcap">On</span> October 15, 1881, a gentleman in Newburgh, N. Y., inclosed a spider +in a small paper box. He carefully guarded and watched it, and affirms +that for 204 days it partook of no food or water. It showed no +emaciation, and appeared as active and strong as at first until within a +very few days of its death on May 7, 1882. Tamerlane learned patience +from a spider; perhaps Tanner was taught by them how to fast. The Hour, +from which we take this item, also has the following: Another spider +story is sent from California by the Rev. Dr. McCook, of honey-ant fame. +He found a small cocoon of eggs and young spiders, which had no less +than five other kinds of insects living in and about it. These intruders +consisted of small red ants, a diminutive beetle, and a series formed by +a minute chalcid, parasitic on a larger chalcid, which was parasitic on +an ichneumon, which was parasitic on the spider. All were seeking to +devour the eggs and spiderlings, yet the whole cocoonful, victims +included, seemed to be living on most amicable terms.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Various</span> methods for hastening the conversion +of cider into vinegar have been recommended. +A French method is as follows: +Scald three barrels or casks with hot +water, rinse thoroughly and empty. Then +scald with boiling vinegar, rolling the barrels +and allowing them to stand on their sides two +or three days until they become thoroughly +saturated with the vinegar. The barrels are +then filled about one-third full with strong +pure cider vinegar and two gallons of cider +added. Every eighth day thereafter two gallons +of cider are added until the barrels are +two-thirds full. The whole is allowed to stand +fourteen days longer, when it will be found to +be good vinegar, and one-half of it may be +drawn and the process of filling with cider be +begun again. In summer the barrels are allowed +to stand exposed to the sun and in cold +weather kept where the temperature is 80 +degrees.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">A Party</span> of the United States Geological +Survey have found it practicable to ride to +the highest peak of Mount Shasta, and suggest +the establishment there of a third elevated +station for weather observations, similar +to those on Pike's Peak and Mount Washington.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">A herring</span> produces from 30,000 to 50,000 +eggs, and the eggs are so small in size that +20,000 can be put one layer thick on a square +foot of glass.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><b>Coughs and Hoarseness.</b>—The irritation +which induces coughing immediately relieved by +use of "<i>Brown's Bronchial Troches</i>." Sold only +in boxes.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>MISCELLANEOUS.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: x-large"><b>To Our Readers.</b></p> + +<p>THE PRAIRIE FARMER is the <b>Oldest, Most Reliable</b>, and the <b>Leading +Agricultural Journal of the Great Northwest</b>, devoted exclusively to the +interests of the Farmer, Gardener, Florist, Stock Breeder, Dairyman, +Etc., and every species of Industry connected with that great portion of +the People of the World, the <b>Producers</b>. Now in the Forty-Fourth Year of +its existence, and never, during more than two score years, having +missed the regular visit to its patrons, it will continue to maintain +supremacy as <b>a Standard Authority on matters pertaining to Agriculture +and kindred Productive Industries</b>, and as a <b>Fresh and Readable Family +and Fireside Journal</b>. It will from time to time add new features of +interest, securing for each department the ablest writers of practical +experience.</p> + +<p>THE PRAIRIE FARMER will discuss, without fear or favor, all topics of +interest properly belonging to a Farm and Fireside Paper, treat of the +most approved practices in <b>Agriculture, Horticulture, Breeding, Etc.</b>; +the varied Machinery, Implements, and improvements in same, for use both +in Field and House; and, in fact, everything of interest to the +Agricultural community, whether in <b>Field, Market, or Home Circle</b>.</p> + +<p><b>It will give information upon the public domain, Western soils, climate, +etc.; answer inquiries</b> on all manner of subjects which come within its +sphere; <b>give</b> each week, full and <b>reliable Market, Crop, and Weather +Reports; present</b> the family with choice and <b>interesting literature</b>; +amuse and <b>instruct the young folks; and</b>, in a word, aim to <b>be</b>, in every +respect, <b>an indispensable and unexceptionable</b> farm and fireside +<b>companion</b>.</p> + +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> + + +<p class="center" style="font-size: x-large;">Terms of Subscription and Club Rates:</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table summary="" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> +<tbody><tr><td align="left"><b>One</b></td><td align="left"><b>Copy,</b></td><td align="left"><b> 1 Year</b>,</td><td align="left">postage paid</td><td align="right"><b>$2.00</b></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"><b>Two</b></td><td align="left"><b>Copies,</b></td><td align="center"> "</td><td align="left"> "</td><td align="right"><b>3.75</b></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><b>Five</b></td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">sent at one time</td><td align="right"><b>8.75</b></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><b>Ten</b></td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">sent at one time, and one to Club getter</td><td align="right"><b>16.00</b></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"><b>Twenty</b></td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">sent at one time, and one to Club getter</td><td align="right"><b>30.00</b></td></tr> +</tbody></table></div> + + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;">Address</span><br /> +<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Prairie Farmer Publishing Co.,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6em;">Chicago. Ill.</span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h3>STANDARD BOOKS.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class="center" style="font-size: x-large;">ROPP'S CALCULATOR AND DIARY.</p> + +<p>Practical Arithmetic made <span class="smcap">Easy, Simple</span>, and <span class="smcap">Convenient</span> for all, by this +unique and wonderful work. Is worth its weight in gold to everyone not +quick in figures. Contains nearly 100,000 <span class="smcap">Business</span> Calculations, <span class="smcap">Simple</span> +and <span class="smcap">Practicable</span> Rules and <span class="smcap">Original</span> Methods—the <span class="smcap">CREAM</span> of this great and +useful science—which makes it possible and <span class="smcap">EASY</span> for <b>any one</b>, even a +child, to make <span class="smcap">CORRECT</span> and <b>instantaneous</b> computations in <b>Grain</b>, Stock, +Hay, Coal, Cotton, Merchandise. <b>Interest</b>, Percentage, Profit and Loss, +Wages, Measurement of Lumber, Logs, Cisterns, Tanks, Granaries, +Wagon-beds, Corn-cribs, Cordwood, Hay-stacks, Lands, Carpenters', +Plasterers', and Masons' work, besides <span class="smcap">THOUSANDS</span> of other practical +problems which come up every day in the year. Will prove of <span class="smcap">GREAT +BENEFIT</span>, almost <b>a necessity</b>, in the hands of every <b>Farmer</b>, Mechanic, and +Tradesman.</p> + +<p>It is neatly printed, elegantly bound, accompanied by a <span class="smcap">Renewable</span> Diary, +<span class="smcap">Silicate</span> Slate, <span class="smcap">Perpetual</span> Calendar, and <span class="smcap">Valuable</span> <b>Pocket-Book</b>, all +combined, for the price of a <span class="smcap">COMMON</span> diary.</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left">Fine English Cloth</td><td align="right">$ .50</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fine English Cloth, with flap</td><td align="right">.75</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fine Roan Leather, with flap</td><td align="right">1.00</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>Sent postpaid to any address on receipt of price.</p> + +<p>Address PRAIRIE FARMER PUB. CO.,<br /> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 8em;">Chicago Ill.</span></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: x-large;"><b>How to Paint</b></p> + +<p>A new work by <b>a Practical Painter</b>, designed for the use of <b>Tradesmen, +Mechanics, Merchants, Farmers</b>, and as a guide to <b>Professional Painters</b>. +Containing a Plain, Common-Sense Statement of the methods employed by +Painters to produce satisfactory results in <b>Plain</b> and <b>Fancy Painting</b> of +every description, including <b>Formulas</b> for <b>Mixing Paint</b> in <b>Oil</b> or <b>Water</b>, +Tools required, etc. This is just the book needed by any person having +anything to paint and makes</p> + +<p class='center'><b>"EVERY MAN HIS OWN PAINTER."</b></p> + +<p>Full directions for using <b>White Lead Lamp Black — Ivory Black — +Prussian Blue — Ultramarine — Green — Yellow — Brown — Vermillion +— Lake — Carmine — Whiting — Glue — Asphaltum — Pumice Stone</b>, and +<b>Spirits of Turpentine — Oils — Varnishes — Furniture Varnish — Milk +Paint — Preparing Calcimine</b>.</p> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Paint for Outbuildings</b></p> + +<p><b> — Whitewash — </b>Paste for <b>Paper Hanging — Hanging Paper — Graining in +Oak, Maple, Mahogany, Rosewood, Black Walnut — Staining — Gilding — +Bronzing — Transferring — Decalcomania — Making Rustic Pictures — +Painting Flower-Stand — Mahogany Polish — Rosewood Polish — +Varnishing Furniture — Waxing Furniture — Cleaning Paint — </b></p> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Paint for Farming Tools</b></p> + +<p>for <b>Machinery</b>, and for <b>Household Fixtures</b></p> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: x-large;"><b>To Paint a Farm Wagon</b></p> + +<p>—to <b>Re-Varnish a Carriage—</b> to make <b>Plaster Casts</b>. The work is neatly +printed, with illustrations wherever they can serve to make the subject +plainer, and it will save <b>many times</b> its cost yearly. Every family +should possess a copy. Price, by mail, postpaid, $1. Forwarded free to +any sender of two subscribers to this paper at $2 each. Address</p> + +<p class='center'>PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO. Chicago.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p class='center'><b>STANDARD WORKS.</b></p> + +<p class='center'>By PETER HENDERSON</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: x-large;">Gardening for Profit,</p> + +<p class='center'>A WELL-KNOWN WORK ON<br /> +<span style="font-size: 125%;">Market and Family Gardening</span></p> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: x-large;">Gardening <span style="font-size: small;">FOR</span> Pleasure</p> + +<p class='center'>A guide to the amateur in the Fruit, Vegetable, and Flower Garden, with +full directions for the Green-House, Conservatory, and Window Garden.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: x-large;">PRACTICAL FLORICULTURE,</p> + +<p class='center'>A guide to successful Propagation and Cultivation of Florists' Plants.</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<p class='center'><b>Price, $1.50 Each, by Mail, Postpaid.</b></p> + +<p> +Address<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO., Chicago.</span> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: x-large;"><b>TALKS <span style="font-size: 50%;">ON</span> MANURES</b></p> + +<p class='center'><b>By JOSEPH HARRIS, M. S.</b></p> + +<p class='center'>Author of "<i>Walks and Talks on the Farm</i>," "<i>Farm Crops</i>," "<i>Harris on +the Pig</i>," <i>etc.</i></p> + +<p>While we have no lack of treatises upon artificial fertilizers, there is +no work in which the main stay of the farm—the manure made upon the +farm is treated so satisfactorily or thoroughly as in this volume. +Starting with the question,</p> + +<p class='center'><b>"WHAT IS MANURE?"</b></p> + +<p>the author, well known on both sides of the water by his writings, runs +through in sufficient detail every source of manure on the farm, +discussing the methods of making rich manure; the proper keeping and +applying it, and especially the</p> + +<p class='center'><b>USES OF MANURE,</b></p> + +<p>and the effects of different artificial fertilizers, as compared with +farm-yard manure, upon different crops. In this he makes free use of the +striking series of experiments instituted years ago, and still +continued, by Lawes and Gilbert, of Rothamsted, England. The</p> + +<p class='center'><b>REMARKABLE TABLES</b></p> + +<p>in which the results of these experiments are given, are here for the +first time made accessible to the American farmer. In fact, there is +scarcely any point relating to fertilizing the soil, including suitable +manures for special crops, that is not treated, and while the teachings +are founded upon the most elaborate scientific researches, they are so +far divested of the technical language of science as to commend +themselves to farmers as eminently "practical." It is not often that the +results of scientific investigations are presented in a manner so +thoroughly popular. 12mo. Price, postpaid, $1.50.</p> + +<p class='center'>PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO. Chicago.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: x-large;">HOUSE PLANS FOR EVERYBODY.</p> + +<p class='center'><b>By S. B. REED, Architect.</b></p> + +<p>One of the most popular Architectural books ever issued, giving a wide +range of design from a dwelling costing $250 up to $8,000, and adapted +to farm, village, and town residences. It gives an</p> + +<p class='center'><b>Estimate of the Quantity of Every Article Used</b></p> + +<p>in the construction, and probable cost of constructing any one of the +buildings presented. Profusely illustrated. Price, postpaid, $1.50. +Address</p> + +<p class='center'>PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO., Chicago</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span style="font-size: x-large; text-decoration: underline;">NOW</span> Is the time to Subscribe for <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span>. Price only +$2.00 per year. It is worth double the money.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/illus-12a.png" width="500" height="155" alt="Household." title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">For nothing lovelier can be found<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In woman than to study <i>household</i> good.—<i>Milton.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h2><a name="CHRISTIAN_CHARITY" id="CHRISTIAN_CHARITY"></a>CHRISTIAN CHARITY.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">O stay not thine hand when the winter's wind rude<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Blows cold through the dwellings of want and despair,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To ask if misfortune has come to the good,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or if folly has wrought the sad wreck that is there.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">When the Savior of men raised His finger to heal,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Did He ask if the sufferer was Gentile or Jew?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When thousands were fed with a bountiful meal,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Was it given alone to the faithful and true?<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If the heart-stricken wanderer asks thee for bread,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In suffering he bows to necessity's laws;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When the wife moans in sickness, the children unfed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The cup must be bitter, O ask not the cause.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Then scan not too closely the frailties of those<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whose bosoms may bless on a cold winter's day:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And give to the wretched who tells thee his woes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And from him that would borrow, O turn not away!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 8em;">—<i>Dr. Reynell Coates.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><a name="Household_Items" id="Household_Items"></a><span class="smcap">A correspondent</span> writes:</p> + +<p>Will give the readers of <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span> the favor of telling +us all about making sandwiches. How thick should they be when +complete? Best made of bread or biscuit? and if chicken or ham, +how prepared? Please don't say shred the meat and sprinkle in +salt, pepper, and mustard, but tell us how to shred the meat. Do +you chop it, and how fine? and how much seasoning to a given +quantity? or do cooks always guess at it?</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 2em;">Mrs. C. H.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>—Will not some of our lady readers tell us how they make sandwiches. +The question is an important one for city as well as country, where so +many thousands of "lunches" have to be prepared daily.—[<span class="smcap">Ed</span>.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">A correspondent</span> writes the lady readers of <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span> concerning +a new line of work, which we hope many of them may find profitable:</p> + +<p>Much has been written regarding proper and remunerative employment for +women. Silk culture, poultry raising, and various other themes have been +thoroughly ventilated, and the result has no doubt been very beneficial; +but there are many ladies who have no opportunity to raise silk worms, +or follow any business of that kind. To that class I wish to open what +to me was an entirely new field.</p> + +<p>Some three months ago an uncle of mine from Albany, N. Y., was visiting +at our house, and we were talking of plated ware, which he is engaged in +manufacturing, and to gratify my curiosity he made a plating machine and +replated our knives, forks, spoons and caster. It only cost $4, and it +did the work perfectly. Some of our neighbors saw what we had plated, +and wanted me to do some plating for them. Since then I have worked +twenty-two days, clearing in that time $94.34. At almost every house I +got from $2 to $3 worth of plating to do, and such work is most all +profit. This business is as nice for ladies as it is for gentlemen, +being all indoor work, and any one can do it. My brother, although he +worked two days longer than I did, only made $91.50. I am getting up a +collection of curiosities, and to any of your readers that will send me +a specimen I will send them full directions for making and using a +plating machine like mine that will plate gold, silver and nickel. Send +small pieces of stones, ores, shells, wood, leaves of trees, plants, +etc. Anything small will do. What I want to get is as many different +specimens from as many different places all over the country as I can. +Address</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 2em;">Miss M. F. Cassey.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 4em;">Oberlin, Ohio.</span> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2><a name="The_Night_Cap" id="The_Night_Cap"></a>The Night Cap.</h2> + +<p>In a late letter to the August Constitution Jas. R. Randall discourses +thus pleasantly of the efficiency of the night cap in producing sleep:</p> + +<p>About 9 o'clock at night we boarded the sleeping coach for Washington. +Just before retiring for the night my mind, somehow or other, reverted +to an editorial article recently published in the New York Times, half +serious, half earnest, concerning the latest theory of an English +physician as to the prepotent cause of insomnia and nervous disorders +generally. It may be remembered that to the abandonment of the night cap +of our grandfathers (the cotton or flannel article, not the alcoholic) +was attributed the modern tendency of sleeplessness that make even a +philosopher like Herbert Spencer more or less of a crank. What I wanted, +and wanted as the fellow did his pistol in Texas, was first-class +slumber, just such unmitigated repose as occasionally comes to a highly +organized baby, unvexed by colic or pure cussedness. I began to think +that perhaps that British doctor was right, and that, if it were +possible, I would return to the neglected custom of my ancestors. Just +at that moment I plunged my hand into my coat pocket and pulled out a +silk smoking-cap—a pretty thing, wrought for me long ago by the dainty, +delicate, deft fingers of one who now rests in the graveyard at Augusta. +This cap was the very thing. I placed it reverently upon my head, with +an act of faith, and lay down. The result was magical. Never since I was +a boy can I remember to have experienced so perfect and delicious a +repose. Not a dream rippled the surface of my calm brain, and I awakened +hours afterward with a sense of satisfaction that must be a foretaste of +heaven itself. An incipient headache had vanished. Powers of mind that +had been dulled were restored to animation and keenness. Not a trace of +irascibility remained; but in its place came trooping the sweet angels +that Father Faber says continually hover over the good-humored man. I +declare that the metamorphosis was so complete that I almost needed an +introduction to my new self. And this prodigy was created by one grand, +complete and unusual slumber, when wearing a nightcap! Subsequent +experiments have been relatively successful; so I am getting to be an +enthusiast on the subject. Some folks say that it is a delusion, a mere +freak of the imagination. Be it so. If a nightcap can extinguish my +imagination at bed-time, thank God for the discovery! My good old mother +tells me that when I was a little fellow she used to tie a nightcap +under my chin, and that I was a famous sleeper in those times. She is a +firm believer in the efficacy. Likely enough if a man eats pickled pig's +feet at midnight or drinks unlimited whisky, even a silk or cotton +nightcap may not consign him to the arms of Morpheus; but it may work +wonders for a sober person who is cursed with the pestilent habit of +conjuring up all manner or odd fancies when his head touches the pillow, +instead of dismissing the workmen who hammer on the forges of the brain. +The majority of the men will rather suffer nocturnal horrors than be +laughed at for wearing nightcaps; just as the majority of women will +prefer to wear shoes that are instruments of disease and torture rather +than have their feet shod comfortably and sensibly. I have a clear idea +as to which is the course of wisdom and which the alternative of folly. +But this is a diversion which you, readers, may smile at or not as the +whim seizes you.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2><a name="How_to_Treat_a_Boy" id="How_to_Treat_a_Boy"></a>How to Treat a Boy.</h2> + +<p>Get hold of the boy's heart. Yonder locomotive comes like a whirlwind +down the track, and a regiment of armed men might seek to arrest it in +vain. It would crush them, and plunge unheeding on. But there is a +little lever in the mechanism that at the pressure of a man's hand will +slacken its speed, and in a moment bring it panting and still, like a +whipped spaniel, at your feet. By the same little lever the vast steamer +is guided hither and yonder upon the sea, in spite of the adverse winds +or current. That sensitive and responsive spot by which a boy's life is +controlled is his heart. With your grasp gently and firmly on that helm, +you may pilot him whither you will. Never doubt that he has a heart. Bad +and willful boys very often have the tenderest hearts hidden somewhere +beneath incrustations of sin or behind barricades of pride. And it is +your business to get at that heart, keep hold of it by sympathy, +confiding in him, manifestly working only for his good by little +indirect kindnesses to his mother or sister, or even his pet dog. See +him at his home, or invite him into yours. Provide him some little +pleasures, set him at some little service of trust for you; love him; +love him practically. Anyway and every way rule him through his heart.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Etiquette</span> now admits of a second plate of soup." That is all right, but +if a man's appetite will not admit of a second plate of soup, etiquette +is nothing to him. And if he has the appetite, he will have the soup, +etiquette or no etiquette.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Rand, Avery, & Co</span>., Boston, announce a new story—a thrilling and +powerful tale—involving the pregnant question of Mormonism. The book +will be amply illustrated and sold by subscription. The publishers say +that in their opinion this book will serve a purpose not unlike Uncle +Tom's Cabin (of which, by the way, four hundred thousand copies—eight +hundred thousand volumes—were issued in this country, every one of +which bore their imprint). It will hasten the day for the uprising of an +indignant nation, and their verdict will be as in the case of +slavery—this disgrace must cease—the Mormon must go!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Pamphlets_Etc_Received" id="Pamphlets_Etc_Received"></a>Pamphlets, Etc., Received.</h2> + + +<p>Honey, as Food and Medicine. Presented by J. L. Harris, 697 W. Lake St., +Chicago. This little work contains many valuable recipes showing how +honey can be made useful medicinally and as an appetizer. For +housekeepers in the country who have bees it will be found especially +useful.</p> + +<p>Spring catalogue and price list of the Eclectic Small Fruit Nursery. O. +B. Galusha, Morris, Ill.</p> + +<p>New State Fair Grounds: Statement by the executive committee, together +with the rejoinder of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture to the +Franklin County Society's reply. This pamphlet will be interesting to +the farmers of that State.</p> + +<p>Landreth's Companion for the Garden and Farm, Philadelphia, Pa. Price 10 +cents. This book is, as usual, handsomely gotten up, and is truly a +"companion." The prettily colored cover is but an index to the many +colored pages within. It also contains many interesting plates showing +the manner and extent of work carried on by this enterprising firm. The +book is replete with valuable information.</p> + +<p>Supplemental Report of the Department of Agriculture of Georgia, for the +year 1883, Circular No. 49, new series. Shows the yield of the leading +crops of the State as compared with 1882; the average yield per acre, +and other matters of interest to the farmers of Georgia.</p> + +<p>Descriptive Catalogue of C. A. Hiles & Co.'s saws and ice tools, 234 +South Water street, Chicago.</p> + +<p>Descriptive catalogue and price list of H. F. Dernell & Co.'s ice tools, +Athens, N. Y.</p> + +<p>A. E. Spaulding's annual descriptive catalogue and price list of flower +seeds, plants, and tools, Ainsworth, Iowa.</p> + +<p>Report No. 3 of the Department of Agriculture, Division and Statistics, +December, 1883, Washington. This report is full of very useful +statistical information.</p> + +<p>Foreign Press Opinions of Madame Marcella Sembrich in Mr. Henry E. +Abbey's Grand Italian Opera Company. These opinions are very flattering, +and if true, the Madame deserves to be well patronized.</p> + +<p>Chicago Medical Times, edited by W. H. Davis, M.D. $2.00 per annum, 25 +cents a single copy.</p> + +<p>Special Report No. 3 of the Department of Agriculture, miscellaneous, +Washington. This report is given up to the discussion of Mississippi, +its climate, soil, productions, and agricultural capabilities. By A. B. +Hurt, Special Agent.</p> + +<p>The American Naturalist for January contains the usual number of +well-written articles, and is finely illustrated. This magazine is +devoted to the natural sciences in the broadest sense of that term.</p> + +<p>The Silver Dollar: The original standard of payment of the United States +of America, and its enemies. By Henry Carey Baird, Philadelphia, Pa., +810 Walnut Street.</p> + +<p>The twenty-first and twenty-second quarterly report of the Pennsylvania +Board of Agriculture, 1883. Harrisburg, Pa.</p> + +<p>The Storrs & Harrison Co.'s Catalogue (No. 2) for 1884. Painesville, +Ohio. This catalogue is fully illustrated with cuts of flowers and +vegetables of almost every known description, so that the purchaser can +see just what he is buying before sending order.</p> + +<p>Ohio Crop Report, December, 1883. With analyses and valuations of +fertilizers, meteorological reports, etc.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Compiled_Correspondence" id="Compiled_Correspondence"></a>Compiled Correspondence.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Kane Co., Ill</span>., Jan. 21.—Cold weather continues. On eight days of this +month the thermometer has been below zero. It has been above the +freezing point only on one morning, the 13th. Sleighing is good, except +on some of the graveled roads. Cattle are in good condition. The horse +distemper prevails in some localities among colts. Hay is plenty. A few +fat hogs were sold last week. One farmer, in Kaneville, sold 80 hogs, +averaging 443 pounds each, at $6.10 per cwt. There are but very few fat +hogs left. The cold, dry weather has improved the condition of corn in +the cribs. Coarse feed is scarce. Considerable corn has been shipped +here from Kansas. Bran and middlings are coming in from Minneapolis, and +sell at $15 and and $17 per ton. Cheese factory dividends for November +from $1.50 to $1.60 per cwt. Large quantities of milk are daily shipped +into Chicago from this county.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">J. P. B.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>I see that you request items in regard to the cold wave that swept over +our country during the first week in this month. There is no doubt the +cold was as intense over the country generally as it has been known for +many years, or perhaps ever before, but so far as I can learn the +damage to fruit trees, etc., is very slight. On the morning of the 16th +of December we had our first snow, but the weather was quite pleasant to +the end of the year, with occasionally slight freezing, but thermometer +never down to zero.</p> + +<p>The result of this favorable weather was the thorough ripening up of the +wood of all fruit and ornamental trees, so that when on the 5th of the +present month the mercury ran down to 26 degrees below zero, and in some +parts of the country far below that even, the damage was very slight. +The writer has been extensively engaged in cutting scions, and knows +whereof he speaks. I have also examined some peach trees and find the +wood slightly discolored but not dead. I did not thoroughly examine the +fruit buds of the peach, but suppose, of course, they are all killed. +Had this intense cold weather occurred early in December, there is no +doubt but the damage would have been immense.</p> + +<p>There has been a great loss of potatoes in cellars and pits, as most +people had worked themselves into the belief that we were to have a mild +winter, and had not prepared their cellars to resist cold at the rate of +30 degrees below zero. The result is that thousands of bushels of +potatoes are frozen and ruined, and although the largest crop of +potatoes was raised last year that ever was raised in the United States, +yet potatoes will be high priced before planting time.</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 2em;">H. A. Terry.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;"><span class="smcap">Crescent City, Ia</span>., Jan. 19.</span> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Seed_Corn_Famine" id="Seed_Corn_Famine"></a>Seed Corn Famine.</h2> + + +<p>Probably nineteen farmers in twenty must buy seed corn for next spring's +planting, on account of the failure of the '83 crop to ripen. We must +look sharp to the seeds we buy, that they are better than our own, as +many unreliable parties will offer inferior stocks, to take advantage of +the demand. We suggest that every corn grower should send to Hiram +Sibley & Co., the reliable seedsmen at Rochester, N. Y., and Chicago, +Ill., for their catalogue and seed-corn circulars. This house makes a +specialty of seed-corn and we believe that they will do what they say +they will.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h3>MAPS.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: large;"> +RAND, McNALLY & CO.'S<br /> +<b>NEW RAILROAD</b><br /> +<span style="font-size: medium;">—AND—</span><br /> +COUNTY MAP<br /> +<span style="font-size: medium;">—OF THE—</span><br /> +<b>UNITED STATES</b><br /> +<span style="font-size: medium;">—AND—</span><br /> +<b>DOMINION OF CANADA.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p>Size, 4 × 2½ feet, mounted on rollers to hang on the wall. This is an</p> + +<p class='center'><b>ENTIRELY NEW MAP,</b></p> + +<p>Constructed from the most recent and authentic sources.</p> + +<p class='center'> +—IT SHOWS—<br /> +<b><i>ALL THE RAILROADS,</i></b><br /> +—AND—<br /> +<b>Every County and Principal Town</b><br /> +—IN THE—<br /> +<span style="font-size: large;"><b>UNITED STATES AND CANADA</b>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>A useful Map in every one's home, and place of business. <b>Price, $2.00.</b></p> + +<p>Agents wanted, to whom liberal inducements will be given. Address</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><b>RAND, McNALLY & CO.,</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;"><b>Chicago, Ill.</b></span><br /> +</p> + +<p>By arrangements with the publishers of this Map we are enabled to make +the following liberal offer: To each person who will remit us $2.25 we +will send copy of <span class="smcap">The Prairie Farmer</span> One Year and THIS MAP +POSTPAID. Address</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO.,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">CHICAGO, ILL.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h3>MISCELLANEOUS.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<p class='center' style='font-size: large;'>TO PRESERVE THE HEALTH</p> + +<p class='center'>Use the Magneton Appliance Co.'s</p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: x-large;'><b>MAGNETIC LUNG PROTECTOR!</b></p> + +<p class='center'>PRICE ONLY $5.</p> + +<p>They are priceless to LADIES, GENTLEMEN, and CHILDREN with WEAK LUNGS; +no case of PNEUMONIA OR CROUP is ever known where these garments are +worn. They also prevent and cure HEART DIFFICULTIES, COLDS, RHEUMATISM, +NEURALGIA, THROAT TROUBLES, DIPHTHERIA, CATARRH, AND ALL KINDRED +DISEASES. Will WEAR any service for THREE YEARS. Are worn over the +under-clothing.</p> + +<p><span style='font-size: x-large;'>CATARRH</span>, It is needless to describe the symptoms of this nauseous +disease that is sapping the life and strength of only too many of the +fairest and best of both sexes. Labor, study, and research in America, +Europe, and Eastern lands, have resulted in the Magnetic Lung Protector, +affording cure for Catarrh, a remedy which contains <span class="smcap">No Drugging of the +System</span>, and with the continuous stream of Magnetism permeating through +the afflicted organs; <span class="smcap">must restore them to a healthy action.</span> +<span class="smcap">We place our price</span> for this Appliance at less than +one-twentieth of the price asked by others for remedies upon which you +take all the chances, and <span class="smcap">we especially invite</span> the patronage of +the <span class="smcap">many persons</span> who have tried <span class="smcap">drugging the stomachs +without effect.</span></p> + +<p><span style='font-size: x-large;'>HOW TO OBTAIN</span> This Appliance. Go to your druggist and ask for them. If +they have not got them, write to the proprietors, enclosing the price, +in letter at our risk, and they will be sent to you at once by mail, +post paid.</p> + +<p>Send stamp for the "New Departure in Medical Treatment <span class="smcap">without +medicine</span>," with thousands of testimonials,</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">THE MAGNETON APPLIANCE CO.,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">218 State Street, Chicago, Ill.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Note</span>.—Send one dollar in postage stamps or currency (in letter +at our risk) with size of shoe usually worn, and try a pair of our +Magnetic Insoles, and be convinced of the power residing in our Magnetic +Appliances. Positively <i>no cold feet where they are worn, or money +refunded</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/illus-13a.png" width="500" height="248" alt="OUR YOUNG FOLKS" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2><a name="Jule_Fishers_Rescue" id="Jule_Fishers_Rescue"></a>Jule Fisher's Rescue.</h2> + +<p>It had been an unusually severe winter, even for Northern Aroostook. +Snow-fall had succeeded snow-fall, with no interval that could really be +called "thaw," till the "loggers" had finished their work; and as they +come plodding home on snow shoes, they all agreed that the snow lay from +ten to twelve feet deep on a level in the woods.</p> + +<p>No wonder, then, that the warm March sun came to shine upon it day after +day, and the copious spring showers fell, there should have been a very +unusual "flood," or freshet. Every one predicted that when the ice +should break in the river, there would be a grand spectacle, and danger, +too, as well; and all waited with some anxiety for the "break" to come.</p> + +<p>One morning, we at the village were awakened by a deep, roaring, +booming, crashing noise, and sprang from our beds, crying:</p> + +<p>"The ice has broken up! The ice is running out!"</p> + +<p>In hardly more time than it takes to tell it, we were dressed and at the +back windows, which looked down upon the river!</p> + +<p>It was indeed a grand sight!</p> + +<p>Huge cakes of ice of every shape and size were driving, tumbling, +crashing past, as if in a mad race with each other. The river, filled to +overflowing, seemed in angry haste to hurl its icy burden down the falls +below.</p> + +<p>But after a few days the river ran clear, save for the occasional +breaking of some "jam" above. Along the margin of the broad stream, +however, there were here and there slight indentures, or notches, in the +banks, where the ice had escaped the mad rush of waters and still clung +in considerable patches.</p> + +<p>It was upon one of these still undisturbed patches that "Jule" Fisher, a +rough boy of fourteen, with several of his equally rough comrades, was +playing on the lovely morning upon which my story opens.</p> + +<p>These lads were not the sons of the steady, intelligent, church-going +inhabitants of this quiet Northern hamlet, but were from the families of +"lumbermen," "river-drivers" and "shingle-shavers." For some time they +had been having boisterous sport, venturing out upon the extreme edges +of the ice and with long poles pushing about the stray cakes which +occasionally came within their reach.</p> + +<p>At length they grew tired of this, and began to jump upon ticklish +points of ice; and as these began to crack and show signs of breaking +away, the boys would run, with wild whoops, back to shore, the very +danger seeming to add to their enjoyment. Then, with poles and "prys," +they would work upon the cracking mass until it floated clear and went +whirling down the rapid current.</p> + +<p>"Ahoy, boys!" called Jule, who was seemingly their leader. "Up yender's +a big cake that only wants a shove! Come on! Let's set 'er a-going!"</p> + +<p>No sooner said than done. Away went the noisy fellows to the projecting +point of ice. A few smart jumps sent it creaking and groaning, as though +still unwilling to quit its snug winter bed. One more jump, and the boys +all ran with a shout beyond the place where the ice was cracking +off—all save Jule.</p> + +<p>It had not broken clear, and he was determined to set it going, when he +would spring on the firm ice beyond, as he had done once or twice +before.</p> + +<p>But this time he was over-bold and not sufficiently watchful. A large +cake of ice had come floating down the river unnoticed either by him or +his friends, and striking the edge of the nearly loosened mass, shoved +it out into the swift, black water.</p> + +<p>Poor Jule! He ran quickly to the freshly-broken edge—but, alas! too +late for the intended spring. The swiftly-rushing current had borne him +many yards from the shore and from his companions.</p> + +<p>There he stood—for an instant in dumb amaze—balancing himself upon his +rocking raft with the pole he had been using. To attempt to swim ashore +would have been useless. He was a clumsy swimmer at best; and the cold, +rushing waters and floating ice cakes made swimming almost impossible.</p> + +<p>He could not get off. To stay seemed sure death. Dumb with fright, for a +moment he stood in speechless terror. Then there rang across the wild, +black river and through the quiet streets of the village, such a yell of +abject fear as only a lusty lad of that age can give. It was a cry that +chilled the heart of every one who heard it.</p> + +<p>A "four-days' meeting" was in session. The village church-goers were +just issuing from their houses in answer to the church bell, when that +pitiful cry and the shouts of "Help! Help! A boy in the stream!" reached +them, and drew them all quickly to the river bank.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the shore was lined with excited men and women. Yet all +stood helplessly staring, while poor Jule on his ice-raft was floating +steadily down toward the falls.</p> + +<p>Never shall I forget how he looked as he stood there in the middle of +his floating white throne! There was something almost heroic in his calm +helplessness. For after the first wild cry, he had not once opened his +lips.</p> + +<p>Downward he floated, drawn swiftly and surely on by the deep, mighty +rush of waters setting into the throat of the cataract. The heavy roar +from far below sounded like the luckless lad's knell. He stood but a +single chance—and that was hardly a chance—of his ice-raft lodging +against a tilted-up "jam" of cakes and logs which had piled against a +jagged ledge that rose in mid-stream, just above the brink of the +precipice.</p> + +<p>This "jam" had hung there, wavering in the flood, for thirty-six hours. +Every moment it seemed about to go off—yet still it clung, in tremor, +as it seemed, at the fatal plunge which would dash it to pieces in the +thundering maelstrom below.</p> + +<p>Good fortune—Providence, perhaps—so guided Jule's ice-raft that it +struck and lodged against the "jam," just as the horrified watchers on +shore expected to lose sight of the lad forever in the falls. "If it +will only hang there!" muttered scores, scarcely daring as yet to speak +a loud word.</p> + +<p>They could see the cake, with Jule on it, heaving up and down with the +mighty rhythmic motion of the surging torrent; and all ran along down +the banks, to come nearer. The boy stood in the very jaws of death. +Beneath, the cataract roared and hurled up white gusts of spray.</p> + +<p>Just at this moment, a short, thick-set man, with a round, good-natured +face, joined the crowd. For a moment he stood looking out at the lad, +then slapping another young man on the shoulder, said, hurriedly, "Isn't +there an old bateau stowed away in your shed, Lanse?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Quick, then!" exclaimed the first speaker. "There isn't a moment to +lose."</p> + +<p>"But, Mac," answered Lanse, as he hurried after him. "I'm afraid she's +no good; she's old and she's been stowed away all winter. Ten to one the +old thing leaks like a riddlin' sieve.</p> + +<p>"But we mustn't lose a chance!" exclaimed Mac. "That jam will go out +within half an hour, if it doesn't within ten minutes!"</p> + +<p>By this time the two had reached the shed. They quickly drew the bateau +from its wintering place, and taking the long, light boat upon their +shoulders, ran rapidly through the village and down to the river.</p> + +<p>Meantime, two or three other men had run to fetch "dog warps" and +"towing-lines," a large number of which are always kept in these +backwoods lumbering hamlets, for use on the rivers and lakes, when logs +are rafted out in the spring.</p> + +<p>Acting under Mac's prompt orders, a six-hundred foot warp was at once +made fast to a ring in the stern of a bateau, and another line laid +ready to bend to the first.</p> + +<p>Jumping into the bateau, paddle in hand, and a boat-hook laid ready for +instant use, the bold young fellow now ordered the men to shove off the +skiff into the river and then pay out the line, as he should +direct—thus lowering him, yard by yard, down toward the "jam" where +Jule stood.</p> + +<p>Rod by rod, they let him down toward the roaring abyss of furious +waters, till the bateau—guided by the paddle, and held back now by the +main strength of twenty men—touched the ice-cake.</p> + +<p>But even as it touched, the cake began to slide off the jam; and Jule +was thrown on his hands and knees.</p> + +<p>Quick as thought, however, his courageous rescuer struck his boat-hook +into the ice and held fast while Jule, stiff with fright, tumbled in at +the bow of the bateau.</p> + +<p>He was hardly in the boat when the whole mass of ice and logs went over +the falls.</p> + +<p>A shout arose, and when a few minutes later the bateau was drawn safely +back up the stream, and Mac stepped ashore with a rather bashful smile +on his round, fresh face, every one joined in long and prolonged cheers.</p> + +<p>As for Jule, he had to be helped out of the boat and led home; for he +was, as they said, "limp as a rag;" and it was noticed that after this +perilous adventure he was a much more sober and thoughtful boy.</p> + +<p>Pray do not imagine, reader, that I have been telling you a "made-up" +story, for what I have related is true, the writer herself being an +eye-witness to the incident while a teacher in a backwoods +school-district on the banks of the Aroostook.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>LIVE STOCK, Etc.</h3> +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class="center" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">PUBLIC SALE</span><br /> +OF<br /> +<span style="font-size: x-large;">Short-Horn Cattle</span><br /> +AT<br /> +<i>Somers, Kenosha Co., Wis.</i><br /> +ON<br /> +Wednesday, March 19, 1884.</p> + +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> + +<p>I will sell at public sale, at my farm near Somers, Wis., at above time +and place, my entire herd of Thoroughbred Short-horn cattle, numbering +forty head. Among them are many of the choicest families. Included in +the sale will be the grand young bull Orpheus 13th, bred at Bow Park, a +beautiful red, and one of the finest bulls in the West. The cows are all +Breeders, and will have calves by their sides, or be safe in calf. I +offer this grand herd of cattle with reluctance, solely on account of my +advanced age and failing health. Catalogues ready about Feb. 15. Lunch +at 12. Sale to begin at 1. Free conveyances will meet the trains on +morning of sale at Somers, on C. M. & St. Paul, and at Kenosha for C. & +N. W. R. R.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">WM. YULE,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Somers, Kenosha Co., Wis.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">J. W. Judy</span>, Auctioneer.<br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: x-large;">10 JERSEY BULLS FOR SALE,</p> + +<p>All of fine quality, solid color and bk. points. Ages, from six to +eighteen months. Sons of Mahkeenae, 3290; brother of Eurotus, 2454, who +made 778 lbs. butter in a year, and out of cows of the best butter blood, +some having records of fourteen and fifteen lbs. per week. No fancy +prices.</p> + +<p><b>A. H. COOLEY, Little Britain, Orange Co., N. Y.</b></p> + +<p>N. B.—If I make sales as formerly will send a car with man in charge to +Cleveland, getting lowest rates.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: large;'><b>SCOTCH COLLIE</b></p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: x-large;'><b>SHEPHERD PUPS,</b></p> + +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">—FROM—</span></p> + +<p class='center'><b>IMPORTED AND TRAINED STOCK</b></p> + +<p class='center'>—ALSO—</p> + +<p class='center'><b>Newfoundland Pups and Rat Terrier Pups.</b></p> + +<p>Concise and practical printed instruction in Training young Shepherd +Dogs, is given to buyers of Shepherd Puppies; or will be sent on receipt +of 25 cents in postage stamps.</p> + +<p>For Printed Circular, giving full particulars about Shepherd Dogs, +enclose a 3-cent stamp, and address</p> + +<p class='center'><b>N.H. PAAREN,</b></p> + +<p><b>P.O. Box 326, CHICAGO. ILL</b></p> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="u" style="font-size: large;"><b>SEEDS</b></span> Our new catalogue, best published, +<b>Free</b> <i>to all</i>. <b>1,500</b> <i>varieties</i>, <b>300</b> +<i>illustrations</i>. You ought to have it. +<span class="smcap">Benson, Maule & Co.</span>, Philadelphia, Pa.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h3>BREEDERS DIRECTORY.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The following list embraces the names of responsible +and reliable Breeders in their line, and parties wishing +to purchase or obtain information can feel assured that +they will be honorably dealt with:</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table summary="" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> +<tr><td align="center"></td><td align="center"><b>SWINE.</b></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"></td><td align="center"><b>Chester Whites.</b></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">W. A. Gilbert</td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">Wauwatosa Wis.</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>SCHEIDT & DAVIS, <span class="smcap">Dyer, Lake Co., Ind</span>., breeders +of Victoria swine. Originators of this famous breed. +Stock for Sale. Write for circular A.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>RAILROADS.</h3> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/illus-10c.png" width="500" height="82" alt="A MAN" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: x-large;'>WHO IS UNACQUAINTED WITH THE GEOGRAPHY OF THIS COUNTRY WILL SEE BY +EXAMINING THIS MAP THAT THE</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/illus-10d.png" width="499" height="675" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: x-large;'>CHICAGO, ROCK ISLAND & PACIFIC R'Y</p> + +<p>By the central position of its line, connects the East and the West by +the shortest route, and carries passengers, without change of cars, +between Chicago and Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Leavenworth, Atchison, +Minneapolis and St. Paul. It connects in Union Depots with all the +principal lines of road between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. Its +equipment is unrivaled and magnificent, being composed of Most +Comfortable and Beautiful Day Coaches, Magnificent Horton Reclining +Chair Cars, Pullman's Prettiest Palace Sleeping Cars, and the Best Line +of Dining Cars in the World. Three Trains between Chicago and Missouri +River Points. Two Trains between Chicago and Minneapolis and St. Paul, +via the Famous</p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: large;'><b>"ALBERT LEA ROUTE."</b></p> + +<p>A New and Direct Line, via Seneca and Kankakee, has recently been opened +between Richmond Norfolk, Newport News, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Augusta, +Nashville, Louisville, Lexington, Cincinnati Indianapolis and Lafayette, +and Omaha, Minneapolis and St. Paul and intermediate points.</p> + +<p>All Through Passengers Travel on Fast Express Trains.</p> + +<p>Tickets for sale at all principal Ticket Offices in the United States +and Canada.</p> + +<p>Baggage checked through and rates of fare always as low as competitors +that offer less advantages.</p> + +<p>For detailed information, get the Maps and Folders of the</p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: large;'><b>GREAT ROCK ISLAND ROUTE</b>,</p> + +<p>At your nearest Ticket Office, or address</p> + +<p><b>R.R. CABLE</b>,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Vice-Pres. & Gen'l M'g'r,</span></p> + +<p><b>E. ST. JOHN</b>,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Gen'l Tkt. & Pass. Agt.</span></p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: large;'><b>CHICAGO.</b></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>MISCELLANEOUS.</h3> +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/illus-053.jpg" width="300" height="334" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class='center'><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Don't be Humbugged<br /></span> +<span style="font-size: large;">With Poor, Cheap Coulters.</span></b></p> + +<p>All farmers have had trouble with their Coulters. In a few days they get +to wabbling, are condemned and thrown aside. In our</p> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: large;">"BOSS" Coulter</p> + +<p>we furnish a tool which can scarcely be worn out; and when worn, the +wearable parts, a prepared wood journal, and movable thimble in the hub +(held in place by a key) can be easily and cheaply renewed. <b>We guarantee +our "BOSS"</b> to plow more acres than any other three Coulters now used.</p> + +<p class='center'>OUR "O. K." CLAMP</p> + +<p>Attaches the Coulter to any size or kind of beam, either right or left +hand plow. We know that after using it you will say it is <b>the Best Tool +on the market</b>. Ask your dealer for it.</p> + +<p>Manufactured by the BOSS COULTER CO.,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Bunker Hill, Ills.</span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/illus-054b.jpg" width="300" height="168" alt="GREGORY'S +SEED CATALOGUE." title="" /> +</div> + +<p>My Vegetable and Flower Seed Catalogue for 1884, the result of thirty +years experience as a Seed Grower, will be sent free to all who apply. +All my Seed is warranted to be fresh and true to name, so far that +should it prove otherwise, I agree to refill orders gratis. My +collection of vegetable Seed, one of the most extensive to be found in +any American Catalogue, is a large part of it of my own growing. As the +original introducer of Eclipse Beet, Burbank Potatoes, Marblehead Early +Corn, the Hubbard Squash, and scores of other new Vegetables, I invite +the patronage of the public. In the gardens and on the farms of those +who plant my seed will be found my best advertisement.</p> + +<p><b>JAMES J. H. GREGORY, Seed Grower, Marblehead, Mass.</b></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/illus-060g.png" width="150" height="91" alt="" title="" /> +<p>Send for Catalogue and Prices.</p> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/illus-060h.png" width="150" height="106" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<p class='center' style='font-size:x-large;'>ATLAS ENGINE WORKS</p> + +<p class='center'><b>INDIANAPOLIS, IND., U.S.A.</b></p> + +<p class='center'>MANUFACTURERS OF</p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size:large;'><span class="u">STEAM</span> ENGINES<br /> +<span class="u">AND</span> BOILERS.</p> + +<p class='center'>CARRY ENGINES and BOILERS IN STOCK for IMMEDIATE DELIVERY</p> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 200%;">S</span>IBLEY'S <span style="font-size: 200%;">T</span>ESTED <span style="font-size: 200%;">S</span>EEDS,</p> + +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">For all Climates, For all Soils, All Plants</span>.</p> + +<p>EVERY SACK TESTED FOR VITALITY. ALL TESTED IN GARDENS FOR PURITY AND VALUE.</p> + +<p><b>CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST</b> <span class="smcap">OF ALL TESTED VARIETIES</span>, FREE.</p> + +<p>Mail order promptly filled, making a +Seed Store at home. Send for Catalogue.</p> + +<p style="font-size: large;">HIRAM SIBLEY & CO., Rochester, N Y. and Chicago, Ill.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/illus-14a.png" width="500" height="149" alt="Literature" title="" /> +</div> + + +<h2><a name="BETWEEN_THE_TWO_LIGHTS" id="BETWEEN_THE_TWO_LIGHTS"></a>BETWEEN THE TWO LIGHTS.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">No use talking, missy—no use talking<br /></span> +<span class="i2">'Bout de daylight and dat kind ob ting<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Tween the two lights—sunset and sunrising—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Dis ole nigger happier dan a king.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dis ole nigger don got all he want to,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">All he want, and more 'an he can say;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Gib him night, de darker and de better,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">White folks more 'an welcome to de day.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">In de day him ole and pore and wretched,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Got to tote de load and swing de hoe,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Got to do jest what de white folks tole him,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Got to trabel when dey tole him go.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Don't own nothing but an empty cabin;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Got no wife, no chillen at him knee;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Got no nothing but a little pallet,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And a pot to bile him hominy.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">In de day him gits no 'spectful notice,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Him is only "dat ole nigger Brown;"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In de night him tells you, little missy,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Things git mightily turned upside down.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den somehow him's young and rich and happy,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Den him own more acres dan him see:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den him got a powerful lot ob hosses,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Den de white folks stop an speak to he.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Den him hab a big house like ole massa's,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Dan Melinda is him lubly wife;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den de little chillen call him pappy,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Den him see de bery best ob life.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den sometimes him talking in de meeting.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' him feel de biggest in de town,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For at night him neber "dat ole nigger,"<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Him the Reberend Mister Isaac Brown.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Dreaming," is him? Dreaming, do you call it?<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Then him s'pose it's living in de day.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Well, him likes de night-time and de dreaming,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">For him griefs wid sunshine go away.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No use talking, missy, no use talking<br /></span> +<span class="i2">'Bout de sunshine and dat kind ob ting;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Tween de two lights—sunset and sunrising—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Dis ole nigger happier dan a king.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2><a name="THE_TWO_OVERCOATS" id="THE_TWO_OVERCOATS"></a>THE TWO OVERCOATS.</h2> + +<p>When Amos Derby came out of Levi Rosenbaum's pawnshop, the richer by +five dollars, but leaving his overcoat in the hands of the Jew, he made +his way directly to Sillbrook's saloon, where, he felt sure, he should +meet half a dozen at least of his boon companions.</p> + +<p>He was not mistaken. The bar-room was crowded, and a general shout of +welcome greeted him as he entered, for Amos was a generous fellow, and +was always willing to treat.</p> + +<p>The five dollar bill was quickly broken by the jovial bar-keeper, and +two hours later when Amos waked rather unsteadily out of the saloon, he +had not a cent in his pocket. But this did not trouble him in the least. +He had spent too much money in Sillbrook's during the last two years to +think anything of squandering in one evening such a paltry sum as five +dollars.</p> + +<p>As he left the saloon by the main entrance, he saw a man emerge from a +side door of the building, and cross the street with rapid strides; a +tall man, well dressed, and bearing about him a look of prosperity. He +wore a very handsome overcoat with sealskin cuffs and collar, a sealskin +cap, and well fitting gloves. Drunk as Amos was he recognized him at +once; it was Sillbrook himself.</p> + +<p>"Been in the back room countin' up his gains, most likely," he muttered +thickly. "He's above standin' behind the bar nowadays."</p> + +<p>Amos could well remember when Sillbrook had been only a mill-hand like +himself, earning twelve dollars a week. But he had been a prudent, +saving man always, and had early made up his mind to be rich, no matter +at what cost of conscience and principle. With this end in view he had +purchased a saloon, and cordially invited his former fellow workers at +the mill to patronize him. This they were very willing to do, for +Sillbrook knew how to make his saloon attractive; and he soon had as +much custom as he could well attend to. At length he hired a bar-keeper, +and after a couple of years was never seen behind the bar himself. He +had grown rich very rapidly, and now owned one of the finest houses in +the town, and was able to gratify every taste and whim, while those who +had helped him to his wealth by drinking his liquors were as poor as +ever—many of them poorer.</p> + +<p>Amos Derby had been one of Sillbrook's best customers ever since the +saloon had been opened, and as a natural consequence had had little to +spend in comforts for his wife and children. He still lived in the small +cottage he had bought on first moving to the town, and had seen it grow +more and more dilapidated every year without making any attempt to +repair it.</p> + +<p>But though the outside was far from attractive, the inside was always +neat and clean, for, whatever her faults of temper, Jane Derby was a +woman who believed thoroughly in abiding by heaven's first law, and who +labored early and late to make both ends meet, something she would not +have been able to accomplish had she not possessed skill as a +dressmaker, for Amos seldom gave her any of his earnings. She was +sitting in the kitchen sewing when her husband came in, and a bitter +expression crossed her face as she saw his condition.</p> + +<p>"Drunk, as usual," she said, harshly, "when were you anything else?"</p> + +<p>"When you was kinder spoken, perhaps," answered Amos, with spirit. "This +is the sort of welcome I get every night in the week. 'Tain't much +wonder I go to Sillbrook's." He dropped into a chair as he spoke, and +began to pull off his boots.</p> + +<p>"If you didn't have one excuse you'd make another," said Jane, flushing, +and bending closer over her sewing. "Perhaps you think I ought to feel +pleasant when you come home in this state. Well! it ain't human nature, +that it ain't! I mind the time you brought home your wages reg'lar, +every Sat'day night, and I was willin' enough then to speak kind to you. +Now the children would starve if it wasn't for me. Where's your +overcoat?" a sudden pallor creeping into her face as she asked the +question. "Yes! where is that overcoat?—what have you done with it that +you haven't it on—where is it?"</p> + +<p>"Where d'ye s'pose?" said Amos, roughly.</p> + +<p>"Down at the pawn-shop, of course," cried his wife, angrily, "where +every decent coat you ever had has gone. But you promised me you'd never +part with this one, Amos Derby, and you've broke your word. I might have +known you would! And to think how I worked for it, and let the children +do without shoes! It's too bad! I declare it is! I gave twelve dollars +for it only a month ago, and I'll wager you let Levi have it for half o' +that. It's a shame, a dreadful shame."</p> + +<p>"Stop that. I won't have it," said Amos in a threatening tone. "There's +no use whining over it now. If you say another word about it I'll go out +again, right off."</p> + +<p>"Go!" said Jane, fiercely, "and I wish it was forever! I wish I was +never to look on your face again! You're naught but a trouble and a +disgrace to us all!"</p> + +<p>"All right," said Amos, as he pulled on his boots again, "I'm goin'. +I'll take you at your word. You won't see me again in a hurry; now you +just mark that. A trouble and a disgrace, am I?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you are!" said Jane, her anger increasing as her mind dwelt upon +the loss of the coat she had worked so hard to earn. "I mean all I've +said, and more, too! Go! go to Sillbrook's! Ask him to show you the +overcoat he's wearin'. I saw it yesterday, and yours wasn't a +circumstance to it! Go! Give him every penny you've got! He needs it!" +with a bitter little laugh. "His children's feet are all out on the +ground, and his wife hasn't a decent dress to her name," with a glance +at her faded calico gown. "Help him all you can, Amos Derby, he's in +need o' charity."</p> + +<p>Amos made no answer. He was considerably more sober than when he had +left the saloon, for the walk home through the fresh winter air had done +him good, and he felt the force of his wife's words. They rung in his +ears as he slammed the kitchen door behind him, and, taking the road +which led by the mill, walked rapidly away.</p> + +<p>He was soon in the heart of the town, but he did not think or care where +he was going. His only idea was to get away from the sound of Jane's +sharp voice, and he turned down first one street and then another, +without pausing, until he came to Elm Avenue, on which were situated the +handsomest houses in the town. There was a large, square brick house on +the corner, with stables in the rear, a conservatory on one side, and a +beautiful lawn in front, and this place seemed to possess some strange +fascination for Amos, for he stopped suddenly at the gate and stood +there for fully five minutes, admiring, perhaps, the mansion's air of +solid comfort and wealth.</p> + +<p>The iron gate was open, and presently, as if impelled by some impulse he +could not resist, he entered, and walking softly up the graveled path, +looked in at one of the long windows.</p> + +<p>The room upon which he gazed was very handsomely furnished. The chairs +were luxuriously cushioned, a large mirror hung over the mantel, the +carpet was of velvet, a crystal chandelier depended from the ceiling, +and a bright fire burned in the open grate, before which sat a lady +richly dressed, reading aloud to three children, sitting on ottomans at +her feet.</p> + +<p>For a long, long time Amos Derby stood by the window, his eyes wandering +from one article of luxury to another, a dark frown on his face, and his +teeth set hard together.</p> + +<p>"My money," he muttered, when at last he turned away. "I've given it to +him, cent by cent, and dollar by dollar, and I've naught to show for it, +while he! he's got his fine house, and his rich carpets, and his +handsome clothes. It's the same money, only I've spent it in one way, +and he in another."</p> + +<p>As the last words left his lips a hand fell heavily upon his shoulder, +and a voice—the voice of Sillbrook—asked him harshly what he wanted.</p> + +<p>"A look into your fine parlor," answered Amos roughly. "Strange I wanted +to see it, wasn't it? It ought not to matter to me, of course, what use +you make o' my money."</p> + +<p>"Your money!" said Sillbrook, with a loud laugh. "That's a crazy joke! +Come, my man, you're drunk. Get out of here, or I'll have you put where +you can make your jokes to yourself."</p> + +<p>"You think you're rich enough now to speak to me as you choose," said +Amos hotly. "Time was when you wouldn't have dared. But I tell you, +Jason Sillbrook, I've come to my senses to-night. It's a poor bargain +where the gain's all on one side. We started even, and you've got all +and I nothin'. But I tell you now, that, heaven helpin' me, you'll never +have another dollar o' mine to spend. You'll never buy another coat like +this out o' my money," and he struck in sudden passion the seal-trimmed +garment which covered Sillbrook's ample proportions.</p> + +<p>"Be off with you," said the saloon-keeper. "You're too drunk to know +what you're talking about."</p> + +<p>"And who made me drunk? answer that question, Jason Sillbrook," screamed +Amos.</p> + +<p>"I'll answer nothing," said Sillbrook, and, tearing his coat from the +grasp Amos had laid upon it, he strode up the path and disappeared +within the house.</p> + +<p>The next morning, when the superintendent made his round of the mill, he +missed one of the machine hands.</p> + +<p>"Where's Derby?" he asked, angrily.</p> + +<p>No one could answer his question. No one had seen Derby that day. And no +one at the mill saw him for many a day to come.</p> + +<p>"I might have been kinder to him," thought Jane, when at last she became +convinced that her husband had in truth left her. "Perhaps I did say +more'n I should at times. Poor Amos! he was no more to blame than I was, +after all. Perhaps he would have kept out o' that saloon if I'd only +coaxed 'stead o' railing at him. He wasn't bad-hearted, an' he never +meant more'n half he said."</p> + +<p>And as the days went by, and she forgot her past sorrows, she had only +kind thoughts of her absent husband, and blamed only herself for their +mutual misery. She wished with all her heart that she could "begin all +over again," and try the effect of kindness and forbearance on Amos.</p> + +<p>But no such opportunity was given her, and she had little time for +bitter thoughts or unavailing regret.</p> + +<p>The superintendent of the mill gave her eldest child, a lad of fourteen, +a situation where he could earn $4 a week, and a girl a year younger +found work in a millinery store. Thus Jane was relieved of much anxiety, +and she was so skilful with her needle that she soon found herself able +to "lay by something for a rainy day," as she expressed it.</p> + +<p>Gradually the children were provided with comfortable clothes and were +sent to church and to Sunday-school, from which they had been debarred +for several years, owing to a lack of decent apparel; the house was +repaired, new furniture bought, a flower garden laid out in front of the +cottage, and a new fence erected. People began to speak of Jane as a +surprisingly smart woman, and to say that her husband's desertion had +been a blessing in disguise. But in spite of her prosperity there was an +ache ever at Jane's heart, and a regret which no good fortune could +stifle.</p> + +<p>"If I'd only been kinder!" she would say to herself, as she lay awake at +night and thought of her absent husband. "It was my fault he drank; I +see that now. He was always telling me that my temper'd ruin him in the +end, and now his word's come true."</p> + +<p>She felt as if she ought to make some atonement for her past sin, even +though she was never to see her husband again, and with this end in view +she determined to cure herself of the habit of scolding and +fault-finding about which poor Amos had complained so bitterly.</p> + +<p>After a few struggles at first, she found her new path very pleasant to +her feet, and was encouraged to persevere by the artless comments made +by her children on the improvement in her temper.</p> + +<p>"You're so good, now, mother," they would say, when, instead of the +sharp rebuke they had expected on the commission of some childish folly, +came very kind words of regret and gentle reproof. "You are so different +from what you used to be. If father could only come home and live with +us now how happy we would all be."</p> + +<p>But Amos did not come. Year after year passed, and he sent no word or +sign; and at length both wife and children grew to think of him as dead.</p> + +<p>Seven years! Seven years to a day had passed since Amos Derby had left +his home, and up the street and past the mill came a tall man, with a +cap of sealskin pulled low over his eyes, and handsome overcoat trimmed +with the same costly fur over his arm. He whistled as he walked, and +seemed in great good humor, for occasionally he would break out into a +loud laugh.</p> + +<p>But as he came near the cottage where Jane Derby lived, he became more +quiet, and an anxious expression stole into his face.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if she'll know me," he muttered.</p> + +<p>Going up to the window of the kitchen, he shaded his eyes with one hand +and looked in.</p> + +<p>Jane was setting at supper, her five children about her. The room looked +warm and comfortable. A bright fire burned in the stove, the kettle sang +merrily, and a big maltese cat dozed among some plants on the broad +window seat.</p> + +<p>Fred, the eldest son, a muscular young man of twenty-one now, was +speaking, and his words came distinctly to the ears of the watcher +outside.</p> + +<p>"Brooks goes to-morrow," he said, "and we are to have a new +superintendent from ——. I hope he'll have a better temper than Brooks, +and I wish——Who's that?" as a sudden knock came upon the door.</p> + +<p>"The new superintendent," said the tall man, as he walked into the room +and threw his overcoat on a chair.</p> + +<p>"Jane, don't you know me?"</p> + +<p>With a glad cry that was almost a sob, Jane sprang forward, and was +folded in the stranger's arms.</p> + +<p>"Children," she said, when she could speak, "this is your father, come +back to us at last."</p> + +<p>"And to stay, please God," said Amos Derby, fervently, as in turn he +embraced his children affectionately. "Jane, you shall have no room to +complain of me in the future. I mean to make up to you for all I made +you suffer before I found out what a fool I was to think more of my +appetite than of my wife and children. Do you know what taught me my +lesson?—Sillbrook's overcoat; and I've got one just like it. It will be +a reminder, you know. And I've something better still—the place of +superintendent at the mills here. I've worked hard, Jane, but my reward +has come at last. When I left here I resolved never to come back until I +could make myself worthy of you and the children. I found a place in the +mills at ——, and worked my way up to be superintendent. Where there's +a will, there's always a way, you know. I learned that you didn't need +my help, so I waited on year after year, and now——"</p> + +<p>"We are together, never to part again this side the grave," finished +Jane, "Amos, God rules us all for the best. Let us thank Him for the +blessings He has bestowed upon us; and then—suppose you let us see how +you look in the overcoat you've come by so justly."</p> + +<p>The news that Amos Derby was the new superintendent soon flew about the +town, and great was the surprise thereat. No one was more astonished, +perhaps, at the turn affairs had taken than Jason Sillbrook, and he +wondered greatly at the good fortune of the man he had once so despised; +but he never knew that it was largely due to the lesson Amos had learned +from the saloon-keeper's overcoat.—<i>The Christian at Work.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p class="center" style="font-size:x-large;"><b>CONSUMPTION CURED.</b></p> + +<p>An old physician, retired from practice, having had placed in his hands +by an East India missionary the formula of a simple vegetable remedy for +the speedy and permanent cure of Consumption, Bronchitis, Catarrh, +Asthma and all throat and Lung Affections, also a positive and radical +cure for Nervous Debility and all Nervous Complaints, after having +tested its wonderful curative powers in thousands of cases, has felt it +his duty to make it known to his suffering fellows. Actuated by this +motive and a desire to relieve human suffering, I will send free of +charge, to all who desire it, this recipe, in German, French, or +English, with full directions for preparing and using. Sent by mail by +addressing with stamp, naming this paper.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">W.A. Noyes</span>, <i>149 Power's Block, Rochester, N.Y.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Honesty</span> of purpose must not be held as evidence of ability.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/illus-15a.png" width="500" height="166" alt="HUMOROUS" title="" /> +</div> + + + +<h2><a name="BAIT_OF_THE_AVERAGE_FISHERMAN" id="BAIT_OF_THE_AVERAGE_FISHERMAN"></a>BAIT OF THE AVERAGE FISHERMAN.<br /> +<span style="font-size: 75%;">H. C. DODGE.</span></h2> + + +<p class='center'>This is the bait the<br /> +fishermen take,<br /> +the fishermen<br /> +take, the fishermen take,<br /> +when they start out the<br /> +fish to wake so<br /> +early in the<br /> +morning. They<br /> +take a nip before they go—a<br /> +good one, ah! and long and slow,<br /> +for fear the chills will lay them low<br /> +so early in the morning. Another when<br /> +they're on the street, which they repeat each<br /> +time they meet for "luck"—for that's the<br /> +way to greet a fisher in the morning. And<br /> +when they are on the river's brink again<br /> +they drink without a wink—to fight ma-<br /> +laria they think it proper in the morn-<br /> +ing. They tip a flask with true delight<br /> +when there's a bite; if fishing's light<br /> +they "smile" the more till jolly tight,<br /> +all fishing they are scorning. An-<br /> +other nip as they depart: one at the<br /> +mart and one to part, but none<br /> +when in the house they dart, ex-<br /> +pecting there'll be mourning.<br /> +This is the bait the fisher-<br /> +men try who fishes buy at<br /> +prices high and tell each<br /> +one a bigger lie of fish-<br /> +ing in the morning.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2><a name="Whose_Cold_Feet" id="Whose_Cold_Feet"></a>Whose Cold Feet?</h2> + +<p>"Are you troubled with cold feet on retiring?" asked Yeast of +Crimsonbeak, Saturday night, as they were returning from market +freighted with provender.</p> + +<p>"I should say I was!" replied Crimsonbeak emphatically, while a regular +chills-and-fever shudder was seen to distribute itself over his frame at +the recollection which the question recalled.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you would like to learn how to avoid them?" replied the +philanthropist, smiling at the thought of an opportunity to fire off one +of his pet theories.</p> + +<p>"I would give almost anything to be fortunate enough to escape them," +said the despairing Crimsonbeak, in all truthfulness.</p> + +<p>"Well it is easy enough done," went on his companion; "soak your feet in +cold water the first thing when you get up in the morning; towards night +run about three-quarters of a mile, and then soak your feet again in +cold water on retiring."</p> + +<p>"Well, I can't see how that is going to keep her feet from troubling +me."</p> + +<p>"Her cold feet from troubling you!" repeated Yeast, a little confused. +"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Mean? Why, I mean that my wife's cold feet are the ones that chill me +with an Arctic region touch. Whose feet did you suppose I meant, my +mother-in-law's?" shouted the excited Crimsonbeak, darting into his gate +and leaving his neighbor to his own reflections.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2><a name="Changed_Relations" id="Changed_Relations"></a>Changed Relations.</h2> + +<p>"Now that we are engaged," said Miss Pottleworth, "come and let me +introduce you to papa."</p> + +<p>"I believe that I have met him," replied young Spickle.</p> + +<p>"But in another capacity than that of son-in-law."</p> + +<p>"Yes—er, but I'd rather not meet him to-night."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you must," and despite the almost violent struggles of the young +fellow, he was drawn into the library, where a large, red-faced man, +with a squint in one eye, and an enlargement of the nose, sat looking +over a lot of papers.</p> + +<p>"Father," said the girl.</p> + +<p>"Hum," he replied, without looking up.</p> + +<p>"I wish to present to you—"</p> + +<p>"What?" he exclaimed, looking up and catching sight of young Spickle. +"Have you the impudence to follow me here? Didn't I tell you that I +would see you to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"Why, father, you don't know Mr. Spickle, do you?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know his name, but I know that he has been to my office three +times a day for the past week with a bill. I know him well enough. I +can't pay that bill to-night, young man. Come to my office to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"I hope," said Spickle, "that you do not think so ill of me. I have not +come to collect the bill you have referred to, but—"</p> + +<p>"What? Got another one?"</p> + +<p>"You persist in misunderstanding me. I did not come to collect a bill, I +can come to-morrow and see you about that. To-night I proposed to your +daughter, and have been accepted. Our mission is to acquaint you with +the fact and gain your consent to our marriage."</p> + +<p>"Well," said the old fellow, "is that all? Blamed if I didn't think you +had a bill. Take the girl, if that's what you want, but say, didn't I +tell you to bring the bill to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Well, you needn't. Our relations are different now. Wish I had a +daughter for every bill collector in town."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2><a name="It_Makes_a_Difference" id="It_Makes_a_Difference"></a>It Makes a Difference.</h2> + +<p>"So you have been fighting again on your way home from school!"</p> + +<p>"Y-yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Didn't I tell you this sort of business had got to stop?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, pa, but—"</p> + +<p>"No excuses, sir! You probably provoked the quarrel!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no! no! He called me names!"</p> + +<p>"Names? What of it? When a boy calls you names walk along about your +business. Take off that coat!"</p> + +<p>"But he didn't call me names!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he didn't? Take off that vest!"</p> + +<p>"When he called me names I never looked at him, but when he pitched into +you, I—I had to fight!"</p> + +<p>"What! Did he call me names?"</p> + +<p>"Lots of 'em, father! He said you lied to your constituents, and went +back on the caucus and had!"—</p> + +<p>"William, put on your coat and vest, and here's a nickel to buy peanuts! +I don't want you to come up a slugger, and I wish you to stand well with +your teacher, but if you can lick the boy who says I ever bolted a +regular nomination or went back on my end of the ward, don't be afraid +to sail in!"—<i>Free Press.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><a name="Humorous_Items" id="Humorous_Items"></a><span class="smcap">One</span> of the Harvard students has fitted up his room at a cost of $4,000. +We suspect that the young man's room is better than his company.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Don't</span> be afraid," said a snob to a German laborer: "sit down and make +yourself my equal." "I would haff to blow my brains out," was the reply +of the Teuton.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Yes</span>," said Mrs. Egomoi, "I used to think a great deal of Mrs. Goode, +she was always so kind to me; but then, I've found out that she treats +everybody just the same."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Jerrold</span> said to an ardent young gentleman, who burned with a desire to +see himself in print: "Be advised by me, young man: don't take down the +shutters before there is something in the window."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Arthur</span>—"I say, what do you mean by fighting my hog all the time?"</p> + +<p>Bismarck—"I means nodding in de vorld; I vash not fighting dot pig. We +vash choost playing mit one anudder."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Yes</span>," said a fashionable lady, "I think Mary has made a very good +match. I heard her husband is one of the shrewdest and most unprincipled +lawyers in the profession, and of course he can afford to gratify her +every wish."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h2><a name="PRINTERS_INK" id="PRINTERS_INK"></a>PRINTER'S INK.</h2> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Little drops of printer's ink,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">A little type "displayed,"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Make our merchant bosses<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And all their big parade.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Little bits of stinginess,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Discarding printer's ink,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Busts the man of business,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And sees his credit sink.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"<span class="smcap">Jump</span> on the scale," the butcher said<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Unto a miss one day,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"I'm used to weighing, and," said he,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"I'll tell you what you weigh."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Ah, yes," came quick the sweet reply<br /></span> +<span class="i2">From lips seemed made to kiss,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"I'm sure, sir, that it would not be<br /></span> +<span class="i2">First time you've weighed amiss."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The butcher blushed; he hung his head<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And knew not what to say;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He merely wished to weigh the girl—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Himself was given away.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">What</span> did that lady say?" asked Mr. Buyem of his confidential clerk. +"I'd rather not repeat her words, sir," replied the clerk. "But I must +know, Mr. Blume—must know, sir." "Oh! if you insist upon it, sir, I +suppose I must tell you. She said you were all business, but you lacked +culture." "So?" exclaimed Mr. Buyem, in astonishment. "Lack culture, eh? +Look here, Mr. Blume, d'ye know you' oughter told me that long ago? +Let's have some right away before Scribe & Blowhard can get ahead of +us."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>OUT OF THE DEPTHS.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-weight: bold;">Our Correspondent's Researches and a Remarkable Occurrence He Describes.</p> + +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: right;"> +<span class="smcap">St. Albans</span>, Vt., Jan. 10, 1884.<br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Messrs. Editors</span>: The upper portion of Vermont is one of the pleasantest +regions in America during the summer, and one of the bleakest during the +winter. It affords ample opportunity for the tourist, providing he +chooses the proper season, but the present time is not that season. +Still there are men and women here who not only endure the climate, but +praise it unstintingly, and that, too, in the face of physical hardships +the most intense. The writer heard of a striking illustration of this a +few days since which is given herewith:</p> + +<p>Mr. Joseph Jacques is connected with the Vermont Central Railroad in the +capacity of master mason. He is well advanced in years, with a ruddy +complexion and hale appearance, while his general bearing is such as to +instantly impress one with his strict honor and integrity. Several years +ago he became afflicted with most distressing troubles, which prevented +the prosecution of his duties. He was languid, and yet restless, while +at times a dizziness would come over him which seemed almost blinding. +His will power was strong, and he determined not to give way to the +mysterious influence which seemed undermining his life. But the pain and +annoying symptoms were stronger than his will, and he kept growing +gradually worse. About that time he began to notice a difficulty in +drawing on his boots, and it was by the greatest effort that he was able +to force his feet into them. In this manner several weeks passed by, +until finally one night, while in great agony, he discovered that his +feet had in a short while, swollen to enormous proportions. The balance +of the narrative can best be described in his own words. He said:</p> + +<p>"When my wife discovered the fact that I was so bloated, she sent for +the doctor immediately. He made a most careful examination and +pronounced me in a very serious condition. Notwithstanding his care, I +grew worse, and the swelling of my feet gradually extended upward in my +body. The top of my head pained me terribly; indeed, so badly that at +times it seemed almost as if it would burst. My feet were painfully +cold, and even when surrounded with hot flannels and irons felt as if a +strong wind were blowing on them. Next my right leg became paralyzed. +This gave me no pain, but it was exceedingly annoying. About this time I +began to spit blood most freely, although my lungs were in perfect +condition, and I knew it did not come from them. My physicians were +careful and untiring in their attentions, but unable to relieve my +sufferings. My neighbors and friends thought I was dying and many called +to see me, fully twenty-five on a single Sunday that I now recall. At +last my agony seemed to culminate in the most intense, sharp pains I +have ever known or heard of. If red hot knives sharpened to the highest +degree had been run through my body constantly they could not have hurt +me worse. I would spring up in bed, sometimes as much as three feet, cry +out in my agony and long for death. One night the misery was so intense +that I arose and attempted to go into the next room, but was unable to +lift my swollen feet above the little threshold that obstructed them. I +fell back upon the bed and gasped in my agony, but felt unable even to +breathe. It seemed like death.</p> + +<p>"Several years ago Rev. Dr. J. E. Rankin, now of Washington, was +stationed here as pastor of the Congregational church. We all admired +and respected him, and my wife remembered seeing somewhere that he had +spoken in the highest terms of a preparation which had cured some of his +intimate friends. We determined to try this remedy, accordingly sent for +it, and, to make a long story short, it completely restored my health, +brought me back from the grave, and I owe all I have in the way of +health and strength to Warner's Safe Cure, better known as Warner's Safe +Kidney and Liver Cure. I am positive that if I had taken this medicine +when I felt the first symptoms above described, I might have avoided all +the agony I afterward endured, to say nothing of the narrow escape I had +from death."</p> + +<p>In order that all possible facts bearing upon the subject might be +known, I called on Dr. Oscar F. Fassett, who was for nineteen years +United States Examining Surgeon, and who attended Mr. Jacques during his +sickness. He stated that Mr. Jacques had a most pronounced case of +Albuminuria or Bright's disease of the kidneys. That an analysis showed +the presence of albumen and casts in great abundance and that he was in +a condition where few if any ever recover. His recovery was due to +Warner's Safe Cure.</p> + +<p>Mr. John W. Hobart, General Manager of the Vermont Central railroad, +stated that Mr. Jacques was one of the best and most faithful of his +employes, that his sickness had been an exceedingly severe one and the +company were not only glad to again have his services, but grateful to +the remedy that had cured so valuable a man.</p> + +<p>Mr. James M. Foss, assistant superintendent and master mechanic of the +Vermont Central railroad, is also able to confirm this.</p> + +<p>I do not claim to be a great discoverer, but I do think I have found in +the above a most remarkable case and knowing the unusual increase of +Bright's disease feel that the public should have the benefit of it. It +seems to me a remedy that can accomplish so much in the last stages +ought do even more for the first approach of this deceptive yet terrible +trouble.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">F. B.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">To be</span> ruined your own way is some comfort. When so many people would +ruin us, it is a triumph over the villany of the world to be ruined +after one's own pattern.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>MISCELLANEOUS.</h3> +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class="center"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>ONE CENT</b></span></p> + +<p>invested in a postal card and addressed as below</p> + +<p class="center"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>WILL</b></span></p> + +<p>give to the writer full information as to the best lands in the United +States now for sale; how he can</p> + +<p class="center"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>BUY</b></span></p> + +<p>them on the lowest and best terms, also the full text of the U.S. land +laws and how to secure</p> + +<p class="center"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>320 ACRES</b></span></p> + +<p>of Government Lands in Northwestern Minnesota and Northeastern Dakota.</p> + +<p>ADDRESS:</p> + +<p> +<span style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em;">JAMES B. POWER,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Land and Emigration Commissioner,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">ST. PAUL, MINN.</span><br /> +</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>MEDICAL.</h3> +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class="center"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">DISEASE CURED</span><br /> +Without Medicine.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p class="center"><i>A Valuable Discovery for supplying Magnetism to the Human System. +Electricity and Magnetism utilized as never before for Healing the +Sick.</i></p> + +<p class="center">THE MAGNETON APPLIANCE CO.'s</p> + +<p class="center"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Magnetic Kidney Belt!</span></b></p> + +<p class="center">FOR MEN IS</p> + +<p>WARRANTED TO CURE +<i>Or Money refunded</i>, the following diseases without medicine:—<i>Pain in +the Back, Hips, Head, or Limbs, Nervous Debility, Lumbago, General +Debility, Rheumatism, Paralysis, Neuralgia, Sciatica, Diseases of the +Kidneys, Spinal Diseases, Torpid Liver</i>, <b>Gout Seminal Emissions, +Impotency, Asthma, Heart Disease, Dyspepsia, Constipation, Erysipelas, +Indigestion, Hernia or Rupture, Catarrh, Piles, Epilepsy, Dumb Ague, +etc.</b></p> + +<p>When any debility of the <b>GENERATIVE ORGANS</b> occurs, <b>Lost Vitality, +Lack of Nerve Force and Vigor, Wasting Weakness,</b> and all those Diseases +of a personal nature, from whatever cause, the continuous stream of +Magnetism permeating through the parts, must restore them to a healthy +action. There is no mistake about this appliance.</p> + +<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">TO THE LADIES:</span>—If you are afflicted with <b>Lame Back, Weakness of the +Spine, Falling of the Womb, Leucorrhœa, Chronic Inflammation and +Ulceration of the Womb, Incidental Hemorrhage or Flooding, Painful, +Suppressed, and Irregular Menstruation, Barrenness, and Change of Life, +this is the Best Appliance and Curative Agent known.</b></p> + +<p>For all forms of <b>Female Difficulties</b> it is unsurpassed by anything +before invented, both as a curative agent and as a source of power and +vitalization.</p> + +<p>Price of either Belt with Magnetic Insoles, $10, sent by express C.O.D., +and examination allowed, or by mail on receipt of price. In ordering +send measure of waist, and size of shoe. Remittance can be made in +currency, sent in letter at our risk.</p> + +<p>The Magneton Garments are adapted to all ages, are worn over the +under-clothing (<b>not next to the body like the many Galvanic and +Electric Humbugs advertised so extensively</b>), and should be taken off at +night. They hold their POWER FOREVER, and are worn at all seasons of the +year.</p> + +<p>Send stamp for the "New Departure in Medical treatment <b>Without +Medicine</b>," with thousands of testimonials.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">THE MAGNETON APPLIANCE CO.,</span><br /> +<b><span style="margin-left: 2em;">218 State Street. Chicago, Ill.</span></b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Note</span>.—Send one dollar in postage stamps or currency (in letter +at our risk) with size of shoe usually worn, and try a pair of our +Magnetic Insoles, and be convinced of the power residing in our other +Magnetic Appliances. Positively no cold feet when they are worn, or +money refunded.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>PUBLICATIONS.</h3> +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: x-large;'>MARSHALL M. KIRKMAN'S BOOKS ON RAILROAD TOPICS.</p> + +<p class='center' style='font-size: x-large;'><b>DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A RAILROAD MAN</b></p> + +<p class='center'><b>If You Do, the Books Described Below Point the Way.</b></p> + +<p>The most promising field for men of talent and ambition at the present +day is the railroad service. The pay is large in many instances, while +the service is continuous and honorable. Most of our railroad men began +life on the farm. Of this class is the author of the accompanying books +descriptive of railway operations, who has been connected continuously +with railroads as a subordinate and officer for 27 years. He was brought +up on a farm, and began railroading as a lad at $7 per month. He has +written a number of standard books on various topics connected with the +organization, construction, management and policy of railroads. These +books are of interest not only to railroad men but to the general reader +as well. They are indispensable to the student. They present every phase +of railroad life, and are written in an easy and simple style that both +interests and instructs. The books are as follows:</p> + +<div class='center'> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'>"RAILWAY EXPENDITURES—THEIR EXTENT, +OBJECT AND ECONOMY."—A Practical +Treatise on Construction and Operation. +In Two Volumes, 850 pages.</td><td align='right'>$4.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>"HAND BOOK OF RAILWAY EXPENDITURES."—Practical +Directions for Keeping the Expenditure Accounts.</td><td align='right'>2.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>"RAILWAY REVENUE AND ITS COLLECTION."—And +Explaining the Organization of Railroads.</td><td align='right'>2.50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>"THE BAGGAGE PARCEL AND MAIL TRAFFIC +OF RAILROADS."—An interesting work on this important service; 425 pages.</td><td align='right'>2.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>"TRAIN AND STATION SERVICE"—Giving +The Principal Rules and Regulations governing +Trains; 280 pages.</td><td align='right'>2.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>"THE TRACK ACCOUNTS OF RAILROADS."—And +how they should be kept. Pamphlet.</td><td align='right'>1.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>"THE FREIGHT TRAFFIC WAY-BILL."—Its +Uses Illustrated and Described. Pamphlet.</td><td align='right'>.50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>"MUTUAL GUARANTEE."—A Treatise on Mutual +Suretyship. Pamphlet.</td><td align='right'>.50</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>Any of the above books will be sent post paid on receipt +of price, by</p> + +<p> +PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING CO.,<br /> +150 Monroe St. <span class="smcap">Chicago, Ill.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>Money should be remitted by express, or by draft check or post office +order.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 10%;"> +<p style='font-size: x-large;'>MAP</p> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 80%;"> +<p>Of the United States and Canada, Printed in Colors, size 4×2½ feet, +also a copy of THE PRAIRIE FARMER for one year. Sent to any address for +$2.00.</p> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="GENERAL_NEWS" id="GENERAL_NEWS"></a>GENERAL NEWS.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Florida</span> farmers are now planting Irish potatoes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> St. Charles Hotel, Paducah, Ky., was burned Sunday night.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Another</span> relief party for the Greeley arctic expedition is to be sent +out.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Wm. H. Guion</span>, of the Steamship firm of Williams has failed for +$2,000,000.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Music Hall</span>, in Whitechapel, London, burned on Monday; loss $200,000.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Ice</span> has prevented the ferry boats from crossing the St. Clair river at +Port Huron.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> prohibitionists declare that they will place a presidential ticket +in the field next fall.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lowell</span> manufacturers have given employes notice that there will be a +reduction of ten per cent in wages beginning Feb. 1.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">An</span> elevated road, adapted both to passengers and freight, is to be +constructed along the levee at New Orleans within two years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> was a railway wreck, caused by a broken rail, on the Wabash road +near Macon, Mo., on Monday; several persons were injured.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is estimated that the United States Senate is the wealthiest +deliberative body in the world, the seventy-six members of that body +representing $180,000,000.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A rumor</span> is in circulation at Ottawa, Canada, that the Canadian Pacific +road has asked the government for additional assistance to the amount of +$14,000,000.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A colored</span> base-ball club of professionals has been formed at Chicago, +and will be ready to take the road May 1. They are backed by a stock +company.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is claimed that there is at the present time between 100 and 150 +foreign vessels engaged in the oyster traffic on the Virginia coast +without right or authority.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> people of Ouray, Col., lynched Mike Cuddigan and wife Saturday, on +suspicion of having murdered a child whom they took from a Catholic +asylum at Denver.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is said that the buffaloes have come north of the Missouri river, in +Montana, and the Indians killed eleven hundred in one day not far from +the mouth of the Musselshell.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> horror of the week was the wrecking of the steamer City of Columbus +off Martha's Vineyard, January 19th. There were 129 persons on board of +whom ninety-seven were lost.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A seal</span> was discovered in the track of the steamer Armstrong, at +Morristown, N. Y., on the St. Lawrence river. This was the third or +fourth seal seen in that vicinity in the last half-dozen years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> candle factory of E. L. Schneider & Co., located on the corner of +Wallace and McGregor streets, Chicago, was Sunday swept away by fire. +The loss is $150,000, and the insurance $57,000.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> friends of Mr. Hintz, the unsuccessful candidate for postmaster at +Elgin, Illinois, threaten to defeat the re-election of Representative +Ellwood in the next campaign, who is held responsible for his defeat.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Two</span> Irish members of the British Parliament, Matthew Arnold and P. J. +Sheridan,—the latter supposed to be the mysterious No. 1 of the +Phœnix Park assassination scheme—are in Chicago the present week.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Dukes</span>, a sister of the murdered Zura Burns, has left her home in +Dakota, in company with her father, to give what she claims is damaging +evidence against O. A. Carpenter, before the grand jury at Lincoln, Ill.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> matter of the final disposition of the assets of the estate of B. F. +Allen is being heard by a register at Des Moines. A firm which has +purchased a large share of the claims at 5 per cent offers $330,000 for +the property remaining, but other creditors hold out for $400,000.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Judge Shepard</span>, in the Superior Court of Chicago, Saturday, dismissed +three bills for divorce, holding that when a wife separated from her +husband her residence as well as her domicile follows his, and that the +Illinois statutes excludes from its courts all suits for divorce in +behalf of persons not legal residents.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Onondaga (New York) Indians have held another council, at which it +was shown that a majority of the nation is opposed to dividing the lands +in severally, but is willing to agree to a division of such timber lands +as can not be protected against depredations. The Christian party is to +be represented at the next conference with the State commissioners.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Nearly</span> one-fourth of the business portion of Leipsic, O., was burned +Friday night, and flames swept away 1,145 bales of cotton at Murrell's +Point, La., and twenty-one buildings at Lowell, Mich. A boiler explosion +at Cincinnati, in the Corrugating company's manufactory, Saturday, led +to the destruction of $50,000 in property.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/illus-16a.png" width="500" height="132" alt="Markets" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2><a name="FINANCIAL_AND_COMMERCIAL" id="FINANCIAL_AND_COMMERCIAL"></a>FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL.</h2> + +<p> +<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 1em;">Office of The Prairie Farmer,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><span class="smcap">Chicago.</span> Jan 22, 1884.</span><br /> + +</p> + + +<p>Papers devoted to finance and trade inform us that the number of +business failures in 1883 was 9,184 against 8,782 in the hard times of +1877. The fear is, that the worst is not yet come, but this feeling +happily is not by any means universal among most far seeing business +men.</p> + +<p>The transactions at the Chicago banks were a trifle slower than last +week. The regular loan market was quotable on Monday at 6@7 per cent.</p> + +<p>Eastern exchange was firm at 60c per $1,000.</p> + +<p>The stock markets at the East were a little feverish and here the same +feeling was noticeable. There are rumors of financial embarrassment in +high places, and Mr. Gould himself is said to be a little nervous over +the weakness in many of his stocks.</p> + +<p>Government securities are as follows:</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left">4's coupon, 1907</td><td align="left">Q. Apr.</td><td align="left"> 123¼</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">4's reg., 1907</td><td align="left">Q. Apr.</td><td align="left"> 123¼</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">4½'s coupon, 1891</td><td align="left">Q. Mar.</td><td align="left"> 114<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>1</sup>/<sub>8</sub></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">4½'s registered, 1891</td><td align="left">Q. Mar.</td><td align="left"> 114<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>1</sup>/<sub>8</sub></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">3's registered</td><td align="left">Q. Mar.</td><td align="left"> 100</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<h4>GRAIN AND PROVISIONS.</h4> + +<p>The receipts of flour at this point for the forty-eight hours ending +Monday morning were greatly in excess of those for the corresponding +week last year. In wheat last year the receipts were 28,007 bushels; +this year 50,532. Corn last year 189,661; this year 226,990.</p> + +<p>Flour was unchanged, the article not yet feeling the uncertain condition +of the wheat market.</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left">Choice to favorite white winters</td><td align="right">$5 25@5 50</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fair to good brands of white winters</td><td align="right">4 75@5 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Good to choice red winters</td><td align="right">5 25@5 50</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Prime to choice springs</td><td align="right">4 75@5 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Good to choice export stock, in sacks, extras</td><td align="right">4 25@4 50</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Good to choice export stock, double extras</td><td align="right">4 50@4 65</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fair to good Minnesota springs</td><td align="right">4 50@4 75</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Choice to fancy Minnesota springs</td><td align="right">5 25@5 75</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Patent springs</td><td align="right">6 00@6 50</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Low grades</td><td align="right">2 25@3 50</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Wheat</span>.—Red winter, No. 3, 92; car lots of spring, No. 2, sold at +88¾c; No. 3, do. 81@84.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Corn</span>.—Moderately active. Car lots No 2, 51@52c; rejected, 43@44; new +mixed, 48@50½c.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Oats</span>.—No. 2 in store, closed 32½@32¾.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Rye</span>.—May, in store 57@57½.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Barley</span>.—No. 2, 49 in store; No. 3, f. o. b. 52½c.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Flax</span>.—Closed at $1 52 on track.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Timothy</span>.—$1 31½@1 35 per bushel. Little doing.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Clover</span>.—Quiet at $6 05@6 10 for prime.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Provisions</span>.—Mess pork, February, $14 75@14 78 per bbl; Green hams, +10½c per lb. Short ribs, $7 65 per cwt.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lard</span>.—February, $8 65.</p> + + +<h4><span class="smcap">Lumber.</span></h4> + +<p>Lumber unchanged. Quotations for green are as follows:</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left">Short dimension, per M</td><td align="right">$ 9 50@10 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Long dimension, per M</td><td align="right">10 00@11 50</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Boards and strips, No. 2</td><td align="right">11 00@13 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Boards and strips, medium</td><td align="right">13 00@16 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Boards and strips, No. 1 choice</td><td align="right">16 00@20 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Shingles, standard</td><td align="right">2 10@ 2 20</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Shingles, choice</td><td align="right">2 25@ 2 30</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Shingles, extra</td><td align="right">2 40@ 2 60</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lath</td><td align="right">1 65@ 1 70</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<h4>COUNTRY PRODUCE.</h4> + +<p><span class="smcap">Note</span>.—The quotations for the articles named in the following list are +generally for commission lots of goods and from first hands. While our +prices are based as near as may be on the landing or wholesale rates, +allowance must be made for selections and the sorting up for store +distribution.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Bran</span>.—Quoted at $15@12 25 per ton;</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Beans</span>.—Hand picked mediums $2 00@2 10. Hand picked navies, $2 15@2 20.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Butter</span>.—Dull and without change. Choice to extra creamery, 33@36c +per lb.; fair to good do 25@32c; fair to choice dairy, 23@28c; common to +choice packing stock fresh and sweet, 18@22c; ladle packed 10@13c; fresh +made, streaked butter, 9@11c.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Broom-corn</span>.—Good to choice hurl 6½@7½c per lb; green self-working +5@6c; red-tipped and pale do 4@5c; inside and covers 3@4c; common short +corn 2½@3½c; crooked, and damaged, 2@4c, according to quality.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Cheese</span>.—Choice full-cream cheddars 13@13½c per lb; medium quality do +9@10c; good to prime full cream flats 13@13¾c; skimmed cheddars +9@10c; good skimmed flats 7@9c; hard-skimmed and common stock 3@4c.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Eggs</span>.—In a small way the best brands are quotable at 27@28c per dozen; +20@23c for good ice house stock; 15@18c per pickled.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Hay</span>.—No 1 timothy $9@9 50 per ton; No 2 do $8 00@8 50; mixed do $7@8; +upland prairie $8 00@10 75; No 1 prairie $6@7; No 2 do $4 50@5 50. Small +bales sell at 25@50c per ton more than large bales.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Hides and Pelts</span>.—Green-cured light hides 8¼c per lb; do heavy cows +8c; No 2 damaged green-salted hides 6c; green-salted calf 12@12½ +cents; green-salted bull 6c; dry-salted hides 11 cents; No. 2 two-thirds +price; No. 1 dry flint 14@14½c. Sheep pelts salable at 28@32c for the +estimated amount of wash wool on each pelt. All branded and scratched +hides are discounted 15 per cent from the price of No. 1.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Hops</span>.—Prime to choice New York State hops 25@26c per lb; Pacific coast +of 23@26c: fair to good Wisconsin 15@20c.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Poultry</span>.—Prices for good to choice dry picked and unfrozen lots are: +Turkeys 13@14c per lb; chickens 9@10c; ducks 12@13c; geese 9@11c. Thin, +undesirable, and frozen stock 2@3c per lb less than these figures; live +offerings nominal.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Potatoes</span>.—Good to choice 30@33c per bu. on track; common to fair +30@35c. Illinois sweet potatoes range at $3 50@4 per bbl for yellow.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Tallow and Grease</span>.—No 1 country tallow 7@7¼c per lb; No 2 do +6¼@6½c. Prime white grease 6@6½c; yellow 5¼@5¾c; brown +4½@5.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Vegetables</span>.—Cabbage, $8@12 per 100; celery, 25@35c per doz bunches; +onions, $1 00@1 25 per bbl for yellow, and $1 for red; turnips, $1 35@1 +50 per bbl for rutabagas, and $1 00 for white flat.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Wool</span>.—from store range as follows for bright wools from Wisconsin, +Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Eastern Iowa—dark Western lots +generally ranging at 1@2c per lb. less.</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left">Coarse and dingy tub</td><td align="right">25@30</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Good medium tub</td><td align="right">31@34</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Unwashed bucks' fleeces</td><td align="right">14@15</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fine unwashed heavy fleeces</td><td align="right">18@22</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fine light unwashed heavy fleeces</td><td align="right">22@23</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Coarse unwashed fleeces</td><td align="right">21@22</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Low medium unwashed fleeces</td><td align="right">24@25</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fine medium unwashed fleeces</td><td align="right">26@27</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fine washed fleeces</td><td align="right">32@33</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Coarse washed fleeces</td><td align="right">26@28</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Low medium washed fleeces</td><td align="right">30@32</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fine medium washed fleeces</td><td align="right">34@35</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>Colorado and Territory wools range as follows:</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left">Lowest grades</td><td align="right">14@16</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Low medium</td><td align="right">18@22</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Medium</td><td align="right">22@26</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fine</td><td align="right">16@24</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>Wools from New Mexico:</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left">Lowest grades</td><td align="right">14@16</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Part improved</td><td align="right">16@17</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Best Improved</td><td align="right">19@23</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>Burry from 2c to 10c off; black 2c to 5c off.</p> + + +<h4>LIVE STOCK MARKETS.</h4> + +<p>The total receipts and shipments for last week were as follows:</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="right" colspan='2'>Received.</td><td align="right">Shipped.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Cattle</td><td align="right">42,110</td><td align="right">18,986</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Calves</td><td align="right">527</td><td align="right">346</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Hogs</td><td align="right">140,814</td><td align="right">34,161</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Sheep</td><td align="right">24,600</td><td align="right">11,815</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Cattle</span>.—Very few choice lots are coming in. Receipts have fallen off +some 3,000 head. Of those that arrive the "unripe" predominate. Some of +our feeders are undoubtedly inclined to market too young. Some cattle by +experienced breeders and feeders may be "ripened" at two years, but in +the majority of cases, especially with anything else than high grade +short-horns, this can not be done. There is more money in holding common +stock a few months longer. The feeling on Monday was very firm, and +prices advanced considerably. Good heavy cattle brought as high as +$6 65, though the majority sold at less. Six steers averaging 1,523 lbs +brought $7. Cattle for shippers and canners went at $4 65@5; bulls +$2 50@4; cows $2 25@4 75; stockers and feeders scarce at $3 40@4 45 with +some of the latter at $4 50@5.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Hogs</span>.—The hogs now arriving are light and the number is not large. +Since November 1st, Chicago packers have put up 325,000 less hogs than +for the corresponding period last year, and the total packing of the +country has fallen off 285,000 head. Our packing houses are now running +to about one half their capacity. Prices are firm. Common to fair stock +$5 25@5 75; good to choice heavy $5 80@6 30; skips and culls $4 25@5 15.</p> + +<p>Note.—All sales of hogs are made subject to a shrinkage of 40 lbs for +piggy sows and 80 lbs for stags. Dead hogs sell for 1½c per lb for +weights of 200 and over and [Transcriber's Note: blank in original] for +weights of less than 100 lbs.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sheep</span>.—Arrivals are large. Several carloads from Texas came in on +Monday. Common to good $3 30@4 87½; fancy head $5 75.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>COMMISSION MERCHANTS.</h3> +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center'> +<b>J.H. WHITE & CO.,<br /> +<span style="font-size: large;">PRODUCE COMMISSION</span></b><br /> +</p> + +<p class="center"><b>106 S. Water St., Chicago.</b></p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 8em;">Refers to this paper.</span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>MISCELLANEOUS.</h3> +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 30%;"> +<img src="images/illus-04b.png" width="150" height="72" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 65%;"> +<p>YOUR NAME printed on 50 Cards ALL NEW designs of <i>Gold Floral. +Remembrances, Sentiment, Hand Floral</i>, etc., with <i>Love, Friendship</i>, +and <i>Holiday Mottoes</i>, 10c. 7 pks. and this elegant Ring, 50c., 15 pks. +& Ring, $1.</p> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 30%;"> +<img src="images/illus-05d.png" width="130" height="87" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 65%;"> +<p>12 NEW "CONCEALED NAME" Cards (name concealed with hand holding flowers +with mottoes) 20c. 7 pks. and this Ring for $1. Agents' sample book and +full outfit, 25c. Over 200 new Cards added this season. Blank Cards at +wholesale prices.</p> + +<p>NORTHFORD CARD CO. Northford, Conn.</p> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style='font-weight: bold;'> +<span style="font-size: x-large;">First-Class Plants<br /></span> +<span style="font-size: large;">OF BEST VARIETIES OF SMALL FRUITS.<br /></span> +</p> + +<p>Catalogues free. Address</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;">O. B. GALUSHA,<br /></span> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Peoria, Ill.</span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 25%;"> +<img src="images/illus-05e.png" width="100" height="120" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 70%;"> +<p class='center' style='font-size: x-large'>Print Your Own Cards</p> + +<p>Labels, Envelopes, etc. with our <b>$3 Printing Press.</b> Larger sizes for +circulars, etc., $8 to $75. For pleasure, money making, young or old. +Everything easy, printed instructions. Send 2 stamps for Catalogue of +Presses, Type, Cards, etc., to the factory.</p> + +<p><b>KELSEY & CO., Meriden, Conn.</b></p> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: x-large;"><b>FOR SALE.</b></p> + +<p>Pure bred Bronze Turkeys and Pekin Ducks. Also eggs in Season.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;">MRS. J. F. FULTON,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Petersburg. Ills.</span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 20%;"> +<p class='center'><span style="font-size:x-large;"><b>$1000</b></span> +<br /> +<span class="u"><b>Every 100 Days</b></span></p> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 75%;"> +<p>Positively sure to Agents everywhere selling our New <b>SILVER MOULD WHITE +WIRE CLOTHES-LINE</b>. Warranted. Pleases at sight. Cheap. Sells readily at +every house. Agents clearing $10 per day. Farmers make $900 to $1200 +during Winter. <i>Handsome samples free.</i></p> +<p>Address, <b>GIRARD WIRE MILLS</b>, Philadelphia, Pa.</p> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">AGENTS</span> WANTED, Male and Female, for Spence's Blue Book, a most +fascinating and salable novelty. Every family needs from one to a dozen. +Immense profits and exclusive territory. Sample mailed for 25 cts in +postage stamps. Address J.H. CLARSON, P.O. Box 2296, Philadelphia, Pa.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/illus-048c.jpg" width="500" height="97" alt="500 VIRGINIA FARMS AND MILLS" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="center"><b>For Sale and Exchange.</b> ☞ Write for free REAL ESTATE +JOURNAL.</p> + +<p class="center">R.B. CHAFFIN & CO., Richmond, Virginia.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">MARLBORO RED RASPBERRY</span> +Send to the originators for history and terms. A. S. Caywood & Son, +Marlboro, N. Y.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>CARDS</b></span> <b>40 Satin Finish Cards</b>, New Imported designs, name on and Present Free +for <b>10c.</b> Cut this out. CLINTON BROS. & Co., Clintonville, Ct.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class="center" style="font-size: large;"><b>PIG EXTRICATOR</b></p> + +<p>To aid animals in giving birth. Send for free circular to <span class="smcap">Wm. +Dulin</span>, Avoca, Pottawattamie Co., Ia.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>EDUCATIONAL.</h3> +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center'><span style="font-size:x-large;"><b>MT. CARROLL SEMINARY</b></span><br /> +And Musical Conservatory, Carroll Co., Ill.,</p> + +<p><i>Never had an agent</i> to beg funds or pupils. The <span class="smcap">Pecuniary Aid +System</span> <i>is original</i>, and helps many worthy girls, without means, +to an education. <i>"Oreads" free.</i></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h3>SPECIAL OFFER.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-size:x-large;"><b>$67 FOR $18!</b></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/illus-064a.jpg" width="300" height="325" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class='center' style="font-size:large;"><b>A Superb New Family</b></p> + +<p class='center' style="font-size:x-large;"><b>Sewing Machine!</b></p> + +<p>Combining all the most recent improvements, and now selling for $65, is +offered by THE PRAIRIE FARMER PUBLISHING COMPANY to subscribers to THE +PRAIRIE FARMER</p> + +<p class='center' style="font-size:x-large;">FOR $18,</p> + +<p>including one year's subscription to the paper.</p> + +<p>This exceptional offer will remain open for a few days only.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>SEWING SILK.</h3> +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 200px;"> +<img src="images/illus-16c.png" width="200" height="117" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="center" style="font-size: x-large"><b>Corticelli Sewing Silk,</b></p> + +<p class="center"><b>LADIES, TRY IT!</b></p> + +<p class="center"><b>The Best Sewing Silk Made.</b></p> + +<p class="center"><b>Every Spool Warranted.</b></p> + +<p class="center"><b>Full Length, Smooth and Strong.</b></p> + +<p class="center">Ask your storekeeper for <span style="font-size: large;">Corticelli</span> Silk.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>MISCELLANEOUS.</h3> +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class="center" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>"FACTS ABOUT</b><br /> +Arkansas and Texas."</p> + +<p>A handsome book, beautifully illustrated, with colored diagrams, giving +reliable information as to crops, population, religious denominations, +commerce, timber, Railroads, lands, etc., etc.</p> + +<p>Sent free to any address on receipt of a 2-cent stamp. Address</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><b>H.C. Townsend,</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><b>Gen. Passenger Agt., St. Louis, Mo.</b></span><br /> +</p> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: x-large;">The Cooley Creamer</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 30%;"> +<img src="images/illus-066c.jpg" width="175" height="192" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 65%;"> +<p>Saves in labor its entire +cost every season. It will +produce enough more +money from the milk to</p> + +<p class='center'> +Pay for itself every +90 days +</p> + +<p>over and above any other +method you can employ. +Don't buy infringing cans +from irresponsible dealers. +By decision of the U. +S. Court the Cooley is the +only Creamer or Milk Can +which can be used water sealed or submerged +without infringement. Send for circular to</p> + +<p> +JOHN BOYD, Manufacturer,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">199 LAKE ST., CHICAGO, ILL.</span><br /> +</p> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center' style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Gold Watch Free.</b></p> + +<p>The publishers of the Capitol City Home Guest, the well-known +Illustrated Literary and Family Magazine, make the following +liberal Offer for the New Year: The person telling us +the longest verse in the Bible, before March 1st, will receive a <b>Solid +Gold, Lady's Hunting Cased Swiss Watch</b>, worth $50. +If there be more than one correct answer, the second will receive an +elegant <b>Stem-winding Gentleman's Watch</b>: the third +a key-winding <b>English Watch</b>. Each person must send 25 cts. +with their answer, for which they will receive three months subscription +to the Home Guest, a 50 page Illustrated <b>New Year +Book, a Case of 25 articles</b> that the ladies will appreciate, +and paper containing names of winners. Address</p> + +<p class='center'> +Pubs. of HOME GUEST, HARTFORD, CONN. +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 40%;"> +<img src="images/illus-05f.png" width="150" height="139" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 55%;"> +<p>We will send you a watch or a chain <b>BY MAIL OR EXPRESS</b>, C.O.D., to be +examined before paying any money and if not satisfactory, returned at +our expense. We manufacture all our watches and save you 30 per cent. +Catalogue of 250 styles free.</p> + +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">Every Watch Warranted. Address</span></p> + +<p class='center'><b>STANDARD AMERICAN WATCH CO.,</b><br />PITTSBURGH. PA.</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Prairie Farmer, Vol. 56: No. 4, +January 26, 1884, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRAIRIE FARMER, JAN 26, 1884 *** + +***** This file should be named 29665-h.htm or 29665-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/6/6/29665/ + +Produced by Susan Skinner, Juliet Sutherland and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> |