davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09
9gritattural department
How to Treat an Old Orchard.

EDITOR RURAL AMERICAN: All through
New England and the middle States casu-
al observer may see apple orchards, either
in dying condition or else bearing crops
of small, gnarly fruit, that should be ina
healthy state, and annually yielding large
crops of lucious fruit. Farmers say that
they cannot raise apples after few years;
the trees give out, and they either have
to cut them down and plant young trees,
or else give up the business. Now it is
well settled physiological principle, that
plants and trees cease to be thrifty when
the necessary ingredients that are required
to render them so have been extracted
from the soil. If, during period of forty
or fifty years, apple trees have been allow
ed to exhaust the soil of it's potash, lime,
carbonic acid, etc. which analysis shows
these trees require, without any steps hav-
ing been taken to keep the supply good, it
is not to be wondered at that orchards
should have an old and dead look to them
No man would plant potatoes forty or fifty
years in the same field, and expect to get q
good crop each year without manure. Why
should not similar result be looked for
in an orchard? Again, it may be the case
that the ground where the orchard stands
needs draining. Too much water at the
roots will as surely kill the tree as want of
proper food; and when both are the case,
prompt action is required.
| Having found out the cause of the dis.
ease, the next thing is the proper treat-
ment to be adopted If the land is wet, IL
should be drained if possible, then plow
thoroughly and dig up the sod around the
trees, that the plow does not reach. Pre-
pare compost of ashes or Stacked lime,
muck or other coarse vegetable matter.
refuse of drain from the sink, etc. with as
much stable manure as may be necessary,
apply literally to the soil. Each year
thereafter give good dressing of muck,
ashes, or any thing you have that possesses
fertilizing qualities The next year after
blowing, scrape off as much of the old bark
can be conveniently reached, and give them
liberal washing of ashes and water, which
will cause them to have healthy appear-
ance Now you can begin to saw off all the
dead branches, and see that they are cut
close to the live wood, and paint the stub
with some preservative mixture, SO that the
bark can form over the edges. You are
now ready to graft. Remove as much of
the top and center of the trees as may he
desirable, cutting off the old limbs when
practicable, and only as many of the new
shoots as may be necessary, and graft
only this the first season, Each season
thereafter cut off and graft portion of tho
remaining limbs, until all have been grated
and new top formed, The trees are now
in good shape, and It not tao far gone
when the treatment began. yoQ will sapA
be repaid for all your care and labor. by
large crops of lucious fruit. The writer
has seen old orchards that had not borne
any thing but "pig-apples' for years.
under similar treatment brought to yield
fine crops of the best quality Of fruit,
| +. MERRIAA,
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09
Pre.ident Johnss. and General Grant.

Inquisitive people, in search of know
ledge, are beginning to ask, "What is the
misunderstanding between Mr.. johnson
and General Grant, the President going
out and the President coming in, and what
is it all about?" The Italian minister at
Washington gives children's party, at
which a daughter Of General Grant is
crowned Queen of the banquet, whereup-
on in her gracious addresses she nominates
Master Edward Thornton, of England, her
husband, and proclaims him The Duke
of Candies and Prince Of Sugar Plums. "
The President has several interesting
grandchildren in the White House, who
ought to be present, but who are not, be-
cause, IL is said, Of the unfavorable rela-
tions existing between grandpa and "the
man on horseback" Next, in the name
of the juveniles Of the White House, a
children's party 10 given in the East
Room, and It is a grand affair, but Gen.
eral Grants little people are missing, be.
cause, as the gossiping old ladies have it
"their pa don't speak to the President
and there is no love lost between them.
Lastly, on New Years day, when all th'
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09
g Strange Storp.
MARSHAL NEY.

The old story of Marshal Ney being
no other than Michael Rudolph, of Elk
ton, Cecil county Nd. is revived again,
in the extract which follows. 1t is worthy
of mention, that the Rudolph family, a
highly respectable Que, still living in the
vicinity of Elkton, reject this Marshal
Ney story in toto. There is just enough
truth in some of the circumstances to give
a coloring of probability to it. Michael
Rudolph did live near Elkton; he did
trade to the West Indies, either as master
or supercargo of vessel, and was never
afterwards heard Of His relatives sup
pose that vessel and cargo and all on
board went down in the depths of the
ocean. A French gentleman, travelling
a few years ago, between Philadelphia and
Baltimore, over the New Castle and
Frenchtown Rail Road, when the cars
were about crossing the line into Cecil
county, casually mentioned to connex-
ion of the Rudolph family, whom he did
not know, but who happened to be fel-
low passenger, that Cecil county was the
former residence of Marshal Ney, whose
real name was Michael Rudolph. The
circumstance was strange one, and is
worthy of mention, but his friends all
reject the story of the identity of the
parties.
Mr.. G. H. Browning writes to the
Round Table, a curious account regarding
Marshal Ney, "who was, next to Napole.
on, the greatest of the generals produced
by the French revolution" and seriously
asks the question, was he Frenchman OF
an American? His biography, as writer
by his family, represents him to have beer
born at Sarre Louis, small town on tho
Rhine, in 1859. The other story is abou
as follows: Marshal Ney's proper namt
was Michael Rudolph and not Michael Ney
He was captain in Gen. Wayne's arm,
ip the war with the Indians. His c.ree
was marked by the post daring deeds o
valor, and he was called among the sol
diers by the last title Napoleon ever gay'
him, the "bravest of the brave" Capt
Michael Rudolph was young and fiery
and on one occasion, feeling himself insql
ted by Gen. Wayne, he challenged him
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

Gen. Wayne reported his insubordinate
conduct to the government, and Gen.
Washington struck his name from the ar
my list Rudolph then turned his atten-
tion to farming, ON Elk Creek, near Elk
ton, Md and, possessing himself of small
vessel, he traded in tobacco to the West
Indies. Such restless nature could not
be satisfied with so prosaic pursuit.
Having unexpectedly put back from one
of his trips, he found his wife engaged in
suspicious affair with another man.
Without saying word to any one he left
herself and children in peaceable posses
sion of his rival, returned to his vessel,
made sail, and never returned. Mr.. Pinck-
ney then our Minister to France, recog-
nized him shortly afterwards, under his
new name, in review in the Champ de
Mars, and Mr.. Browning says "his friends
in Maryland carry out the theory Of the
identity of the two men, by supposing that
Rudolph proceeded to Bordeaux with his
cargo, sold his vessel, established shop
and sold his tobacco; and with his daring
enterprising military taste and genius, en-
listed in the army Of the revolution as a
common soldier, from which his general
superiority and the technical knowledge
acquired under Gen. Wayne soon raised
him." The wife of Rudolph married again
after her desertion by her husband, and
settled in the obscure town of Brunswick
in Georgia; and it is noticeable fact that
years ago, young Ney-Count Ney, who
was for some years French charge at Rio de
Janerio, we'll known to many officers OF
our navy-visited the United States, and
set out Immediately after his arrival in
New York for that place, and remained
several weeks in the neighborhood as the
guest of the Rudolph family, who were
Independent and respectable farmers, but
not people likely to receive visit from
Count Ney bred in Paris, under ordi-
nary circumstances. Altogether, this is a
romantic story, and Count Ney will do the
world great service by disclosing the
facts in his possession regarding it, as Mr..
Browning earnestly called upon him to do.
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

A friend says he has dear, loving little
wife. who is an excellcnt house-keeper.
On her birthday she moved her rocking
chair close to his side. He was reading.
She placed her hand lovingly on his arm,
and moved it along softly toward his coat
collar. He felt nice all over. He GER
tainly expected kiss. Dear, sweet, low
ing creature She moved her hand up
and down his coat-sleeves. Husband" "
said She "What, my dear p 81 was
just thinking" "Were you, my love? ~
II was just thinking how nicely this suit
of clothes you have on would work into a
rag carpet"
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09
WONDERFULLY PRoDucTIyE.-A new Y,

WONDERFULLY PRoDucTIvE.-A new va
riety of oats, called Norway oats, has been
introduced into the country, which, being
larger, heavier, and more prolific than COM
mon, is claimed as a valuable addition to
its grain resources, particularly as the oat
crop has for long time been failing. A
sing gle oat, exceedingly large and plump.
was found in package of peas sent out in
1864 by the Department of Agriculture.
1t was planted in garden for experiment,
and the first year produced 2,7S5 grains.
The next year the produce of these seeda
amounted to over three bushels, and they
have increased till now. when there are
several thousand bushels, From 81 grains
253, ,4S7 have been produced one pint pro-
duccd five bushels; and from one oat 81
sprung up. From small patches sow4
there has grown at the rate of 769 bushels
an acre, while the usual average is about
100 bushels.
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

THE TEETH OF THE HoRsR. horse
has forty teeth-twenty -four double teeth,
or grinders, four tushes, or single file
teeth, and twelve front teeth, called gath
erers. As a general thing mares have no
tushes. Between two and three years old
the colt sheds his four middle teeth-two
above and two below. After three years
old two other teeth are changed, one on
each side of those formerly shed; he now
has eight colts teeth, aud eight horses
teeth when four years of age be cuts four
new teeth. AT five years old the horse
sheds his remaining colts teeth, four in
number, when tushes appear. At six
years of age his tushes are up. appearing
white, small and sharp, while small piFs
Gle of young teeth il observable, The
mouth is now complete. At eight years
of age the teeth have filed up, the horse
is aged, and his mouth is said to be full.
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

A farmer says of hay.-Haying occa-
sion to sell a ton 10 my barn, to be sure
of the quantity for future reference,
measured off space 8 feet quare on one
porner of the mow,. and cut down I feet
deep, and found the hay removed weighed
1920 pounds, thHs making 448 cubic
feet, a good measure for ton of hay !;
it was taken from surface, upon which
200 dozen Of good oats had been stored.
The hay was II feet deep. When hay is
sold in the barn, it is generally calculated
392 feet to a ton, which will always fall
short. On the contrary, 448 is as near
the correct number as actual trial will give.
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09
BLACKSMITHING AND
Wheelwriphtinp.

FfNHE undersigned have commenced the above
i business in Middletown, corner of Main and
Anderson streets, and solieita share of the pub
lie patronage. They fatter themselves that their
work cannot be surpassed. The Backsmthing
will be conducted by John @. Vandenbraak, and
the Whcelrighting department by j. Leauby.
V Wagon, Plow and all kinds of country work
and Coach Smithing, done TO order.
- slad- Repairing neatly and promptly attended
to. Special attention given to the repairing.
All work warranted to give perfect satisfaction
JOHN G, YANDENBRAAK,
LEAUBY 4 LEE.
April llth, l8ss--tf.
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

NUIsANoEs. Es.-Cross-eye old maids. mis-
chief-making women, grumbling old bach
elors, dilapitated sidewalks, squalling chil=
dren, frowzy wives, drunken husbands,
dirty postal currency, musty crusty old
bachelors, tattling tongues, dispeptle sto-
machs, and the tooth ache.
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

A lady having the misfortune to have
her husband hang himself on an apple
tree, the wife of a neighbor Immediately
came to beg a branch of that tree, to have
it grated upon one in her orchard, " for
who knows" said she, "but it may bear
the same kind of fruit"
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

"Do let me have your photograph" said
dashing belle to gentleman who had
been annoying her with his attentions.
The gentleman was delighted. and in a
short time the lady received picture.
She gave it to the servant with the ques-
ton, "would you know the original if he
should call?" The servant replied in the
affirmative. "Well. whenever he comes,
tell him / am engaged"
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

Phrases are sometimes queer. When
man in buiness "goes up" people under
stand that he is down. When the market
is tight" things are extremely sober
When people "go it strong" it is an un-
erring indication of weakness.
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

CURE FOR RINaBoNE.-A correspondent
of the Rural New Yorker, says that he
has known horse that went for twelve
months on three legs, from ringbone,
made perfectly sound by the application,
once a day, of an ointment composed Of
half an ounce of red precipitate, half an
ounce of blue-stone half pint of tur-
pentine. thoroughly mixed. Keep the
hoof creased -An,erican Stock Journal
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

Charley, I was much shocked to
hear you singing, Pop goes the weaseP'
in church." Well, mamma, l heard
everybody else singing, and it was the on
ly tune knew"
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

An Irishman, who got situation at the
west end of London, ON entering room
where there was a vase with golden fish,
exclaimed, =" Well, this is the FIRST time I
ever saw red herring alive!"
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

Smith and Brown, running opposite
ways around a corner, struck each other.
"0h, dear how you make my head ring, u
said Smith.
That's sign its hollow" said Brown.
g But didn't yours ring?"
"No."
"Thats sign its cracked" replied his
friend.
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

Formerly, ''going upon hender" was
confined almost exclusively to the male
sex. At present, however, the ladies
claim a share of the honor. Men COM
monty seclude themselves on such occas-
ions, but the ladies make it a prominent
thing, and in the most public places.
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

One of Josh Billings maxims 81 Rise
early, work hard an late, live on what you
kant sell; give nothing away; and if you
don't die rich, and go to the devil, yoa may
sue me for damages"
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09
ATTEND TO YOUR TEETH.

Jew persons are pr9perly impressed GS
Il with the Importance of giving early elI1p
attention to decayng teeth. The health is often
affected by them, to say nothing of the inconve-
nience and suffering, which they produce. II is
Important to have all carries promptly arrested.
If treated in time most teeth may be preserved.
Teeth Extracted Without Pain,
by the use of Nitrous Oxide Gas, harmless and
pleasant anesthetic. ,~f
il. VANDERF0RD, d. D.S.
May 9-H @-.=.. Middletown, Del.
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

An unsuccessful lover was asked by
what means he lost his divinity ?-"Alas!'
he cried, al fiattered her until she got too
proud to speak to me !"
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

Horne Tooke being asked by George
Ill whether he played at cards. replied,
81 cannot, your majesty, tell king from
a knave."
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

A writer in the New York Citizen says:
If Plymouth Rock had landed on the
Pilgrim Fathers, it would have been hap.
py thing"
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

s'Soldiers must be dishonest set, said
an old lady, "for not night seems to pass
that some sentry is not relieved of his
watch"
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

"I never was ruined but twice." said a
wit; "once when I lost lawsuit and once
when I gained one."
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

A French company has rented for sixty
years the right to plant fruit trees on the
slopes Of railway embankments, good idea
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09

Old Bittersnap thinks that lock-jaw
among the ladies is not as common NJ it
should be,
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09
Farmers, Look to Your Interests.
A. r. BRADLEY,

kAt tIlU OOUOE III N1IVAUIOGOWI Il
NTILL pay the highest market price for Grain.
w He will supply Wright's and Rambo's
Lime for Farm purposes. Also, Clover and Tim
otby Seed.
ES- Special care will be given to shipping of
grain when entrusted with it by parties shipping
on their own responsibility. No money advance
ed on grain before delivery.
Dec. 5-6m.
Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09
FOR SALE.

= A ONE OR TWO-HORSE PELToN HORSE
"A POWER. Apply to James Culbertson, Mid
dletown, Del. or 70 X. MCKEE.
Dec. ply
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-02-06
MECHANICSVILLE ITEMS.

MERcANTILE-Siym months since there
was firm combination of merchants in
this flourishing little place, entitled "three
miles from John Cunninghams;" but
since they have routed the leading mer
chant of Zion, Mr. Carhart, they have
made solemn halt, taking firm stand
against each other. One of our prin-
cipal merchants, the original Cheap
John of California. is about to contract
to build boot and shoe establishment,
near his own place of business, which
will be occupied by son of Crispin.
POWERFUL STUMP PULLER.-Wc had
here, once upon a time, an ingenious
man, who invented q stump puller, and
in trying its power, it is said he hooked
to large stump, and came mighty near
turning the 18th District upside down.
FIRE WATER-Mr. B., formerly of
Hartford county, is about to open a
rancho still one mile from John Cum
ningham's.
LoNG-EARED BILLY.-Mr II. drives
his long ears, occasionally, TO see the
ladies', and sometimes | am startled
from my couch, late in the night, at
hearing the team below, whilst he is
on his way home Mr. II. drives little
long-eared Billy with quite an extensive
whip, and often gets him into trot.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-02-06
CONOWINGO ITEMS.

Debating Society.-The gentlemen of Mt.
Pleasant and vicinity have organized de-
batting club at the house now used as a
temporary school-house. in place of Log
Cabin, which was destroyed by fire on the
9Th of January. 1t is really an interesting
place to pass an evening.
Sale Of Real Estate.-The Dorsey mill
property was sold by Joseph Balance. for
$25OO. Messrs. A. Crothers and R. X,
Mccullough, purchasers.
Public Sehools.-The winter term of the
Public schools closed on Friday of last
an exhibition and examination, on the pre-
ceding Thursday, which was a very credit
able affair. He has upwards of sixty pu-
pills. Mr.. Warner and Miss Jennie Ken
nedy, Of Public School No. 3, had public
examination Of their school, on Friday.
Goth ult., which was well attended. There
were some two hundred ladies and gentle
men present. 1t was enlivened by Mr..
Crothers' String Band, which discoursed
some very fine music. Our Commissioner.
DIR. A. M. Jordan, was present, together
with the Trustees of the school. Every
thing passed off pleasantly and satisfactor-
lily. MIR. Warner has ninety pupils.
Thieuing.-Mr. Lewis Haines, of Fulton
township, had his stables broken open, one
night last week, by some horse thieves
1t happened that some of the family were
not asleep, and they tried s)me heavy shot
on the parties, when they decamped.
Tsmperance.-Mr. Broisur delivered a
very able Temperance Lecture, on Thurs
day evening, at Pleasant Grove Hall, in
which he stated that Lancaster county
furnished four hundred permits to sell rum.
one whisky shop for each schoolhouse in |
the county.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-02-06
CHARLESTOWN ITEMS.

PREAcuING.-Rev. l.. c. Matlack
will preach to the young people, at
Principle NJ. f. Church, on Monday,
February, Sth, at O'Clock PM, for the
benefit of the Sunday-school. We be-
licvc that those who have heard this
gentlemen will wish to hear him on this
occasion. Rev. r. l.. Poulson preached
for the Pastor, at Charlestown, ON Sun
day evening, Jan. 3lst
A-S,Eens,rc7 ssuod people Of Charles
town, headed by their Pastor, gave the
Rev. Samuel Logan and family COM
plete surprise Mr.. Logan is brother
who works for God, shoulder to shoul-
der with his Pastor
SALARY RAIsED-The congregation
of the Charlestown VI. Z. Church, on
Sunday last, raised all their Preachers
salary. Charlcstown Circuit is looking
up. 1t has raised hundreds of dollars
for church expenses this year.
PUBLIC ScHooL-Mr j ohm Galbraith
has charge of the Public School at this
place. The new quarter commenced
on Monday last, with forty-two scholars.
Mr.. Galbraith taught here the last
quarter, assisted by Miss Cameron, the
pupils numbering sixty-fivc.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-02-06
CHESAPEAKE CITY ITEMS.

THE EXTRA MEETING.-The extra
meeting still grows in interest, the altar
still being crowded with penitents.-
The meeting is to be continued through
another week. Never, for years, has
there been such a religious feeling
throughout the church. The Rev. j.
w. Pierson preached quito an excellent
and appropriate sermon, ON Sunday
evening, to o crowded house. The con-
gregation enjoyed quite "a feast Of
reason and flow of soul"
NJ E. SUNDAY-SCHooL-Mr. Jaquer,
of Philadelphia, visited the NJ. E. Sun
day-school, on Sunday last, and de-
livered a pleasant and profitable adj
dress to the children, which they fully
appreciated. The Sunday. school is
flourishing under the still genial smiles
of its Superintendent. Itnumbers ov er
one hundred pupils.
BAYARD ScHooL.-The examination
of the Bayard School closed Friday,
Jan. goth ult., with grand match
spelling, the school taking sides, Capt's.
Brooks and Bouchell heading the van.
The contest began half past 2 O'Clock,
continuing two hours. For awhile the
conflict was raging and the issues of
the day seemed doubtful at last a
lucky ball from Capt. Brooks side
proved fatal to the surviving men Of
Bouchell, save one little girl who
stood, amid the cheering applause of
the spectators, and acted her part well ;
and when she fell, it was by one much
farther advanced in studies and years.
The classes all passed creditable ex-
animation, which pleased the trustees,
parents and friends, present. The win
ter term began on Monday, the lst
of February, and the second day the
school numbered over one hundred
scholars-and they still come.
ONWARD AND UPw ARD Our MORO
The Literary Assneiatinp was Nra.rdAa
all, the best evenings entertainment
yet. When Uncle Jedediah and Aunt
Prudence made their appearance, they
were greeted with rounds of applause,
and repetition was requested, which
will take place tonight Saturday.
When will teachers be fully aroused to
the Importance Of their work?