davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Hickman courier., 1872-11-16
The Tomato.

The tomat is fast becoming (next
to the potato) our national vegetable
indeed it may be questioned if its
consumption does not already equal
that of the potato during several
weeks when it is offered at so low a
price as to be within easy reach OF
the poorer classes. Should we walk
through city markets in the latter
weeks of August and throughout
September, we certainly shall see
the tomato in greater profusion than
any other vegetable, and a stranger
might naturally conclude it was the
principal diet of our people. Such
being the case, it need not be won
dered there are so many -aspirants
for popular favor in that direction /;
that each season should bring forth
numerous varieties with specious
pretentions, either as respects size,
solidity, precocity, or some other
desirable quality. Unfortunately,
Gas i'll the case of the "Keyes .
which was heralded as "thirty days
earlier than any other sort" most
of them have short-lived popularity
speedily fading out of sight, never
to be seen again.
The Trophy, which has been so
suddenly sprung upon us-never
reard of until last season outside OF
a limited locality, is now Gin every
body's mouth"-or will be the pres
ent year-for no garden can be fully
furnished which has not a few plants
of it, enough, at least, for compari-
son and trial. In size it is uniform
ly large, frequently weighing over a
pound, smooth, generally well shap-
| ed, occ asionally distorted, solid, as
it must be to weigh so heavily, and
in color, though not so pleasing as
some other varieties, not objection
able. 1t is, however, frequently i'm
perfect at the junction of the stem,
where the skin is liable to crack. We
have had opportunity but for one
sason's observation, and our present
Impressions may change, but as we
now view it shall be disappointed il
the Trophy does not become lead
ing variety, for both family and
market culture. Whilst we write
these lines September 25) we have
many hundreds of bushels ready to
grind mp preparatory to seed saving.
being the later sitting-other hun
dreds of bushels grown on the same
vines having been previously gather
ed. When 1T is remembered that a
"Tilden," Large Red" Extra
Early" Cooks of eight or ten
ounces is above a medium size; we
can more readily estimate the extra
size of the Trophy, a majority OF
which reach twelve ounces, and oc.
casionally twenty and upwards -
LnndreLh'S.
The Hickman courier., 1872-11-16
FARM ITEMS.

More land in Ohio is under culti-
vation than in Pennsylvanio.
HARTFORD is making dozen
lawn-mowers for the Sultan of Tur-
key.
DAVENPORT has purchashed-3O, 600
bushels Of onions this year,
PIGEONS roost in the groves near
Springfield, ILL.,, by the million.
A CALIFORNIA sheep raiser owns
10000 sheep, which brings a yearly
income of 100000.
PERRY, Ga, abates 81 of taxes for
every elm or water oak that citi-
zen sets out in the street.
RHODE Island firm recentlv
purchased 100000 acres of Maine
woods, paying for the same 1885,
600.
IT IS estimated that 100000 bush
els of wheat were raised this wear
in Colorado-34, 600 within Union
Colony limits.
THE Macon Telegraph relates an
incident going to show that the pa
per shell almond would probably
grow well il Middle Georgia.
THE London Times places the
number of cattle in Great Britain.
annually available for the butcher
at 2, ,446, 900; and.sheep at IL O93, 900.
CALIFORNIA farmers are excited
ovcr "the Australia Harvester"
which, so the story goes, is opera
ted by four to six horses and two
men, and cuts, threshers, and bags.
ready for market, one acre of wheat
per hour.
IT Is mentioned as a,curious fact by
old woodsmen that beach and syca-
more trees are never struck by
though standing in close
proximity to oak, hickory and trees
of other species that have been
scanned or torn to pieces by the |
subtle fluid.
THE "cut worm," as it-called by /
farmers, is doing greater damage |
this season than for many years.
One correspondent accounts for its
prevalence by the scarcity of toads,
which were killed in great numbers
1y the hard winter.
AMONG the botanical curiosities
It the Cincinnati exposition is a
age palm, once property of Robert
Norris, of revolutionary fame 1t
vas sold to release him, when a
prisoner for debt, to Henry Pratt, of
1t is known to be
% years old.
The Hickman courier., 1872-11-16
Turkies.

The turkey does not attain It's ma
turity until the third year, and larg-
est, strongest chicks can only be Sc
cured from mature parents So
common is the practice of selling
off everything at year old or less,
that it is impossible to get stock two
and three years old. In purchasing
breeders, it is the best economy to
buy the heaviest birds, even at fancy
prices. a ten months cock weigh
ing thirty pounds is cheaper at fifty
dollars, than twenty pound bird at
| FIVE dollars. Young hens weighing
sixteen to eighteen pounds are cheap
er at twenty dollars, than twelve
pound birds at five dollars. Large,
well formed birds OF perfect plum
age viii leave their mark upon their
progeny. They Will not only be more
comely to look at, but they will bring
much more satisfactory prices,
whether we sell them to the butcher
or the breeder. Under the stimulus
given to poultry raising by the num-
erous poultry societies and journals
started in all parts of this country
and Canada, there is likely to be a
lively demand for extra breeding
stock of all the finer varieties for
some years to come. The breeder
who goes IN for the very best stock,
taking premium birds when he can
get them, and selling nothing from
his yards but prime birds, will be
likely to make the most money.
FEEDING.
The practice of most farmers who
raise turkies is not to feed at all af-
ter the young birds are six or eight
weeks old. They are driven off to
the pasture or woods, early in the
morning, and can get their living
where they can find it. Their chief
food is grasshoppers and other in
sects, and they do the pasture and
meadows great service in keeping
under these destructive creatures
This may be well enough where in
sects and such are plenty. But up
on many farms the range of wood
land is exceedingly limited, and the
growth of the birds will not be salts
factory without feed from the corn
crib. They should come to the roost
every night with full crops, and if,
on examination, this is not found to
be the case, they should be regularly
fed once a day at least. There is no
danger of fattening young turkey
on a good range in the first six
months. With frst-class stock, full
feed will make difference of four
or five pounds in the weight of the
birds at Thanksgiving Turkeys
like variety of food, though they
do very well upon corn, which they
never refuse while In health.
They are very fond of a mash or
boiled potatoes and Indian meal,
and thrive admirably upon it
Whatever the provender, it should
be fed regularly, and the birds be
kept thriving from the shell to the
butchers block.
The Hickman courier., 1872-11-16
TfGardeners.

You nfust not forget that the gar
den should be manured and plowed
before the ground is frozen. The
fertilizers viii thus have time to be
come thoroughly Incorporated with
the soil, and, in addition, render il
loose and fine. Lettuce may be sow
ed proftably in the fall,:an the
plants protected by a covering oi
straw. By this device the esculent
will be ready for the table in the
spring almost as soon as if raised in
a hot-bed. The same is true oi
spinach, while asparagus, horse
radisb, and all such perennials il
planted in the fall are certain of q
much more thrifty growth than il
the planting is delayed till spring
Trees, bushes and vines, if planted
as soon as they are ready for their
winter sleep, have the advantage OF
having the soil well settled about the
roots and all things ready for the
awaking breath of spring. Stiff
sod lands, intended for cultivated
next year, will be greatly better fo1
being turned over Eefore winter
The cut and grub worms and other
vermin are certain to be killed by
the exposure to which this subjects
them, and the roots viii be decayed
and brittle before spring.
The Hickman courier., 1872-11-16
Feed ANAL treatment of Horses.

Hay and oats makes the best feed
for horses that are obliged to work
hard and regular. If the hay is cut
fine, and the oats bruised or ground,
the whole mixed and moistened,
the horse will eat his ratious quick
er, digest them soener, and thus have
more time for resting and renewing
his power for labor. Farmers horses
that work little during the winter
time may be kept cheaper by cutting
and mixing bright straw in equal
quantities, and adding a ration OF
steamed potatoes, or raw carrots.
Colts should be fed literally on good
hay-bright clover is the best-and
bruised oats; give them a roomf
box-stall in stormy weather and du-
ring nights. Litter freely and do
not let the manure accumulate under
them. Sawdust or spent tan makes
good and convenient bedding in
cities and Ellages they are often
cheaper than straw. Groom horses
well and let them have exercise every
day a run in the yard is excellent.
See that stable floors over Easements
are sound and strong. Arrange the
feeding racks so that dust and hay
seed will not fall into the horses
name or eyes. Some horsemen
build their mangers too high, thus
forcing the animal to take an unnat
ural and painful position when eat
ing. Farm horses that are not
worked should have their shoes ia.
ken of, and those that are driven Oh
the road should be kept well shod.-
Stool. To1fYo0J
The Hickman courier., 1872-11-16
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL,

THREE tobacco factories In Brook
lyn employ 5000 hands, and pa,
ost in wages S350,00o per year.
SoUrH PARIS. Me-, has two hundred
acres in sweet corn this year, anC
expects to put up 250,0O0 cans, an
increase over last year of 10000
cans.
GERMASY has 216 steel manufac.
turing establishments, giving en-
ployment to 1915 hands, which
turned out last year 169,915 tons,
worth SIC, ,37S,271.
The greatest comb manufactory
in the world Is iseaee-Aerdean. Scot.
land. There are Snirty-eix Sf1tis furnaces
for preparing the horns and tortoise
shell, and no less than I20 iron
screw presses worked by steam
power.
TaE firm of W. II. Beach & Co.,
at South Bend, Indiana, viii soon
erect one of the largest paper mills
in the county. 1t will occupy three
acres of ground and cost S450,0O0.
II IS proposed to tunnel under
the Strait of Canseau, between Nova
Scotia and Cape Breton, to connect
the railway at Cape Breton with the
Mainland The distance is about
twenty-four miles, and the estimated
cost is only two and a half millions
of dollars.
IN South st. Louis Missouri, blast
furnaces are soon to be erected
With the great expenditure of mo-
ney and all the most modern appli-
ances, it is expected these furnaces
viii be equal to any in the world
The yield from each furnace will be
about seven hundred tons per week |
of the best foundry iron.
The Hickman courier., 1872-11-16
Milk

Milk designed for butter making,
as rule, should be agitated as little
as possible until the cream has risen.
We cannot say that such moderate
agitation of the milk as would arise
simply from skimming, as above de-
scribed, would lessen the quantity
of cream, but any excessive agita-
ton has tendency to diminish the
quantity of cream. This has been
abundantly proved by experiments
made on milk, portion of which
had been retained on the farm and
the rest sent by wagon and rail to
the city. In numerous instah ces,
where careful test OF such milk has
been made, the milk which has been
less disturbed threw up most cream.
Voelcker made the following ex-
pertinent: He took 100 measures
of new milk and set it aside for
twenty-four hours at a cem perature
of 81 degrees, Fahr., when it gave
twelve per cent. of crear- by meas
urement, while at the same time a
like quantity of the same milk, after
having been greatly shaken in bot
tie, threw up only eight per cent. of
cream. This shows that the shak-
ing to which milk is subject, when
carried long distances In wagons or
by railway, has the effect of break
ing some of the cream globules, IN
consequence of which either the fat
ty matters remain suspended in the
milk, or more proitably the cream
thrown up gets richer in fat. We
are inclined to think that milk that
has been thoroughly agitated during
its transit to the factory, and there
experimental upon to see whether
such moderate disturbances as skim
ming would affect the quantity of
cream, is not fair test of the prin-
ciple stated. We have made 40 di-
rect test of milk under such circum-
stances, and therefore cannot speak
in regard to If.
The Hickman courier., 1872-11-16
Hatclling-Eggs.

Eggs for Matching should be chos-
en- of the fair average size usually
laid by the hen they are from, any
unusually large or small being re-
jected. Some hens lay immensely
large eggs, and others small ones. a
fat hen viii always lay small eggs,
which can only produce small and
weakly chickens. Absolute size In
eggs is, therefore. of but little i'm
portance. Round short eggs are
usually the best to select; very long
eggs especially if much pointed at
the small end, almost always breed
birds with some awkwardness in
style Of carriage. Neither should
rougn-shelled eggs be chosen; they
usually show some arrangement f
the organs and are often sterile a
The Hickman courier., 1872-11-16
THE OLD HOME.
An ENGLISH POEM.


Yes, still the same. the same OLD spot
The years may go. the years may come
Yet through them all there changeth not
The old familiar home.
The poplars by the old mill stream,
A trifie taller may have grown;
The ivies round the turret green
Perchance more thickly thrown;
Yet still the same green lanes are here
That brought their violet sets In Spring,
And heard through many golden year
The winsome echoes ring.
OF children, in the April morn,
Knee deep in yellow cowslips' bloom;
OF lovers whispers lightly borne
Through sultry twilight gloom
And out upon the red-bricked town,
The quaint old houses stand the same (;
The same old sign swings at the crown.
Ablaze in sunset flame.
Yet still It's not the same old spot
The old familiar friends are gone
TASK of strangers who know them not
All strangers. every one.
The morning brooks may sing the same !;
The white thorns blossom in the May !;
But each long loved. remembered name
Has passed In turn away.
The Hickman courier., 1872-11-16
Shoeing Horses.

Most horse-shoers and their ap.
prentices assume to be more familiar
with the anatomy of the feet oi
horses than any other person, be-
cause, as they frequently aver, it is
their business to handle such feet
more than any one else. Hence
blacksmiths usually feel that no one
has any right to dictate how a horse
should or should not be shod.
Ii person will study the anatomy
of the foot of a young horse that
has never been shod, he will readily
perceive that more skill is required
to fit a shoe correctly than simply
to nail shoe to a block of wood.
Every blacksmith should procure a
foot of some horse which has not
worn shoe for a long period, so
that he may the more readily per-
ceive and understand how to fit the
shoe to the insensible shell of the
hoof. The wear and tear incident
to travelling falls almost entirely on
the sharp rim of tie hard shell of
the hoof when the foot is not shod.
When a horse is to be shod, the shoes
should be fitted to the feet, rather
than the feet to the shoes. The
weight of the animal should rest on
the hard shell of the hoof, and not
on the soft sole on the inside of the
shell. Besides thus, the frog, which
answers the same purpose beneath
the foot as the large rolls of India
rubber under railroad cars, should
never be pared away. The frog viii
wear away as fast as any portion of
it will need to be removed; hence
every proprietor of a horse should
charge the horse-shoer not to remove
any part of the frog. A great many
country smiths, who do not under
stand what Office the frog performs,
will cut away large proportion OF
it every time a shoe is fitted on.
Another thing should never be allow
ed, which is applying hot shoe to
the hocf to burn 1t down level, rath-
er than shave it. A hot shoe Injuries
the elasticity and tenacity of the
hoof; hence blacksmith should new
er be allowed to fit the shoes by
burning the hOOE
It is the rule of many shoers to
make only four 1ail-holes on each /
side of the shoe, whether it is
large or small one. Hence, if the
shoe is designed for a large foot,
there will be nails back of a point
half way between the toe -calks and
el-calks; whereas there should be
at least six nails on each side of the I
hoof As the proprietor is obliged |
to pay the bill for shoeing. he should |
assume the undoubted right to di-
rect how his horse should be shod. /
During the winter, if horses are
liable to calk each other, or to
wound their own feet with sharp
,alks, let the smith be directed to
make long and square calks, which
viii prevent slipping. and which will
lot wound the flesh so readily as a
harp calk. The toe-calks should be
made of steel. and be tempered SO
ard that file viii not take hold of
hem. Most blacksmiths profess to
Sc steel for toe-calks, when, in
ruth, they use a piece of soft iron,
Ihich will wear off almost as soon ,
S lead calks. If calks are made of
Ieel aid tempered as hard as a cold !
hisel, the calkss will continue ser ,
iceable three times longer than :
hen they are made of pieces of old 5
orse shoes or other IRON Indust, iaL
fonthly. :
The Hickman courier., 1872-11-16
Manuring.

The Rural Home publishes a com
munication from f. p. Root, one oi
the best farmers of the country, OF
the subject of manures, in which he
makes the following statement, show
ing the superiority of raising and
plowing in heavy crops of manure
over system of negligence called
manuring IN the natural way: Two
adjoining fields, divided by a rail
fence, have been long under cultiva-
ton, and clover was often plowed in
as manure for succeeding wheat
crop. The fence was taken away,
and the whole, as one field, summer
fallowed and sown with wheat. The
strip where the fence had stood, and
where the grass had so long grown
and decayed on the surface, did not
produce nearly the crop which on
the other side where the clover had
been plowed under.
There were strong reasons for this
difference. The grass which grew
and decayed on the surface afforded
little else than vegetable mould.
This could not enrich the soil sever
al inches down, and did not possess
in itself the fertilizing character of
clover. The clover was plowed in,
and was ultimately mixed and diff
fused all through the soil, where the
roots of growing plants were to pen
citrate. The vegetable mould remain
ed only on the surface, and could
only anarata 40 a rnT,lob
We have heard such facts as this
cited in proof of the folly of the
practice of spreading yard manure
on the surface, and never blowing
IN. The truth is, this mode of man
uring would be of little use if it
were practicable on cultivated fields.
But fortunately, the very act of cul-
tivating works in the manure, and it
cannot. as matter of course, re-
main at the surface, which the plow
is throwing under. 1t is an excellent
practice to allow spread manure to
remain on the surface for time, es-
pecially through autumn and winter,
until the water of rains and melting
SHOWS difiuse the soluble parts in
timately with the earth. When this
is done, then is the time to plow
under this enriched top-stratum,
and it will be worth double the same
manure In Jumps, unmixed with the
soil.
Top-dressing without plowing un-
der the manure is an exception, be-
cause the fbrous character of the |
roots serve to carry down the ma
nure N solution, which could not 1
penetrate the compact layers of bare
'oil. But turning under the manure
S often of great benefit even on
yrass more especially on thin up
and. Surface manuring Oh such
and. although beneficial to certain
Iegie0, will not give it the power to
row heavy grass and withstand Sc
ere droughts. Men are apt to run
o extremes. and having discovered
be successful results of surface ap-
locations in certain cases, they may
AIRY the practice too far, and omit
le deep, thorough and intimate dii-
lsion of manure effected by solu-
on. by thorough plowing, and re-
eated narrowing. which can alone
lpply rich and mellow bed of ,
nth for the extension OF the roots .
the ciop-
NEW Orleans was never. freer from 4
The Hickman courier., 1872-11-16

Ar THE recent banquet given by
the Liverpool Chamber of Com
merce to the Japanese Embassy the
ornamentation of the menu was SO
clever as to elicit from Iwakura the
remark that it was the most natur-
ally correct he had met since leaving
Japan. 1t consisted of a piece of
Japanese diaper, disposed diagonal
ly, after the fashion of the native ar
lists, above which were placed ir-
regularly the two crests of the Mi
kado, In gold, forming altogether
most pleasing and uncommon de-
sign.
The Hickman courier., 1872-11-16

CAMPHoR-A lady, who was a de-
vout believer in the power of cam
phor, scattered the powdered gum
thickly over her capes and muffs,
and for two or three years tri-
umphantly wore them, through all
winter long the disagreeable odor
was retained in the fur. But this
was not all. Even the first year the
hair seemed to have lost a little of
its gloss and life, and by the third
year was too dull, old and worn
looking, no longer to be admired.
Taking them to fur-dresser for re-
novation, she was dismayed to hear
that the gum camphor had rendered
her furs valueless.
TESTS made at an experimental
farm in Pennsylvania proved that
the wounds heal most thoroughly
and quickly when trees are pruned
in June.
The Hickman courier., 1872-11-16

The Winchester Arms Company,
of New Haven, Conn, recently ship
ped the first instalment of 10000
rifles to the Turkish government.
Mr.. Winchester is now IN Europe ar
ranging for another large contract.
The Hickman courier., 1872-11-16

Com STARCH CAkR.-One cup ei
pulverized sugar, half cup of butter
and stir until it looks like thick
cream one teaspoon soda dissolved
in half teacup Of sweet milk; beat
the whites of three eggs and put
them in with two teaspoonfuls o.
cream tartar mixed with a teacur
OF flour; stir and add half a teacur
of corn starch season and bake in s
moderately quick oven frost or not
just as you please.