davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-21

WHY THERE Is NO REMEDY FOR THE
POTATO DIsEAsE.-In reply to an old as
sertion inithe The London Magazine, that
our ienorance'of satisfactory remedy of
the potato disease is rather stigma upon
modern science an eminent naturalist re-
torts that the investiga tons necessary TO
determine the desired remedy require large
expenditures Of time and money, and
that, il those who are practical yiinterested
in the subiect-our Governments, or the
farmers-do not think ii sufficiently worth
their attention to induce them to employ
scientific men for the special object of work.
ing out this problem, tue omission TO do so
cannot be imputed to the latter. Very
little, indeed. so far as we know, can be
done to arrest the disease from the fact that
the infection spreads so rapidly that the
first intimation OF its presence may be the
destruction of the crop in an entire field.
| 1t is..said that potatoes escape with little or
no disease, in the neighborhood OF chemical
works winch is possibly due to the effect
on the fungus growth, without injuring the
more highly organized potato plant.
The application of finely divided sui phur
is beneficial here, as in other plant-diseas-
es. 1t is stated that If, AS soon as the dis
ease has attacked the fields, the stems be
all cut down close to the ground, the infec-
ton will not extend to the tubers; and when
the crop is nearly ripe this may be judi
cous application, but it necessarily prevents
any further growth. Even in this case,
however, the potatoes may be serviceable
for seed for the coming year. After re-
viewing all that has been said on the SUBJ
iect Mr.. Dyer comes 10 the conclusion that
the only way in which there is any reason
able hope of relief from the SOURCE is in
obtaining early maturing kinds. August,
in England at least, is the month when the
disease Is worst, especially if the weather
be both wet and warm. If the crop can be
secured before this period, the evil will be
avoided. The production OF early kinds,
so as to cause a systematic improvement
is possible only with time, united to skill
and patience.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-21

PECUL1ARITIEs OF DIFFERENT LAM
aUAecs.-The Hindoos are said to have no
word for "friend." The Italians have no
equivalent for our "humility." The Rus
sian dictionary gives n word, the definition
of which is mot 10 have enough buttons
on your footman's waistcoat;' a second
means "to Kill over again - third "to
earn by danclng;" while the word "knoul,'
which we have all learned 10 consider as of
exclusively Russian meaning and applca-
ton, proves to be their word "knut,' and
TO mean only "whip Of any kind" The
Germans call a thimble A "hnger hat"
(Which II certainly is), and a eraSshopper a
Ebay horse" A glove with them is n
"hand-shoe," showing evidently that they
wore shoes before gloves. Poultry is "feath-
err CATTLE" whilst the names for the we'll
known substances, Oxygen and "hydro-
gen." ore, In their language, "sour. stuff"
and "water. stuff" The French, strange to
say, have no verb ito stand" nor can a
Frenchman speak of "kicking' any one.
The nearest approach he, in his politeness,
makes to ii is, to threaten to "give a blow
with his foot :" the same thing probably to
the recipient in either case, but it seems Ia
want the energy and directncss Of our
"kick." Neither has he any word for ''ba-
by" nor for "home," nor comfort" The
terms "up-stars" and 'down-stairs" are
also unknown in French. In English VIC
"cure" meat and "cure" sick people, and
we like our girls to be "quck," but never
wish to see them fast" - our Monthly.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-21

A VALUABLE SUGGEST )N.-A sensible
woman is the most sensible being on earth;
her intuitions are quicker and surer than
those of man, and, when supplemented
by experience, observation and study,
make her in the ordinary and practical al
fairs oflile the most trustworthy and efficient
of mortals. As nurse she is infinitely
superior to man, and it is questionable
whether she has not done more to save life
than has been effected by science. In New
York, the State Charities Aid Society has
started movement to establish training
school for nurses. This is well. But what
ought to be done in every family is to study
the antidotes to poisons, the mode of stop
ping hemorrhages, what applications to
make in case of burns, and generally what
to do in cases Of accident. There are times
when such knowledge will save life, and
when delay in order to obtain the assistance
of a physician may result in death. Our
education is too much above and apart from
the daily demands of our life. Nothing
can be more absurd than the attempt to
make Everybody his own physician" but
nothing would be more useful than a gen
eral knowledge of anatomy, physiology
and paliatives in sudden emergencies. Let
there he technical training by all means for
professional nurses, but let there be also a
more dilfused information respecting the
needs and limitations of the physical frame.
What proportion Of the people appreciates
pure air, the recuperative power of the sun,
and the necessity for daily exercise? Let
us get back and down to the elementary
laws.-Prouidence journal.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-21

the boys neck, and, breaking off crippled
him for life. Nothing was done about the
matter until two years ago. when, the par
ties having grown to manhood, the cripple
being unable u labor, and the one who
pushed him being in a paying business.
some humane parties took up the case and
got a verdict of $4,000. Payment was re-
fused, however, and every evasion made,
even to an attempt at taking the poor debt
or's oath, until last week, when the referees
to whom the case was given decided that
payment must he made at once, or the de-
linquent jailed.
Though 1t would have been an act of
self-denial on Gen. Grants part 10 have
spurned the tempting $4,000 extra annual
salary for himself, he was in honor bound
to do II, and the time will come when, If he
sits down TO reflect calmly upon his official
past, he will regret, for his own reputation,
mat he had not done II. Furthermore, the
president could have prevented the "steal"
from going into the bill. He could have
given out that he would veto any such bill |;
and Compress never would have passed II.
Thus IL Is that the presidents conduct, re-
garded In whatever light II may be, should
subject him TO censure and this will be
meted out Ia him not stintingly by the
people and by the impartial voice of histo-
ry.-[New York Journal of Commerce.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-21

SPIDERS TRAVELLING by BALLooN.-A
correspondent of the Scientific American
relates singular incident. In company
with other persons he was crossing Seneca
Lake on the 10th of October, when small
wake was seen near the centre of the lake,
caused by the moving Of some insects. Up
on investigating the matter it was found
that three spiders were gliding over the sur
face of the water, and attached to them was
a single thread, the size of knitting nee
die, extending in the air to the height of
thirty feet at an angle of sixty degrees, and
terminating with an enormous balloon
shaped web. This latter was judged to be
eight feet long and five feet wide, with
stays fastened to the main thread, some
thing similar to those of balloon, and II
was managed, apparently, by an innumer-
able number of insects stationed at proper
intervals. The party attempted to obtain
a closer view, but when within few
feet of the web II began 10 rise, though the
last spider, which proved to be about the
size of house fly, was brought back by
the stroke of an oar. The balloon went on
ward aud upward until lost to sight.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-21
WED PL.s.vTS DONE

The cabbage Is first cousin to cauliflow-
err, broccoli, etc., and they all come from
the wild cabbage of the coast 1t is
marine plant, and loves salt and salt wafer
The wild cabbage is tall, wavy, coarse
plant, but the pods are now gathered and
eaten in the spring months in some parts
of England. There is no plant which has
produced by cultivation greater number
of varieties than the cabbage. We can ex-
tend the varieties much further, but it is
sufficient for us TO consider the wide range
between the little red cabbage for picking,
and Gregory's mammoth" with head so
large that it can only be boiled in large
caldron. Inthe cauiflower eat the fleshy
flower stalks and undeveloped buds, which
are crowded together into compact mass. II
was favorite saying of the great lexicog-
rapher, Or. johnson, "Of all the flowers of
the garden l like the cauliflower the best"
sentiment worthy this eminent epcure.
Tie numerous varieties of the cabbage il
lustrate in the most striking manner tho
changes which are produced in species by
cultivation, and the permanence of some
varieties oil races. They also give us in
structve les ons in the economy of veoe-
table life.
The turnip comes from a wild plant
found by the sides of rivers, bitches, and
marshes. Like the cabbage, it has pro-
duced several varieties, the result of long
cultivation. From the wild plant we have
the little flat turnip and the huge ruta baga,
with all the varieties between. This root
is now most widely cultivated as food for
stock, and it has added much TO the wealth
of England.
The parsnip is also a reclaimed wild
plant and ii is difficult TO say whether we
are indebted TO cultivation or importation
for it, most probably the latter, as it is a
native of Britain. If the wild plant is Gull
tivated two or three years in rich garden
soil, ii acquires all the desirable character
istics Of the best kinds and if left to itself
in poor soil, it speedily goes back into its
wild, degenerate condition. Parsnips ap-
pear to have been very early reclaimed
from wild state, for Pliny tells us that
parsnips were cultivated on the banks OF
the Rhine, and were brought from thence
to supply the tables of the Roman en-
perors.-Journal of Chemistry.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-21

Here is a letter from "sorrowful
mother TO the Chicago Times: What am
to dor My little two-year oil darling is
baptised Schuyler Colfax Pomeroy Horton.
Was ever a child so afflicted? And what
can we dor
BY a funny coincidence, every family
in certain country parish In Massachu-
sets, on making the annual donation visit
to the pastor, recently decided to contribute
few bushels of potatoes. The net proceeds
of the party were accordingly few PIN
cushions, pair of mlttens and-3O0 BUSH
els OF potatoes! The pastor Is thinking of
leaving the ministry to become n whole
sale dealer In the tubers.
The bank of England covers FIVE acres
of ground and employs 900 clerks. There
| are no windows on the street. Light is ad-
mitted through open courts; no mob could
take the bank, therefore, without cannon
to batter the INNER walls. The clock In
the center of the bank has fifty dials at
4 tachod 10 1t. Large cisterns are sunk in
the court, and engines in perfect order are
always in readiness in case of fire. The
bank was incorporated in 1864. Capital
800, 100000.
1t must bave been with a proud con-
seriousness of self-control and consistency,
that Henry Wilson said in his recent speech
at Baltimore, 81 come from race of men
who drank, and / believe that drunken
ness is in a great measure hereditary. Yet
1 would as soon drink cup of poison be.
fore my family or before my fellow-m man as
cup Of wine. Whatever my faults,
thank God that no man in my country
ever staggered to drunkard's grave, say.
ing, "Henry Wilson gave me my first
drink"
"A singular suit for damages has just
reached a settlement at Dover, N. II. A
school boy, scuffiing with playmate. four
teen years ago, hurled him against clothes
hook In the entry so that the hook entered
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-21
LIFE ~ THE TROPI(s.

The idea generally entertained of the
tropics is that they are Eden-like regions
Astounding in the most brilliant flowers, the
most magnificent birds, as well as the most
varied and abundant animal life To COM
pare them with temperate regions in these
particulars, to declare that the temperate
zones are, in fact, the true lands of floral
and animal abundance, would have sound
ed to our ancestors like the language of
madmen. Yet the voice of modern dis
covery has dispelled this ideal, as it has de-
stroyed dozen other strongholds of an
cient belief, and our fances must veer to a
new conception of the realms of perpetual
summer. We are now assured that there
Is no special abundance of flowers in the
tropics. Wallace tells us that equatorial
landscapes are marked by fine foliage and
a rarity Of flowers. The large and magni-
ficent flowers which we know to be Of trop-
zeal origin are rare, and are gathered from
widely-separated districts The short pe-
riod of bloom usual in these regions also
causes a paucity of floral adornment, and
as a rule temperate landscapes far exceed
tropical in variety and abundance of flow.
ers. The same may be said in regard tc
bird and animal life, the tropics in thi,
particular also falling far belov the tenn
perates. Strain wandered for week.
through the woods of Central Americt
without seeing an animal, and rarely bird
and as far as he could judge, the riveri
contained no fish. Even the frigid zone'
appear to surpass the tropics in thi
respect Thus in Alaska animal life Il
abundant in summer, and the rivers swarm
with fish; the white hare, the moose, tn,
beaver, abound. The Kamtchatdales hav
thousands of reindeer, and as a rule th,
short summer of the extreme north Il
marked by great animal abundance. S,
in regard to the song of birds. 1t is almos
entirely temperate phenomenon. Som
indeed is rather an exceptional feature thar
an attribute of birds. The singers are com
paratively few, and these few dwell chief.
outside the tropics. Why these few sweet
voiced tribes have been so far favore'
above their contemporaries is one OF th
questions in natural science which We
await a solution. Yet in the tropics ar
found tho largest and fercest beasts, tn
most poisonous reptiles and insects, tn
most brilliant birds and flowers. This car
niverous fierceness may be one principa
reason of the pauclty of life, as 1t needs
wide district to support each of these rapa
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-21

WHERE NICKEL COMES FRoM.-Few peo-
pie are aware that the nickel, from which
our smaller coins are made, comes from
single mine, which Is the only one in the
country that Is now being worked. This
mine Is situated in Lancaster county, Pa.
1t has been worked for seventeen years,
and developed TO a depth of 200 feet. The
length Of this lode Is between two and three
thousand feet, and II produces from four to
six hundred tons per month employing in
the working of the mine a force of It's men.
In the arts, nickel is rapidly growing into
favor as n substitute for silver In plating
steel, iron, and other metal. It's CONNER
cial demand is rapidly increasing, and as 1t
is much cheaper than silver, IL will un-
doubleday he adopted in the manufacture
of many articles as substitute for that
more precious metal. One mine. the Mine
la Motto tract. Missouri, was worked from
1850 to 1855. The ore was the sulphnret.
associated with lead and copper. About
100000 was realized from the groupings OF
the vein. Groupings Of nickel ore are also
found in Madison, Iron aud Wayne coun-
ties, Missouri. The refined metal is worth
SO per pound.-Nei0 York Mail.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-21

FLAVOR OF AMERICAN CHEEsE.-We OBJ
serve that the principal objection to the
cheese in this country is its rank flavor.
1t is richer and more buttery than English
made cheese, but is "too strong We
have carefully looked at the reported trans
actions of our cheese makers here, in order
to learn what causes this rank flavor, and
find it imputed TO "ripening the cheese loo
rapidly" This may cause its tone in some
degree, but we are inclined to think 1t Is In
the use of the rennet. That is used In too
large quantity, or it has in itself, at the
time of using, the germs which soon rpen
into the Objectionable flavor.-N. r. Far
MGR
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-21
IN EoLIAN HARP.-This simp

AN EoLIAN HARP-Ths simple and
primitive musical instrument, from which
the wind can draw the sweetest sounds,
can be made by any person who is at all
handy with a set of ordinary carpenters
tools. Tho Scientific American gives the
following details for making one: MAKE
long fiat box, 20 x9x2 are very good d.
mansions, of very thin sound pine board,
and make every joint perfectly air tight
Cut round hole in the center of the lid,
and stretch by screws several strings Of
fine catgut, lengthwise over the hole, strain
ed over two bridges. Tune all the strings
to the same note, and stand your box up
right in the wind. Il violin strings viii
do for the purpose
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-21

stood shlvering near plymouth Rock one
bleak day in December, 1920. No winter
has passed since that IL has not forced itself
home on the minds of their descendants.
Bnt paper In the March Atlantic propos-
es a remedy for the difficulty, which Is GER
taiuly .as well 'as ingenious. This is
simply the construction of mammoth
green house, not for the cultivation Of ex-
otto plants, but.lor thel purpose Of Offering
to invalids resort where the temperature
shall be always uniform, and the cold Of
winter be unknown. Mr.. Geo. A. Shove,
who makes the proposition, jcontemplates
in his plan the erection OF building en-
tirely of iron and glass, to cover an area of
forty acres. So far as mechanical Difficult
lies are concerned, there Is nothing imprac-
ticable about the project.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-21
Centaur Liniment,

There is pain which the Centaur Imminent will
not relieve, swelling 1t will not subdue, and no
ameness which It will not cure. This Is strong Ian
guage, but it is true Where the parts not gone,
It's effects marvellous It has produced more cures
Of rheumatism, neuralgia, lock jaw, palsy sprains,
swelings, cakedbreasts sealds, burns, salt-rheum,
ear-ache, &c. upon the human Frame and Of strains,
spawn, gals, &c. upon animals in year than have
all other preten ded remedies since the world began
It is counter-irrant, all-healing pain reliever
Cripplcs throw away their crutches, the lame walk,
poisonous bites rendered harmless andthe woun-
ed are healed without a It is no humbug The
recipe is published around each bottle tits selling
article before Sold and 1t sells because it does
just what 1t pretends to do. Those who now suffer
from rheumatism, pain swelling deserve to suffer
II they will not Centaur Linment. More than
1000 certificates OF remarkable cures including frozen
limbs, chronic rheumatism, govt running tumors
&c, have been received. We will send circular CON
tanning certhcaes therecpe, &C., gratis to any one
requesting It, One bottle of the yellow wrapper Cen
Liniment is worth hundred dollars for spay
ined or sweenied and mules, for screw-worm
In sheep. Stock-owners-ths liniment is worth youI
attention No family should be without Centaur Lin
ment. j. B. ROSE Co., New York.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-21

cious animals. SO there may be a lack OF
the food necessary to support other more
gentle creatures. We have an instance OF
this in the temperate zones In the absence
of bird life in the pine forests. The great
woods of Russia are strangely silent from
this cause, the pines seeming incapable OF
sustaining the smaller animal life. The
character of life in the tropics is In ie-
markable accordance with the intensity
of solar light and heat to which they are
subjected. Tho fire of the sun seems
to impart tierceness to the mammals, lis
rich hues give intense brilliance TO birds
and flowers, its production of malaria TO fill
with venom the insects and reptiles. The
equatorial regions are thus truly the lands
of the sun, whose warmth and brilliance
is typitied throughout the tropics In
thousand symbols, even the human race
there gaining an impulsive and passionate
character which is foreign to tue cooler yet
more enduring dwellers within the tenn
perate zones ChdTles Norris.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-21

''Iregard Mr.. Eddy as one Of the most capable and
successful practitioners with whom have had ofical
intercourse.-CHARLES MASON, Commissioner OF
Patents"
81 have nohesitation in assurn INVENTORS hatthey
cannot employ n man more competent and rustWoi =
hy and capable Of putting their applications in
form to for them early and favorable con-
siderAtion at the Patent Office.-EDMUEDB BURKE,
late Commissioner of Patents"
''Mr. r. II. EDDY has made'for mt over THIRTY APP
plicatons for Patents having been almost
every Such unmistakable proof of great talent
and ability his part, leads me to recommend ALL
inventors to apply TO him to procure their patents
they may be Of having the most lattenon
bestowed on their cases, and at very reasonable
charges.-JOHN TAGGART."
Boston, Jan. ls73.-lyl
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-21

THE LUDRICAToRs OF SoCIETY.-There
are lubricators among men, who keep the
machinery of society oiled, so as to pre-
vent its joints from wearing, and its journ
ais from heating. He is a lubricator who
introduces great improvements in the proc
esses of society; but there are men who
prevent the friction which would other
wise he produced by its working. Such a
man l consider one who is thoroughly
good natured. A man who carries dispo-
sition that is characterized by thorough
good-nature, tends to make others good
natured. Other people take from US what
we carry to them and if you go in an ir-
ritable mood to your breakfast, you will
probably find another person who is irrita-
BILE over against you and the irritability
will be there because you carried it. If
you are cold, those around you will SILVER
If you are good natured, men will be apt
to know it, and to respond to your good
nature. Men are as much perceived that
carry good nature in society, as spice-wOod
is that carries sweet odors. God bless good
naturod men, and multiply the number Of
them! There is no danger of there being
too many men who are not easily irrtated,
who look on the bright side of things, and
who tend to solace-meh that you can cush-
ion on, and not touch the hard angles of an
exacting, conscientious spirit-men who,
in ship, or house, or store, or shop are so
sweet that they suggest the more genial.
the kindlier aspects of human life. Iwould
not have all the world good natured.
would not have good nature to be the only
and supreme grace; and there is no danger
of its being so-not the least. But where
there are so many other sterling qualities,
we need fabrication. And blessed are they
that move around about in society so as to
| lubricate it'll. W. Beecher.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-21

A preparation 30 widely and favorably known as
Halls Vegetable sicilian Hair Remover, needs few
words Of praise from This compound has won its
way to the highest favor in the public mind and null
ttudes WIN have vainy used other remedies for the
restoration Of their hair, have trying the sician
Remover been made glad by the speedy restoration OF
their gray hair to its natural COLOR and the thin locks
thckened up, as in the days of early youth 1t also
prevents the hair falling out, makes IT soft and glossy
and is altogether the best preparation for its intended
purposes before the public PhtsburQ Chronicle.