davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25
The Action of Drains.

In my travels among farmers, and es-
pecially among those who believe in
drains and their attendant improve
ments, am surprised that many do not
properly understand the manner, or
rather position, in which the water en-
tiers the drain. It is of course under
stood, that drain only removes surplus
water, and hence a common barrel filled
with earth may be taken as the repre-
sentative of the undrained soil. If into
this barrel we pour water until the earth
becomes saturated, the surplus will run
over the top, and our barrel represents
a soil too wet for cropping. If, pre-
vious to putting in the water, we make
holes in the side of the barrel at differ
ent distances from the bottom, they will
represent so many drains laid at differ
ent depths. If we now pour in the
water, we will find that il will first sink
to the bottom of the barrel, until all
the soil is saturated, and then the sur
plus will rise and run out at the lowest
opening If this affords it vent as fast
as poured in at the top, it will rise no
higher, but if the supply exceeds the
ability of the opening, the level will
rise until it does not find escape even
though this be over the top. So it is
with the open soil. All soils have a
point at which the water permanently
stands in some places on high land
this point is so far below the surface,
and in low lands too near the surface
for successful farming. When rain
falls, it sinks into the soil until it meets
this water level, and raises it in exact
proportion to the amount of rain if
deeper openings are not found the low
ground is overlooked, but if properly
constructed drains are laid, the surplus
escapes before approaching sufficiently
near the surface to interfere with the
crops. Even when the drain is too
small to Immediately give vent to all
the surplus water, no harm ensues, be-
cause the action of the drain is kept up
to its full extent after the rain ceases to
fall, and until the level is reduced to
that of the bottom of the drain. We
may then assume that water enters the
drain from the bottom, and that on soft
ground drains are often closed by the
soft mud or quieksand, being forced up
from below, and very seldom, if ever,
from material from above, hence on this
kind of bottom it is safest to use mar
row boards under the tile. Theoreti-
cally, this water level should be at the
bottom of the tile all over the drained
land, but practically, it is found to rise
between the drains to a height which
varies with the nature of the soil and
the distance of the drains apart. This
is changeable to the capillary &C ion of
the soil, raising the water like a sponge
Cor. Country Gentleman.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25
The Apple.

The apple, which is valued above all
other fruits of northern climates, is the
descendant of the wild crab.tree, which
is found very generally in the Temper
ate zone of both hemispheres. 1t is
mentioned in the Bible, by HerOdotus,
and by Pliny, the latter of whom emu
merates twenty varieties that were Guilt
waited in his time. 1t was in extensive
use by the Romans, and was probably
introduced by them into England.
After the establishment of Christianity,
we find that the monks planted large
orchards, and rendered the fruit COM
mon throughout the island. It was
brought to New England by the early
settlers, and orchards we're set out by
the colonists and the Indians in all the
original states. The apple is now one
of the most widely-diffused of the fruit
trees, but it succeeds best in cooler
parts of the Temperate zone. It occurs
in Arabia, Persia, the West Indies, and
on the Mediterranean but, in these
countries, thefruit is small and inferior
1t reaches its greatest perfection in the
United States, where more than a mil
lion of acres areOccupied with orchards.
The value Of the crop in 1870 vas over
S47, OC0, 900. Large quantities of apples
are exported from this country to Eng
land, CHINA, and the East Indies.
The apple-tree is hardy and long
lived. The best artificial varieties re-
main in good bearing condition from
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25
Taking a Hint From Nature,

Even what are called poor lands are
comparatively productive when fresh.
The forest growth has drawn up from
the depths of the subsoil the fertilizing
elements, assimilated them, and finally
given them back largely to the land in
the decayed leaves, branches and trunks,
which have strewed the earth for centu-
ries. Much that was originally buried
in the subsoil now enriches the SUFFICE
soil, where we also find good supply
of humus. Now, what have we been
accustomed to do with such fresh land?
We have been wont to take from it
succession of crops, returning little or
nothing to the soil, till it has become
what we call ''wern out" the
available plant-foed becoming so far
exhausted that it no longer pays to Gull
tivate it. What happens then? An
other cold field" is added to the vast
area of artificial barrenness which dis
graces our country. Patient nature
takes possession again, and by the same
process by which she originally made it
fertile, proceeds to restore it's lost vir-
tues. But "the mill of the gods
grind slow" II takes long time for
new forest to grow up and decay. Ma
ture needs not to take accounted months
and years, or even of centuries; but
can we not take a hint from her, and
gain the same end bv a similar, but
more rapid process In other words,
can we not make the land manure itself
by a succession of quick growing crops,
turned under-that is, by green soiling?
And is not this one of the essential pro-
cessess of rational agriculture ?
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25
The Best Profit.

It is important that the farmer should
turu every thing to the best account
his stock, his orchards, his meadows,
his fields, garden, his time. And moth
ing is more important than his time.
Summer and winter, spring and fall,
his time is alike of great value to him.
1t Is mistake that only in seed-time and
harvest his time is precious. 1t is a
mistake that the winter hours are of but
little value. 1t is mistake that the
winter evenings can not be turned to a
profitable account. The farmer and his
sons should count the winter evenings
as q kind of seed-time. Their agricul-
tural papers and books may furnish the
seed. Every farmer should, in the fall,
supply himself with a winter stock of
agricultural books. They are the best
stock in his trade; will prove the most
profitable stock on his farm if he reads
them well. The information they will
afford him will be of more value to him
in his next seasons operations than the
same amount of money and time expend-
ed in any other way. It is a mistaken
notion that the farmer need not read,
need not study. As we'll may the ply
sician, the lawyer or minister, neglect
his books. They are of no more ser
vice to any professional man than they
are to the farmer. The books of any
profession contain the best experience
and wisdom of the leading minds in
that profession. So the agricultural
books contain the best that is known on
the subjects on which they treat. Shall
the farmer be ignorant of the best in
formation relative to his business? He
should remember that his expience is
very limited. Every mans must be.
Let him read for the experience of the
many. Let him put the winter even
ings to seeding his own mind with in
formation. He can not know too nu 3h
about his business. Information is
money to him. It is capital stock which
will always be productive. The farmers
who know the most about their business
are most successful, other things being
equal. An hour each evening devoted
to solid agricultural reading, would be
of immense benefit. The books can
easily be had. They can be got through
the post-ofice for a trifing expense.
Papers can easily be had. We would
be glad to assist any farmer to get any
book or books he wants. 1t is ours to
assist. We live for the farmer and his
interests. We can do most good by
spreading information. We are anxious
to do it. We want to see this great
valley blossom with the richest and
most varied harvests of the world. We
shall see it only when the farmers are
we'll informed. Then get books and
read them, that the golden era may
come, when knowledge shall run to and
iro, and shall make the soil yield him
its richest treasures. World.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25
Windows in Horse-stables.

A German paper states some curious
facts relating to the position of windows
in horse stables, and their power to eff
feet the eyes of horses. Inone instance,
the horses of a farmer-fine animals,
celebrated for their excellent condition
were kept in a stable lighted only by
a small window at one side. When
light was needed for work, the door was
temporarily left open the result was,
that nearly all of these animals had eyes
of unequal strength, and in time a num-
Der of them became blind on the side
toward the window. Strong light di-
rected in the horses faces has been
found to weaken the sight. The. worst
position of ell for a stable window is in
front of the horses and much higher
than their heads. An officer had bought
a perfectly sound mare from gentle
man whose stable was lighted by win
dows at the rear of the stalls. The
animal was sound and perfectly salts
factory. After three months she became
suddenly ground shy;" on examining
her eyes they were found to be directed
upward, and this was explained by the
fact that the windows of the officers sta
BILE were situated above the head of the
stalls, the eyes being generally drawn
in that direction. She was removed to
another stall, where the light was ad-
mitted from all sides, and in three
months time the difficulty had disap-
peared.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25

fifty to eighty years. In New England
many specimens still yield fruit which
are known to be nearly 200 years old.
In England it is grown either as stan
dard tree, an espalier, or wall-tree,
and is variously trained. It is usually
grated on crab stocks, or sometimes on
hawthorn stocks and introduced into
hedges. Trees are frequently dwarfed
by using low variety called the Para
disc apple for stock. When reduced
to the size of currant or gooseberry
bush, these dwarfed trees will often
bear abundantly. The wood of the
apple-tree is hard, durable, and fine
grained. The fruit yields malic acid,
which is used for medicinal purposes.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25

IT Runs LIKE A PRAIRIE FIRE.-Dr.
Walkers Vinegar Bitters runs like a
prairie fire. The fame of the Temper
a7ce Tonic is, however, but poorly ex-
emplified by this figure of speech for
a prairie fire runs only in one direction,
whereas the reputation Of the Bitters
spreads towards all points of the COM
pass. There is not square mile of in
habited territory in the United States,
where this meritorious preparation is
not appreciated. If any theoretical
gentleman thinks he is prepared to show
that there is "nothing in it," we ad-
wise him to go to the Prairie States, in
the Mississippi Valley, to the deltas of
Southern rivers, to New England, in
fact, anywhere within the limits of
Uncle Sans real estate" and ven
tilate his views. By so doing he can
raise heartier and more general laugh
than has ever yet shaken the sides of
an intelligent people. Persons who
have been cured can't help laughing at
other people, who tell them that the
medicine which saved their lives is a
failure.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25
Long-Legged Horses.

For most everyday purposes short
legged horses are in general preferred,
because in themselves they indicate
superior strength, and because, by ma
ture, they are associated with depth of
chest and carcass, and other signs OF
stamina and durability; but the long
leg possesses advantages in stride ana
leverage, and therefore, where speed is
required, becomes desirable formation.
The length of limb must very much de-
pend on the purpose the animal is des-
tined for; a long leg would be as i'll
adapted for a cart-horse, as a short one
would be for racer. To get over the
ground length becomes absolutely nee
essary In the propelling parts of the
machine, and these are the loins and
the limbs. Occasionally we meet with
horses with long limbs and short bod
les but such are rare ami undesira-
BILE conformations-the limbs doing too
much for the body, or rather, the latter
restricting them in their action.
People in general make objection to
horses with undue length of limb; such
horse has " too much daylight under
meath him to be god for anything, is a
common expression enough in these
cases, and 20rin1G f0cie-4nd in nine
cases, perhaps, out of ten-these people
are correct in their disapprobation.
BQt every now and then comes horse
before us with all this apparent objec-
tionable sub corporeal daylight" and
yet with extraordinary power in hislong
limbs, with circularity in his chest,
though it be not deep, and with the
known character of being ga good
feeder after work ;" and when such a
horse does present himself, we may,
should ne possess breeding, regard
him, notwithstanding his long legs apd
light body, as an animal of rare and
valuable description. His legs, having
but little to carry, are therefore likely
to "wear we'll" and he is likely to prove
a feet horse, and withal good -winded
horse-one THAT is likely to turn out
most valuable acquisition. One ought
not hastily to reject horse with long
limbs and their ordinary accOmpani-
ment, light carcass Prairie Farmer.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25
Drawing the Lucky Num- bera in Fosters
Texas Prize Concert.

We find the following notices in the Houston
papers, touching the manner in which the
drawing on the 22d ult. was conducted
The Opera House was well filed on Friday
with anxious ticket holders, and many curious
to see the drawing of the thirteen hundred
and seventy-two prizes which we're to be
taken from the great " wheel of fortune"
THE COMMITTEE
of gentlemen was the best that could have
been selected by the audience. Hon. d. U.
Barziza, who supervised the drawing, is our
present Representative, and one of the most
popular men in the district,
TIE DRAWING
was prefsced by sn explanation from Captain
Foster, OF the mode adopted. This was well
received and understood, precisely Is was ex-
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25
sob. dear | oh. dearI''

And Hannah began to cry, while Janet
burst into peal of irresistible laughter.
"Don't fret about it, aunty, dear :"
she consoled her relative at last. eff
he loves you truly, he won't mind a lit
tie cold water. He'll know there was
some misunderstanding.
But the inference was, that Prof.
Keith did not love Miss Bemis truly, for
he left the town the same day, and never
again made his appearance.
For love is a tender plant and easily
chilled, and the pitcher of cold water
had settled the question. And Janet
was married first.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25
A CARD TO THE PUBLIC.
A short POstpOnement OF the Fifth GIFT


AS manager of the gift concerts given in aid Of
the Public Library OF Kentucky. my position Gre
ates an important trust in behalf OF the Public
Library and the ticket holders of the fifth gift
concert The Public Library of Kentucky and the
ticket he ders jointly intere tied in the amount
of the drawing The larger the fund to be distrfb-
ted in g Is, the greater will be the gift awarded
each lucky tiCket-hOlder and the more the amount
realized by the library. To have fun drawing
is maniestly to the interest OF those interested
that, rather than have fractional drawing on the
3Jth inst, deem it due to the ust COnfded 10 me
by the ticket FOLDERS aud the Public Library of
Kentucky, that a short pOstpon ement be made to
enable to dispose of the unsold tickets and
have fun drawing. Though the very large
amount n " in bank wOud enable us TO distribute
handsome gifts, yet we should feel disappointed in
this, our last concert should we be compete to
make fractional drawing, however large.
We have received so very large number OF let
from all parts of the country from those most
largely interested urging pOspOnement if all
the tickets be not sold by the 39th, that we feel
siren gthened in sense of duty TO the tic ct.
holders and the Public Library. to make the post
pOnement Under the cirsu instances we have
pone the concert and drawing to Saturday, Feb
ruary q 1875, at viii h time the drawing will
positively take place; and a guarantee OF good
faith toward r1cket-bolders, we pledge ourselves
to refund 10 any ticket holder his money, upon
presentation Of his ticket should the drawing fail
to come off at the day now fixed. The past, we
feel assured will be sufficient guarantee to all in
terested that they Will be fairly and honestly dealt
with. The money paid for tickets is sacredly pre-
served against contingencies until after the pay
ment of the gifts, after whic the expenses are TO
be reimbursed and the Public LIBRARY is to be paid
its profits
Nov. %, 1874. Agent and Manager.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25

Here is " Laughing joe ~ the neRhboIs call
m. He lives in the country. near a pnstOfiCe, and
cry week. on mail day, he waits WIth Joyous \.
citations for It's arrival. II the weather h pleas
ant. you may . HIM asride OF two crOsS.stakrs.
shaped Ike an v. watching the road. The neigh
bOr- always know. when they see on his face n
broader grin than usual. tha the staRe N IN sight.
Then he runs 10 secure the first place at the post
Office window. but he Is never kept wAitine lune.
the postm aster, seeing ms eager lace and know
ing why he il there. searches at once FOR the
Of the YOUNG FOLKS NEWS with Jor's
name upon it, other boys are there, and girls
too. eager as Joe 10 obtain their copies OF the
YOUNG FOLKS NEWS, and the ncighbOrs
say that all who take the paper seem better a'd
YOUNG FOLKS NEWS by sending SI.25,
an you will obtain also n beautiful Chrome for a
present; for 81 80 the Chrome will be sent
mounted Noun ed ChrOmos are ready FOR fran
ing Or, n you prefer " 10 M on ne bOotF Fra,"
you may send three-cent stamp tor specimen
coDy. ALFRED MARTIEH, Publisher,
SOnth SeNenth street, BhIlade IphiR.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25

Now is the time to buy presents for
Christmas. Combine beauty and utility, and
give your gentlemen friends a carton contain
ing one hundred Elmwood Collars. They will
last him some time, and he will think Of you
with pleasure every time he puts on one.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25

PROBABLY no one disease is the cause
OF SO much bodily misery and unhappiness
land the disease is almost universal among
the American people, as dyspepsia. It's causes
are many and various, lying chiefly in the
habits of our people. The remedy is simple
and efectual. Use DIR. Wishart's Great Amer
lean Dyspepsia Pills. They never fail to cure.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25

-" How a woman can resemble a
symphony ?" is the subject of recent
newspaper article. It would seem fun
ny if she couldn't. When a woman
really sets about it, che can resemble
almost anything, from a catamount up
to an angel inpetticoats.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25

DIR. TUFTS Pills cures Dyspepsia and its ssso-
ciate disorders. Sick Headache, Costveness Piles,
Liver Complaint Jaundice, Dropsy, Bilious Fever
and Skin Diseases.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25

There are fifty missionary assoeia-
tions in the United States, whose annu-
al expenditures reach the large sum of
sc, 900, 600. OF this amount the Metho-
dist church contributes 800, 600; the
Presbyterian, 800, 900 and the Episco-
pal and Congregational churches about
$500, 600 apiece,
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25

A protruding toe is not 8 slightly
thing, say nothing about health and comfort.
SILVER TIPPED Shoes never wear out the
toe. For sale by all dealers.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25
Ar sE5
Une1Celled by any Weekly Literary
Publication, East or West.
CANVASSERS WANTED IN EVERY
TOWN IN THE UNITED STATES.

The most Liberal Premiums and Club Rates ever
offered By any Newspaper. Write for Circuial
containing full Information, etc. specimen oopie
Furnished on application. Addreas
TVE LEDGER COMPANY, CHICAGO. I'LL
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25

0TTD T. la BTKa FAInNB" contains , AFLlclea
w Nkneeded by every LAdy-PALamt Needle
IThreader, Scissors, Thimbis. etc.-Ehaf
hnMkAnteed worth so. sample boz, By mail
III r. IN ~ cents, Agents wanted PLUME a 20.
hu VS. South EgAth Strest Philsdelp6ie, PA
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25

Go to Riverside Water Cure, Hamilton, Ill
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25

TIE huge, drastic, gripping, eickening pills,
constructed of crude, coarse and bulky ingre-
dients. are fast being superseded by Dr.
Pierce's Pleasant Purgative Pellets, or Su-
gar Coated, Concentrated Root and Herbal
Juice, Anti-Bilious Granules-the Little
Giant Cathartic or Multum in Pdrco Physic.
Modern Chemical Science enables DR.. Price to
extract from the juices of the most valuable
roots and herbs their active medicinal prino-
pies, which, when worked into little Pellets or
GranuIes, scarcely larger than mustard seed,
renders each little Pellet as active and power
full as large pill, while they are much more
palatable and pleasant in effect.
DIR. Ira A. Thayer, of Rsconsburg, Ohio,
writes: L regard your Pellets as the best
remedy for the conditions for which you pre-
scribe them of anything have ever used, so
mild and certain in effect and leaving the
bowels in an excellent condition, 1t seems to
me they must take the place of all other ca
thartic pills and medicines"
Lyon & Macomber, druggists, vermilion.
D. T., say We think they are going 10 sell
like hot cakes as soon as people get acquainted
With them and will spoil the pill trade, as those
that have used them like them much better
than large pills.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25

@7Nn and expenses a month to agents. Addres
OZUU A. L. STODDARD, Jonesvile, Mich.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25
$1,000 PER WEEK

GENTS WANTED-Men and women s34
"A week or sos forfeit ed. The secret free. Write
al once to COWEN & CO. sth street, New York
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25

planned by the circulars. Captain Foster said
that while he wished all his home people good
luck, he was free to say that with the people
Of poor Mississippi, Louisiana and South Car
DINA, he felt greater sympathy, and he did
hope they would draw the largest number Of
the prizes, that they might come to free
country, and make white mans living. This
sentiment was received with loud cheers.
The drawing was then proceeded with, and
the result is announced elsewhere.--The Age.
Not even the most captious and suspecting
person could take exceptions to the manner of
the drawing. 1t was fair, honorable and
equitable.
The committee and recorders we're Of our
very best citizens, and kindly gave their time
and labor to the superintendent of the draw
ing, or ra' her did the actual labor OF it.
Captain Foster has acted honorably and
fairly throughout the whole management of
this enterprise, and has given no one the
slightest cause to suspect any wrong intention
on his part. While some money has been
made by the venture in all probability, yet the
property given as prizes has only Melted fair
price, and the profit ia only in exchange Of the
property for cash.-T7te Telegraph.
The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-25

R15 s0n per day ct home. Terms free. Address
VI" Z ~SO GEO. STTNsON n Co.. Portland. Maine