davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1874-07-19

Applications for privileges may be made to the Chair
man OF the Committee Of Arrangements.
Entries for all Races to be made at any time previous
to the Festival at the Office OF tho Chairman of the
Committee of Arrangements No I3 Commercial Alley.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-08-01
A PerspicuOus Opinion.

A singularly sagacious person in Belvi-
dere, N j., writes to me to ask whether
the Cubans or Spaniards will be whipped
in the present struggle in Cuba. He
says he wants to know SO that he " can
decide bet" do not complain of the
faulty of this person. He cannot help
it; ne is in such condition of intellectu-
al chaos that he is unable to comprehend
that the prophet Isaiah possessed quail
ties which have not been handed down to
me. He simply yearns to have that bet
decided, and when that is done he will
be happy. ] will try to decide it for him.
After Il careful survey of the situation in
Cuba, ! feel certain that if victory finally
perches upon the banners of the Cubans
the Spaniards will not bring the conflict
to successful conclusion, while if the
Spaniards crush the enemy into the
dust the Cubans can hardly be expected
to reach such an issue as will Justify
their Indulgence in triumphant eXulta-
ton. AT the same time if the Cubans
hould happen to acquire the supremacy
and to eXterminate the Castilian hOrdeS
completely, it is more than likely that
the Spaniards will not achieve Il perma-
nent suppression of the rebellion. OF
course in the event of the complete sub
jugatiOn of the Cubans the efforts of
Spain would be crowned with success
ana tne rcDeiS WOuIu DTODdDIV not ODtaIH
the ascendency. But we cannot close
our eyes to the unquestionable fact that
the Cubans have but to vanquish their
foes in order to surmount every obstacle
to victory; while if this should be the
case the Spaniards would hardly obtain
the mastery as readily as if the contest
should result in the sublugation of the
Cubans. In either event the party that
secured its object would be most likely
to overpower its antagonists, while the
party that suffered repulse would find
the end to be disastrous. This is Il view
of the situation which ought to commend
itself even to thick headed person in
Belvidcre as being definite and con
elusive. If it does not settle that bet
do not know how it can be settled unless
the disputants fight each other for the
stakes. In that event | advise the OPP
poncnt of the man who wrote to me not
to fire at his enemy's head unless he has
shot gun which doesn't scatter, and is
warranted to send projectiles through a
very dense substance.-War 1deler.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-08-01
Motive Power on the Farm.

THIS question is largely governed by
circumstances. Where there is much
work and large amount of power EN-
ployed the mule is the animal to use, as
he can be obtained cheaper, kept cheap
er, and is much longer lived than either
the horse or the OK; beside, he is tougher,
less liable to injury and disease and has
more work in him where endurance is
the test. He is therefore the animal for
the farm where economy is considered.
Hence, where farming is largely carried
Oh the mule is not only the animal
wanted, but he is by far the most profit
able.
a horse team, if good one, as it
should be, will cost, say $500. 1t will
last if properly used, say twenty yea 5.
Divide the $500 by twenty and we have
SO yearly for wear. The interest of
$500 is SCI per year. The keeping of
team, grain so, hay $3.50; total, 1926 per
year. Deducting $26 for the manure,
there will be left $500 yearly expense
for horse team.
\ mule can be raised or purchased at
less cost-shall we say one-third less?
making the wear but So year (reckon-
ing the service forty years, double that
of the horse), interest $l4, expense of
feeding, say, grain $50, other fodder $50,
in all amounting to $149 a year-a diff
terence annually OF sou, or one fOurth.
And yet tn same amount of work, if
not more, is performed. This for one
team, which in the course of mans
average lifetime on the farm will amount
to nice sum. Where II large force is
employed, the advantages of using mule
power will show in large figures.
The question here comes up pertinent
ly whether IL horse or mule team should
be employed where but one is neeled.
There are those who take pride in Il
mule team, even for the carriage, and
good, active mules make "A line appear
ance. The mule can be obtained active
enough, docilc, of II good disposition
atlectionate even, and intelligent. l see
no reason why it should not be more
preferred. \ good NIUE is more reliable
than the horse, cndures more, recuper-
ates sooner from fatigue and exhaustion,
is less liable to hurts, is sure footed, n
good walker, patient, with other desira
BILE qualities. There are those tnat
through bad lineage and bad treatme mt,
are vicious. Some of them are
breachy," stubborn. diminutive, with
other undesirable qualities. A bad mule
and an inferior horse are not wanted on
Il farm.
There is a prejudice against the mule
that is not entertained by those who
know the animal best 1t is through ig-
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-08-01
The Falling Apples.

ALTHOUGH this is set down in the cal
endar for an apple year and the full
blossoms promised a good yield, we al
ready observe great quantities of the
young fruit dropping upon the ground.
There may be enough left upon the trees
to make fair return if they were safe
and certain to mature in good condition.
Unfortunately the fruit already upon the
ground contains within itself sufficient
larvae of insects I'M furious to vegetation to
insure not only the ruin OF all this years
crop but of next years too.
Anybody who will examine these little
apples with Jack knife will find inside
of them and devouring the seeds the
Larvae of the apple-moth, IL tiny, pinkish
worm not more than half an inch long.
Tne egg from which this worm grew " IS
laid in the blow of the apple almost as
soon rs the apple was set after blossom
ing. The Larvae eats the seeds and soon
pushes out of the apple to find a new
nest, usually under the scales of the
bark of the tree itself whence il issues
as a moth in season, according to Trim
Bile, for another raid upon the fruit this
year: it will get back at all events to
spend the nine inclement months under
the bark scale, whence it will issue next
summer 10 repeat the process.
The remedy is first to pick up
the apples as they fall and treat them
in some way to destroy their inhabitants;
second. lest some of the Larvae have al
ready left the apples, to intercept them
on their way up the tree. This may be
done, according to the same authority
above mentioned, by binding the tree
two or three times around with hay
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-08-01

norance that this prejudice or repug-
nance exists, and it is at loss to the
farmer. What is clear is, that we need
The South and West are already sup
piled, and the North and East will find
it for their interest to use this animal
MY remarks have been made on the score
of economy mostly. For show and read
mess, but principally from association,
the horse will be used by our Northern
and Eastern farmers who are well to do
and need but a single team to work their
small farms; or if heavier force is re
quired, the favorite carriage team is not
likely to be dispensed with or replaced
by pair of hybrids, even if rivals of the
horses or superior to them in size, APP
pearance and trustworthiness. The horse
can never be wholly displaced.
AS to the OK team, it can hardly be
said to be IA competitor. Cheapness is
its recommendation. The yoke and
chain are its harness. Its keep com
pares favorably with both the horse and
mule; and SO its original cost. 1t is
handy, always in harness, always ready
and, if a good heavy pair, is fitted for
heavy work, such as blowing sod doing
the work here of three ordinary horses)
hauling heavy loads, etc. But its years
of labor are comparatively few. It's car
cass, however, can be turned off to adj
vantage. But cattle whether oxen, bulls
or cows, will never supplant the mule OF
the horse. The little advantage they
afford is exceptional.-C0r Country Gen
fIa,ouD
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-08-01
Flowers for the Farm.H Ouse.

1t is often said, "there is no time on a
farm for flowers" we never hear this re
mark without feeling of regret, because
we hold that all the beautiful adornings
TO nature within our reach, especially
the flower, are particularly adapted to
the farmers home. If one has much of
work and care, so much the more do they
need these sweet, silent messengers of
beauty to keep them company. We know
better than can be told in words how
much work there is to be done in and
about a farmhouse, and we know TOO
how wonderfully well it pays our work
ing women to grow the lovely flowers
around their country homes. We never
see IL dwelling with no flowers without
thinking of the pleasure lost to its inmates
and also the beauty wanting in the land
scape. Should these lines meet the eye
of any farmers wife who has hitherto
had none of these jewels of nature set
about her home, it is not yet too late to
have few even the present summer
Last years seed planted in July produced
prize flowers for the autumn exhibitions
If household duties keep you almost
consta 1tly in your kitchen, as they some
times will, box of pinks or balsams
Cboth charming box. plants and early
bloomerl may be easily cared for as you
pass in. d out at your daily work; if you
love them well enough you Will ma time
for few; the babe in your arms, if you
have such treasure, will be quoted by
their bright colors, and you will do just
as much work, perhaps more, than when
you had no flowers.
Plants and flowers in hanging baskets
on the piazza, or outside the window, will
be found as pleasing as any way they
can be grown. If set with thrifty plants
in midsummer and watered freely twice
a day, they will be in the height of their
beauty by autumn, when they should be
removed to the house. In nearly every
home plants might be kept the first of the
winter without freezing. They would
certainly give a brighter look to our
rooms on Thanksgiving day, and when
the coolest weather waits for the coming
of the new year we might keep these
relics of summer till Christmas time
Baskets may be made of anything that
can be suspended by cords or slender
chains. Last year we made two very at
tractive baskets from the common scallop
squash after the shell became hard
took out the seed, fastened spruce cones
at the bottom, then stained and var
nished. In one we planted lobelii, in the
other Kenilworth ivy; both of these will
bloom in winter beautifully. German
ivy is more rapid grower and pleasing
everywhere.-H. ". b., IN .ilaericun Earn,
Jonrnat for JaLy
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-08-01

IF the land is plowed near large fruit
trees the pillow should be adjusted to run
only IA few inches deep. The most plausi-
BILE argument that can be advanced
against the practice of blowing the
ground around fruit trees of any kind is
the fact that every tree will send out n
system of coronal roots just beneath the
surface of the soil which will again
throw out branch rootlets in a horizontal
direction, all of which will continue to
multiply until the entire surface of the
ground is completely occupied with open
mouths of hungry rootlets, ready to
drink in the first supply of nourishment
that is dissolved by the falling showers.
1t is as much legitimate habit of fruit
tree to provide a close network of roots
near the surface of the ground as it is to
send other roots downward into the
earth. Every fruit tree, most deciduous
ornamental and timber trees, as well as
evergreens of all kinds, when growing
on dry upland, will send down long
tap-root, for the purpose of reaching
moisture to supply the growing branches
during a dry period in the growing sea-
son. Let the tap-rOot be removed, and
the tree will make but slow growth, be-
cause its habit has been interfered with.
The same is true touching the upper
system of coronal or secondary roots ne ar
the surface of the ground. These are
what are properly called the feeders of
the parent stem. They should not be
mutilated nor removed, as they usually
are cut off and torn away by the pillow.
All vegetation should be kept down
around fruit trees as far from the body
as the extremity of the longest branches,
by hoeing the surface over frequently or
by the application of few inches in
depth of a mulch. Fruit trees may bear
! well when every coronal root has been
| removed with the plow; but if those
roots had not been removed the crop of
| fruit would have been more abundant
| hep York Paper.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-08-01
History OF Maps.
BY RUFUS BLANCHARD.


Away back in the 42d Olympiad, when
Kings ran foot-races with "newsboys,"
almost 800 years before the Christian
era-thsre dwelt at Miletus, Thales, one
of the Seven Wise Men of Greece. 1t is
enoughto say of him that he was Grecian
philosopher. Whether he ever had a
sheepskin diploma or not, don't matter.
History gives him the credit of introduc-
ing to the world the familiar theory of
the signs of the Zodiac, and of being the
first one to calculate eclipses. This in
formation was given to the world shortly
after his return from Egypt, that famous
old seat of learning in those days. Like
other wise men of his age he gloried in
imparting instruction to his peers, and
particularly to the youth of his country.
Anaximander was one of his fortunate
pupils, and not only made himself mas
ter of the science of his tutor, but car
ried his researches even beyond that dis
tiDguisbed old sage. Without the assist
ance of any cornerlot endowment or
other auxiliary that we know of, he sec
up school, and probably taught philoso-
ply To him is ascribed the honor Of
discovering the obliquity of the Zodiac.
He was a famous traveller, cleaning from
every part of the then known world
materials for the development of science :;
and, the better to disseminate the infor-
nation derived from his studies and
travels, he published map of the world
as it was then known. To him, there
fore, belongs the honor of being the first
inventor of maps.
Two hundred years later, Socrates. by
way of reproof to Alcibiades for his pride,
told him to look on the map for his
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-08-01
Exceptional Foods.

DR.. PAvY, in his work on Food and
Dietetics," devotes a chapter to the emu
meratiOn of the exceptional animal foods
eaten in different parts of the globe. We
learn from it that almost every creature
living, however obnoxious, is, in some
country or other, esteemed dainty or Il
useful article of diet. Spiders are eaten
by the Bushmen and Inhabitants of New
Caledonia. Grasshoppers are eaten by
the Bushmen and Ute Indians White
ants are highly relished by the natives of
Australia and the tribes along the banks
of the Zonga. Bees are eaten by various
peoples. The Moors of West Barbary
consider the honeycomb filled with young
bees great delicacy. Several varieties
of moths are in favor with the Austria
lians; one species, called bugong, having
large and unctuous bodies, is preferred
by them to any other article of food.
Caterpillars were eaten by the ancient
Romans, and are still in favor with the
South Africans. Grubs of all kinds are
devoured by the Australians. The chry-
sails of the silkworm is food for the
Chinese.
Locusts are eaten in great quantities,
both fresh and sailed, by the Persians,
Egyptians, Arabians, Bushmen, North
American Indians and others. They have
a strong vegetable taste-the flavor vary
ing with the plants on which they feed
Df.Livingstone thought them palatable
when roasted. Diodorus Siculus and
Ludolphus refer to race of people in
Ethiopia who subsisted on locusts
Ludolphus remarks: For it is IA very
sweet and wholesome sort of diet, by
means of which certain Portuguese gar
| rison in India that was ready to Weld fol
want of provision held out until it was
relieved another way" Madden states
in his Travels: The Arabs make "A sort
of bread of locusts. They dry them and
grind them to powder, then mix this pow
| der with water, forming them into rounC
cakes which serve for bread" Snails il
Europe and slugs in China have Il repu
| tation as delicate articles of nutriment
Lizards, snakes, frogs, dogs, cats, mice
| and birds'-nests are eaten by the Chinese
loads are eaten by the South Africans
and large frog called matta-metto
which when cooked looks like chicken
Sea-urchins are much sought after as foot
in different parts of Europe, and sea-cu
cumbers are eaten by the inhabitants o
China and the South-Sea Islands.
A tribe of Ottomacs on the Rio Negro
subsist principally during the rainy sea
son upon fat, unctuous clay found il
| their district. The japanese also eat this
clay, made into thin cakes, called tana
ampo. Ehrenberg found that the clay
consisted chiefly of the remains of fresh
water animals and plants of microscopic
size. A kind of earth known as bread
meal is still largely eaten in Northern
Europe; and similar substance calico
mOuntain-meal has been used in North
ern Germany in times of famine. Va
rious tribes of Africa eat clay in the in
tervals between their meals, preferrins
that which is taken from ant-hills The
inhabitants of various countries are adj
dicted to the use of clay-the natives OF
Australia being VIGOROUSLY so.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-08-01
The Onion MaggOt.

THE maggot is the onion growers
worst foe, and those who endeavor to
crush the power of an enemy before it
becomes troublesome are wiser than
those who endeavor to put stop to its
progress after it has become formidable
1t is generally admitted that the maggot
is the onion fly in its larval state, or in
its first stage after leaving the egg. 1t is
in this stage of its existence, and no
other, that it can be styled an insect in
furious to vegetation; and if we can de
stroy the eggs, or prevent their being de-
posted in the onion fields, we are at
once rid of the enemy.
Having noticed some of the habits of
the onion fly, | am inclined to the opinion
that they select, as far possible, par
TALLY decOmposed onion tops in which to
deposit their eggs. When onion tops
and solutions are allowed to decay upon
the surface of the ground, in process of
time they become natural breeding bed
and attract flies from the surrounding
country in larger numbers than can be
accommodated by those beds. They next
attack the weaker plants, and sometimes
those which are making a strong, luxuri-
ant growth, to puncture and deposit their
eggs in the stalk. If the weather is
warm these eggs hatch in few days,
and the maggots commence their dcprc-
dations upon the crop.
1t has been my own practice to care
fully turn under all refuse matter upon
the onion field late in the autumn dress
literally with well fined manure, leaving
it upon the surface exposed to the anne
liorating influence of the winters frost
and the drenching rains of springtime
SOW early in thoroughly pulverized
ground, and attend carefully to the after
culture With this treatment the crop
usually gets an early start, makes a Wig
orous growth, and is able to withstand
all attacks of the enemy or changes in the
weather. think damage by the maggot
in this vicinity would not amount to 5
per cent. of the crop in the most unfavor-
able years.-Cor. Neao England Farmer.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-08-01
Reptile Hunting in Arkansas.

THE most relentless industry of the
Springs is the capture of tarantulas and
centipedes to sell to visitors. The taran-
tula is horrible hairy spider, immense
in size and very poisonous. The cent?
pede is long worm with innumerable
horned feet. The bite of a full-grown
tarantula is dangerous, while that of the
centipede is painful. Neither will at
tack man, but, on the contrary, will get
out of the way as rapidly as possible,
but each has disgusting habit of get
ting into houses and lurking in places
where they are liable to be trOdden on
or clasped unawares in the fingers, in
which event they are heard from. In
the Hot Springs vernacular they are
trantlers" and Santa Fes." The rep
tile hunter, carrying with him several
glass jars, explores the mountain sides
turning over such stones as look promis-
ing, and when he finds a Santa Fe" or
a "trantler" he drives it in the mouth of
the jar and closes it up. The reptiles
are killed, preserved in alcohol and sold
to visitors. The prices fluctuate, as a
matter of course. The holder will ask
an outrageous price and take what he
can get. | have seen an average specl-
men of the centipede sold for So. When
l first went to the Springs tarantulas
were high, fair specimen being worth
So; but afterward 1 saw them go a beg
cling at the shameful ngure of fifty cents
each. AT the latterra rates even the poorest
of men could afford to have "a tarantula,
but it's rough on the dealer. The num-
Der of specimens offered for sale gives an
impression that the country swarms with
these poisonous reptiles. But the fact
is they are far from abundant, and the
industrious hunters keep the country
well cleaned. l think l travelled about
1000 miles in the vain endeavor to get a
centipede or tarantula from first hands.
did see little centipede one day, about
two inches in length, but it got away
While sitting on the piazza of the Cen.
trail one evening, ! saw something black
and apparently about the size of a two
weeks-old chicken run across the road
and under the dresses of couple OF
ladies who were walking along. There
was a succession of shrieks, but the two
ladies were game, and picking up stones
they soon spoiled as fine specimen of
tarantula as / ever saw. 1t was very
large and very hideous in its appearance
Likewise Mr.. Joseph T. Long, who had a
room at Maj. Gaines, on the hill, had q
tarantula adventure. He was awakened
one night from a sweet dream of peace
by female shrieks and cries for help from
an adjoining room. Mr. Long flew to the
rescue, and in the moonlight saw the
CHASTITY form of an immense tarantula
crawling up the wall. He stabbed at il
with poker, chased it into a corner
and finally slew it, earning the everlast
ing gratitude of the lady.-Cor. Indian
0Do[is Herald.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-08-01

THROUGH ALL THE AGES of study and
investigation which have marked the
path of scientific discovery, one especial
ly alluring object has tempted the in
quiries and spcculations of philosophers.
1t is what the wizards and witches of
olden time, the jugglers of India, sooth-
sayers of Arabia Magi of Egypt, NEGRO
mancers of Turkey and the Orient and
alchemists of civilized Europe have
sought, but sought in vain--a vegetable
non poisonous Elirir, which, by cleansing
the blood, removing from the system all
impurities, strengthening the nerves, the
muscles and the brain, and vitaliZing every
fiber of the system, should bid defiance to
the corroding hand of disease.
DIR. Walker, of California, discovered an
herb the properties of which, if they do
not entirely fulfill all the conditions above
mentioned have at least proved them
selves efficacious in all of them; this herb
Doctor Walker has made an ingredient
in his famous VINEGAR BITTERs which
can be obtained of any wholesale druggist
throughout the country. Al
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-08-01

the ophthalmoseopcs, stethoscopes, spec
troscopes, curious mirrors, etc, the hui
man body in most of its parts is brought
quite within the field of vision, SO that
dark cavities and deeply-hidden organs
are illuminated and forced to reveal to
the eye the nature of morbid conditions.
The future for scientific surgery, and also
for medicine and chemistry, is full of
promise One difficulty after another
will be surmounted in the years to come,
and perhaps there will remain ultimately
but one great physical catastrophe which
cannot be overcome by human skill, and
that is death.-Boston JournM IF Chemts-