The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-08-15
In the Country.
The Crops, Sc.

During several days OF last week the writer
has had an opportunity of making observa
ton respecting the crops in the towns OF
Freedom, Dayton and Rutland SO far as We
saw the corn along the Chicago road and
eastward for few miles on the cross roads,
the prospect is slim indeed. In many places
the corn has tasscled out and small nubbins
have been formed, but resulting in not over
dozen full formed grains. Many pieces
are very uneven, here and there being a
stalk a foot or two higher than its reighbor,
and hills presenting different shades IF color
from the healthy dark green to the sickly vel
low. Yet here and there are fields that will
yield from twothirds to IA full crop
In Dayton and Freedom the general aver
age seems to be much better, and many fields
for miles have an exceedingly good showing
for fine crop. In several places we saw
farmers charging their corn,cribs, pretty
good sign that they expect larger crop than
heretofore.
Our impression is that the average will be
about two-thrds Of the ordinary yield,
TIEsToRM,
The storm of Sunday night last did no in.
considerable damage. Wheat and hay stacks
were overturned in every direction and scarce,
ly any were left standing untopped,
On Sunday night lightning slr'ick the barn
of Louis Hoppah, in Worthwhile, setting the
building on fire and burning 1t to the ground.
With it were consumed ten horses, eight head
of cattle, forty tons of hay, some grain stacks
ear by and large number ofagrcultural i'm.
plements of various kinds; some grain stacks
in the town of Serena, owned by John Net
bingham, shared similar fate.
TuREsHING.
In oar trip through the town Of Freedom
we observed that almost every one is thresh
ing. We saw three threshers and gangs of
men at work within space of half mile
We found at Mr.. Moab Trumbo's a splendid
new trcshcr owned and run by Harry Brow
er and Morell Brown. They beat all competl-
ton because their power is portable six
horse power steam engine. With from 10 TO IS
lbs. of steam it will steadily run the large
Chicago Pitts thresher all day. The amount
of steam required varies with the condi.
ton Of the grain and state of the wind
The separator works to a charm, apparently
not grain being blown out IN the chat or
carried away in the elevator or stacker.
About three quarters of q barrel of water per
hour is required for the engine and perhaps
third of load of coal. A single span ofhorses
moves the engine except in very muddy wca.
Their AS it has been used for two years in all
positions relative to wind, proximity of stacks
or buildings and no loss by fire has occurred,
there seems to be less danger than one would
apprehend of its setting fire to surrounding
combuStiblcs,
IRENUs BRowER.
This well known and prosperous farmer d. |
serves especial mention because his farm in
general and grounds about his house ant
barns are beautiful. He is putting up sper'
did horse barn--one designed by himself, AMI
which will become a model for his ncighbos \
to follow. His arrangement for watering
his stock OF all kinds with the purest watr
raised Ivy windmill is as nearly perfect va
can be. Like his neighbors, he suffered loss
from the storm, it having blown off abont for
ty bushels of his apples, which he is pressing
into cider Near Mr. Brewers is Mr.. Beach's
residence, and its surroundings speak of com
fort and home. .,..
Mr. Moab Trumbo is putting up very
pretcn,ious two story residence, Mr.. Josiah
Pope of Ottawa being the architect and build
er BEEMUs.