The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1878-11-21
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Pennsylvania furnishes one.fIth OF the
rye produced in this country, 3,577, ,64l bush.
els out of l6,91o,795.
American cotton-drills are finding a
good market in China, and the demand
seems to be steadily increasing.
1t is stated that three>tifth of the fires
in San Francisco are caused by depositng
wood ashes in wooden vessels.
The shipments of grain from New Or
leans during the past year show an increase
of over 100000 bushels over the previous
year.
After hams are smoked and been dried
they may be packed away in barrel be.
tween alternate layers of salt. 'Tis said
they keep through the summer splendidly.
From recently published statements OF
the earnings of the leading railroads in the
country, 1t is shown that a majority of them
have increased earnings on last years bust
ness
American hams sent to Europe, it is
claimed, are largely repacked as Vests
phalan hams and sold in other countries
at an enormous advance on the first cost in
this market.
In 1877 there were drank in the United
StItes 457, 900 barrels OF beer in excess Of
the amount consumed in 1876. The decrease
in the quantity OF whisky used in the same
time was 100000 barrels.
The cottonwood poles used on the line
of the Southern Pacific Railroad to support
the telegraph poles have sprouted, and give
promise of supplying continuous line Of
tlourishing shade trees.
The San Francisco Call estimates the
wheat crop of California at Al, ,35O55O BUSH
els, and barley crop at 2l,l2l $50 bushels
The same paper estimates the surplus wheat
for export at 100000 tons.
India has lost nearly million and
half of people during the past year by the
famine that has prevailed within her Dor.
ders, and the deaths from starvation in
China probably number as many more.
A new silver bonanza has been found
in California. A rich silver ledge OF ore has
been found in Los Angeles County, which
is likely to rival the ComstOGk lode. la
two days two men took out 5000 worth Of
ore.
We may safely estimate the average
cotton crop of the United States from 1870
to 1880 at 5,000,0le bales per annum, or tor
ten years 10000, 600 bales, which, at $50 per
bale, makes the enormous sum OF $2,50O,-
100000.
A delicate mechanical feat was re.
Gently accomplished by matchmaker in
Providence, X. I.,who drilled hole through
the entire length OF a common pin, from
head to point, just large enough to admit
the passage of fine hair.
The Russian leather, so much priced
for durability and grateful smell, is prepared
by the use of the essential oil OF the birch
tree. Bales of it will lie for long time in
damp warehouses without spotting or being
otherwise injured by mildew.
Active opposition to the billiard saloon
is continued in Oberlin, Ohio. A committee
of women took seats in it every evening
until the proprietor excluded them, and
now two are constantly on duty on the side.
walk, dissuading young men from entering.
Bars of pure gold, weighing twenty
ounces each, have been plowed up at or
near Lexington, N. G., to the value Of some
$4,000. 1t is supposed to be tine proceeds
of stage robbery committed some forty
five years ago, when the thieves hid the
metal
The American exhibitors at Paris have
more than proportiOnate share of medals
and other awards. Specimens Of American
coal and wheat receive gold medals, and il
is understood that American canned fruits
and meats will take the highest piizss In
their class.
A recent calculation says tha. she de.
mand for lumber increases in the United
States at the rate of 20 per cent, per annum.
lhe forests decrease at the rate OF 7,000,0O0
acres year. The fences alone are valued
at 81, 500, ,0O0, 900, and they cost each yea,
s9S,000,000.
Kansas City, Missouri, expects soon
to b. lightad with natural gas. In various
places around town people who have sunk
artesian wells have struck gas veins. At
Wyandotte, two miles of, there is an aban>
doned salt bore that for years has given of
rs 900 feet of gas day.
In the Armagh Jail, in Ireland; one of
the rules requires the prisoner TO lie on a
plank and sleep with his clothes on for the
hrst month. A Judge lately gave q shorter
sentence than he otherwise would on &C.
count OF the rule, remarking that he con.
sitered il nothing more nor less than tors
tlre.
Much litigation is likely to grow out
Of the mill explosions In Minneapolis. The
insurance compsnies refuse to pay for the
whole damage, on the ground that they are
liable only for the actual loss BY FIRE; but
the mill owners hold that fire caused the
explosion, and that, therefore, the entire
loss was in consequence Of fire.