davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-10-10
Plants Absorbing Poison.

In relation to the absorption of poison
Gus substances by plants, ID. Il. Davy,
professor of agriculture, and of agricul-
tural chemistry in the Royal Dublin
Society of Ireland, has made a series
Of experiments that show conclusiyely
that arsenic largely employed in the
preparation of superphosphate and
other commercial manures is largely
taken up. "To ascertain whether
plants really take up arsenic when pre-
scented to their roots i'll the soil, Dr.
Davy transplanted into flower pot
u few small plants of peas, and when
they were established he commenced
watering them every second or third
day with a saturated aqueous solution
of arsenic acid, and this treatment was
continued for more than week with
out any injurious effects upon the
plants. At this period DIR. Davy left
them till they were full grown, had
lowered and fruited. On chemical ex.
animation he detected arsenic in them,
both in the heritage and Seeds" 1t be-
ing satisfactorily established that plants
would take up arsenic in considerable
quantities without destroying their
vitality, or apparently even interfering
with their proper functions, DIR. Davy
proceeded to ascertain whether arsenic,
as it existed in artificial manures,
would in like manner be taken up by
plants growing where these manures
had been applied. The plants operated
on in this instance were cabbages,
planted in soil consisting ofone part Of
super-phosphatet to four of garden mold.
When n plant had grown in this soil for
three weeks, he cut off its tops, tested
it for arsenic, and found much of that
substance. Finally, to ascertain if
arsenic could be detected in crops
grown with super phosphate in the or
from fields in which this manure had
been used, and obtained from them the
most unmistakable evidence of having
been arseniated. Facts thus collected
are important and in the words of q
commentator, although the quantity Of
arsenic which occurs in such manures
is not large when compared with their
other constituents, and the proportion
of that substance which is thus added
to the soil must be small, still, plants
may, during their growth, as in the case
of alkaline and earthly salts, take up a
considerable quantity of this substance,
though its proportion in the soil may be
very small. Further as arsenic is
well known to be an accumulative
poison, by the continued use of veget-
ables containing even a minute pro-
portion of arsenic that substance may
easily collect in the system till its
amount may exercise injurious effect
on the health of men and animals. =
Practical Farmer.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-10-10
History of Clocks and Watches.

The clock, which mt the present day
is considered an almost indispensable
article in every household in the land
and the watch, which is generally re-
Quired TO complete the wardrobe Of
nearly every man and woman, compar-
ed TO the history of the world, are but
of recent origin or invention.
The ancients" used to mark the pro
gress Of time by the moving OF the
heavenly bodies, and for more brief
space by the shadow Of the sun cast on
ii sun dial, certain marks on the dial
noting the length Of time. The dial is
used to-day, and the sun ut its true
meridian is found through this system
ut the present time. The North Ameri
can Indians fixed their time and age, OF
any event, by SO many moons, and sc
many winters, and leaves falling from
the trees. Less time was 80 many suns
or days in certain moons. by this way
OF computing time, an old Indian could
tell how many days, months and Year,
he had lived.
In the absence Of the sun, the ancient,
always used clepsydra, u vessel con
tanning water escaping through a small
oriice III equal quantities ut cqua
times. A floating body III u vessel which
received the water, denoted the tim,
BY It's rise 10 certain numbers on I'll,
side Of the vessel. The Romans III
uoduced this instrument in the days 0
Pompey, from Greece, seventy year
before the Christian era. They employ
cd il u denote the length Of speoehe
in the Roman Senate.
The sand or hour glass was All ancien
invention, and used III Egypt before til
days of Christ This cheap and conyc
nient instrument has been handed dow
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-10-10
Origin.of Poultry.

IL must be confessed that Asin is the
home of our most valuable domestic
fowls, with tho exception Of the turkey.
AT least to that continent must we look
for their earliest domestication. The
goose and duck, however, appear to be
indigenous to no particular part Of the
globe. But the genus Guitas IL, UNI
doubleday. Asiaiic, and il is to this day
found in India and Java in u widstate,
and affords M much sport to the hunts
man IA does the pheasant in England
or the prairie fowl in this country. I'm
doubtedly I'LL our varieties come from
the Gal0S Bdnkita. Although the colors
and markings Of tho wild fowl are near
ly uniform, there IL sufficient variety to
account for the many changes which,
undor domesticntion, Tie species is
capable
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-10-10
Whent Culture.

The time for seeding wheat should
he regulated by the appearance or non
appearance OF the Hcsslan tly. In
localities where the fly does not appear,
II il we'll 10 SOW early enough for the
plant to make u good, strong fall growth.
Tho larger and stronger the roots, the
more certain il is To withstand the
froats of winter. But where the fly has
made its appearance, il is far better TO
risk the winter killing than tho fly.
The more rapid the growth of wheat
when II comes up, tho surer II il OF
escaping tho rayages of this insect.
The value Of gunno and kindred am
moniacnl fertilizers largely depends ON
their stimulating such rapid growth as
TO overcome the attacks Of the pest.
Another way OF lessening its depreda.
tions il To cultivate II once or twice Ms
tho blade begins towidem Tho wheat
hoe runs between the rows, and by
stirring the soil, promotes growth, dis.
turbs the fly, and knocks OIL or dies troys
great numbers of the larvae, which nrc
deposited in little patches on the upper
surface OF the leaf, where, funaisturhed
they aro Matched and crawl down to
the foot Of the loaf stock and suck ont
the juices of tine plant, 1t is well
known that wheat on rich ground car
withstand the lily much better than
wheat on poor ground. Anything
therefore, which adds yigor and strength
TO the plant, increases its juices, like
fertilizers or cultivating with wheat
hoe, will enable il the better to with
stand the fly. There can be no doubt
if seed rows were twelve inches apart
instead Of eight, and then the whea'
hoed in the spring As well as in th,
fall, about the time Of the attack Of the
second crop Of the ny, that the depreda
tions of the fly would be greatly lessenc,
and the cropof wheat greatly increased
Il has been tiied and proved. Practice
fufmer.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-10-10
Tho Rrenda of Cnttle.

A meeting for general expression o.
views IN regard to the different breeds
of cattle was held MT the rooms OF the
Philadelphia Society for Promoting
Agriculture, Mt 268 South Third street,
on thursday evening Of last week. The
members Of the State Agricultural So
ciety and those having cattle ON ex.
hibition Mt the fair, were present and
took part in tho discussion. George
Blight, Esq, Chairman of the meeting,
opened the discussion by stating that
he was In favor Of the Guernsey breed;
that he had tried Snort-horns and De-
vons, but had finally decided that for
dairy purposes the Guernseys were
superior, and tha, they were the best
adapted for that purpose because they
united 30 readily with the ordinary
cows. IL was suggested by one gentle
man That an equal number OF Guern-
seys and Jerseys now on exhibition ut
the Fair he MIXED, and the cream
made into butter, To see which would
be superior in point Of color. lie
thought the Guernsey butter would be
richer III color. Col. David Taggart, Of
Northumberland County, advocated the
claims Of the Jerseys, and thought that
in proportion to the amount of food
consumed they would produce more
food than any other breed; considered
them the most prolific Of any breed;
had owned one COW that had given
birth to eight calves by the time she
was seven years, five months and
twenty-five days old. Among others in
her herd, one six years old in June last
had her sixth calf March 81, 1879. A
heifer Ind calved ut fourteen months
md twenty days. Thos. 4. Tasker
favored tho Ayrshire breed, both for
quality and quantity Of milk yield, and
stated, in support of his opinion, that
one COW on his Delaware County farm
yielded 1890 quarts of milk in one
year; another $500, and several others
Of the herd 5000 quarts. The quality
Of the milk is believed to be superior TO
the Guernseys or Jerseys. A gentle
man from Chester County claimed that
the Durham COW would average more
butter the year round than either the
duernseys or Jerseys. The meeting
Ihon adjourned.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-10-10
Good Fowls for Laying.

A noted writer on fowls says: Fol
laying hens, select large, strong, healthy
birds of tho Leghor varieties, with
large, square bodies, without regard to
fine points, such as pure white fat ear
lobes, or very yellow legs, or combs with
just five points, or plumage that is per
fectly white IN the white variety, or
without white speck in the brown. II
IL not that these points are any dotri.
ment to the health or the vigor of the
birds, but constitution has been toe
often sacrificed to them, which often
results in II strain of enfceh,ed though
handsome folws. The Leghorns are
acclimated American breeds, which
originated from birds brought from the
Mediterranean, and they have been im-
proved in this country by oircumsian-
ces that have given them pre.emin-
ont position for the farmer, when birds
such ns arc above recommended are
selected" In regard to fowls for market
he adds Other breeds or crosses
from them, are much better than the
Leghorns, or any Of the smaller breeds.
Chickens that ARE tho result ofa Dlrkin
cock and Brahma hons, aro larger and
mature much earlier than tho other.
Moreover, they are hardy, lleshy,
tender and fine favored. lIoudnns in
place of Dorkings are also good cross
on Brahmas, or to breed with tho first
mentioned cross, ~ they keep UP size
and quality.
Plymouth Rocks arc also good table
fowls, md arc good to cross with the
above"
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-10-10
A Counterfeit Grecnbnck.
Dayton % } Democrat, september N


Business circles in this city were
thrown out Of balance yesterday after
noon hy the discovery Of u new coun-
terfeit 10 grocnbnek notc, and tho addi-
tional discovery that the city is Hooded
with them didn't the least improve
matters. Best informed business men,
including bankers, are of the opinion
that at lenst 900 Of the spurious bills,
or in all $4,000, are in circulation IN
Dayton and vicinity. That the bill is
Il good imitation may he inferred from
the fact that up to n late hour yesterday
they were received and paid out with
out question over the bank counters in
Dayton. This spurious money was in
troduced in this city last Monday, and,
up to yesterday afternoon, passed cur
rently. Its spurious character was dis
covered 10y James Ritty, who, to test the
matter, deposited sum of money in
ono of the banks ofthe city, placing one
of the counterfeit bills in the lot. II
WINS received along with the other bills,
hut subsequently he called the atten.
ton Of the bank officers to the bill. Tho
bill is of the new issue of the greenback
(not national bank J, and OF the denom-
nation of So. We have examined quite
u number Of them, each of which was
of series &c. The face of the bill is
remarkably vol executed, and will
readily deceive even the best Judges.
The paper ID Of good, though not the
best, quality; it is rather thin and light,
not having quito the body of tho genu.
inc, and the bills have the appearance
Of being somewhat worn. Its spurious
character. however, is readily discover
cd upon inspection Of the back Of the
bill. Between the vignette IN the oen-
ter of the back and the left end is an
imprinted space which i'll the genuine
il filled with silk fiber, apparently woven
or nodded into the paper. III the
counterfeit there is none Of this iihep
hut instead u neatly executed represen.
tation of the same, made with ink. II
is, all in all, one Of the most dangerous
countcrlelts III circulation.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-10-10
How Niagara Looks by Electric Light
Buffalo Commercial.

The illumination of the Niagara Falls
on the American shore by means OF the
electric light has now given to this far
famed scenery a double attractive as
pect. Science, by this appliance, eclip-
SEES even the effects produced by art,
an! the fantastic display of color
through suitable glasses surpasses the
most gorgeous tints that painter may
throw upon his canvas. The falls, from
the terrace of Prospect Park. appear
now on dark night under the rays of
a red electric light like an immense
swiftly moving flood of dark red fiery
lava, which as quickly changes by the
turn of the hand of the man stationed
at the revolving glass in front of the
burner into one of bright quicksilver,
or again when alternating colors are
placed before the dazzling electric
flame, as huge compact of moving
rainbow. The foam and spray at the
pit of the cascade at which the daytime
visitor never tires to gaze upon, are no
longer spray and mist under this noe
turnal fairy transformation, but fiery
clouds, amid which the rays Of the
powerful light with magical effect,
somewhat sembling, though more in
tense, the wondrous phosphorescence
of the ocean on sultay, storm-por-
tending night.
The many pleasing small fountains
which embellish the grounds of Pros
pect Park itself, throw, for once, in re-
atty, as it were, brilliant showers OF
sivery spray, when exposed to the daz-
cling glare OF any Of the nearby cleo
trio flames. The most enchanting py-
rotechmc displays of the Chinese art
are but little shadows in comparison
with this spectacle. At will myriads Of
tiny drops may be turned either into
showers of flashing rubies or saphires,
almost too intense in their spendor,
and painful to the eye, through the in
tense contrast with the pitch black back
ground afforded by the dark mazes Of
the shrub berry and trees of the park.
This is the effect Of about only a
dozen of these lights, Their weird look
could be enhanced beyond calculation
if the entire vast scenery OF the grand
cataract could be lighted up the whole
distance from the American to the
Canada shore by means Of few ad-
ditional batteries placed upon RATS Al
chored near the foot OF the Horseshoe
Falls. Such an illumination would
eclipse the magical wonders of all ira
ditional eastern fairy scenes. They
would pale into insignificance before
these brilliant hues called into life BY
the wand of modern science, ard i
such display could be viewed on
dark night from a bird's-eye view
standpoint, the charmed gazer might
readily conceive Of their resemblance
to those antediluyian gigantic outbreaks
of fiery lava floods, the still imposing
ruins of which now confront the visitor
to tine cliffs Of Staffa or the Giants
Causeway. There is no reason why
such novel treats Oh small scale
could not be initiated with advantage
elsewhere, and give with less cost more
satisfaction than evanescent and costly
fireworks.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-10-10
Flirting.

The flirt is known by unmistakable
signs TO any one of the smallest pre-
ception. All are familiar with the
numerous varieties of the species. We
need only mention a few, and very few
words will suffice to indicate the pecu.
liarities of each. There is the noisy
boisterious "fast girl whose flirting is
but one of her characteristics, along
with her extravagant dress, slang
speeches, ana general conventionality
OF demeanor and disregard Of appear
ances. There is the common vulgar
llrt, who has neither intellect nor edu-
cation sufficient to qualify her even for
the exercise of the very low art which
she processes. This style we are chiefly
familiar with in the person Of the maid
of-all-work in her intercourse with the
milkman or the policeman. But girls
OF Il better class often remind us oil her.
their flirting merely consisting of pert.
saucy speeches and losses Of the head.
Then there is the sly, quiet fiirt, less
Objectionable e society in general,
though perhaps more dangerous and
designing than the open holden.
Among this class may be found the
Becky Sharps and Blanche Amorys
who, since the advent Of Thaekeray's
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-10-10
AGRICULTURE.

OWING to the rot which has attacked
the potatoc crop throughout France, it
is estimated that the deficiency in the
same will amount to 100000 sacks.
In Greece sheep and goats are dairy
animals. There are 23,000,000 sheep
and 1,836,000 goats, and the average
product Of cheese from each animal is
eleven pounds; butter, two and three
fourth pounds.
MOLD is indispensable in every soil
and healthy supply can alone be pre-
served through the cultivation Of clover
and grasses by the turin 6 in Of green
crops, or by the application of com posts
rich in the elements of mold.
WESTERN New York and Ontario are
beginning to ship apples to Europe by
way Of Montreal. The few shipments
already made turned out well, and n
large business is anticipated. Advlces
from Liverpool are encouraging.
SHALLOW blowing operates to i'm
poverish the coil, while IL decreases pro-
duction. Sub.solipg sound land, that
is rot wet, is also eminently conducive
to increase prediction. Deep blowing
greatly improves INC productive poWoTs
Of every variety Of soil that is not
wet.
SWEET corn il much better than the
field sorts to grow AZ fodder. Tho stalks
are sweeter Ms well as tho grain. 1t
should not, however, Le sown. Grown
in close. COMPACT masses, excluding the
light, the stalks possess little value and
will not DO relished. The better way il
to drill widely apart, 20 as to give room
for the cutivator TO work between the
rows. Then cut rs the ears are begin.
ming to form. Sweet corn Is moro diff
fcult to cure; but this is not its best use.
Enough should be sown for feed in
August and September for the cows,
and If grown as directed above il will
not disappoint reasonable expectations.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-10-10

UNDER the heading, "A Novel Deer
Hunt the Plumas New National
says quite an exciting deer hunt
was had in Granite basin the other
night, and correspondent gives us the
following particulars: "A hunter down
there made an artificial deer lick"
on the mountain short distance from
Mr.. Swans cabins, and on the night in
question he took his station in tree to
watch for deer. One came along during
the night and he shot ii, crippled il
cine, and, calling the dog from the
house, he gave chase. Mr.. Swan got I'D
and joined him, leaving two ladies alone
in the house. After time the dog
started the deer out of the bushes and
he ran directly to the cabins. The la
dies sailed out III their night clothes,
Earmed with gun. but before they could
shoot, the deer ran almost directly over
them. Instead Of retreating, ms would
have neen expected, one ofthem caught
him by the hind legs and with the aid
Of the other neld him until the men ar
rived and dispatched him. They have
been Teasing on vension for several
days and have a right o,for they earned
it. !"
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-10-10
How Mushrooms Grow.

Mr.. Julius A. Palmer, jr,, writes to
the Boston Transcript. "A few years
ago the banks of the lot opposite the
Brunswick Hotel, in this city, were
sodded and the land leveled to its
present grade. AS the pick Of the
workman broke up the soil, white
substance ran through every piece.
Starting with large branches, it divided
and subdivided like the veins on the
back Of the hand. The smell was
very strong, quickly noticed on the OPP
posite side of the way. This subterra-
mean white vein-for it had that appear
ance-was nothing but the hidden part
of the C0rprfnus c0mdtus, q mushroom
freely eaten now, although twenty years
ago thought to be poisonous. The
common name of this substance is
spawn. Just rs II cutting of the grape
vine placed in conditions favorable to
growth will shoot up, put forth branches,
and bear fruit, 50 n part ofthis coprihus
vine transplanted will continue to rami-
ly and III time show the result in the
form Of mushrooms. The whole earth
beneath your feet, on country walk,
is alive with vegetation to great depth.
This vegetation is just as real, and the
various vines--or. in other words, the
thousand varieties of mushroom spawn
are Just as distinct rs the hop vine
and the woodbine, the ivy and the
virgins bower that Irvine their tendrils
above your head. Just where grew
this year peculiar kind Of toadstool,
there, next year, and so on for sue
cessiye harvests, will you lind the same
plant. There is no more mystery
about its appearance than in the
growth of the chestnut on the tree that
shades it. Rapidly of growth is not
near rs general as it is thought to be.
The common mushroom and many
others grow for days just below the soil.
a heavy dew or an evening shower
straightens the stem of the fungus and
expands its top. 1t breaks the earth in
the night, and the gatherer is able to
find in the morning the white buttons
where he could see nothing the day be-
fore. So, popular error has made
mushroom growth proverbial for u
superiiciality which by the fungi, ut
least is undeserved. Further, the
various varieties of toadstools succeed
each other in rotation just az the blood
root and anemones of spring are follow
ed by the roses of summer and the
cardinal or gentian of fall. These are
not theories that ara here advanced;
they are the results Of several years
careful watching of the growth of this
order of plants. On the very spots
where, in 1874, gathered mushrooms,
there, in 1879, | find the Identical
variety, SO that the lover Of fungus may
Lave his regular harvest with all the
certainty Of the farmer who looks for
the return of his wheat crop or the
results of his cranberry culture. With
just that degree of certainty, no more
and no less, for, us certain years are
favorable TO the production of certain
fruits, rs the potato crop sometimes
fails and the apple orchard is barren, so
the mushroom spawn, usually produc-
ing abundantly its expected variety.
may pass year, or even, under diff
culties, become extinct. The blight
which may visit all life, animal or vege-
table, does not fail to fall at times upon
my humble friends"
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-10-10

THE report from the commissioners
Of lunacy in England show that in
sanity and idiocy II that country :
largely en- the increase.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-10-10

Syrup from Sweet Corn Stalks.
The common sweet corn contains SO
large nh amount Of saccharine matter
that il has often been suggested rs Il
practicable sugar plant. do not know
that lis syrup has been cranulated; but
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-10-10

Class in American history, stand up.
Read when Jorg Washington was ut
Vale Forge, his trupx wur in ned ov fud,
Nothing and liker. II WIZ we're kold
wether, and III NV them had shu1o
thar fet. But Jorg Washington's kurij
never failed, and at enemy over M
Jurz, and wipt him vt the hateluv Tren.
tun." That do boys. Run ont Low
and play.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-10-10

II al the cities Of Brazil during days
u carnival, black women arc seen sell.
ing eahocinhas," which are made Of
delicate sheets o. pure india. rubber,
tied up in the form Of a globe and fill
Cd with colored and scented waters.
They are thrown 1T persons Of the oppo.
site sex, and burst on striking, favoring
thp individual with n nprftlm pd hath