Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-10-18
Shorthand BY Machinery.

A reporter of The World was yester-
d;y shown an invention which seems
destined to reduce the hitherto compli-
Gated and uncertain art of shorthand
writing TO an exact science 1t is tri-
angular-shaped machine, weighing
about three pounds and measuring
about seven inches at its widest part.
Mounted on cast-iron stand are four
V-shaped keys controlled by eight fin
ger-pieces, four on each side of centre
or thumb key, which is placed lower and
is n little larger than the others. The
writing is done by striking these keys,
thus causing points or markers to
strike an ink-prepared ribbon against a
paper tape, which moves forward auto
matically under a small rubber cylinder
each time a key is struck. The ma
chine can be folded up and conveniently
carried in neat leather case resemb-
ling that ordinarily used to contain a
field-glass.
The system is simplicity itself, con-
sisting as it does of dashes of uniform
length, which in combinations of one or
more printed in five distinct positions
across the tape, can be made to repre-
sent all the vowels and consonants in
the language. BY emitting the vowels
and writing Theoretically, as in ordinary
shorthand, speed exceeding that of
the most rapid stenographer with pen
or pencil can be obtained. The me-
chanical accuracy of the instrument is
such that a blind man can operate it
perfectly, and q deaf mute with good
eyes can read and transcribe the writing.
1t is asserted by the inventor that the
system can be learned in less than one
third the time required to learn any
other system of shorthand
The machine is called the "Steno-
graph" and is the invention of Mr.. M.
M. Bartholomew, of Belleville, ILL.,, who
had been writing Pitman's system of
shorthand for eleven years as an official
court reporter, when he hit upon the
idea two years ago.-N. Y. World.
Abortion in SOws.
The loss to farmers by abortion has
become a serious matter A good
breeder should average not less than
seven pigs to the litter and yearlings
four or five. From best information
at hand the average is not over two.
The expense of keeping breeders over
Winter and in the Spring to have them
abort or bring forth sickly pigs is GER
tainly discouraging. The only pallia-
tive is the high price of pork Some
argue that it is necessary large pro-
portion of pigs should not survive or
that disease should carry off the grown
hogs in order to maintain remunerative
prices. This may be good argument
for the lucky ones but for those who
lose their hogs or pigs it is not. There
are many causes which produce abor-
ton, among which we might mention
feeding too much corn, being OVERLAND
by other hogs and general neglect.
Green fruit. slop from small grain,
nice sleeping quarters with fresh bed
ding, salt and ashes as often as twice a
week, with all the charcoal they will
eat, will go far to keep hogs healthy.
Breeders should also be kept separate
from the other hogs for some weeks be-
fore and after they have pigs. Should
be stopped bountifully and as soon as
pigs will eat it, if there are number
of filters it should be so arranged that
the pigs can 60 to the slop at pleasure
in separate pen for that purpose.
Roughness is essential. Bright hay or
straw should be given in Winter. A
rye pasture for Spring is the best food
for breeders and pigs.