davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13
Enrich the Meadows.
Live Stock Journal.


These are sometimes worn threadbare
before we change them. Moreover, we do
not care to spare the time necessary for the
new seeding, where blowing is necessary in
order to bring the land again into grazing
condition But, after all, it is hardly ever
necessary to destroy the old turf in order to
rejuvenate an old meadow, A practice is
followed by many, aud highly commended
by Youatt, of fertilizing and reseeding
without breaking up the soil. This
is done by spreading first upon the meadow
such manures as can be best procured-barn-
yard or bone-then following over this with
rolling cutter. The incisions of the cutter
will carry down to the roots Of the grass
much of the manure, and supply immediate
nourishment. Then, if the desired seeds are
sown, the rains which follow will wash them
into the loosened turf, together with the
liquid strength of the manures. BY this
process the old sward is reinvigorated and
loosened up from its mossbound condition,
besides insuring to the seeding immediate
growth. Half the seeds that are usually cast
upon the unbroken or uncut sod are wasted
for want OF all opportunity to germinate,
and unless they can be furnished access to
the soil itself they can not be expected to
aid the meadow very materially. This work
of fertllizing and reseeding must be done
before the grass from the old turf has got
much of start
A first class manure for grass lands is
such as is obtained from crushed bones or
phosphates of any kind. How often have we
noticed how richly and luxuriantly the grass
springs up about an old bone or carcass that
has lain, partly decayed, all winter upon the
sods From this we get an idea of what the
pasture might be made if properly fortified
and tended, and to neglect the culture of the
grass lands is, ON the part of the stockman,
as damaging as it is for the vine-dresser to
neglect his vines, or the gardener his plants
Good meadows carry us to market on fat
horses, with plenty of plump rolls of gilt
edge butter in the basket.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Etiquette.

There is an etiquette in autograph
seeking which the senders of these let
tiers nearly all comply with. If stamped
and addressed envelopes and card are
inclosed, it is rule that the request
shall be heeded-from patriotic mo-
tives, because it gives the government 2
cents postage. If one is obliged to 90
to the trouble of writing both auto
graph and address, to furnish both en-
velope, card. and stamp, it is not GUS
tomary to respond. 1t was formerly
customary for such requests to be ac-
companied merely by an inclosure of
loose stamps. A poet of my acquaint-
ance once told me that his autograph
requests supplied him with stamps for
all his correspondence. Autograph
seekers probably found that loose
stamps were appropriated without COM
junction, for they have changed the
custom. do not receive great many
such requests now. They come in great
numbers after making an important
speech. Poets autographs. am told,
are sought more than those of public
men.-ocndtOr EvartS TO Patlddciphia
kOrih American
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13
Small Farm CroDR.

The most intelligent writer's and agricul-
turists in the south are ceaselessly urging
planters there to raise less cotton and more
stock, and hay, oats, fruits and general farm
and garden products. They declare the old
system has passed away, never to return,
and if the agricultural south would be pros
porous and independent it must recognize
the new order Of things This advice IS
quite as sound for the north as for the south
Stock fed on the farm enriches the land
constantly. A recent writer tells us how
an old mare Iaid off the mortgage on farm.
1t was done largely by the sale Of colts. The
stock and dairy farmer often grows rich
where the grain farmer fails In the older
states. Many agriculturists, too, have no
idea Of the money there is in fruits and gar
den vegetables
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13
What an Eighty-ton Gun Costs.

In the House of Commons Mr.. Brand
said: "One of the guns of her Majesty
ship Inhexible is unserviceable in its
present condition. but it is reparable.
1t is a muzzle-loader. 1t has steel
tube, with outer coils of wrought-iron.
1t has an enlarged powder-chamber. 1t
was manufactured at the Royal Gun
Factories. 1t cost fl0,075. 1t was
first fired after being mounted in posi-
ton on board ship, | believe in 1880. 1t
has fired eightysix rounds up to date.
1t is proposed to replace this gun by the
reserve (on loan to Shoeburyness for an
experiment against armor-plates). The
reserve gun is of the same design.
There are six of these guns in use-four
in the Infexible, two in Dover turret-
and beyond this there are two reserve
guns. TO refine the damaged gun will
not cost more than f4OO. "-London
Times
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13
Jay Gould's Opinion OF Cuba.

Jay Gould, in speaking of his recent
trip to Cuba, said that the island has
the climate and soil for enormous pro-
ductiveness in ways which are impossi-
BILE to any portion of the United States.
Only the rim of Cuba has been touched,
practically, by the disadvantaged and
not very enterprising planters. Inland
lies region, hundred miles long by
thirty or so broad. that can't be beaten
on the face of the earth for fertility.
and it is a wilderness. A railroad eX-
tends from Havana to Matanzas on the
coast. and thence southeastward, alto
gether less than hundred miles, strik-
ing a railroad that crosses the island in
a straight line from Sagua. on the north
coast shore, to Cienfuegos on the south.
That is all there Is of railroads in Cuba.
What the country wants is railroad
from one end of the island to the other,
to carry the produce to markets. 1t Is
thought in New York that Mr.. Gould
intends interesting himself in railroad
building in Cuba.-Nev York 7elegrdSs.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13
Spring Finding in Bavaria.

The Algemeine Zeitung gives some
interesting particulars of remarkable
success in indicating the presence OF
water-springs on the part OF a man
named Beraz, who seems to be a recog-
nized authority in such matters. The
scene of his performance was in the
Bavarian highlands, at height of more
than 1900 feet above the level Of the
sea. The commune of Rothenberg,
near Hrschhorn, suffered greatly from
want of water, and invited Beraz last
autumn to endeavor to find some source
of supply for them. He inspected the
locality one afternoon in presence of
the public authorities and a reporter of
the Allgemeine Zeitung, and announced
that water was to be found in certain
spots at depths which he stated. The
first spot was in the lower village, and
he gave the likely depth at between 62
and ~ feet, adding that the volume of
water which the spring would give.
would be of about the diameter OF an
inch and quarter. After incessant la
Dor for four weeks, consisting mainly
of rock blasting, the workmen came
on copious spring of water at depth
of almost 67 feet. What he declared
about a water source for the upper vii
lage was very singular. He pointed to
a spot where he said three water courses
lay perpendicularly under one another
and running in parallel courses. The
first would be found at depth of be-
tween 22I and rs feet of about the size
of wheaton straw, and running in the
direction from southeast to northwest.
The second lay about AZ feet deep, was
of about the size of thick quill, and ran
in the same direction. The third, he
said, lay at depth of about Sc feet,
running in the same direction, and as
large as a mans little finger. The
actual results were as follows: The
first watercourse was struck at depth
of q! feet, running in the direction in
dicated, and having a diameter of one
fifth of an inch. The workmen came
on the second at depth of 42S feet; it
had diameter of seven-twenty-fitths
of an inch. The third was found at
62| feet below the surface, and having
a diameter of three-iifths of an inch
all three running in the direction Beraz
had indicated. Unfortunately, no hint
is given of his method of procedure.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13
FARM GARDEN
The Melon Patch.

In some localities it is not yet too late to
plant melons. The spring has been SO cold
and wet that they are late everywhere.
There are seasons, too, which seem to be so
late that the farmer is blue beyond measure.
He thinks he sees starvation before him.
Yet, when the season does open, our Ameri-
can sun streams down with all penetrating
warmth, and forces vegetation from seed
to maturity apparently in few weeks,
Thus things are evened up, and late seasons
occasionally turn out remarkably fruitful
Let us hope it will be so this year.
To raise melons most successfully In the
family garden it is best to sprout the seeds
in a hot-bed or cold frame early in the
season, say--two to three weeks before the
danger from frost Is over. Cut sods about
three by four inches in size, turn them
wrong side up. lay them upon the soil in the
hot-bed, drop three to four seeds upon each,
and cover by sprinkling soil over them.
They will sprout and grow, and have their
second leaves by the time it is safe to plant
them in the open ground.
MUsKMELoNs.
A light sandy soil should be chosen for
melons. When the time comes for setting
out. lift the sods containing the plants care
fully, and put them in the places desired.
The hills for muskmelons should be set
about three feet apart. The cut shows
two popular varieties OF muskmelon.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13
The Granger and the Railroads.
tAge Of Steel.l


A contemporary wants to know, on behalf
Of the railroads, whether we are to have
ANY more granger legislation" For our
part, we prefer little more granger and q
little less monopoly legislation.
That bugaboo Of the railroads, the granger
is neither the fool nor the mailman be has so
often been represented to be. His ideas
about railroads may be q little crude, and
under some circumstances mischievous,
but as a rule they are more nearly in
accord with right and strict business
honesty than those Of such men as
Gould, Huntington, and Q score Of other no
torious people For instance, the granger
could never bring himself to believe that in
selling bushel Of corn he Is entitled to sell
four bushels. But a. railroad or telegraph
company of the modern type has no hest
fancy in asking the public to pay dividends
on a capital four times in excess Of the IN
vestment in plant. OF course the granger
doesn't know much about such things, but
despite his ignorance he Is able to grasp the
idea that 1t is not fair dealing.
To illustrate in a single instance how the
public are made to suffer by the rspacity OF
large corporations, We need only refer 70
the case Of the Western Union Telegraph
company. Here Is Q corporation capital
.1ed at CSC, 000. 0O0, or four times what IL
ought to be capitalized At For the quar-
Ter ending December 81 1t will pay dlvi-
deud Of ~ per cent, and add el56, 900 70 its
surplus Il q, $50 600. This d equal TO more
than per cent quarterly on legitimate In
votmsnts In the dullest imes and must
maks ths poor opsrstnss whose wages are
ls1Ag ssdaOsd fFoa 90 - 80 mouth esa
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13
sCALY BARK WATERMELON.

The illustration shows field view Of a
new watermelon that is needing with extra
ordinary favor. The flesh is light crimson
and very tender. The average weight of
this melon is thirty-five pounds. 1t is an ex-
cellent variety for marketing, Other stan
dard varieties of watermelon are the Noun
tain Sprout and the Ice Cream The Ice
Cream is a white-fieshed kind, rich and
sweet, one of the hest for planting in the
northern states of the Union. Plant water
melon seeds in large hills, eight feet apart
each way. They will only thrive well on
light, sandy Soils
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13

A southern farmer says that hand labor,
instead of that by machinery, is a great
detriment in tho former slave states. There
is an ingraiped belief that 1t is cheaper than
any other, whereas the truth is that it is the
most costly. He declares cotton should be
cultivated broadcast with the harrow, and
recommends the Acme for this purpose. The
substitution of agricultural machines and
animal lator for handwork would reform
the whole system of agriculture in the south.
He adds:
The general use Of two-horse plows for
breaking and two-horse cultivators and
other double implements for all other work,
except last blowing, would discharge in
South Carolina to-day 10000 able-bodied la
borers, even if the old-style hoeing is con-
tinued. Yet how often during the season do
we hear phrases Ike these: Crops grassy
for want of work." labor scarce and unre-
table,
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13
MELTED GEM.

The cuts are reproduced, by permission,
from Peter Henderson's catalogue. He says
Of the Montreal market melon, the one on
the left 1.-The fruit is of the largest size,
specimens often weighing twenty pounds and
upward The shape of this melon is almost
round, hattened at both ends. and deeply
ribbed, skin green and Melted, flesh very
thick and of finest flavor"
On the right is very small melon, the
Melted Gem. 1t is globe, weighing no
more than a pound and half, and Of the
finest, sweetest flavor. The flesh Is pale
green and very tender. The Gem is highly
productive. 1t is so firm in texture that it
will keep nearly a week after it has been
picked. This makes it one of the best kinds
for marketing.
Aside from the question of profit in dol
lars and cents, however, every farmers
table should be plentifully provided with
both musk and watermelons For break
fast in the hot summer mornings, it is the
custom in cities to eat first of all slice or
two of muskmelon. 1t is cooling and toning
to the stomach and starts it gently to work
after its long fast of the night. Honor
bright, is not beginning with this juicy and
aesthetic dish an Improvement on ''pilhg in
fried pork and greasy potatoes! In this case
it would be very good thing for farm peo'
pie to follow city fashions. Therefore have
q melon patch; do, and tend it, and eat OF
the fruits thereof.
= Insect pests are a great drawback to melon
raising. Shields and screens have been
recommended till the plants have grown
strong. But pyrethrum, or Persian insect
powder, is valuable remedy. 1t is the
Persian camomile, and comes In fine vel
low powder, which costs from IS cents a
pound up, according to where it is bought.
1t is deadly to small insect life, and not
hurtful to anything else Busted over furs
and woolens, it keeps moths out effectually.
1t keeps bugs out of beds, and vermin from
destroying plants. A small bellows can be
purchased by which this valuable powder
can be blown and sprinkled wherever it is
wanted
Another excellent muskmelon is the Green
Citron. The lspahan is frst-class for the
southern states. Wards Nectar is highly
esteemed for the family garden.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13

DON'T be imprudent. Keep your feet dry and
yoursek warmly clad. and Won will sot take cold.
u you are careless and contract a heavy cold. and
your cough is troublesome, get bottle Of PETIT
IT'S AMERICAN COUGH CURE and you will
end you wil sleep quietly. and yo.r cough will be
cured. Mothers who cannot control the sareess-
less OF their children should never fail to have
sPETnT'S"i the house 10 relieve the heavy
eolds and tight coughs, 20 provide against sud.
Zen attack OF Group. You can get the remedy Ut
sny druggist II used IN time Il will cure Con-
sumption.
PETTIT's AMERICAN COUGH CURE Is
- dnea made. and is equal m merit to PET TITS
BYE SALVE, which Is conceded the best 10 use.
Or treatise on Corsuu,. ''nr F. Address
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13
Don't Get Panicky on Sheep.
Rural Nav Vorkar

There is great danger that with low
prices for wool and great depression in the
mutton markets there will be "panic''
among farmers to sell their sheep and go in
to some other business. Our advice is, don't
do it. BY the time you have got well started,
wool will bring good price, and mutton be
IN good demand, and you will wish you were
stocked with sheep again. The best course
is to keep steadily on; weed out of your flock
all the culls; seek to improve it both in the
quality and quantity of wool produced, and
in the shape of body AMI tendency to make
mutton. A flock of sheep does much toward
keeping the farm free from noxious weeds,
and toward making the land richer. 1t Is
safe to think twice before sacrificing the
sheen
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13

No More Herdsmen Wanted In Kansas.
At the third annual meeting of the Western
Kansas Stock Growers association, held re-
Gently at Garden City, it was practically de-
cided that western Kansas was no longer a
free country to those engaged in the cattle
industry. The following resolutions were
read and adopted:
Resolved, That though we have kindly
feeling to all new oomers, we deem it but just
to say that there Is room for no more cattle
upon the ranges occupied by the members of
the association, except such cattle as the
occupants of each range may choose to intro
duce
Resolved, That considering the crowded
condition Of our ranges, parties taking up
dry claims ON lakes dry most of the year will
be considered as intruders, and treated as
such, as heretofore resolved.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13
legal.
l.. L. THOMPSON,


STATE OF ILLINOIS, Ia SALE CoUNTY-ss Pro.
~ bate Court Of La Sale tOHitty, to ne Nay l6Ri,
4, u. 1875.
Joseph f. Porter Administrator with the will annexed
of the Estate Of Thomas A. Porter deceased Deaner
Porter, America Ellsworth Elizabeth Ebcrsol, Alice
Porter George Porter Frank Porter and j. j. RAINIER
Petition IL sell redi sStdte 10 pdy debts.
Affidavit of the non.resldcnCe of America Ellsworth,
Elab tn EhersOl and Frank Potter, defendants above
named having been ned in the Office Of the clerk of
the Probate Court Of Ia Sale county, notice Is hereby
gwen 10 the said America Ellsworth. Elizabeth Ebehol
and Frank Porter, that the said plaintiff Joseph +.
Porter Administrator with will annexed of the Estate
Of Thomas A. Porter deceased, has filed his petition In
sell the premises belonging to the estate of said de-
ceased so much of Il rs may be needed 10 pay the
debts of said deceased and described Ms follows, to wit
The southwest quarter tSwiO of section seventeen
l township thirtytwo tSl) north range four ca east,
OF the third principal meridian in the county VI La
and state Of Illinois, and that Il summons has been
issued out Of said court against you returnabe NJ the
June term 1885 of said court Ia be holden on the
third Monday of June A. D. ISIS AT the Court House In
Ottawa, in La Sale county, Illinois. $500
Now unless you, the said America Ellsworth, Eliza.
beth Ebersol and Frank Porter. shall personally be and
appear before said Probate Court of La Sale county on
House in said county the third Monday Of June 1855
and plead answer or demur 10 the said compainant's
petition hled therein, the same and the matters and
things therein charged and stated will be taken as con
fcssed and decree entered against you according 10
the pray of said bill.
OTTAWA Illinois May DIST, 1855.
A. T. BARTEIS,
Probate Clerk.
L. /. THOMPSON, Complt's Solicitor. maylSdw
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13

lNINAI SET'rI E,NI ENT.-EsrATK or
L PETER BEuRKNDs, DEC'D.-Noticeis hereby given
to all persons Interested In SAID estate that the under
signed AdmnstrairX of the Estate Of said Peter Beh-
rcnds, deceased, will appear before the Probate Court
OF the county of La Sale and state Of Illinois NJ the Coun
~ Court House. in Ottawa. in said county on Monday,
the 10th dry of July A. u. 1870 for the purpose OF
istrntlon of said estate for the final settlement.
Dated at Ottawa, this ID day of June $50
ROSANNA BEHRENDS,
ATTEST: A. T. B.RrpLs AdministratriN.
Clerk Probate Court. la Sale Co., Ill. jun6-3w
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13

NOTICF.-fsrArE OF JouN TANNING DHCD-
~ Notice hereby given that the undersigned, Ad.
mnstrator Of the Estate of John lhnnng, late OF the
county of La Sale and state Of Illinois, deceased, Will
appear before the Probate Court Of said county on the
tlrd Monday (beng the twentieth day of July 1882 at
the Probate Court ROOM IN OTTAWA in said county, when
and where MI persons having claims demands against
said estate are notified to attend and present the same
in writing for adjustment,
Dated this Sd day of June A. u. lSS1, -
DAVID TANNING,
iuns-3w Administrator.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13
that the Western Union 1. great and good

that the Western Union Is great and good
and humanizing agency.
On the whole we do not think 1t likely that
those journals friendly to the railroads viii
make much out Of their war on the granger.
The granger has too many friends among
the manufacturers, merchants and shippers
in the large cities, who in common with
himself are plagued with @igh transporta-
ton rates And while no particular class or
interest is likely to turn against the rail-
roads, hard times and high and unyielding
freight rates are liable to stimulate unfriendly
legislative interest, especially in the north
uyaS
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13

Freight trains carrying passengers leave ottawa ~
follows: For Earl, 100 pm; for Aurora 1905 A. H..
for Streator Is A, n, sos p. ~. and 1905 4. NJ.
Morning train makes close connection at Aurora TO-
all points east and west.
Pullman Palace Sleeping Cars. c b. Q. Drswisy
Room Cars, Horizons Reclining Chair Cars, and the
B 4 O. Palace Dining Cars, by this route. All ihforns
ton about Of fare sleeping accommodation,
and time tables will be cheerfully given by applying TO
PFRClVAL LOWELL,
General Passenger Agent, Chicago
THos. J. POTTER.
General Manager, Chicago. GEO. X. ROE,
Agent al OfrawA
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13
Chicago, Alton e. St. Louis Railroad

Lightning Express. Denver Express and Kansas City
and ST. Louis Express trains daily; Express Mall
and Joliet Accommodation run daily, except Sunday.
Kansas City and St Louis Express going south runs
through without change OF cars Morning train 10 81
Louis has free chair cars and evening train through
seepers 10 st. Louis and Springfield,
JAY W. ADAMS,
Ticket Agent {. & A RAilrOsd
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13
E. Y. GRIGGS.

Agent at Ottawa. Illinois.
,6ered smoker Of Ottawa Sold only by T. Y. grifss
Pun Load and OF. The best Aired Pknf solo. shieh
weighs 10 the esron than any other Pure Drag
and Chemicah an q bottom prices.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13
NewIdrerfisemepfs.
INDICATED BODY BANDS.

ARE POSITIVE CURE FOR
Painful and Difficult Menstruation, Kidney Troubles
Rheumatism, Pleurisy, Lumbago,
Dyspepsia, Neuralgia Cole or Darrhpa
Pains in the side, Back or Bowels,
Excellent for CHOLERA in all forms, warming the
bowels and check Ing discharges. sent by mail on re-
Cept of ~ \. Y. HEALTH AGENCY, 2S BruNdwny,
\. y. Refer, by permission, 10 American Express Co.
or It's agents. Send for circulars, AGENTS WANTED
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13
lVERY ONE WHO Owns n WACON wants

'INO ADVERTISERS. Lowest Rates for advertising
L in 382 good newspapers sent free. Address
GEO p. HOWELL Il CO., 10 Spruce street, New York.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-13

Ask your druggist for MIsHI.YR HkRB BITTERs.
II ne does not keep II do not take anyt hing else but
send = postal card to MIsBI.ER HERB BirTEks
Co. SIS Commerce Street. PHILADELPHIA