davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30

hOt-hOuSe eX0tlcS to farmers VINO nad
never seen a horticultural structure of
that sort. Not only is this done con-
tinually, but minor bonanzas have be-
come available, and spectators with
political influence have bought up large
quantities of cheap seeds, merely to
sell them at two or three hundred per
cent advance to the government, to be
used in these " free seed distributions"
Only last year, as we are Informed,
some favored parties sold several hum
dred thousand pounds of sorghum seed
to the commissioner of agriculture at
thrice the price at which the same seed
could be bought in the open market
and this seed was so improperly
gathered and cured that on test hardly
fifteen per cent of it would terminate.
In such ways as this the government,
distributing common farm and garden
seeds, instead of helping the farmers,
actually enter into competition with the
very best class of farmers, supplying
gratis the very wheat, corn, peas,
beans, oats, barley, ETC., etc., which
these careful farmers are growing for
sale-and generally supplying it of such
inferior, if not worthless, quality that
the recipient is injured instead of bene-
flied by the gift. We have ourself
very frequently received from congress
men, or the department, packages of
seeds with which were mixed the seeds
of most noxious weeds, and to-day there
are six or seven very troublesome weeds
on our farm Ohe " bladder campion,"
or "devil's gut" being the last ac-
QUESTION of this kindD which sprang up
first where government seeds " had
been thrown out to the fowls. We
never saw the weed known as chess +"
until it grew up in this way among
wheat sent by benevolent congressman
who thought, doubtless, that they were
benefting us, and perhaps themselves,
by the operation.
1t is unquestionably true that agri-
culture, with mining, constitute the
basal industry of civilized life, mas
much as they supply food and the raw
materials of industry. And it may be
true, in a sense, that the industrial
classes (not the farmers exclusively
form " the base" of the social structure.
At least that is a figure of speech which
has very familiar sound to those who
listen to the platform oratory of gentle
men seeking the "sweet voices" of
those working-men whom, in wrath and
disappointment, the same worthless have
been sometimes heard to stigmatize as
"the greasy mob" Such language is
both " elegant and cheap" and these
are merits not to be despised. But, af-
ter all, there is no class more able to
get along without flattery and free
seeds than the Woodworking and
thoughtful farmers who understand
their business. They may look over
with curiosity and test with well-justi-
fed misgivings the gratuitous packages
which the benevolent congressman
sends them. But it is not very often
that they derive much wealth from that
source. They probably know vastly
more about the whole thing than the
congressman, and value the gift accord
ing to its real character
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30

James Wick and Cumberland Triumph
gave me the latest berries. The black
berries you sent me all lived, four out
six ofthe Wilson strawberry, three of the
Windsor Chief and only one of your
new kind, which has started one runner.
l shall not have any plants to sell or
give away. We had cabbage for dinner,
yesterday, from seed of the Early Win
ingstadt, procured of you last spring.
But oh, haven't / had to fight the
worms! picked twelve from one cab
bage at one time. Have kept the heads
covered with dirt as much as possible.
REMARKs.-There are climbing cut
worms, but it is quite likely that the
flowers were eaten by some beetle, as
suggested-perhaps the rose-beetle,
which often destroys the grape clusters
when in bloom. Hammond's Slug
shot, which is not poisonous, except to
worms and insects, is highly recon-
mended for cabbage-worms and lice.
1t is sold by the city seedsmen. Mrs.
w. had quite as good luck with the
strawberry plants as we did, one
in ten that were set out from our beds
grew, and we shall have to renew our
whole stock next year. AS we said in
declining to offer them for sale, they
were badly hurt, and even our new
Seeding, which came through the win
ter in apparent good order, failed to
such an extent that we have hardly
more than saved the variety. Such a
winter as the last is very discouraging,
but, as it was the worst we ever saw.
we hope we may never see the like
again. The James Wick strawberry is
a failure with us, perfecting but small
quantity of small berries. See article
on Cabbage Worms and Lice in agri-
cultural columns.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30
Digestibility of Cheese.

Ben: Perley Poore, in the Boston
Culticotor, discourseth thus upon this
interesting subject:
Cheese is generally thought now-a-
articles of food rich in what the chem
lists call protein" The same opinion
prevails in Germany, while the custom
in France and England-where cheese
is more largely consumed-of eating it
at the close of meal to aid in diges-
ton, is laughed at, and has led to the
saying that cheese eaten in this way
digests everything but itself. A noted
German chemist, Dr. Won Kleuse, has
carefully investigated the question, and
has carefully tested the digestibility of
the prominent kinds of cheese, with
meat and milk, by artificial gastric
juice. The result was favorable to
cheese, those the best ripened being
the easiest of digestion. Comparing
cheese and other kinds of foods rich in
protein, it would appear that the opinion
that cheese is a particularly indigesti-
BILE form of such food is not well
founded, provided that it is good in
quality and well ripened; its protein
(the casein) is then as completely dis
solved by this artificial gastric juice as
is the protein Oibrin) of meat or the
protein (albumen) of eggs, and much
more so than when the same casein is
taken in fresh milk. Now that this
question is settled, wouldn't it be well
for our country girls to try their hands
at cheese-making? What is better
luncheon than good doughnuts with a
bit of old cheese?
Considering that Mr.. Poore knows so
many people of so many kinds and
countries, it is queer that he should
speak of the Germans as non-cheese-
eating people. With their Switzer-
case, and their Limberger-case, and
their Smeer-case, and all the other hard
Ito be digested) " ceases" that one sees
our Teutonic immigrants devouring by
the pound in the eating-houses which
they patronize, we should say that moi
even the English navvy," miner OF
farm-laborer can get away with sc
much consolidated casein in day as
the average Deutcher."
1t is very likely that the indigestion
naturally consequent upon this inor
dinate consumption of cheese should
attract the attention of German sci
entists, like DIR. Won Kleuse. 1t is true
that well-made and well-cured or " ri
pened " cheese is more soluble in the
gastric fluids than the indurated cheesei
commonly sold. But even the bes
cheese is a tough "cud" for the
stomach of any but vigorous mar
whose occupation is mostly in the oper
air. Cheese and doughnuts and coffee
can be mastered by such people, a
! least while they are young, with more
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30
How to Dry Beef.

Dear Household Every Wednesday
noon brings us the WATCHMAN, and
the first thing is to look at the House
hold column. | find some very good
things which have tried and like very
much. l have been canning peaches
whole the past week, and if my House
hold friends would like to know my
way | will send it another time. But
have a recipe for drying beef which is
always nice. In the first place l select
nice, tender round of beef, and if
you ever saw round of beef cut up
you will see there appears to be sort of
seams through the round. / separate
it in these seams, not making the
pieces too small. Be sure and take off
all the fat. Now to every thirty pounds
allow tea-spoonful of saltpetre and
quart of fine salt mixed with molasses
until of the color of brown sugar. Rub the
pieces of meat with the mixture and
when done let all stick to it that will.
Pack it in large jar or butter-tub, that
the pickle may cover the meat. and let
it remain one week. ! turn it over,
say twice in the time, to have it picked
all alike. Take it out, sprinkle with
black pepper to keep away the flies, and
hang it in a suitable place to dry. At
ter it is dried | put it in bags and hang
it in the cellar-way to keep it from dry
inc too much.
Mrs. E., Bradford, VT
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30
Evening SOIace.

The human heart has hidden Treasures
In secret kept in silence sealed
The thoughts, the hopes, the dreams the pleasures
Whose charms were broken If revealed
And days may pass in gay confusion,
And nights in rosy riot fly,
While, lost in fames or wealth's Illusion
The memory of the past may die.
But there are hours of lonely musing,
Such as in evening silence come,
When, soft as birds their pinions closing,
The hearts best feelings gather home.
Then in our souls there seems to langulsh
tender grief that is not woe;
And thoughts that once wrung groans of anguish
Now cause but some mild tears to flow.
And feelings, once as strong as passions,
Float softly back--a faded dream;
Our own sharp griefs and wild sensations,
The tale of others suffering seem.
OH when the heart is freshly bleeding.
How longs It for that time to be
When, through the years of mist receding,
Its woes but live in reveryl
And it can dwell on moonlight glimmer,
On evening shade and loneness
And, while the sky grows dim and DINNER,
Feel no untold and strange distress
Only deeper impulse given,
By a lonely hour and darkened ROOM
To solemn thoughts that soar to heaven,
Seeking life and world to come.
-Cbarloffe Bronfe
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30
BE Thorough.

Our Country Home well says that in
the present age farming resolves itsen
into branches and sub-branches. Many
farmers find more money in special
than in general farming But the
special farmer, to succeed, must need
exert his every energy. Are you a
dairvman, a breeder, seed
grower, market gardener? Whatever
you may be, you must realize the neces-
sity of following your line to the end.
You never can know your business too
well. With your appliances and adj
vantages, are you sure that you are
progressive? Know your business as
well as the next. The more you know
of the ms and outs, every little detail
the best methods, all for perfection
the surer your success. A good trade
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30

SOME of the farmers in the town of
Leeds, Maine, are introducing little
practical cooperation. The corn-can-
ming business has been carried on in
small way for two years past. Parties
failing this present year to continue the
business, the farmers themselves have
prepared to put up and sell their own
corn. An experienced party has been
engaged to put it up, one of their own
number-who is an experienced sales
man-is to sell it, and those who raise
the corn are to divide what they get out
of it. The cans are all ready for the
work. A choice article of canned corn
sells readily to the home trade. Plenty
of opportunities for sale have already
been rendered.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30
English Ivy.

The English ivy is the best vine for
use in shade. 1t is our best vine for
the house under any circumstances, in
my opinion. This plant, like all the
others l have named, becomes more
beautiful with age, as it puts out in all
directions its graceful branches, clothed
with rich, dark leaves. Some persons
complain that they cannot make their
ivies grow. Do not be impatient with
them. If they have good soil to grow
in, and are kept clean, they will almost
alwas flourish well when thoroughly es-
tablished, and though they may not
make a rapid growth for year or two,
they will, after a little, give no cause
for complaint in this respect. | have
noticed that most persons who complain
of failure with the ivy are generally
those who expect great deal of a
plant in a very short time Vick's
Magazine.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30

EsCALLOPED SWEET POTATOES
Slice enough cold boiled sweet potatoes
to make three pints, and sprinkle with
a teaspoonful of salt and little pepper.
Butter large shallow dish and spread
the potatoes in it, making layer not
over an inch thick, Melt one-third of
a cupful of butter in one-fourth of
cupful of boiling water, and after
sprinkling quarter of this liquid over
the potatoes, put them into hot oven.
In ten minutes sprinkle another quarter
of the liquid over them, and repeat the
act twice more at intervals of ten min
utes. After the final sprinkling, let the
dish bake ten minutes longer, or forty
minutes in Cultiudtor.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30
A New POtatO-Digger.

OF course Aroostook must get up a
potato-digger More potatoes are raised
there than in any other like section in
the country. The mowing-machine
cuts the grass, the reaper the grain !;
and why should the photographers be
obliged to dig their potatoes by the
slow process of hand labor? Other
sections have been laboring to get up a
digger for them, but so far with such
Indifferent success that an Aroostook
farmer was not satisfied with the work.
There was no other way but to get up
one of their own. This finally has
been accomplished, and trials in the
field recently made have proved the
implement well fitted for the work. 1t
is said to dig clean, and to throw the
potatoes to the surface, ready for the
pickers. --Maine Farmer.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30
From Mrs. A. w.

Mr.. Editor:-Thanks for giving me
the name of my begonia. 1t could not
have been cut-worms that ate off the
buds on my strawberry plants. The
flowers were eaten off singly when the
main stalk was fully grown. l think it
was small black bug, or beetle q do
not know the difference). What is
your opinion of the James Wick Straw
berry? could not judge of its pro-
ductiveness because so many of the
blossoms were eaten off, but like it
well enough to give it further trial.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30

AN Ohio dairyman, speaking of the
proftableness of winter dairying, re-
marks that the time will never come
when winter dairying shall be overdone.
With warm, well-lighted, clean stables,
plenty of early-cut and well-cured grass,
supplemented with the contents of a
good silo and well-flled root cellar,
the comfort, health and profit of the
cows should be no more problematical
in winter than in summer.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30

THE seed-shop in Washington had
better be closed up. If it had been
used simply to occasionally distribute
seeds of new and rare varieties of fruit.
cereals or vegetables, as it was origin
ally designed to do, there would have
been no fault found. Instead of that,
it has distributed largely common seeds
that every scotsman kept for sale, and
squandered the public money by paying
exorbitant prices for such stock
Orange County Farmer.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30

WHEN Ezra Cornell got back from
Europe, asked him what particular
feature of English agriculture impressed
him most. "The evenness of the
crops" was his reply. We grow as
big crops here, on part of the fields,
but there are too many poor spots. y
Joseph Harris.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30

DOUGLAS MIXTURE, so often recon-
mended by English poultry-fancicrs for
adding to the drinking water of fowls,
is made as follows: Sulphate of iron,
one pound; sulphuric acid, two ounces
water, one gallon. Mix and dissolve.
Dose, one to two tea-spoonfuls to apint
of drinking water. This may do for
sick fowls, but healthy ones can best be
kept so with pure water
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30

AN exchange says: Mr.. Dawson
of the Arnold Arboretum writes that
he has no more trouble in raising all
our native varieties of huckleberries
and bueberries from seed than he has
in raising other members of the heath
family. Besides these, he has raised
many foreign Species" But Ben: Per-
ley Poore intimates that Dawson is a
fraud
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30
Gbe 4ousebolo.

W Communications for this column should be
sent to the agricultural editor, DIR. Hoskns, at
Newport, Vt.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30

No opportunity should be lost, at this
season of the year, for laying in stock
of dry material of some kind for use in
the stables.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30

journal, knowledge of how others
work-these are accessions you can ill
afford to do away with.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-10-23
ssen. Lees Death.


Gen. Lee, shortly after the surrender
at Appomattox, became president Of
Washington college, at Lexington, and
and devoted himself to the duties of
that position. lilo was taken sick onWed
ncsday evening. sept. ~ 1870. AS he was
about to take his seat at the tea table,
he sank in his chair and became insen-
sible. A reaction soon set in, however,
aud in the course Of the ten days fol-
lowing he steadily improved, until it
was hoped no was out of danger. But
on the following Monday evening he
became suddenly and rapidly worse,
and continued to sink until death
claimed its victim. During the early
part OF his illness he slept much and
spoke seldom, but was rational when
awake. and always recognized those at
his bedside. At times his mind seemed
to wander, and on several occasions re-
vcrtcd to the army. Ito once ordered
his tent To BIO struck. and at another
time desired that "lIill should be sent
10 tho front" lie suffered but compar-
atively little pain during his whole ILL
ness, and expired very quietly and
peacefully at 9:3J on Wednesday MORN
ing.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-10-23
WASHINGTON fo-dnu

George Washington attracted a great deal
of notice, even in his time, by telling the
truth. Think what a curiosity lie would be
now. And yet truth is within the reach of
all. We may accustom ourselves to almost
anything IL we begin gradually and work
our way up to it. George Washington to.
day would no doubt be regarded as a freak
Of nature. and yet he told the truth without
effort and without his notes. He used to en-
terrain his friends through tho long winter
evenings by allowing them to tie his hands
and feet and then blindfold him, and on top
Of all this he would tell the truth for hours
at time. He was what we call in science
an anomaly. But he had to give up at last,
and finally he yielded to the uneq quail strain
and death ensued. People who contemplate
a political career with more or less truth in
it should See that they have strong constitu-
tons to begin with
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-10-23
New Orleans Houses.


After the lrown stone OF New York,
tho eye. burning white marble OF Phila
delphia, and the Pompeiian red brick of
fashionable Washington, the cool
wooden houses OF New Orleans form a
decided relief The residence parts of
this city are Of frame, and the architec-
turc Is peculiar to the place. Founded
upon bayou, and with only two feet of
dry soil before water is reached, no eel
lars can he dug, and there arc only two
in this whole city Of go, GOO people.
The old houses here, with their tiled
roofs, their narrow streets and their
numerous galleries or porches, remind
ono Of spain, Italy or southern France
Tho new houses, or those built by full
ilcdged Americans, have a character of
their own.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-10-23

The house or sobbing wren is bird
peculiar 10 southwestern Texas. Its
melancholy note is described as very
impressive. II begins in a high, clear
key. like the linking of silver bells,
aud. descending gradually from one
chime TO another, 1t suddenly falters,
breaks of. and sobs like child-the
song dying away in gasp. The song
Is heard only in the opening light Of
dawn, and is repeated but few times
Tho singer Is rarely seen through tho
day
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-10-23
Rosstni and Wagner.

Rossini was ono day discovered at the
piano with copy of ''Tannhauser" be-
FORE him. only the music stood on the
rack upside down. what are you do
ing there, maestro" asked his visitor.
Don't you see I'm trying to under
stand Wagner, and can't manage it. l"
But you have got the music the wrong
way up" ''Oh, tried it the other
way and II was no better"
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-10-23
Affected by Eating Loco.

A great many cattle in southern Kan
sas are "locoed," as the cowboys term
it, or rather affected by eating loco, a
species OF plant very numerous there.
and which is a dreadful scourge on the
herds of cattle roaming over the ranges.
They never recover after eating it, or
rather after they once commence to eat
loco they never cease until it kills them.
1t affects them about the same as lire
water did the Indians; makes them
feel as the whole prairie belonged to
them" and they walk as the lrishman
did, "on both sides of the strate to
wunst."
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-10-23
Past All Bearing.

Elderly gentleman-Allow me, ladies';
this loud talking during the perform
ancc Is past nil bearing.
traulein-Thats Just what l think;
you have actually TO scream at the top
Of your voice to make people hear what
you arc saying.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-10-23

The more / study the character Of George.
A very curious incident occurred in the
life of George Washington which now ap-
pears in print for the first timel 1t seems
that George was given n small Ratchet by
his father when boy, an in an unguarded
moment the youth cut down favorita
cherry tree belonging to his father. On the
return Of the old gentleman he discovered
the act, and, calling his son to him, asked
how it occurred. George did not know at
first what to say, but finally he looked
bravely up in his fathers face and said:
Father, I cannot tell lie. l did it with
my little Ratchet"
have often wondered that an anecdote
like this. concerning q great man, should
have remained s, long unknown. | am in
debted for the above facts to friends of de-
ceased.
The monument to George Washing ton is
deserved tribute to great man. 1t is no
SLOUGH of job to be president the first time
and pay off the help that it takes torun such
a government as this. Lot those who think
it is easy to be president try to write IN
annual message once and see how their
brains will throb. A president must not
only shine in society and be able to stand on
one leg and shake hanIs with every ten-cent
official in the Union, but lie must be quiet
and gentlemanly in his home life and good
rrovider in his household. Added to all
this he must be able at a glanc, to distin-
guish between flotilla and a reciprocity
He must know how to spell ut sight and bc
able to sign his name SO that it will look like
birds eye view Of q stroke of paralysis
He must be firm with foreign POWERS. AMI
still he must govern his temper and avoid Tho
unnecessary shedding of other peoples blood
He should be a good business man, a good
statesman, q gentleman and q scholar
We can readily see that a successful Presi-
dent cannot be picked up on every street.
or course, Re has a good deal Of help. but he
alone is responsible. George Washington
was all that was great, but tho most success
full thing he did was to quit at the right time
and 10 die before he stopped over This
Is powerful lesson to some Of our public
men not to overdo the matter Of longevity
Long life is all right in other walks Of life,
but in politics it may be overdone