Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-07-31
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
Cuiting Timber.

We have occasionally, and during
the past forty years, says the Country
Gentleman. urged the importance 81
cutting timber when it could be sea-
soncd rapidly. for the purpose of rem
dcring il durable. Cases have been
cited by u, where trees were cut while
in rapidly growing state. and
stripped of their bark. and then sawed
or split into boards scantling. plank.
or rails. and rendered durable 10y being
subjected 10 the drying of summer
winds and sunshine. This treatment
seasoned them into almost impcrisha
bic hardness. But if cut in winter or
early spring they soon became sap-rot-
ten. and last only few years at the
longest Young Eastwood shows this
difference in striking manner, sum
mer-cut and seasoned rails becoming
nearly rs hard as horn, while winter
cut was worthless from rotting in
few years.
Good Drainage for Our Houses.
Domestic dwellings have reached
this stage in the gradual evolution
from the tent and log cabin, when all
those that lay claim to completeness
90 by water. Not that this is a final
ity. but it is the stage achieved at
present. Whatever else happens. they
must be so situated that constant
stream of water may pass through
them, a condition which is sometimes
overlooked until il is too late TO CON
form TO IT. Moreover, although the
current may be originally a pure and
clear "a the skies themselves, from
which it sometimes comes direct by
way of the roof and the cave spouts,
when it leaves the house it has become
of the earth. earthly; it is no longer an
innocent and hcalthful friend, but an
enemy TO be dreaded. TO be driven out
as quickly a. possible and forever ban
ishcd from the premises. In word,
there must be good drainage. Good
drainage means one of two things,--a
sewer running to some remote and in
accessible outlet, or else sufficient
extent OF arabic land within reach and
control, just below the surface of
which the lowest pipes in the house or
under it may empty themselves harm
lcssly 10y the method known "a sub
surface irrigation. These two seem 10
pc the only civilized methods of dis
posing of the liquid wastes of house
hold that are available under ordinary
conditions. Cremation. evaporation,
absorption, transportation, may be re-
duced to scientific practice in the flu
ture. and become not merely safe but
profitable! At present they are eXpen-
sive and experimental.
Fruit Eaters Need No Doctors.
Rural New Yorker
We were struck recently by the re-
marks of a doctor friend of ours, who
said no one thing will do so much to
make people independent Of the med
ical profession rs the daily free use of
fruit. He had noticed that those farm
crs in wose families fruit was regular
" and largely consumed. seldom need
ell his services. We thought what "a
pity every farmer i'm the land could not
be convinced of these truths. Ii is a
deplorable fact that the farmers fam
lilies do not enjoy that robust health
that the country air and outdoor life,
with plenty of exercise, should give.
1t is also a fact that living on farms
whose rich acres are aching TO pro-
ducc abundant crops of the varied
fruits, but very few have plenty, and
many never have any fruit, except il
may be an exceptional apple. The
standard food in a majority of farm
ers houses consists largely of bread.
butter. and meat (mostly pork fried
in grease, and where pastry or cake is
used. it has lard in large proportion in
its composition; and this food is eaten
at least twice. and, in many families,
three times a day, year in and year
out. Is il dot any wonder that they
are not more healthy. and that their
prevailing diseases are such as indicate
an over consumption Of greasy food?
IL fruits were expensive or difficult to
raise. there would be some excuse; but
there is no part of the country witho 10
plenty of varieties adapted TO its soil
and climate. and just such as are fit
ted by nature TO both nourish and
cleanse the body, and no more skill is
4, required to grow them than to grow
" corn or wheat.
Why is it that so few farmers make
any attempt to provide an adequate
supply Of what would add much to
their pleasure. and save many times its
cost in doctors bills. TO say nothing of
the suiierings and loss of their dear
oncsP We cntrcat You, decide just
now not 10 let the spring pass without
planting a fruit yard. Surely it is bet