davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-11-23
About SpOngcs.

The only place In this cor'try where spong-
es are 10 be obtained IL fl he Florida Keys
said big New York dea er in the article 10
World reporter. They are also found
among the islands OF the West Indies and in
the Mediterranean Sea. They also abound In
the Greek and Turkish archipelagoes, The
natives dive for them, and sometimes they go
down in from thirty to forty fathoms OF Wa
ter The DIVER live only short time, and
after five or six years become blind aud deaf
that is, IL they are not eaten by the numer-
Gus sharks that abound in these waters.
They are a Law set OF men, and after they get
their yessles we'll prov stoned will not work
until their supply is exhausted. Then they
will work until they obtain good cargo and
then dispose of It on the outer Islands SIX
10 eight men go on each vessel. They live
ON fruit drink wine aud banker after the So
cietv Of females"
.'Is the sponge OF animal growthr'
"Thats the question which, after an eJ-
haustiye scientific discussion in I'D city some
years ago, resulted in the conclusion that 1t
is In its original state the sponge resembles
the blovfsh In fts appearance when. u i
frat taken from the water 1t has puipy flesh,
and II ia laid on the shore and covered with
rushes until the rays OF the sun lurn the nesh
of Then IL 10 put in shallow water ana
Graded"
what are the different grades Of sponges,
and whence do they comet
"Sheep's wool, grass ve'vet and reef
spopges can be obtained on the Florida sea
coast Sleeps wool also comes from Nassau.
but IL is not as good rs the Florida article.
IL has large pores. The grass, velvet, reef
and wire sponges can also be obtained ut
Nassau The wire sponge Is not sold Tor use.
The Mediterranean sponge Is known as the
Turkish bath spon"c In this country and 10
the honey comb In Europe. IL Is brought to
this market after undergoing the process
| above described, and bleached here. The
| bleaching is done b. the use Of manganate OF
potash. After this Ia applied the sponge IL
placed cleansing acids, washed In salt wafer
and FIN ally colured TO the des red tint BY solu.
| ton OF common wash ~ soda. From Nassau
we also receive the silk, surgeons large cup,
| eye-cup, toilet and Zsrnoca sponges."
| "What are the finest spouges, and where do
| they come fromf'
They are known as cup spongee, and we
| get them from the Greek archipelago. The
sponpes used In hospitals are the small sur
| peon and abdominal, and they are rapidly be-
| ing done away with absor ption cotton being
| their substitute. The sponge now made for
| medical use is called a sponge-tent II IL
| i'm ade Of reef sponge, and Is used for cleaning
| out wounds and also 10 obstetrcsi cases
| The sponge Is an article none OF which goes
| TO waste. The clippings are used for filling
| mattresses, and are also used by rail- en-
| gineers for packing journal boxes"
| IL suppose there are no ucko In the
| tradein
"oh, YES, there are. The sponge can be
| easily 6octored. Common grass sponges are
| frequently bleached aud put on the market
| as Turkish goods. SO neat the work thsI
even druggists cannot detect the difference"
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-11-23
A Binding Marriag,.

Capt. Boyds store last Tuesday
morning was the scene of the sudden
blooming of orange blossoms for pair
of young. dusty and dusky lovers.
Wiley George had long been suing for
the heart and hand OF Alma Stevens.
He had won her heart. but pare ntal
opposition stood in the way of IA cul-
mination Of his fondest hopes In the
face of the protest of Alma's father.
Joe Stevens. w ley cont nucd his atten-
tons until last Monday, when the en-
ranged father fell on him aud smote
him hip and thigh. WILEY and his
mother, Josephine, came 10 town next
day to get warrent for Joe. Joe and
the girl also came along to ''see EN-
out The parry collected at Boyd S
store aud made known their trouble TO
the capita n. who grasped the situation
and convinced them that marriage
certificate was the remedy for their
trouble. The boy. however held back,
from the fact that he was out Of ready
cash and was not properly attred-be-
ing barefooted and in his shirt sleeves.
'Oh, I'll sell you n pair Of shoes,
loan you coat and give you the
money to buy the license. said Capt
Boyd.
"All right" said the bov and DR..
George was called. aud Mr. Bunch. Who
was authority from the ordinary 10 issue
marriage licens filed out blank and
handed it 10 Dr. q orge, who stepping
forward. said:
"Spt on your hands anil join them. "
Thef spat and clasued hands.
do you. Wiley George, take Alma
Stevens for your W f.?
Yer er right. boss" said Wiley.
''Do you. Ama Stevens take w ley
George for your husband?"
Yes, SIR" replied the modest girl.
docs any one Object to the compile.
ton Of these bands? said the doctor.
No one objected.
Then he continues: ''Bv the author
ity vested in me rs an officer of the
great state of Georgia, which is some
times called The Enniye State Of tho
South; by the fields of cotton that lie
spread out in snowy Wilderness around
us; by the howl of the coon dog and
the gourd vine whose clinging tendrils
will shade the entrance To your hum
bic dwell ne place; by the red and lus :
cious heart of the watermelon. whose
sweetness fills the heart with joy; by
the heavens aud the earth. and all
that is in or und,r them, in the pres
ence OF these witnesses | pronounce
YOU man and wife. and may the Lord
have mercy on your souls!
At tho conclusion of the impressive
ceremony an evident feel NJ of rel ef
stole over the couple. They received
the congratulations OF the onlookerS,
after which they took their departure
for the Holt place. where they held a
reception in the middle of a 100-acrc
cotton field. -Leory ga Courier.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-11-23
The Heart OF Africa.

Oh, fare YOU well, my sweetheart true
Farewell for n year and day
For I'm going 10 sail on the saukuru,
- In the heart OF Africa
I'm going TO capture q cockstoo
On the ban ks Of the Ksssai,
And take swim in the bright Benw
In the heart OF Africa
I'm going TO camp with the wild Zulu,
And shoot with an assegis,
And chase the spirslhorncd koodoo,
In the heart OF Africa
I'm going 10 paddle my own canoe.
On the silver, OgovHi,
Till ] come TO the city OF Sskstu,
In the heart OF Africa.
III don't return, q, sweetheart, true,
AT the end Of q year aud u day,
Think not ] am drowned in the SAnkuru
In the heart Of Africa
For there NAV I've reasons unknown 10 yol
Why | can not get away;
may marry the queen OF karague,
In the heart of Africa
-Fsli1 Gray ia Harper's Monthly.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-11-23

Joseph ChD IN erlain, whose marriage 10
Miss Endicott, daughter of Secretary IL
dico.t, was celebrat "a i'm Washington this
month, Is the well-kuown radical member
OF parliament for Birmingham, who was
pres.d OF the board OF trade, and a
member 4 Mr.. Ola lstone's second cabi-
net. asst winter, il " Il be remembered,
he was sent 10 Washington by the Queen
as the principal rlenipotentlary On behalf
OF the British government 20 negotiate a
new fisheries treaty. Mr.. Cha nberlain is
wealthy, his inco c being estimated at
$1,000 year, principally derived from
the control OF patents for the manufacture
OF wood screws. He is about so years
old, but does not look to be more than 35,
and is a most agreeable companion. He
Is the possessor of a handsome house near
Birmingham, where he raises some Of the
finest orchids grown in England; and a
mansion in the fashionable quarter of
London. Mr.. Chamberlain could undoubt-
eddy lie p er IL he had any desire for a
coronet ut he doubtless prefers seat In
the lower house, espe tally as his friends
believe that he Is destined to gain still
higher political honors.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-11-23

One of the las: acts of congress was to
pass bill for the benefit OF poor settlers
on government land. IL was entitled, "a
bill to allow persons who have abandoned
or relinquished their honest, ads TO make
another entry" The plain purpose OF tho
measure was to relieve many farmers OF
Kansas, Dakota and other sections who
had been compelled to leave their land {
on account OF drought and by the stress oil
circumstances he promised relief L
the settlers, however, must he postponed,
as the bill was killel by pocket veto oil
Nr. Cleveland.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-11-23

missaries OF the Mormon church are
King toward Canada as land Of refuge
the pro ect Of establishing a colony in
Mexico not having met with success.
There is now a small settlement Of one
hundred and twenty-five souls In an iso-
lated spot in the northwest territory and
the visit Of three members OF the church
at o tawa is for the purpose of securing
land concessions from the provincial gov
eminent Whatever encouragement the
Mormon elders may receive In Cana a,
they are careful to create the impression
that they do not contemplate the removal
of the community in Utah to the protec-
ton of the british government. The
head men OF the church are we'll aware
that Canada will no more tolerate polygl-
my than the United tltes. Neverthe ess,
their purpose is eyidc lily 10 form M
cleus OF the church in Canada, house OF
refuge for thu faithful who transgress the
laws e tbs country and have become
fug tlves from ut.ce.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-11-23
Not a Steady Success.

II don't see why Cutter does not
succeed in the tailoring business His
fits are always good. yet he is always
falling and starting again."
His ?rogress is not steady. is ita"
No he gets along by fits and
siarisP" america.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-11-23
Royhood Friends.

Clerk Ito busy employer)-There is
a gentleman outside. sir. who says
that he is very old friend Of your ia
th RS
busy employer Tell him I'm sor
~, but my father. Is dead. Lift
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-11-23

While American clpital is pouring into
Mex co it is a remarkable fact that there
is a strong movement of native MeXicanS
out of the rich ; a OF Sonora into Arizona
and New NeXico The reason of this sud-
Gen emig alton is explained on the ground
that the authorities Of Sonora have invited
foreign capital and immigration into the
state, and hat the lands have been given
or sold in large bodies TO En- -llsh and
American cattle companies, mining syndi-
Gates and colonizing companies. Tn re
is undoubtedly con iderable truth to this
compla MT. The granting of monopolles
increase the burdens on the native poru-
laton. Besides, the influx OF the wide
awake, money making Amer lean pushes to
the wall the simple an ndolentn natives.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-11-23

Some things die hard - some never die,
but remain, in the language of Keats
things of beauty, AMI 10 forever Oi
such 1t seems Is that peculiar object which
the dressmaker calls tournur !, and the
scoaing world Of coarse men a hustle i
was currently reported that 1t was dead.
that IL would be seen no more, and that
II had been killed by the refusal OF Mrs
Cleveland to utilize its mysterious advan.
tages. The most recent dispatches from
Washington indicate that all that was er
roneous, and that Mrs. Cleveland is no
porter dared 10 ask the q uest on poin
blank of the leading m.lliner Of Washing
ton, and was told so.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-11-23
The Quickest WAY.

"How long does 1t take 10 acquire short
baudi" "A year or so by the usual systems"
us there no quicker way" "Well, VOC
might fool WITH n circular ssw."-Lineois
sourNsL
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-11-23

The Boston Advertiser very tersely
says The campaign OF 1855 will be re.
membered as the first that was ever fought
OH scientific basis. The tariff question
is question of political economy, and
political economy is a science. And it is
a matter to be very special. noted. a mat
ter for congratulation AMI philosophical
reflection. that millions o. American peo-
pie have been engaged much Of the ii ne
during seye al months in studying the
laws of supply and demand, the purchas
ing power Of wages, the nature of com.
mercial exchange, the balance of trade
the relations Of capital and labor, the
true nature Of money and other elements
which enter into that complex whole
which we call business,
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-11-23


Russian competition in petroleum with
the export trade Of this country is attract.
ing attention, and the prediction is made
that the time is not far distant when the
petroleum of the Caspian region will
drive the American product out of Euro.
pean markets. The fact is noted that
while the world s consumption of petrole.
nm Is steadily increasing, the exports OF
this country are not keeping pace With /,
in either quality or value. The Russian
pro duetion Of mineral Oil has risen in q
few years TO twenty five mill Oh gallons,
and the oil field appears to be well-nigh
inexhaustble. There appears to be some
danger TO the future Of this important
part Of our export trade.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-07-31

charter, and v~artuauy perpetrates a Pu0-
lc robbery,
Has any robbery been virtually
perpetrated in the instance OF these
illegitimate and unreasonable gains of
the Richmond and Danville System ?
Who will say nay? The farmers?
We have seen a good deal in your
paper concerning monopolies, the
iniquities of a protective tariff in build
ing up fortunes for the manufacturer,
etc. But if you will reflect a moment
you will discover that a very large
proportion of the immense fortunes in
this country have been made by rail
road men. Any burdens a protective
tariff may impose on the people are
insignificant in comparison to those
imposed by the illegitimate and un-
reasonable freight charges of our rail
roads. But who raises their voice in
protest ? The newspapers? Are
they silenced with free passes?
In view of the fact that the farmers
of the State-who are the voting
power of the State-will shortly be
called upon to select candidates for
the next Legislature, is it not to their
interest to give more than usual at
tention to the candidates to be elected,
and see that they r in favor of a
railroad commission, by which this
public robbery shall be abated ?
Are we slaves to this gigantic rail-
road monster which has grown up in
our midst, and is greedily swallowing
the profits of the products of the soil,
loom and anvil p?
During the session of the last Legis-
lature, when railroad commission bills
were before it, the lobby swarmed
with the paid attorneys of the railroad
companies to defeat them; and defeat
them they did. Were any of the
representatives of the people in that
Legislature bought with railroad
money?
The railroad companies have their
attorneys in every county through
which their respective railroads pass,
and there are good reasons for sup
posing that these attorneys are in
structed by their employees to get
into the Legislature whenever possible.
See to it, brother farmers, that they
are left at home. FARMER
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-07-31
ENSILAGE ENDORSED.

Some time ago the Kansas State
Board of Agriculture appointed a CON-
mittee to investigate ensilage, and re.
port the results of such investigation.
The conclusions reached by the CON-
mittee were as follows:
/. That the time has arrived when
the more progressive and economic
methods of conducting the dairy and
beef-produc1ng interests should COM
mand the thoughtful consideration Of
Western farmers.
2. That the method Of preserving
green crops by al of silos, now
common in the older States, is, gen
orally commended as practical and
profitable by those having the largest
experience in the business.
3. That ensilage, if intelligently
prepared, is a good, wholesome article
of food for cattle, and when fed as it
should be, in connection with dry
feed, will materially increase the pro-
duct and profit the dairy, make the
production of beef more remunerative,
improve the condition of hogs, and
enable the farmer and stock grower
to realize profits not promised by the
methods now common in the West.
4. That corn is the most profitable
crop for ensilage, and for this purpose
the seed should be drilled at from
eight to ten inches, in rows 81 feet
apart. Good cultivation is required,
and the crop should be cut just before
or about the time the ears begin to
glaze.
5. That corn planted, cultivated
and cut as above indicated will aver
age not less than twenty tons of ensi
lage per acre; that in feeding value,
three tons Of corn ensilage will equal
one ton of tame hay, or that one acre
of corn, when made into ensilage, will
equal about seven of hay; that the
feeding capacity of a given amount of
land can be at least doubled by the
method proposed, and that without
adding materially, if at all, to the cost
per head of the animals fed.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-07-31
A RAILROAD COMMISSION.

EDITOR PROGRESSIVE FARMER:-The
stand you have taken in favor of a
railroad commission should meet the
approval of the farmers of the State.
They are more interested in the ques-
ton than any other class of citi-
zens.
It is a settled principle Of social
science that the costs of transporta-
ton of the products Of the soil are
paid by the producers, and that the
market dealing in any product the
most largely controls the price of that
particular commodity. For instance,
Liverpool, handling the bulk of the
cotton crop, regulates the price of that
staple, and the cost of transportation,
which includes, besides the freight
charges, insurance, commissions,
brokerage, etc., to whatever point the
cotton may 60, is governed by the
cost of getting it to Liverpool. For
the same reason Chicago controls the
prices of hog products and grain.
Hence, agriculture being the leading
industry of the country, and of the
South, especially, it is upon the tiller
of the soil, both as a producer and
consumer, this tax of transportation
heavily falls.
It has been said that, "when the
government bestows upon railroads
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-07-31
HAY FRAMES.

Almost every farmer finds more or
less use for a good hay frame, and
every farmer should have one. It is
quite an item to have it strong and vet
light. 1t should be built so that the
load will be free from the wheels, and
also be arranged so that the load can
be turned around in as small a space
as possible. Too much weight adds to
the load, and makes it often quite a.
serious task to put the frame on the
wagon or take it off.
One of my neighbors has just made
one that is better than the average. [
send a description
The stills are II feet long, 2 inches
thick and 6 inches wide, oak; the cross
pieces are 6 feet long, 2x4 scantlings.
The sllls are placed SO as to just 60 in
side the bolster standards behind, and
are only two feet apart from outside
to outside at the front standards. A
piece of lumber is fitted in the bolster
to raise the stills sufficiently high to
take the load above the front wheels.
There are four cross pieces on top and
three underneath. Bolts are used to
fasten the whole frame together. Old
wagon tires cut the proper length and
then bent the right shape, are used as
bows over the hind wheels. Every
eight inches a hole has been drilled.
and then a short board, one inch
thick, 3 inches wide and II inches
long, is bolted on. One strip 6 inches
wide and n 4 inches wide make the
outer frame in front to protect the
load from the front wheels. A light
ladder five feet high is made in front
to aid In holding the load on. No
nails are used, 1t being bolted firmly
together.
1t is strong and not necessarily
heavy; is convenient and can hold all
a team can pull, while bringing the
sills closer together at the front,
affords a better opportunity of turning
around.-Farmer.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-07-31
ing me at Apex, Wake Co., N. c.,
and enclosing stamp for reply.

ing me at apex, Wake Co., n. c.,
and enclosing stamp for reply.
The Colored Alliance, a paper owned
and published (by contract) by the
colored Alliance, and endorsed by it
as it's official National organ, is now
started at Dallas, Texas. It's first
issue has just reached and is dated
July 1st, 1888. I think the colored
Alliance is organized with good inten-
tons and with the hope of accomp-
fishing much good to the race for
which it is organized. And, too, if
kept separate as it is organized, and
only aided by the members of the
white Alliance and all other good peo-
pie, it will work out great good to
both white and colored.
. J. j. ROGERS.
Charlotte Democrat please copy.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-07-31
THE COLORED ALLIANCE.

APEX, N. @.
Mr.. EDIToR:-The article in your
paper Of last week under the head of
"a Niger in the Wood-Pile," a part
taken from the Sanford Erpress and
Charlotte Democrat, explains itself to
some extent, especially with your in
formation, but not fully. The features
you speak of as possibly or probably
existing, needs confirmation. If you
will allow me space in your highly
priced paper, [ will do so, in order
that the whole matter may be well
and truly understood in it's proper
light-it will doubtless cut short much
unnecessary comment. The colored
Farmers Alliance is a separate and
distinct organization from the white
Alliance. 1t is regularly chartered,
and according to it's Constitution is
composed of colored members alone.
Its principal objects are: To educate
the colored race, to make them more
industrious, more frugal, more reliable,
more thoughtful, more faithful, better
people, better citizens, and to better
their condition financially.
This order originated in Texas on
the 10th day of December, 1886, by
l6 colored men and citizens of Texas.
They set forth their declaration of.
purposes and assigned reasons why
they desired to incorporate and organ
lie for themselves. Among other
reasons, they assign the following:
"a great many organizations have
been fixed up for us by our tfraemds(0
both North and South, and have
proved mere frauds and deceptions."
"That there are organizations now
in existence that take in both white
and colored people as members, there
by greatly imperiling, if not destroy
ing the harmony and good of the
order"
"That our churches and schools
thrive better entirely separate"
"That though we are organizing
separate and apart from the Farmers
Alliance now existing in Texas, com
posed of white members, we believe it
will be to our interest to work in
harmony with that organization. That
we ask the members of the white
Alliance throughout the United States
to aid us in ~perfecting our organiza=
ton"
1t is true that the colored Alliance
is spreading rapidly, now being in ten
different States, with a General Super
intendent. in each State. I have &C.
cepted the position as General Super
intendent for North Carolina. Any
information as to the organization of
the colored Farmers Alliance In North
Carolina will be furnished by address