davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-05-08
A WHOPPER.

Here is a story from the Albina
(Or.) Courier, beside which all accounts
of big steers, pumpkins, etc., at county
fairs pale into insignifcance. The
story appears under the head "a Big
Spud," and reads as follows:
"There is a big potato on exhibition
down at the Continental hotel bar that
is probably the most immense vegeta-
BILE ever grown in this country or any
other. 1t was raised by A. Lapelle,
ten miles north of this city, and
measures eleven feet in length, three
and one-half feet in diameter and nine
and one-half feet in circumference,
and when weighed on a pair of hay
scales was found to tip the beam at
S3S pounds.
When Mr.. Lapelle was digging his
potatoes last fall and came across this
monster he thought at first he had
struck a root of the giant yamahetus,
a tree of the eucalyptus order, now
extinct. Further investigation, how
ever, proved it to be a potato. 1t
took three men and a span of horses a
day and a half to dig this potato out
of the ground. 1t vas then swung
upon a big logging truck and brought
to town. Though it may seem curious,
this potato is as fine grained as it's
smaller brethren, and when sliced up
and fried cannot be distinguished
from an ordinary potato of good
quality. The above figures may not
be exact, as the editor has lost his
notes on the subject, and is compelled
to rely on memory, but they r near
enough for all practical purposes, and
offer a weighty argument in favor of
the productiveness of our Pacific soil"
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-05-08

that during the first three months OF
1888 the amount Of capital, including
capital stock of incorporated com
panies, represented by the new manu-
featuring and mining enterprises
ORGANIZED or chartered at the South,
AGGREGATES about 1888, 600. 1t is
of course true that with many OF
these companies the actual cash invest,
ment is not so large as the amount OF
their capital stock; but there are many
small manufacturing enterprises, port
able saw mills, small grist mills, GIN
neries and similar small Industries,
costing from a few hundred to a thou
sand dollars, that are not included IN
this list. The aggregate cost of these
would be very considerable and partly,
though not wholly, offset the too great
Capitalization of some Incorporated
companies. In addition to these,
every manufacturing enterprise IS
constantly adding here and there a
new piece Of machinery, which IN the
aggregate is very great; but we take
no account of that, only including
cases where a mill is greatly enlarged,
remodeled, or other extensive improve
ments made.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-05-08
VENTILATION AS A HEALTH
PRESERVER.

The preservation of health should be
Just now a matter of the greatest solici-
tude. Already scarlet fever, diph-
liberia and other prevalent rural dis
eases are becoming frequent and
deadly. Fresh air and sunlight are
Indispensable to health. An investi-
cation into the character of the mois-
ture collected on the inside of the
windows in close rooms, especially
sleeping rooms, has shown that it con-
tains organic matter, which, when
burned, gives out the odor of singed
hair, and after a few days it is found
alive with noxious germs, which poison
the air and produce disease. This
moisture contains some of the most
offensive wastes Of the system, the
insensible perspiration Of the skin,
which is always escaping, and the
WORKOUT matter from the body, which
is carried to the lungs by the blood
and escapes in the breath are both, in
many respects, as pernicious as any
other waste matter and should be
quite as carefully got rid of. Ventila-
ton is indispensable at all times, and
no matter how cold the weather is
fresh air should be admitted. Cold is
a relative sensation. Experience has
shown hat one feels cold in a room
where the air is foul, although the
temperature may be seventy degrees
or more, and one suffers from chills
while the blood is a fever heat. But
the fresh air at a temperature far be-
low freezing warns the blood because
it contributes abundant oxygen to
burn up the carbon Of the food and so
produce vital heat.-NeD York Times.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-05-08
HOW TO RAISE COLTS.

A breeder of fine horses communi-
Gates to I~rf, Field ond Farm his plan
for raising fine colts, that is worthy Of
being followed: ..
The brood mare, after foaling, is
fed literally on grain. When the flies
are bad she is sheltered during the
heat Of the day and is given the range
OF %succulent pastures at night When
the air is chilly she is housed at night
and is turned out during the day.
Each mare is put in a box at feeding
time so that she may enjoy her oats in
peace. If the grain is put into troughs
out in the pasture there will be seri-
ovs scrammages for it. In every band
there are two or three mares which
want to rule, and at feeding time they
rush from trough to trough and keep
everything in a fremont. The grain
is hastily swallowed and there is dan
ger Of the colts getting injured by
kicks. The foal will begin eating
grain when two weeks old, and if the
mother is fed in a quiet place the
baby will have more inclination as
well as time to nose in the trough
itself. At five months old the foal is
weaned and it goes for the winter in
to a sunny and sheltered yard used
exclusively for weanlings. At night
two colts occupy n box, and during
the day the whole band enjoys the
bright and bracing weather. Each is
fed oats in a separate box and is
given plenty of good hay, and gather
ing in a band for exercise promotes
cheerfulness and aids digestion. All
this requires thought and attention,
but it pays in the long run.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-05-08

The progress in industrial develop
ment made by the South during the
first quarter of the present year makes
a very gratifying exhibit. 1t is de-
tailed in the Manufacturers Record, of
Baltimore, and in commenting uponit
that paper says:
The outlook for the manufacturing
interests Of the South was never more
promising, and this is made especially
noticeable by reason of the attention
that is 10 being given to small diver
sifed industries which must be at the
foundation of permanent prosperity.
These enterprises do not swell the
aggregate investments of capital so
rapidly as great furnace and coal COM
panies, but they add vastly to the
South's prosperity, and supplement
the work of the furnaces and the coal
mines enriching the whole South.
Basing calculations upon returns
received directly by the Manufacturers
Record, amply authenticated and veri-
fed, and in the case of incorporated
companies, compared with the official
reports of the State officers, we find
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-05-08
WHITEWASH.

The season of whitewashing is at
hand. Indeed, it is always at hand,
for the frequent application of lime is
beneficial to the fowls and makes the
houses attractive. There is no danger
of OVERRIDING the work, although it is
not absolutely necessary to keep the
whitewash brush going at all times.
So far as sanitary reasons are con-
cerned, good lime and water are all
sufficient, but such whitewash has an
inconvenient faculty of coming off
and leaving it's mark upon the cloth
ing. It seems to prefer to stick to the
clothes rather than to the walls. We,
therefore, give a few good recipes for
preparing whitewash which will not
so easily rub off.
lst. Slack in boiling water one-half
bushel of lime, keeping it just fairly
covered with water during the process.
Strain it, to remove the sediment that
will fall to the bottom, and add to it a
peck of salt dissolved in warm water;
three pounds Of ground rice boiled in
water to a thin paste; one-halt pound
powdered Spanish whiting, and a
pound of clear glue dissolved in warm
water. Mix the different ingredients
thoroughly and let the mixture stand
for several days. When ready to use,
apply it hot. If a less quantity is
desired, use the same proportions.
I'd. A good whitewash for use upon
outside work may be prepared as fol-
lows: Slack in boiling water one-half
bushel of lime and strain as before.
Add to this two pounds Of sulphate Of
zinc and one pound of salt dissolved in
water. If any color but white is de-
sired, add about three pounds of the
desired cloring matter, such as paint
ers use in preparing their paints.
Yellow ochre will make a beautiful
cream color, and browns, reds, and
various shades Of green are equally
easily obtained.
Sd. Another excellent wash, lasting
almost as we'll as ordinary paint, may
be prepared for outside work as fol
lows: Slack in boiling water one-half
bushel of lime. Strain SO as to remove
all sediment. Add two pounds sui
phate of zinc, one pound common salt,
and one-halfpound whiting, thoroughly
dissolved. Mix to proper consistency
with skinned milk and apply hot. If
white is not desired, add enough color
ing matter to produce the desired
shade. Those who have tried this
recipe consider it much superior, both
in appearance and durability, to ordi-
nary washes, and some have not hest
tated to declare that it compares very
favorably with good lead paints. 1t
is much cheaper than paint and gives
the houses and yards to which it is
applied a very attractive appearance.
Tile american Poultry Yard.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-05-08
PEA AND BEAN WEEVIL.

VIM. S. c., Castleton, Md, asks
how to keep the pea and bean weevil
away.
The bean weevil, commonly called
bug, is a small beetle, which lays it's
eggs in the green pods. The pea
weevil, another species, does the same
for peas. The young larvae find their
way into the young seeds, where they
grow with the fruit, often destroying
the meat, but do not interfere with
the germ. There is no remedy for
the depreciation, but since the beetles
do not fly far, if the seed contains no
images there will not be infesting of
the crop. Our plan to kill the images
in the seed is to pour boiling water on
the seed and pour off Immediately,
but the better way is to SOW seed not
infested.-Stockmon.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-05-08
SOWING MILLET.

A correspondent, M. E. w, Burgh
Hill, O., asks: What is the best a
e of sowing millet ? When is the
best time? Should it be sown every
year? Can you SOW other grass seed
with it :? How much seed per acre,
and cost of seed ? .t
Prepare the land in the best posi-
BILE filth and seed, covering about one
quarter of an inch deep. The same
rule will apply to Hungarian grass, a
species of millet. The crop is an an
nual one and the seed must be sown
every year. Sow after corn planting
time. From the last of May to the
first of June would be indicated
in your latitude. You cannot seed
other grass, that is to say the ordinary
hay and pasture grasses or clover,
with it. Sow from three to four
pecks per acre, if hay is desired. If
the crop is intended for seed SOW
twelve to fourteen quarts per acre, to
give good development of heads. If
for hay cut as soon as the crop is in
Observation-Disclosures.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-05-08
THE POTATO.

Three hundred years ago this fall
the first crop of the common potato
(Solonuna 7uberosum) was harvested by
civilized men, and this was done, &C
cording to a celebrated German writer,
in the Royal Botanical garden at
Vienna. The crop harvested that
fall, O5SS) amounted to about bushel,
and was distributed among the rulers
of various German States, with dlrec-
tons for planting and cultivating. 1t
is true that potatoes are spoken OF IN
England at a somewhat earlier date,
but other circumstances 60 to prove
these were not the real potato; they
were evidently a kind Of yam. Sir
Walter Raleigh, however, introduced
the true potato into England about
1000, some twelve years after it had
been grown in Germany. In 1910
Raleigh had the potato grown quite
extensively on a plantation of his in
the south of Ireland, where it proved
wonderfully productive. From this
plantation the potato was scattered all
over Ireland: whence it went to Scot
land and the continental countries
adjacent, carrying with it the name
which it still retains, but which really
does not belong to it-Irish potato. 1t
is a true American plant, and was
wholly unknown to civilization pre-
vious to the discovery of the New
World. ...r.. -.
Then this year may be regarded as
the three hundredth anniversary of
the potato. Why not celebrate it ?
We celebrate events of much less i'm
portance. The German writer referred
to is in favor of the German States
joining in such a celebration. 1t GER.
tainly would seem that America, whose
own it is, should not neglect it. We
would suggest that the managers OF
our agricultural societies make a note
of the matter, and give the potato a
greater prominence in their exhibitions
this fall; and we would further recon.
mend that all our farmers put forth an
extra effort for unusually good results
with the potato this season. Early
potatoes, O fcourse, are already planted
but much may be done by fertilization
and extra culture to improve the
quality and increase the quantity OF
the crop. Late potatoes are still to be
planted. Get extra good seed and
make extra preparations for the crop,
so that, should our Fair managers
take the hint, and give special atten.
ton to a potato exhibit, we may make
such an exhibit as will do honor tc
the three hundredth anniversary of SC
important a plant.-IHe PROGRESSIVE
Enrmer.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-05-08

An exchange says: De Lesseps no
longer carries everything before him
in France for his schemes for grand
improvements. His proposal for a
lottery loan in aid of the Panama
Canal is favored only by one-half the
Committee of Deputies to which it
was referred. In the existing excite
ments of French politics his chances
of obtaining favorable legislative &C.
ton are not great-at least so long as
Carnot remains at the head of the
Government.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-05-08
ADVERTISING FOR LOST AR
TICLES.

A word of advice, in closing, to
those who have been unfortunate
enough to lose jewels. Never offer
"a suitable reward" never say "that
the finder will be literally rewarded"
In such cases the cost of advertising
is usually added to the loss of the
jewel. State the exact amount of the
reward, and let it be liberal enough to
insure the return of the lost article
George T.. Kunz.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-05-08
CORN AS FOOD FOR HOGS.

Some one has lately said, perhaps to
set people to thinking, that a pig
might be fed all the corn it would eat
until it starved itself to death. We
do not credit this statement. Young
pigs corr fed are apt to become runts
from the injury to their digestive
organs from eating such hearty food.
Such pigs might even die from dys
pepsia, as many human beings an
nually do, yet it would be an abuse Of
terms to say that they had starved to
death. The idea meant to be incul-
Gated is a true one, that carDonaceous
food alone will not long sustain life.
Connected with this is a mistaken
notion that corn is entirely carbona-
ceous, or nearly so, and that it falls
under the same inhibition as those
foods, like sugar, butter and fats,
which are nearly pure carbon. English
physicians once fed two dogs with
nothing but sugar. At first they fat
tened rapidly, then weakened, sickened
and died, simply because sugar did
not contain the elements of food
needed to sustain life.
Corn is not liable to this objection.
1t has l 1900 per cent. of phosphate
of lime, against S7-l00 per cent. in
whole wheat. In heterogeneous matter
the two grains are exactly alike, each
having $4,000 per cent. Wheat
bran and middlings are much richer
in both phosphate of lime and nitrogen
than either whole wheat or corn. The
fair presumption, therefore, is that
whole corr is a better food for giving
strength and making muscle than is
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-05-08

the inside of the wheat grain, from
which our fine bread is made. People
might we'll live on white bread alone,
until, like the dogs in the English ex-
pertinent, they died from lack of the
necessary material in their blood to
repair the natural waste from their
bodies. But in large sections of the
country fat pork and hominy are the
staple articles Of diet. On these. men
work hard and live to a good old age.
If corr be, as we believe it is an
unsuitable food for young growing
pigs, the question occurs, why they
cannot eat it as will as working men
and women. This suggests as one
reason, perhaps, that the hog is not a
working animal, and secondly, like
most people who are naturally lazy, he
is afflicted with poor digestive organs.
Possibly people may be obliged to
revise pr%econceived ideas on this sub
iect. 1t is men, women and children
who are most inclined to be what is
called "piggish." AS for piggy him
self, he is rather apt to be dainty in
his appetite. He may eat a good deal
more than he can digest, but that is a
failing far too common among those
who count themselves his superiors.
The chief objections to corn meal as
food for pigs are it's richness, and
secondly it's liability to compact in the
stomach, so that the saliva and other
solvents cannot readily work on it.
The food after m~astication lies in a
heavy mass that only the strongest
stomachs can resolve. The COW and
sheep remasticate this food, mix more
saliva with it, and thus escape much
injury. But an overlooking of corn
will put either sheep or COWS "off
their feed" quicker than almost any
thing else. The pig has NO such
recourse. Having his stomach filled
with corn he founders, just as a horse
would do under like circumstances.
Pigs, and in fact all stock, need to
become used to eating corn, feeding it
in small amounts at first and mixed
with other food. 1t is not harder to
digest than fine wheat flour would be,
nor is it so rich and fatty as cotton
seed meal. Digestion improves by
severely exercising the digestive
organs, provided they are not over
taxed. By the time a pig has made
it's growth it should be able to digest
all the corr it will eat, if it's stomach
has never been weakened by over
feeding. By that time, too, all pigs
not reserved for breeding ought to be
ready to die. For a matured hog
corn in some form is the cheapest and
best food to finish the fattening. The
animal may not grow much N size,
but it will in weight. Its flesh will
be frmer by the displacement of the
water it contained in it's immature
state. Possibly other grains will
make a larger proportion of lean meat.
Cats and peas certainly will, but corn
fattened pork has a good reputation,
and will always command the highest
price in any market.-American Guilt
GATOR. ..
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-05-08
A STANDARD OIL TRUST TRICK

The House Committee on manufac-
lures have taken up the investigation
of the Standard Oil Trust. Some of
their ~nefarious plans should be laid
bare. Petroleum oil is a thing that in
terests every family in the country.
They depend upon kerosene to furnish
light. Here is one of the means used
by this Ubiquitous and grasping
monopoly for diminishing the produc-
ton of oil. The simple relation of
some testimony will suffice: Mr.. Web
ster, an oil we'll contractor and a mem
Der of the Oil Well Drillers' Union,
a secret society, said: Before he had
Joined the union he had heard that
the Oil Producers Association and
the Standard Company wanted to
diminish the production of oil, and
that the companies had each set aside
a million barrels of oil for the benefit
of the drillers out of work. The
Drillers' Union had received money
from the Producers Associations, and
he had received S75 as his share,
without having worked for it. There
was a contract between the oil drillers
and the Producers Associations en-
tered into last December, to the effect
that the Producers Association should
pay the Well Drillers' Union the
profits on 1000, 900 barrels of oil, and
the residue on another million barrels
that may remain after paying the
other classes injured by the shutdown
movement
The producers should advance upon
the prospective profits 81 per day to
each member of the Well Drillers'
Union for each day that each member
may be out Of work during the o n
tinuance of the agreement, and a
further allowance is to be made the
drillers for loss and interest on their
outfits. All persons interested should
devote their time to the stopping of
the drill during the time of the agree
ment, and shall report to a designated
officer weekly. The agreement was to
continue in force until Sept. s, 1888,
but may be terminated by ten days
notice from the Producers Associa-
ton. Previous to the expiration of
the contract the parties to it are to
meet and fix up a scale of prices on
equitable terms to both parties. Mem
bers of the Drillers' Union shall have
preference in contracts whenever
work is resumed.
Mr.. Webster said that there were
cases in which derricks were blown
up, apparently to prevent the digging
of new wells by persons not members
of the union. These cases had occur
red within the past few weeks, most
of them near Bradford, Pa. The
object of the shutdown was to use up
the surplus, as oil had become very
low in price. Witness understood
hat the shutdown was intended to
lessen the surplus of oil, so that the
oil gamblers should not have so great
a stock to gamble upon, and force
prices up and down, and make prices
so uncertain that nobody would know
what to count on. The number of
wells being drilled had constantly
diminished during the past three
years. J. n. Bennett, of Bradford,
Pa, a driller, was next examined. His
testimony was similar to that of Web
ster.-Fdryn, Field and Stockman.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-05-08

A Chicago clothing manufacturer
says that he is obliged to pay particu
lar attention to the hip pockets which
he puts in trousers destined for the
Western trade. His Kansas and Iowa
customers demand a pocket capable of
holding a quart flask, but for the far
West trade the pocket is made deep
and narrow, with an unusually strong
lining, SO that a pistol will fit snugly
in it.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-05-08

During last December, January and
February there were ten shocks of
earthquake in various towns of China,
which killed thousands of people.
The Bozeman weekly chronicle., 1888-06-20
The Tramp Nuisance.

Marshal Clark is OF the opinion that
the Bozeman depot offers the best re-
treat for tramps along the line. The
tramps sleep in the woods near the
track, and keep themselves well supplied
with chickens from Johnson's and Matt
Morrison's hen roosts. The Marshal
makes daily visits to the depot to
make a scattering. On Thursday four
of the tramps ventured up town and be-
gan to beg for money, but were speedily
run in" Some of those let out of the
iail returned to the depot and took up
their camp life again, but on the appear
ance of the Marshal, lit out in the di-
rection of Helena. At least ten are
camped at the depot all the time, and
they have proved source Of great an
noyance to the depot people and those
who reside in that vicinity. During the
week, gang of them undertook to mob
an employee of the engine house, who
happened to be in the building alone
He drew his revolver and fred, and il
a wounded tramp isseen up the road, il
will be easy to determine where he re-
ceived the wound. The nuisance is fast
becoming one that will require more de
cisive penalties than those prescribed by
| law -..h