davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-28
Green Crops as Manure.
Practical Farmer.

That blowing under green crops is one
of the cheapest and easiest methods OF
man uring land is admitted by farmers
but the difficulty is that they imagine
| Trey make a sacrifice of a clover crou
simply to grow another of perhaps less
valne. If they will make a careful com
| parison of the expense of material and
labor required for manuring with that
from the barn-yard and that from the
grass crop the advantage is largely in
fag~r of greer manurlng. To properly
manure an acre of land not less than
elg hty two hOrse-wdgon loads are REQ uired
for each thickness of material placed up
on the land, and in estimating its value
there must be considered the cost Of the
manure itself, the labor OF driver and
horses, and the time expended in going
from the barn-yard to the field (of course,
the greater the distance the longer tbs
time), the time of loading of the wagon
and the spreading of the manure after it
reaches the field. These items of OK pens
are naturally expected, ana are necessary
but, though the practice is common, few
farmers are willing to derive the same re-
suits expected from the manure by ap-
parant sacrifice of grass crop. They
content themselves with the fact that
they frequently turn under a sod which
is equivalent, in their opinion, to green
manurirg.
PlowiHg under crop, however, is diff
ferent matter from turning over sod
A sod leaves mellow, fine soil, which is
always desirable, but a crop not only
carries with it all that may be derived
from turning under the sod, but lighteus
the soil, and adds double the amount of
fertilizing matter, as compared with that
carried under the sod. Another point
80 be observed is that the sod land is
never plowed until the crop has ma:ured
that is, borne seed, and taken everything
from the soil required by the leaves, stems
and roots. When green manurial crops
are plowed under, no wever, the maturity
of the crop is not necessary, and hence
the land is not deprived of those sub.
stances which enter into the composition
of the seeds, and which are more exhaust
ing than any other portion of the crop.
If, however, a crop is desired, the grass
may be cut as soon as it flowers and the
second crop may be allowed to grow up
for manure. The consequence will be
that expense is saved in hauling, loading
and material; but what is more i'm portant,
there will be saving of labor in destroy
Ing weeds, which is equally as arduous as
transporting the manure. The grass
crop effectually clears the land of all other
intruders.
Green manurial crops are not confined
to grass alone. Even the weeds may be
utilized, provided they are not allowed to
seed before being plowed under, and by
sowing lime over the land after each
blowing there will be no acidity of the
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-28
Disorder of Cows.

Az 1he season of oalving approaches
some careful study should oe given to
two prevalent and troublesome disorders
of COWS, viz, milk fever and garget. TIE
first of these attacks cows that are in
good condition suddenly and often fatal
ly within two or three days after the calf
appears. The COW is found down In her
stall, helpless, and sometimes frenzied
by the acute congestion of the brain. The
causes of the disease are immaterial, the
point to be considered is how it can be
prevented. There is a most effective
means for securing exemption, which is
to feed the cow lightly and withhold grain
food altogether for six weeks or a mouth
befo"e calving, and when this period ap-
proaches to remove the COW from the
stable to separate roomy stall. apart,
by herself, where shs is kept in quiesude
until com pletely recovered from the
change in her condition, which is when
the milk has come to its normal charac-
ter ana fit for use in the dairy. The
other disorder, garget, is so closely allied
to the milk fever that the same meaBs of
prevention are equally effective for ii,
but if an attack should occur from any
unavoidable cause it is quickly overcome
by the copiods use of hot water fomenta-
tions, and the application of camphorated
soap liniment with much gentle rubbing.
But excessive grain feeding is to be care
fully avoided.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-28
CARE OF WORK HORSES.

A Canadian farmer says 1t is foolish
" cruel to make horse work in dist
and hot sun for hours without water.
1t summer give water at least five
times a day. If the horse is warm
make him drink slowly. Give him all
the water he wants before meals, none
after; he will want none if his food is
moistencd. Money is made by giving
water of an agreeable temperature,
winter or summer. If the horse has
been hard at work give no water until
he has rested fifteen minutes nor food
for thirty minutes. Drive slowly the
first hour after a meal. Allow the
horse to roll on dry earth or sawdust
once day at least. The evening is
the best time. Then at once groom
him thoroughly and outside the stable.
Thorough grooming cleanses the hide
as well as the hair. A dry shampOon
is best for horse. Better use elbow
grease than water. Bed literally.
The best horses are in dry elevated
regions. Pureness of air in the stable
is secured by an elevated site with the
drains under the walls of bank-barns);
keeping manure cleaned up, and by
having the barn connected with
cupolas by ventilating shafts. Fairly
good ventilation is secured by holes
under the caves. Have windows on
east, south and west. Light and dry
ness destroy fungus growths. Do not
throw the bedding against the manger.
Clay or cement floors are the best.
Battle the shoulders with salt water
each evening six weeks before spring
work opens and continuing through
the summer. Fit the harness to the
horse. Better drive twenty miles to a
good farrier than have a next-door
botch put on the shoes. Blanket in
winter in the open air Ga blanket is to
protect the lungs rather than the back);
net in fy-time; fasten green leaves to
the top of the bride when the sun is
hot Temper frmness with kindness.
Cut the hay and grind the grain; feed
them moistened and mixed. To feed
the meal alone is wastful and danger
OLE
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-28
Grape Growing.
Pr.n nfinnl Enr.rnn.nr.

The profits of grape growing, like those
from the growing of ali other fruits, de-
pend very largely on the size and quality
of the fruit put upon the market. The
largest clusters and finest berries and the
highest quality can be attained only by
the best methods of culture, manuring
and training. To accomplish these re
suits in the best way, pillow the vineyard
early In the spring, very shallow-say not
more than 2 inches deep. Soon after
this the rows should be hoed and cleaned
of grass and weeds, and at suitable inter
walls the ground should be worked over
with some very shallow working cultivator
merely seraping or scarifyjng the sur
face. This, with one other hoeing, will
keep all the weeds down till the ist of
August. At this time prefer to SOW
broadcast over the vineyard not less than
one and one-half bushels of rye per acre,
cultivatipg it with shallow woI king cut
tivator, and allowing it to grow the rest
of the season. This will take possession
of the ground to the exclusion of weeds,
looking much nicer, and forming a pleas
ant and cIeanly covering at grape pick
ing time, and by winter it affords quite a
covering TO catch the snow, thus affordinp
much protection TO the roots against the
injurious Effects of frost. 1t will also
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-28
A FEW FARM NECESSARIES.

The american Rural Home notes a
list of necessaries and help that no
farmer should be without, as follows:
Every farmer should have a good
supply of nails; but don't think Gas
some people dO) that you have a good
supply when you have a pound each
of Sd or 10d, or keg of either or both.
What | mean by a good supply is a
variety. Everything that requires to
be fastened with nail should be done
so with one of suitable size and length,
and by having variety this can be
done with neatness and dispatch.
Wire nails are coming into general
use, and are a great improvement over
cut nails, as anybody can drive one
without splitting the article into which
it is being driven, as is the case with
cut nails unless great care is observed
on the part of the user. They can be
clinched with ease, and never break in
doing so, and when once used always
used for most work. They can be had
in great variety, with casing or brad
heads and fiat heads; nor will the
heads come off when driving. They
cost a trifie more per pound than cut
nails, but there are more in number in
a pound. In buying your supply
don't forget the wire nails, and be
prepared TO do a good smooth piece Of
work.
A necessary accompaniment to a
supply of nails is a good nailbox, made
with several apartments for the differ
emf nails, with handle to carry it by,
a place for hammer and saw, or if you
have not the above, have several small
boxes, one for each kind of nails Al
US have a GOOD supply of screws of
all The sizes commonly used, as there
are places where they are better than a
nail and are absolutely necessary. 1t
is always best to buy the common sizes
by the gross or box.
Rivets should be kept of different
sizes and lengths. The round head for
wood or metal will be found the best
common use, and can be had from
three-fourths of an inch in length, in
creasing by quarter inches, TO three or
four inches ia length, and of different
diameter. They are generally sold by
tlss pound, but when not wanting many
of kind a good waJ is to buy a
pound or two of mixed sizes. Always
have supply of washers to fit the
rivets as they are necessary in riveting
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-28
Good Society" in New York.

According to q remark asserted to have
been recently made to reporter, the So
cial elect in the city of New York COM
prise about four hundred persons. In
other words, that is the mystic number
of society" or, as they are now often
called, society people" The word
classics is applied to certain works of
literature because they are of the first
class, or class of distinction-class in
deed, so superior that other classes are
not menJIoned. ECLIPSE first, and the
rest nowhere" So with the entraucing
word society" 1t describes a circle so
separately remote, so lofty apart from all
other circles, that it absorbs and exhausts
the name. You may have the most
accomplished and delightful friends
and in witty, refined and charming inter
course the golden hours with them may
pass, but-"woe is me, Alama!"-lf they
are not counted among the chosen 400,
they do not belong 10 Society" and your
fate is outer darkness and wailing and
gnashing teeth. IF four hundred or four
thousadd of Us wish to feel that noblesse
oblige, let us not try to obliterate from
history, Grandpa Grocer, but remember
that the descendant of that worthy need
not hang his head before the heir of
Right Hon. Sir William Kidd, nor of any
Norman freebooter and courier who came
over with the earlier William.-George
William Curtis in Harper's Magazine for
June.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-28
The Judge Learned to Shave.

i remember a story that was told me
some time ago of a Judge who found
that his decisions on the bench mate
rally interfered with one of his estab-
lished habits in life. One day as he
sat himself down in the BARRIERS chair
he noticed that a new tOnsorial artist
was making ready to shave him, and
upon the strangers face he observed a
forbidding scOwI. The scOwl staid on
the barb er's face, and the Judge felt
uncomfortable. Every time the barber
brought the razor down his Honor's
throat he (the barber) seemed to trem-
BILE, and such an evil light grew in his
eyes that the Judge was glad when the
bay rum had been applied in the final
stage.
Before the Judge left the shop he
asked the barber what these frown and
nervous manifestations meant. The
barber replied: Ten years ago you
gave me - long sentence and lee
tured me like - besides, and when /
was shaving you just now / thought
how easily could have got even with
you. Just one slice of the razor would
have put you beyond the court OF APP
peals."
And the Judge was so impressed with
the ex-convict's confession that he has
never given a barber chance to cut
his throat since that day. He shaYes
himself Ptttsburg DispGtch.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-28
FARM NOTES.

In using eggs for Matching the largest
and strongest chicks will come from the
sggs laid by the hens or fully matured
puIlets. Eggs that are small or doublt.-
yeIked are not suitable for Matching.
Any of the potash salts may be used
with advantage on all fruit crops. Early
in the spring Is the best time to apply
them. 1t 200 pounds of superphosphate
be applied at the same time it's effects
will be very marked at harvesting.
The utility of windmills on the farm is
cow very generally recognized, and they
are seen doJting hundreds of farms where
five years ago none were to be found. A
western farmer writes that with his wind
mill he grinds all kinds of feed, makes a
good article OF corn meal and graham
-four, shells corn, runs a feed-cutter and
20 inch saw.
When the farmers are advised to give
warm wafer to stock, it should always be
understood that if above blood heat it
should have feed of some kind stirred in
it to make 1t palatable; bran or corn
meal will d.. If given to them clear ii
should be, for the best results, only lit
tie warmer than ordinary spring water;
the icy chill entirely removed.
Potatoes may be planted at any time
now for the late crop. Commercial fer
tiljzers are better than manure on soils
that have heretofore produced diseased
tubers. 1t would be best not TO plant Po-
tatoes on cd locations, but to select a
plot that has not borne such crop, as
disease may again appear on soils that
have before been planted.
Where manure has been scattered over
the strawberry plants, in rows, it will re-
quire but little labor to rake over the
manure. If the rain and frost have had
an opportunity to break the lump s to
pieces it will be an easy matter to make
the manure fine with a rake. By so do
ing the spring rains will WASH in the
soluble matter, and at the same time
clean the beds, thus leaving less dirt to
adhere to the berries.
Unless the ground for onions shall have
been carefully prepared, the work re-
CURED will be very tedious. 1t is often
the case that Manipulating of the grass
is necessary, compelling one to do the
work on the hands ana knees. Should
grass secure a stand when the onion
plants are vnnnp the CROP would bs
greatly injured.
Now is the time to hatch the early chicks
If the hen be provided with a good warm
box, and the heads Of the chicks creased
to prevent lice, the chicks can be raised
in the coolest weather. They should be
fed four times day on warm meal mix.
ed with water and IL ilk, with an occasion
al egg added. When feathered, give the
chicks cracked corn and wheat. During
clear dry weather the chicks may run IN
the yard.
Although the dairymen are gradually
becoming educated to the knowledge of
the advantages of pure-bre6 dairy stock
yet many of them require training in the
art of making butter. To learn to make
'gilt-edge' butter is equivalent to learn.
ing trade, and millions of dollars are
annually lost to our dairymen through i'm,
perfect knowledge in making butter. In
Europe schools of instructions are rapid
ly increasing, and there is a necessity CT
something of the kind in this country.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-28
Fourteen Miles i'm Eighleen WaItzes.

Edward Scott, ia his Dancing and
Dancers" makes the following estimate
OF the distance actually waItzed over in
an evening by the belle of the ballroom:
DO you, my fair and fragile reader.
think you would 60 six times round d
moderate ballroom, say, making circuit
of eighty yards during a waltz? Yes at
last, even allowing for rest. That. then,
Is $50 yards, if you went in line. But
you are turning nearly all the time, say,
on an average, once in each yard of on
ward progress, and the circumference of
cl1clo is rather more than three times
It's diameter, which will bring each waltz
to over three-quarters. of mile, or at
least fourteen miles for the eighteen
waltzes.-A meTicd.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-28

soil, where the rotting process will be per-
formed more speedily and the benefit IN
creased. 1t may be inquired in what
manner the grass makes the soil more
fertile by merely restoring the elements
it receives from the soil. The grass while
deriving nourishm ant, first operates on
the insoIuble Substances, and returns them
TO the soil in an available condition along
with other fertilizing material appro rri'
ated from the rains and atmosphere.
Green manaring not only increases the
fertility OF the soil, but reduces 1t to d
mechanical condition far superior to that
effected by implements; and 1t is safe TO
assert that du1ipg the period of growth
the shading of the soil odds largely to the
advantages secured by the land from the
growth of the manurlal crops.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-28
THE LONDON POLICE.
SOME OF the ork to be Done by the Small
Army.
chambers Journal.


chambers journal
The Lond%n police force, like all the
institutions Of that vast metropolis. is
arranged upon gigantic plan. The
superlntepoehts, inspectors, sergeants
ana constao'es make up an army Is 500
strong-a truly formidable force, but none
too large when it is considered that the
metropolitan police district extends ever
a radius of fifteen miles from Charing
Cross, exclusive of the city of London
and its liberties, and embraces an area of
COS miles, OF ratable value of $50, $780,
000 per year.
Over such az area as this, including, as
1t does, population of 5 $50, 900 persons,
there Is of course, q vast amount of work
TO be doue, and 1t must be borne in mind
that the duties of the London police are
not limited to the taking into custody If
criminals and disorderly persons and the
watching of property, but includessu such
duties as the carrying out of the smoke
abatement acts, the inspection OF COM
mon lodging houses, regulation of street
traffic, and at certain time the onerous
duty of taking up stray dogs. all of which
duties are anything bat light in a town
like London; nor are they likely TO become
less arduous, seeing that during the year
1856, II 252 new houses were built within
the police districts, making twenty nine
miles of new streets.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-28
FOrbidding the Banns.

bold 1nuovator introduced novel
element into an English wedding the
other day. At the place in the service
where appeal is made that if anyone
should know just cause why the marriage
should not take place, he arose and for
bade the 5anns. Requested to come into
the vestry and state his reasons for the
interruption, he stated that the groom
was in debt and not in position to
support a family and that, therefore, he
should not be allowed to marry. The OBJ
lection was not held to be valid and the
service proceeded, although one might
well suppose the feelings of the bridal
couple could hardly have been enviable
under this uncomfortable EXPOSITION of
the limited nature of the groom's re-
sources.
1t is impossible not to feel, however,
that the objector, disagreeable as he was
had on his side goodly share OF com
mon sense, albeit he, perhaps, carries
theory to transcendental heighth in
supposlng that as long as the authorities
had no hold on a man through his be-
coming pauper, it was practically posi-
BILE to prevent his marrying. Marrying
without means is on the whole less OBJ
jectiOnal than the equally common Gus
tom of refraiuing from marriage on an
income so limited as to necessitate
economical living, since it is not in the
end SO productive of individual selfish
ness, and it is the theUry-false enough,
to be sure-that the state is necessarily
benefi ed by an increase of its birthrate,
But this does not prevent its being a fact
that impecunious marriages are a private
and public misfortune, and there are
scores of weddings every day at which
public and private interes's would be
best served SHOULD some objector forbid
the banns on the same grounds as chat
taken by the English crank afol esaid.
The thing may not be practicable but it is
none the less des irabie.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-28
A Now Rival.

The Argentine republic which is the
most progressive and promising country
ID South America, is rapidly rising into
position as com petitor with Us in the
prooucdon and export of farm crops.
Its exports of wheat have risen 700
bushels in 1878 to Is 100000 in 1887; fiour
from coo barrels to 100000 barrels; corn
from 100000 bushels to II 100000 bush
els, and liEseed from 5000 bushels to
3 100000 bushels. From 1886 to 1887 the
value of the wheat ex port increased from
81 $4,000 TO 50 514, 900; corn from 81 663,
600 70 81 229 900; fax from $1,S25,00O to
81 059,0O0. The country exports also
hides, wool, peanuts, and turnips. This
prosperous republic lies in the same lati-
Jude south that our country lies north,
aud It's seas"n are, therefore, the very
opposite of Curs-winter there when i. Is
summer here. It extends from latitude
p degrees to 40 degrees, and through 1,050
miles of longitude. Its northern portion
has much the same climate as Key West.
while its southern portion is as cold as
north Missouri. It receives a large i'm
migration every year from Europe, chiefly
Germans, and 1T is destined to become a
leading power in this hemis phere.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-28
THE FARM AND FlRESIDE,
MOTHERS GIRL.
JULIA H. MAY IN BOSTON TRANSCRIPT.

She sits by my ST lie,
My bonny little lass!
The wor IS Id. the world is wide,
let the cold worl1 pass;
W tn Mary smiling up at me.
| care not Wuat the world my be.
She locks into my faded face,
My bonny little laSSl
But does not see the wrinkled place
Where Times rough footsteps pass.
Sh,. meas dres me by Loves own RUE,
And thinks Mamma IS beautiful"
She asks me many curious things,
My bonny tile lass!
BE angt Is shaking out their wiz gs?''
She SAYS when snow showers pass.
ki- her happy face and say.
angels nave surely passed this way"
She ooks at me with serious eyes,
NY Donny lit lie lassl
Rlght up to mi le the sweet thoughts rise
That through her iashes pass.
She pats my cheek. with smile and nod,
And though cannot answer her,
NJ bonuy nJIle IassI
Q leer little Questions quantity stir
The rippiig words That pass
rs GoI a Quaker? cause you know,
he theeS aud thUus the verses So"
She holds her head against my heart,
My bonny little lIs~l
Her eyrlidS drUOp, her tired lips part,
Her thoughts to dreau.land pass;
While bendu z down TO kiss tn curl,
hear her whisper, 'Mother's.gi.l!'
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-28

It will be seen that among the worst
weeds the anEuals predominant, while
with tho next class the perennials out
number those in the other two classes.
will now cutter into discussion of this
point. 1t is evident that the perennials
increase is percentage as we go from the
worst into the Indifferent sorts. Space
forbids further remarks at the present
time.