davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-07-18
OUR COMMON ROADS,
Causes of Bad Roads, with Some General
Specifications for Their Improvement.

Causes of Bad Roads, with Some General
Specifications for Their Improvement.
There is one subject vitality affecting
the farmers of this country, in which in
most sections there has been no improve
mcnt and no change except from bad to
worse 1t is the general testimony that
in large districts of most Of the states
the country roads are in u deplorable
condition
There are many causes of bad roads,
but the leading one is n failure to keep
the roadbed free from moisture and wet.
Rows of large trees along II roadside
will by their shade intensity its bad con-
dition and keep it muddy for weeks after
it would otherwise become passably dry.
Water standing in the bitches by the
roadside is a fruitful source of bad roads
on the same principle that a cellar often
becomes wet, though covered with a
roof. Another cause Of our bad roads
that is seldom or never taken into the
account, and for which it is doubtful if
there is any remedy, lies in the construc-
ton of the wheels passing over them.
Narrow tread is the general rule and a
broad tire tho exception. If this could
be reversed the travel would be less
damaging, for it is the wheels more than
the team that draws them that make the
worst ruts. and on a softened rOadbed
the narrow tread wheels cut down into
it like knives
The following general specifications
for public roads were given in an ad-
dress read before the Missouri state
board Of agriculture:
1. All public roads should be located
on the shortest, cheapest, best and most
practicable route between the termini,
regardless Of section. quarter section or
farm especially where they ma
tcrially interfere with public travel. 2
No public road should be less than forty
feet wide. Less than this does not give
space for the proper roadbed and bitches.
3, No grade should be allowed on public
roads greater than one foot vertical OF
fifteen feet lineal. Sleeper than this Is
almost unfit for public travel, and dan
gerous and very difficult to maintain. 4.
The roadbed should not be less than
twenty feet wide between birms, and suf-
ficiently elevated above the side ditche.
to secure ample drainage Ample and
proper drainage is the great secret OF
good roads.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-07-18
AriiiiciAl MnnureS.

The following deductions are drawn
by The Mark Lane Express after ex.
haustive experiments with artificial ma
nures
Phosphate alone, for any crop, is mad
equate, and farmers should abandon the
use Of superphosphate by itself Nitro
gen alone is unreliable for any crop
Phosphates md nitrogen together (witl
potash sometimes added are more bene
fetal TO grain crops than most people
imagine. For root crops, fertilizers con
tanning phosphates, nitrogen and potasl
give far the best results. For grass, ma
nures containing phoSphateS and nitro
gen sometimes with POTASH are the bes
kinds. Oat and potato crops can b,
enormously increased by the use Of tbs
proper fertIhzers.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-07-18
Hints on nardy Rose Culture.


The hybrid perpetual class Of hardy
roses gives the beSC general satisfaction
to the careful cultivator. The Moss roses
are favorites ON account of the exquisite
buds, fringed with a moss like growth.
They are more subject to mildew than
some others, but this can in large part
be overcome by high culture and close
pruning. The Austrian or yellow roses,
the damask and other summer roses and
the prairie roses climbing are entitled
to be included in every collection OF
these flowers which embraces anything
like fair assortment
The following selection Of hybrid per
petuals has wide range of adaptabiGty
and suits the average needs Of growers:
Abel Grand, Anna de DiesbaCh, Baromc
de Sansal, Charles Margottin, Francis
Nlichelon, Gen. Jacqueminot, Ia Refine.
Mabel Morrison, Maurice Benardin,
John Hopper, Sow. de William Wood
Choice roses require clean culture.
Every week OF two during the growing
season or after every rain the ground
should be stirred with hoe and rake, and
not a sign Of weeds or grass be allowed.
The best fertilizer for roses is liquid ma
nure and a compost Of rotted turf and
manure The former is best applied
during the blooming season and the lat
ter in the autumn, according to Popular
Gardening.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-07-18
FARM, FIELD, GARDEN.
IMPORTANT FARM TOPICS CONSlO-
Erred IN A PRACTICAL MANNER.

Common Sense Directions About Improv-
ing Ordinary Flocks of Barnyard Fowls
by Grading Up the Birds and Crossing
Them with some Desirable Breed.
Classification is as indispensable in
poultry as in other branches. First, we
have the two general classes, ornamental
and useful. The first term includes fowls
kept more especially for the embellish-
lnent of ones grounds, AZ 35s ornamental
water fowls, pea fowls thsquaint Jap
aneso bantams and in fact the whole list
of bantams, exhibition games, etc, etc.
Under the class useful, and this is the one
in which the average farmeris interested,
are the three fairly well defined varieties,
table fowls, laying fowls and general pur-
pose fowls.
Now farmers who make side issue
of poultry are often frightened out of
any half formed plan they may have
made to improve their focks by the adj
vocacy by poultry breeders and journals
Of fancy poultry, pure breeds and breed
ing by the standard. All this involves
much more care and money than they
can afford Consequently they let the
matter drop. and the focks are left to
take care Of themselves, which means a
sure deterioration both among the flesh
forming and egg producing birds.
When farmers are not handicapped
with flock Of common poultry very
profitable plan is systematic cross breed
ing, which, properly speaking, means the
i,,tn 4 ,,E4 yru,.i of
Farmers, however, who are possessed
of fairly good lot Of common poultry
may, says the agricultural editor of The
New York World, bring about excellent
results by grading up their birds, care
fully culliug out is fast as practicable
old hens and dttnghill cocks. This done
the next step is the crossing of the hens
with cocks Of some desirable breed,
This will bring about in time most Of the
advantages of cross breeding In a
word, the result will be the same that is
gained by introducing full blood males
among 1.-Two stock. In making the selec-
ton of pure breed with which to cross
the common stock have an eye TO the
characteristics desired. For instance,
if eggs are the chief object select Il
breed famous for cgG production, II the
neighboring nar=1J requires large eggs,
then one Of the French or Spanish breeds
will b. in order. If the consumers are
not critical as to size, the Hamburgs,
which are persistent Layers Of small csgs,
viii 90 well, or the Leghorns which have
high reputation as layers Of medium
sized eggs. The Crevecours. which at
tain TO large size and possess desirable
table qualities. present Il good cross, as
do also the Houdans. where flesh is a
consideration. The American breed af-
ford excellent general purpose fowls, and
are furthermore hardy and comparative
- free from disease.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-07-18

Serge is the economical woman's ma
teri1l She delights in us gloss and its
freshness When it l1Fcs tbese she puts 10
into the wa,htub and n comes out new
again. For the summer outing il is iucom-
parably better than tlNuDoi The only mat
teIial that approaches it for every day out
OF door vacation wear IS n GOOD alpaca, and
alpaca has a surface which is not becoming
to all complcsions. Tor women who can
wear it, alpaca is very cool very durable.
very light, wonderfully considerable about
shedding dirt this is point for the eco.
pomical woman's cousd,ratiou-aud more
- be relied on VIXEN caught In the rain
lun most materials, though in tins respect
serge is its superior. New York World.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-07-18
PInnt Young Trees.

Planting young trees is productive Of
early and prolonged fruitfulness, 1t is a
serious mistake to plant old and large
trees in the hope Of their coming sooner
into bearing, for the younger and smaller
trees will soon oyertako them. Medium
sized two year old apple and pear trees
are to bo preferred, and peach trees Older
than one year are worthless. Young
trees in the hands of their owner may
be nodded into any shape desired, and
branched either low or high as he may
fancy. This cannot be said Of those OF
an advanced age.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-07-18

Early in spring the dog foxes travel
great distances to find their mates. and on
still evenings their cry may be heard
plainly, three short, husky banks, like he
cough of dog with a bone in his throat.
The vixen occasionally utters q plaiutiVe
howl, a weird, uncomfortable noise The
first cubs are dropped early in the middle
of March, sometimes in some large earth
that has been used for years, bus Frequently
in a hole which the vixen has made for
herself. Unlike the offers, foSes do not
resent the presence of others of their
species in their hunting grounds.
\ pair of offers will mOnopulize miles Of
river but if there is plenty of game and
tho covers are quiet half dozen viXcns
may take up their quarters in one square
mile Tho quantity of food which the cubs
require is extraordinary; and il the fox
We're not the most cunning as well as one
Of the most active and enduring Of ami
mails the old ones would find it hard TO
satisfy them. Fortunately for the moth
ers of large families-for they sometimes
have as many as seven at a litter-the cubs
are omnivOrous feeders, and, except snakes
or storts, will eat almost anything.
Fish, frogs, rats, small birds, field mice,
rabbits and all kinds of game are their
usual fare. The vixens prowl round every
fowl house in tho parish Mt least once a
week. They viii climb an ivy covered tree
and catch wood pigeon on her nest, or
hide in It patch of rushes and catch the
moor hen rs She sWims from her island
home TO the bank. Meantime the father
of the family Leads q comfortable bachelor
life, spending the warm days curled up in
a snug nest in the long, dry grass, with a
good thicl. tuft between him and the wind,
or, if the day be very calm, he slips into
the crown Of pollard and sleeps there
InnHnn Stnnntntnr
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-07-18

That cold water-at any time our most
natural beverage-should become danger
Gus at the very time when the system is
most urgently in need of refrigeration
seems a physiological paradox, and my
skcptlcism in that respect was strongly
confirmed bya long soiourn in Algiers and
Spanish America. On the hottest afternoon
of a tropical summer have seen Mexican
soldiers kneel down at the brink of a rivu-
let, cooled by the SHOWS Of the high Sierras,
and quench their thirst without stint, just
as our nature guided fellow creatures
would obey the promptings of an unmis-
taxable, nay, almost irresistible, instinct,
The mere idea of dreGding the conse-
quences of enjoying that most natural Of
all luxuries would seem wholly incompre-
hcnsible to several hundred millions of our
fellow men, and we might, indeed, rs well
warn them not to run the risk OF iudulgug
first class appetite yeatinc, ornot TO yield
to the appeals of n work exhausted body by
falling asleep. Experience would certainly
never illustrate the wisdom of such warn
iugs, and the real secret Of the strange de-
fusion is either the medieval monk doc
trinc that whatever is natural is wrong,
or a misapplied lesson derived from tho
fate of sunstruck alcohol drinkers Dr.
Oswald il Home Maker.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-07-18

As geese are great graZcrS il is useless
to attempt to breed them unless ono has
plenty of ROOM They require unlimited
grass runs, and ought to be kept apart
from the poultry yard containing young
chicks. Where one has suitable facili-
ties for raising geese they return good
profits, as, if set carly, two broOds may
be obtained from each female, thereby
securing hocks for each seasons sales.
The Toulouse and Embden varieties are
to be preferred to other sorts where
breeding for profit is in order. These
attain heavy weights. mature early and
are hardy and prolific. While geese are
setting they should be thoroughly busted
with sulphur or pyretllrum once or twice
to cleanse them from vermin. \ good
plan after the goSlings are Matched is to
make Il triangular pen with three long
boards where the grass Is short but fresh
and green, and move t. u new place
every day \ shallow dish of water
must be placed SO they can get into it,
and be reiille1 as often as it gets foul.
Feed little at Il time, but often, while
they are small, and at the end of u week
they will have gained strength SO they
may be turned into their pasture if shell
tered at night. If a gosling gets wet so
as TO look drenched and it begins to droop
ii must be dried. If Soslings are taught
to eat. then well fed and kept dry till
we'll feathered success is almost certain.
When fully foalhered they are al.!e to
take care Of themselves. and on Il large
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-07-18
influence of TiIlago ON Soil Moisture.

InUucnCO OF Image on SOIL hApiSlures
Experiments made ut the Storrs agri-
cultural station illustrate very forcibly
the influence of tillage on soil moisture.
Cultivating the crops not only keeps
down the weeds but prevents or at least
modifes the i'll effects of drought. The
soil has reserve stores of water, but in
summer the supply is often low, and the
same forcc of capillarty which brings
it up 10 the roots of the plants carries it
past them to the surface, where the suns
heat changes it to vapor and the wind
bears it away. Cultivating loos&nS the
upper layer Of the soil. The capillary
tubes through which the soil water j.
conveyed upward are thereby enlarged
or their continuity is severed, the capil-
larry action is hindered and less water
reaches the surface.
At the same time more air enters and
the loosened top layer Of earth transmits
less heat to the soil beneath. In word,
the loosened surface acts as mulch and
tends to keep the under soil cooler; il
also prevents the water from reaching
the surface, and thereby in twofold
manner protects the rising moisture from
eyaDOratiOu
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-07-18
Proper Temperature for Churning.

About 81 degs has been found to be
the right temperature. When the cream
is in proper condition and has not pro
viously been subjected to alternate OK
posures to heat and cold if churned at
or near this temperature no trouble need
be anticipated from a failure of the but
ter to come IN reasonable time. The
temperature will be slightly increased
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-07-18


Tho fact that bees are pollen distiibu-
tors is sufficient reason why a place
should be made for them on every farm.
If kept for no other purpose than tho
benefit they do to growing crops and
fruit bearing trees and plants hy
spreading the pollen among the blooms
these industrious workers would be a
Valuable adjunct. Testimony is album
dant and conclusive as to the desirable
effects Of bees upon grapcyines, fruit
trees and fruit bearing plants generally.
Indeed ono prominent api&rist goes go
far rs to insist that a few hives Of bees
juGici4u-ly placed will revive fruit
ta~a from non-paying to Il profitable
investments. Field crops, scientists tell
Us. and wide awake farmers know from
their own observation, arc greatly as
sisted By the honey bee'a mGnipulations.
Indeed their influence is required for
the perfect floral fertilization Of some of
the cereal crops and the meadow grasses.
Whore tho farmer is TOO busy to give lis
personal attention to the production Of
honey it is suggested that he purchase a
few hives and turn these over to the
caro- Of his wife and daughters. They
viii find the pin money accruing from
the sale of the honey a convenient and
pleasant return for the labor and time
spent among the bees The outdoor oc-
cupatiou, too. will prove a welcome and
hcglthtul change from indoor drudgary,
which they can then afford TO hire done,
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-07-18

Farmers bulletin No. ?, issued by the
department Of agriculture through the
office Of experiment stations, is ready for
distribution This bulletin presents in IA
practical form some Of the important re-
suits Of the work done at sundry expert
ment stations. The subjects presented
in this bulletin are better COWS, the effect
Of heat and cold on milk silos and silage,
alfalfa and field experiments with fertil-
izers. The bulletin is sixteen page
pamphlet, prepared especially, as the title
indicates, for the information Of the
practical farmer. Application should be
made TO the secretary of agriculture
Washington, b. c. A considerable por
ton Of the edition viii also De distributed
through members Of congress.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-07-18
Importnnce of Salt for Cows.

Professor Robinson, who has tested
thomattcr claims that when COWS are
denied salt for period of even one week
they will yield from IA to II per cent.
less milk and that of inferior quality.
Such milk, he says, will, on the average,
turn sour in less time than milk drawn
from the same or similar COWS receiving
salt, all other conditions of treatment
being equal
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-07-18

seed which seeds. 1t falls into drawer
for the purpose and the seed thus saved
is of excellent quality and the quantity
cost of the arrangement. The cupola is
rectangular and has four openings with
stationary blinds and four with glazed
sash which light and ventilate the feed
ing passage.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-07-18
onts for nomestio Animnls.

Oats are to domestic animals what
wheat is for man, tho best species Of
grain. The chemists have never done it
Justice because if contains some active
property that escapes analysis, yet tells
on the strength and nervous vigor OF
horses and cattle alike, says Western
AariollU@ist-
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-07-18
FARM AND GARDEN.
SUBJECTS OF INTEREST CONSIDERED
IN A PRACTICAL MANNER.

A Model Carriage House and Stable That
is Wen Lighted and Ventilated and
Exhibits an Attractive Appearance
from Any Point of View.
The engraving here presented shows
the doors of n rectangular carriage house
portion of building; also the door 10 the
hay loft. The carriage house doors are
folding and open outward, as they can be
made closer when hung on hinges than
when hung on rollers, IL is desirable
that all doors and windows should be as
close as practicable, that they may not
affect the ventilation, the ingress of
which is provided for by subterraneous
air duct seen at A in the ground plan.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-07-18
Enilnres WITH Glover.

The chief cause of failure with clover
is foul seed and imperfect preparation OF
the land There are but few clover field,
free from weeds, the seeds of the weeds
being harvested with the clover seed and
sold to all points, only to spread the evil.
The. quantity of seed used is also too linn
tied sometimes. The Philadelphia Record
says that it ought 10 be rule always t
use too much seed ra.her than to incm
the risk of too little 1t would be wei,
if corn should follow wheat, so as tC
work and cultivate the land in order tc
clean it Of weeds ana SOW the clover
seed in the fall, as by 80 doing the land
could be thoroughly prepared and made
fine, the seed being lightly brushed in,
thus enabling the farmer to have his
field Of clover uniform. Failures alao
occur from lack of a supply Of lime and
potash after the clover is we'll undeI
growth. All clover land should be wei
lined after narrowing, and if u supply
Of wood ashes cannot be obtained til,
crude potash salts should be applied a
well as the lime.
Mrs John A. Logan says she has taught
herself the use Of carpenter tools until aOle
10 build cupboard or put new shelf IN
the pantry She smashed one thumb
sawed the other half oil, crippled two lin
gers and knocked her knees, but pcrseger
ance won and the jack plane is king. De
troit Free Press.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-07-18

Silver link purses for ladies use are now
msdc long, with an opeAiI-s in the Cen
to close with rings, like the uettcd a..E
purses
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-03
Tugs, I hogshcads; common lugs, hogs

Tugs, hogshcads; common lugs, hogs
head. Total, 20i hogsheads.
Ofiice Of the tobacco inspector reports 10
day: inspections Bright, u hogsheads
daik, % hogsheads. Reinspections- Bright
hogsheads; dark, 80 hogsheads.
For the month ending September 80, $500
lnspections-l,7 re hogsheads, Il3 tercos, A,
boxes. Reinspcctions-692 hogsheads,
tlerces, box. Total sampling- ,362 hogs
heads. IFS tierces, 4S boxes.
For the twelve months ending September
80. 1890: lnspcctions-26,60 600 hogsheads
$500 ticrces, 973 boxes. Reinspcctions-
tai sampllng for the year-3l,jl1 hogsh aads
3-S tierces, l,02I boxes.
receipts for month ending september 30
1890, 1910 hogsheads, l6i tierces and boxes
Deliveries for month ending September
20, 1890, >, l65 hogsheads, 20i tierces and
boxes.
Receipts for twelve months ending Sep.
TENDER 30, 1890, 21,57l hogsheads, 4,3S>
tierces and boxes.
Deliveries for twelve months ending Sep.
tcmber 80, 1890. 32,,SS h0gsheads, 1860
tierces and boxes.
Stocks OF tobacco in warehouses at Rich
mond, Va, September 30, 1870: In
spected, 1921 hogsheads, $50 tierces and
boxes; uninspectcd, 1923 hogsheads, Il
tierces and boxes; total stocks September
30, 1890. 1920 hOgsheads, 1O6 tierces and
boxes. Total stocks August 3lst, 1919
hogsheads, 143 tierces and boxes. Decrease
in stocks for month Of September, 1870, Gjj
hogsheads. 81 tiercos and boxes.
Farmers, Wilson's. Old Dominion, ALE
ghany, Crcnshaw's. Dayenport's, Planters
and Merchants, and Seabrook's ware
houses report today: Receipts, 81 hogs
heads , tiercps and boxes. deliveries ~
hogsheads, 3 terces and boxes.
Office Of the collector of the United States
internal revenue reports collections for the
city Of Richmond to-day as follows: Tax
paid cigars and cigarettes, $l,l2S.GO; do, to-
baccos, 81. 5S3.12. Total, S3,7ll.12.
Registered at the Tobacco Exchange
Thursday, October >, 1890: Il. b. Vaughan,
Petersburg; b. y. Duke, \. II. Minlear,
Durham.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-03
FINANCE AND COMMERCE.
QUOTATIONS OF THE NEW YORK
COTTON MARKET.

s,,ustIon OF Tobacco at Richmond and
o,her Important Centres Cotton and
Farm Products Peanut Quotations
Misccllsneous.
Nrw YORK, oct. Mooney closed at
81. per cent. Exchange steady; posted
rates. 4S2h@tS7h; actual rates, 4Sl%@
49, for sixty lays, and 4S63. for demand.
Governments closed steady; currency 6's,
ma bid: Is, coupons, l22Il bid; 4}<'s do.
1881. bid.
The stock market was extremely dull this
morning. In fact, the volume Of business
transacted was the smallest in several
months The Bank Of England did not adj
vance the rate of discount to-day, and the
expectations OF those who proposed to make
use Of it 10 help 10 depress prices
na- morning were sadly disappoint-
cd. Prices here opened firm at
t.ais higher for the general list. The
market continued firm Tor the first hour, but
after d o'clock IL saggcd and by noon the
advance was more than lost in most eases.
There was a little more trading after Il
O'Clock. hut the changes were slight.
Prices continued weak and at the close were
generally 10 per cent. lower than those
az Yesterday. sales. 49, go shares.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-03

For roses, cut flowers, &c, 20 10 .. ~
Harvey. . east Broad. STOCK uhs"rP"SSc'
i'm the south.