davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-08
LITTLE ENToMoLoGIsT

| am only nine years of age. We came to
Fort Worth from Wisconsin six months
ago. My pa takes The GAZETTE and says
it is the best paper he ever took in his life
because it tells everybody everything they
want to know when they ask the agricuI-
tural editor about it. So to-day l send you
a monster to ask that you will tell US about
it. We never saw anything like it in Wis
consin. We found it on our madeira vines
running up the side of the porch, and ma
got the scissors and l got d towel, and
between US both we got it into an
empty match box, where you will
find it. A lady has just told US that it is a
very dangerous insect; that it spits in ones
eyes, and when that happens the eyes go
out. She called it by horrible name that
/ am ashamed to write to you. But will
you please tell US all about it! l have read
what you say about scorpions, but as yet
have not seen a scorpion. [ have married
sister up in Wisconsin, and am writing her
about everything down here in Texas, but
will wait to hear what you say about this
scarey thing before l write to her about it.
HESTER BRoILEs.
Fort Worth, Texas.
We well know what horrible name the
lady called it by-she called sit a devils rid
ing horse" Its scientific name is Mantis
carolina. A good name to call it by is
Sllnpiy HlautlS.
So common is this ''riding horse" name
that all readers will recognize the Insect by
it, thus saving US the trouble of descrip-
ton.
Than this species no insect was ever so
widely misrepresented. 1t is entirely
harmless in every respect, and it is decid-
eddy useful to US on account of the fact that
it devours large quantities of flies and other
injurious insects. 1t eats nothing save in
sects of this character Don't think for
moment that there is any kind of harm in
1t. You can take it in your hands, if you
like, and may make such pet of it that it
will sit on the window-sill all day long and
take flies from your fingers when you offer
them to it. 1t ought to be all the children's
pet instead of an object to be feared.
Not long ago we moved from the house in
which we had been living through tine sum-
mer. About the rose bushes and morning
glory vines on the gallery were several man
tises. Do you suppose we left them2 Not
bit of it. Our children took them down
gently, put them into an empty cigar box
and moved them to the new house, where
they now seem to be as much at home as if
nothing unusual had happened.
Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-08
THE LMoNDIN NORTH TEXAS.

l am lately from a visit to California,
where l became much interested in the
almond plantations of that state. Do you
think it would be possible to make the
almond succeed in this section of Texas
Please answer through our much apprecia-
ted GAZETTE. NJ.
Fort Worth Tex.
The almond would succeed here just as
well as it succeeds in California, under the
same character of artificial conditions.
There are growing in Fort Worth some as
large and fine almond trees as one could
expect to find anywhere. Ifyou would like
to see them with your own eyes, you can
do so by calling at the residence of Mr.. j.
c. Scott, southwest corner of East Belknap
and Pecan streets. On his place are two
almond trees as large and well-propor-
toned as any almond trees you ever saw in
California, no doubt. Every year they
bear considerable fruit, but not what could
be considered a full crop. The quality of
the fruit is fine.
There is but one trouble with the almond
here-drouth Under irrigation, as in Cali
fornia, it would be an entire success, and q
better success than there on account of our
soil elements being better suited to its
wants. Our drouths do not destroy the
tree, but they cut off large per cent of the
fruit.
The explanation to all this is easy enough.
Through our early season of abundant rains
the almond grows vigorously, but when our
fall drouths come OF it goes into season of
season the tree looks like it might be dead,
but when the fall and winter rains come on
it starts into new life, and as result puts
out its blossoms so early that large pro-
portion of them are killed by our late spring
frosts. Under irrigation the tree would be
held into growth through its present season
of rest, to find its season of rest in winter,
brought on by lower temperature. This
would cause it to put out Its blossoms late,
in response to the higher temperature of
spring. and as result the fruit would
escape the late spring frosts.
Every deciduous tree must have a per-
iod of rest in the course of each season, and
where there is period Of drouth that per-
iod of rest is found in that particular per-
iod-if there is no drouth then lower tenn
perature must bring the rest No doubt
the almond, influenced by regular water
supply, would do as well POSSIBLY better
in North Texas as anywhere else on the
American continent.
The almond is not tropical growth, by
any means, therefore our climate would
doubtless suit it entirely better, under regu-
lar water supply. than the climate of Cali
fornia. Water is all it needs with US.
Properly irrigated an almond grove would
probably be as safe thipR in North Texas
as is pecan grove.
Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-08
ON SAVING SEEDS.

Popular gardening favors saving seeds of
all choice plants we may grow, no matter
what the species. From such course
springs the advantageous local varieties
that we have. All seeds must be carefully
cured before storing, and even then should
not be closely packed into bags. Choose a
bag considerably larger than one would
think would be needed for the amount of
seeds. Label it plainly with name of the
flower SO there need be no guesswork as to
its contents.
For seed bags take bleached muslin.
Tear of strips from two to four inches
wide. With the narrowest hemmer OF the
sewing machine hem them on one edge. Cut
the two-inch strip into three-inch pieces,
the three-inch into four-inch pieces and the
four-inch into six-inch pieces. Sew
these into bags, leaving the hem outside.
Cut pieces of Irvine such as druggists use
into three-inch or four-inch pieces, tie a
knot in each end, SOW one fast by the mid
die to each bag near the top, and you are
then ready for the seeds as they are cleaned.
In the days of our grandmothers, when
Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-08
THE AMERICAN ROBIN.

This bird is something of fruit robber
in regions where small fruits are raised, but
no matter. Here in Texas we are not doing
much in small fruits during the season
when the robin appears among US, therefore,
who could offer reasonable excuse for
having the robin exterminated9 Without
the aid of robins, insect enemies of fruits
would be much more abundant than they
are at present. Let the robin alone, says
the Massachusetts Ploughman.
The robin don't honor US people of Texas
in small-fruit times. He favors US with 4
flying visit twice year-late in the fall he
passes US going South, early in spring he
passes us going North. But the little while
he stays with US he mas hard time of it
every youngster who can muster shotgun
or ''nigger shooter is out trying to muir
der him for carcass not much larger than
good-sized chew of tobacco. 1t is shame
Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-08
sLAUGHrERING OUR FRIENDS

Field, Farm and Stockman says man him
self an animal shows no mercy to animals
weaker than himself, as rule He merci-
lessly keeps up an indiscriminate warfare
upon them. Such Is animal nature. For
pleasure he pursues the innocent bird over
hill and dale until they finally hang lifeless
by his side. 1t is sport now, but the
time will come, if this wholesale slaughter
of our game birds does not cease, when
stern reality will show US that we have
been striking the hands that befriended us
and desolating our farms and rendering
them untenable.
There are some destructive birds no
doubt but the kind usually sought by the
sportsman are those that feed mainly on
the seeds of noxious weeds, and insects.
They may, perhaps even do some damage,
but if we could only see the good they per-
form, we would be appalled, at the magni-
tude of the work performed by the birds in
one day.
Many birds that used to be constantly
with us are scarcely seen now, and were it
not that some accidentally escaped, for the
sportsman spares none), all would soon be
extinct. How they do escape to propagate
for the next years slaughter is mystery.
1t would seem that providence must have
something to do with it, sure enough.
The gay life of the sportsman" has filled
our fields with insects that dared not visit
US III time passed by. With the vigilance
of a sentinel, all day long the sportsman
too often a farmer sportsman-watcheS
gun in hand, to shoot down the innocent
birds, and attends the Farmers Alliance at
night TO discuss insect preventives and
destroyers, provided all the time of the
meeting is not devoted to politics. The
hawk and the owl can pursue their calling
within sight of his door, and weasels and
minks can destroy the young of the birds,
but they are not fit for his sport.
In ages gone by the earth was overrun
with hideous reptiles, and man to-day, as
by instinct, shrinks from their sight; but
the birds warred with the reptiles Inch
by inch they fought their way; the destruc-
ton was incessant for thousands of years,
until at last it was made habitable for man.
They are still fighting for him, and man
could not exist if the birds were extinct
but in the face Of all this, we find whole
sale destruction in every quarter, and if it
is not stopped soon repentance will come
too late
Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-08
COTTON HULLs AND SHUCKs.

MI. Fl. Stewart writes the Country Cen
tleman as follows:
From experiments in feeding them, be-
lieve corn shucks are worth quite as much
as good hay free from weeds, and if fed
with cotton seed hulls from the oil mills,
would sustain mules, horses and cows in ex-
cellent condition and very cheaply. But
this is a matter, at least as regards the cot
ton seed hulls, which will concern Southern
farmers only, as the hulls will not bear
transportation to any great distance, and
can be utilized by them alone.
Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-08

seedsmen were unknown, all kinds of seeds
were saved, but then the old ladies never
thought of taking the pains recommended
by our contemporary, yet they got along
with them very well. They took rag"
(piece Of old cloth poured the seeds into the
middle of it, gathered the surplus around
the seeds and tied securely with string
wound round and round. The seeds were
thus secured in round package, with a
handle made by the gathering and tying of
the surplus cloth
Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-08
OUR CORRESPONDENTS.

This department is devoted to answering
such questions as may be asked by our sub
scriberS, which may be of general information.
Inquiries OF personal character that require an
swer by mail should always have stamp in
closed. Please give full name and postoffce
address in addition to any such signature as
..Subscriber, or "A &. D, not for publication.
if against the will OF the writer but to admit of
direct communication should such q thing be
deemed necessary. Address as directed at head
of this mage
Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-08

pressly for the government and the gov
ernment's people.
OF course you will find men re.dy to hold
that either London purple or Paris green
has insecticide advantages over our solu-
ton of arsenic. That kind of thingis easily
enough understood. There is profit to
some one in the sale of London purple or
Paris green. but the profits on white
arsenic enough to poison more cotton worms
than ever appeared in Texas, in 4 single
season, would not amount 10 enough to be
at all worthy of consideration.
Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-08
THE IANTANA.

Some months ago there appeared in your
department OF The GAZETTE an article
recommending the lantana as 4 beautiful
flowing plant, and advancing the opinion
that it would succeed well in Fort Worth.
An army officer took you to task for recon-
mending to culture what he considered 4
dangerous pest; but you cleared that thing
up reasonably well, and to the satisfaction
of said army officer. suppose, judging from
the fact that we have heard nothing fur
Their from him. A lady friend now visi-
ting me from Raleigh, \. c., says the
lantana grows to great perfection there,
where it is much admired. | would like to
try it here, therefore write to ask if you
can tell ME where could get plant.
y LADY.
Fort Worth, Texas.
We think it highly probably that almost
any of our local nurserymen could supply
you with lantana plants.
Since writing the articles to which you
refer we have found that there is no longer
an open question as to whether or not the
lantana would succeed at Fort Worth, for
we have seen a numbar of most beautiful
specimens growing and flourishine-both
white and variegated. In the yard of the
residence northeast corner East Belknap
and Pecan is a young but extremely fine
SOecimen
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-06

called at o'clock, with about 1000 people
present Sheridan cane from San Francisco
TO umpire the contests. Harper won the
first game for his side by his mastery pitch
ing. Several times the home team could
have won the game by single hit, but
George would not allow that hit. He struck
out four men, and gave a like number OF
bases on balls. Speer accorded him hne
support, and threw well to bases, cutting
off three attempted steals at second base,
France twirled for the home team and
pitched good ball, except 10 the second and
seventh innings, when eight of the nine
| hits made by the visitors were scored. he
had good control, giving but one base on
balls and striking out six batters. Spies
caught perfect game and threw finely to
the cushions. Peoples carried off the field
ing honors, accepting nine difficult chances
without an error.
In the first inning Ward led off with
triple and scored on Works sacrifice.
In the second inning Everett went to first
on balls. to third on Stallings' single and
Sundays error, Stallings taking secon d.
Boths scored on hits by Speer and Fogarty.
In the sixth the home team evened the
score. Sunday hit safely, went to second on
McGucken's error and scored on Nc
Closkey's single. In the seventh inning
San Jose won the game. Everett hit safely,
went TO Second.on Wards error on Stallings
hit. Speer advanced each base by his
single, and all three scored or hits by
Harper and McGucken. Following is the
score:
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-06
SEQUOIA PARK.
4 KaWsah COlOnispS Message to Secretary
Noble.

WASHINGTON. April 81. j. Martin,
one of the Trustees Of the Kaweah Colony,
sent long message yesterday to Secretary
Noble. containing over 600 words, asking
that the cases wherein members Ofthe COL
ony are charged with destroying timber in
the Sequoia Park ReseIv walton be dismissed.
He refers to Special Agent Caldwell OF the
General Land Office in very bitter terms,
and denounces his report as a species of
persecution, and insists that If the officials
knew of all the circumstances connected
with the matter the colonists would not be
forced to appear in court, nor would they
experience any trouble in getting title for
the land they have located upon.
Secretary Noble said: g was very much
impressed at the earnestness evlnced III the
message. | have referred 1t to Land Com
missioner Carter with Instructions to ac-
quaint himself with the exact situation and
facts, and with this as a basis we can reach
a correct conclusion. The recommendation
of ex-Commissioner Croft had just reached
me in an Official way, coming with the opln-
ions of some Of the other departments, and
was about 10 take the matter up and pass
upon IL unless | received this message, and
i concluded l would refer it back for more
definite information. All can say is that
the ark must be protected. The big trees
and the little trees and everything else must
be protected from the inr0ads OF settlers
or any one else When the Government
wants to beautify or change the park it
can be done in a legal way. If the colo
nists have a legal right where they are L
DO not see that this department can
disturb them on their own land. but
they must not appropriate any timber on the
park reservation to their use. If they are on
the land illegally, of course it is in the
power of the department to make them
move. No one need be excited about the
matter; this nervousness will not change
the result"
Commissioner Carter said: :" l have not
looked into the matter rs yet, but will pro-
coed to attend to it Immediately. | have alb
solute confidence in our agent, Caldwell. and
the fact that they are abusing him is in his
favor. | may send out special agent. but
this, | am inclined to think, would be only
an additional expense to no purpose. You
can say to CalifOrnianS that they need have
n o fears about the big trees being DESTROYED
by the cOlonists, or the park reservation
being encroached upon by settlers, no matter
who thew are or where thew come FROM"
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-06
AT OAKLAND.
The Colonies Defeated In a Closely Con-
tested Game.

The Colonies Defeated In n Closely Con-
tested Game.
The game at the Emeryville grounds
yesterday morning between the Oaklands
and San Franchises was well attended and
the spectators witnessed a close and exciting
game. There was plenty of brilliant field
ing in the play and the hitting was heavier
than the score shows. Outside of Danny
Swe eney the Friscos found it verv lfficult
to hit Stephens to safe territory. The little
center fielder, however, was in great trim
and found the Oakland twirIer's curves for
q pair of twO-baggers aud single. Lyons
pitched steady ball aud the hits made off
him were well distributed over the nine inn
ings.
The features of the game were n running
catch by Hines, Cantillion's catch of a foul
in the fifth inning and Reub Leyy's circus
put out in the sixth. Youngman drove the
ball over Reub's head but the fielder ran
out and cleverly captured the sphere as it
was falling.
In the seventh inning the Colouels filed
the bases with only one man out, yet they
could not score.
Bill Stevens. of last years San Francisco
team, umpired the game satisfactory to both
sides.
Therun-getting was as follows: In the third
inning for the visitors SWEET went to first base
on balls, Lyons hit to O'Neii. aud was safe
on Cantillion's error, SWEET going to second.
Sharp hit to YOungman. forcing Lyons at
second. and advancing SWEET to third.
SWEET scored, and Sharp went to third on a
passed ball. Sweeney's double scored Sharp,
and Sweeney crossed the plate on Hasa
meI's single.
In the fifth for Oakland Long hit safe ly
and went home on Cantillon's double to
left field. The score:
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-06
SECOND CANE.

After a delay of fifteen minutes the second
game was started. LooK9bough took Har-
per's place in the box for San Jose and
pitched grand game. But seven hits were
secured off his delivery, and they were so
widely scattered that they did not cut any
figure in the game. As in the first game,
one hit might have won the game for Sacra-
mento, but it was not forthcoming, and the
home club was not only defeated but was
whtewas he'd by the leagues baby. LnOka-
baugh Kept the ball over the plate and the
boys hit hard, but always TO hel6erS. Hus-
ton, who pitched for the Senators. was not
batted bard, most of the hits made by Firms
men being of the scratch order. Dooley
played a magnificent game at first, accept
ing nineteen out Of twenty chances. His
error was a n!uff of thrown ball while
trying to run down Ward between bases.
Peoples and Everett put up good ball in
short field, accepting all their chances with
out an error. McGucken dropped an easy
fly ball which came right into his hands,
McClOskey should have scored in the
second inning, but some stupid coaching
kept him at third base. In the ninth inning
Huston hit a hard ball to Dooley tnat
bounded up ana hit Charley on the neck,
but he recovered himself, got the ball to
first and Sheridan called the runner out,
although every one else thought he was
safe. Dooley had to quit playing for five
minutes and then pluckily resumed his posi-
ton.
In the third inning FOgarty and LoOka-
baugh made scratch hits and each advanced
a base on Spies passed ball and scored on
McVey's single. In the fifth FOgarty hit
safely, went to second on a sacrifice, to
third on Illusions error on McGucben's
short bit and scored on McYey's force hit.
McGucken stole second and scored on
Spies overthrow to third base. In the
seventh the visitors scored their last runs.
McGucken hit single, stole second, went
to third on Ward's error on McVey's
gr0under. McNey stole second and both
runners scored on Dooley's double to short
left.
Before the second game began the attend
ance was increased to fully $500 and the
spectators mpaEtially applauded both teams.
The score:
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-06
RNING CALI. FRANCISCO

feated the champion military team of Cali
fnrnia three years in succession, so the Cal
ifornia Schuetzen Club issued a challenge
to shoot twenty men of the club against
twenty men of theirs, military rifles to be
used. The California team won with
handsome majority. and repeated their vic
tory at the return match the following year,
making each time the highest score for twen-
ty men on record, the first contest 81 and the
second 81 per cent. The membership of the
club has increased of late very rapidly and
numbers now about 250. Four years ago the
shooting range was transferred from Ala
media to Harbor View, and yesterday the
first shooting took place in the new park.
During last year two OF its members. John
UtSchig and PhilO sJaeoby. attended the
great Int irrational shooting festivals in
Berlin and Switzerland and sustained the
honor of California maIksmen with great
success, carrying off many valuable prizes,
MASTER sHARPsHooTERs.
At the conclusion of the centennial con-
test the ten marksmen making the highest
scores were declared Master SharpshooteIs
of the United States. Jacoby, Strecker,
Rahwyler, Ehrenpfort, Struli, Bauer aud
and Koenig of San Francisco composed
seven of the ten men who were so honured.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-06
NEW SHOOTING PARK.
Successful Opening of the New
Grounds at San Rafael.
Splendid Scores Made by the Marksmen-The
Christening shot-History of the Cham
pion Club of the World.

The opening..of the new California Schuet-
zen Club Park yesterday was success in
every particular A large and orderly
crowd of more than 1000 persons were
present TO inaugurate the grounds which
the club has prepared for marksmen and
picnickers.
On arrival OF the o'clock train all the
marksmen, numbering over 200, headed by
Philo Jacoby, marched to the shooting
stand. La neat speech President Jacoby
congratulated the club upon the progress it
had made in craftsmanship and in possess
ing such splendid property as the new park.
He then turned to the targets and amid the
cheering of his comrades fired the first shot
over their new range.
Contrary to the expectation of most marks
men present he did not fire at the target,
but sent his bullet into the bulkhead. The