davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20
Mulching Pastures and Meadows

A spot in the meadow or pasture where
a handful of hay or a fat stone has lain a
while, gives evidence Of increased fertil-
ity upon their removal, and after sufficient
time for vegetation to start anew has
elapsed. Last year few rows of potatoes
in a field were mulched and the others not;
this season the same field is planted to
potatoes again and no mulchlng done; but
the part mulched last year IL yielding now
fully 80 per cent. more crop than last year.
A farmer who had several tons of spoiled
hay spread it thinly last October, on the
poorest parts of the meadow where it
grew; this portion now cuts about third
more than the other. While it is not adj
visable, as rule, to mulch meadows with
long hay or straw, lest it remain unrotted
and be raked up with succeeding crop and
injure the sample, yet luckily there was
snow last winter, which pressed the old
hay to the ground where it rotted and
acted as manure as we'll as mulch. These
considerations open the way for sugges-
ton. AS managed now, straw is kept in
length: what is not fed out is a whole year
rotting into condition for plant-food
This certainly entails loss of its mulching
property, and the loss of the use of it a
year as manure. Some farmers practice,
with great benefit, moving wheat stubble
and clipping the tops of young clover.
These clippings act as mulch the rest OF
the season. and as a protection to the
clover-roots in winter Now cut straw
placed upon old meadows would have the
same effect. Placed upon growing wheat
in the fall, it has been found not only a
good winter protection, but in a consider
able degree a preventive of upheaval by
frost in spring. 1t rots during the grow
ing season of wheat, in spring and early
summer, is taken up by the plants and is
thus changed to straw again, a year in adj
vance of uncut straw, having in this COM
paratively brief time answered two pur-
poses, and with SIS waste. Cut straw is
better to feed and to bed with, for the
finer straw is the better it absorbs. What
is needed now is an attachment to thresh-
ing machines that will cut the straw as
threshed And then let what is not
needed about the barns be returned to the
fields at once to mulch either meadow or
wheat ld.-Galen Wilson.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20
Fertilizing for Wheat.
Home and Earn

The old plan of manuring for wheat was
to hand out and apply on the stubble and
then plow under After this came the
plan of top dressing. preparing the ground
and sowing the seed, and tnen hauling
out and scattering the manure over the
growing crop. In addition to applying a
good dressing of fertilizer in this way, the
manure afforded considerable protection to
the plants. After the blowing has been
done it will be found good plan to haul
out and apply all the manure possible,
scattering evenly over the ground, and the
work of narrowing and preparing the soil
in good filth will work the manure rea-
sonably we'll into the soil and place it
where the soluble portions will be available
for the use of the plants. An advantage
with this plan is that, as a rule, 1t will IN
terfere less with the other work of the
farm. If delayed until after wheat is
sown there are the potatoes to dig, the corn
to cut and cared for and so many items of
work to be done that it is not always pos
| sible to haul out manure. If commercial
| fertilizers are to be used good plan is to
use drill in sowing the seed with a fer
| tilizing attachment and do all the work at
one time The use OF commercial fertillz-
ers with this crop has increased very ma
terialIy of late, so much so that it has be-
come quite an item with the crops. By
many salt is considered good material to
use in fertilizing wheat. The best plan of
applying is reasonably east Y in the spring.
scattering broadcast over the surface. The
principal gain in using salt is that 1T acts
upon the soil SO as to make plant-food al
ready in the soil available. in order to
receive vigorous, thrifty growth. rea-
sonabIy rich soil is necessary, and If the
soil is not naturally rich it should be made
| so by the application Of fertilizers.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20
FARM AND GARDEN.
THE OLD BELL COW.
NIXON WATERMAN.

When l was but boy 1 used so happily to
roam
Through every nook and corner of the dear old
country home.
At dewy morn to pasture 1 would drive my cows,
and when
The sun was fading in the West drove them
home again.
There was one among their number 1 remember
very we'll
1t seems but yesterday 1 saw the cow that wore
the bell
She was not any prettier nor any better breed,
But all the others followed her wherever she
might lead.
And In my youthful mind L used to wonder why
and how
1t was that all the cattle tagged the old bell
COW.
Strange years of shadow and sun have passed
away since then.
And now | mingle daily with the hosts Of busy
men.
And still muse more earnestly than what used
to do,
For men, 1 find, are also quite peculiar creatures
too,
And some have natures made of gold without q
crack or flaw.
While some are only gilded forms all padded out
with straw.
And while the modest, worthy man the world may
never heed,
The counterfeit who loudly brags steps in and
takes the lead.
The one who makes the noise is sure to get his
crowd, and now
1 know why all the cattle tagged the old bell
COW.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20
HOW NEEDLES ARE MADE.
Before Ready for use they Pass the Hands
of Eighty Workmen.

Oh
Needles pass through the hands of
eighty workmen before being ready for
the trade. There are five series of opera
tions in the manufacture, convention of
the wire into needles in the rough, tenn
pering, annealing, polishing, softening of
the polished needles, and putting up into
packages. The conversion into needles in
the rough involves twenty operations, the
principle one of these being gauging the
wire, cleaning, reeling, and cutting into
pieces of a length equal to two needles.
Sharpening and pointing is done by means
of a grindstone. By the aid of a leather
thumbstall, the workman holds fifty wires
at a time. The latter becomes red hot by
friction on the stone, and constant
stream of fine particles of steel and stone
is thrown off, which formerly brought
about phthisis in the workman after a
time, but the adoption of powerful venti-
lators has now remedied all that. After
pointing, the wire is cut in two, the head
is hattened, and then annealed. Then the
eye is punched in the head by means of a
steel punch, the operation being perform
ed by children Other children "hole"
the needles, that is, remove the particle of
steel detached by the punch. After this,
the heads are followed, sorted, and, when
necessary, cemented. Tempering and an
healing of the raw product require nine
operations, but they arr performed in lots
of thirty pounds in weight. each contain
ing more than three hundred thousand
needles Polishing is the longest opera
ton, although one million are polished at
once. 1t requires five operations, each of
which is repeated seven sor eight times.
The needles are put into rolling cylinders
along with small hard stones and oil of
Cola. The stones gradually become
crushed, and the friction of the particles
during the motion of the rollers effects the
polish. The last polish is performed with
oil alone and coarse bran. The sorting of
the polished needles involves FIVE opera
tions, and, after furnishing, which is a
very delicate and important process, and
that which gives the lustre, the needles
undergo the last operation of being put
into packages
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20

''The past year has been a very happy
one to me, but l hope that future years
will be still happier. However, that de-
ponds entirely on YOU. am here tonight
to know-that is, to ask you-I am here
tonight to hear from your own lips the
one sweet"
about such things. Give her plenty of
time to recover her composure and then
put your hand on your heart and con-
tinue:
Eyes, thought as | was coming here
tonight how happy I'd been and said to
myself that if l only knew you would
consent to be my-that is, said if I only
knew-if / was only certain that my
heart had not deceived me and you were
ready to share"
Hold on-there's no hurry about it.
Give the wind chance to sob and moan
outside among the trees. This will make
her lonesome and call up ali the love in
her heart. When she begins to cough
and grow restless you can go on.
Before | met you this world was a
desert to me. | didn't take any pleasure
in life and it didn't matter whether the
sun shone or not. But what a change in
one short year. 1t is for you to say
whether my future shall be prairie Of
happiness or one long and never ending
pathway of thistles. Speak dearest Susie
and say-and say that"
Give her five minutes more by the clock
and then add:
That you-you will be-that is, that
you will be-mine?"
She will heave sigh, look up at The
clock and round the room and then as
she slikes her head over your vest pocket
she will whisper:
Henry will. London It'd Bits
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20

old, first determined with scientific accur-
acy the longitude of Washington from
Greenwich. 1t was here also under Father
Curley that the first inspirations in the
science were given to the famous Italian,
Father Secchi, who fed here during the
revolutionary troubles of 1847, and which,
when he again returned to Europe, made
him the leading astronomer of the cen
fury.
Another famous astronomer was the
late Stephen j. Perry, who fell a victim to
his scientific zeal on December 81, 1880,
while leading the English expedition to
observe the eclipse of the sun to the is
land of Salut, French Guinea. It was his
fourth expedition of similar scientific in
quiry He had led two expeditions to OBJ
serve transits of Venus. On that of 1874
he had to remain FIVE months ION Kergue,
len Island to complete the observations
necessary to determine the absolute longi-
tude.-E. Y. Herald.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20
HOW TO POP.
A Method Which, If Followed Will SURE
Do the Business.

Do the Business.
Don't be too sudden about it. Many a
girl has said mo- when she meant Eyes, "
Simply because the lover didn't choose
the right time and pop the question gent
ly. Take a dark night for it. Have the
blinds closed, the curtains down. and the
lamp turned most out. Sit near enough
to her so you can hook your little fingers
into hers. Wait until the conversatin be-
gins to flag, and then quietly remark:
Susie, | want to ask you something"
She will fdget about a little and prob
aoly reply:
"Yes?"
Susie, my actions must have shown
that is, you must have seen-l mean, you
must be aware that"
Pause here for while, but keep your
little finger firmly locked. She may cough
and try to turn the subject off by asking
you how you liked the sermon, but she
only does it to encourage you. After a
pause you can continue:
Il was thinking as l was coming up
the street to night that before | went
away | would ask you-that is, | would
breach the subject nearest my mean
| would know my
Stop again and give her hand gentle
squeeze. She may make move to get
away or she may not. In either case it
augurs we'll for you. Wait FIVE minutes
and then go 90.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20
LIS. ST. P. gu. p.
These Letters are the initials OF the
New Line through Wyoming and
Idaho to the Pacific Northwest

This line is composed Of the
Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis q
Omaha and Union Pacific Rail
ways, and reaches more Fan
Western Cities than any other line
as follows:
Haley, Boise City, Lewiston,
Moscow and principal Idaho
points.
Walla Walla, Colfax, Farming
ton, Rockford, Spokane Falls and
numerous Washington points.
Baker City, Pendleton, Portland
and principal Oregon points.
Ogden and Salt Lake City, the
largest points in Utah.
San Francisco, Los Angeles and
all California points from Mt.
Shasta to San Diego.
And this line also reaches Butte,
Anaconda and many other points
in Montana.
Also note that by TINS line
accommodations are furnished in
Pullman Family Sleeping Cars
very low rates to holders
econd-class tickets going to
Washington, Oregon and Califor-
mia.
When you get ready to go
West, before deciding upon your
route, call on agents of e., st: T.
M. & o. Ry., who will cheerfully
furnish rates and information
about through car service over
the LAKE Superior, St. Paul e
Union Pacific Line" and connec-
tons, or for pamphlets and map
T. w. TEASDALE.
GenIPaseng erAgent, st Paul.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20
About Bad Temper.

A bad temper is one of the worst things
with which a man or woman can be attic
ted. 1t is curse to the possessor, and
those who are obliged to live in the same
house with the possessor of the com plain
ing temper are martyrs. 1t is often said
that we should not let the bad temper of
others infuense us, but it would be as un-
reasonable to spread blister of Spanish
flies on the skin and not expect it to draw,
as to think of family not suffering on &C
count of the bad temper of one of its mem
bers. 1t is like the sting of a scorpion, or
of several scorpions, perpetual source of
irritation. destroying your peace and rem
dering ljf a burden. To hear one ever
lasting complaint and growl proceeding
from what is aptly called "a chronic kick
er." to have every agreeable thought
chased away by this evil spirit of disputa-
tiousness, is more than flesh and blood can
stand. This would be better world if
the people who lose their tempers would
never find them again.-Texas Siftings.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20
Cutting Tassles from Corn.

A decided effect upon the prolifcacy Of
corn is produced by removing the tassels
before they develop far enough to bear the
pollen. This principle of adjustment in
vegetable physiology was we'll brought out
by experiment at the Ithaca station. AL
ternate rows of forty-two hills each were
tasselled and the yields in good ears, poor
ears. abortive ears, merchantable corn,
poor corn, number of stalks and weight of
stalks carefully noted. On the rows left
with tassels the good ears were |, 551; on
the tame number of hills with tassels re-
moved the number was 2, 1888, or as 100 to
Isl in favor Of tasselling. In wright of
merchantable corn the comparative result
was almost the same as for good ears,
namely, 100 to 152, and the poor corn was
as 100 to IA. 1t will therefore be seen
that there was gain In corn OF nearly 50
per cent. This difference was uniform
over all of the twenty-four pairs of rows.
This outcome is striking and it now re-
mains to determine if it will pay farmers
to tassel their corn, and also what percent
age of the stalks (for some tassels must re-
main) can be treated with profit. As re-
CARDS the above experiment, confidence is
expressed that from a commercial stand
point it paid. Production of pollen is an
exhaustive process, and knowledge of the
ability of plant to turn its currents of
nutrition from one place to another is, to
say the least, gratifying.-Dr. Byron d.
Halsted.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20
THE HOUSEHOLD.
The World May Change.
SARAH FLOWER ADAMS.

The world may change from old to new,
From new to old again;
Yet hope and heaven forever true,
Within mans heart remain.
The dreams that bless the weary soul,
The struggles of the strong,
Are steps toward some happy goal,
The story of Hopes song.
Hope leads the child to plant the flower,
The man to SOW the seed;
Nor leaves fuhflment to her hour,
But prompts again to deed.
And ere upon the old mans dust
The grass is sen to wave,
We look through fallen tears,-to trust
Hopes sunshine on the grave.
Oh no! it is no flattering lure,
No fancy, weak or fond,
When hope would bid US rest secure
In better life beyond;
Nor loss nor shame, nor grief nor sin,
Her promise may gainsay;
The voice Divine has spoke within,
And God did meier betray.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20

Before man can deliberately do any
thing mean he has to convince himself that
he has a good motive for doing it.
Honor is like the eye, which cannot suf-
fer the least impurity without damage. 1t
is precious stone, the price of which is
lessened by the least faw--Bossuet.
To him whose elastic and vigorous
thought keeps pace with the sun the day
is a perpetual morning. 1t matters not
what the clocks say, or the attitudes and
labors of men. Morning is when | am
awoke and there dawn in me-
Thoreau,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20
THE
RUN

Fast Trains with Pullman Vestfbuled DRAWING
Room Seepers Dining Cars and Coaches OF latea
design, between Chicago and Milwaukee and
St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Fast Trains with Pullman Vestfbuled Drawing
Room Sleepers, Dining Cars and Coaches OF latest
design, between Chicago and Milwaukee and
Ashland and Duluth.
Through Pullman Vestibu1ed Drawing
Room and Tourist Sleepers via the Norther1
Pacific Railroad between Chicago and Port
land, Ore, and Tacoma, Wash.
Convenient Trains to and from Eastern,
Western, Northern and Central Wisconsin points,
affording unegualed service to and from Waukes
sha, Fond du Lac. Oshkosh. Neenah. Me-
nasha, Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Hurley,
Wis.,, and IronwOod and Bessemer, Mich.
For tickets, sleeping car reservations, time
tables and other information, apply to agents OF
the Line or to Ticket Agents anywhere In the
United States or Canada.
s. r AINSLIE, General Manager, Milwaukee
J. M. HANNAFoRD, GenI Traffic Manager, St
Paul, Mimi.
d. c. BARLOW, Traffic Manager, Chicago
LOUIS ECKSTEIN, Gen1 Pass'r and TIKI Agt
Chicago, IL
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20
THE BEST HORSE.

The discussion as to what is the best
horse for the farmer to raise, may be
summed up briefly. It is one that will do
the most work in the shortest time and
bring the most money when sold; but such
horse cannot be bred unless care is given
to the selection of both parents, to the
choice of the dam quite as much as the
sire, for it is the general opinion of horse
men that while colt is more apt to de-
rive its size, color and shape from the sire.
the no less valuable qualities of temper
and endurance are oftener inherited from
the mother
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20
A FRIENDLY CALL.
She Was Absent Minded and Didn't Notice
the Difference.

Talking of absent-minded people there
are not many who can surpass Mrs. b
She made call on a family living on d
certain street, and was received with
toned the fact to her husband.
How did you find them?' he inquired
why, easily; they lived where they al
ways did,
"Oh, no: they have moved into another
part of the city, ana the people living in
their old house are strangers here
II never noticed any difference, and
don't believe they did," said Mrs. B
smartly, and Mr.. B. let the matter dror
without further comment Detroit Free
Press.
How are are your neighbors? Socia-
ble?"
"Oh, yes, very. They've borrowed foui
pounds of butter, ten eggs, step-ladder,
and ten yards of those inside of twenty
four hours" C
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20
LEADvILLE's BIG STRIKE.

LEADv1LLE, Col, Aug. 14.-The rich
est strike that has been made in this min
ing district for years has just been made
in Bond shaft, located within a
block of Leadville's main thor
oughfare. Last week it was
determined to sink this shaft. Diamond
drills we're brought into use and went
down 312 feet and struck a thick vein Of
extremely high grade silver ore which
assays from 1000 to 5000 ounces of silver
to the ton.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20
FARM NOTES.
GOOD WOOL,

1t is fact sometimes lost sight of by
sheep growers that good wool as we'll as
good mutton depends largely upon the
quality of the food Succulent food makes
the best wool, the cleanest, brightest, soft ;
est and strongest. Root crops, such as
turnips and mangle-wurzels, or good ensi-
lage, should be provided for the sheep in
abundant quantity.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20
COMPARATIVELY HARMLESS.
Bread Pills the Specific of Medical In
St;tute

stitute.
NEW YORK, Aug. 14.-For some time
past, advertisements of 1.-The Institute of
European Staff Physicians appeared in
German papers, guaranteeing to quickly
cure all ills Of both sexes, lack Of money
being no barrier to treatment.
Germans focked to the institute by
hundreds finding one doctor" Beekman
who Styled himself president of the asso
citation. In every case he administered
"a colored fluid and sweet pills" Com
plants of extortion being made, he was
arrested and confessed that he was no
physician, but had formerly
been a doctors servant in the German
army An analysis of his medicines show
them to be bread pills and a solution of
salts. Beekman said his treatment
would kill no more than that of regular
ply sicians. He was held to the grand
Jury in 81 900 bail.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20

A good drag is the implement mos5
needed in putting your land in shape for
wheat seeding this fall. 1t is the best i'm
plement that can be used in clods, and is
needed more in the fall than in the spring
In the spring the ground usually breaks
up moist, and there are few obstinate clods
to contend with. In the fall, the ground
having been dried and hardened by the
summer sun, often breaks up in big, hard
Jumps These must be put out of
the way if you want a good seed
bed. The ordinary harrow will slide over
them, and the roller will press them
down into the ground, but will not break
them up sufficiently. See to it that you
have drag ready to follow right after the
plow.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20
DON'T Neglect the Pigs.

Harvest is almost here with rush and
hurry. Long days are the rule. Every
energy must be bent to secure in good con-
dition the crops that have been growing
since March But the strength of chain
is determined by its weakest link. No
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20
A FORMER WILL.

Testimony of Lawyer Knight in the Davis
Case.
BUTTE, Mont, Aug. 14-In the Davis
case the entire day was occupied in an ex-
animation of E. w. Knight, of Helena,
who made will for Judge Davis about
1873 The will was destroyed two years
later. He testified as to the recollect1ons
had of the provisions of the will, but could
give no exact account of the requests.
There was none to John A. Davis, he was
y,ocitiua
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20
Amount of Seed.

Els ht or ten quarts of seed are about the
right amount to use when sowing timothy
with wheat in the fail. If sown in spring
it may be sown with spring grain or
alone In the latter case not less than Is
to 20 quarts of seed should be used to the
acre. Timothy is a good hay grass to
grow for market, as it is always in de-
mand, but it is one of the poor
est pasture grasses, as it is easily injured
by being pastured in the autumn. Or
chard grass is much to be preferred in this
respect, and we are glad to see that
farmers are beginning to appreciate its
merits.