The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-05-25

NaGds-ftScnttnoE'
U.efaI Recipes and q Collection OF Health
Hints.
Some of our readers can remember
when it cost % cents TO send q letter TO
friend. This charge was made for q sim
gle sheet OF paper. and no envelopes were
used. Children OF today remember that
there was much discussion about the ad-
visibility OF reducing the then extraordi-
nary rate of cents per half ounce to
cents, many holding that we had already
reached the limit of progress along those
lines. The two-cent rate and the postal
card seem marvels of cheapness to US now,
and when the proposition is now made
that the system of free mail delivery In
our towns should be extended to our
country districts, many are sure that We
are going too far in governmental service
Tor the people.
Let US figure on this for moment. The
government transmits our mails because
1t can do it better and more cheaply than
individuals can do it. 1t brings the mail
In bulk to a central point-the postofice..
Then hundreds of people lose from fifteen
minutes TO two hours going from their
homes to get their mail and thus finish
the work the government partly does. Is
1t business for hundreds of people
at an Office TO spend their time doing
work that one man can do? Why
should the government not finish its work
when IL can do il so much moro cheaply
than the individuals? The work of dis
tributiOn need not be costly. Mail boxes
can be put up by each one receiving mail,
and by placing them on the roadside the
carrier would lose little time in distribu-
ton. The income OF the department.
would be greatly increased by increase of
correspondence and other mail matter TO
be carried over its routes. The two-cent
postage rate increased the number of let
tiers yearly written, and so would free de-
livery.
But there is another view that appeals
more closely TO the writer. As farmers
we want the means for growth IN intelll-
gence and general information. We want
10 be able TO reach our business friends
with orders for goods, and want fresh pa
pers to read without being compelled to
lose hours il going to the postofhce. We
would feel in greater degree that We were
part of the world, and oftentimes We
would not lose opportunities for money
making through the delays In
our present system of getting the
mail More reading would be done.
Increased opportunities for communica-
ton are the marks of growth in civiliza-
ton. As farmers, doomed to isolation In
some degree by the nature OF our work,
we need every help We can get to make
the lives of our families less lonely. Clean
and wholesome daily papers would double
their circulation In the country districts
IF they could be delivered at the farmers
doors, and they would be grand educa-
tional force.
The free delivery of mail is only an
advance step in the direction in which we
are going. 1t is only q matter of time
until il will come. We are not undertake
ing 20 say whether it will pay the govern
ment in increased revenues TO begin II
now, but the government is only the SER
want of the people and we are very sure it
will pay the people. Much time will be
yaved and reading and information in
creased. The people in the towns and
the cities are thus favored now and
there should be no class discrimination.
as We are part of the people, why not
give US the means of realizing il more fully
by placing fresh papers and letters in our
hands? We hope the day will soon come
when the free mail delivery will assist In
making il Just as easy for country folk 10
keep informed as it is now for town peo-
pie.
In this paper am to give my method
Of raising corn. My readers will bear in
mind that Fairview farm is upland, and
has not that inexhaustible store OF avail
able plant food that blesses very limited
portions OF our state. While raising crops
the maintenance OF fertility is an ever
present problem.
For corn I always prefer sod land, and
while clover is preferable. yet timothy is
quite satisfactory. Potatoes do not thrive
90 we'll in a timothy cod ns does corn, SC
that the clover is followed by potatoes and
old meadows are broken for corn In re-
gard 20 the depth of blowing for corr
farmers differ widely, but | find that 500
turned five inches produces well. Corn il
a oative of fairly warm attitudes. and this
fact leads IL 20 root much shallower than
plants twelve feet high or more would bt
supposed to do. When the plant food il
about five inches finder the surface i
Feems 10 be most available for the feeding
roots OF corn.
Thorough preparation of the seed bed
Is imp ortant, as moisture will not rise
through cloudy ground. A good stand il
dry spring cannot be gotten unless thu
fning OF the soil is several inches deep.
ran raise more corn in drills than il
checks, but as it costs more to till au'
gather it, it Is my rule to practice boil
methods, depending upon the fertility ant
character of the soil.
Corn is often planted too deep. Az
plant early az is safe do not want TIT
planter 10 put the seed more than on,
and a half inches under the surface. The
harrow should be used after the first rain
both 10 break any crust and TO kill weed
before they are up. L think this is al
important point. l usually give one dee
blowing aud then give shallow but FIRE
duent civilizations. During the late sum
Iner the weeds should be- cut out with
hoe. but this work must be done on coo
or cloudy DAYS TO prevent firing. Althouz
value the fodder highly for feed do no
think il pays 10 cut corn green. az is occa
sionally done, as the grain loses IN weigh
By shrinking. / prefer that all husks b
well ripened. By observing these rules
can raiss very satisfactory crops.
Gro-e R-ltnf,-. Grain Aeroece