davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

IT is a very remarkable fact, says
the Massachusetts, Ploughman, ac-
cording to the last census, that less
than half the farm land in Maine and
New Hampshire is under cultivation,
while in Massachusetts 1,341, 25S
acres are uncultivated and only
1855, 024 are cultivated. Taking the
entire North Atlantic States, from
Maine to Pennsylvania, the total
area of farm lands is 81, TAB, 525 acres,
of which nearly one-third is idle,
while in the Middle and Northwest
ern States-that Is, from Ohio to Da.
kota in one direction and to Kansas
in the other-the proportion of un.
cultivated land is very much smaller.
In none of the States in that section
does the uncultivated area bear SO
great proportion to the cultivated
as In New England. IL Is no doubt
true that large part Of the unculti-
waited land in New England is unfit
for tillage, yet it must be true that
this immense unimproved area must
contain thousands of acres which,
under the stimulus of Yankee "gump-
tion," could be made to produce more
net value per acre in our high priced
markets than the richest Western
prairie.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

improved. When night and day
were first divided into periods Of
hours each the necessity of measur-
ing these divisions Of time became
imperative. The first means en-
ployed was the dial, which by its
shadow on horizontal plane marked
the passage OF the hours by the prog
ress of the sun. This however, was
not available at night or on cloudy
days, and thus the hour-glass
came into being. Another measure
ment of time was the device OF
King Alfred, whereby lighted can
dies, which burned certain time,
told the hours. And then came the
clepsydra. This was water jar con-
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20
DURABLE CELLAR STAIRS.

only small stone, either round or fiat,
is at hand. lay up the stairs OF this
material thoroughly imbedded in
mortar making the steps of the
needed height When this is done,
cut plank step OF the needed width
and length for each STEP and place
them on top of the stone step as
shown in the accompanying illustra-
tion. Upon each side tit retaining
board. and the result will be steps
that are durable and generally salts
factory. If possible, make the steps
from two inch pine plank, covering
the whole with folding doors, in the
usual manner. -American Agricul-
turist
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20
Old yirglnia,s Famous Hams.

1.-THE average citizen is fond of a
piece of sweet ham, but it an abso-
lutte waste to set before an unedu.
Gated palate a slice of genuine old
Smithfield that has been two years in
curing" said Col. Thomas Longley,
OF Virginia, at Cbamberlain's. "The
fame OF the Smithfeld ham has been
spread to the uttermost parts Of the
land, and / never yet knew man
who was not cognizant Of the merits
OF both that didn't prefer the product
Of old Virginia to the choicest that
ever came from Westphalia. can't
describe the process of the formers
treatment in detail, but l know 1t Is
enveloped in ashes good while, and
subsequently buried in mother
earth, where it stays for many
moons.
"Some high-flying epicures aver
that a Smithtield should be literally
dreDched with champagne while in
process of cooking. but don't think
wine is at all necessary. My mode is
to parboil it until the skin comes Off
easily, then put it in the baking pan
and haste judiciously with vinegar
and sugar. Then it comes out Of a
dish fit for the Olympian gods OF
course, all the hams that bear the
name do not come from the little
town of Smithfeld, for that little
hamlet couldn't supply one-hundreth
part OF the demand.
"a member oil the universal Smith
family. old Capt. Isaac, for whom
the town was named, and who was,
II I mistake not contemporary Of
Gen. Washington, invented the pro-
cess of curing that part Of the hog In
question, and to-day his imitators
are scattered all over Virginia and
MARYLAND. Washington Post.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

WHILE marriage is said to be fall
ing off in Paris statistics show its in.
creasing popularity in London. Dur.
ing the first quarter Of 1894 the mar
riages of 90, 1865 persons were regis
tered, which corresponds to an an
nual rate Of 1873 per 1000 Of the es-
timated population. This is not less
than 1873 per cent. above that in the
first quarter of 1893, which was 10. 8,
and the lowest on record. 1t exceeds
the mean rate in the corresponding
quarters OF the ten years 1SS4-'93 by
9.3 per cent, and is the highest in
the first quarter Of any year since
1883, except that Of 1891, when it
was 1871. The Registrar General
points out that this is the more re.
markable inasmuch as in the last
quarter of 1893 the marriage rate had
been go per cent. below the average
rate in the December quarters of the
previous ten years.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

The United States does its share
as fruit-growlng country. 1t pro-
duces, in round numbers, LAC, 600, 600
bushels of apples, SO, 900, 900 bushels
of peaches, and of pears. cherries,
plums, and prunes 1000, 900 bushels,
making a good total for the country.
The crop OF fruit is one which will
steadily increase, the demand for
fruit becoming greater each season.
1t has been proved again and again
that fruit is a paying product for the
farmer to raise. IL he raised only
little, and that for home use, the
crop would pay him. The cost is
slight and the gain, from food
sense, is great. Fruit trees should
be far more common and more numer-
Gus than they are. They take little
soil and room, and such as they need
can be used in no more paying way.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

IT Is a pity the law Of supply and
demand does not regulate the num-
Der Of species OF insects which make
the farmers life burden. II the
insect pests could be destroyed, one
half the work of the farmer would
he lessened as much as his profit
would be increased. And to all those
Of long acquaintance has been added
another. Orchardists are complain
ing OF another pest, kind OF cater
pillar called the "fall web worm" It
is especially plentiful, and runs over
tree like fire; indeed, its Latin
name means ground-gainer. 1t does
not eat the whole leaf but only the
pulp, leaving the brown veins and
framework Of the leaves. The worms
have web over them, which they
Pove as they eat About the only
way to get rid OF them is to cut of
the limbs on which they are feeding.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

THE stirred feeling" the headaches
and the nervous strain Of which so
many people complain are often
home-bred maladies. Our living
rooms and sleeping rooms are kept
too close. We are poisoned with our
own exhalations. Throw open the
doors and windows, and let in the
revivifying and purifying air Of
heaven! Better the drafts, the flies,
the mosquitoes even, than. the I'M
ventilated rooms, kept sacred from
the light and from the visitation
of the winds that carry new life
where they wander. The hunters
and trappers on duty, accustomed to
live and sleep in the open air, COM
plain of suffocation when they are
obliged 10 sleep in houses under
roofs. The open air gives them full
chests and strong lungs. Until one
shall go to his grave it will be well
to insist upon light and airy apart
ments. After that it will be small
matter.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

stopping device, cylindrical in shape,
with the oritlces at the top. When
the faucet is opened to let the liquid
run out, the air valve dcpresses the
semi-circular G, which Is mounted on
a spring r, and the air enters the
cask through the tube ]. But be.
tween the outside air and the round
stopper is metal sheet Il, and even
il the combustible vapors should be-
come ignited above this, the flames
could not communicate with the
liquid in the cask. This safety stop
per can also tie used with advantage
for wine and beer barrels.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

THE Chicago policemen who took
the field against the desperadoes
who committed robbery and murder
on the tChicago, Milwaukee and st.
Paul Railway train and captured
them are entitled to the highest
credit for the skill and energy of the
pursuit and for the courage displayed
In the hand-to- hand encounter lead
ing ito the arrest. Two men who
are walking arsenals are a formid-
able force to attack, even IL the as
sailants outuumber them five or ten
to one. The two men are sure to he
overpowered and captured, but they
may kill portion Of the attacking
force. Each of the dozen or twenty
policemen in pursuit of the land
pirates took his life in his hand, for
they were desperate, had powerful
weapons, with abundant ammuni-
ton, and had evidently determined
to sell themselves as dearly as posi-
BILE. The capture was a highly
creditable event to the police.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20
Field of Honey.

A writer In the Orange Judd
Farmer has thoroughly tested his
colonies, and says that when be runs
them for comb honey he he has not
been able to get any large number to
average over 90 or 60 pounds to the
colony but colonies in the same yard,
run for extra ted honey, have aver
aged from Us to 100 pounds in a
season. The bees run for extracted
honey were given empty combs as
rapidly as they could fiji them. He
keeps his queens clipped and has lit
tie or no trouble from swarming. In
this way with the self-spacing frames
in the hive, he claims to he able to
care for 400 colonies, and do it easier
than he could handle half that num-
Der in sections.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20
Bran Bearer Than wheat.

The value of bran as food has been
so greatly exaggerated by some agri-
cultural writers that the demand has
put 1t beyond the reach OF farmers
who are not carried away by this new
fad. In truth, bran as made nova
days is mainly the husk OF the wheat
grain. and it is not worth nearly so
much as it used to he when much Of
the gluten went with it. Then bran
was really valuable. Now. though
worth but little, it sometimes sells
at more per pound than does wheat
A Canada farmer took few bushels
OF wheat to mill and intended to re-
turn with load of bran. He found
the bran was sl9 per ton, or nearly
cent a pound, while his wheat
would hardly bring as much. He
has concluded hereafter to use ground
whole wheat and leave bran TO the
fancy farmers who may prefer it.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20
For real dainties the sitka Indian

For real dainties the Sitka Indian
of Alaska takes the lead. There was
a grand gathering of the tribes not
long ago and Sitka fairly spread her
self in the preparation of a great
feast. or course the resources Of the
Northern zone were drawn upon to
its full extent, and the tribes did
ample justice to polar bear and blub-
Der; but there was murmur Of as
tonished delight as the principal
dainty was brought in, consisting Of
tubs of last seasons wild strawberries
soaked in seal oil. Truly, there is no
accounting for tastes.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

THE Chicago Herald makes the di-
rect accusation that there is "leak"
in Washington in regard to the
monthly crop report The point
given out in Chicago before the issue
of recent monthly report was that
corn would show SO. The report was
69.I. The point on the condition OF
spring wheat was that it would show
a loss of one point. 1t actually
showed a loss of 1.3 points. The
government version Of these coincl.
dences has been given. The Herald
thinks there Is no coincidence about
1t. The generally correctness of the
pointers given out at least shows
that the private bureau that is oper-
ated from Chicago is running a good
opposition business to the govern
ment.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

! The slab which is to cover the
grave of Robert Browning in West
minister Abbey is almost completed.
1t is of Oriental porphyry, set in a
frame OF sienna marble. The whole
suggests one Of the most Characters
tic of the dead mans poems, that
entitled "The Bishop Orders His
Tomb" 1t is in this that Brown
ing's sympathy with the Italy of the
Renaissance is most marked. His
own directions as to the tasteful
adornment Of his last resting place
demonstrated his sympathy with the
feeling Of the Middle Ages, that in
everything there should be nothing
repulsive, but dignity and fitness and
grace.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

Statistics show even in the West
that large proportion of farmers
rent instead of owning their land.
1t is probably due to the retirement
OF those who have passed the three
score and ten limit, and yet hold on
to their farms as a safe means of Sc
curing revenue for their remaining
days. We cannot believe that tho
renters will not buy the farms IL they
have good chance. The money Is
safer en- a mortgage than the rent
would be. When man works rented
land there is constant temptation to
take from 1t all he can and leave 1t
poorer than he found II. Ownership
gives an interest to make the farm
better, and this is the condition that
Is best for both parties. American
(uttivator.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20
HOme-lired Cows.

A cow bred on the farm where 1t is
to be kept is more Contented and will
give better results than she will on a
strange place. This is strong point
in favor OF breeding cows for the
dairy. instead OF relying on purchas-
ing them. Besides, it Is every year
becoming more difficult to buy cows
of the best milking strains in the
numbers required for any dairy.
The value of the test cows is more
highly Appreciated and they bring
prices that make it pay for breeding
them. BY using thoroughbred bull
herd Of natives may be improved
rapidly. and this increase in value Of
the herd makes the farmisg profita-
bic, even though the dairyman gets
little above his current expenses in
sales OF milk, butter, and cheese.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20
THE girls were not alarmed wher

THE girls were not alarmed when
told that chewing gum affected the
medulla oblongata, but the recent
death OF gum-chewing young woman
from appendicitis may receive more
consideration. The vermiform ap-
pendix is not to be trifled with. 1t
is better for a young woman to lay
her gum on the mantel after she has
chewed for few hours than to in
jure her medulla by constantly work
ing her Jaws, or taking the risk of
swallowing her quld and infaming
her appendix.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

No small part of the failure OF corn
to make good crop comes from poor
seed. 1t operates ia two ways The
farmer who doubts his seed Is
tempted to plant more In q hill,
thinking that some may not germi-
nate. II half the seed failed entirely
the crop would be better But poor
seed does not operate that way II
its vitality Is wholly destroyed the
appearance of the seed shows 1t, and
1t lie usually rejected. The conse-
Quence Is that the hill has uum Der
OF feeble stalks crowding each other
80 that not one In the hill can set an
ear The poor seed ought not t. have
more than two stalks in hill, and
II the soil Is poor also, thinning to
one stalk would be better still.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20
ANALYsrs has revealed the surpris.

ANALYSIS has revealed the surpris-
ing fact that while the bulk Of the
soluble salts in the alkali lands of
California consists of common salt
and sulphate Of soda, there is, be-
sides, no less than IL per cent. of nj
trate of soda. In one acre of the soil
to one foot in depth is contained
about three-fourths of ton Of the
nitrate. No wonder that our Cali
fornia friends are able to raise large
crops of high. grade sugar beets on
such soil.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

could a ord to
carry them, and
even their watch
es for accuracy and
neatness c0mpar.
ed very unfavora-
bly, with the cheap
watches of to-day.
Before the mod
,ern W a tch W as
born many cent
uries were devot-
led to experiment,
and before the first
watch was made
there were still
other cent uries
during which the
clock. the mother
of the watch, was
being GRADUALLY
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

THE depths Of the sea present some
interesting considerations If the
Atlantic were lowered 1854 feet 1t
would be reduced to half its present
width. If it were lowered little
more than three miles there would
be dry land all the way between New
foundland and Ireland. If the Med
iterranean were lowered $50 feet
Africa would be joined to Italy, and
three separa tie seas would remain.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

The ordinary. v shaped trough II,
shown below. made from ordinary
fence boards, shows a simple method
OF supplying the poultry regularly
with pure water, save the Farm and
Home. 1t may he made of any de-
sired length, but eighteen inches is
sufficient In this at one end invert
a tive-gall0n or jug A. which has pre-
viously been filled with pure water.
To keep 1t erect, drive two stakes at
the end of the trough and lean the
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

can against them. II further sup
port is necessary, tic it to the stakes.
AS soon as the water is lowered in
the trough below the opening In the
can, little air Is admitted and
water flows out to take the place Of
that consumed. by this means water
can be kept pure and wholesome and
ii the vessel be made of earthenware
and placed in the shade it will keep
cool for q long time
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20
The Outside Cellar STAIR.

AS usually constructed, the outside
cellar stairs become very much delap-
idated after few years Of use, and
many serious accidents occur by fall
ing or slipping from and on the de-
caying steps II stones OF the right
length can be obtained, they are the
best possible material for the steps,
the next best being plank, though
neither can be depended upon unless
the whole space underneath the
steps, down to the level OF the cellar
floor, be laid up in masonry. Where
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20
Corn Suckers.

/, Nothing Of late years is said about
jhe once common p. actice of sucker
Ing corn. that Is removing the suck
ers SOFAS to give the main stalk bet
ter chance. 1t was always a practice
of doubtful advantage. and cost a
gieat deal OF labor that could be bet
ter employed. The corn that pro-
duces the most suckers is that whose
early growth was stunted. When
midsummer heats come on, develop
ing moro plant food in the soil than
the single stalk could dispose Of, one
nr more suckers we're out forth to
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20
shearing by Machinery.

1t Is said that the steam sheep
shearing plant located at Casper,
Wyo, is receiving liberal patronage
on account of the superior work done
by the machines The operator is
not able to make as great speed with
the machines as by hand clipping, but
he Is able to do much better work,
taking of more wool per head and
leaving 1t In better condition, and
with less injury to the sheep. sheep
resheared 10y machinery yield about
three. quarters of pound of wool, so
it - said, after having being hand
CLEARED.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20
A SAFETY STOPPER.

For Volatile and Inhammable Liquids, to
Prevent Explosions.
E. Casks filled with ether, benzine,
and other mineral essences are con-
stantly exposed to the danger of ex-
plosion on account of the insecurity
Of their shoppers. To prevent explos-
ion of these liquids, M. Gepratte, a
Frenchman, has constructed a new
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

ACCORDING to an old phrase, peo-
pie die sometimes of excessive health,
and DIR. Holmes thinks Bryant would
have lived longer but for his danger
ously good health" When past 80
the poet used to walk three miles to
business, and then skip upstairs while
the young men waited for the ele-
vafnr
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20
FaIi Planting,

Plow the ground for wheat rs soon
as you can. When the weeds come
up work the ground over with the
cultivator, and work 1t again should
more weeds appear. Spread out the
manure and work It into the plowed
ground. by the time the wheat is to
be seeded the land will be In excellent
condition for the seed, and the cop
will start of we'll.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

THE practical road reformer Of the
period is disposed to risk everything
on vitrified brick for street pave
ments. If they fail to solve the
long-standing problem he Is willing
for Gabriel to blow his horn.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20
Unimproyed Lands.

In South Carolina, of total area Of
1900, 900 acres, 5000, 600 are i'm
proved and 5000, 900 unimproved.
In Georgia, OF total Of $4,000, 900
acres 5000. 900 are improved and
Is, 500, 600 unimproved A similar
proportion exists In Florida. In
Illinois there are 80, 900 acres Of
farming lands, OF which 1000, 900
acres are idle. There is much
larger proportion OF unimproved land
in North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama,
Mississippi, and Louisiana, than
there is in Texas which will surp Use
people.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

jars being filled at
sunrise each day,
marked off the
hours with tolera-
hle regularity. This
was improved upon
about 40 years be-
fore Christ by the
addition Of a tooth
ed wheel and index
driven by the water
which flowed from
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

STEEL barrels, made of one-six-
teenth-inch sheets CT that metal,
have been produced at prices which
promise a material decrease In the
use OF wooden packages of this kind
in the near future.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

Although the growing of good
crop OF grain as we'll as fodder and
allowing 1t to ripen for ensilage
gives us much better ensilage than
the old plan OF growing fodder only
and cutting and cacning 1t green, 1t
does not. In the least aid us in the
solution of the problem Of transport
ing our ensilage material from the
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

A LOT of nonsense is going into
print In q New York paper about
science at q standstill." Science 10
about as apt to stand still as the
earth
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

tanning several gallons of water which
ran out from small graduated ORR
fee in the bottom of the jar at such
q rate that the quantity of water in
the jar would be lowered to certain
marked point each hour, and the
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20
OUR RURAL READERS.
SOMETHING HERE THAT WILL
INTEREST THEM.

4 Low-Down Wagon for Harvesting En-
silags-O Owning W. Renting Land-Dura-
bic Outside Cellar stairs Bran Dearcr
than wheat Pure Water Tor Poultry.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

London has more houses than
Paris, New York, Berlin and Vienna
put together, owing to the prevalence
Of fats in the latter cities.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

iron or an iron plate set on its upper
surface where the axle rests. To hold
the lever, bolt may be put through
the upright and the diagonal piece
nOtched to tit. thus regulating the
use OF the jack to high or low wagons
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20
Lovely ola Town

Philadelphia is the city Of brother
ly love, the Quaker city and centen-
NAL city.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

A CHICAGO man has been found
who takes paris green habitually and
thrives on it. II he ever tries taking
the antidotes it's dollars to doughnuts
he dies
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

xhs Experience Of Salt Lake CITY
Man.
w. p. McCaffrey is leading bust.
ness man In Salt Lake City, Utah.
The other night as he was reading In
his parlor, he heard peculiar purr-
ing sound coming from the direction
OF his yard, and peering through the
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-20

1T is not true that like always be-
gets like. Selfish parents often raise
the best children.