davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-09
SEED GRAIN.

Seed grim, whether barley, oats,
wheat or flax, should be selected with
great care. The Idaho Station advo-
Gates testing the grain before sowing
This can be done by the farmer, it
says, and requires but a few days.
The seed may be soWn in a box of
soil and the box kept in a warm ex-
posture. The soil must be kept moist.
Another and easier way is to float
a piece Of thick sheet cotton on water
The grain to be tested is placed on
the cotton and is covered with a SINH
lar sheet. On removing the cover the
grain is exposed to view, and the
sprouted grain can be quickly counted.
A good germinator or seed tester
can be made out Of a coal-oil can, a
block Of wood and two pieces of cloth.
Cut one Of the sides out of the can.
Place the block Of wood within the
can, allowing it to rest on the bottom.
The block should be two inches thick,
about as wide as the can and three
fourthS as long. Pour one to one and
one-half inches of water in the can.
Stretch one of the pieces of cloth over
the block, allowing the ends of the
cloth to dip in the water The other
piece of cloth is used for a cover and
is put on in the same way. The seeds
10 be tested are put between the folds
of cloth. Capillary attraction keeps
the cloth damp. Keep clean and fresh
water in the germinator and set in a
warm place.
To prevent smut use one pound Of
''bluestone'' to four gallons of water.
Allow the grain to remain in contact
with the liquid for five minutes.
Never SOW seed that is foul with
seed of weeds and other grains. The
wild oats must be got out of the way.
A great help in this direction is to
destroy as much Of the wild oat seed
as possible. Every seed sOwn brings
forth nearly a hundred more.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-09
FOREIGN NURSEMAIDS.
Through Them Little Folks Learn a
New Language Easily.

one Of the cOmmOn-SeDSe ideas OF
the perlOu is Tor those WHO can al
ford Tile luxury OF uursenaid 10
hire one who speaks either German
or french, ana SupulatG that to her
small charges she snail speak nothing
else but her native tongue. 1t is as
tOniShing how rapidly children will
pick up languages ill this way. 1t
gives them, TOO, the correct pr0nunci-
alton right from the beginning and
simplities the study Of languages when
the child starts to school. There are
a great many mothers who are fair
linguiSts who could teach their little
ones other languages while they are
about home just by talking to them
in other than their native tongue, but
it does not seem to occur to them
that it is the thing to do. Yet it
would probably save the child many
weary hours of study if it were done.
Ont of the prettiest sights l remember
is calling or my sewing woman one
day to find her busy at my gown and
her two daughters, one 10, the other
II, studying their lessons at her side.
The eldest daughter was reading her
history lesson aloud in French, and
her mother correcting her pronuncia-
ton; the other daughter was coming
her English grammar in German, of
which her mother had also fair
knowledge. Yet l learned that neither
of the girls had ever studied either
language a day in their lives, except
in the way mentioned. l found, how
ever, that they could carry Oh a very
fair conversation in both languages.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-09

your hands being as you're so anxious
to sell. 1 don't really need it, but TO
accommodate you I'll buy it,
What will you give?" Miss Ashby
asked.
We'll it amt worth it." Enness re-
piled, but I'll allow you what you
asked for it, when you offered it to me
shortly after Ashby's death"
I told you then you could have it
for two hundred dollars, | believer
Mary remarked.
Yes. [ think it was two hundred
dollars, and though that is too much.
I'd give it just as a matter of accom-
mediation, as I said before
Mr. Enness," Mary said. If you
want to buy this claim you can have
it for one thousand dollars"
Enness started and stared in amaze
ment.
You surely don't mean that" he
gasped.
I do mean it. We won't take a
cent less
But you offered it for two hundred
dollars"
yes, because we felt that we were
compelled to sell it, but we don't feel
so now"
You will feel So Enness said. as
he arose and left the room. You'll
fail on yotr crop next year and then
you'll be glad to get what l offer, but
[ won't promise to give it,"
He stalked back across the prairie,
angry and disappointed. He had
never dreamed that his offer would
be refused, and he really wanted the
land. He cOnsoled himself, however,
with the thought that Miss Ashby
would yet come t. his terms and be
glad enough to accept his offer, and
he determined to patiently bide his
time
I'm very sorry to have to decline
your generous aid, Mr. Enness," Miss
Ashby interrupted, with Il queer smile,
but the truth is we've contracted the
claim to the railroad company for
town site for three times what you
offer"
Without a word Enness left the
mousse ana walked Dack nome. He
was too completely beaten to say
word, but he thought 4 good deal.
For the first time in his life it ap,
peared to him that it was very easy
for greed to overStep itself.
1t was manifest TO him, too, that
even Il woman could accomplish
great deal when she resolved to try.
even though she labored under adj
verse circumstances.
A few weeks later Mrs. Ashby stood
in the doorway Of the little sod cabin
and looked out across the Kansas
prairie for the last time. Her face
was no longer sad and wan, for she
was very happy. She was at last go
ing back to the old eastern home for
which she had so long yearned, and
the old, dark days of hardships and
privatiOns were only a remembrance
Mary Ashby's indomitable will and
energy had brought better and
brighter times.-Chicago Saturday
Record.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-09

Leaving a balance of. ..... S72, 1888
to be accounted for by honest and eff
ficient administration Of public af-
fairs" if expenses Of government and
saving in taxes are to be based upon
comparisons with the republican year
Of 1890. These figures are from the
official records and will not be dis
puted by the reformers in the capitol.
Moreover, before the taxpayers Of
the state are enriched in their minds
by reading the campaign statements
of state finances in Chairman Wallis
organs, they will do well to calculate
upon the ease with which d surplus
in September before an election may
become a deficiency in the December
following, and consult the Official
statements of the sworn officers Of a
reform administration regarding the
savings to taxpayers during the years
when there is no campaign on and no.
body to be reelected. For example,
take the year 1898, when this same
honest and efficient administration"
was attending strictly to state bust
ness. and was not out after votes.
It will be remembered that in the
fall of 1892, when Chairman Wallis
nominees were seeking reelection
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-09
COMING HOME TO ROOST.
The Chickens Usually Do It-Echo Of
the Strike.

Brazil, Ind, Aug. 6.-This city is
greatly stirred up over the announce
ment made today by the G.. and E. I.
officials that they had decided to move
their shops and the trainmaster's Of
fee to Momence at once. Superintend-
ent BrOughtOn is in the city and in
an interview said that this city did
not furnish their employees protection
and that they were assaulted by the
strikers every time they left the
premises. Mr.. BroughOn scored Sher-
iff Ringo, of this county, who wore
a white ribbon during the strike and
even on his official visits to the round
house. A committee of leading busi-
ness men called on Mr.. BroughtOn this
afternoon and insisted upon his COM
pany allowing the shops to remain
here. Finally Mr.. Broughton said that
if the company could be assured that
the men now at work would be sup
piled with boarding places, protected,
and given all the rights of citizens
he would use his influence to have the
shops remain here. The citizens i'm
mediately called a meeting for tonight
and are now in session discussing the
subject.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-09

In warm countries parasites, which
war against our domestic animals. are
more numerous, and epidemics of more
frequent occurrence. So it will he seen
that the influence of a warm climate,
favorable to procreation, is opposed
by other restrictive influences.
We will not attempt to follow the
subject farther within the compass of
a magazine article. The foregoing sug-
gestions are offered as food for
thought" to be investigated by the
acquisitiye fancier at his pleasure. 1t
opens up a wide field for profitable
study.-Jos. H. Hamill, in the Poultry
Monthly
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-09
THE SEVENTEEN-YEAR LOCUSTS.

The following bulletin furnished by
the United States department of agri-
culture, should be interesting and val
liable to our many readers who have
for some time past been making IN
quirieS about the habits of the So
called Seventeen-year locust:
The fact that the Periodical Cicada,
or so-called seventeen-year locust, Is
to appear in two great brOods the
present season is stated by a number
Of newspapers to have been announced
by the United States department of
agriculture, and these statements have
caused some unnecessary alarm among
those who do not understand the eX-
act nature of the insect or who con-
found it with true locusts or so-called
"grasshoppers," owing to the some
what careless newspaper wording. The
department has made no such public
announcement the present year, al
though the Cicada chronology pub
lished by Professor Riley in bulletin
No of the division Of entomology in
1886 predicted an extended appearance
of the insects in 1894.
The entomologist of the department
has been interviewed on the subject
and states that the damage done by
these insects is as a rule quite i'm
material, consisting in the slight cut
ting, breaking, and deadening of the
terminal twigs Of fruit and shade
trees by the females in the act Of lay
ing their eggs The injury becomes
serious only when the insects are eX-
ceptionally abundant and oviposit in
young nursery stock.
According to Professor Riley's chro-
nology given in his first report on
Insects of Missouri GS6S), two brOodS
are due in 1894, and the insects will
make their appearance during the last
week in May. Brood XII. is COM
posed Of the seventeen-year form Sep
temdecim), and it's last appearance
immediate vicinity of New York,
Brooklyn and Jersey City, and on both
sides of the Hudson river as far north
as Troy, in portions Of Connecticut,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia,
and the District Of Columbia. Seven
teen years previous to 1877 the insect
was recorded in North Carolina, in
Dearborn county, Indiana, and in Kali
amaZoo county, Michigan. The last
three localities, however, were not sub
stantiated by reports received in 1877.
In all the localities above mentioned,
Cicadas may be expected during June
of the present year. Brood XVIII. is
Of the thirteen-year race (tredecim),
and as with other thirteen-year brools
states. rather than in the northern
it's range is in the more southern
part of the country. Its last appear
ance was in 1881. when it occurred in
southern Illinois, throughout Missouri,
with the exception Of the northwestern
corner, in Louisiana, Arkansas, In
dian Territory, Kentucky, Tennessee,
Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and
South Carolina.
The entomo1ogist of the United
States department Of agriculture will
be glad to receive during the present
season any accurate locality notes of
the appearance of these insects, as
he has been for many years engaged
in mapping the exact distribution Of
each brood as it appears.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-09
REGRAFTING TREES.

As there are many who improve
their apple and pear trees by regraft-
ing with better varieties. it s import
ant that the work be neatly done and
the new trees present a handsome ap-
pearance. This is not always done.
and not infreQuently we see regrafted
trees presenting a distorted form. 4
case Of this defect is the insertion of
the gratis at a greater or less dis
lance from the center of the tree.
This gives the new branches the pos
session CT the outer limbs, While the
center consists of bare arms or a
mixture of the old and new branches.
To avoid this difficulty the CRAFTS
should be set as near the center of
the head as possible, and small
branches should be chosen into which
to insert the CRAFTS.
The head of every tree consists more
or less of large and small limbs. In
stead, therefore, of cutting out the
small ones and leaving the large ones
for grating, just the reverse should
be performed. If they are much
larger than an inch in diameter they
should be cut or sawed out, and the
smaller ones retained. The point of
union, therefore, between the old tree
ard the new graft is soon healed over,
but the removal of very large limbs
leaves a broad wound which remains
for many years. To avoid this diff
Guilty many cultivatOrs insert the
CRAFTS near the outer ends. This causes
the tree if it f1ourishes to possess a
broad and awkward shape, with the
interior destitute of growth.
Regrafted trees may be made SYM
metrical in form by selecting the right
shoots for the graft. All should be
near the center Of the new head, and
a sufficiently compact growth impart-
ed. Some skill is required in the
operator to effect this in the best man.
ner.
La .e trees are sometimes perma-
nently injured by cutting off large
limbs when the new surface receives
rain from every shower. This may be
prevented by making the new cut with
a slOping surface, so that the water
can quickly pass off, and in addition
to this it should be wholly covered
with paint, grafting-wax or other
waterproof substance.
Young trees which make a natural
upright growth, and which if allowed
their natural form would be tall and
narrow, should be grated at the sides
Of the central stem, so as to throw out
more horizontal branches; but those
tending to horizontal growth may be
grated in the upper part of horizontal
limbs. By observing these requisites,
handsome trees may be formed where
they are too often allowed to become
distorted and awkward.-CountryG Gen
tleman.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-09
Nhree-Quarters of Million Dollars
Saved the Taxpayers of Wiscon-
sin This Year
That Vast Sum Will Be Applied Upon
the General Levy.

An Accumulation Resulting from Hon
est and Efficient Administration of
Public Affairs and the Proper Use
of the Public FundS-A Compar-
ison of Taxes Under Two Ad-
ministratiOns; State Taxes
in 1890, Republican Year.
1891 $50; in 1894, Demo
cratic Year, S24O,OOO.
Following is that part of the official
order which shows the earnestness of
Chairman Wallis devotion to economy
and reform in state affairs:
1T appears that after reserving suf-
hclent moneys for defraying the entire
expense Of state government from this
date to Jan. 1, 1895, there is a surplus
in the general fund in the state treas
ury Of $742,57O, derived as follows:
Recovered in judgments from former
state treaSurerS, to the credit of the
general funds, 1897, 9O25 90; direct war
tax fund, $50, 4661O; interest from
bank deposits, $46,6 44.7S; railroad and
insurance licenses and fees, $27S, 556.-
81; and that such surplus without
detriment to the public service can
be applied as a portion of the state
levy" therefore it is so applied.
COLD FACTS.
Here is the kernel of truth which
furnishes the gist of Chairman Wallis
campaign story, and for which the
organs will contend that a roster-job-
bling administration is entitled to the
grateful consideration of the tax
payers of Wisconsin:
State taxes in 1890, repub-
ucan year. SSJI, OOO
State taxes in 1894, demo-
cratic year. .. 100000
Here is the cob of facts in state
finances from which Chairman Wall so
carefully extracted his kerne. of
truth:
State taxes in 1890, repub-
lican year. ........... S91, $4,000
State taxes in 1891, demo
cratic year. .......... 9SS, SS6.l5
State taxes in 1892, demo
cratic year. ........... l,OlS,72O.OO
State taxes in 1898, demo-
cratic year. .......... l,OlS, 12O.OO
Increase in state taxes
first democratic year,. 97,22613
Increase in state taxes sec
ond democratic year. 80. 100000
Increase in state taxes
third democratic year.. 127,O6O.OO
Total state increase in
three democratic years. SOL ,346.15
Recovered from former
state treasurers. 327, 9O2 80
Direct war tax fund, re-
publican legacy. ...... S9,466. 10
Interest from bank de-
posts. 46,64478
Total extraordinary
democratic receipts. .SS15, 1895
Applied on tax levy for
lo5t. itZ,oiU.Uc
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-09
ANTE-ELECTION FAKE
PUT FORTH BY SHAM DEMO
CRATIC REFORMERS.
GREAT INCREASE IN STATE
TAXES.

Funds in the Public Treasury Manipu-
lated for Political Effect-Oficial
Records Show Up the Roster Gang
in Its True Light-Walfs Sham Il
Boomerang.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-09

mat was 4 pleasing and novel
Storyette for taxpayers when Chair
man L. c. Wall caused to be prepal ed
ana printed in his valued Milwaukee
Journal on July u. The plot was so
subtle, the fiction so realistic and the
style so dashing that Rudyard hipling,
Eugene DebS and Tom OchiItree might
nationally be led to form a syndicate
for the purpose of enyying the author.
The story was allowed to lose nothing
of originality, excepting 4 change of
dates, i'll its reproduction a week or
more later as a news dispatch from
Madison in such enterpriSing demo-
cratic newspapers as The Oshkosh
Times, and at the same time demon
strated the care and fidelity with
which Chairman Wall edits all of the
organs of his democracy within the
jurisdiction of the roster jobbing adj
mlnlstratiOn. With another change of
date it will be just as fresh after 1t
has been Sifted through Chairman
Wallis weekly organs and brought out
in pamphlet form to be distributed as
campaign document to idle work.
men who can i'll afford the luxury of
subscriptions to Chairman Wallis or
gans, but who still are interested in
trying to learn what the reform dem
ocracy has given them in lieu of en-
plOyment.
For intelligent consideration of
Chairman Wallis effort and easy un.
Outstanding Of the sequel to his story
it is we'll to quote the scare type head
lines used in his organ adaptation.
This is the caption:
FAITHFUL STATE OFFICIALS"
Three-Quarters of a Million Dollars
Saved the Taxpayers of Wiscon-
sin This Year
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-09
FOOD FOR FARMERS
ITEMS OF INTEREST ABOUT
THEIR VOCATION.
ENCE TO CLIMATE.

Grating Of TreeS-The Locusts (which
Extent-Seed Grain-Miiking Cows
at Noon-Notes of General Inter-
est
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-09

Chaplain Wilson, Of Bldckwelrs Is
land, an Episcopalian minister. was
fined in New York for being drunk
and disnrderly.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-09

Four prisoners broke Jail at Sigour-
ney, Ia.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-09

Total disbursements for.
year. 1.1S6, JO1.J5
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-09

Total state increase in
three democratic years. $3j
Recovered from former
state treaSurers. ...... g
Direct war tax fund, re-
publican legacy. ......... s
Interest from bank de-
posts.
Evening star., 1894-02-17
LATE NEWS BY WIRE.
Tariff Fight in the Canadian Parlia-
ment.
MANITOBA Is AFTER LOWER DUTIES
Coal Miners Looking With Inter-
est to Washington.
T II E OPE MING DELAYED

OTTAWA, Ont, Feb. 1.-THE coming ses-
sion of the Canadian parliament, which
opens at Ottawa, March 10, is looked for
ward to with interest by the people Of the
Dominion.
For the past four weeks the members
of the conservative party cabinet have
been collecting information concerning
possible changes in the high tariff which
now rules.
A well-known conservative member of
parliament from Manitoba was in Toronto
this week He says:
Manitoba and the northwest are bound
to have lower duties on agricultural i'm
-piements- As matters now stand one aSri-
cultural implement company has practically
monopoly in the sale of implements TO the
farmers of the northwest and hold the notes
OF nine-tenths OF them. The average north
western farmer is a poor man and has
hard time making both ends meet.
He insists on growing nothing but wheat
and the low price OF that grain has made
him poorer than ever. 1t will be seen that
the tariff is not wholly TO blame for MS
condition, but the farmer thinks 1t is, and
Will vote against any protection by the
government. At the bye election in Win
nipeS, two months ago, the feeling in the
northwest was indicated when Hugh John
Macdonald. son OF the late Sir John Mac
donald. resigned his seat in the house of
commons. In the election which followed,
Hon Joseph Martin. liberal and free trader.
was chosen by a large majority
The Canadian coal miners are looking
forward anxiously to the decision of Con-
gress regarding the Wilson bill. as the mar
ket for Nova Scotia and British Coum bia
coal are in the United States.
Last season the duty coal was con-
siderably reduced, and the duty on sugar
slightly lesSened.
The farmers OF quebec will again ask
through Mr.. Pope. the member of parlia-
Inent from Compton. to have corn placed
IN the free list. but II Is hardly possible the
government will grant this request, which
was refused last session.
The opening of parliament has been de-
ferred unit! a very late date in order that
the government might see what action Con-
GreSS may take in respect to the tariff be-
fore parliament meets. This is the ostensibie
reason given. but it is said that whatever
course Congress takes the Canadian tariff
will remain unchanged.
Evening star., 1894-02-17
HAWAIIAN MAIL.
1t Reached Here Yesterday-what the
budget Contains.

The Hawaiian mail for the Secretary Of
State. which arrived at San Francisco last
Saturday. arrived here yesterday and will
be laid before Congress early next week.
provided the President does not regard IL Is
incompatible with public interest" to make
1t public at this time.
This mail carries Minister Willis official
chronicle of events in Hawaii up to the 1st
instant. 1t is said that his budget includes
President Doles fifty-page letter, the COPY
ing Of which took so much time, and Min
lister Willis reply thereto. With the excep-
ton of Mr.. Dole's letter the dispatches have
not yet been made public.
The impression is growing that Minister
Willis will soon return home from Homo
lulu and that Minister Thurston will soon
be called upon to make another trip to
Honolulu. The coincident absence of the
two ministers from their accredited sta
tons will not necessarily mean a sever
ance of diplomatic relations, but will in
dicate merely that there is no longer any
special occasion for those officers to re-
main at their posts at present Their duties
can be performed by charge daffaires
No official information can be obtained on
the subject.