davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03
Editor Florida AgricuIturiSt:


Last fall made a compost of stable manure,
cid phosphate and cotton seed l expected
great results. but got but Ii tie. [ supposed that
the addition of large amount of cotton seed
would add ammonia and make the compost
very rich, but it does not seem to have done 1t
and that is more mysterious the cotton seed
did not seem to rot. j. B. G.
You made the wrong combination and
your compost was worth only the value
of the stable manure in it. The phoS-
phoric acid and the oil in the seed
formed an insoluble fatty acid which
kept the seeds from decomposing and
giving off the ammonia they contained.
To decompose cotton seed an alkali
should be used. Take one bushel of
hard wood ashes, three of cotton seed
thoroughly mix and wet. 1t should be
kept wet and frequently turned for
three weeks. when the ashes will have
thoroughly Saponified the oil, broken
down the hulls and rendered it a pulpy
mass. You can then compost it with
your stable manure and get the de
sired results.
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03
Where Are We At2
Editor FLORIDA Agricu1turist:


Mr.. L. d. Jackson vaults into the at
moSphere and comes down on ne with
both brogans because of my prominent
showing up Of that editorial ''Stupidity
about Silver's 100 pound pig" and ''the
stupendous efforts of the most success
full St, Johns county farmers"
We'll perhaps did just that, I some
times do such things. And do you OBJ
ject to a ''prominent showing up of
Diversified editorial Stupidity"
The playful and delicate way in which
you allude to my spite, iibes, sarcasm,
caricature, questionable criticism, jeers
sneers, artful, vicious, damaging, ETC.,
leaves on my mind the impression that
you do so object. A great many people
will be delighted to have you suggest
some more harmless and acceptable
method Of preventing further manifes-
tations of what you are pleased to call
editorial Stupidity"
You then state as fact (not merely as
a private opinion) that mo one alter
reading your articles if influenced by
them would desire to make a home in
Florida unless to engaged horticulture, y
And finally having thus given your opin-
ion of our agricultural editors Gail Der
and the effect of having their work
''shown up" you sum up by giving
your own Individual estimate Of Florida
Industries in these words.
"For every successful effort in the
horticultural line in Florida there are
perhaps ten failures more or less COM
plete."
From the nature of things there are
bound to be many failures along all lines
of farming IN Florida for many years 10
c0nae"
Now my dear Mr.. jackson it occurs to
me to be proper to call your attention
once more to these words of yours. \"No
one after reading your articles if infu-
enced by them, would desire to make
d home in Florida" to engage in horti
culture or anything else.
DUDLEY w. ADAMS
Tangerine Fla.
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03
Tangerine, Fla.

A large stalk of wild millet, nearly ten
feet in heighG, was brought into this Of
flee the first of the week by Mr.. Carpen-
ter, who said it came off DR.. Wills place
in Titusville. Mr.. Carpenter said he
was anxious to let northern people know
how luxuriantly vegetation did grow in
Florida. -Titusville Advocate
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03
Editor Florida Agricultur1st:

Give us your advice and opinion of what you
think bestfor us to with night soil to make a
fertilizer for vegetables and orange trees. We
have been using dry muck and soft phosphate
composing them together. Some one told US
that the acid phosphate would be a great deal
better than soft phosphate and that mixture
of about one-fOurth acid phosphate; one-fourth
muck and one-half night soil we'll mixed and COM
posted together would make an excellent fertilizer
Please give us your advice want to utilize
the stuff and make good fertilizer for orange
trees and vegetables. L. u Co.
Barlow, Fla.
Acid phosphate would be better than
soft phosphate unless you expected to
let the compost remain long time and
to add other ingredients than those you
mention. 1t would be better to add equal
parts of kainit, land plaster AMI acid
phosphate instead of all acid phosphate.
The kainlt not only adds potash to
the compost but it's mechanical action
on the rest renders it more soluble and
thorough decomposition takes place
quicker. Gypsum or land plaster should
be added to absorb any ammonia that
might escape during decomposition.
This will make very good fertilizer
for farm crops or vegetables but we
could not recommend it for bearing or
ange trees. 1t could be applied to young
growing trees but more potash should be
added.
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03
Editor + IOrida AgriCuIturist:


am trying to save a grove and want in
formation on this point. Can anyAof your read
ers give their experience? How would it do to
twist several orange sprouts together; would
they unite and form one stem or be only me-
chanical twist. like a grape vine? 1 cut my trees
close to the ground and have many sprouts that
could easily twist together and would like to
know If there would be any advantage in it.
W. j. DELBRIDGE.
Lakeland, Fla,
You would gain nothing by twisting
the sprouts together but bad looking
tree though in time the banks would
unite. If you desire to form tree i'll
that way it would be better to bud one
twig or sprout into another and secure
both with cord;in short time the bud"
will take and both shoots be supplying
nourishment t. the one head or shoot.
Three or four Can be brought together
in this way but we doubt if it is worth
the trouble and expense.
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

This department is devoted to answering such
questions as may be asked by our subscribers
which may be of general interest. Inquiries OF a
personal character that require answer by mail
should always have amp enclosed.
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03

1NHE ORIENT or China Sand Pear bears
l. regular crops. Excellent for sauce, pies, etc.
ADAPTED to the orange belt of Florida. Buds by
mail, IS cents per dozen $1.00 per hundred
Budding solicited. w. III. HASKELL, DeLand,
Fla %
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03

EOR SALE-Bu0ding wood OF best Florida
oranges, HOmosassa, Mag. BOnum Ola Vini
EARLY OblOng, Med, Sweet and Centennial. Price
$7 so per ,ONf o. b. Send your orders to W. F.
REED, DraytOn island, Fla. 80
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03

LOR SALE-Good, beaut ful place-15 acres
fenced half improved nice 7-rOo m house, also
Outbui!dihgs Gulf in view ioOd fishing and
oysler.ng near rc $500, worth $1,000. Ad-
dress, n r. PRIEMEK Port Rchey, Fla
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03

kLORIST and Gardener Wanted-One who has
had experience with semi-trOpical fruits and
vegetables and can produce frst-class references
as to sobriety. honesty and efficiency. Address,
stating age and wages expected ROnnoc Grove.
New Smyrna, Fla.
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03

RUDWOOD from bearing Mandarins, Navels
~ Jaffas. Tardffs and HOmosassas. 20 cts per
doz.; 3 .5u per l0O by mail postage paid; S. per
!, 600 by express. Address W. ?. WOODWORTH,
Gleniak Fla. 20
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03

DOR SALE-AH kind of orange and lemon
II trees, buds and gratis. Delivered by express
or mail prepaid. Buds $5 per thousand: gratis
at 81 per thousand, free from scale and all pests
Send n Oney order or registered letter. Address
e. +. TAYLOR, Redlands Cal. San Bernardo Co.
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03

A experienced Pennsylvania and Florida
"a farmer, orange grower, tobacco grower, gar
dener aud trucker wishes situation. Address,
HODIE DIXIE, Gabrielle. Fla.
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03

II ING ORANGE TREE-A fine strain; ST. so
IN per one hundred. Grape Fruit and Enter
prise seedess 81 per 100. Tan. crimes later in the
season. Address :. F. A. BIELBY, Iceland, Fla.
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03

(NORELL'S Il UNRUH HORSE EXCHANGE,
~ DeI4and, Fla Main Barn, Indiana Avenue
Annex South east corner Boulevard and VOorhis
Avenue. Office between the Postoffice and Bank.
At all times Horses and Mules for Sale and Ex-
change; all kinds and Prices. 50
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03

M ANrED-Situaton by mUrried man. age 81.
w Good gardener and florist. Would take
charge of gentleman's estate. Good references.
G. STANLEY, Windsor, Fla
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03

JAMAICA SORREL.-JUstice to our customers
- who have been lnquiring for Sorrel leads us to
this cornmuncat on. For some unknown reason
did not get the seed of this plant. as ordered,
until a few days ago. The plants are now up
and growing vigorously. Those who wish plants
see advertisement in Cheap Column this
paper. kEASONER BROS, Oneco, Fla, June
18th. ~
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03

CHANCE of a fetime-To make room for
n Youngsters. will sell breeding
stock at sacrifice Golden WyandOttes, Ply
mouth Rocks, White md Brown Leghorns
Indian Games, Langshans and Pekin Ducks. II
you are interested, write for particulars to E.
W. AMSDEN, Ormond. Fla.
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03

EOR SALE-2Oo thrifty growing Sweet Seeding
n orange trees Nursery protected through the
freezes by tall shrubbery and ep lake. Box
743, DeLand, Fla.
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03

rI0uTNG LINES, / to 1000 yards best Braid
IIOll ed Oil Silk, cent a yard. Send for
samples. WARREN & CO.. 10 f, 14th St., N, Y.
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-03

DRICES REDUCED - Pure Brown LeghOrn
eggs for Matching. 13for rs cents; 26 for ST. 90;
40 for $l.S5: - per 100. YOUNG G. LEE. st.
Petersburg, Fla.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-01-26
Tall Buildings.

The law in Washington which re-
strcts the height of buildings is one
which should be initiated in other
large cities, Not only are tall build
ings dangerous, but they are liable to
be unsauitary in the lower stories.
The architects have heretofore made
large steel frame or cage, which is en-
cased in a solid base, and around this
the lofty structure is built, but the
danger of corrosion of the frame and
the impossibility of getting at the
defects in such building have in
duced the best architects to build the
frame first and then anchor the build
ing around it, SO that the frame can
be examined from the inside and de.
fects repaired in it.
High buildings shut out light and
air and make ventilation, except in
the upper stories, very difficult. A
paper once gave picture of the fu-
ture appearance Of Chicago, with its
lofty buildings, making every street
look like deep ravine. Builders and
architects should have restrictions
placed on their work, and the build
ing inspector should not only be
competent builder and architect him.
sells, but he should know something
about sanitation, and give proper at
tention to lighting, heating and ven
tilation. In Washington the height
OF a building is governed by the
width of the street on which it fronts,
and such law should be enacted and
enforced in other large cities, where
the streets are narrower and the COM
mercial aspect Of the city more prom
iuent. Popular Health Magazine.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-01-26
A Nation in Sheepskin.

Nearly all the northern Chinese
dress in sheepskin during the winter,
and coats of this kind and jackets and
pantaloons of quilted cotton make up
their clothes, states Frank G. Carpen-
ter. The colder it gets the more gar
meuts they put on, and girl who in
the winter looks like the fat woman OF
the circus, may slowl V fade into the
ETHEREAL type Of the living skeleton as
warm weather approaches. Clothes
of this kind cannot bo washed, and
those of the poorer classes are dirty
in the extreme. The richer people
wear magnificent garments of wadded
silk lined with fur, and | saw one
mans wardrobe which contained at
least 81, 600 worth of costly fur gar
ments. The furs used are of all
kinds, and you can get magnificent
cloaks of Thibetan goat, such as our
ladies use for opera cloaks, for about
so in gold. They have fine sables,
but they are costly, and a number of
Iii Hung Chang's mobiles had silk
gowns lined with mink. The fur mar
kets Of China are as fine as any in the
world. There are long streets in Tien
Tsin which are filled with fur stores,
and there is square in Pekin which
IL devoted to II fur market. Every
morning about four o'clock you may
find there several hundred Wholesale
fur dealers with their goods spread
out on the ground, and you can buy
all sorts Of skins from the cheapest of
squirrels to the finest of seals. There
are lots of second. hand fur stores,
and old furs are bought and cleaned
and resold. Chicago Herald.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-01-26
TOP DRESSED WHEAT AND RYE.

The greatest value of top dressed
winter grain is the protection it af-
fords against the repeated fre ezing
and thawing of the ground, by which
the roots are broken and the plants
are thrown out of the soil, and killed.
Constant freezing does not harm, and,
once the ground is frozen, the aim
should be to keep it SO. This is done
by covering the surface with any kind
of litter that will shelter it from the
warm sun and prevent thawing. 1t is
obvious that, if at the same time some
food can be given to the crop, that
will be all additional gain. Conse.
quently, while covering of straw
only will be of service, covering Of
manure will be much better, for the
soluble parts Of the manure will be
washed into the ground and help to
feed the crop. 1t is obvious that
top dressing of manure taken fresh
from the stables will thus be better
than any other, and will certainly be
advisable to put the manure made
during the winter on the land. 1t
will do no harm to draw it when the
surface is frozen, but it is not advis.
able to 60 on the land with wagons
and loads when it is soft and wet -
New York Times.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-01-26
China's Immense Coal Mines.

Still China has some of the largest
coal fields in the world and a German
geologist who has examined into the
matter says that the extent Of the
workable coal beds of China is greater
than that of any other country, writes
Frank G. Carpenter. There is a coal
right near Hankow, which is now being
used i'll the making of iron, and every
province in the empire is said to have
coal in it. There is, however, only
one mine which is being operated on
anything like scientific principles.
This is at Tong Shan, about eighty
miles from Tien Tsin, and the Chinese
have been mining about 1000 tons of
coal n day here for years. visited
the works last summer and took look
ut the miners They receive about
siXty-three cents n week or nine cents
a day, and the mines pay very well.
The coal is bituminous and it was
about the only source of supply which
China had during the trouble with
the Japanese. The railroad runs right
through this region, and it was first
built to carry this coal to the sea.
There is said to be good anthracite
coal in the hills near Pekin, and when
China is covered with railroads, coal
will be the cheapest fuel. Chicago
Herald,
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-01-26

Small farms are decreasing, while
the ratio of bonanza farms is decreas-
ing Despite the great increase Of
farms from 1870 to 1880 the number Of
small farms from three to ten acres
each decreased by 37,132, and those
from ten to twenty by 39,S36, and those
from twenty to fifty acres by 6G,140.
From 1850 to 1890 they decreased re-
spectfully in the order above named.
The statistice thus far published for the
last census are not on the same basis as
those of 1880. 1t shows that the aver
age size of farms for 1890 was 1877 acres
In lieu of 134 for 1885, and that the
number of farms between 100 and 800
acres each has increased in numbers
more than those of all other sizes com.
bined, showing that farms from 100 tC
200 acres are regarded by the mass of
farmers as the most economical size to
own. 1t is assumed that the fittest has
survived.-Irof. i. W. Sanburn.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-01-26
oldest Scheme of All.

"You cant talk about burglars,
said Lieutenant Blow, of the United
States Navy, when his turn came, "but
the oldest scheme in the way of pro-
lection l saw in big downtown Office
the other day"
"Go ahead with the story" re-
marked one of the little group of pro-
fessional men.
"Well, it was one Of those big,
roomy offices, with desks planted all
over the floor. was waiting for one
of the firm to come in. While | sat
there another partner came, opened
his roll-top desk and pulled off n silk
lined overcoat, slipped one end of a
chain around the arm of the chair and
joined the ends with spring paddock.
After that he folded the coat, put it
down on the seat of the chair and sat
on it and began to work. He did it
in the most everyday sort of fashion.
When l looked around the Office l no.
ticed that every man in it had his
coat chained to his clair,
When the lieutenant had finished
every man in the room WAS looking at
the dining-room clothes rack. .-Chica,
90 Times.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-01-26
VALUE OF CORN STALKS.

Farmers are beginning to realize the
value of corn stalks AZ food for farm
animals. The great drought has com
PEELED them to recognize the worth of
this hitherto waste product on many
farms, and if more care were exercised
in securing the corn stalks in good
condition they would be in more de-
mald.
Professor Henry, of the Wisconsin
Experiment Station, recently CON
du, ted some experiments to test the
profit in cutting up dry corn stalks.
-Four good cows were fed for two weeks
on stalks that had been run through a
cutter and then for two weeks on
whole stalks, the same amount Of corn
meal and bran being fed in both cases.
1t vas found that 72l pounds OF cut
sta ks made as much milk and butter
as 1873 pounds of whole stalks. This
meant n saving of thirty six per cent
by passing the fodder through the cut
ter The whole stalks were largely
VII ted, for the cattle could not eat
th"m as readily as they ate the cut
ST. lks. Not only was this great saving
made in feed, but the remnants left
by the cattle are far better for bed
ding.
70 be at its best corn fodder should
be cut into pieces less than an inch in
length, crushed or shredded, and fed
with some kind of grain, moistened
enough TO stick to the stalks, and fed
at least twice a day For roughage
the stalks can be thrown out to be
eaten whole. In this case they can be
made much more palstable by sprink'
ling over them water strongly impreg-
mated with salt. Cornstalks are liable
to heat and mildew and should be fed
out before spring. 1t is always adj
visable to use the poorest fodder dur
ing the winter, when the stock will eat
heartily and enjoy that which they
will hardly touch later on when spring
weather renders their appetites some
what capricious.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-01-26
TRAINING THE COLT.

From the day he is foaled, n colt
should be gradually accustomed to
obedience. Feed him lump of sugar
that he may welcome your coming,
then gently handle him, moving HIM
about, and he will soon obey many
commands. He must be gently mas
tered from the first by man who is
cool headed and pleasant, never hastv,
excited or angry. Train him to the
halter, to carrying a strap and at length
the harness and bride.
Backing is one of the most dfficnlt
lessons. Stand behind the colt and
slightly to one side, 80 that the lines
passing through the lug strap will
draw across his quarter While dis.
tinctly saying the word Back" pull
the reins backward and little to one
side with quick steady pull, and in
stantly slacken. AT first this will only
turn him to one side, but by strokiug
his head, and feeding him morsal,
h. can be pulled little to the other
,de in the same way, and will soon
respond to the reins. Next, by stand.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-01-26

According to the popular version,
Watt, as a small boy, saw the lid of a
tea-kettle move up and down when the
water was boiling, and this suggested
to him the construction of the steam
engine. As matter of fact Watt made
himself acquainted with what had been
done before IA point altogether ignored
in the popular version), and had to
work very hard before he brought his
invention to successful issue.
His example is typical of the true
method of progress, and it may be
said generally, that in order to ap.
proach problem with the best pros.
pect of success, it is necessary (1) to
define as accurately as possible the
want that exists, or the particular OBJ
ject that is to be attained; (2) to be
well acquainted with the scientific
principles which come into play; (3)
to know how the want is met, or the
object attained in practical life; (4) to
find out what proposals have been
made by others in the same or in
similar case. A careful attention to
these requirements will prevent much
disappointment and waste of energy.
Alexander Siemens in Nature.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-01-26
SHELTER FOR SHEEP,

The wool of the sheep is al efficient
protection against cold, so long as it is
kept dry. When wet it only adds to
the sleeps discomfort, as the wool,
being porous, exhales moisture very
rapidly and cools its body accordingly.
With dry place to sleep in sheep
will never suffer from cold except at
the lambing time, when warm place
is always necessary. In rainy weather
it is better to keep the sheep shut up
in their shelter. They are anxious to
be out of doors sometimes, when if
they had reason sufficient to think
they would know they were better
under shelter. The owner can Judge
better when they ought to go ont than
they can Judge for themselves. -Bos-
ton Cultivator.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-01-26
VOL. Ii. NO. 25.
An Old-Fashioned Valentine.

The snow lies deep on the windy wold,
And the ice is thick on the silver rill,
But two little BIRDS despite the cold,
Are twittering love on the window.sill-
st. Valentines Day is here is here,
SO summon courage to write thee, dear.
| have loved thee, sweet, sincethe day came
10 the messy garden and saw thee there,
Thy dimpled arms In the roses flame,
And an Ivy wreath in thy golden hair,
| begged for spray OF mignonctte
And crimson rose, and have them yet.
For year or more, rs | came and went
By the low, white house on the hill, I've
Thy fair head over the sewing bent
The futtering curtains of chintz between,
And I've walked with thee in thy gown OF
gray,
To the little church on the Sabbath day.
So knew thee, love, for the purest maid
That hath ever blushed at glance too bold,
And the fairest, too, that hath ever laid
Her lips to mans since the days OF old;
Away In the top OF the linden tree,
The birds have mated, and so should we,
The old blue china my mothers pride
Is dim with dust on the dresser shelf,
My windows watch for dainty bride,
And my soul Is sad for its sweeter self;
Oh, come and gladeH the heart that must
Be thine alone till it falls to dust
MINNIE IRVING.