Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-09-03


DROUGHT. Following upon the excep-
tional season of showers that produced such
splendid vegetation, comes now period OF
drought that is becoming serious. While all
save the late corn has safely matured, it is
suffering.
PRRsoNAL-Miss Mary Pencil of Wash.
ington is visiting Mrs. D. Pencil in this
place.
Messrs Sanford and Edward Shaffer OF
Hagerstown are spending week with their
parents in Thurmont.
Mr.. William Foreman of Goyanstown, Bal.
timore Co., spent few days this week with
relatives here.
Mr.. J. F. Creegcr of Altoona is visiting
his relatives in Thurmont. He reports work
in the passenger coach department ofthe +.
r. R. shops as being at about half time
Mr. Geo. W. Stocksdale has for number
of years been selling several brands OF fertil-
izers to our people. They are manufactured
under his own supervision and kept careful.
ly up to one standard. They have given the
most perfect satisfaction and being home
product should be freely purchased by our
home people. Further, we are just in receipt
of the Fertilizer Bulletin Of the Maryland
Agricultural Experiment Station, wherein
appears the analysis of every fertilizer licens-
ed to be sold in the State, and while many
fall short In analysis, both of Mr.. Stocksdale's
brands over.run the Ammoniated Super
phosphate $1.96, the Dissolved Bone $l.05
per ton
ALLEMAN of the Independent did it; had it
not been for his draughty thesis on the sub
ject Of "ruffles" we would not be writing
under the satire of the Record man, who bid
ed his time and gave us a most tremendous
fall. Old man !; when next you get ready to
essay little yicarious suffering, skip US ::
wuncisnuf
FREE SCHOOL BooKs-We publish this
week circular letter sent out by the School
Board and commend it to our readers. 1t is
not only solution of a very trying problem,
but it asks no unreasonable thing. We not
only approve, but are not able to amend it by
any further suggestion whatever. We have
for probably ten years been buying books and
shall most certainly not lay them away and
AJAX the county to provide others.
FREE SCHOOL Books The County School
Commissioners were in session on Tuesday,
the 25th inst. The most important action
taken was that relating to the introduction
Of free books in the public schools.
The appropriation by the State of 1864 33
will not he sufficient to supply free books in
all Of the grades unless patrons owning their
books will consent to use them for the pres
ent, the School Board to supply other books
as they may be required, free of cost to all
except in High School Course. If the pa
irons will cooperate with the School Com
missioners, as suggested, books can be made
free in all of the grades, except high schools
at once, otherwise, it may be necessary to
use the option provided in the law by sup
plying free books only in the lower grades
and requiring patrons to pay book fees OF
cut,oHly their own books In the higher grades
tending tn ahoped that all who are interested
in the shortest PCT the schools will unite with
!. snec;e,.-. 81 the effort to establish free books
GDBin all grades by using books which
would otherwise be OF little value to them
until others are required. Circulars will be
\ mailed to all teachers explaining the plans
Aor the Board in detail. The ownership o.
books in the hands of patrons will not be af
ected, the books TO be used and retained at
rivate property by the children Of patrons
whom they belong