The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1897-04-15
GRAIN FOR FUEL.
Some Successful Experiments Of
Northwestern Farmers.
Cheap Grain a Better Fuel Than
High-Priced Coal and Wood.


regard to where the future supply of
fuel for the prairie farmer and other
individuals of that section must come
from, and it is now quite definitely
settled that such supply sooner or
later must be raised npon the farm,
for the farmer who does not own any
timber finds that his fuel in one win
ter is very costly item, wood being
anywhere from SO to 50 cord. When
the farmer lives away from the timber
belt the supply must come by rail,
whether he purchases wood or coal.
Both are very expensive, and this
year few farmers have ready money.
In sact large numbers Of farmers can
not afford barely enough fuel to keep
their houses in a uncomfortable
state.
In this county of Lyon, says Mar
shall (Minn. letter to the Chicago
Record, many people, acting in line
with the ideas here expressed, have
been experimenting with corn for fuel,
and they report it much greater
success than they had reason to antic-
ipate. They are so delighted with it
that they will hepceforth use no other
fuel. 1t gives out very strong, reg
ular heat, as does good hardwood, and
it lasts nearly as long. The maximum
limits, however, would be far better
than any results yet obtained, as the
methods of burning it are as yet very
crude. There can be no doubt, how
ever, but that inventors will be equal
to the emergency and in due time
create nearly perfect corn stove or
special furnace which will answer the
usual requirements. AS soon as this
is done farmers and others who are
prepared to take advantage of the
benefits may cultivate their own fuel
on their own land and probably save
so percent by doing so. Two tons of
corn would be equivalent to about one
cord OF hardwood if the corn we're
burned economically, and corn for
fuel would not need, by any means,
the care that it would when grown
for food. The stalks and blades of
corn can be burned also, which gives
much greater amount of fuel to the
acre. They would need to be cut into
short lengths and the remnants tight
ly packed together, having the ap-
pearance Of good sized sticks of wood,
in order for them to produce hot
fire and to last long in stove or fur
mace. But they will certainly pay for
the labor by giving in return very
hot fire.
The prejudice aud squeamishness
formerly existing against the use oi
grain for fncl are fast dying AWAY. for
the people are realizing that grain is
one of natures fuels and was intended
for that purpose as we'll as to use as
cereal product. Could the people use
wood or coal for fuel there is not much
doubt but that they would do it, but,
as they cannot, they have no scruples
of conscience about burning either.
So will the cereals be regarded when
every value is extorted from them.
Besides burning corn regularly for
fuel many persons have tried the ex-
pertinent of burning oats and wheat.
Both of these grains are reported at
making most excellent substitutes fol
wood, the chief difficulty experienced
being the trouble of putting mp the
fuel in small and compact form con
venient for handling and burning.
Oat straw or wheat straw may be
bound together in small bundles ol
''logs" SO as to last for considerable
time. As it is now, farmer or indi.
vidual in a prairie town pays out So(
for fuel in winter. Most all of il
goes to railroads or syndcates, anc
no one in the vicinity is profted by it.
In all probability he could hsve saved
$50 by using corn, oats cr whea, fol
fuel, or all three. So he saves by
turning his labor into money and
keeping his money at home to meet
other expenses. Though the raising
of his fuel may cost him some time,
he finds that he has been the gamer,
and the actual cash outlay has been
possibly not to exceed S. in all.
Up to the present time it is only
the farmer and the frugal individual
who has made study Of fuel economy