davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning news., 1897-08-30
Meadow-Oat Grass.

While is a very desirab BILE grass for the
southern climate, 1t is inferior to the
orchard grass and should not be selected,
when the soil is suitable for the latter.
But where one already has the meadow
oatg rass established even partially, on
their soils 1t would be unwise to eradicate
it for the purpose Of substituting some
thing else. 1t is better adapted to thin
soils than the orchard and it will succeed
admirably on sandy and gravelly soil that
would hardly suit the other. 1t Is not so
enduring as the orchard grass But it
will, with good treatment continue for a
number of years. Even on quite poor soils
with the air of a little ammoniated super
phosphate it viii grow to a hight of three
feet. on rich soils it frequently attains
a hight of six or seven feet. 1t continues
green the year round nearly and in some
localities is known as evergreen grass.
1T is adapted either for pasturage or hay,
but the hay is rather light. IL will give
several cutting a year and is regarded as
one of the best winter grasses that we
have As suggested in a previous chap
ter those who set out deliberately to es-
tablish permanent pastures or meadows of
the superior grasses and are willing TO
take all necessary care and trouble to
establish them as perfectly as possible
will not find il the most satisfactory plan
to rely upon any one particular grass,
but will use a mixture of several that are
regarded as among the best and thus
speedily determine which is really the best
for their soil and locality. He will then
in further extension of the meadow and
pasture land, he governed by the results
of first efforts and use only those species
that thrive best on his soil. There are "A
few grasses and covers that do admirably
when grown by themselves. But as a gem
eral rule mixtures are far better and give
far better satisfaction.
For pasture purposes, at the laying
down. two or three different grasses and
one or two clovers should be used.
II the various species OF grass and clover
seed were easily procurable il would be
advantag geous TO use in the mixture eight
or ten different kinds. Four or five how
ever, will answer very well.
A mixture Of orchard grass, meadow
oat, Ted-top. Timothy and Lucerne Is a
good one. But there are numerous varie-
ties that can be made As with orchard
grass. II is always well TO mix red-clover
with the meadow-oat. The seed Of the lat
ter weigh about Il pounds 20 the bushel
And II the seed are first-class 2 bushel TO
2la should be used, adding TO this 20
pounds OF good clean seed, mixing thor
oughly before sowing.
The morning news., 1897-08-30
succuIent rood for Hos.

1t is high time that all who expect to
keep any number of hogs next winter
from one to 10000 head-should make pre-
parauon to supply them with
some sort of green food
after the ordinary pasture is gone.
There is nothing better, TO our knowledge,
than artichokes and rye, says the Ameri-
can Swine Breeder. Progressive breeders
and feeders in all parts of the country con-
slider them as essentials in the profitable
keeping of pigs in winter.
Time was, and not very long ago, either
when most swine growers thought a liber-
al feed of ear corn twice a day and the
warm side of an old straw pile as sleep
ing quarters, was pretty fair winter care
for hogs. A good many of the animals
managed to live through each year and
their owners thought they were making
money. But after a time prices got so low
that men began doing prodigious amount
of thinking, and the result was that they
awoke to a realizing sense of the fact that
swine growing is as much a business as
any other part of the farmers occupation
In their quest for knowledge they made
the discovery that the sooner a hog could
be made fit for market the greater the
margin of profit for the owner.
In order TO secure the greatest possible
amount of growth from the food consum-
ed, ii is necessary that the growth be con-
stant; that there be no dormant period or
time of rest. To make certain and con-
tinuous growth all the clements which
promote the same should beipresent at all
times. Corn alone, does not contain them
Green fool is a pecessary part of the ration
in summer. We all know that the sum-
mer season is the time of greatest growth;
therefore, the nearer we can come to sum-
mer conditions the year around the better
results we may expect. The nearest we
can approximate this in winter is to pro-
vide warm quarters and green food.
Therefore it behooVes every grower of
swine to plant some sort of a green crop
for winter feeding. Unless you know Of
something better and cheaper you will
make no mistake in growing rye and arti-
chohes. Three bushels of artichokes are
not considered equal in feeding value TO
the same amount of corn, but two bushels
of corn and one of aruchokes are better
than three of corn Therefore, in that pro-
portion, artichokes are actually of more
value than corn, Since ii can be done so
cheaply, il is a very short-sighted indi-
vdual who still refuses TO provide succu-
lent food for his hogs during the winter
season,
The morning news., 1897-08-30
BiShcad CurabIe.

Some months since a correspondent ask
ed if it were possible that we'll develop
ed case of big head (osteo porosis) could
be cured
We were not able to answer the ques-
ton with the same degree of satisfaction
that We now can.
In the past summer well develop case
of bighead and its treatment came under
our daily observation, and as the result
we are prepared to say that it is a des-
ease that can he cured if promptly treated
This assertion is founded upon the prnci-
pie that if one case can be cured others
can be also This is the only instance that
has come under our observation, but it was
bad case. Late in the winter a trotting
mare, Leila Wilks, developed a bad case
and was in such a condition she could
not get up without assistance Declined
gradually in flesh from over 100 pounds
to less than 100.
The animal is now in use, can make a
mile in 3:l0, and weighs over 1000 pounds
In an early issue we will give at length
the treatment that worked the cure.
The morning news., 1897-08-30

when they are not over-heated. Some of
the very pretuest ferns seem TO thrive
well in almost any temperature that
does not fall to the freezing point. Among
these are the common maidenhair a. Gu
neatum, A. pedatum and A, gracilimum.
the thick-leaved cyrtomium. hard-leaVed
pteriSeS, and the onychiumS. Adiantum
Farleyensis, the beautiful queen of ferns,
must be kept a little warmer-the tenn
perature rarely falling below 90 degrees.
The sword fern, Nephroepis eNalta, is
very handsome when. well grown, and
one of the most useful for all purposes
A beginner would do well to choose this.
together with Pteris Victorioe and spe-
cies of the first mentioned genera, for
early experiments in culture. Davallia
Mooreana and d. tenuifOha are also casi-
ly managed.
1t is better to begin with young plants.
Be careful not to over-pot them; wash
the inside of the pots clean, and give es-
pecially good drainage; use open, rich,
tibrous soil, light rather than heavy, and
instead of filling the pot with soil to the
brim leave plenty of room to hold water.
Ferns should never get quite dry at the
root, yet ii will not do to keep them soak
ing wet. Many of them, especially the
maiden-hair and gold and silver ferns dis
like being splashed overhead, and hot sun
shine must never fall directly upon these
utICdle hllltlSs ItTIS are sure 70 ne XIII
ed by little dribbings of water given every
day. The same rule that applies to water
ing other plants is good with ferns:
When the top of the soil looks dry fl the
pot with water to the brim, so that all the
ball of soil may have a thorough soaking
1t is not best to set ferns in draught of
either warm or cold air
There is no need to keep ferns in the
house all summer, though many people
do it, They thrive better outside on the
piazza of other sheltered spot pro sided
the owner will not forget to water them
An old fern that has filed the pot full
Of roots may be repotted at any time ex-
cept in fab Reporting at this season
would interfere with the partial rest which
most ferns like to take at this season.
With plentiful watering one can grow quite
large specimen ferns in wonderfully small
pots. Two points that the fern grower
must never forget, in pottng and repot-
ting, are to have the drainage particular
ly free, anal take all earthworms from
the soil ,..#-sI G..
The morning news., 1897-08-30

Client quantities for future crops but we
must supply TO the soil the lacking min
eral elements. The question is how
shall we do this most quickly, eConomi-
Caiy and effectively? Some SAYS by the
use OF barnyard manure. All viii agree
that the manure is Il good thing so far as
1t goes All the wastes from the farm
animals should be carefully saved and APP
piled to the nearby fields, SO that the cost
of handling will not be great ON most
farms 1t Is impossible TO bring up the
Impoverished lands by an entire reliance
upon the manure of stock fed upon the
production of the farm without help from
some outside source. The cheapest,
quickest and most effective way in which
TO obtain this outside help is by buying
the phosphOric acid and potash. These
are the cheaper forms of commercial fer
tilizers and are all that is needed TO eua-
bile the Iegumes to catch and store up
In abundance the more costly nitrogen.
The following Is about the best rotation
TO follow at first: In September apply
mixture of three hundred pounds OF acid
phosphate and two hundred of potash per
acre, and SOW TO crimson clover and rye,
powing under the following spring.
Spread over the land twenty-five bushels
of lime and plant i'm corn. The lime
causes more rapid decay of vegetable
matter in the soil. and prevents the ten
dency to acdity during hot weather.
At the last working of the corn SOW
cowpeas amongst it. they should not be
cut. but be allowed to die down upon the
land. In August or September sow Grim
son clover among the peas and corn and
plow under the next spring and SOW the
land In peas Cut them while green and
cure for feed. Plow the stubbe and put
in wheat and clover, again using the acid
phosphate and potash. After the soil Is
well supplied with humus, the clover and
peas should not be turned under, but
should be pastured or cut for hay and fed
to stock The stubhle turned under will
supply sufficient organic matter for sue
ceeding crops after the land is wen start
ed iu Improvement
/ speak whereof ] know In saying that
by the method outlined above, any land
however poor may be brought to high
state OF fertility. 1t Is unwise and eX-
traVagant for farmers to purchase the
expensive commercial fertilizers when by
the use Of the cheaper forms to grow le-
eumes we can obtain the costller nitrogen
so easily and cheaply. II farmers would
only study how to fertilize intelilgently
and economically. prosperity would soon
come to our farms. and the waste places
of old Virginia would soon bloom as the
rose"
The morning news., 1897-08-30
THE MORNING NEWS: MONDAY, AUGUST 30. 1897

this sap by pressing the bark it throws
this digested food back and the fruit ap-
propriates it to its own growth. We can
do this readily by twisting 4 small wire
around the branch Immediately below the
specimen desired II is well to remove all
but the one fruit and great care must be
exercised not to get the wire so tight as
TO rupture the bark and thus destroy the
branch. Ii only needs a slight compress
sion to accomplish the work After the
fruit has matured the wire must be remov-
ed.
Grape growers who practice ringing un-
derstand this 70 perfection. They remove
a band of the bark perhaps a quarter of
an lnch long just below a cluster which
then takes all the resources OF the limb
and does its work IN advance of the others
anu often doubles its size, but the limb
must be cut out at the next pruning as
it could not again put out its leaves
II often happens young tree will not
develop fruit buds. Il can be made TO do
so by a sudden checking of its growth
when its wood buds are forming ana caus-
ing them TO develop as fruit buds for next
seasons crop, The wire is drawn tight
ly around the body of the tree, and left
few weeks during July and August As
stated the work must be done with eau
ton or the tree VIII be injured
Some accomplish the same result by
making a cut squarely around the body of
the tree, merely severng the bark. The
bark will draw apart slightly and fill with
gum but the growth viii be suddenly
checked and fruit buds secured for good
crop the following season. This work
should be done in July for best results.
The morning news., 1897-08-30

HiVING SPORT WITH 4 SHARK.
How Some Florida Reef Boys Put
One Into Harness.
From the Chicago Inter ocean.

ono INTO Harness.
From the Chicago Inter ocean.
on the shallow lagoons Of the oaiter
Florida reef the bottom in ten feet OF
water IS often pure white so that dark
objects resting upon It stand out with
startling distinctness. One OF the fro
quenters Of the reef Is a shark. known a.
the nurse, nine or ten feet in length. who
seeks the scclusion OF the shadows and
apparently goes to sleep. AZ least. pre-,
tends TO. as no is seen lying perfectly
quiet for hours often permitting a boat
to sail over him.
Naturally. so sluggish fish was easily
captured, and one day, after watching the
sharks swimming around the lagoon ana
refusing to leave the white bottom it
occurred to party of boys that the nurse
shark would make an admirable steed,
and Immediate plans We're formulated TO
capture one.
The sharks were most plentiful near "A
long narrow island and here the boys
made their headquarters. Their mode OF
transportation was extremely primitive.
The boat in which they crossed from the
main island where they lived was the
wooden casing Of an arch some Thasons
had been making, "A bOat-shaped affair
blunt at both ends. This had been caulk-
cd and provided with rowlocks, and in IL
the boys made frequent excursions. The
plan was to SAN the boat quietly over
the sharks then lower a slipnoose down
and take one by the head.
The rope and a pair OF grains were
thrown into the boat, and all being ready
the boys started on their expedition. They
soon sighted a black spot. which told OF
the presence OF the school OF sharks and
a few moments later were quietly drifting
over them. Not word was spoken. and
the greatest caution was observed as one
of the boys held the boat in place while
another lowered the moose. Unfortunate
lv. an oar was dropped overheard, and.
with q whirl of their tails. the big fishes
were off in every direction
In the excitement Of the moment, a
third boy seized the spear and hurled 1t
az a shark that was passing beneath the
boat The weapon took effect, and the
next moment the line, which was fast
ened to the pole. stiffened out with
jerk, whirling the boat round and round.
and throwing the boys down violently into
the bottom When they picked themselves
up they found the hat-bottomed boat
dashing along at rapid rate. They haa
secured a steed though not in the man
ner anticipated.
Up the reef the nurse swan. now pulling
the boat down dangerously near the wa
ter and sending out "A big wave on either
SIDE, tnch turning WIN FuHn 10 avon
"A coral bank that grew on the edge OF
the channel and racing back to the start
ing point.
All this was very exciting One boy
held the line by bracng back; another
took an oar and attempted to steer the
craft in is wild race, while the other
boy was merely an enthusiastic passtn-
ger Suddenly the shark turned again. and
the bow boy. rising to see what new di-
rection 1t was taking. lost his balance and
was jerked overheard. Before his COM
panons realized fully the situation he
was being towed along on the sur
face by the demoralzed shark.
The morning news., 1897-08-30
rhc CmItnrc Of Ecrnr.

We an love ferns but many OF us do
not try 10 grow them because we imagine
that they require special treatment and
special soil. says Vicks Magazine. The
truth Is that ferns are very easy 70 grow
either IN the garden or greenhouse
Nearly all writer's upon fern culture in
sist on the use Of peat, and this we are
not often able 10 procure. This was a
great discouragcr to my efforts until 1
found that florists who grow ferns for
market. use the same sort OF soil for
ferns that they DO FOR roses. carnations
and geraniuma: Good. fresh. nbrous
loam and wcll-rotted COW manure. /
found. TOO. from experience ana inquiry
that an ordinary forns-not including tho
hardy oncs-would grow IN a temperature
Of W 20 ~ degrees in winter. ana this la
usually the temperature Of our rooms
The morning news., 1897-08-30

Il IL not dincult 10 10 manipulate a
branch OF the peach. pear or apple as 20
cnuse t not only 10 ripcn lts fruit ten
days or more in advance Of the ordinary
season. hut 20 greatly Increase the sizo of
f.. says well-known orchardist in Farm
ana Flfesido.
Trees take tholr food from the soil,
chiefly tbe minerals dissolved in water
which paHrosf from eUl 90 cell through
fhn center of tho wool until % reaches the
leaves. where if ia diEeHtel ind assimilh- b
frd bv rombin.nF o. with the carbon of
tHs 4tm0.uhffD nnd other RaeHe. and then
naaara. aosuNard Immediately under tHf
haft bnid.ns up wood oalla aui develop.
lnr fhf frIIl
The morning news., 1897-08-30
BEATTY OF TmE GRASS.
The Eye WeRries of EveythinE Else
Than the Verdant Earth.

from the lOnuou fscHO.
How dun and uninterestng would the
earth be without its soft, bright verdurel
In every landscape Il IS the most con-
spicuous object. the ground color on which
the gay hues Of flowers come forth in
greater brlliancy by the force OF con-
trast. to arrest the admlring gaze. What
can be sovelier than the meadows I'm May?
The eye that has lately looked out on the
cold plain Of snow or the leahess tree
gazes with delight upon the tender grass
-pringing out OF the earth ia the Gear
shining after rain" so richly. delicately.
transparenuy green And when the sea-
son advances and the grass wrinkles in
the warm air. and the daisies in thousands
open their round innocent eyes In wonder
among II. and the buttercups spread over
10 their cloth OF gold. and the bright
sunbeams and the light-footed shadows OF
the heccy clouds overhead chase each 9TH
or In little ripping waves over It's SUR.
face. like smiles and thoughts over hu-
man face--it seems as IL a large and "A
brighter feeling OF life came with the love-
~ spectacle. ana as N every tiny spear OF
grass bore the admiring spirit upon it
from the decays OF earth nearer 90 the
glory and the fulncss OF heaven.
No sight can be- faircr than woodland
nook or a forest glade. with the tall. un-
trOdden grass IN its dewy freshness. wav-
ing under tho trees intorminglcd With
palmy clusters ~ fern leaves. and tipped
on the top, like billows that break into
foam with snowy wild flowers. or those
round fairy knollf. whose pll0wy soft
ness Invites the dreamer 90 ropoae iu the
MONDAY heat. aud which 0fer themselves
ln mammHry tenderness fo feed the rabbit
and the wild deer Beautiful b. the Frasr
when " covers the deeayinF thatch OF the
cottage making if look more like q natural
object than "a work 0f man. tender BE- ls
when Dr. lays o. rich carpet beside tho
threshold ~ the poor 60 soften uucon-
aeiouniy the heavy football of f1li ana ro-
fresh fne weary eye Of care. ana remind
fhe lowllcat bY iiH mute appeal of ihoir
share in natures feast of amp.e elad-
ufHH
fhe cfe soon fIrea of nrunune noafra.
bHf lf never nrafirs Of thN modest livery
of fnr KrafH. TIE simple Narduf0 Ia rHffh'a
chosen r0hr ihe hDHseh0ll lfeas saf our
common mother. and none ESQ h.ramar
hel haif s0 Nrl.
The morning news., 1897-08-30
How 10 Restore Fertility TO "a Run
down Farm without Loss.

Ten years ago / took possession Of a
rundown farm, which would not produce
over five bushels Of wheat and ten bush
els Of corn per acre, says the Practical
Farmer. BY the use OF the cheaper forms
OF the chemical fertilizers with the leg
umes, and a careful saving and judicious
application Of all the manure from the
farm animals ! have succeeded so far In
restoring the fe tility that II viii now bring
twenty bushels Of wheat aud fifty of corn
per acre. Any farmer owning one Of
these worn-out farms can do as well and
perhaps better. II the right means are
used in the right way. However. il Will
take plenty Of hard labor Of both hand
and head t. succeed. A sufficient guam
tity Of all the e.ements necessary for the
growth Of plants is usually supplied by
the rains. air and soil except nitrogen
potash and phosphoric acid. Most worn
soils lack all three OF the essential ele-
mcnts. The system Of farming followed
in the southern states for the past thirty
years has exhausted these essential ele-
ments IN their available forms. Chemical
fertilizers have been used every year TO
force a grain crop on the poor land 10 the
exclusion Of vegetable manure. The re-
suit is that the organic matter Is reduced
year by year, aud from the lack Of this
organic matter 10 the 8oil the effect Of
the chemical fertilizers steadily decreases.
thus both the soil ana its owner becomes
more and more Impoverished every year
Out first step must be 20 restore 20 Inc
soil this vegetable matter But the soil
has also been robbed Of its phosphorie
acid and potash and our great standbys
aa rcn0vating crops. peas and clover. will
not grow without q supply OF these ele-
u
quantity ~ nitrogen for their own growth
and dovolOpmont. aud store lt uu lu Hunl
The morning news., 1897-08-30

tend the grinding always grow fat from
the sugar they ent.
Save the Hen Manure-The Manure from
hens unless grain fed in summer, is us
ually less valuable than 10 Is in winter.
But il is non. the less Wen worth taking
care Of II Will heat very rapidly IN hot
weather Il kept in piles. As Il is usually
deficient in phosphates ID is a good plan
TO mix some Of the commercial phosphate
with the manure, as u Is heating II a.
ways contains enough sulplatc of lime or
land plaster TO absorb the ammonia. while
the phosphate with the nitrogen which
the hen manure abouuds in. viii make \
fertilizer very nearly equal 20 guauo.
Feed Fowls Some Gram on most farms
at this time OF the year. the fowls can
have their freedom, and the tender grass
the fat bugs and insects. and The much
wholesome ana fresh natural food that
they find Will make il hardly necessary
for any other ration. But il is best TO
Stve them an evening feed of wheat or
oats. in order that those that may not
have been Fortunate enough to find much,
need not go to bed with an empty stom-
ach. But there is a great value which
these farm range fowls secure, and which
is almost as important As the food they
get-it is eNercse.-Rural World
Have a Few Sheep-It does not take such
"a large sum to buy a flock Of good grade
ewes, while a thoroughbred mutton ram
does not cost anything at all, as HIS lambs
Will bring about 81 per head more in the
market than the lambs from a common
ram; while the similarity OF all the lambs
fleece both in staple and weight would
cause the feeces to bring a much larger
sum of money in the wool market than the
get of a common ram. Therefore on
lambs bred from purebred ram there is
enough clear gain over and above those
from a common ram To pay for thor
oughbred Yearling ram As the mae is
half the flock. how extremely unwise It
is to use a poor male