davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-02-04
The Specialists Criticised.

Several specialists devoted to some
particular breed often group together
and style themselves a Plymouth Rock
club or a Buff Cochin club or any other
variety, as the case may be. says Farm
News. Ostensibly the aim of these clubs
is to improve and advance the interests
of the particular variety with which
they are affiliated, and if this was ac-
complished and the work stopped there
all we'll and good, but the trouble is
they don't stop at that point. In fact,
they frequently do not travel in that d.
rection at all, but go off at tangent
after some senseless fad, the accomplish
ment of which not only means no gain
whatever for the breed from utility
standpoint, but often the reverse Take
the Buff Cochin for instance. In the de-
stroying hand of the fancy it has ret
regarded from one of our very best and
most useful fowls into useless, I'M
slightly and unclean mass of feathers. 1t
cannot produce eggs. It cannot produce
flesh. Its whole energy is expended in
producing an abnormal growth of feath-
ers. The Buff Cochin of today as the
fanciers want it is worthless variety
and cannot be kept with profit in any
poultry yard.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-02-04
Dairy and Creamery.

We have been making up our mind
about the necessity for pasteurizing or
sterilizing milk. We have not hurried
to our conclusion, but have patiently
considered all sides. And the conclusion
is this: When milk and cream are kept
absolutely clean at every moment of
their manipulation and iourneying from
COW to consumer, there is no need for
sterilization. The heat that destroys
germs destroys also the best favor of
the milk and cream. We repeat, keep
the milk absolutely clean and in clean
vessels, and you will not need to pas
teurize it, But the fact is that eight
out of every ten mixers and milk care
takers are dirty and careless. Every
thing that touches milk must be as
clean as woman's hands when she
makes bread
Before feeding pumpkins to cows re-
move the seeds
A barn 3G feet wide is needed for a
double row of cows, with gutter be-
hind them and a feeding alley in front.
A cheesemaker who has a greater de-
mand for his full creamycheese than he
can supply sells directly to grocers. and
thus comes a step nearer to the consum-
on. It takes more time to find his GUS
toners in the beginning, but the system
pays better IN the long run.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-02-04
sorghum as Green Fodder.

Except for its extra amount Of sweet
ness sorghum has no advantage over
corn as green fodder. and it has two
very obvious disadvantages. One is that
the sorghum lacks the ears of corn that
the corn fodder if properly grown may
have, and the other is that the sorghum
stalk is so hard that it is difficult and
sometimes dangerous for stock TO eat it
unless first crushed in grinding to ex-
press its sap. The bagasse or pulped
sorghum stalks after the juices have
been expressed are greedily eaten by
stock. But the mass heats very quickly
and quickly turns sour. SO that it does
injury rather than good.
Wherever there are facilities for
grinding sorghum, farmers who live
near the mills can get some good from
the sorghum bagasse. But its nutritive
value is small, as the woody part of the
stalk has very little in it that is indi-
gestible. 1t costs more to grow sorghum
than it does to grow fodder corn because
it starts very Slowly and is hard to keep
from being oyergrown with weeds while
small After it gets knee high the sor-
ghum will grow fast enough, but until
that time it requires more labor to keep
free from weeds than does corn and its
fodder is less valuable. The sorghum is
grown for fodder in some parts of the
west because its root runs down deeper
than corn roots do, and it is thus able to
live through severe droughts that wither
and destroy the corn crop.-American
Cultiyator.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-02-04
GIVE US A CALI
CELERY CULTURE.

Views of Eastern Market Gardeners and
Western Celery Growers on Varieties.
An enormous impetus has been given
to celery growing since the introduction
Of the self blanching sorts have been in
troduced. With proper management Gel
cry may now be had nearly all the year
round, and consumers have become more
discriminating as to the qualities Of the
different varieties, as is evidenced by
the following inquiry from one Of the
largest celery growers in Ohio: SIS it
not advisable for growers to use more
Of the self blanching varieties Of celery,
like Perfection, Heartwell or Perle le
Grande, and less Golden Self Blanching,
and are not the pink and red varieties
the best for marketing?" This inquiry
was submitted to number of expert
enced celery growers in various sections
of the country by The American Agri-
culturist, and their replies, some Of
which are here reproduced, show how
the tastes of buyers differ in different
localities and how important 1t is for
growers to acquaint themselves with the
requirements of their markets. Nearly
all agree that the eating qualities Of the
pink and red varieties are superior to
those Of all others, but for market pur-
poses they are almost worthless.
From Hudson county, N. j., came
the following: If all the good qualities
Of the Pink Plume celery were known,
it would take the lead. 1t is strong,
healthy. compact grower, not quite SO
rank as the White Plume, with no tend
ency to rust, stems very solid and crisp,
extra early and long keeper, remain
ing, when properly trenched, in perfect
condition into the spring.
A contributor from Queens county,
N. Y, writes: The pink varieties are
decidedly better than other sorts, wheth-
or self blanching or not. They have a
rich. nutty flavor. do not consider the
self blanching sorts as vigorous as the
green and pink varieties. The absence
of color is an evidence of loss of vital
ity, and as all kinds of celery require
earthing up to make them tender and
delicious am decidedly in favor of the
pink and green sorts, but it must be un-
derstood that any given variety will not
be equally good in all soils and locali-
ties.
From Middlesex county, Mass, comes
the information that Boston market Gel
cry leads in Boston markets.
A writer in Ottawa, Mich, tells that
all large growers raise White Plume ex-
clusively for the summer trade. Golden
Dwarf and Perfection Heartwell for
winter. The pink varieties do not take
in the market. An Illinois correspond
ent tells that the red kind has not
made its way in his markets as yet. In
Bureau county the large celery growers
commence to grow more self blanching
varieties for early trade, such as the
White Plume, Perfection Heartwell and
others. The reply from Ottawa county,
Ills, is as follows:
Three-fourths Of all the celery seen in
our markets is Henderson's White
Plume, for the reason that it bleaches
earliest. The green sorts are far supe-
rior in quality, provided they are we'll
bleached, but the pink celery is GER
tainly the best of all.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-02-04
Electric Cnltnre.

Professor Bailey Of Cornell university
shows that this fact is mainly owing
to the careful compilation of data
which has been made by himself. He
shows that the effect of the light is
marked even at distance Of 100 feet.
From his experiments are drawn the fol-
lowing conclusions: The influence of
the electric arc light upon greenhouse
plants is greatly modified by the use Of
clear glass globe, or the interposition
Of glass roof. Plants which are much
improved by naked light may be BEN
Gifted by protected light. The light
can be suspended even above the house
with good effect. As rule plants are
earlier under the electric light than
when grown under ordinary conditions.
Lettuce is greatly forced and improved
by this light. An average Of five hours
Of light per night hastened maturity
from a week to ten days at distance Of
from 10 to 10 feet. At 40 feet, with
diffused light, the effect was striking.
The light appeared to injure young,
newly transplanted plants. Radishes
were benefited by the light. Caulifiowers
grew taller and made fewer and smaller
heads.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-02-04
LIKE A VOLCANIC BUBBLE,
Extraordinary Freak of Nature Near the
Mexican City of Puebla.

Extraordinary Freak of Nature Near the
Mexican City of Puebla.
The Rev. f. S. Bortain of Puebla
writes as follows: "It may be Of inter-
est to some of the readers Of The Herald
who visit Puebla to know Of one of the
less visited attractions in the vicinity
Of the City of the Angels. refer to the
'coxcomate. 1t is about 90 minutes dis
lance from Puebla over the street car
line to Cholula. Any street car conduct
or can point it out to the curiosity
seeker. It is to the right Of the car line.
about 500 yards distant.
1t looks from the car window to be
pile Of white stones or well bleached
haystack, but upon closer inspection
proves to be tumulus of white calcare-
GUS stone, evidently of water formation,
about 90 feet in height and 100 feet in
diameter at the base. The form is that
of a truncated cone. At the apex is an
elliptical shaped opening about 20 feet
along the minor and 90 feet along the
major axis. It is a bell shaped cavity
and lined with ferns of various descrip-
TONS ! should judge the depth to be at
least 100 feet, and at the bottom, SO far
as is visible, the opening must be go
feet in diameter. In the bottom, on one
side. are to be seen some gorgeous ferns,
and on the other side pool of water.
Tradition says that the ancient Az
tees were accustomed to worship here
the genius of the spot, and occasionally
threw in live victim to appease his
subterranean majesty. 1t is also said
that few victims Of the inquisition
were thrown down here to reflect upon
the oontroyerted points of doctrine. At
all events, it is most singular freak
Of nature, as it is in the middle of a
level plain, or rather barley field. 1t
looks to have been some volcanic bubble,
of which the great Mexican upland is so
full, and is we'll worth visit on the
part of the curious.
Although ! have inquired among my
Mexican friends, / have found no one
who could tell me the meaning of the
name 'coxcomate. '"-Mexican Herald.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-02-04
Artssian Wells.

The object of the bill to appropriate
800, 900 for sinking artesian wells in
the eastern part of Colorado, introduced
in congress by Mr.. Shafroth, is to test
the strength of the underfiow of water
which exists in the eastern portion of
Colorado 1t seems to be the opinion of
many of those who have given the sub
ject considerable study that the force
and amount of the underfiow that drains
the Rocky mountains would be sufficient
to irrigate the arid land east of the
mountains. The experiment with arte-
sian wells in the city of Denver has
been very successful, and if the theory
above referred to is found to be true the
necessity for the further construction Of
large irrigating canals will be obviated.
If these wells prove successful, the prob
lem of irrigation will be solved, SO far
as eastern Colorado is concerned, and
millions of dollars will be thereby saved
which otherwise will have to be put in
large bitches and reservoirs. The arid
lands in Colorado are exceedingly fer
tile and ultimately will be reclaimed.
But, says The Orange Judd Farmer, if
artesian wells can produce this result
the time of reclamation will be adj
vanced 50'years. The matter is also of
deep interest in western Kansas, Ne
braska, Texas and Oklahoma.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-02-04
A COMPARISON.

Relative Merits of Plymouth Rocks and
Silver WyandOttes.
A Missouri poultryman says in The
Breeders Gazette:
l have for years made speciality OF
two breeds-Barred Plymouth Rocks
and Silver Wyandottes-and for the first
time in my life / have been able to give
to each breed enough attention to get
pretty thorough idea as to their good
and bad features.
1t is not my aim to advertise my own
stock. Those two breeds are SO well
known and so extensively bred by the
country people that a few words can
hurt no one and may do some good. Now
as to maturity, up to two months old
the males of the two varieties were SO
near alike that it was necessary to put
them on the scales to detect any differ
ence. The few ounces difference was in
favor of the Plymouth Rocks, three
Plymouth Rock cockerels weighing ~
pounds at weeks old, while three Wyan-
dottes weighed pounds and IL ounces.
In the females the Plymouth Rocks
were away ahead, three of them weigh
ing pounds and 8 ounces, while the
Wyandottes weighed but pounds and
2 ounces. Both had the same care and
were Matched at the same time and by the
same hens. Now a word in regard to
parents. Both the Wyandottes and
Plymouth Rocks were from stock up to
and in most cases over standard weight,
SO there was no advantage to either side
so far as this is concerned. As broiler,
if only the males of the two breeds are
to be used, there is virtually no differ
ence in the two breeds, but if the fe-
males are to be used then the Plymouth
Rocks are decidedly the best. At matu-
rity the two breeds will come to standard
weight SO near together that there is
little or no difference.
AS to their laying the Wyandottes lay
trife smaller egg than the Plymouth
Rocks, and they will not vary in eggs
in pen of ten hens if the same care is
given to both breeds. The standard
weight of the Wyandottes is almost a
pound under the Plymouth Rocks, still
it takes as long to mature one as the
other; SO if lire weight as hens is any
particular advantage then the Plymouth
Rocks have the advantage again But
the Wyandottes, like the black horse in
the race, come to the front with age, as
Wyandotte hen will keep putting on
weight until she is or 4 years old and
is always tender and easy to cook, while
Plymouth Rock hen will get to a
standstill at 2 years of age and after
that time is but poor eating, to say the
least. AS winter layers they are both
good, and it is doubtful if there are two
better breeds in the standard in this par
ticular.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-02-04
Best Results From Manure.

1t is told in bulletin from the Ohio
station that manuring ground for corn
direct from the stable during midwin-
ter and manuring from the barnyard
just before blowing corn ground left a
residual effect, noticeable on the oat
crop following. in favor of the applica-
ton direct from the stable in midwin-
ter. This accords with the experience Of
others. Manure is strongest when first
made, and there is no safer place for il
than on the surface of sod field. As il
teaches the plant roots take up the
strength, and the loss is a small item.
The manure should be spread several
months, if possible, before the ground
is Moved.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-02-04
Pekin Ducks.

The Pekin duck is procured very cas-
lily from the breeders of poultry almost
anywhere. It is quite a favorite breed
and quite common. 1t is large in size,
weighing seven or more pounds when
fully grown and well fed. But the
young ducks, weighing about four
pounds, are the most in demand They
are readily fattened on oats given in
water, out of which the grain is gath
cred by the ducks There is only one
other white duck, which is the Ayles-
bury. the fayorite duck in England,
where, in the vicinity of the town Of
Aylesbury, everybody rears them in
large numbers. Ducks need no water to
swim In. They are better on the dry
ground and in green grass field. They
are useful in garden, doing much good
in gathering snails and worms. They
have been known to eat potato beetles
and squash bugs. which other fowls will
not touch.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-02-04
THE ART OF CONVERSATION
It Means Saying Old Things In New
and Charming Way.

1t Means Saying Old Things In a New
and Charming Way.
Takers are not those who have news
to tell. Their mission is. as Pope de-
scribed the poets, to put into words
what oft was thought before, but not SO
well expressed The mind is unequal to
the strain of taking information as such
all the time. We read just as we dress
in new garments-nOt because we are
naked, but because we want to vary our
garments We read poetry for inspira-
ton, science for the laws of life and
nature, newspapers for general informa-
tion, essays and history for relaxation
and the basis of knowledge. Any one
well read in these must be an entertain
ing companion, if the faculty of impart-
ing the sum of them be given. In other
words, if he or she be good talker.
Lord Macaulay, one of the best in
formed men Of his time, was SO irresist-
ible talker that whole companies sat
for hours to listen. His love of talking
was so inordinate that cessation Of his
wondrous outflow was loosely alluded
to as brilliant flash of silence. =
They had, it is true, more time TO talk
in other days than we can set aside now.
and there were other occult Influences
not less conducive to engaging garrulity.
In those times the streets were filed
with picturesque shapes and colors-the
nameless grace of costumes and equi-
pages now seen only on the stage. No
wonder that, surrounded by birds OF
such brilliant plnmage, courts and kings.
robes and oumes. clashing swords and
rustling silks, our fathers and mothers
talked well. But in revenge We have q
vaster field to draw on for sprightly con
versation. The sehooiboy Of today has q
greater fund Of knowledge BY merely
learning life s needs than the best edn-
Gated Of the anrianta. But he should be
encouraged 20 make use Of this by talk
PHILADELPHIA Times.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-02-04

SHEEN AND CLEAN.

The fashion Of wearing fanciful collar
Of jewels is growing.
The bright finish leads in silyerware,
but not to the exclusion Of other modes
Black monkey skin checkbook covers
are mounted in silver showing the rose
gold finish.
Diamond and pearl necklaces, brooches
and bracelets are conspicuous feature of
evening dress this season.
The variety in belt buckles il bewilder-
ing. The most recent conceit in this line
Is a center Of delftware framed IN gold,
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-02-04
-
AF9RMs FOBAD
49, aAD GARDEN
THE COW STABLE.


Advantages Derived From Concrete Floors.
Suggestions About Ventilation.
Waldo f. Brown, practical Ohio
farmer, writing to the New York Trib-
une, says:
formerly used wooden platforms for
the cows to stand on, but six years ago
/ took out all the wood floors and put
in cement, and / like it very much bet
ter, not only because of its permanency,
but because there is no place for rats to
breed and no boards to become saturated
with urine to cause rank smell, for
cement is entirely impervious to urine,
and when tho stable is cleaned daily
and freshly bedded, if the ventilation is
good, there will be no perceptible odor.
My COW stable is 281a feet long in the
clear, and the floor ON which the COWS
stand is 5 fact long, the ditch 2 feet
wide and the walk 2. and as the ditch
is s inches deep and the sides plastered
it is equivalent to a floor a little over
10 feet wide 1t took little less than
three barrels of portland cement to lay
it, and this cost me So. 90 per barrel at
the factory and 40 cents per barrel
freight, the total cost of the cement be-
ing about So. This floor is laid with
| four inches of concrete and one-half inch
of topping. 1t would have taken about
800 feet of planking and joist to lay the
floor, and this would have cost me not
less than So per 100. and the best floor
could lay would rot out in less than ten
years, and the urine would penetrate
| the cracks and not only be wasted, but
cause strong odor all the time.
In keeping COW stable clean fine
bedding is preferable. Sawdust is good,
but prefer corn chaff from the shelter
to any other material have ever used,
and when / can get it / always use it.
| When that is not to be had we can Of
ten get clover chaff and sometimes oats
or wheat chat. We empty the ditch
every morning and at once bed the floor
and ditch thoroughly. | have room
fioored with cement directly behind the
COWS in which to store bedding. In
cleaning the manure ditch we use first q
six tined fork and follow with coal
| 6uON61 Will AAOHOc WAdOs
With these tools the manure and soiled
bedding can be quickly removed.
| Ventilation is matter of greater i'm,
portance in the COW stable than many
farmers realize, and as the ceilings are
usually low, every stable should be vel
ventilated A window at one end and Q
door at the other will answer in gooc
weather, but in cold weather, when the
stables must be shut, some other way
must be provided. The best way have
ever found is an opening over the man
ger, and make this wide enough to be
used as hay shoot. 1t should be ~
feet wide and as long as the manager.
use manger six feet wide, also fioored
with cement Ito prevent rats from har
boring under it) and have row of cat
tie each side.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-02-04
Ashland Hams.

By request National Stockman re-
ports the formula used by the Clay FAM
lily Of Kentucky in curing the once IA
nous Ashland hams:
To sugar cure SMALL hams or shout
ders take enough spring or well water
to cover the meat. For every hundred
weight of meat use brown sugar,
pounds; saltpeter, one-quarter pound /;
alum, an ounce; soda, an ounce Mix
these in the water and add enough salt
to make a brine strong enough to bear
an egg. Pour this cold over the meat,
which should have been previously
slightly sailed to draw out the blood,
weight the meat with stones to keep it
under the pickle, and in about 30 days
it will do TO hang up to dry and smoke.
Smoke meat three weeks, making the
fire of green wood or sawdust. Ashland
hams were smoked four weeks with
green walnut wood.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-02-04
THE TURKEY FLOCK.


mas Markell
It is not until the middle of No
vember that the turkeys quit rowing the
fields and woods in quest of food. Many
persons think that it is a loss to keep
them after they quit hunting for them
selves, but such is a mistaken idea, and
we believe we can plainly show another
side to the question. We will say that
a drove of 40 turkeys sold on the 10Th
of November for the Thanksgiving mar
ket averaged IL pounds. The same tur-
keys kept until the middle of December
would average 5 pounds. The price for
the Christmas market was never known
to be less than half cent above the
Thanksgiving market, and some years it
has been cent better.
Figuring the Thanksgiving market at
6 and the Christmas market at 6 %, we
find that the turkeys are worth for the
Thanksgiving market 70 cents; for the
Christmas market, 971a cents, gain on
each turkey of 2515 cents. The gain on
the 40 will be 5000. Allowing them
half bushel of corn each day would be
Is bushels, which, at 20 cents per bush
Ell, would be So. 70; net profit, Sc. 45.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-02-04
A Bargain For You.

At the barn of the New Jersey expert
ment station was found pile of tobacco
stems which were used as a bedding
and absorbent They cost Sc ton, while
their manurial value, as compared with
other manures, is reported by Rural New
Yorker to be $40. Mixed with straw,
they make good bedding. There is a
bargain for you'll 1t pays to know what
these waste products contain. The man
who finds out first reaps the advantage
Of a low price
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-02-04

A good law in Massachusetts allows
the selectmen of any town to appoint a
tree committee, who may go over all the
highways of the town and designate
what trees must not be cut down by
driving a spike into them six feet from
the ground. This protects from ruthless
owners, who have no taste for the beau
tiful, trees in which should center pub
lie interest and local pride. The Farm
Journal, commenting on the foregoing,
says: The sentiment may we'll be com
mended to the lawmakers of other
states. And when insect depredators ars
despoiling the foliage and making a
town hideous and loathsome, thus d.
rectly damaging it's real estate values.
the local authorities should have the
power to buy and use sprayers or compel
owners to do SO, by which to protect tie
interests of the townspeople and the
travelling public.