Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1897-02-19
{ RAIN USED / FUEL
II THE WEST.
SOLVING a WINTER PROB-
LEM ON THE PRAIRIE
FARMS.
BETTER THAN WOOD.
Makes Strong, Hot Fire and
Burns long Time i'll Stoves.

7 he long, cold winter OF the
Northwest section, particularly
of the Dakotas and eastern Mon
tana, has developed many new
ideas in regard to where the i'll
ture supply of fuel for the prarle
farmer and other individuals OF
that section must come from ,and
1t is now quite definitely settled
that such supply must sooner or
be raised upon the farm, for the
farmer of that section who does
not own any timber finds that
his fuel in one winter is a very
costly item, wood being any
where from So to sS a 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 fact, large numbers of farm
ers cannot afford barely enough
fuel to keep their houses i'll a
semi-comfortable state.
The people are hardly to
blame in undergoing suffering
for the sake of saving expense,
but it has brought them to a
sense of practical realization
that in the future something
must be done to furnish cheaper
fuel. That this will be the next
step i'll domestic economy with
them there can scarcely be any
doubt. In this county of Lyon
many people acting in line with
the ideas here expressed have
been experimenting with corn
for fuel, and they report it a
much greater success than they
had reason to anticipate. They
are SO delighted with it that
they will henceforth use no
other fuel.
It gives out a very strong,
regular heat, as does good hard
wood, 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, however, that inventors
will be equal to the emergency
and in due time create a nearly
perfect corn stove Or special fur
mace which will answer the usu-
al requirements. AS soon as
this is done the farmers and
others who are prepared to take
advantage Of the benefits may
cultivate their own fuel on their
own land and probably save 50
per cent. by doing so. Two
tons of corn would be equivalent
to about one cord of hard wood
if the corn were burDed ecOnom-
icallv, 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
a much greater amount of tuel
to the acre. They would need
to be cut into short lengths and
the remnants tightly packed to-
gether, having the appearance
of good sized sticks of wood, in
order for them to produce a hot
fire and to last long in stove or
furnace. But they will certainly
pay for tie labor by giving in
return very hot fire.
The prejudice and squealnish,
ness formerly existing against
the use of grain for fuel are fast
dying away, for the people are
realizing that grain is one of na>
ture's fuels and was intended for
that purpose as we'll as to use as
cereal product. Could the
people use wood or coal for food
there is not much doubt that
they would do it, but as they
cannot they have no scruples OF
conscience about burning either.
So will'the cereals be regarded