davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-02-18

cry whenever an attack Is made upon
them. Why not combine lessons Of
practical utility along with mental dis
cipline? This may be done BY the
teaching of horticulture. While not
all Of the boys and girls will become
farmers, or gardeners, or fruit growers,
the knowledge gained Of plant and tree
and soil and all of natures processes
will be Of use to them in any profess
sion, and will make them wiser and
better men and women. While the
study of horticulture is intensely prac-
tical, 1t is also refining and elevating.
1t inculcates the grandest of all les
sons, by leading the minds of our youth
through nature up to natures God.
1t Is easier to say why horticulture
should be taught in our schools than
to prescribe just how. That, 1t seems
to me, is the peculiar province of the
teacher. We do not attempt to tell
our teachers just how they shall teach
geography, or arithmetic, or grammar.
Every good teacher has his own method
Of teaching each branch. We try, II
we are wise parents, to secure the best
teachers possible and allow them to
follow their own methods. However, a
good text book is prime requisite to
the successful study of any branch Of
learning. But let the state declare that
horticulture is one of the branches re-
quired by law to be taught in the rural
schools and some of the Lest minds in
the country will at once set to work
to produce text books to meet the de-
mand. We shall, in short time, have
excellent ones, as we have in all other
branches of study. Our wideawake and
progressive teachers will take up the
matter in their own vigorous fashion,
and then we may safely leave the how
with them.
The day Is almost here when we
shall no more think Of leaving the
study of horticulture out of our schools
than the study of arithmetic. If asked
why We teach it, we shall answer en-
phatically, Because 1t is indispensa-
ble."
S. N. FARNUM.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-02-18
9||B| e
90 *SIII 'II|$S $SHfFFzaS SC
The QSOKEKS DAUGHTER.
BY CHARLOTTE N. BRAEf1E.
INTERNATIONAL PRESS ASSOCIATION.
CHAPTER III.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER III.-(Continued.)
Arley Ransome had decided upol
telling his daughter of the future tina
awaited her. He was not quite sur
Of her. He had studied law In all 1t
branches, money making in all it
forms, but he had not studied charac
ter-his daughter was almost strang
er to him. She had been educate,
abroad. Her mother died soon afte
her birth, and he, devoted to business
had not cared to have a child to dis
tract his attention. He lived then a
his chambers. But when Hildred wa
seventeen he went over to Germany t
see her, and was charmed with her. HI
found her highly educated, brilliantly
accomplished and intelligent, and in hi'
opinion, she gave great promise OF
beautiful womanhood.
He decided at once on taking house
In the outskirts of London and install
ing his daughter as mistress there
1t was done at once, and then Mr.. Ran
some began to put his scheme into
action. He knew that the young ear
had come to the end of his resources
1t would all be plain sailing for him
now.
But there was one person he had
not taken into account, and that was
his daughter. He had never dreamed
of anything except blind submission.
Now he began to ask himself, "Will
she object?" She had plenty of char
acter, plenty of spirit, life, activity,
energy. Would she submit to his bar
ter and exchange? Would she blush
and smile after the fashion of girls
who are delighted? Would she be
pleased to be countess, or would she
draw herself up in disdain, and tell
him she was to be neither bought nor
sold? He was doubtful as to which 1t
would be, and he therefore approached
the subject with some little hesitation.
That same evening-for it was rule
Of Arley Ransome's to do quickly what
required doing at all-he told her. He
remembered it long years afterward--
rs Qlu she.
Hildred had gone through the
grounds down to the banks of the
river; she sat there watching the
color of the water change as the twi-
light deepened. A tall beech tree with
superb spreading branches grew near;
the grass was studded with white and
golden flowers. Arley Ransome found
her, the daughter on whom he had
built all his hopes of fame and fortune,
her dark eyes fixed on the tranquil
stream, her white hands lying listlessly
on her knees.
"Hildred," said Arley Ransome. Il
have something very particular to say
to you. l will sit down by your side.
How gloriously beautiful the river
looks tonight"
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-02-18

as we'll be Countess of Caraven as any
thing else
Most decidedly" he replied, with an
air of relief.
But" she went on, eff there is a
reality in love, if love be needful for
happiness, do not let me marry with
out it. You are my father, my only
friend-I appeal to you"
He asked Heaven to pardon him for
answering such an appeal falsely. He
looked profoundly wise.
my dear Hildred," he said, "yo9 ex-
press yourself so oddly. l believe that
the greater part of what you read and
hear about love is the greatest nom
sense-the happiest marriages are
founded on esteem"
"But l do not know enough of Lord
Caraven to esteem him." she replied,
slowly.
Some of the happiest marriages"
continued the lawyer, have been when
people have learned to love each other
after marriage"
after?' she said
POSSIBLY in many cases. The most
sensible way Of looking at marriage is
this. 1t is civil contract between two
people who can best make their way
in the world by going through it to-
getheI- fos instance, young farmer
marries girl whose dowry enables
him to improve his farm, while her
education gives her an interest in It,;
the noble man with an impoverished
estate and an ancient title marries a
city heiress whose grandfather was
perhaps a soap-boiler."
She was listening in amazement.
"a civil contract" she said, slowly.
ri thought marriage was a religious
ceremony papa?'
$50 1t is, certainly, most decidedly.
I am speaking of it from my point Of
view"
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-02-18
Horticulture In Public schools.

The heart of the United States is her
public school, for the citizens of a
country are her life-b blood, and the
school children of to-day are the citi-
zens of tomorrow. 1t Is conceded that
the bulk Of our best citizens come, not
from the schools of the town and city,
but from the rural schools. In the
country schools the hope Of the nation
is conferred. Is it not then well worth
our while to give earnest heed to the
things which should be taught in these
schools and to the manner of teaching ?
Why do we tax ourselves to support
these institutions? What is the grand
object we have in view? Not the
examining of the children's heads with
as many dry facts as possible, but the
proper training Of their young and
growing minds, so that they may be
healthy and strong and sound-able to
think clearly and Independently and to
reason closely. The studies best adapt
ed to this end should be carefully Sc
lected. One Of the most valuable les
sons to be taught our children is the
habit of keen and quick observation Of
the things about them.
mot to know at large Of things re-
mote
From use, obscure and subtle, but to
know
That which before us lies in daily life
Is the prime wisdom"
Horticulture is highly desirable
study, for several reasons: 1t teaches
a love Of the beautiful; 1t cultivates the
observing habit; it stimulates original
thought; last, but by no means least, 1t
is supremacy practical-a study of that
which before us lies in daily life,
and thorough knowledge of which Is
the prime wisdom" and essential to
our prosperity and happiness. A great
deal of time is spent in our schools in
the teaching Of things which are not
of the slightest practical use, and there
is much talk about the mental disci-
pline" afforded by these studies. "They
are Of no practical value, but think OF
the mental disciple they give is the
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-02-18

about him. She watched him with
keen interest, and the sharp-witted,
keen, shrewd lawyer, who could fright
en- witness into saying anything he
wished him to say, shrank before the
dark eyes of his daughter.
She looked up at him now with some
little curiosity. What had he to say
to her? How was it that the clear gaze
of those dark eyes troubled him so
greatly?
Something to say to me?" she re-
peated, dreamily. You could not have
chosen better time for saying it, pa
pa. never care to talk on nights like
these; can only listen"
"The brightest hope of my life has
been accomplished to-day, Hildred" he
began; that which l have longed for
has been given to me. l have been
pleased, proud and happy"
He saw that her interest was awak-
ened, that her eyes frightened. She
looked earnestly at him.
PLEASED, proud and happy? That
seems a great deal, papa"
at means great deal, Hildred. To-
day the Earl of Caraven has asked per-
mission to make you his wife"
He had stretched the point but of
what service would it have been to
have studied law if he had to keep to
facts? If he had expected any DEM
onstration Of delight he was disap-
pointed. She made none. She did not
blush, or look pleased or displeased.
The calmness Of her face was I'M
broken.
1.-THE Earl of Caraven. That is the
gentleman I saw to-day, papa?"
Eyes, that was Lord Caraven, and
he wishes to make you his WIFE,"
"But how can he, papa? He has
seen me only once. Why should he
wish to marry me-"
"That cannot say, Hildred," he an
swered; 81 am better versed in law
than in love; can only repeat what
have told you! The earl wishes you
to be his WIFE"
The dark, eloquent eyes Travelled
slowly from his face to the river, and
then back to the shrewd, eager counte-
nance.
"And this is the dream of your life,
papa-that I marry him."
"That YOU marry some one who has
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-02-18

How Far VIII Bees 90 for Houeyf
Kansas Farmer: am situated about
three miles from good alfalfa fields, and
from my place. Now, can keep bees
successfully that distance away? Or
how far will bees go for honey and Sc
cure good crop? How many colonies
Of bees would 1000 acres Of alfalfa sup
port, or how many can l safely keep
that distance from the clover?
Subscriber.
A. H. Duff answers: The matter Of
how far bees fly in search Of honey has
been thoroughly investigated and
discussed by leading apiarists. Some
Of our best apiarists claim that bees
fly in search Of honey and gather 1t
from three to six miles away, from
choice. Others that are more reserved
say they prefer to gather and do gather
the bulk of the honey crop within
three miles of the apiary. AS for my
self, ! like to be as close to good bee
pasturage as can get, and II possible
get right beside 1t, or right in 1t. But
1t frequently occurs that, as in your
case, this cannot be done, and the next
best thing to do is proper. I believe
the locality and climate has something
to do with this matter. l believe that
bees will not succeed as we'll in going
long distances in prairie country
where winds are prevalent as they
would otherwise. 1t may be to some
extent imagination with me, as / have
not thoroughly experimental in that
line where I am now located, but 1t
seems to me that my bees, here in Cen
trail Kansas, do not go as far in search
of honey as they did in Ohio, where
formerly kept them. In this shall
have to say Gin general" for I know
of an exception. During last spring
my bees visited peach orchard, when
the trees were in full bloom, eight
miles from the apiary. But Of course
this was a very fine, calm day. and I
do not hesitate to say that If 1t were
not for the prevailing winds of this
country bees would go farther, and
make success of gathering honey
much farther away than in billy coun-
tries. / am firmly Of the opinion that
bees Will secure much greater crop
or honey If they can get 1t within
mile or two from the apiary; at the
same time they will get good paying
crop within three miles. Being sit
uated three miles from alfalfa fields.
the advantages would depend some
what upon the direction You are To-
Gated from the same. II the frequent
winds come from the direction of the
alfalfa, SO that the loaded bees would
come with the wind, 1t would be much
better than If 1t were the other way. 1t
takes pretty strong wind to check
the flight of honey bees II not laden
with honey or pollen, but, on the other
hand, when they are heavily loaded
with honey or pollen they cannot make
much Roadway in the wind. One
thousand acres of alfalfa might sup
port two or three hundred colonies Of
bees. but it would depend upon the
manner in which the clover is handled.
II harvested before or just at the time
1t comes into bloom, it would not be
safe to risk any great number of col
onies, unless there be other forage for
the bees to live on outside of alfalfa
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-02-18


other peoples, papa?"
"All sensible people have the same
ideas on the subject" ne replied; and
again his daughters dark eyes sought
the lovely, cleaning river.
81 did not think" continued Hildred.
slowly, that marriage was contract
OF any kind. had different idea Of
it. I thought it took place when two
souls were attracted insensibly to each
other, and life became nobler and bet
ter and higher because of their love;
and thought that same love began In
time and ended in eternity"
Arley Ransome looked in wonder at
his daughter
"Hildred," he said, 81 hope you are
not going to turn out romantic"
II hope not" she replied. quietly.
"You have told me the truth, papa, and,
though it has astonished me, thank
you for it-one should not have false
notions. have asked because it strikes
me that it would be terrible thing to
marry without love, and then Tor love
| not 10 come aIteTWaru.
The lawyer held up his hands in hor-
ror.
"Such thing could not be. Every
woman with well-regulated mind
loves her husband; every husband in
the same way loves his wife"
"Then. if l marry the Earl of Car
aven now" she said quietly, Il shall
learn to love him afterward?"
Certainly" he replied, with wish
that she were not so earnestly sim
cere.
81 have not thought of marrying"
she continued, in the same earnest,
simple tone you see, papa, there
was nothing to make me think Of it.
There were no gentlemen at St. Roche
and have been so busy with my books.
liked study. like it now. l like the
idea, too, Of being a countess-it has
pleasant sound-'Lady Caraven.'
And you are sure, papa, that l shall
love my-love Lord Caraven after mar
riage, If not before?"
81 am quite sure" he replied, with
unnecessary fervor.
She turned slowly to him.
81 will marry the earl" she said,
simply.
He looked delighted.
81 shall see him and tell him to-
morrow" he said. Nov, remember,
Hildred, this is very solemn matter.
You cannot go back after you have
once pledged your word"
81 shall not want to go back" she
said. 1T is fair destiny-why should
l wish to change it? Countess of Car
aven! When shall see him-the earl
again, papa?"
Arley Ransome could not suppress
a slight pang Of reproach. II she ex-
pected to find gallant wooer in the
spendthrift earl, she would be wofully
disappointed. 1t would be best per-
haps to prepare her.
every soon; and am quite sure that
he will be pleased. But, Hildred, I
want to say something else to you.
Common people have common customs.
w utu DdlDy 5OCo W WV Juan, hS SAeS
with his arm round her waist. Men
like"-then he grew confused, remem-
boring that men were alike all the
world over-"men like the earl WOO in
a different fashion"
What is their fashion," she asked,
quietly.
"They say little of love-they talk
no nonsense-they send princely pres
ents of diamonds and jewels-they
prove their love by actions more than
by words"
81 see." Then she added, naively,
do you know, papa, I think l should
like what you call the Darby and Joan
fashion best"
(To be continued)
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-02-18
A Laugh.

Cailer-You call this garden scene
"June," Nut the leaves are all on The
ground, INSTEAD Of ON the trees.
D'Auber"- They were on the trees, but
the pictures got such whitening criti-
cism from the committee that they
curled up and fell off.-London Tit
Bits.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-02-18
flow Many BOOSTERS to a Flock.

The number of hens that can safely
erately sure Of getting the greatest per
cent of fertile eggs depends on the
breed, age of stock and their sur
roundings, writes G. P. Reynolds in
Farm and Home. During recent years
I have had experience with Plymouth
Rocks that have shattered some Of my
theories on this subject. had flock
Of forty hens headed by three males,
all having unlimited range. lost two
of the males, leaving only the one just
as the breeding season was opening.
During the spring this single male was
responsible for the fertility Of the whole
flock. The percentage Of fertile eggs
was high and has not been surpassed
on my farm even when l have used
several males. A year ago had about
an equal number of hens in this flock,
varying from yearlings to three-year-
Odds mated to young vigorous cockrels
of well-known eastern strain, and the
percentage Of fertile eggs was equally
good. This season l used a two-year-
old cock of the same strain to about
the same flock and our Matching has
never been more successful than the
past spring. l mention these instances
merely to show that, so far as my ex-
perience is concerned, the old idea that
one must proportion a male for every
10 or IL hens is erroneous. There is
one very important thing upon which
l base my success, and that is l was
careful to avoid any but strong, Wig
orous stock, especially in the male line.
l might add that they were allowed
free range and consequently had plenty
of exercise. This doubtless had con-
siderable to do with the health and Wig
or of the flock. Whether or not
flock is yarded makes great differ
ence in the number of hens to a single
male. l have known instances where
one male was allowed to 20 Brahma
hens on unlimited range and also l
have known cases where the birds were
of the same strain and Of practically
the same general health, but yarded,
half that number Of females being al
most too many. In my experience 1 can
cite instances where a yarded pen of
six hens, mated to a male, did not give
as high a percentage of fertility as a
flock having unlimited range Of six
times the number. The former had a
yard 16 by 40.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-02-18
CHAPTER w.

IL D r e D RAN
some loved her
father-he' was the
only relative she
had except a cou-
sin whom she had
never seen-but it
was not with the
ordinary love of a
girl for her father.
She had not quite
made up her mind
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-02-18
New England and the Beef Trust.

| Having bought an abandoned Massa'
chusetts farm, l went there last winter
with my boys on the Berkshire hills,
writes S. e. Hatch in Farm and Home.
l found if you buy place with good
buildings and good location, you will
have to pay for it. There are some
very cheap places If you know where to
look for them. To renew New England
farming lands and make them look
like prosperous farms and homes they
most have protection, not in tariff, but
protection from the meat packers
trusts of the west. There are thou
sands of acres Of as good grazing lands
as stock needs that thirty years ago
were covered with cattle and sheep,
that are now growing up to bushes and
weeds, because the owners cannot COM
Cannot you sell beef cattle so the
meats can be sold at the prices we
have to pay?" The reply always was,
Eyes, and for less, but Chicago butch
ers won't let us, for they put their men
in and run prices way down and we
have to quit" In discussion in the
United States senate last spring be-
tween Senators Hoar of Massachusetts
and Tillman of South Carolina, in
speaking of the trusts and monopolies,
Senator Hoar claimed the national gov
eminent cannot restrict them in the
states, but the states have the power
individually to enact laws controlling
them. In that case the New England
states should combine, pass the same
laws in each state, and farmers can
again cover their hills and valleys with
cattle and sheep, working men can get
meats for less than they have to pay
now, and the western men can sell their
meats at fair profit If they will. Put
a stop to their conspiring to beat the
farmers and the local butchers out of
their legitimate business for living,
that is the protection we want.
Farm Depression in England.-Agri-
cultural distress is very prevalent in
Great Britain, and a correspondent Of
an English paper puts the situation in
the following way: Wheat used to be
the farmers main crop IN the past.
Now through foreign competition the
wheat crop is an improbable one. In
the past the wool crop was very use
full one for the farmers pocket; but
now 1t is only worth half the money.
Beef in the past was worth from los to
12s per stone. In the present day 1t
only fetches from IS to IS per stone.
Pork at the present time is hardly
worth raising. Barley and mutton
have been the only props left for the
farmer to rely upon during the last few
years, and even these seem ready to
break under the strain.-Ex.
There is danger that the wheat area
will be increased to too great an extent
on account of the very favorable con-
ditions the last year.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-02-18

Lay up a store Of old plaster and
keep it in the pen or near it. II you
do that you will not be so likely to
neglect giving the fowls the lime they
need.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-02-18

There is danger that the wheat area
will be increased to too great an extent
on account of the very favorable con-
ditions the last year.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-02-18

Flowers on the farm are as Eeces-
sary as any other adornment-
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-02-18

A Plea for Less Cotton.-The English
manufacturers are getting our cotton
for almost nothing. Your family needs
potatoes, milk and butter, garden veg
etables and orchard fruits, such as
peaches, apples, apricots, pears and
blackberries. Joshua said to the chill
dren Of Israel, Choose we this day
whom you will serve" l say to you,
will you raise nothing but cotton or
will you raise such things as your fam
lily needs? Will you work for the mil
lionaire factories of America and Eng
land, or will you work for your fam
lily? Dear reader, will you not this
moment resolve that you will raise the
things mentioned above for your fam
lily? Cheap cotton for England or milk
and potatoes for your family, which
will it be next year? Cut this out and
paste it on the wall and read 1t for a
Remembrance every week for six
months-Home and Farm.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-02-18

Grating Wax.-The grating wax is
prepared by mixing, generally in equal
pats, rosin, beeswax and oil. The
proportions, though, must be varied to
suit conditions. II the weather is cold
too much rosin will make the grating
cloth stiff and brittle; IL 1t is warm too
much oil will make it sticky and dis
agreeable. In the former case use a
little more OIL in the latter more rosin
and less oil. Make hot and mix thor
oughly. While hot soak light weight
but strong domestic in IL then hang
out to dry. In using tear off strips
about a fourth inch wide, and as long
as may be necessary.-Ex.