davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1899-05-24
Seed Inspectors.
lrida AgriculturiSt:

Editor Florida Agriculturist:
In your May 10th issue, Mr.. Taplin
says, why not have seed inspectors?
You seem to favor the scheme, and
cite as evidence in it's support certain
cabbage patch that was planted with
what purported to be good seed but
proved otherwise.
Let me give you my experience in
gardening, Cor trying to rather,) for
with unsatisfactory seed it lis but a
trying. / bought some cabbage seed
of a neighbor that came from some
eastern house, and when my plants
came up they proved to be turnips.
bought my seeds from a Florida seeds
man. Planted lettuce four times, did
not get one plant. Rutabagas, carrots
and one or two other kinds with like
results.
Now, whilst the seed inspection may
be q good plan, thereby giving us bet
ter seeds Gn some cases) it has its OBJ
jectiOns. In the first place, it is eX-
pensive, and then all seeds can be put
up in new clean papers any year,
thereby deceiving the inspector and
the poor man that plants the seed
will be the loser.
Now, suggest as better plan, and
hess costly, a law compelling all seed
venders to have printed on each and
every package of seeds they offer for
sale, the year in which such seeds
were grown, mot when they were Of
fered for sale,) but when they were
grown.
The extra expense attached to my
Improvement, would of course have to
be borne by the one using the seeds, in
smaller packages lass seeds, but then
we would have the satisfaction Of
having better seed. S. e. w.
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1899-05-24
Is Our Climate Changinge

(Paper read before the State HofS
cultural Society in Jacksonville, by D1-
rector A J. Mitchell Of the United
States Weather Bureau)
The question, Is Our Climate Chang
ing? is a pertinent one, and deserves a
careful examination of all data. How
ever, data showing there has been no
material departure from an accepted
normal will not meet all demands, for
the reason that it is possible to have
an extremely low temperature, such as
the record of 10 degrees in this city
during February of the curernt year,
yet the average temperature for the
year may not indicate that such coE-
ditions prevailed-due to possible alb
normal warmth during other months.
AS a matter Of fact, the question or
prime import to us is not to be found
exclusively in examining average tenn
pertatures, for 1t Is important that we
should not overlook the frequency OF
severe cold waves; hence, 1t Is obvious
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1899-05-24

we find the former closed with de-
ticiency in heat of 341 degrees, while
the same month of 1899 gave a def
cheney of only 88 degrees. These facts
may throw some light on the resulting
damage to citrus trees.
Taking a broader view of the situa-
ton, we find that since weather sta
ton was established in Jacksonville,
only about 20 per cent of the years
have given temperature decidedly be-
low the annual normal, and that the
annual temperature was a degree or
more above the normal in 1894 and
1895, years noted as giving minimum
tempera lures of IA degrees.
1t appears there is not the slightest
relation between years of decidedly
low minimum temperatures and annu-
al mean temperatures for the same pc
riod. For instance, the annual mean
temperature for 1886 was about 1 de-
| gree below the normal, with a mimi
mum for the year of II degrees. In
| 1894-95 the annual mean temperature
was about degree above the normal,
with minimum of 1 degree lower
than the record of 1886. Again, in 1880,
with a minimum of 10 degrees the an
nual mean temperature was a degree
and half above the normal.
The only pertinent fact which I can
gather from the charted data is that
when the annual mean temperature
once rises above or falls below the
six years. The fact that the annual
mean is above the normal gives NO as
surance however, that severe freezes
will not follow, for there has been an
excess in heat for the past ten years,
as indicated by the annual mean tenn
pera ture, yet the severe freezes of
1894-95-99 took place.
In his climatology of the United
States Q897, LOrin Blodgett gives the
following temperature data for Jack
sonville ON Sunday, February S, 1885:
9 a. M, IA degrees; 10 a. m., 20 degrees.
February 9-7 a. NJ, Il degrees; a.
M, 20 degrees; 9 a. m., "a degrees; 10
a. m., 80 degrees. For comparative
purposes we give data for February
13, 1899, z a. m., 10 degrees; 8 a. m., 10
degrees; 9 a. M, Is degrees; 10 a. m.,
18 degrees.
Referring to the effects of the cold
of 1885, the following comment was
made:
Evergreen oaks shed their leaves;
orange trees were split to the roots,
and, of course, were killed, roots and
ALL"
Regarding these old records, we note
that one day in January, 1882, "snow
fell all the morning" and in February,
1855, "snow fell ON the 27th."
The lowest temperature at Jackson
vile during March, since 1872, was 26
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1899-05-24
1873. DeLand, Fla, Wednesday May "a, 1899.

1870 to 1879 inclusive, the lowest tenn
perature experienced was "A degrees
Then followed years of low tempera
ture ais indicated by 19 degrees in De-
cember of 1880, 21 degrees in 1884 and
Is degrees in 1886. A succession OF
warm winters then followed, which in
turn were succeeded by temperature
of IA degrees in December, 1894, the
lowest for fifty-nine years.
Although many emerged from the
disasters of 1894 and 1895 bereft of for
tune and estate, there was yet that
'Hope which springs eternal in the
human BREAST" of possible exemption
from such fatalities for many years
But our fondest hopes were mere
dreams of fancy, and the 18th Of Feb
ruary, 1899, marked another epoch in
the climatic history of Florida.
What differences can be drawn from
the facts before us? We say, withou
hesitation that the only conclusion ap
pta+nnt to lis is that the cold Of Feb
ruary, 1899, was simply case of eli
matte history repea ting itself, for JUS
siXtyfOur years and five days previous
the same degree of cold, practically en-
veloped Florida.
In support of the assertion that NO
revolution has taken place in the eli
mate of Florida, the temperature data
of the Jacksonville station for Febru-
ary have been selectedfor examination
The average tempera ture for February
from 1889 to 1859 was Sc degrees. From
1872 to 1899, 58y1 degrees. The average
temperature from 1889 to 1899 was $50
degrees. The established normal for
the month of February is 58.4 degrees,
showing. instead of a deficiency, an
excess in heat of O.5 of a degree. We
have made distinction in the data for
the reason that the records used from
1889 to 1856 were compiled by the late
DR.. "A. S. Baldwin, whom we know to
have been a careful observer. From
1872 to 1899 are compilations of tie
Weather Bureau. In accepting these
figures, it is we'll to state that changes
in exposure of Instruments, elevation
above ground and freedom from radi-
ated and reflected heat are all sources
of error, and if each were allowed a
proper correction there might be, posi-
bly,, Slight change in the general av-
erage.
Again, discussing February data, We
find the mean temperature for that
month in 1895 was 47.6 degrees. The
same month in 1899 was 58.4 degrees.
So we see while February, 1899, gave
us a minimum temperature Of 4 degrees
lower than February, 1895, the month
ly temperature for February, 1899, av-
eraged 7.8 degrees higher, apparently
emphasizing the fact that these anti
periodical cold waves are of fortul-
tous nature. Making further cOmpar-
lson between February, 1895 and 1899,
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1899-05-24
Vol. XVI, No. 21. Whole No. 1873.

that we should study minima tempera-
lures and their frequency of extreme
fuctuatiOn.
With this purpose in view, we have
tabulated all available minima data
for the three months of greatest cold,
January, February and December.
Excepting the period of our Civil
War Q861 to 1868, the record is fairly
connected-from 1885 to 1899-Quite
sixty-four years. 1t will be approprl-
ate to add, however, that maximum
used previous to 1874, the lowest read
ings being those indicated, as a rule, at
7 a. m. observation Examining the an
nual minima temperatures beginning
with 1885, we find that the coldest
weather ever experienced in this State
occurred in February, and to this fact
can be largely attributed the resulting
enormous damages. A visitation of the
same degree of cold in December OF
January would be of less consequence
for the reason that citrus trees would
not be susceptible to damage.
With regard to the lowest annual
temperatures since 1885, an examina
ton of the charted data reveals no uni
form decline. No cycle of changes can
be detected, and we have as much au-
thority for asserting that the sixty
years preceding 1885 were characterize
ed by unusual warmth as to conclude
that they were punctuated at frequent
intervals by destructive cold waves.
It is accepted that the coldest wealth
er ever known in Florida occurred on
February 8, 1885, and February 13,
1899 the former date giving a temper
atllre of degrees above zero, and the
latter 10 degrees above.
AS citrus trees can survive temper
ature Of 20 degrees, we find that dur
ing the sixty-four years there have
been eleven instances when that de-
gree of cold was reached, and six of
these occurred previous to 1872. In
other words, II per cent of our winters
over northern Florida, since 1885, have
been such as to endanger the orange
industry.
We find that the temperature reach
ed 20 degrees only twice between 1899
and 1856, a period of seventeen years.
Then followed cold year-16 degrees
in 1887.
AS our coolest weather occurred in
February, it is of interest to know
it's percentage Of frequency when COM
pared with the other months, January
and December. We find the percentage
TO be January 48 per cent February
II per cent, and December IL per cent
AS stated, excepting 1857, when the
temperature fell to 16 degrees IN Jan
uary, no extremely low temperature
was recorded until 1868 and 1870, when
the record 20 and ~ degrees, respect
lively, was made in December. From
Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-04
WHAT A WOMAN SAYS

A woman, writing for the special wo-
edition. of the Coming Nation,
saws very many good and pertinent
things about her sex, many of which will
bear reproduction, and, in view of the
interest taken in the woman suffrage
question, are worth remembering.
''The highest ambition held out to wo-
renounce the world, today it is to capture
it," Once she was expected to yield or
give up everything. Today she is urged
to take. She was taught to want little
and be satisfied. Today she wants every
thing she can think of, and to get more,
if possible. This has a libelous flavor,
but remember a woman wrote it, prob
ably to institute a comparison between
of today.
The maxim that necessity is the
mother of invention holds just as good
today as it did a century ago, but that
'tdesire is the mother of possession" is
| oftener repeated. If a woman has no
longing to learn she will never accomplish
anything. If ambition is simply a word
she learned to spell when a child, she
will sit idly by all her life and never
know the meaning. If she considers
'love'' a well regulated emotion, strictly
| confined to the family circle, she is living
| in a, cold cellar when she might be out
under the broad expanse of heavens own
| blue. In a word, a woman should do
all she can, be all she can, desire all she
/ can, and attain all she can. Read the
highest, deepest, broadest meanings in
life and reach out for the perfect fulfill
ment of all she can think of.
The unthinking world says many un-
! kind things about woman's work n
wages-woman in the industrial world.
| Some say she should stay At home, never
| have a care, worry about nothing, M
never vote. Let the men attend to all
that. they are the bread-wtnner Tor the
Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-04
Democracy and Silver.

The Standard is enc Of the
newspapers that have felt that
an exact statement Of the ratio
Is not a vital factor in siiver's
restoration. Theratio is a mat
ter of law; j. has varied slightly
In our own currency our ratio
has also varied slightly from ten
one that has ruled in some other
countries. The worlds ex-
changes practically FIX the ra-
tio-Anaconda Standard, Janu-
airy 9, 1899.
Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-04
SOMEWHAT CHILLY.
course.

Old timers are having their innings
now, and enjoying a sweet revenge. Dur
ing the cast decade or so many of them
have been left talking to empty chairs
and bare walls, by their listeners, when
in the midst of some truthful story in
which they related their experiences with
storms and SHOWS n Klondike weather
in portions of the Rocky mountains.
There has been some pretty cold weather
in Montana-real cold weather-it is only
somewhat chilly just now. If old Borias
would give the mercury or spirits in our
thermometers a solar plexus uppercut,
and drop either down into the forty's or
sixties and keep it there for a week or
two, our erstwhile ~incredulous pilgrims
will have the opportunity to enjoy some
nince, cool, bracing weather. If only to
verify the weather record of the past old
times will be justified in wishing the blow
will be struck. It is only q little chilly
now.
Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-04
THE LEAVENIS WORKING.

Coupled with the news that the rail-
road system in Cuba has been purchased
by a syndicate composed of American
and Canadian capitalists comes the sur
prising announcement that the Spaniards
of tha island, numbering 600, 900 strong,
desire the annexation of Cuba to the
United States. They hold that they are
not alone in the desire; that many of the
weather. Cubans, who do not favor the
party, join them in the wish to become
a part of this great country, and that if
a vote were taken on the annexation
proposition the result would be largely
in favor of a union with America.
The wish may be father to the thought
as far as the Spaniards are concerned,
but be it as it may, there is no question
that the leaven of liberty is working in
the hearts of the people of the Great
Antilles. They have felt the proves Of
Americans on the land and on the sea.
They have witnessed the superiority Of
these children of free Institutions in
scores of directions new to them, and
have become impressed with the advan-
@1-o, ,-;@l l;o - I:L,rtx 60 olx,-a:~.~o
and of action clothe them. They want
some of that pie themselves, and do not
hesitate to declare their readiness to
come into the American household and
partake thereof.
There may be quite a large number Of
scheme, not because 1t is not feasible
and is impracticable, but because they
have, from the beginning of their war
with their erstwhile mother country,
cherished the hope hat they could or
would succeed to desirable positions in
the new OIucI VI lilISS WHICH ICi ouS
cess would create. 1t is but natural that
these men would oppose any departure
from plans which promised the fruition
of their hopes.
But the leaven is working and is be-
ing aided by the somewhat-to them
humiliating knowledge that their pow
erty would, eventually, render them pow
erless to act for good or for evil, if the
United States did not come forward to
help them bridge over difficulties which
they could not, unaided, overcome. AS
they march along, upon the lines marked
out by this government they will, sooner
or later, become convinced that a much
stronger hand than their own must lead
them to a destiny which they cannot at
| tain single-handed and alone. When
| they learn this much they will seek what
| they now spurn-annexation to the most
wealthy, most powerful, most progressive
/ and most enlightened nation on earth.
Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-04
SIXTEEN 6
TIE ARMY BEEF QUESTION.

General Miles declaration that the beef
furnished the American army in Cuba
was vile and unfit for CONSUMPTION. has
caused no end of trouble outside as we'll
as inside of army circles. General Eaean
put his foot in it by characterizing Miles
statement as false, and by using some
very vigorous, pointed language touchine.
the charge which a court-martial de-
clared was unbecoming an officer and a
gentleman. Eagan is now repentine his
indiscreet words in sackcloth and ashes
In the meantime, however, the beef ques-
ton is not resting, it is being kept before
the world and will be kept there until.
Xix the silver question, it be settled and
"settled right
1t has been determined that Miles must
prove his charges. There are many who
want to Know whether that beef was en-
balmed, or whether it gained it's unsavorv
flavor from contact with Cuban air or
some other unclean SURROUNDINGS, There
is a good deal depending upon the proper
solution of that problem. The govern
ment is interested in it to the extent, if
not farther, of learning whether it was
swindled by constituencies beef contrac-
tors and, incidentally, ascertaining
whether our soldiers We're forced to eat
unwholesome meat. The beef contractors
take a lively interest in the solution of
the beef question. If they palmed nasty,
unhealthy beef upon the government thew
want to know, and that mighty quick,
whether they have been found out in
r. their swindle, and where to find the most
secluded spot in which to hide. The peo-
pie, at large, are much concerned about
the matter, as much Of their peace OF
mind depends upon learning whether
their dead soldier friends or loved brother
son husband or father were killed by
rotten beef or malaria.
In order to set at rest all these charges
and counter charges which have grown
out of this army beef question, the presi-
dent will take a hand in determining thei,
truth or falsity, and if true of fixing the
responsibility where ii belongs. To this
end General Miles will be called upon tc
make his allegations good, but not til
after the report Of the war investigation
commission, now in session, shall be re.
ceived. In the meantime the general viii
occupy the anxious seat recently vacated
by General Eagan.
Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-04
THE Took OUTLOOK

Recent reports from the ranges in the
eastern portion of the state indicate that
stockmen will suffer heavy losses from
the effects of the blizzard, snow storm
and biting cold weather which have pre-
vailed throughout Montana during the
past few days. If the weather does not
soon change for the better. the unpre-
cedented losses Of 18sS-S7 will be repeated
to a large extent The losses of that
winter taught stockmen a lesson by
which they have profited, as is evidenced
by their method of handling and caring
for their herds and focks.
AS equally discouraging reports come
from Wyoming ranges. Heavy losses are
predicted by well-informed cattlemen as
| the outcome of the recent storms, deep
snow and low temperature. Idaho also
| reports anticipated losses from the same
| cause. Still the worst is not known, nor
has the mercury halted in it's downward
course.
Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-04
II suffer the consequer ces for abusing

or suffer the consequer ces for abusing
themselves or violating the law, the lat
ter must be cared for by their parents,
or by the county, or by the state. Tina
is a self-evident fact. Butte will size
up with western cities in the percentage
of it's intelligent, progressive, law-abid-
ing citizens to good advantage, and may.
possibly, stand off any OF them when II
comes to enumerating the incorrigibles
in the state, but it seems that its num-
bers of the latter Extensively project
themselves before the readers of the ter
~ritorial press about this time of the
year. This fact may be due to certain
conditions arising out of the struggle for
an existence by the many, the efforts Of
as many for the comforts of life, and the
race of others for wealth. But be the
cause what it may, the fact remains that
Butte has too many boys and girls who
may be properly classed as "incorrigi-
bles."
In too many instances the youths them
selves are not to blame. If surrounded
by proper influences they would, doubt
but when tempted by prospects of tenn
porary gain, or when forced to yield ODE
dience to conscienceless guardians or
parents, their sensibilities become dulled,
their innocence is destroyed by intimacy
with crime and they easily graduate
from their unclean teachings to the inner
walls of the prison or the reform school.
The latter catch them in the long run.
Who is at fault-the child or the parent?
The answer is learned at the hearth
stones of the Indifferent, or the careless
or the ignorant or the vicious parents,
boys! Rustic girls! Coal or wood must
be obtained for the fire. oil for the lamp,
clothes for the body and bread for the
MOUTH And they rustic until some
watchful patrolman hustles them to the
city bastile, from which a sobbing parent
rescues them. or a lenient judge releases
them with an admonition to go and sin
no more.
This is not an overdrawn or fairy tale.
The unwritten experiences of our city
peace officers will verify the statement
that many a child in Butte is being
trained for the prison or the reform
school. 1t is to be regretted that the
parent should escape the penalty which
the child, through its home teachings,
or lack of proper teaching, has incurred
If the punishment We're to fall where
the blame lies, Butte would have fewer
incorrigibles and a less number of incipi-
ent candidates for the penitentiary.
Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-04

1t now transpires that General Gomez
was not authorized to accept Mr.. Portor's
$4,000 900 to disband the Cuban army and
send the soldiers to their homes. Many Of
Commander-in-Chief Gomez, mount their
is a gift from the United States which it
would be humiliating to accept. 1t is
Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-04

quite likely, however, that if $50, O00, 900
were offered them the sum would be &C
cepted with hanks That would not be
"humiliating." They also declare that the
army cannot be disbanded without an or
Gomez has no authority over the matter,
all of which may be true. But the aver
age Cuban, who is holding no soft thing
in the army and who wants to see the SOL
diers at home, and working to put the is
land on it's feet. will believe tina Gomez
did right in accepting Portor's money. 1t
seems, however, that the end is not yet.