davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25
pLuckiNa OSTRICH FEATHERS.
Process Is Both Simple and Painless
TO the Bird.

Many have wondered whether the os-
trieh felt pain during the plucking Of
his feathers, and whether the opera
ton was cruelty performed. The pro-
cess is both simple and painless. over
the head of the ostrich Is placed a long
bag with a breathing hole In one end.
A man then hold the bird while another
cuts with shears the long feathers.
Only those of the wings and tail are
taken, The short feathers, being ripe.
are pulled out without pain. as they
would soon drop in the course Of nature.
Great care must be taken not To in
jure the feather root. for if a socket
is destroyed. feather cannot grow
again. The stumps of those that are
cut remain III until three months later.
Sometimes the bird picks them out
herself, and often the keeper assists
often dangerous operation. Care is
taken to stand behind it TO escape its
kicks The f. gtt.lr,s If the back ard ab-
domen dr"f off and are gathered in
bundles. Natural cOiors are black.
white aud drab. l he black ones are
kept for black entirely because of the
natural shade and the fine. silky down.
The feathers of the male bird, says the
Christian Endeavor World. are the most
valuable. Also, those from live os-
triCh are better than thpse from a dead
one. The plumagc of wild ones Is held
| in higher esteem than Of tame varie-
ties. Those OF the female birds and of
the young rank rs second quality. The
white feathers are often very pure and
beautiful Those of The tail are dingy
and inferior in quality The various
kinds OF feathers are put into separate
bags tail feathers. wing feathers.
white, black, gray. They are then grad.
ed, weighed and shipped to feather
dresSers. where they are washed, sewed
together, dyed and curled into many
81 VipS
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25
For Winter Eggs.

1t is not an easy matter for one not
having had some years of experience in
poultry raising to feed the laying hens
during the winter probably. Corn cuts
too large figure in the winter food OF
poultry. Ii is a valuable food beyond all
question. but 1t is fed too literally when
eggs are wanted. An almost perfect
food for laying hens is clover hay, but
of course they can not eat enough of
this to give them the food quantity
needed. The best way to feed clover
hay is to have it chopped fine and then
scattered on the floor in small quaint
ties for the hens to eat of 1t as they
will. This is better than mixing 1t with
the grain or the soft foods. OF grains
If one has a supply of corn, wheat and
oats with which TO alternate, these
with the clover hay. bone meal and ami
NAL food once a week will keep the
hens in good laying condition. QUAINT
ties and times and methods of using
the several grains are best worked out
by the feeder according to the needs
Of his flock and his location. In cold
sections more corn win be necessary
than In warmer locations.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25
Winter Ponitrr Yaria.


When poultry are confined during the
winter they should have a yard ia
which to run ON pleasant days. If nc
scratching shed can be provided A
good plan is to protect the yard on the
windy side by piling cornstalks high
against the fence. Then have a heap
of coarse, strawy manure in the yard,
sufficiently large to keep the soil from
freezing hard. Cover as large a space
as possible with this heap, or, better
still, have several such heaps. and pro
tect them with boards, so that the
fowls cannot get at them ana scratch
Uncover one Of these heaps 81 a time,
and pile the material in another spot.
then spade up the soil where it lay. II
the pile was high enough the soil car
be easily loosened, and, except in very
cold sections, will not freeze hard again
in several days. A little grain thrown
ON this spaded space will keep the
fowls busy and happy. An hour eacl
day when the sun is shining brightly in
a spot like this win keep the fowls in
good s'iape. and they will turn out eggs
regular y.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25
Mouexin Potatoes.

lii some localities, notably in sections
Of the East, considerable money has
been made from potatoec this season,
one man marketing 1000 barrels from n
little over twenty-five acres at an aver
age of s. a barrel. Sach cases are, OF
course, unusual, and due to the high
prices incident to "a short crop. The
yield, too, is out of the common and
secured by the following treatment of
the soil: AS a foundation for the big
crop of potatoes field in sod is select-
ed, heavily manure1, plowed under and
planted to corn, which is faithfully cul-
tivated until waist high. The following
spring the ground is plowed deeply,
which brings up the rotteti sod, which
is tined by the use of cutting harrow
and drag harrows until ii is in shape
fer the seed potatoes. Pofato planters
are Ted, the seed being dropped four
teen inches apart in the row with the
rows three feet apart. After planting
the plot is narrowed, and then eultiva-
ton begins and is kept up thoroughly
until the plants meet across the row.
the cultivation being dcae - close to
the row as possible p each operation.
Thorough soil preparation and constant
and thorough summer cultivation are
the secrets of success In potato grow
ng.-Indianapolis News
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25
BUGS EATING UP A CHURCH.
Costly Stone Edifics in Ohio Almost
DESTROYED by Them.

Costly stone Edifice in Ohio Almost
Destroyed by Them.
Bugs are eating up the 100000 First
Presbyterian Church in Mi9dletown, o.,
one of the handsomest Stone edifees in
the country The walls are made insight
ly by the many holes bored in the stones
by the insects. Many of the holes are
as large around as lead pencil and as
deep and the stone around crumbles read
ily. The tower of the church was the
first to be attacked, and, seen through
opera glasses, it appears to be a mass of
holes. One stone near the top of the
tower about six inches thick and two feet
long Is in such a bad state that it has
almost fallen to pieces. Holes to the
number of thirty-six were counted in
this one stone. The corner stone has
three deep holes that penetrate it for
the length of lead pencil.
The bugs that are doing the chief mis-
chief are sort of beetle that is common
in the sandstone region. They are black
in color, about an inch and half long,
and have powerful mandibles with which
they easily cut their way into the soft
stone. An idea Of the rapidity with
which these bugs work destruction may
be had when it is known that the First
Presbyterian Church was erected only
six years ago, and the stone was then APP
parently in frst-class condition.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25
American Poultry.

Mr.. Lewis Wright, of England who
has been, if he is not now, called one of
the highest authorities on poultry breed
ing and growing that ever put pen to
paper, says that the American breeds
are better than the much-praised Eng
fish Orpington breeds, originated a few
years ago by Mr.. Cook, of England. He
also pronounces the American breeds
as bred here better than the same
breeds when bred in England. There
they incline to the Cochin type in all
the American breeds, more cushion,
dun and feathers than Ameriean-bred
birds, which detracts from their utility,
though the English think it adds TO
their beauty.-Exchange
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25
Home Made Grain Bins.

Where comparatively small quantis
ties of grain are to be kept. barrels
may he utilized to good advantage.
Selecc two well-made sugar barrels and
set them ON a platform raised a few
inches from the floor, building a rack
about them to hold them in position
and having the back strip of this rack
the same height as the barrels, If this
Is done the cover may he hinged to this
strip and will come down closely over
the barrels. This plan is an improve
ment over the usual way of covering
the barrels with blanket or old bags
BY having the cover the horses or
cows can not get into the barrels
Should they get loose These bins
need not be confined to two barrels
for as many may be used as desired,
but it is best to arrange the covers to
cover every two barrels, so that they
may be more easily raised.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25
keening Apn cs in Winter

IL large quantities of fruit are to be
kept there is no way equal to the mod
ern cold storage process. but this is ex-
pensive. Oftentimes. however. one has
a few barrels of fine fruit designed for
home use or to keep for a select trade,
and these may be kept In good shape
by either of the following methods.
Only the finest and most perfect speci-
mems are used in either case: Take
good barrels. and in the bottom of each
place oats an inch deep. Then wrap
each apple in newspaper and pack a
layer on the oats, not permitting the
apples to touch. Then put in another
layer of oats. and on this a layer of
apples, as before, Continue this until
the barrel is full The other method
is simply to omit the oats and pack the
apples In the same way. after wrapping
each specimen in oiled or waxed la
per In either case the barrels must be
kept in an even temperature. where it is
cool but above the freezing point.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25

| Just about one o'clock Col. d'Agutfar
who had been away on dinner invita-.
.ioa. came in. in high good humor and
| spirits.
we have had charming evening,
| he said, in answer TO a question from
! Capt. CulIoden Some very jolly fel-
lows there, and | was greatly tempted TO
stay the night. as they asked me. How
ever. as had said nothing about it to
Lady Grace Farquhar. | was afraid Of
committing breach Of good manners by
remaining Arthur lie Marehant had driv-
en- over from HAZEL Court--a rare good
fellow he is, too. the very life Of party"
Did he say anything about HastingsY'
inquired R'Nnald Champion,
Il think.~ne mentioned the name OF
Hastings. II | rceollect rightly it was
something IN connection with a yacht IN
Constantiuople.'
II am sorry Hastings took 1t into his
head to leave England" interposed Lord
Harold Ersklne. "He was one Of the
incest most gentlemanly fellows ever
met with. He entertained US in prince
ly way y the Court last month
"Hasungs?" remarked Francis Clay
ton, interrogatively Il seem to know the
name. BY the way, Erskine, was not
that the man Miss Champion accused
Miss Eyre OF being so much in the woods
with?'
Lord Harold colored with passion.
Il presume they were only together
just as d'Agular aud Miss Alton might
have been in the park this afternoon"
All" said Francis Clayton, qriety,
but with his most dlsagreeable smile.
Let those laugh who win, is capital
maxim. But you've not congratulated me
yet. any of you
Col dAguilar grew very pale; the
hand that was on the back of his chair
trembled.
II am no hypocrite,' he said, quietly.
but with curious ring in his voice. Il
cannot wish you happiness when | know
it entails her misery" And amidst a
dead silence q the room.
Before tn rty assembled at break
fast the foll4 ing morning he had left
Endon Vale.
e. be continued,l
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25
Draft Horses Popu,ar,

The draft horse now enjoys the high.
est prosperity and greatest popularity
OF any breed of horses among the
American farmers. The prejudice
against the draft horse being too big
has given place to the universal desire
to raise them as large as possible and
farmers generally want to raise draft
horses for the market. and they have
learned that the big draft mares and
young geldings make the best farm
teams. and as fast as they mature the
markets take them at good prices
Live Stock Journal.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25
IN SeGT VANDE.LS.
Tropical Ants that Ravage the Conn
try Like Fire.

try Like a Fire.
| The Huns and Vandals of the insect
world are undoubtedly tile marching
army ants. In tropical countries every
| thing falls before these invaders: they
leave nothing but ruin behind them. The
author of "Tangwecra" gives this de-
Scrlption of them:
| have never found where these ants
lie concealed when not engaged in for
aging; but two or three times in the
year. just before or after heavy rain,
they come out of the forest IN millions,
advancing in a solid column. which
may cover an acre of ground. Some
times the column may serarate in dlyls-
ion, one going in one direction. ole in
another. Each travels "a Il fixed dirtc e.
ton. in which it Is guided by the guards
distinguished by enormous heads and
threatening mandibles, who march
ahead Of the main body, as III to recon.
nolter the ground
The army follows after its officers,
and rummages everything as it adj
vances. Some swarm up the trees to
considerable heights. searching in all
the cracks of the bark. or among para.
sitieal plants. Every fallen or hollow
log and every stone is carefully in
spected.
They destroy as II a fire had passed
| over the ground. Snalis. beetles, butter
| flies, slugs, spiders, caterpillars, scor.
pions. centipedes- is de
youred. Wasps' nests are rifed of the
grubs; birds are driven from their nests
and the yop'T one aten up. Fortu.
nately, few buds h.. In the riaay sea-
, son, but occasionally fncursious of the
army take place before the rains. when
the birds are rearing their young. /
have seen lizards eight inches long
writing, flashing the tail. rolling over
and over, covered with ants which soon
mastered and deyoured them.
Twice In the middle of the night we
have been reused by such inyasions of
the marching army ants, and had to
rush out of the house and wait till the
foray was over. But we were consoled
by their leaving US clean house. for
the ants search the thateh through and
through, plumber the wasps' nests which
line our caves, and drag from hiding
every lizard eockroach and spider
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25

Judge Francis Il. Baker, who has been
selected for the seat on the United States
Court of Appeals for Indiana. Illinois
and Wisconsin, made vacant by the death
OF Judge Woods last summer, is a jus
tice OF the Indiana Supreme Court. and e.
son of Judge John Il. Baker Of the Unit
ed States District Cour. for the Indiana
District.
Judge Francis e. Baker has had a long
and distinguished career in politics, IL
though his experience as Judge has
been comparatively short. A native Of
New York State, he was taken when
child to Ohio. II pursued his studies
of the law in Michigan, began his pro-
fessional caree at Goshen, Ind, AMI In
1862 was elected to the State Senate.
Subsequently Judge Baker was sert TO
Congress from the Thirteenth District of
Indiana. Nine years ago he was APP
pointed to fill the vacancy left by Judge
Woods promotion to the Court of APP
peals
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25
BEAvER-TAIL SOUP.
A Michigan Lumber Camp Deiicacy
that Amazed MaryIander.

A Michiga Lumber Camp Eeiicacy
that Amazed "a Maryia nder.
Although | am a Marylander. and
an Eastern shore one at that" said
Chauncey II. Raynor, land consequent
ly know what good things to eat are,
want to tell you that I'll have to take
off my hat TO the lumber camp cook
Of the upper Michigan peninsula as the
discoverer. fabricator and dispenser of
dish that knocks the eastern shore
cuisine silly And that rare lumber
camp dish is beaver tail soup.
Il was with Col. Park, of Columbus.
Ohio, deer hunting in the Rainy Lake
region of Michigan one fall. We lived
at lumber camp boarding shaHty.
There were signs of beaver at the
upper end of the lake, and trapper
succeeded in trapping one of the willy
dam-builders.
When the beaver was brought into
camp the cook went nearly wild. And
so did the lumbermen when they heard
the news. All because they had been
trying to trap beaver for weeks, not
for its fur, but for its tail, as they
We're pining, they said, for beaver tail
soup.
THE cook that broad appendage of
the beaver, mailed like an armadillo.
took from it the underlying bone and
meat, and from it made such soup
as never came from any other stock, at
the beck of the most expert and scien-
titic chef that ever put kettle on.
we could do the same thing, and
perhaps better, on the eastern shore
but we lack one thing. We haven't got
the beavers to yield US their tails =
New York Sun.
Never De misery with sympathy for
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25

you can average shock a minute ana
have it in much better shape for husk-
ing than when torn down by hand.
You can in this way pull over a days
husking while the dew IL on. and the
fodder will be damper for husking than
If left standing till wanted. 1t will be
another advantage to You If you are
careful to pull over your shocks so that
You can face the wind while husking.
letting the w'ud blow the fodder to you
and not away.--Ohio Farmer.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25

The yellow peril viii not imperil
America. anyhow.
Grain has been undertaking a little
aerial navigation also.
Europe will get used to that Monroe
doctrine idea by and by.
The Hen. Emilio Aguinaldo hopes Con
gress won't take it into its head to make
him pay rent
It is now reported that another bill
collector is about to come TO anchor OF
the Sultan's domain
Perhaps Jim Hin can defeat Gov. Van
SAINT by a particularly narrow margin
with the Hill brokers.
Eastern Railroads.&c. are going to abolish
all passes after Jan l, but probably L
will be some time aftssS
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25

Pigs are able to make much more ef
fective use of the foods with which
they are supplied than any other class
OF farm animals. Experiments have
shown that, while the pig IS capable Of
laying ON flesh at the rate of one pound
for every five pounds to seven pounds
of dry food which it consumes. cattle
require to eat from ten pounds to
twelve pounds and sometimes from
fourteen pounds to fifteen pounds OF
dry food for every one pound Of in
crease in weight that they show.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25

farmers. Weights and points are the
same as for Barred Plymouth Rocks,
but the plumage should be an even
shade of golden buff. Golden Wyan-
dottes are newcomers and very popu-
lar The bluffs are probably the most
numerous and best liked of the Co
chin family. Buff Leghorns, com
paratively new but very popular yarie-
ty. have taken a foremost position
solely on their merits Exchange.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25

Il do not mind the uolorlety so
much" soliloquiEed the whale. after it
had left Jonah on the beach, but those
smart young whales in our set viii be
sure to always be asking me to take
something for the inner man, or to 20
spouting around about how hard It is
to keep n good man down. Baltimore
American.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25

disappeared from
her home mysteri-
ously. is dead or
alive. Andrew q.
Cropsey, the girls
uncle, who has a
law office in New
York. may send
New York detec-
tives to North Car
DINA to aid in the
search. The last
soon nf Miss Cron-
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25

seq was when she stepped out of the
plantation home at Elizabeth to say good
night to some friends who had been cali
ing. Screams were heard few minutes
later, but no trace of the girl could be
found. 1t is believed she was abducted
and hidden in the Dismal Swamp near
Elizabeth, and posses from three coun-
ties have been searching that swamp,
but without finding any trace of the girl
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25

Use a horse t. pull over your corn
shocks Take a rope about eighteen
feet long. attach one end to the single
tPee. carry the other end around the
shock and fasten to Singlet-ee also. See
that the rope is around the shock abou,
twenty inches from the ground. 4
slight rull of the horse viii bring over
the Shcck. With boy to lead the
horse and a handy hitch to the rope
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25

overwhelming majority in the Galway
district of Ireland.
He is colonel of the Second Irish brig
ade in the Boer army. He is an Austria
Ian by birth, an author and journalist,
and once before ran for Parliament in
Ireland, where he has had his residence
for some years, and IS very well known.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25

about once week 1t is not injurious
to humqa beings.
In some places hot water has been
used TO good advantage. 1t can be
applied at a temperature of about 1870
degrees without injuring the plant, and
is sure death to the worms where it
reaches them. Paris green is perhaps
the Simplest and best remedy.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25

are a comparative
~ new variety.
but one which has
come rapidly to
the front on its
own merits. Beau
ty and utility COM
bine to make these
a fine general
purpose fowl for
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25
- - - Natures Antid0te
FOR
Natures PoISonS,

is the only cure for Poison Oak. Poison
Ivy, and all noxious plants. 1t is COM
posed exclusively of roots and herbs. Now
is the time to get the poison out of your
system, as delay makes your condition
worse. Don't experiment longer with
salves, washes and soaps-they never cure.
Mt s NJ. Marshall, bookkeeper Of the Atlanta
tCal Gas Light Co. was poisoned win Poison
Oak. He took Sulphur, Arsenic and various
other drugs, and applied externally numerous
lotions and saIves "a 10 benefit At times the
swelling and inflammation was 50 severe he vas
almost blind. For eight years the poison would
bresk out every season His condition was much
improved after taking ore bottle Of s. s, S, and
few bottles cleared his blood OF the poison, and
ali evidences of the disease disappeared
People are often poisoned without
knowing when or how. Explain your case
fully to our physicians, aud they viii
c'leerful1y give such Information and adj
wee as you require, without charge, and
we will send at the same time sn-Snterest-
ing book or Blood and Skin Diseases.
TIE swift SPECIFIC CO.. ATLANTA. g.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25

ELECT A BOER COLONEL.

Defiant Freemen of Galway Choose Ar
thur Lynch for Parliameur.
1t is believed Col Lynch will be ar
rested on the charg. CO high treason Il
he lands in England with the intention of
taking the seat in the British House Of
Commons to which Re was elected by an
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25
NO NEWS OF ELLA cRoPSEY.

Girl Believed TO BE kidnapped and Hid
den in a Carolina Swamp.
No news has been received to indicate
definitely whether Miss Ella Cropsey,
the pretty girl of Elizabeth. n c., who
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25

almost as soon as the little bllsters and
pustules appeared the poison had reached
the blood, and will break out at regular
intervals and each time in more aggra-
waited form. This poison will loiter in the
system for years, and every atom of it
must be forced out of the blood before you
can expect a perfect, permanent cure.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25
Ruff Rreeda of Enwia.

The buff fowls of various breeds
seem to BE- one of the poultry fashions
of the present Buff Plymouth Rocks
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25
Rineninu Cheese.

Cheese when ripening should never
be exposed to currents of air. as the
process IS liable to be checked
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25

Never be misery with sympathy for
a crying child or a sick man.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-12-25

are among the best known
of the many dangerous
wild plants and shrubs.
To touch or handle them
quickly produces swelling
and inflammation with in
tense itching and burning
of the skin. The eruption
soon disappears, the suf-
ferer hopes forever but