davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24
The Question of Size.

There seems to be q rule governing
form which confines its greatest per.
fection within certain sizes. Under
size in the Bantam deprives it Of the
highest form. AS oversize in the
Brahma detracts from its grace of con.
tour this same influence works against
an effort to advance the size Of the
White Wyandotte beyond the limit Of
the rule governing the individual
form. Bad shape has come with these
mistaken efforts, and this should be
a warning against a continuance. II
is well to guide them in size within
that limit line which gives.'assurance
Of a maintenance of the best breed
characteristics. but not to 60 beyond.
Hold to their beautiful form by all
means; that is their real attractive
ness and value. Do not try to gain
size, which cannot prove Of value as
against the loss of form.
We have the greater size in our
Asiatic fowls. A large Wyandotte
cannot excel a larger Brahma as
meat fowl, while as q Wyandotte OF
proper proportions it may meet with
greater favor The White Wyandotte.
as it should be, has as much size as is
consistent with its position as q gen.
eral utility fowl. The grace Of form
and exhibition qualities can be main
tanned within these conditions as to
size. Both the Brahma and the White
Wyandotte car be improved within
the limits of the rule which controls
form as against size, and both may be
injured in an effort to 60 beyond these
limits.-Bulletin Department Of Asri-
culture.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24
Commandant Cole Of Grand Island
Makes Report.

COmmandant Cole of the soldiers
home in Grand Island has completed
his biennial report and recommends
quite q number of necessary improve
ments owing largely to the increased
number of members cared for at the
institution.
The report shows an increase in
membership in the biennium of TWEEN
ty-one per cent over that OF two years
previous. On November 80. 1900,
there were, according to the records of
the institution. 3i2 members There
were on November 80, 1902, AS mem
bers, Of whom 313 were men and 1O2
women. Among the recommendations
are $4,000 for a new brick building
for the Guartermaster and commits
sary's supplies. This would give room
in the basement of the main building
for another ward for members. An
OF $500 is also recon-
mended for better fire protection in
and about the home grounds, includ.
ing a better piping of the Building
and a pipe leading to the cottages
and barns. resetting the boilers, the
erection OF q small building for laun-
ary purposes and en!arging the en-
gre rooms and improvements on the
system.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24
Plum Trees in a Poultry YARD.

From Farmers Review: ! would
:ot by any means have plu-I trees in
a poultry yard, If it must be kept clear
from grass, in order to have the plum
trees do well. I can not see what good
they do any way. for the shade from
them is very poor. besides. unless the
ground under the trees is we'll stirred.
after every heavy rain, the ground
will harden so they will not scratch
or keep 1t loose SO as to act as
nulch, consequently they will do no
good in there on that account. OF
course. If you spade up the ground
under each tree after the heavy rains,
1t would make an ideal busting place
for them. A poultry yard, by all
means. must have grass. fo. it is al
most impossible to raise chickens and
have them do well without it.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24
National Bureau Of Forestry.

UN0SSOU0u oOUSOO VI VVUCSSCys
The work of the Bureau of Forestry
is now being carried on In 20 states.
Tie Bureau appointed 80 new student
assistants for this season. the entire
field force numbering 165 men. The
work includes, among other things,
the gathering Of the necessary data
for several working plans, a study of
q number Of well-known commercial
trees, the exanination Of farm wood
lots, and q study of the treeless areas
xith q view Of devising plans for for.
est extension. The Bureau of For
estry began the new fiscal year of
ls02-1903 with an appropriation Of
$291 $50. The amount for the pre-
vious year was $1S5. .440. This in
creased appropriation shows how this
work commends itself to Congress,
and it makes possible q much wider
range Of work. The present seasons
work is by far the most varied and
interesting yet undertaken by the
Bureau of Forestry. and is being car
ried on in Maine. New Hampshire,
Vermont, Massachusetts,, New York,
New Jersey. Maryland. Tennessee,
Kentucky, West Virginia, North Caro-
lima, Michigan. Minnesota. Nebraska,
Oklahoma. South Dakota, Montana,
Arizona and California. Later In
the season it will be extended to still
osher states and territories.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24
A cannjbal Hen.

The latter part Of June I set two
Bantam hens Of q mongrel type on
pheasant eggs, placing them In col
ony coops, writes correspondent OF
Farm Poultry. During the incubation
Of these eggs the weather was exceed
ingly warm. Each day. took the hens
OF. lifting them gently SO that no eggs
secreted between wing ard body
would fall and break: placing them in
their cages I allowed them all the
fresh water and whole corn they want
ed. Each Saturday busted them with
q good lice killer. All went well until
the 21st day, pheasant eggs taking
"a days to hatch. On said day wnen
I lifted the door to let OF the hens.
one of them was sitting on her eggs.
her comb very pale. and in appear
ance q sick and dilapidated bird. The
eggs were chilled. how long ! could
not tell. The other hen seemed quite
we'll and contented. excepting her
comb, which was slightly pale.
With no other sitting hen on hand
and quite q distance to the nearest
neighbor, ! for awhile felt perplexed.
but not for long. I was not for giving
up the chilled eggs experience has
taught me not to-. The well hen had
seventeen eggs under her. Realizing
she had only three more days to sit.
and the weather being warm. I coupled
the eggs into one sitting, isolated the
sick bird. put iron into her drinking
water and fed her nothing but boiled
rice, rolled oats and onion tops; and
for grit, egg shells. In three days
that hen showed her former vigor.
and her comb became more normal
in color.
BY this time my chicks were due
from under the other hen, and there.
fore examined the eggs that morning.
finding many of them Clipped. At noon
l noticed half a shell just outside the
roof. Upon raising the hen gently,
I found no chick. The cage being be-
fore the coop made escape impossible.
Now was puzzled. Where was that
chick? 1 pondered for awhile. then
thought best to watch the hen more
closely. Suddenly she shifted back
little and deliberately picked at one
of the chicks that had only one wing
emerged from the shell. To my sur.
prise she ate the chick. A cannibal.
thought 1; but there was no time to
waste. That hen would eat them as
fast as they Matched. Tie GONZALES
cent hen was still clucking. SO I rest
ed my hopes on her, placed the eggs
under her, and bless her, she Matched
and reared them, is rearing them to
this day. She makes q good mother
In every respect. ......
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24
How Sour Soils Are Made


The black prairie soils are invari.
ably rich in nitrogen and potash. be-
cause they are largely composed Of the
charcoal Of decayed vegetation. The
accumulation produced has been pre-
vented from total decomposition by
the water lying heavily in the sells
and excluding the air. Tie drifting
sands and clay silt, and the earth in
which the plants were rooted supply
SUI :ient mineral matter to make them
into healthy soils. which settle grad
ually to . fairly firm mass. except in
some parts where the water lay stag
rant too heavily the year round. The
last condition allowed only q growth
Of water plants like sphagnums, and
resulted in what are termed bogus
Soils" too deficient in mineral matter
to properly support farm crops. As
portion Of each years vegetation be-
came entirely decomposed. and the
charcoal bodies, or carbon structures.
were burned out and passed OF into
tho air q carbon gas. tumus was de-
posted through the mass. thus max
ing food for plants to be taken up by
them in absorbing the soil waters.-
T. c. Wallace.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24
Rose-comb Black Minoreas.

It is worthy of note that the Lat.
est acquisition to the Minorca class
is the Rose-comb Black Minorca. Tho
only objection that has ever been
raised against the varieties Of the
MeDiterranean class is their suscep.
tibility to frostbite of the como. Their
combs are SO large that continued
cold or exposure is sure to result in
this complaint. To obviate this one
defect, IL it may SO be termed, In this
valuable class Of birds, has actuated
breeders in making . bird that Doe
sesses the other qualifications. but
with low rose combs. There are two
varieties Of Rose-comb Leshorns-the
Black and the White, and the Rose
comb Black Minorca. The latter II
Eot q standard variety as yet. but in.
dications point to their admission -
such In the near future. Many good
specimens have been bred and ex.
hibited ut the recent shows. and sue
cess In making this new fowl seems
assured.-Government Bulletin.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24
judgment to BE Enforced

BEATRICE-James Walling, dep
uty United States marshal of Omaha
was here and served papers upon the
mayor and city council to compel
them to make a levy for the payment
of the Flashburg judgment. This is
one of the judgments secured against
the city upon paving bonds where the
districts defaulted In their payment
and the city was sued. This partic-
ular judgment is for $4,40S, together
with interest and costs, which amount
to about $1,000 at this time The cOun-
ell having refused payment, a writ of
mandamus was asked. and the federal
court now serves the officers with
peremptOry writ, commanding them
to make q levy to provide for the
payment of judgment, interest and
costs.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24
The Grand Army.

The Grand Army.
Fever an army like that, ne'er such
men as they.
Ne'er a title 80 grand, or cause 80
great.
And never a victor 50 ennobled the
Wen f,nd ne'er their mate. and biess'd
be their fate!
For the grandest OF all We can boast OF
to-day
Are the matchless men Of the G. A. R..
Al they march meath the fiags that
they brought from the fray:
Their story il written in .evry star!
Through many any. : battle they've carried
Rut one by one they are falling away:
sun proudly they carry their heads
white and hoary-
(Number their ranks on Memorial DayJ
Let ~ treasure them dearer. and honor
them more.
For they made possible all We pos
se8s:
Tho Republic will know no such heroes
Rr.ve,v their country to hold and to
bless!
Wen have patriots and heroes I'LL tho
end OF Time.
And many a triumph to tell In 10
union:
But none will outlive us in story sub
lime.
IIshe the brave men who fought for
the Union!
Long may they live and ever In sculp-
ture and song
Their names be told. as their needs %
renoWn'd-
rhese Incompatible vetrans that 70
us belongD.
And all at last in Heaven be crowned:
Jennie Porter Pardee.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24
Chiek-Pea or Gram.

A shelling rea. practically unknown
in this country. is the chick-pea (Cicer
arietinum). the garbanzoe Of Spanish
cookery, or the gram Of India. It is
largely cultivated in southern Europe.
in Spanish America and many parts
Of the East. especially British India,
whence It is exported. It IL . stiff.
upright plant, covered with hairs and
bearing inflated pods containing . few
curiously shaped seeds: the two lobes
distinctly marked and the germinal
point very prominent. These peas are
eaten boiled, but moro commonly
roasted. This roasted pea seems to
have seen much in use in Roman
tines. the phrase fricti ciceris emptor.
buyer Of roasted chick.peaS." mean
ing in conversation poor fellow.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24
Horse 10 Recovered

SEWARD-L. c. Johnston. whose
horse ard buggy were stolen the night
the Eiisnorn safe was dismantled, has
recovered the same. They were found
a few miles west of Crete. The
horse had been unhitched from the
buggy and the harness thrown in the
rig, which had been turned over on
it's side in the road. The bIidle, whip
and robe were missing.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24
Siiage Facts.

Bulletin %, N. H. Experiment Sta
tion.-Our results and those of other
stations invariably agree that the best
silage is obtained from corn that has
nearly reached maturity, with ears
fully formed and well filled. At this
stage of growth, also, q corn plant
has reached its maximum of food pro-
duction. Varieties of corn should be
selected which yield the largest crops
at this stage, rather than those which
produce large plants. but are yet i'm.
mature at cutting time. This prac-
tice is already followed by many
farmers, but should be by all. For
New Hampshire. q standard variety
is the Leaning dent corn, while in
those portions of the state with too
short a season for that variety to
reach a proper stage, the Sanford
flint corn can be advantageously used.
The sugar in the green fodder is
practically all destroyed in the silo,
and since 1t is most abundant In the
corn plant in the early stages of ear
1t Is an additional arEu-
ment for postponing cutting until tho
grain is full size and the sugars
change largely to starch. The amount
of seed per acre affects the yield of
green fodder, and also its composi.
ton. A medium stand IL essential
for the best results In both quantity
and quality. The practice of using
a half bushel of seed per acre is good.
In . favorable season, with plenty Of
fertilizer, more seed could be profit
ably used, but the tendency to in.
feriority in quality, especially in de-
creasing the protein and increasing
the sugar and fiber, renders 1t, as .
rule, inadvisable.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24

There could scarcely be found q
more demonstrative expression OF
gratitude on the part OF the freed
southern slaves for the service rer-
dered them by the Federal soldiers
than that related with mixed feelings
Of sadness and amusement by q vet
eran attending the encampment. It
occurred at Norfolk. Va. soon after
the close Of hostilities. The volunteer,
then . young man. was strolling
through the streets when his uniform
caught the eye Of q black nanny"
She uttered . cry of delight and over
taking the soldier asked excitedly.
For de Lord. Massa, is you one of
dem men what done sot US free?" The
soldier admitted that he was, when
without further ado the enthusiastic
nanny threw her fat arms about him
and pressed her black lips against his
bronze cheek in one resounding smack.
At nrst the military man was SO taken
hack that he hardly knew what to do,
but It Is sad to relate that the course
which he finally followed was not a
fitting return for the affection which
had been lavished upon him.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24

Deputy Food Commissioner Bassett
has filed with the governor his bien-
nial report. The commissioner
speaks q the need Of guarding the
public against foods which have been
preserved By the admixture Of danger
Gus chemicals. such as hydrohoric
acid. a dangerous corrosive. and 9TH
ers. Out of 22S samples of food pro-
ducts analyzed by the chemist Of the
food commission. 163 were adulterated
or not sold in compliance with law.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24

This good story is told on q certain
captain Of the old Fourteenth Massa.
chusetts when they were stationed
here In Washington.
The aforesaid captain was somewhat
noted for his love for good things
gastr0nomic, and one day dispatched
one Of his live Yankees" OF to Alex.
andria o get some fresh oysters, Civ
ing him instructions not to return
without the bivalves. The man went
q and no more was seen Of him for
several days. The Indignant and dis
appointed captain reported him - q
de0eFter and gave him up as q lost
child" But after lapse Of nine days,
Bailey, for that was his name, came
into camp. leading . train of four
horse wagons loaded With oysters. Ap-
egoacAing and respectfully saluting
he amazed and speechIess captain,
0a1ley said:
Hare ase yow oysters. captain.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24
Old Spirit Still n Them.

The appearance of the National As
sociation Of civil war musicians in the
parade OF the G. A. r. at the late en-
campment at Washington attracted
much attention: in fact. they were one
OF the notable features of the dav.
The drum corps was composed of men
each not less than sixty years of age
There were three from South Dakota
four from Denver. one from Califor.
mia. four from Illinois. two from New
jersey. four from Ohio. two from In
diana. and three from Pennsylvania.
Two OF the number received special
demonstrations along the line because
though unable to walk, they sat up
pluckily in wheel chairs pushed by at
tendants. and flied away the patriotic
tunes Of war days.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24
Method Of Catching Trout.

The mountaineers Of Georgia catch
trout with q sledge-hammer. Their
practice is to thump rock. under
which . trout seeks refuge, with .
hammer. and the conclusion renders
The 6sh eeuseless.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24

The practice OF moistenlng the
cows :eat with milk when milking
is q dirty one and should be aban.
doned.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24
The Battle Of the Crate.

Capt. McCarty, late of the Thir
teenth Ohio cavalry. has a very valu-
able book, In which is q vivid descrip-
ton of the fight at the crater In front
OF Petersburg, in which his regiment
took part and which lost heavily. The
regiment participated in a great many
OF the battles in which the Eastern
army was q factor, but none was moro
bloody or more fruitless in results
than the battle of the crater.
1t followed Immediately upon the ex.
plosion OF mine by the Union forces.
but when the troops charged into the
breach it was found that the Confed-
crates had known of the disginss Of
the mine and just where it was To-
Gated. had formidable works lust to
me rear Of it, and met our charging
troops with a concentrated fire which
no body OF men could stand before and
live. The description is written by
Howard Ashton of GAINESVILLE.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24

Farmers' Sons In Judging Ring.
In q communication to the Farmers
Review Manager Skinner of the Inter
national Live Stock Exposition says:
A most highly interesting and instruc-
tive innovation this year at the Inter
national Live Stock Exposition will be
the admission of farmers sons into
the students judging contest. The
donors of the premiums for this years
contest. Messrs. Spoor. Clay and San
ders, have specially specified that the
contest be left open to all farmers
sons, regardless Of their belonging to
any agricultural college. This will
give the colleges an opportunity to
prove up their teachings, and boys
who are not able to take the time for
schooling will have an opportunity to
become q part of this educational
feast. 1t will hardly be expected that
any recognized. first-class school will.
under these circumstances. fail to en-
ter the lists, as the schools would bet
Ter look to their laurels in such a con-
:est. Fathers whose boys have not at
tended this exposition should not al
low anything to prevent the boys from
coming this year to watch this event.
20 as to prepare themselves for subse-
1uent contests. as undoubtedly at flu.
cure expositions this feature will re-
main q fixture. In addition to its be-
'ng . pleasure to send the boys, faith
2rs should consider it a bounden duty
% give them the benefit of this weeks
livestock education, and the man who
arms and is not q student striving to
improve and put his place on q better
footing each year will not be a Sue
cess. Remember the date. November
20 to December 6.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24
Missouri Horticultural Meeting.

L. A. Goodman. secretary of the
Missouri Horticultural Society, noti.
fies us that the forty-flfth annual meet
ing of the society win be held at
Springfield, Mo-, December 2 to 4. In
a circular he says: The state society
has been q great factor In the wonder
full growth of the fruit industry in
Missouri. She ranks first now In ap
pie orchards of any state In the Union.
The fruit lands of our state have
been brought more and more to the
notice Of grower and dealer. We feel
proud to-day Of our position, and with
prG0er care and attention we should
be ac;e to hold It. To this end the
society in all its efforts to develop the
fruit interests of the state and to bring
good fruit men into 1t, has never lost
sight of the need of the best means
for educating. assisting and develop
Ing all our fruit growers; instructing
them where knowledge is wanted. ad-
vising them where experience would
give the help needed, assisting, direct
ing, encouraging. whenever opportuni-
ty is offered.
This forty-fifth annual meeting will
be one of the best ever held. Some OF
the best men of the state and nation
will be there to help answer scientific.
technical and practical questions and
to give instructive papers. The fruit
growers of Greene county and south
Missouri will give US q hearty vel
come. One hundred and fifty dollars
is allotted for premiums, to be given
on fruits and flowers in our usual
manner. Five specimens constitute
plate. Perfection of size, color, form
and condition will be the points con-
sidered. Collections shall embrace
only one plate of a variety for the
judges to pass upon. New varieties
and rare ones are desired. Specimens
for name are always in order. Let us
make this a banner meeting. Monday,
December /. the Ozark Apple Growers
Association will hold its regular meet
ing and all apple growers Of the
Ozarks are invited to be present; the
society delegates will also be welcome.
Railroad rates will apply for this day
also. A good program will be carried
out. Fruits should all be arranged on
Tuesday. All fruit will be reserved
and put up in glass jars for the
Worlds Fair.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24

The greatest Of unconscious humor.
lists II the man who takes himself seri-
ously. We are an, more or less, un.
conscious humorists.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24
Military Suroeons,


The Spanish war has brought in its
train a vast number of momentous
problems for solution by the military
surgeons of the United States. Co.
operation is essential to the accom-.
rlishment of the task. Deployed all
siong the advancing line of ciyiliza.
ton, the medical officers of the Goth
century are less than ever in touch
with one another, and less than ever
accessible to the inspiration of one
another's progress. The difficult but
indispensable work of combining CO.
operation with this unavoidable isola,
ton is one of the functions of the
Association of Military Surgeons Of
the United States. which, by its pub
Ecations. will afford to its members
the most recent Information upon the
work done. not only by its national
services in foreign stations, but upon
the auxiliary work of the state forces
and the national bodies at home.
The Columbus journal., 1902-12-24
How to Melt Steel.

neat q piece of steel in the IRE
untii 1t is red hot: then, holding it up
win . pair Of pincers or tongs, take
IN the other hand 4 stick of birthstone
ana touch piece of steel with It.
Immediately after the contact you
viii see the steel melt and drop like q
liquid.