davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-13
Schemes of the Tree Agent.

1t is really surprising how frequent
ly farmers are taken in by tree sharps.
One would suppose that the informa-
ton concerning tree growth and soils
possessed by all farmers would be suf-
ficient to make them suspicious of big
stories, but it is evident, from the way
in which the rogues thrive, that they
find easy victims in the farming COM
munities. One of the latest schemes
Is for the tree agent to offer to plant an
acre with trees for 500 and to care
for the trees for five years. In addi-
ton he agrees that the firm he repre-
sents will buy all the fruit from the
trees at an advance of from 10 to 25 per
cent over the ruling market price. 1t
would hardly seem as If any man Of in
telligence would be taken in by such Il
proposition, yet hundreds of dollars
are being put in the pockets Of these
rogues by unsuspecting farmers. There
are many nurserymen in the country
who sell their products entirely
through agents, and such men are re-
liable, but they do not tell improbable
stories or exhibit wax fruit and claim
1t to be genuine; neither do they make
offers such as the one above stated. AS
a rule, 1t Is entirely safe to refuse to
sign any paper offered by a stranger
for even a simple receipt may turn up
a note, which must be paid.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-13

Tie kiwi is the sole remnant of the
wonderful race of wingless birds that
once roamed all over New Zealand, the
gigantic skeletons of some of which
have been found in such numbers that
almost every museum in the world pos
sesses one or more of them.
The kiwi is about the size of par
fridge, has u rather long neck and a
curious bill about four inches in lengta.
Its wings are quite undeveloped, and its
feathers have a sort Of unfinished char
acter, which may be supposed to repre-
sent Natures early efforts In that direc-
ton, before the close, rich plumage of,
the modern bird was evolved"
Wanting the means of flight, the XVII
has been almost exterminated, and with
it also have gone. or nearly gone, all
the other feathered denizens of the
woods. The invasion of their haunts
by the white man has been their de.
struction.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-13
Aid. to whiteva.hin1.

The use Of the fruit-spraying pumps
makes easy the task of withdrawing
stables, henhouses and cellars, and 1t
is much more effectual than the use of
the brush, because by making the
stream little larger and more forci-
BILE, which most spraying MOBILES ad-
NIT of, a stream can be sent into cracks
and crevices where the brush would
not reach. 1t may not prove as pene-
trating or as powerful a disinfectant
rs the gas from burning sulphur and
charcoal, but 1t takes next rank, and
can be used where 1t might not be well
to use the sulphuric acid gas, MS In
cellars under living rooms. II 1t is to
be used as disinfectant, or as an in
sect destroyer. the addition Of little
carbolic acid or little dissolved cop
peras to the whitewash may be an adj
vantage, and we prefer the latter. at
least In COW stables, because 1t emits
no offensive odor. Let the lime be
thoroughly slaked, and strained through
a cloth, SO that 1t may be thin enough
to work well in the nozzle. And sides,
ceilings, corners and floors can be well
sprayed in one-fourth the time needed
for the use Of the brush. Applied dur
ing the hot weather, 1t does not take
long to dry, and two coats can easily be
given If one does not look thick enough
when dried.-New England Home
stead.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-13

accessible to the saw. The animal ut
first appeared trIfe fdgety, but dis
played no resentment to the manipula-
lions of the operator, as il he compre-
hended that the labor of the keeper was
to his own advantage.
Saving and chiseling completed, the
chiropodist proceeded to rub down the
nails to their required shape with the
coarse rasp. This filing proved no light
task, as the texture of the nail was ex-
ceedlngly hard and great care had to be
exercised that the tool did not slip and
lnjure the leg of big Tom" in which
event he would doubtless have remind
ed the operator of his clumsiness in Il
most forcible manner by means of his
trunk. The filing process accomplished
to the surgeons satisfaction, he pro-
ceeded to complete his operation by
smoothing and polishing the trimmed
nails with the sandpaper.
When the task was completely
achieved. the elephant was released
from It's letters, and to the unbounded
delight of his keeper. big Toms"
lameness mad completely disappeared.
and his quondam good temper had re.
turned. Now, whenever big Tom"
evinces the slightest trace of bad tenn
per, his toenails are Immediately trim
med. The operation always works like
a charm. Cutting the toenails is an
infallible cure for All elephants bad
temper" is now the precept of big
Toms" keeper.
Another interesting and extraordin-
airy animal surgical operation was re-
Gently undertaken in the arena of a
wcll-known travelling circus before a
few privileged spectators. The creature
on this occasion was hippopotamus,
and the complaint was that some of his
teeth had grown to such an abnormal
length that 1t was only with consider
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-13

The four braces IRE made of 4x4
stuff. The post may be either round or
be ten feet high. The pole "a" should
square and should be about thirty feet
long, SO as to make good-sized stack.
1t should be made of pretty good tim.
Der. White oakls good and seasoned red
elm is also very good for this purpose.
Have the blacksmith make fork like
that seen at "b" to fasten on the top
of the post upon which the pole re-
wolves. An old buggy spindle Is q
very good thing for putting on this
piece. The illustration shows the 10.
cation of pulleys and the method Of
adjusting the pole for stacking. In
stacking set the derrick to the wind
ward Of the stack.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-13

An impecunious constituent Of Abra-
ham Gruber called upon the latter ut
his Office last week and requested the
loan of dollar. A two-dollar bill was
the smallest the colonel had. This he
handed to the caller with the remark:
go to the cigar store downstairs
get lucent cigar keep dollar, and
bring me the change"
In few minutes the visitor reap
peared, putting contentedly at cigar,
and handed the colonel IS cents. Motto
ing a peculiar expression on Colonel
Gruber's face, he withdrew the cigar
from his lips long enough to inquire:
did you mean that the cigar was for
you or me?"
Get out of here" was IL Gruber
could say.-New York Times.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-13
REMARKABLE
ANIMAL
SURGERY.
Dentist to the filppopotamus and CHI
ropodlst to the Elephant.

able difficulty and pain that the brute
could masticate his food. Few crea-
lures are SO valuable to the travelling
Snowman as the hippopotamus. These
animals are neither SO plentiful nor so
easily caught Us the elephant, and as
they seldom thrive in captivity they
are, therefore, most highly priced by
their fortunate proprietors.
The particular hippopotamus upon
whom this unique dental operation was
performed Is an unusually fine speci-
men of its kind, and its welfare is ac-
cordingly zealously attended to by its
owner. 1t is affectionately called
Babe" by no means an appropriate
sobriquet, when it is remembered that
he turns the scale Mt just under two
tons; but the creature is as docile as II
child, which favorable characteristic
suggested the name to Its owner.
Babe" has al unusually finely devel-
oped set Of teeth, numbering twenty
eight in all. Among these are two very
prominent teeth, properly called tusks,
growing out of the lower jaw. They
start In vertical direction, but bend
in backward, graceful curve. They
are two Of the most useful teeth to the
hippopotamus, being requisitioned by
the animal for tearing up the trees and
bushes upon which 1t thrives, since II
is purely herbaceous animal.
Under normal conditions these tusks
grow to about six inches in length. The
rough work to which they are subject.
ed by the creature when roaming
through the forests In quest of food
prevents them from growing to a very
great length. But In the luxurious res
idence Of the menagerie cage, and the
preparation of dainty dishes of loaves,
hay and branmash, the tusks have no
hard chewing to do. Therefore, they
grow to such length that If not cut
back they would pierce the upper jaw.
prevent .Babe" from eating, and grad.
ually starve him to death. Consequent
ly, Babe" has to submit to periodical
overhaulings Of his teeth-the opera.
ton takes place on the average about
once year.
In the front of the mouth, also in the
lower jaw, are two other prominent
teeth, projecting straight forward.
These are not used for biting. but for
digging up the earth when the animal
fancies tasty root for dinner. These
also, in Babes" case, have to be kept
cut back. though they do not cause him
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-13
Ground Food for Horses.

One Of the frequent causes of indi-
gestion among horses and especially
among those that are heavily granted
and fed correspondingly light on hay
is giving too much ground grains. The
teeth of the horse are arranged for
mastication, and as little of this is nee
essary with ground grains the animal
soon gets into the habit of "bolting"
his food. Whole grains should be fed
In the largest proportions at all seasons
of the year, using corn only during the
winter, for 1t is entirely unsuited to
the needs of horse that is working
daily, during the summer. Whole oats
should be largely fed during the sum-
mer. The drinking water should be
pure and perfectly fresh
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-13

Much has been said Of the audacity
Of man in building his home in spots 80
dangerous as the slopes of Mont Pelee
have proved themselves to be. Yet all
history affords Illustrations of the calm
forgetfulness with which the race
erects its dwelling places OH the sites
Of the most dreadful catasrophes. We
suvius still smokes over beautiful Ma
pies. Lisbon rises, beautiful and i'm
posing, where "convulsion of nature"
once brought unutterable fright and
desolation. The Japanese still crowd
the coasts Of their tide-swept islands
and the Chinese huddle along the
banks of the Hoang-Ho. 1t is not very
many months since Galveston was
overwhelmed by food, yet new Cal
weston is being built on the dangerous
site of the wreckage, and the people of
the city are ready to take their chances
of similar disaster in the future.
There is absolutely nothing to prevent
a second tidal wave from the Gulf, vet
the city pursues its daily task, appar.
emily unafraid.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-13

skill to the tusks. This task was consid.
erably facilitated by saving of the
tusk to the desired length. and then
finally grinding the teeth down to the
requisite shape by the files. They were
then polished, and the unpleasant oper-
alton was completed. Great excitement
now followed. Every man, with the
exception of the keeper, decamped
from the scene of action. The keeper
then hurriedly knocked away the
chains holding the animals mouth, and
also quickly hied him to safe dis
lance, in case Babe" proved destroyer.
GUS. The hippopotamus closed his re-
leased mouth with snap, and splut-
terer viciously with violent anger. He
glared at the keeper as II he would
have liked to have killed his tormentor.
He opened and closed his mouth sew
eral times. found his teeth more COM
Portable and then signifed his appre-
citation of what had been done to him
by shifting about for something to
MUNICH. The keeper warily approached
with an appetizlng pail of branmash,
which "Babe" devoured with great
zest. The shackles were knocked of
his legs, at which the brute gave a
grunt of satisfaction. All signs Of VI
ciousness had vanished and he accom-
panied the keeper back to the cage with
the greatest content, entering which
the animal lay down and went to
sleep.
One of our Illustrations depicts what
is Individually an unparalleled operation
in the annals of pachydermatous der
matology. The elephant, so securely
strapped by heavy chains to the
ground, is having square yard Of new
skin grated on to Its shoulder. Belle
that is the elephants name-was get
ting out Of railway carriage, when
the vehicle gave sudden jolt. and she
was thrown heavily to the ground. AS
she fell and struck an iron cage stand
ing near by, and severely lacerated her
shoulder, the abrasion extending over
a space of one square inch.
Inflammation set in, and poor Bellies
life was despaired Of. The wound was
Syringed With gallons OF ant1Sept1c, but
the poor brute gained little relief. The
gravity of the situation was accentu.
ated by the fact that her baby would
probably pine away If Belle succumbed,
and the circus owner would thus suffer
a double loss.
Specialists We're called in. and it was
resolved to remove some of the tender
growing skin from the young elephant,
and to graft 1t on to Bellies wound. The
mother was chained on her side to the
ground, and small section removed
from the baby's leg and applied to
Bellies wound. The skin adhered to the
lacerated flesh, and gradually the abra.
sion was closed up. A small portion
only was operated upon at time and
the wound was soon completely healed.
Frederick A. Talbot, in London Mag.
| azfne
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-13
Circular Forn, of silo.


The consensus of opinion Of those
who have studied the silo problem In
dicates that the circular form is pref
cradle. There are, however, many
square and rectangular silos in success
full operation. Especially is this the
case with those having rounded corners.
Where great strength and large capac-
ity are demanded the frame circular
silo will best meet the requirements.
This form of silo can be made quite
durable by plastering the inside with
cement. The circular stave silo, owing
to its simplicity and economical con-
struction, seems to fully meet the re-
quirements of the farmer. With the
form of silo properly erected the waste
of silage is reduced to the minimum.
Hoops for the silo can be made OF
any suitable material, such as half
inch, seven-sixteenths inch or five
eighths inch round iron, one-eighth
inch fiat iron two inches wide or wire.
The woven wire fence hoop is often
used since it is regarded as being very
economical. Doors may be simply
sawed out, or made continuous from
the bottom to the top of the silo. The
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-13

way. Contemporaneously, the elephant
displayed difficulty in walking. AT
first the keeper could not assign any
reason for this unexpected development
on the part of his Charge, and forth
with sui. ected the animal to a minute
diagnosis. But he could not discover
any reason to which either the animals
bad temper or lameness could be at
tributed, since Big Tom" appeared to
be enjoying the best of health.
The keeper, however, observed that
the animal was lame in his legs, and
also that his toenails had grown to an
unusual extent. 1t then occurred to the
man that possibly the animals crippled
condition was due to the abnormal size
OF his toenails. If such were the case,
then the pain big Tom" endured while
walking would be excruciating, and
would account for his display of bad
temper. The keeper thereupon decided
TO cut and trim the creatures nails, as,
even II the operation did not cure the
malady, 1t would at any rate do no
harm. Had big Tom" been roaming
about in his native jungle, blowing and
plodding in the heavy, rough soil, the
nails would have been kept down to
their proper size, but as he was de.
prived OF these natural means of CHR
opody, then the same result would have
to be accomplished by artificial means.
But the task was not 30 easy as 1t
appeared from cursory glance. The
keeper realized that the work would
have to be carried out with consum.
mate skill, If the result were to be at.
tended with satisfactory success. To
insure this end, special set of tools
were prepared. This peculiar chiropody
outfit comprised saw, chisel, sharp
knife, coarse rasp, sandpaper and
smooth polishers, all specially manu-.
featured for the operation.
The elephants legs were secured te
the ground by means Of chains to pre-
vent movement, but otherwise "Bi1
Tom" was left entirely free, since az
the nails are of hard horn no pair
would be experienced in the actual cut
ting, though as the flesh around the
nails had become inflamed and tender
1t was feared that the creature NIGH
strongly emphasize its disapproval o.
the operation by dealing its keeper ,
powerful blow with its trunk. Despite
this possibility, however, no interior
ence was made with regard to the free
dom of the animals trunk. Subsequent
events proved that all qualms ON thiI
point were groundless.
The saw was first utilized to GU
away large quantity of superfluou
nail, and this tool was followed by tn
chisel. which removed the portions In
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-13
NN<<<<<<><<N>

GDHERE is probably no animal.
outside of the range of conven-
u tional domestic pets, which pro-
vokes so much curiosity among, or
proves such magnet of amusement to,
the Juvenile fraternity, either at the
circus or Geological Gardens, as the e!e-
plant. This ponderous and apparently
clumsy, albeit, as rule, perfectly
harmless and docile creature is never
ending source of delight to children.
Especially is this the case with big
Tom," the noble creature in the public
Central Park of New York. He is an
unusually tractable and playful ami
NAL, and consequently is n great favor
lite with the youngsters
But one day big Tom" suddenly
changed his manner. He became vi.
cious, and the keeper, apprehenslvc
that he might hurt some of his young
visitors, fastened him up out of the
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-13
so much inconvenience, when too long,
us the tusks.

To enable the operation to be salts
factorily performed, Babe" was led
out into the arena and placed near d
stout iron post which had been deeply
and rigidly fixed into the ground. The
hippopotamus looked about him quizzi-
cally as IL endeavoring to divine what
move was in contemplation. Chains
were passed round his short legs, and
fastened firmly to the ground. Babe"
not quite comprehending the meaning
of this secure hoDbling, gave sonorous
grunt, and looked threatenlngly at his
keeper. But at this juncture loaf was
offered to him, and his momentary
anger was instantly appeased.
Babe" was then enticed to open his
mouth widely by means of further
duinties held temptingly above his
nose. At first he refused point blank,
but he finally succumbed to the bait,
and opened his capacious jaws to the
extent of two feet. Immediately two
assistants, standing In position, dex-
terously threw chains over the distend-
ed jaws-one over the lower and the
second over the upper-and passed the
ends through ringbolts fixed to the
post. Babe" attempted to close his
jaw, but in vain. He was secure
prisoner, bound literally foot and
mouth.
The keeper then proceeded to per-
form the necessary operation with all
possible celebrity. For this delicate
dental work the menagerie proprietor
has provided special outfit, consisting
Of small, finely tenoned saw, three
files, one of which is about as coarse as
u wood rasp, and the other two very
fine and more suited for polishing pur-
poses. The files are only cut upon one
side, the other faces being covered
with thick and soft leather, SO that In
the event of the file slipping off the
tooth, the brute's mouth would not be
wounded in any way.
The front digging teeth first claimed
attention. The keeper set to work with
a will, merrily filing at the teeth as ii
he were rasping piece of wood fixed
in a vice. The animal gurgled and
spluttered, and large tears, like balls
of crystal, rolled from his eyes. He
grew restless, and in two or three min
utes his struggles became SO violent
that the operator had to desist.
When Babe" had quieted down
once more, the dentist again set to work
vigorously, and ceased for few mo-
ments every time the hippopotamus
grew restless. Probably the animal
suffered little real pain, but expert
enced a disagreeable sensation as the
strong steel file rasped over the bone,
which proved to be extremely hard. At
the end of five minutes, one tooth had
been filed down an inch and a quarter,
and before quarter of an hour had
elapsed both the digging teeth had
been treated and polished.
| A curious feature was observed DUR
ing the operation. The body of the ami
NAL appeared to be bathed in blood,
and the ground Immediately beneath it
was dyed deep red. This was due to
"Babe" violently perspiring, as the
pcrspiration Of the hippopotamus, when
excited. Is red In color.
The dental surgeon then directed his
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-13

Many cures for insomnia have been
recommended, from counting an imag-
mary flock Of sheep as they jump on.
by one over a gate, to extracting the
cube root Of number in six figures;
but they all fail at times. The latest
cure. according to medical paper, is
automobiling. Now, If the village
school teacher will only take ride
every afternoon In fifteen-hundred-
dollar automobile, she will sleep like a
top at night-that is, If she does not
lie awake wondering where the money
is to come from to pay for the horse
less carriage. There are some remedies
more attractive than practicable.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-13

Although the power of the press can
hardly be overcstimated, little that is
printed leaves permanent impression.
DR.. Edward Everett Hale puts 1t char
acteristically in commenting ON the SEN
sitiveness Of his distinguished kinsman,
Edward Everett, to what appeared
about him in print. "He did not know,
as do, that Of whatever is put in the
newspaper half the people who sec it
do not read 1t; second, that half of
those do not understand 1t; third, that
Of the half who understand is, half do
not believe 1t; fourth, that the half who
believe 1t, half forget it; fifth, that the
half who remember 1t are probably of
no great account, anyway" To which
DR.. Hale adds the remark, personal to
himself, 'This may be forgotten with
the rest" Nevertheless. 1t has kernel
of truth worth remembering.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-13

All chickens seem to thoroughly en-
joy dust bath, and its use undoubted-
ly is n benefit to their plumage, besides
Kidding them Of lice. If the plumage
is to be kept clean and bright, especial
ly on birds intended for exhibition pur-
poses or Of white varieties, it is essen
tial that the busting place be kept abb
solutely dry, as otherwise 1t will soil
the plumage and the fine bird on which
you may pride yourself will look very
dingy.
The rooted box in the sketch will
give an idea of how birds may be pro-
vided with dry dust bath in nearly
all kinds Of weather. Cloths may be
tucked across the top ends, with hooks
at bottom for stormy weather, If the
box is in a field. Some poultry raisers
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-13
lily manage the saw. The post, as

lily manage the saw. The post, AZ
shown in the cut, should be about eight
feet high to admit of having pendent
sufficiently long to give the required
length Of stroke. The weight on the
outer pendent should be Just sufficient
to prevent the saw from riding. The
spring from main post to the saw
should be strong enough to help the
sawyer on the return stroke. A stout
cord running over a pulley with n
weight attached may take the place of
the spring. A stiff wire with a hook
in the lower end answers very well in
place of the wooden pendent shown in
the cut. When 1t is adjusted Just right
the walking beam will see-saw easily,
as 1t follows the motion Of the saw
John Jackson, in Agricultural Epito.
mist