davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-07-22
ARE INTERESTED
Railway Companies Planning for
Future Supply of
Ties.
WILL PURCHASE TIMBER LANDS
Bureau Of Forestry Has Beer
Enlisted in This
Direction.

Plans are being developed by n
number of the principal lines of rail
road centering in Chicago by which
the companies will acquire large
tracts of timber land along their
routes to furnish cross ties in the
future. The Burlington, the Illinois
Central, the Santa Fe and the Frisco
systems have been making inquiries
and sending out searchcrs after suit
able lands. Recently the bureau of
forestry of the government agricul-
tural department has been called up
ON by several of these roads for in
formation that would assist in the
perfection of the plans.
If the idea is successful the rail
roads of the west will in short time
become the owners of immense areas
of timber lands, and they will also be
come interested in the preservation of
forest trees to an extent that has new
er been undertaken before, even by
the national government. The move
is due to the difficulty the railroads
experience in getting supplies of cross
ties at reasonable prices, and at the
times needed.
There have been many experiments
by government officials which have
had for their object the preservation
Of certain kinds of wood for Il longer
period than experience has shown
they last in the natural state. 1t is
said the government experiments have
shown that other woods than those
formerly used can he profitably made
into ties. The success of this demon
stration has led to the idea of the
roads buying timber-bearing lands
near their tracks from which the flu
ture tie supply can be drawn. The
plan will include the employment of a
vast army of foresters whose duty it
will be to look after the preservation
of the growing timber.
swamp Lands Available.
In the river valleys along the lines
of the Illinois Central and the other
roads running south are large tracts
of swamp ground covered with a
dense growth of beech timber, water
oaks and other trees which have in
the past been counted as worth little
by the lumber man.
Ii * possible all these can be uti-
lied for ties after proper treatment.
and will even outlaSt the timbeTs for
merly used. The haul the railroads
have to make to get the ties TO the
places where they are needed is each
year growing more and more eNpen-
sivc and veNatious. The new plan Will
supply the timbers at points more
convenient for handling than is posi-
BILE under the present system of pur-
chasing from contractors wherever
the latter happen to find a few thou
sand trees that are suitable for ties.
In accordance with the demand of
the railroad and telegraph companies
for some relief from the present con-
ditions and the danger of a steady
falling off in the possible supply of
poles and ties in the near future the
forestry bureau of the agricultural
department will this summer continue
on large scale experiments in hand
ling timbers of different varieties. On
the success or failure of these expert
ments the scheme to get possession
of the timber lands will depend.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-07-22
Games Tomorrow.

Rockford at Rock Island.
Davenport at Springfield.
Dubuque at Decatur.
Cedar Rapids at bloomington.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-07-22

Subscribe for The Argus.
The Grit-advocate., 1903-11-06
The Two Captains
By w. CLARK RUSSELL.
copynsh byP.F Copyish I'D
By w. CLARK RUSSELL.

around the sea, and in that pause
Laura's eyes rested upon his fine face,
and Crystal noticed the look. The
square man put down his quadrant.
and he and Laura fell a-pacinS the
deck, Pope descending.
The cousins walked the deck for
little while in silence. Crystal then
suddenly said, screwing his eyes into
the extremity of their sockets SO as
to observe the girl without turning
his head:
What dye think Of Pope?'
He's very gentlemanly sailor"
she answered, with a slight smile.
He's much too handsome, dignified
and well-5red to be pirate"
CRYSTALS mouth widened in grin,
but there was little or no mirth in the
grimace.
81 hope" says he bluntly. now turn
ing his head to look at her fully. that
you're not going to fall in love with
him. Eth, is it so? Has his blarney
bitten ye already?' He paused, breath
ing hard. Curse me-" he continued,
IF Jonathan Crystal is going to let
any relation of his marry a pirate"
why not?" said Laura coolly.
1.-The Crystals are respectable old
family and pirates are hanged said
Crystal in low note.
Aren't you a pirate" cried the
beautiful girl, "and aren't you likely to
be hanged?"
No." roared Crystal in tone that
caused the evil-eyed helmsman to
start and stare. See this! tis this
that will save the Crystals from dis
grace" and he whipped pistol out OF
his breast.
You frighten me more than ever
Capt Pope does" said Laura. who
had turned little pale, though she
spoke steadily. Il would rather be
protected by him than by you. You're
in a bad temper and look terrible.
Capt Pope is all goodness and con-
sideration, and I'll go downstairs until
you make me feel easy in your COM
pany;" and down she went, to the
amazement of the square man, who
stood rooted, but swaying on his
The Grit-advocate., 1903-11-06
CHAPTER Xxx.
The Mails.

It was now for Pope to open the
mail bags and examine their contents.
Crystal left the bulwarks. against
which ne had been leaning, and drew
close.
There were several bags of mails.
and each was stuffed full. The con-
tents consisted of letters, newspapers,
little parcels. and the like. The let
ters which contained nothing but writ
ing were flung overheard. One stout
envelope in the third bag that was
opened. secured by tape and green
sealing wax, was found to contain a
fiat packet of small diamonds. Some
bills of exchange were met with. Bank
notes of the value of six hundred
pounds. Sundry small packages con-
tanned articles Of jewelry.
(To be continued)
The Grit-advocate., 1903-11-06
Historic Residence in India.

Lord kitchener's house at Simla, In
dia, stands on the famous hill "Jak-
ko," but high stone wall shuts out
the view until coming to an open gate
way a vista reveals the house and
grounds, and Flagstaff which marks
it as the residence of the Commander
in-Chief. The gateway itself has a
military appearance, for at the base
of each iron pillar surmounted by
lamps, a cannon faces outward. and
two Gurkha soldiers pace up and down
shouldering rifles. This old place is
fraught with historical associations,
for it has been the summer residence
of the Commander-in-Ch in India for
years. The names of Roberts, Lock-
hart and White are associated with 1t.
1t is said that when Lord Kitchener
first visited Snowdon, as it is called,
last winter on short visit to Simla.
he pronounced it "a barn" and spoke
freely of the many changes which he
proposed to carry out.
The Grit-advocate., 1903-11-06

strong legs watching her sink through
the hatch.
The cabin man was preparing the
table for dinner. Laura sat down upon
a locker and sank into thought.
On a sudden Pope's door opened and
the captain stepped forth. He started
with look Of transport on beholding
her, and instantly approached and
seated himself at her side. He made
as il he would take her hand checked
himself, but selfrestraint fired his
cheek with blood, and she thought he
looked handsomer than she had ever
before seen him.
"Is not all that booty l have been
looking at upstairs enough for you?"
said she.
Enough for me. But there are
Others"
What will be your share?"
"Say two thousand pounds" he an
swered, smiling at these inquiries,
which were made charming to him
by the beautiful face he looked at.
Can you make the rest satisfy the
men, so as to end this voyage and
save your lives?"
Il cannot live upon the interest of
two thousand pounds" answered Pope
with sigh, "and shall not make the
halter longer by extending my cruise
and enlarging my estate. But l am
touched" said he in his sweetest man.
ner, that you should feel anxious
about my safety
This was significant. and so were
her bushes; but if Pope at this mo-
ment intended to make love. his pas.
sion must be hindered by the intru-
| sion of round Of salt, boiled beef
In fact. the cabin dinner was ready.
Crystal was called, Grindal was shout
ed for and took charge. and the two
captains and the young lady seated
| themselves.
1t was plain from Crystals face that
he continued in bad temper. Though
Pope could not put cast from time TO
time an adoring glance at Laura. he
refrained from making direct love to
her under Jonathan's nose. When they
were seated Pope said:
Miss Crystal is uneasy about you
and me, Johnny; she would have us
end the voyage before we're captured
and hanged. l have told her that we
are not yet rich enough"
"She need not trouble herself with
fears of our being hanged" said Crys-
tai; depend upon it In my death |
The Grit-advocate., 1903-11-06
CHAPTER xIx.-continued.

Crystal stood Up. He had finished
breakfast, and at sea. when man
ends his meal, he departs without a
moments loss of time to relieve the
nan who has relieved him, supposing
Z to be his watch on deck.
"A pity you didn't sail in any other
ship than the Tletis, Laura" said he,
and with glance at Pope. that
seemed malevolent owing to the shad-
Ow with which his scar dyed it, he
trudged up the short steps.
Crystal is not good tempered
man." said Pope. softly.
'.He is in concern about me-" an
swered Laura.
Il have served him we'll" continued
Pope, leaning back, and gazing at her
thoughtfully. He was so poor when
fell in with him in London that, in
a few days, he would not have pos
sessed shilling for meal. Probably
his share in this voyage will already
work out at considerably over thou
sand pounds-I include certain draft
which is sure to be honored. l accept
oA &tA thc Stll
with a painful memory. l found him
a comfortable berth, and offered him a
share in my fortune. and how does he
repay me? He dislikes that should
even admire you-you, madam, who
are so admirable that no man could
behold you without alteration"
Her cheeks were burning, but GER
tainly not with displeasure. And now
he exhibited great tact for though he
was alone with her he made no at
tempt to press himself, though I will
not say that this might not have been
owing in a small degree to the acci-
dent OF his casting his eyes up to
the skylight, through which he be-
held number of surly, irritable, i'm
patient, pirate faces staring down at
him and the girl.
When everything had been conveyed
on deck, Pope lighted acigar and fol-
lowed the men. He found all hands
assembled.
The plunder had been heaped be-
tween the skylight and the wheel, and
The Grit-advocate., 1903-11-06
Peas and Beans as Horse Feed.

Beans and other leguminous seed
resemble the cereal grains in having
low water content. In Europe horse
beans are common feeding stuff for
horses. Though such feeds are known
to be useful and valuable, they are sell
dom given to horses in the United
States and few, IL any. tests have been
made with them at the American ex-
pertinent stations. Muntz found that
beans were quite thoroughly digested
even when fed in such large quantities
as fourteen pounds per day Accord
ing to an English authority. this
amount would prove harmful, and five
pounds Of beans per day or a slightly
larger quantity Of peas is considered
all 4 is desirable to feed.
The Grit-advocate., 1903-11-06
Gssasr. ~
XGRfCUETUPF
Value Of Good-si-ed Seed.

A plant has inherited its internal
and vital power from all the crops
through which II came-all the ances-
tors through which it ascended or de-
scended, says Professor Robertson OF
Canada. An appreciation of the in
herited as well as the acquired power
OF plants will be Of assistance in select
ing the kind of seed that will do best
on each farmers land. What I want
to make clear is the difference In the
vigor of growth between the seeds Of
the same variety when sown in differ
ent localities, and the c!fference-the
amazing diference-in the productive
ness Of selected large, plump seeds
over small seeds of the same variety.
The seed Of a cereal is a plant in
embryo, and a store Of food for the
nourishment of the young plant after
1t wakens into activity (gcrminates).
and until it takes in food through its
rootlets and leaves. The termination
OF the seed is not the so-called crea-
ton of life. That happened when the
plant was fertilized; and the seed is
an embryo, with a store of food lying
close by it and within the same skin.
The store Of food which composes the
greater part of the seed is for the
maintenance Of the young plant until
it is able to take nourishment through
its leaves and rootlets. A young plaEt
is wakened up as soon as the moisture
and warmth are sufficient. and its
food close by is prepared under the
same conditions.
Sometimes an embryo plant is i'm.
perfectly formed and weak; and tests
show that imperfectly ripened seeds,
under ordinary conditions, do not give
nearly as good crop Us fully ripened
seeds in each Of which both the en-.
bryo and its food have been fully pre-
pared. Those seeds which germinate
most quickly are the best, and It has
been proven over and over again that
heavy seeds give larger and better
crops than small seeds of the same
sort. This has been proven over and
over again. The reason seems to be
that in one case (large seeds) the sup
ply of food for the young plant is
plentiful when it most needs it, while
in the other case (small seeds) the
food supply may be insufficient to
hourish the young plant adequately at
the most critical time when 1t is ten
der and struggling for survival. Un.
der the most favorable conditions Of
temperature, moisture and food sup
ply in the soil, small seeds might give
as much in crop as large seeds. On
comparatively poor land, in unfavor-
able seasons, is where the small seeds
give their worst returns. The farmer
who has rich soil in fine condition
of tilth Is the only one who can afford
to SOW small seeds, and the risk of
comparatively small ccops is great
even then.
The Grit-advocate., 1903-11-06
kinofisher's Nest Not Wanted.

DR.. Bowdler Sharpe of the British
museum says that for years there has
been a popular idea abroad that the
museum is in want of a kingfisher's
nest and is willing to give $500 for
it. The result is that every spring
Dr. Sharpe gets great number of
kingfishers' nests sent to him and the
consignors are greatly disappointed
when he has to return them Another
myth is still more foolish. It is that
well-known entomologlst has paid
$4,000 for specimen of a flea. The
fact of the matter is that from three
pence to sixpence only is the price
commanded by any outof-the-way eX-
ample Of this lively domestic insect.
The Grit-advocate., 1903-11-06
1aFARMon,
&:{a ?hHSSssl
~ -SzsFS1.,
MISCELLANY
The Fat Show Rcq.

Mr.. ]. R. Young. in speaking G, the
practice of overlooking show hogs
with fat, said: Most hog breeders are
willing to cry out against the practice
of loading hogs with fat when they are
to go into the show ring. 1t DESTROYS
their constitution, deadens their sens.
bilities. and if put to great exertiou
they are likely to become deaf or
blind or both. 1t is opposed m
longevity and fecundity. You herald
it to a neighbor and friend that thay
are worthless from breeders stG,d-
poiIt. Yet after all II We were to hin
the judges badge onto the same gen.
tleman he would walk into the show
ring and diligently search for the verv
latest bog that has carried his true
outline, the great and salient feature
Of e show hog, upon which to tie the
ribbon, other things being equal. His,
tory repeats itself and everybody
knows what it takes to win n the
show ring. When we show, We show
to win. and fat, though the octopus
that mains and deadens the most
beautiful and artistic of the spec..
mems of the breeders skill, is the ot4
great card that has almost always
drawn the prize. Thus, from tais
point of view a grave condition cor
fronts us, and the question is what
we are going to do. First of all it
seems to me that we rnust have a
standard Of excellence to show TO-
This being accomplished. We should
lay down such rules as would be ex
pected to lead an awarding judge
to work to such a model. One of
the great obstacles to overcome is
precedent. Not many judges have the
courage to pass over the beautifully
fitted and thoroughly ripened hog and
give the prize to the one less fat,
tened, though strikingly outlined. Pre-
cedent gives it to the fitted one, which
some will say is right, as in that one
you see the art that is before you,
while in the commonly fitted one you
guess what the finish might be. be-
lieye 1t is possible. however. to find
judges that are able to tell easonaDly
sure what worthy hog, ordinarily
fitted, would finish up to, and having
standard and code of instruction to
work to, will tie the ribbons accord
ingly. 1t would give them precedence
and require no courage to overcome
criticism, and give them solid ground
to work upon.
The Grit-advocate., 1903-11-06

shall not disgrace those who bea. my
name"
How long is this voyage going to
LAST" exclaimed Laura.
Long enough to satisfy the purpose
OF it," replied Pope. Il am here to
make my fortune. l have made no
fortune as yet; nothing under ten
thousand pounds will satisfy ME. II
Capt. Crystal is dissatisfied lei him
take his share and I'll shift him INTO
the first ship we signal"
My cousin goes with me-" said
Crystal.
Does she? does she?" exclaimed
Pope. Then growing sensible that his
power of selfrestraint was abandon
ing him. he sprang to his feet and,
making Miss Laura one OF his court
liest bows, went up the companion
steps, carrying himself with a grace
which the girl thought no man had
ever surpassed.
"All the same" says Crystal gloom
lily and sullenly, eff shift, as he calls
it. you shift with me-"
You are not grateful you are not
even gracious" she answered.
He said, with an oath, You are in
love with him."
On which she rose and went to her
cabin.
Crystal finished his dinner. 1t was
not yet three bells; he drank two
strong tumblers of rum and water,
then joined Pope on deck. Half a
score OF the pirates had collected
about the stuff. The rest of the crew
were at this time slowly coming for
ward though three bells had not been
struck. Pope stood with folded arms
gazing down at the mail bags. but it
was sure his thoughts were not with
them. Lifting his eyes, he saw Crys-
tai, and without the least menace of
manner, though without any hint OF
cordially, either, he put his hand
upon the rugged mans shoulder. and
drew him to the rail away from the
listeners.
"Ye don't want to go adrift, john"
Not without my cousin"
"See here" says Pope, taking
step SO as to command Crystals face.
My father, who was clergyman OF
the Church of England, used to say,
the priest tells the parson, if you do
not believe in my church you must 90
to hell. And my father would say the
parsons reply would be, il you do not
believe in my church you must 90 to
hell. For every man has a right to
his own opinion, Johnny, and if you
don't like mine say the word Pocket
your share says he, pointing to the
litter of stuff, "and I'll put ye aboard
the first ship we see."
You'll put us aboard?" says Crys-
tai savagely.
by -" and here Pope swore, I'D
cut your throat first, man, yea, even
as you slept, before parted with her.
She's my booty. She's my prize. She
loves me-
He rounded on his heel and walked
away to the pile of plunder, and Crys-
tai at the rail watched him under the
shadow Of his scar with his brain
fashioning scheme whose ons prim-
ary and essential feature was--and he
was not too drunk to conceive it
that he must stick to the brig.
The Grit-advocate., 1903-11-06
individuality in Plants.


The whole tendency of modern plan !.
breeding, as we have seen, is to be-
gin with a plant because it has indi-
vidual merit rather than because it
represents particular variety. That
is, we are constantly giving greater
attention to individuality in plants.
This the animal breeder has always
done. II no two Cuthbert raspberry
bushes and no two early Crawford
peach trees are alike, why not propa.
gate from those that are best? I
have an orchard of Crawford peaches.
all purchased from one OF the best
and most reliable nurserymen, but I
have at least twenty different kinds
Of Crawfords, some of them practically
worthless. If were to plant another
Crawford orchard, should want to
know what trees the buds were taken
from. If were to propagate indis.
criminately from my own orchard
persons to whom I should sell the
trees would probably say either that
the stock was mixed" or that the
Crawford had run out. Now, admit
that the stock would have been
mixed" and yet every tree be q
Crawford. Suppose. now, that l should
propagate only from the very best
trees. what then would likely be the
result? believe the time has come
when the nurseryman must cease to
propagate indiscriminately from stock
merely because it belongs to a given
variety. He should propagate only
from stock or trees that he knows to
have direct merit.-Prof l.. H. Bailey
The Grit-advocate., 1903-11-06

the pirates made considerable crowd
on either hand of It,
Pope, smoking a cigar, walked up
to the pile of stuff, thus stationing
himself between the mobs of men. He
said:
my lads, all that we have taken SO
far is here. There is gold in those
cases. No call to count the coins. We
know to a shilling by the ships papers
what the amount is"
Sitting down on one Of the cases,
he pulled out notebook and pen
Gil. and his men watched him in ST.
lence while he made certain calcula-
tions.
Il will not give you his figures; to
tell the truth do not recollect them
believe that he reserved one-third Of
the money for himself and brig. CIV
ing Crystal fourth of the remainder,
and the rest to the men in equal por-
tions. without regard to ratings. The
old man who told me this story was
not very clear on this head.
When Pope had called out the fig
ukoo dlouu, oldutlu6 up " uo So, anu
looking about him with face of iron.
he cried out, You are satisfied,
hope?"
who's a-going to make the valua-
tion?" exclaimed pirate, impatiently.
1.-THE capt'n-who else could?" says
Bobbin, in the crowd, adding instant
ly, always begging OF Mr.. Crystals
pardon"
Lets shove ahead, then" says
Pope.
1t was noon before the worth of the
things mad been summed up. The
mail bags had not been opened. Pope
broke off to take sights with Crystal,
and the men went below to dinner,
two remaining to sentinel the booty.
A melodiOus voice sounded in the
companionway, May l come on
deck?"
IAN instant" roared Pope. He
caught the bell and shouted. Strike
the bell eight"
Eight bells" echoed Crystal, and
while pirate hammered eight silvery
chimes out of the throat of little
green bell that hung close abaft the
foremast, Capt. Pope went along to
Laura Crystal.
1T Is good to breathe this air after
the atmosphere of the cabin" she ex.
claimed, land 1t is dull downstairs"
Before Pope could answer. Crystal
trudged up
Pore paused a moment to look