Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1903-12-30

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The last report Of the secretary Of
agriculture. just issued. is the most ex-
penSive book ever issued by the gov
ernmcnt. the edition costing 100000.
Still it is money well expended.
During hard times ii is much easier
for a man to get living in the country
than it is in the city. 1t seems almost
impossible to make some people under
stand this.
1t is worth remembering that tile
drained land is not only made dry in
wet time. but better holds moisture in
a dry time.
The Indians. the lumber jacks and
northern hunters. as well as the wealth
er prophets, who know the least of the
lot. unite in predicting very mild
winter.
Until Russia can be rid of its igno-
rance, its vodka or whisky. its super
stitions and accompanying poverty it
can never be a great nation. no matter
how grand its natural resources.
Nebraska produces this year 100000
600 bushels of corn. 100000 bushels
of wheat and live stock worth $780,,
100000, and the people there do not
care a cent whether stocks go up or
down on Wall street.
The magnificent balance of trade
which each year shows to the credit of
this country is directly to be credited
to the farmers of the nation. The hun
cry maws Of foreign people must be
filed, no matter what the balance of
trade is.
Nine novels published during 1908
required the sacrifice Of 1000 spruce
trees to furnish the paper upon which
the books were printed. and not book
Of the lot will be heard Of or known
twenty years from now. Our forests
might be used in better cause.
A mans view of hard times Is infu-
enced very much by the use he has
made of his credit. If he happens to
have balance in the bank upon which
he is drawing per cent interest he
takes a more clipper view of things
than if he has note due in thirty days
and has to ask an extension.
Among the hardest Of jobs on the
farm is the lifting by main force of
heavy hayrack on and off the wagon.
A few men are wise enough to fix
a pair of pulleys for this work, when
one man can shift a rack off and on
with the greatest ease. Who would
grunt and strain when it might be so
easily avoided?
The writer Of these notes is always
glad to receive letters of inquiry or
criticism from those who read them
We are also always pleased to receive
suggestions and facts of interest in an
agricultural, horticultural or scientific
way. All letters of inquiry will re-
ceive a personal reply when return
postage is inclosed.
1t is estimated that the coal roads,
those which, having direct connection
with the mines, move the fuel sup
ply of the country, are losers to the
amount of over 10000 tons of coal
each year by the petty pilfering Of the
coal while it is in transit, some cars
showing a loss of three or four tons
when they reach the consignee.
The dollars worth Of sugar Is the
bait which traps more people iE the
purchase of bills of groceries than any
other one thing. They will blindly and
foolishly invest in teas, coffees, spices,
soaps, condiments and shoeblacking.
things about the value Of which they
know little or nothing, if they can see
a chance to get an extra pound or two
Of sugar for dollar
One of the most successful dairymen
and farmers in Minnesota was caught
three years ago turning under very
heavy second crop of clover with the
pillow by some Of his neighbors. They
made fun Of him, he having only re-
Gently gone on to the farm from a city
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