Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-03-06

SOLICITED 81 VI
Thoroughbred corn, like thoroughbred
stock, is the product Of careful watch
ing and selection. Either will become
scrubby ii left to shift for itself
The recent sale Of Shorthorn bull
for $4,000 to parties in Argentina
goes to show that the cattle raisers of
that country are not blind to the value
of having good blood in their herds.
Every sensible farmer will post his
land against the intrusion of gunners,
these pot hunters will kill on your farm
which will not be distinct loss to you.
Despite the advent of the bicycle and
later the automobile, horsefesh still
commands good price. The horse,
with it's knowing, willing and affection
ate ways, will ever claim favor among
the majority Of people.
No kind Of labor in the United States
draws such high wages in proportion
to the nature Of the work they do as
the hired men on the farms. The wage
of $35 per month, board, room and
washing, is an expense which skins
the profits from many farm.
We are asked whether. wild animals
and birds ever die Of old age. Not
often, though we once picked up a
Canadian goose, an old gander, which
gave every evidence that it was dying
Of old age. The very aged Of all forms
Of wild life usually starve to death
owing to their inability to supply them
selves with food.
We stopped at home not long since
where rice was served in the place Of
potatoes on account Of the high price
Of the latter vegetable. The substi-
tuition was very good one and sug-
gests that much more could be done in
this line than many people are aware
of. Rice at the ordinary price Is cheap
er than potatoes at dollar odd per
bushel and contains just about as much
nourishment, both being starch goods. /,
Uncle Sam Is anxious to improve the
highways of his commonwealth. Last
year he constructed twenty-one model
roads in different sections Of the coun-
try. Macadam, sand and clay, shell
and burnt clay were the materials used.
The macadam and shell were the most
expensive. Good substantial roads,
like good substantial buildings, dura-
BILE and lasting, are not only a credit
to us, but blessing to all who may
come after us.
Some farmer down in Texas has
thought Of a brilliant and novel scheme
for obtaining Information from the car
rier when he comes around ON his daily
trip. A blackboard has been placed
above the mail box, with a box of
chalk conveniently near, and before the
postman goes on he writes the price of
cotton and various other market quota
lions and, in fact, anything in the line
of news that would be acceptable. This
plan If generally followed out might
become very popular among the farm
ers il not among the carriers.
We have number Of inquiries re-
garding those sections Of the country
in the far west which are being
brought under irrigation by the sew
eral schemes which the government
has undertaken. This information we
are unable to supply in any detail,
but we take 1t that the land depart.
ment Of any of the great railways
traversing the states where these irri-
gated districts are located can furnish
much valuable information along this
line, and they ought to get at it, for
many people want to know.
1t is pretty near time to be making
that hotbed. The expenditure Of o
very little time and trouble will enable
any one to have fine supply Of early
radishes and lettuce and plenty Of early
cabbage plants, tomatoes and peppers
to set out in the garden later-a cou
pie Of loads Of fresh horse manure
banked up against the south side Of .
shed or fence, well tramped down and
wet down with water, then a six incl
frame to place on top, then, ill will
soil and lay on some old sashes. Al
soon as it cools down SOW the seed and
then watch things grow.
The coming Of the first wintry blast.
is the signal for thousands Of peopl,
living in the middle temperate zone t,
seek place where old Jack Frost Il
denied entrance. Some go south t
Florida or New Mexico; others seel
the ever popular Pacific coast an,
California, the land Of large trees ant
fruits, beautiful flowers and Chimes
cooks. Yet with the coming Of sprin,
such travellers for the most part re
turn once more to their native states
which have passed through the wtntr.
| siege only to emerge freshened and re