Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1906-06-06

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While some agriculturists plant crops
under moon sign auspices, it Is quite
generally agreed by all that cultivating
should be done at all times when the
ground is in fit shape to be worked.
While we are net and never have
been an advocate of the fast horse
business for any man, we still believe
that one of the most wholesome kinds
of recreation is to be found In driving
a good horse.
The old black tabby and her litter of
eight little multicolored kittens are a
bad omen for all bird life about the
place. The two types of life don't
harmonic. If you must keep the cat,
a generous feeding of her will tend to
lessen her warfare upon bird life.
Slipshod agricultural methods have
slight excuse on land worth $25 per
acre; none whatever ON land worth
from $50 to 500. This is why the fell
low who isn't sufficiently enlightened
to realize the need of testing his seed
corn is a stumbling block In the road
of agricultural progress.
An Indiana spouse, wearied with the
neglect and abuse Of a tipping hus-
band, soaked his clothing in brine on
the occasion of his coming home drunk
not long since and led him into the
pasture, where the cattle licked him
back to his senses. This is suggested as
a vigorous yet harmless cure and one
that is bound to produce results.
An Iowa creamery which has ac-
quired reputation for making gilt
edged product has been awarded a
contract for furnishing the United
States government $4,000 worth of
butter, which Is to be used exclusively
in the navy. The contract calls for
1000 pounds of butter a day, to be put
up in three pound jars, Theoretically
sealed and guaranteed to keep year
in any climate. The work will be done
under the direction of a government
chemist and butter inspector.
A well known student of bird life is
authority for the statement that the
nest building habit of birds Is not a
matter of instinct, but that 1t Is an
art which every bird has to acquire
under the direction of an older mate,
and to this cause is attributed fact
which he has observed that two young
birds never mate with each other. The
same author asserts that In the matter
of singing birds are also imitators. To
prove this he placed young robins in
a room where they could only hear the
song Of sparrows, and it was found
that rather than develop the robin song
which we have been wont to attribute
TO instinct they took up and initiated
the notes of the sparrow.
So simple and yet practical tool
has the King road drag proved In the
matter of lettering the condition of the
ordinary dirt roads Of the middle west
that the state of Iowa, which seems to
be a pioneer In the movement, has
passed a law recognizing the utility
Of the tool and offering inducements
for It's use in the making of good roads,
The new law gives the township trus-
tees authority to have work done on
the roads by the use of a road drag
having their approval. The work Is to
be done under the supervision of the
road superintendent, who In selecting
persons to do the work shall give pref
erence to the occupants of lands abut-
ting on the road at the point where
the work is to be done. Reasonable
compensation is to be allowed for the
service rendered, but In no case shall
it exceed 80 cents per mile for each
lime the road is dragged. Under the
further terms of the act not more than
S. per mile may be expended upon any
road during the year. The legislation
is most commendable and Is already
bearing fruit.
In many home where a fully equip
ped toilet room would be an impossi-
bility great measure of the comfort
and convenience to be had from such
facilities may be realized In the equip
ment of a homemade bathroom. A cor
ner In the kitchen or an adjacent room,
providing a space of 9la by feet will
suffice for place. A galvanized tin
tub eight or ten inches deep and foot
and half In diameter, provided with
spout In the bottom through which
the water can be drained of, is the
first requisite. To the upper edge of
this tub galvanized sheeting should be
soldered, extending to the sides at
slight angle. Overhead there should
be room for square pan of sufficient
size provided with faucet with sprin-
kler attachment, access to the pan be-
ing had through small door above
the door to the bathroom whereby 1t