davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1907-07-11
Farmers Clubs.

Farmers Clubs.
One of the most promising
indications of the times is the
growing interest being taken
by the farmers in their chose n
profession, and their formation
of Clubs for the dissemination
of knowledge pertaining to the
farm. In these Clubs theydis-
cuss methods, quality of seed,
quantity to the acre, when to
plant, how to cultivate, what
breed of cattle, horses, hogs,
and chickens to raise to secure
the best results. The day Of
"slip-shod" farming has passed
and he who is not willing to ad-
vance is in danger of being run
over by the moving procession
of progress. We all admit that
upon the success of agriculture
depends the prosperity of the
country, that a country without
the farm is a failure. Stock
raising, mining, manufacturing
and trade is all go. K" but if
crops fail all business fails, and
therefore it is right and prop
per that farmers and farmers
wives and daughters come to-
gether, on stated occasions, and
discuss such subjects as may be
calculated to elevate the stand
ard of agriculture and advance
the best interest Of all. 1t is
not reasonable to suppose any
one farmer has "learned it all, !"
and the object of these Club
meetings is to exchange infor-
nation and by such exchange
to benefit the whole. Every
Club that meets and discusses
any question of interest to the
farmer is so far adding to the
general good. Every farmer,
and every farmer boy should
be impressed with the truth
that the farm and farm life is
the highest, most noble and in
dependent of all positions in
life and freest of vexation.
Every farmer in Harrison
County should be a member of
a farmers club, and give to his
brethren of his information in
exchange for theirs, and by so
DONG and to the general In
formation on agriculture.
We always read with pleasure
the reports of farmers Clubs,
for in each is to be found infor-
nation not to be found in any
other way. In the great papers
and magazines we read of the
statistics, commerce, finance.
trade and accidents of the cour
| try, but little of the farm an1
J home matters.
1 Another matter of interest to
the farmer is the propriety of
giving an appropriate name to
your farm home. This has al
ready been done by some, and
should be done by all, until the
names Of the farms shall be as
familiar to the public as the
names of towns in the county.
d. M. H.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1907-07-11

Ll.1zs. zs.ze2s7aessssszzznll.sa1
a brother Of Simon's, Elige
Ashcroft, were visiting theil
uncle, Jack Ashcraft, Friday
and Saturday.
Elige Ashcraft, of Brown
County, Texas, said he thought
while here he would come te
Clay and see his old play house
He failed to find it as the years
intervening since the COS have
removed the land marks.
Mr.. and Mrs. Roscoe Ash.
craft, of Danbury, are visiting
his parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Jacl
Ashcraft.
j. A. Graham has bought {
new spring wagon.
VIM. Graham has prepared
for wheat harvest by buying {
new Mccormick harvester.
Jim, the youngest son of G
w. MotZ, met with rather 3
serious accident, by running {
rusty,,nail through his foot a few
days ago. DR.. Cooper was
called to treat the wound, so he
is able to get around or
crutches.
Mr.. and Mrs. Nathan STAINS
berry and Mr.. and Mrs. ]. w
Pratt we're visiting with G. w
Motz Sunday.
Mrs. VIM. Garrison, o1
Omaha, who has been visiting
her sister, Mrs. w, j. Thomas
and other relatives returned
home Sunday morning.
Elder SidHa FIT was visit
ing in Clay, A,es,iay.
G. w. Case is enlargiDg his
hog pasture, with 40 rods OF
woven Wire.
Last Friday afternoon was
almost as lonesome in this
neighborhood, as a circus day
owing to so many attending
the 'SStar Bloomer" ball game
Mr.. and Mrs. Howard Shack
lett were visiting at b. r. Alex
ander's, the parental home o1
Mrs. Shacklett last Sunday.
st. John Items
Mr.. and Mrs. Everett Hiles
and family celebrated the 4tl
at Logan.
Mrs. Goodrich and daughter
Ruth, visited in st. John
Wednesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bide Sceboldt
of Council Bluffs, visited will
James Daughcrty and famil,
last week.
Bruce Morehouse and wifi,
spent Sunday with II. More
house and family of Loveland
Mrs. S. McGavren, of Mo
Valley, and Mrs. Eta Hos
brook, of Woodbine, visitec
with Mrs. A. L. Haight, Mon
day.
Mr.. and Mrs. Will Deal ane
little daughter, of Omaha
came up for a short visit will
relatives in St. John and t,
celebrate the 4th at Mo. Valley
Mr.. and Mrs. E. w. Green,
and daughters, Gladys anc
Rachel, visited with Mr.. anc
Mrs. Goodrich and family il
Mo. Valley, Thursday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Owen Farms
worth, of California, arrived il
st. John, Monday, for an ex
tended visited with j. A. Deal
father of Mrs. Farnsworth
and other relatives.
J. A. Deal was an Oman;
passenger Friday.
Misses Kate and Maud.
Kelley, of Mo. Valley, were st
John visitors Monday.
The Misses Eva and Bell.
Brundige and Master Clyet
Cox, of Woodbine, are visiting
ralof;,,oc, ;xa C4 IaL e.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1907-07-11
Ditch Bonds Authorized

Ditch Bonds Authorized
The supervisors of Potta-
wattamie county. in session yes
terday as a drainage board,
made arrangements for the
issue of bonds to meet the re-
naming expense of the con-
struction of the Pigeon creek
ditch. The assessment against
the benefited property for the
cost Of the ditch was s40,242.66,
of which SlS,604.S .SG has been
paid. leaving s21,627.S0 to be
provided for by bonds.
The bonds, which will bear 6
per cent interest, will be issued
in denominations of $500 each
and will be payable $1,000 each
year for eight years and ST.
637.S0 in the ninth year. The
bonds will be payable on the
first day of November in each
| year from 1911 to 1920, inclu-
sive. Bids for the bonds will
be received on and up to Au-
gust FL, 1907, at 8 a. M, and
the supervisors will meet in
adjourned session that day as a
drainage board to open the
bids.
The contract with r. A.
| Wlckham for the construction
of the ditch was extended to
August 81. Council Bluffs
Bee.
FROM this time justices OF
the peace and constables will
draw fixed compensation in
stead of having their remu-
neration depend upon the
amount of fees collected.
In the past no Justice
of the peace was allowed to re-
tain more than $1,000 of the
fees he collected, but he was
given no more than the amount
collected, no matter what that
might have been. The two
justices of the peace in Coun-
Gil Bluffs will receive $1,000
per year. The constables will
receive $1,000.
The law provides that the
salaries in townships having a
population of $4,000 or more
justices shall receive $1,000
and constables 81, 200; in town
ships having a population of
$4,000 and $4,000, justices,
200, constables, $1,000; in
townships having a population
of 10000 and less than $4,000,
justices, $1,000 and constables
$500; in townships having a
population of 1000 and less
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1907-07-11
palmer's Staff Officers

Des Moines, Ia, July g. Col.
d. j. Palmer, department COM
mander of the Iowa G. A. r.,
this morning announced his
staff officials to serve with him
during his incumbency in the
head office of the G. A. r. of
this state. The position of
senior aide and chief of staff
goes to j. j. Kellogg, of Wash
lngton, who is a member of the
same post as Colonel Palmer.
j. II. Carl, of Muscatine, be-
comes department inspector,
w. A. Jaques, of Fairfield,
Judge advocate; A. j. Cratzen-
berg, of Decorah, chief muster
ing officer; Robert Kissick, of
Oskaloosa, patriotic instructor;
I. -. Kirkpatrick, of Creston,
department bugler.
F. w. Myres and wife are
rustlcating on the farm for a
few days, watching the growing
grain, and fruit. He informs
us that he has rs acres fall or
winter wheat that looks fine and
indicates a yield of 80 bushel
to the acre, a total of $3.50 bu.
That is quite a nice little item
for a farmer, especially so, as
the price of wheat is good and
the demand is great. With his
small grain, corn, hogs and cat
tie, the chances for Freely and
his wife wintering through in
good shape is remarkably good.
The Soldier Qowa) Tribune
has changed hands, Fred w.
Wonder retiring and Joe Brown
| taking charge as editor and
proprietor. The Tribune is a
5 column quarto and ought to
receive a liberal patronage
from the people of Soldier and
surrounding country.
In Saunders and Lancaster
counties in Nebraska, hail did
damage to crops estimated at
81 100000, the small grain was
beaten into the ground, while
the weeds along the highways
were demolished and even trees
barked by the storm. The
storm covered a tract nearly
thirty miles long and eight
miles wide, and the sight was
said to have been pitiable.
Many farmers will have to bor-
row money to get through the
season.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1907-07-11

than 10000, justices $500 and
constables 5000; in townships
under 1000, justices $500 and
constables $500.
Provision is also made by the
new law that justices and con-
stables in all townships having
IA population 28,OOO and over
shall retain such civil fees as
may be allowed by the board
of supervisors, not to exceed
$500 per annum, for the ex-
penses of offices actually in
Cured and shall pay into the
county treasurer all of the bal
ance of the fees collected by
them.
Woodbine, Ia, July 6.-At
the Monday meeting of the
Woodblne town council the
mayor, Rev. Clint j. w. Triem.
resigned and his successor was
elected by the council. C. j.
Iuttle, former councilman and
water commissioner, was
elected. The new mayor ap-
pointed II. A. Humphrey as the
new water commissioner. At
the recent regular meeting of
the school board G. N. Young
was elected treasurer to sue
coed B. r. Mills, resigned. |.
l.. Hull was elected secretary.
1t was decided to add two new
typeWriters and an adding ma
chine to the commercial depart
ment. In this department the
tuition was raised from 81 to
$40. The school treasurer's re-
port was received and showed
a balance on hand of over
So, 800.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1907-07-11
A Wireless Telegraph

A Wireless Telegraph
Mo. Valley is perhaps the
first city of the size in Iowa to
have wireless telegraph sta
tion. c. L. Kelsey, manager of
the Postal Telegraph, now has
a wireless telegraph system
working between the Postal
office ard his house, and it is
doing first-class work. He is
making arrangements to estab-
lish a wireless station at the
chautauqua grounds, during
chautauqua week, and visitors
will have the unique pleasure
OF sending messages by wire
less telegraph, if they are so
inclined. The wireless booth
will be opened in a prominent
place on the grounds and it
surely will be one of the most
interesting things at the chau-
tauqua. Mo. Valley and the
Postal Telegraph are always at
he head of the procession.
Mayor Schmitz of San Fran
cisco did not seem to like the
manner of Judge Dunno in de-
livering the sentence, and in
terrupted the judge several
times. 1t is not a question of
the man, but it would be a
good thing to ohave every graft
er put behind the bars for a
term for it gives them a chance
for reflection on the beauty of
making moner easy. San Fran
cisco has been unusually un-
lucky, first the earthquake and
then the grafters and now the
strikers. The five years that
the honorable mayor drew will
keep him out of mischief for
some time at least and it is not
highly probable that he will
run for mayor again.
The large newspapers are
still giving column after col
umn on the japanese situation
in California. The japanese
are afraid that the United
States will insist on the clause
in the new treaty, limiting inn
migration of Coolies, and are
ready to fight it. They are
now sending men in high of
ficlal life, to the United States
to make close inquiry so that
they may know just how their
s objects are being treated.
The Dunlap Herald says: A
Mason City man spanked the
hired girl because she asked for
her pay. 1t cost him ten doll
ars in police court next day. 1t
is getting so in this country that
a man can't even spank his own
wife, tosay nothing of the hired
girl. Woman's rights have be-
come so varied that poor man
knows scarce where to turn.
A Problem.
Judy: In a certain town are
two brothers who are engaged
in the retail coal business. A
noted evangelist visited the
town and the elder brother was
converted. For weeks after his
conversion he endeavored to
persuade his brother to join the
church. One day he said to him
"Why can't you, Richard, join
the church as | did?" "It's all
right for you to be a member of
the church," replied Richard,
"but if l join, who's going to
weigh to coal?"
At Ida Grove yesterday a
man bought 24O acres of land
for $116 per acre. This same
man now owns 2515 acres of
land in that vicinity and there
is no reason to believe that he
will have to go to the poorhouse
at any near date.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1907-07-11

temperature was slightly above
the normal, and there was more
than the usual amount of sum
shine. The rainfall was ample
in all sections, and somewhat
excessive in portions of the
central, north central and
southwest districts. In limited
areas there was some damage
caused by hail and wind. Gem
orally the conditions are about
all that could be desired for the
rapid advancement of the corn
crop, which is now receiving its
third or final cultivation. Ex-
cept in low, wet lands the corn
fields are we'll cleaned, and a
portion of the crop will be laid
by by the 10th. Oats, spring
wheat and barley are doing we'll
and the minor crops are fairly
good.
Following is a summary of
reports from crop corresponds
ents of the state for july:
Corn, 76 per cent; spring
wheat, 80; oats, 80; barley, 80;
rye, ga; flax, 81; hay crop, 7s;
pastures, 90; potatoes, 9S; APP
Piles, AZ; grapes so.
The relatively low estimate
of corn is due to the deficient
stand, as compared with the
average.
Conditions last year Corn,
so; wheat, 94; oats, "a; barley,
81; rye, 93; flax, %; potatoes,
81; hay, IS; apples, 70; grapes,
S5.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1907-07-11

Weather=Crop Bulletin
For week ending July 8.
Des Moines, Iowa.
The first week in July was
the most favorable of the
season. The average dailJ !
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1907-07-11

At Ida Grove yesterday a
man bought 24O acres of land
for $1l6 per acre. This same
man now owns 25l5 acres of
land in that vicinity and there
is no reason to believe that he
will have to go to the poorhouse
at any near date.
j. S. Wattles was a Logan
passenger this morning. He
expects to appear before the
board of supervisors with re-
gard to the Soldier Cutoff
ditch matter.
Miss Emma Green is attend
ing the county institute at Lo-
gan.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24
POLICE MAINTAIN ORDER
Examination of Talesmen
Proceeds Swiftly
.CBy Associated Press.)

New York, Jan. 24-None of the
confusion so apparent yesterday mark
ed the opening of the second day OF
the Harry Thaw trial. Today the po.
lice had the situation well in hand.
Newspaper writer's and jury talesmen
again filled every available seat in
the court room and the public was
barred. Half an hour before the ses-
sion opened Mrs. Evelyn Thaw maze
her way into the court room. She
was again modestly dressed and her
features were obscured by a heavy
Veil May Mckenzie, an actress, fol
lowed closely Then came Mr.. and
Mrs George Lauder Carnagie. Edward
Thaw and mother. Brother Josiah G.
Thaw came later The mother of the
accused and the Countess OF Yarmouth
were not present. The strain yester-
day was too much for the prisoners
mother. The countess is suffering
from cold
Thaw was called to the bar at ten
forty five As he walked briskly by
his relatives the smiles which marked
his appearance yesterday were miss
fng, His wife leaned forward to nca
TO him. Thaw greeted each of his
tounsel in turn and then sat facing
the first talisman called. His eyeids
seemed TO move heavily as though he
had not rested we'll last night.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24
MAY BE MISSING LINK.
Scientist investigating Specimens Of
Prehistoric Men in Nebraska.

Omaha, Neb.. Jan. 24.-Dr. A.
Hrdllcka. of Washington. has reached
Omaha to make an Investigation of the
mounds in which the renains OF a
number Of prehistoric men were re
Gently discovered by Robert r. Glider,
an Omaha newspaper man. The inves-
tigation is made In the interest of the
Smithsonian institution. DR.. Hrdlicka
Is The foremost anthropologist of the
day. The recent report of DR. Osborne
OF Cluubia university. placed the Ne
braska man as being the lowest order
OF thinking man ever discovered.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24

Catarrh Of the nose ana throat
should lead you TO at least ask for a
free trial box of DR.. ShoOp's CataTh
Cure. Nothing so surely proves merit
we let you make that test. This
creamy, Snow White healing balm.
soothes the throat and nostrils. and
quickly purifies a foul or feverish
breath. Call and Investigate. +. b.
Lille & Co.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24

old Common Sense, and chants a new
word. if il please "Oklahoma" that
is the word that she chants. And
somehow. / with these things that l
have tried to write lying closeto my
heart, feel that Oklahoma is Going
to give the Kids Chance"
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24
OBITUARY.

The funeral services Of Edmond
Cheek were conducted at the r. A.
Neal residence. AIS East Logan
avenue. this afternoon at , o'clock.
The body will be sent TO indianapolis.
Indiana. on the evening train to be
laid to rest beside his wife in Crown
Hin cemetery.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24

The Kartenspslers met with Mrs.
G. F. Cotteral at her home, 6O3 East
Villas avenue, yesterday afternoon.
The afternoon was spent in playing
euchre. Mrs. Hart won the first prize
and Mrs. G. |. Gilbert the lone hand
prize. The hostess served dainty
luncheon during the afternoon.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24
MAJ EIaman. saturday NIaht.

Everybody who read "The Man on
the Box" Harold McGrath's clever
novel enjoyed It. Everybody who sees
Max Figman in Grace Livingston Fur
Mss comedy, The Man on the Box, -
dramatized from that book will enjoy
II too. Contrary to the usual con-
dition the book loses nothing in the
play. II is announced here for Satur-
day night at the Brooks.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24
ONLY ONE AGENCY


Washington. d. c.. Jan 24.-The
House committee as a whole today
acting on the pension bill adopted an
amendment abolishing all peasion
agencies in the United States save
one. and fixing that one at Washing
ton.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24

"The getting out OF doors is the great
est part OF tho Journey so put on your
hat and go out and answer that want
ad. which aroused your interest today
In reading and answering classified
ads.--whethar we want 20 hire servant
or buy a house-it IS wei. to take the
Instant by the forward TOP, for on ou-
quickest dacroes the aoiseless foot OF
time steals ere we can srect them"
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24
Won 100 MILE RACE.
fBy Associated Pressl

Ormond, LA. Jan 24.-The one
hundred mile race for the minneapolis
cup at the lnternatiopsi automobile
tournament was won today by Mr..
Blakely with seventy horse power
gasoline car. The run was made In
one hour. twenty-six minutes and ten
seconds,
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24
strayed.
RotalI Merchantn Assooiation.

The local merchants meet tonight
in the $4,000 club rooms to organize
retailers association This is a good
move and every merchant in the city
should turn oat.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24
A Cheerful Play.

"The Hidden Hand which comes to
the Brooks Sunday night is one of the
successful melodranas of the season,
which in this day of froth and folly on
the stage. affords an evenings en-
tertainment which appeals to all
lovers of all5that is best in dramatic
art. -
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24

Piles get quick relief from DR..
Shoop's Magic Ointment. Remember
it's made alone for Piles-and il
works with certainty and satisfaction.
Itching, painful protruding or blind
piles disappear like magic by its use.
Try it and see. f. b. Lille & CO.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24

The Trinity Guild met with Mrs.
Nicholas, S06 East Noble avenue. yes
terday afternoon. Mono but tho usaal
members of the club wero present
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24
The Holy CITY.

"The Holy City" which is at the
Brooks on tomorrow night as to be
one of the most important events in
the theatrical season in this city.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24
PERSONAL POINTS.

Agent Lyons is over from El Reno.
J. p. McMahan. Of Altus. is in the
city.
r. e. Curtis. of Red Rock, is in the
cit;.
W. l. Gilbert is in the city from
Duncan
r. f. Morrison of Ponoa City, was
in tho ,ity last evening.
Jas. II. Wolverton. of Lawton. is
here attending tho convention.
Mrs. James and Mrs. Horton o.
Tulsa. are in the city attending the
convention
Geo. stone. w. w. Miller and Joe
Hess are among the Oklahoma City
people in the capital city.
Inspector J. d. Harris. Of Washing
ton, d. c.. is in the city as witness
OF the BillingsleyRobb cases.
Mrs. b. jamie, Mrs Paterson and
Mrs G. w Garrison Of Oklahoma City
were visitors az the constitutional con.
vcntion here today.
Strayed.
Strayed from slaughter house, 2h
miles south on Division, two big de-
horned cows. One dark red and one
pale red with some white Any in
of same please call.
ROSTON MARKET
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24

Boys and girls ssioes S1.oo to $500.
the best fo' 'he money in Guthrie
Robinsons.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24
ADJUSTMENTS.


The one woman. the newest Dixie
play, is running the Clansman a very
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24

Warm lined shoes a, cost; Robin
sons.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-24

tSecured for The Leader by Miss
Kate Bernard. of Oklahoma city,
whose bin is now in the hands of the
constitutional committee on Child
Labor)
II is the basis Of modern right liv-
The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-08-14

Representatives of Britt and Cans
have met in San Francisco to arrange
1 match.
The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-08-14
VESSELS IN PORT.
(Army and Navy.)

(Army and Navy)
Logan. u. s. A. transport, San Francis
co, Aug. Is.
Warren, u. 5. A. transport, San Fran
cisco, Aug. 13.
(Merchant vessels.)
Restorer, Br. SIS, Combe, Esquimalt,
March 81
Shark. Am. ketch, Warren, San Fran
cisco, May 80.
Edward May, Am. blk. Hanson, San
Francisco, August Z.
Mexican, Am. SIS, Nichols, Seattle,
Aug. s.
Amy Turner, Am. blk, Warland, San
Francisco, August 10.
Nevadan, Am. SIS. Greene, San Fran
cisco. Aug. IL.
yaldivia, Br. SIS, Reid, Newcastle,
Aug. S.
Alameda, Am. SIS, Dowdell. Aug. 9.
Luka, Am. Sc, Olsen. from sea, Aug. -.
THE MAILS.
Mails are due from the following
points as follows:
San Francisco-Tcr Manch0ria, tot ~.
Orient-Per Persia, Aug. II.
Victoria-Per Miowera, Aug. "a.
Colonies-Per Aorangi, Aug. "a.
Mails win depart for the following
points as follows:
San Francisco-Per Alameda. today.
Orient-Per Man -ilurla, today.
Victoria-Per Aorangi, Aug. "a.
Colonies-Manuka, Aug. "a.