davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17
DRIED SWAMP MUCK.
ia Benefit In Chemical Fertilizers IL
Greatly Exaggerated.


The practice of using dried muck
and peat In mixing chemical fertilizers
puts up problem which farmers ought
to understand. Thousands of tons of
such muck are used-sold as muck
tankage." We learn of one case where
a man started growing celery In a
swamp and is said to have nearly fail
ed at it Then he conceived the idea
of drying and pulverizing the soil Of
that swamp and selling II TO fertilizer
dealers. This has brought him for
tune Some samples of this dried peat
are said TO contain nearly 3 per cent
of nitrogen: others carry less. This nj
troeen Is In an inert form and Is of
little value as a plant food. Expert
ments In Illinois showed that such nj
trogen was worth about one-half cent
a pound as compared with that in dried
blood costing Is cents. Yet the fer
tilizer manufacturer who sells this
muck mixed with other chemicals IN
dertakes to charge Is cents pound
for It when you buy 1t. For example
take . brand of fertilizer which is
pounds of nitrogen 1fo pounds avail
able phosphoric acid and 100 pounds Of
potash II would be possible to supply
the potash and phosphoric acid In POO
pounds of muriate and 1000 pounds
of acid phosphate. Then by using 100
pounds of cottonseed meal and 500
pounds of dried muck they could pro-
vide more nitrogen than they gnaran-
teed The object of using the cotton
seed meal is to color the muck and
thus prevent II possible. the chemist
from detecting It. But see what a nice
game this Is, The muck furnishes
ten or twelve pounds OF nitrogen, which
gives the fertilizer valuation of from
$3.50 to 81, but which costs perhaps
20 cents. A farmer might use such a
fertilizer on his wheat this fall. The
potash and phosphorie acid may help
but 1t is doubtful if his grandc hidren
will see any benefit from the nitrogen
In the muck
The excuse given for using the muck
is that 1t makes a good filler and dries
out the other chemicals. No serious Oh
lection can be made to its use as a
filler. but the nitrogen 1t contains
should not be valued in the fertilizer
for it Is not worth the price 1t is near
~ impossible to detect the muck when
cottonseed meal Is used with it. The
best way to avoid 1t is to refuse to buy
low grade fertilizers or those very low
In nitrogen. 1t Is impossible to use
large quantities of muck In fertilizers
containing per cent or more of nitro
gen. because materials containing more
nitrogen must be used in order to reach
high per cent. You are most likely
to find the muck In the mixtures with
about l per cent of nitrogen. 1t does
not pay to buy them. Buy the higher
grade mixtures and use an equal value
in dollars per acre and you will be bet
ter off. We believe that farmers are
paying millions OF hard earned dollars
uselessly for this peat nitrogen, many
of them already having swamps on
their own farms. The chemists must
find some way to detect this peat nitro
gen. and then we shall work for a law
compelling the manufacturer to state
that he uses 1t and that 1t Is not valued
the same as other forms
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17
Democratic Discouraeement.

At the risk of calling down upon our
selves further execrations from n few
Of the faithful and fanatlcal we make
bold TO remark that the Indifference OF
the South Carolina Democrats to the
cause of Mr. Bryan seems to justify
our prediction some months ago that
the campaign would end with the Deu-
yer convention. We wish that we could
be disilusioued; we wish that the Dem
Ocrats of South Carolina and of thu
country would sharply rebuke US foI
saying that there was an absence OF
enthusiasm for Mr. Bryan.
News and Courier DEM.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17
"Accordine to His Folly"

"'Shall the people ruler is declared
by the Democratic platform and can.
didate to be the overshadowing Issue
now under discussion 1t Is no issue
Surely the people shall rule: surely the
people have ruled; surely the people dc
rule" Thus Candidate Sherman re-
plies to Candidate Bryan, and II the
latter was looking for a straight an
swer he certainly got it. But those
familiar with the processes of
Mr. Bryan know that he would wei
come no reply. but that his absurd
question was asked to instl doubt In
the minds of his more thoughtless fol
lowers
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17

Somerset people who saw Katahdin,
the largest OK in the world, when he
was with his:mate, Granger, exhibited
in this section few years ago, will be
interested to learn that ne is no more,
his death having occurred recently at
the home of his owners, A. S. Rand q
Son, in otetson. When alive Katah-
din weighed 5000 pounds and his girth
was 10 feet, 6 inches. Granger, his
mate, is still alive. Katahdin's re-
mains will be mounted by Bangor
taxidermist and it is expected that the
operation will require months work
or more.
The stallion, Porto Rico, owned by
A. Fl. Rice of Oakland, which was in
lured by runaway horse at the Cen
trail Name fair as he was being taken
from the q ounds, has been killed on
account of internal injuries. Every
effort was made to save the valuable
animal but it was found impossible.
President Lincoln made it rule of
life to make every occasion a great
occasion, because he could not tell
who might Oe taking HIS measure for
something greater or better.
Mirth is Coos medicine. Every
body ought To bathe i'll it Grim care,
moICseness, anXiety,-all thi, rust OF
lite ought TO lie SC ured off by the oil
of mirtn. Ii is better than emery.
Blessed is ne who has sense of the
humorous. He has that which is
worth more than money.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17
arm ona
0Iarden
BLACK KNOT IN PLUMS.

More Light on the Failure of Plums In
the East.
f. c. Sears of the Massachusetts az.
ricultural college writes as follows
about black knot In plums:
have been interested in looking
through the college orchard recently to
notice the comparative susceptibility
of the different varieties and classes of
plums to black knot aud in comparing
present indications with past expert.
ence along the same lines.
The tree agent who sells plum trees
which are warranted to be knot
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17

proof Is undoubtedly nature fakir.
but IL he selects the right varieties
among the japanese he will come much
nearer than usual TO the truth. In two
rows In the college orchard of twenty
two trees each, one of Red June and
the other Of Burbank, l found lin n
reasonably long search not a single
specimen of black knot. And last year
their record was almost equally clean
On trees In adjoining rows of Engel-
hart and Bradshaw, however, knots
are all too abundant though not nearly
so bad as last season. They would
probably average half dozen knots to
the tree this season, while last year
the same trees yielded couple Of
bushels of knots from the two rows.
While this Is little dlscouraging to
the man who wants to grow the domes-
tic plums. as everybody does who
wants high quality, still 1t Is sutpris-
ing how little time is required to keep
down this disease If 1t is taken In time
and systematically handled. And 1t is
equally surprising how badly tree
can be affected and still be recovered
satisfactorily. A few years ago the
writer undertook to revive some old
trees which would ordinarily have
been cut down and put on the brush
heap. They were mass of knots from
top to bottom. We selected a time
when the snow was on the ground so
that the knots could be easily gathered
up and cut out every vestige OF the dis
ease, though in some cases this left
pretty small proportion Of the original
least six inches below 1t, 80 as to be
sure and take out the roots of the dis
ease. That year the trees made big
growth, often three or four feet. bat
good many new knots also came out
which were removed that autumn. the
trees also receiving two thorough
sprayings with bordeaux mixture dur
ing the summer.
The following two years we did near
ly all our cutting In the summer and
found 1t much more satisfactory in its
results than cutting during the dor
knots were removed as soon as they
appeared we saved the crop of sum
mer spores which would otherwise have
spread the disease. Then. the knots
being young and soft, we could fte
quently shave them Off and thus save
the branch on which they grew. Last
~. when II became necessary to cut
out branch altogether. In getting RID
of a knot, the tree. being still in growth.
would at once fill in the space thus
made. so that by autumn 1t could
hardly be seen.
This work was done in a section
where the black knot hourishes like the
proverbial green bay tree. yet we found
II by no means a serious matter to rid
these trees of the disease and keep
them reasonably free. Three cuttings
during the summer. with an autumn
clearing up tafter the leaves were Off
of the knots which had escaped thus
far, combined with three applications
OF bordeaux mixture, did the work
Our sprayings were applied one be-
fore the leaves opened. one after the
blossoms fell and one about two weeks
later. Lest some may think this pref.
ty serious programme. | may say that
the summer cutting the third season
took just four and one-half hours for
nm orchard of ninety trees
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17

Secretary Wilson says that hereafter
eggs sold as fresh or strictly fresh
must be exactly what they are repre-
sented to be- Storage eggs must be
sold as such or under the pure food
law the dealer is liable to q fine of Sa00
or six months Imprisonment or both
Thousands of people do not know how
strictly fresh" egg tastes, This viii
give them chance to find out.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17

Thousands of people have worms and don't
know 1t, yet the symptoms are easily recognized.
Rven though worms might not be present
this extraordinary remedy will effect wonderful
changes in the un-down system. 1t is a great
stomach and liver tonic and regulator.
Worms In adults and children can be readily
detected from the following symptoms Iudi.
gestion. variable appetite; offensive breath
and foul tongue eyes heavy and dull itching
Of the nose short, dry cough grinding of the
teeth starting during sleep slow fever and
often In children convul sons and bed-wetting;
looseness; hard, sweiled bowels. No matter
how pronounced or how light the symptoms,
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17
Orville Wright at Washington lat

Orville Wright at Washington late
Thursday broke the worlds record
for time and distance for a heavier
than air flying machine which he es-
tablished Wednesday. In fight re-
curing great skill on account of 10
mile wind. he circled around the drill
grounds at Fort Myer, So times in 65
minutes and 81 seconds, exceeding
the time of Wednesdays record fight
by three minutes and 81 seconds.
The FIGHT was witnessed by nearly a
thousand people.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17
The Use Of opiates.

DR.. A. G.. Young, the secretary of
the Maine State board of Health has
made public the result of invesJiga-
tions he has been conducting into the
use of opiates in the State of Maine.
Hamilton Wright, who visited us for
a few days several weeks ago, is
quoted as saying that he discovered,
or was told, that there were Maine
people who used drugs because they
could not get liquor. The statements
attributed to Mr. Wright made, if ap
pear, by inference at least, that the
use of opiates was increasing in
Maine. The physicians and druggists
with whom DIR. Young communicated
say on the other hand that instead of
increasing, the use of such drugs in
Maine is on the decrease. Only ore
man takes a view of the situation
similar to that which is said to have
been given publicity by Mr.. Wright.
DR.. Young has long been the secre-
tary of the board OF health. He is a
man whose work has been done in a
manner to earn the confidence of the
people of the state and his conclu-
sions are entitled to respect. He
finds that as matter OF fact there is
reason for congratulations that Maine
people are less addicted to the use of
Injurious drugs than they have been
in the past and that there is no cause
for alarm in connection with the
question.
1t is significant that in many of the
replies received by DIR. Young to his
inquiries, it is stated that the de-
crease in the use of opiates is due to
greater care by physicians in pre-
scribing such drugs. 1t is obvious
that the habit of using opiates is
much more likely to be acquired by
persons made familiar with their eff
fects when taken first by advice OF
doctor than from any other cause.
The average person does not delib-
erately begin the use of a drug con
corning which he has only hearsay
knowledge. This tact is recognized
by physicians themselves and there
is a constantly increasing caution on
their part in prescribing opiates.
This caution is rendered possible in
many cases by an increased knowl-
edge of remedies which may be used
without danger. Thus it appears
that in the judgment of druggists and
physicians there WIS time when
more people in the state were given
to the use of opiates than at present;
that this was due to the more general
use of such drugs in the first place as
the result Ct advice by doctors and
that the decrease which is reported
is due in large measure to the change
in the practice of physicians in deal
ing with situation calling for the
exercise of great care and judgment.
The prohibitory law has little if any
thing to do with the matter.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17
Hauling Crops.

Inquiries conducted in over 1000
counties OF the United States by the
department Of agriculture indicate that
the average length OF haul Of crops
over country roads is 121 miles. the
average weight of the load 2002
pounds and the average cost per mile
25.2 cents. or about SO per load. the
feed, wear etc
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17

For resisting United State officer
and for alleged smuggling, William
Golden of Houlton was arraigned be-
tore u. s. Com'r, Hamlin in Bangor,
Thursday. He pleaded guilty to both
counts and WAS held in 5000 bonds for
his appearance at the September ses-
sion of the U. 8. Circuit court to be
held in Portland next week. Parker
Lewis also of Houlton, was held in
$500 bonds for his appearance in Port :
land at the same time on the charge
refusing to aid an officer in arrestine
Golden. Both men were unable to
furnish bail and were committed to
Bangor jail to await trial.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17
Making or Keeping Promises.

The difference between Mr. Taft's
promise of tariff revision and Mr. Bry
ans pledges In the same direction is
that Mr.. Taft II elected viii be In posi-
sltlon to redeem his pledge while Mr.
Bryan II elected would be powerless to
accomplish anything with Republic,
an senate arrayed against his free
trade plans.-Omaha Tee
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17
WORMS
IN CHILDREN
6 YEARS SUFFERING
RELIEVED IN 8 HOURS

DANVILLE.
DR.. TRUE, DEAR SIR:-One of my boys
had been troubled for about six years
with cramp in the stomach and suspect
ing that it might be brought on by worms,
we gave him different medicines, but
without effect. Last January he had
more severe attack than usual, and hear
ing of the almost miraculous effects of
your Elixir, we gave him about tea
spoonful, and in about eight hours it
brought from him living creature about
eighteen inches in length. He has had
no return of them since, and is now very
hearty. G. w. VIcKERY
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17
NEW GLOUCESTER. MASS.

DR.. TRUE, DEAR SIR The Elixir
purchased of you cured my boy, who hao
been troubled with worms ever since he
was 4 child. He had tried many Other
medicines, and had employed physician.
until found it of no use. despaired oil
his being restored to health till heard O
your Elixir, which, am happy to say
effected speedy cure.
Very truly yours, w. G. CooMBs.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17
APPEAL TO
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Made by Judge Taft In Behalf o.
the Filpinos.
"A Great Missionary Work That Is
Certain to Promote Christian Civ.
ilization."

Certain to Promote Christian Civ.
ilzation."
The extension of vitalizing Chris
tianity among the Filipinos as adyo
Gated by Judge Taft both before bis
speech of acceptance of the nomina
ton to the presidency and In that doc
ument itself has been widely com
mented upon In the pulpits of the
United States. The voice of the cer
gy has given earnest commentator
to the attitude of Judge Taft, wht
when governor general Of the Islands
exerted the utmost influence FOL
amelioration Of the condition of the
lnha hltants of the archipelago. and
that. too. at the cost of great self sac
rifice on his own part in refusing the
seat on the supreme bench. to which
he was both called and commanded
by President Roosevelt
Never since he first assumed the bur
den of the governorship of the Philip
pines has the welfare of the Filiponos
ceased to be close to the heart OF
Judge Taft. In his speech of accept
ance again he reminded the Americans
that 1t Is the duty of this country as a
strong. Christian and enlightened ma.
ton to give spiritual as we'll as ma
terial aid to the distant brown breth-
rem.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17
DR.. TRUE'S ELIXIR

viii restore the patient to normal health again.
TURNER, ME-.
DR.. ]. F. TRUE, DEAR SIR :-Having
used your Elixir in my family for many
years, after having satisfied myself of its
superior merits, recommended il to my
neighbors, who now very generally use
it. l consider it the very best medicine
now in use, especially for children.
Very truly yours, JoB PRINCE.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17
How T. Get Strong.

P. J. DAILY, of I247 w. Congress St., Chica-
60, tells of way to become strong: He
says: "My mother. who is old and was very
feeble, is deriving so much benefit from Elec
trio Btters, that feel it's my duty to tell
those who need tonic and strengthening
medicine about it In my mothers case a
marked gain in flesh has resulted, insomnia
has been overcome. and she is steadily grow
ing stronger" Electric Btters quickly rem
edy stomach, liver and kidney complaints.
Sold under guarantee at 6. X. Eggs drug
strong. soc
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17

DR.. True's Elixir Is sold by druggists every
where at 5Sc, soc nd II &C per bottle a bookie
entitled "Chtidsfn Gpa Ihrsy OiSfoteJ" will b,
sent Tree by simply addressing DIR. j. r.. True
n Co., Aubur''. Me, Ne Rave a special treat
1spt T. tGye Cfm. Send Tor free book.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17
CONNECTIONS

CONNECTIONS
AT Oakland with Maine Central Railroad. At Som
erset Junction, with Canadian Pacific Railway. At
Kineo Station with Coburn Steamboa, Company ioT
all points Moosehead Lake. AT Norridgewock
with stages for Skowhegan. Smithheld and Mercer.
North and West New Portland. Dead River, Flag.
staff and Eustis. At Bingham for Forks Carrstunk,
Moose River. Mayfeld, Kingsbury and Abbott. Al
MORRIS MCDONALD, Vice President
F. E. BOOTHBY, General Passenger Agent.
Portland, Me
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17

Had dyspepsia or indigestion for years.
No appetite and what did eat distressed me
terribly. Burdock Blood Bitters cured me-"
j. II. Walker, Sunbury, Ohio.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17
New Enqlish Potato.

The Magnum Bonum potatoes shown
herewith were exhibited at a recent fair
at the American institute In New York
DR.. w H. Jordan. director of the New
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17

Never can tell when you'll mash "A finger
or suffer IA cut, bruse. burn or scald. BE pre-
pared Dr. Thomes Electric on instantly re-
leves the pain-quickly cures the wound
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17

An old offender was recently intro
duced to a new country justice as
John Timmine, alias Jones, alias
Smith. I'll try the two women first,
said the Justice. Bring in Alice
Jones. Uncle Remus Magazine.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17
Taft's Appeal to Church.


Rev Albert Hurlstone pastor Of
Rooerts Park church. Indianapolis,
Ind. In a recent sermon thus spoke Of
Judge Tafts appeal to the Christian
people of America:
"Mr. Taft used words of wisdom In
referring to this question in his Motif
cation speech. His appeal Is not only
to his party. but 1t is to the Christian
church of America 1t seems to me
that every man whose heart beats
Loyalty to Jesus Christ must rejoice In
the statement so truthfully made Mr.
Taft said: We have established gov
eminent with effective and honest ex
ecutive departments In the Philippines
and a clean and fearless administra
ton of justice: we have created and
are maintaining comprehensive
school system which ls educating the
youth of the Islands in English and in
Industrial branches; we have con
structed great government public
works, roads and harbors; we have
induced the private construction of 300
miles of railroad; we have policed the
islands so that their condition as to
law and order is better now than II
has ever been In their history
"Mr Taft Is better fitted to speak
on this question than any other man
In the government today by virtue Of
his close connection with the problem
his experience and personal observa
ton of the work being done; hence
what he says will be needed by the
Christian church with intense interest
influence of Christian Civilization.
More than ten years before Dewey
sailed into Manila. Bishop Thoburu
our missionary bishop for fifty years
In India. predicted that ere long the
missionary would find an open door In
the Philippines. but God alone knew
how the door was to be opened
Now we hear Mr. Taft saying: We
are engaged In the Philippines in Il
great missionary work that does our
nation honor and Is certain TO pro
mote 10 most effective way the in
huence of Christian civilization 1t Is
cowardly to lay down the burden until
our purpose Is achieved True. nor
do we believe that the American PEG
pie will allow this to be done. The
sacrifice has been made, the song of
the redeemed people will ere long fill
heaven and earth with gladness, The
selfish are ever lonely and joyless. but
they who bring the sacrifice to the
altar will find the Joy of the Lord
arise within them
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-09-17

Nell-Miss Antique mas quite COL
lection of porcelain. Believes, and
she shows 1t every time she smiles.