davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun., 1908-10-11

view from the plain, realized that nearly
the whole southern side of Old Gro Nest
had been cut over only few months
before and many acres OF cordwood
taken therefrom and sold at prices nearly
as good as those obtained by the Dunder-
berg woodchopper. . D. ,s,.'-
The axemen who worked there were
mostly natives from the mountain country
around West Point. Probably never be-
fore had such wood cutting as this
been carried on In these parts, for the
mountaineers worked under the direc-
ton OF a college professor
His name is Roy l. Marsten. and in
addition to having charge of u depart
ment at Yale University he is also the
forester of the West Point reservation
Before a single tree was cut the whole
reservation forest was mapped and
plotted by him. and even the number oi
trees computed and the different species
and the quantity Of each determined
He couldn't do II all alone. 30 he brought
UP squad Of Yale students.
The Gro Nest cutting operations constf
tute what is known as an improvement
thinning, only the diseased, imperfect
and overmature trees and those inter
fering with the growth Of healthy speci.
mems being removed. That is why the
Gro Nest forests as seen from the West
Point plain. wave as beautifully as evel
to the eye.
The sun., 1908-10-11

lacking on Dunderberg. but they will be
found in some measure at least on the
slopes Of Gro Nest even ten years hence.
The highland forests appear vigorous to
the eyes Of the traveller as ne views them
from the Hudson River bouts or trains,
largely because he really sees only the
crowns Of the treos They would not
look very different were they actually
virgin woods But the old days are long
past when tho passengers on the Hudson
River steamers and packet sloops used
TO watch the big logs come shootind Gown
the sides Of the mountains into the Hud-
son.
The West Point forestry experiments
aim 10 show how that era may be brought
back again. For this reason and because
the West Point forest preserve Is nearer
to New York city by many miles than any
other the work is Of special interest to
New York men who desire to see the wild
places near the city preserved and i'm
proved.
Considerable has been heard OF late
about the States efforts to reforest de-
nuded areas in the Adrondacks, but less
has been said Of the fact that at West
Point, within ninety minutes OF New
York, there are growing quarter OF q
million Seeding trees,half as many as were
recently imported into the Adirondack
from Germany. and the West Point seed
lings were all grown at home.
The sun., 1908-10-11

stepped within the glare OF the search
lights and asked for attention.
Ladies' and gentlemen he said, aal-
though we are collectors. we are not of
the genus in which yop have classified
us. We have been searching for a speci-
men over which We were afraid the up
holstered wheels Of your locomotive
might pass none too gently. The speci-
mon has been found. We thank you for
30 kindly haltinG and offer our apologies
for batting into your time schedule.
what kind Of q fraternity do you be-
long to, anyway came In a masculine
voioe gaining in assurance and attendant
irritation.
sEntomologists, mostly interested in
heterocera,' answered the owner OF the
Catocala, who was oontentedly pinning
the specimen In the inside Of HIS hat.
What In - sputtered the indignant
motorist as he sent his wagon ahead with
q urch that caused each Of his passengers
to bow violently backward as II In Wig
orous farewell to the bug hunters.
Whsn the dust and gasolene fumes had
cleared away the scientists copgratu-
lated one another upon very successful
evening.
A great yellow harvest moon was rising.
Its only two miles walk to another
station than the one at which we land
eds suggested the amateur collector.
20 home that way
This brought hint Of interrogation
to the faces Of several. who paused
you see,' continued the younger
member, sI'm not sure about our recep-
ton in passing the tavern. The boys
might be so overjoyed In their discov-
cry concerning the excellence Of Salome
cocktails that we might be delayed in a
Joint celebration
The logic Of this argument was duly
appreciated, and though the route was
longer and drier IL was unanimously
accepted.
The sun., 1908-10-11

of this apparatus watching for speokf
of insect life that are attracted by the
glare. He is armed with net not much
bigger than q soup spoon, and this ID
almost continually In action.
The sport has been lively and all the
members OF the, party have bottled a num-
ber Of good things when there is an
interruption from the operating grounds
of the microlepidopterlst..
Frem directly beneath his illuminated
screen peers the head Of sharp nosed
animal with beady. shining eyes. The
scientist surveys the apparition in aston
ishment. Not bit embarrassed, the
several times. eperges into full view and
displays a coat Of hufy black and white
hair and a gorgeous plumed tail. y.
A sharp exclamation from the micro
lepidopterist attracts the attention OF
several Of the collectors. AZ least two
of them simultaneously recognize man.
NAL noted for it's odoriferous habits when
not entirely tranquil in mind.
The fateful word was shouted and only
few of the scientists paused to look.
Those that did ran all the faster. The
glade was Immediately deserted and the
band OF collectors beat q vigorous re-
treat down the road.
There was q sound Of breaking glass.
Achl What vearful luck. My jar
was brogen und my Catocala wass In II. ,
shouted the tall German.
The painting scientists halted In the road.
Those with lighted lanterns began exam
lining the ground. go
Meanwhile steady drumming from afar
had grown steadily louder. drowning the
monotonous chatter OF the katydids and
other insects OF the night. A. glow ap-
peared over the brow OF the hill and a
moment later was succeeded by two blaz-
ing orbs that brilliantly illuminated the
searching party.
aVot in himmel--" began the dis
tracted searcher for his Catocala.
An auto shouted the amateur en-
tomologist. for the roar Of the cutoutex-
haust was becoming deafening.
sstop himl- yelled the German. He
runs over my Catocala, maybe
At their associates entreaty the soi-
entists danced In the roadway, making
frantic gestures at the approaching CON-
bination Of pandemonium and radiance.
The big road engine came to a grinding
SsWhat do you want9' came in mans
voice that was inclined to waver.
We look for a Catocala, was the heated
answer from the scientist with the big
net handle that looked like war club,
as he flashed his bullseye lantern toward
the shivering occupants Of the car.
"0h, Richard. give, them everything.
walled female voice. Il told you not
TO come this way
sMercifui heavens, he is going to de-
stroy usl' shrieked more mature iemi-
nine voice, which exclamation was elected
by an action OF the nticrolepid idoptefist.
In peerinR with his lantern under the car
he had spied the precious specimen and
was crawling under the vehicle 10 get 10. I.
The anna teur entomolosist came to the
rescue In clearing up the situation. u
The sun., 1908-10-11

huge telescopic affair. In the half light
he looked like brigand, with o formidable
club in one hand and an evil fash lang
In the other. The hand as a whole would
not have inspired confidence in the hearts
Of timid travellers.
The collecting spot was reached and
glade was found opening into the timber
The trunks Of the surrounding trees were
inspected and the members carrying the
whitewash brushes began smearing
patches Of the solution about five feet from
the ground. A rich odor soon spread In
all directions and forecasted excellent
results.
The night was ideal for collecting. Not
breath OF win1 " as Stirring and the moon
was not due for some hours, That con
ditions were excellent for insect flight
was manifest by an army OF mosquitoes
and gnats which greeted the visitors with
marked hospitality.
1t was not many minutes before the
acknowledgements was busy. The smaller
species always come first. Soon ghostly
forms fitted by the lantern. always how
ering nearer the intoxicating bait. A roar
| from q stout German predicted something
| IL was soon whispered about that he had
| bottled a rare species OF Noctuid.
Gentlemen, look hoarsely whispered
the mixer of Butterschmucker's solu-
| ton.
His trained ear had distinguished q
musical whirr Of varying cadence, now
swelling OF volume, now almost dying
away. He flashed his lamp on the trunk
of a fine oak. There suspended on
wings in blur Of motion, in fact hover
ing over the solution. was what ap-
peared to be a large humming bird.
AS the tune Of those pulsating wings
grew low fash OF splendid crimson
streaked with yellow could be seen upon
them. Again the creature would back
few inches into the air, and where wings
had been would appear q nebulous haze
Wary inspection showed II TO be feeding
with q whisplike tongue far longer than
its body. . , 49,
collector. making ready his net.
He made a sweep with the apparatus
and the dainty creature was imprisoned
A few drops Of ohloroform were poured
into the net and the hum OF the vibrating
wings instantly stopped With greal
care the specimen was dropped into the
wide mouth Of cyanide bottle or killing
jar, from which II was taken in a few
the moth fastened In cork lined box.
aAh-ha<a-a-a,' rambled from q husky
lTeuton Is he flashed his lamp upon an
odoriferouB patch. sDer Is Catocal--um-
Catooala- a-um- m-m-m--der sbeoifc name
goes past me for moment. Ach, he
goes now, but l get him yet.
So. He stops again, eh! Now, mine little
oeeds TO hottie his speoimen.
Meanxhile the microlepidopterist ID
extremely busy. he has borrowed air
pocket handkerchiefs and pinned them
together 30 as 10 form a sheet, which
is strung between two bushes. His Ian
| tern hns been set upon little column NJ
stones. and the enthusiast squats In froal
The sun., 1908-10-11

There are pines, larches, spruce trees.
oaks, eims, birches and representatives
Of other species and families Of forest in
habitants, thousands Of which are only
an inch or two high. Most OF them DO
not look much Hike trees, to tell the truth.
They are being grown rood deal on the
order Of garden vegetables. Some. OF
them passed the winter in cold frames
and others slept under a blanket OF
dead leaves.
| Altogether they are crowded on some
thing less than an acre Of Ground. third
Of which. containing large majority, oil
all tho seedlings. 10 occupied by iong.
narrow growing beds. AS one enters the
nursery feld and comes upon the first Of
these beds, which has an area Of perhaps
twenty square feet, he sees within 1t what
looks like an unkempt grass Eliot. In
reality 1t is forest Of white pine trees.
10, 600 Of them. an inch high and year
old. Every one Of them came up from
seed gathered In the adjacent forests
and planted by hand.
They grow these trees In the nursery
In order to insure them the necessary
care and protection. Nature. OF course.
plants directly in the forest. but last
| winter when several thousand acorns
| and chestntita wero eown In the West
Point woods as an experiment along
| Natures lines the squirrels and other
creatures turned out in body and helped
forest themselves.
These rodents havo discovered the
nursery plot also. but the woods fore-
man, who lives In the ledge. has shotgun
which speaks for the United States Gov
ernment every morning in protection OF
the future West Point woods.
It will bo seen that the hopes for the
Highland forests Of the next generation
are placed in the success OF producing
trees which shall grow directly from the
| seed, rather than be reproduced by sprouts
i, from the cut stumps With few excep-
tions sprout. or coppicc growth. Is not
| considered desirable.
In addition to the nursery trees which
are gradually being trans2lautsi to the
woods 1t Is expected that after all the
present trees Of sprout growth shall In
the course Of time have bes1 cut there
will be left pure see ling foreJt. Some Of
the few seedlings will havo bean bora,
no doubt. dircct from the parent tre,,
for nature scattefs her seeis SO prodigally
that even the industrious squirrels could
not possibly find them all.
The great enemy, which the seeds can
not possibly escape, is firo. The attempt
to reproduce trees naturally might as well
be given mp once and for all, according
10 the forestry experts. unless fire Is kept
out Of the woods. On the West Point
reservation. therefore. Ere laws have becu
enacted. d fire line Is being cut around the
tract 90 as to keep out fires originating
on adjacent property and force OF FIRE
fighters has been recruited, largely from
the ranks Of the Regulars stationed at TIM
military post.
The sun., 1908-10-11

After waiting a dozen OF fifteen years
ton. II he were willing to gather some
what lees mature crop. the trees he had
just brought down being probably forty
or City years old. Meanwhile he was
already planning TO sweep clean an ad-
jacent tract Of land ct once.
How much does your land cost you?'
he was asked.
well. paid quite good sum for the
right to cut tho wood ON it, he replied.
"I've got an option on 20 eores. Some
aores'l give twenty cords. somel give
forty cords, an some won't give four cords.
I've cut 5000 cords 90 fur, an guess I'll
git thousand more off'n the tract,
see that yard across tho bay? No,
Point. ! sell the wood 30 that yard for
IS a cord delivered on the dock at the
foot Of this mountain.
"oh. yes, they git horses up hare. It's
4 hard pull. but they 60 way round an
take It easy, an with the patent brakes
they use now they kin walk right down
the mountain with o cord an half Of
wood behind EN-. Tho teamsters kin
make two tTipe day. 90 you soc IL pays
EN- 10 draw the wood fur US. pay EN-
q q cord fur haulin' IT.,
'All the same" said the New York
man, its q shame to skin the noun tainB
In this fashion. Why not leave few
seed treesi Why not cut the larger
growth for telephone poles and for rail-
road ties. which bring good prices. and
leave the younger forest undlsturbed2
Then you can maintain the woodland
intact and return to IL sooner
You're right said the woodsman.
Yet. as already noted. he was then
arranging to cut over an additional area.
The man Is not working for his descend
ants. and as for the land itself. 1t isn't
his anyway. He 10 not willing to wait
for the forest 10 grow and he can't afford
to. he argues.
OF course there is another side to the
question. II II is trie that the brick
yards are responsible for practically all
the cutting now going on there, and IL
1t is true also that the present cutting,
with the methods now in use, il bring
ing the forests into state OF greater and
greater deterioration. besides causing
an erosion Of the soil that IL becoming
a serious menace TO the life and health
of future forests. then it is evident that
scientific methods must be introduced
with as little delay as possible. say the
scientists who have Investigated the con-
ditions. This they assert will ventually
benefit the brick yards themselves.
The results Of scientific control are
WRA
the Hudson on another mountain. where
there went on last winter form Of wood
cutting differing greatly from the Dunder-
berg method.
II is safe 10 say that few OF last sea-
sons many visitors 10 West Point who
admired. as all visitors do. the northerly
The sun., 1908-10-11
CAPS WORRY FREsHMEN,,
Columbia Yearitngs and the Headsear
They Must Wear ''f

There is one rule for freshmen that 10
observed strictly at Columbia 1t relates
to the wearing OF black cap with a
small white button. Freshmen may not
come upon the quadrangle with any other
headgear, under severe penalties.
That causes embarrassment to those
freshmen who live In the city and do not
want to wear their caps from their homes
up to the college. As result in the
early morning freshmen may be seen
going to the university wearing derbles
or felt hats. which they remove as soon
as they leave the car to enter the college
grounds. -
Their freohmen caps they Garry in back
pockets. and as soon as they take OIL tle
forbidden headgear they put on the caps
and get over 10 their lockers bearing the
other hats In their hands They put
them away In the lockers, and SO are WITHIN
the rules while on the grounds.
The sun., 1908-10-11

woods was pointed out as an excellent
sugaring spot
With the coming of dusk a discussion
arose as to the proper bait to be used.
The consultation ended in q unanimous
decision to employ the reciDe OF Herr
Butterschmucker, an eminent lepidopter-
ist The microlepidopterist had the
formula In his notebook. 1t read:
take one quart Of stale besr and add
half a pound Of sugar. Stir thoroughly.
Add q gill OF Jamaica rum and a table
spoonful OF dark vinegar. This mixture
is especially valuable in attracting Noe
tudie, GeometridB and Sphingide.'
@We want to make up mixture TO take
with US. said one Of the party to the very
been squirming with curiosity to discover
the character Of his visitors.
The necessary ingredients were PANIED.
At the mention of the awful solution the
proprietor's jaw slowly dropped and a
state of stupefaction rendered him
THAT'S what is called the Salome cock
younger scientists. we want 10 make
up enough to go around. you know
aOhl' said the proprietor, but hia
thoughts were more detailed.
Upon an unsteady request from the
proprietor again TO name the ingredients
the little scientist with the notebook
quite seriously repeated the list and re-
duested the use OF beer measure for the
mixing process. He asked for beer
drippings to form the body.
is that one OF them new tangled city
drinks?' asked the proprietor.
"That's what IL is,' answered tho ANA
teur entomologist. This particular
pecies Of cocktail is all the rage at the
opera buHets.
when they drop In tonight. said the
proprietor. I'm always a-tellin' 'em
run an up to date place.
The thin scientist vas stirring the mix
ture until the blended odors Of beer. run
and vinegar became strong and indesorib
able. He touched the measure to hi
lips to test the consistency OF the con
measure was slammed upon the littl.
bar and the scientist leaped upward
making frantic reach with his hand int
apparently. empty air.
sWhewl But does that drink work sS
auickf' asked the amazed proprietor.
IT got away, said the thin scientist
had logged out OF his pocket.
sWhat2' asked the proprietor.
"A typical example Of the feather.
winged microlepidoptera. 1t aew ove'
The proprietor quite hastily emptiec
the contents OF the beer measure into 6
couple Of soft drink bottles and pasaec
parting gussts were unsteady.
The dusk came fast as the battalion
Of bug hunters marched down the road
Most OF them had lit their bullseye Ian
terms and unfurled their nets.
Not % the gentleman who carried tht
The sun., 1908-10-11
GAMBLING on ONES WEIGHT.
A Machine That Pays Back Your Money
for an Exact Guess.

One type of weighing machine that
fiourishes In Canada has two index fingers
on the dial instead Of one. The person
who intends to weigh himself turns one
pointer until it indicates what he believes
to be his weight. Then, II he puts penny
In the SLOT he gets his true weight, as the
machine sees It, indicated by the other
pointer. ~.
II his guess happens to be right, his
penny comes back to him. 1t is game
that fasctnates many persons ana some
their exact weight, try II on later In the
presence OF witnesses and get away with
the reputation Of being clever. %
However. there are 90 many small
things that alter ones weight from time
TO time that Il is very hard to get It e1-
aotly right. And the machine doesn't
pay back on approximation. but only tor
enact gueasos. ----------
The sun., 1908-10-11
MOTH HUNTING AT NIGHT
SOME GOOD THINGS BOTTLED
BY HETEROCERISTS.

New York Entonioiogists Invade jersey.
Capture Rare Specimens. Mix Sai0mo
Cocktails and Are Accused Of Ma.
ture FaEing and Highway Robbery.
After q number Of successful field days
when the coleopterists or beetle collecting
members OF the several New York ento-
moloEical societies made good hauls Of
rare things the heterocerists or moth
specialists decided TO have time Of their
ownA The arrangement for field night
was the result and postais were sent out
giving the name Of particularly forsaken
New Jersey town as the railroad destina-
tion for the picnic. The adventures Of
the bugoloRical enthusiasts on this ex-
cursion were weird and interesting.
It was shortly after p. M. that the
AGGREGATION began assembling at North
River ferry, whence they journeyed TO
Hoboken and boarded their train. The
trappings carried differed much from
those employed by their diurnal asso-
oiates, the beetle collectors.
The latter may be Immediately identi-
fed by the clanking within tin botanizing
cans OF preserving bottles, forceps, small
hatchets and the like, while huge sweeping
nets and umbrellas for holding under
bushes that are beaten with q club serve
to impart distinctive tone to the ooleop-
terra cian Among the moth collectors
the only clanlzing member carried a pale
green botanizing can shaped like the
muffier OF touring automobile. None
but the novice would fail TO comprehend
that this gentleman was devotee Of
microlepidoptera and writer Of stagger-
ing appellAHons relating TO almost In
visible subjects.
From the pockets Of at least three
memoers Of tide party protruded wnat
appeared to be brand new whltewash
brushes Nearly every member had what
looked like preserving jar thrust into
bis right outside coat pocket. which jar
was 90 heavy that all the scientists seemed
TO be much higher on the left shoulder
than the other side.
All members were armed with small
lanterns Of the bullseye type. which 40.
counted for a rich aroma Of kerosene
Telescope net handles were much in evil
dence. though one very tall Teutonic
appearing scientist carried what looked
! like short length Of heavy gas pipe
though this was really q netrhandle d
The sun., 1908-10-11

concentric make. Of great length and used
gate the electric lights.
'This ride reminda me Of an account
Of swarm Of locusts that stopped a
train remarked one Of the moth hunterA
1T was e swarm Of a species Of Acridium
think. The examples were 90 thick
on the rails that the engine wheels slipped
and the train stopped. The observer
remarked that the roar Of the thousands
Of locusts was appalling
"Lid you ever hear the love song Of
the Australian cicada2' asked the scientist
on the same seat. Ste 90 loud that ten
steam whistles all sounding together
would be unable to drown IL. Yet this
species is only as big as q mans fore-
finger
Here mid little collector who had
been peI'lsing a ccoy Of the Check List
Of North American Lepidoptera' turned
TO the speakerS
sHave you gentlemen ever heard the
little tree cricket singing In the pinelands
Of New Jersey late in Augustf' he asked.
"The impression conveyed is the sound Of
distant sleigh bells. The effect 10 very
beautiful. Again l might remark that
some of the smaller criokets Of the Acris
group make sound like the continuous
jingling Of coins
During this conversation the train
boy had ceased peddling his candy and
stood petriHed. He resumed his rolling
| course down the aisle, but suddenly
duepped into seat beside trainman.
sSay!" he remarked, Talk about bug
house membersl That troupe 10 spouting
the most phoney line Of talk ever. One
Teller lust told about locusts that turn
loose an appallin' roar. another felleI
says he knows bug that makes a noise
like sleigh bells In August, and the third
guy, the one with the diluted look, saya
there's bugs that make noise like money
Them guys 10 what call the real thing
'n By S@ts this time ,nt the brakes ware grinding
and the train stopped 1T station 90 In
significant that the trainman barely
erunted the title. The entomologist'
filed out, each nursing the side pocket
containing the cyanide jar toHkeep thai
article from colliding with the backs d
the seats.
The march led up hill thick with rec
dust At the top stood q tavern. With
one accord the bug hunters ewung right
obliaue and entered the modest temple
Of Bacchus,
In the murky glow Of autumn sun
Get the entomologists scanned the land
scape from the tavern yerandA. "a
stretch In the road, come half q mile dis-
can't that led through . thick patch a