The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09
FROM OTHER PENS
SPOONS AND coNTRTIoN.

In these parlons days, when man
kind according to the pessimistic gen.
eral view, is made up largely of
rogues, it is refreshing to note any
conscience, however slight. With the
Ubiquitous truStSrrobbing the peoples,
with the politicians befuddling the
public mind; with the preachers CALL
ing each other harsh names and inn
putting improper motives one to the
other, it does seem as if things had
come to "a bad pass, and that IL the
ancient and slightly tiresome Diogenes
were to return he would need power
full searchlight instead of his tradi-
tional lantern to assist him in his
quest. ,.t
Therefore, the case of an unfortu-
nately anonymous hotel patron is like
ly to bring joy to the hearts of those
optinlists who have been insisting that
not all mankind is vile. This guest,
tarrying briefly at an Ohio hosiery,
annexed and converted to his own use
two teaspoons belonging to the insti-
tuition. presumably under the influence
of the popular craze for souvenirs.
But, few days ago, he sent to the
proprietor of the hotel contrite but
unsigned letter, in which he explained
that his conscience panied him to
such an extent that he felt constrained
to return to the boniface the estimated
value of the stolen utensils. He in
| Sentinel.
FARMERS AS FORESTERS.
I Scientific forestry a few years ago
was looked upon by the average far
mer as a fad; already it is recognized
as a necessity. Not only must intel
, ligent methods be used to insure the
! country a supply of lumber. but the
public now sees that the preservation
of forests is essential to the conserva-
ton of water supply. Massachusetts,
| has made a beginning by the act of
| last year. under which the. state may
buy waste land, establish forests on
| it and sell it to the original owner at
cost and interest.
Until very recently the study of for
estry was confined to the care of large
areas But there has come a demand
for the study of smaller tracts of
/ woodland. Every farmer has his
woodlot, from which he draws a sup
ply of fuel that may or may not be
enough for his household needs with
out coal. Any sale of the more val
liable sorts of wood that he may make
! seeding of maple, white oak. elm
or hickory. Now, white oak or
| hickory is no harder to raise than a
red oak or chestnut. The farmer
who looks ahead is asking for infor-
nation that will. tell him how best
1
which in the next generation, if not
! in his own time, will prove a source
of revenue not to be despised.--Boston
Globe.
THE PROFITS OF EXPERIENCE.
Admiral Sperry is reported to have
suggested to the navy department
that he will not require so much coal
to bring the battleship fleet home
from the Orient as had been estimat-
ed. The reduction amounts to around
5000 tons. Herein is illustrated de-
| tail Of the advantages which were ex-
pected to accrue from this unexam-
| pied practice cruise. Below decks. as
above, the navy is learning much of
value from the exhaustive experience.
Not only is the fleet brought to an
incompatible state of efficiency, but
| the results are available for all future
estimates. Coal consumption is an
important item. There has been COM
petition in the firerooms, as we'll as
in the turrets, to promote first class
work, to get the most out of the
material, to find out just how much
the material is worth The money
saving is an agreeable feature of the
tests but accurate knowledge with re-
spect to speed and endurance as re-
lated to- coal consumption represents
the real accomplishments