davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16
CHINESE CORN.

In 1908 the department of agricul-
ture at Washington received a small
lot Of shelled corn from China, and a
test was given It the same season It
showed qualities which may make It
valuable in the breeding Of a type OF
corn which viii be adapted to the hot
and semiarid conditions Of the south
west. The plant raised IN the test
averaged less than six feet IN height,
with an average Of a dozen green
leaves at the time OF tasseling. The
ears averaged five and one-half inches
In length and four and one-half inches
In greatest circumference, with six
teen 10 eighteen rows Of small grains.
"A popularity Of this variety Is that
on the upper part Of the stalk the
leaves are all on one side instead OF
being arranged on both, as IN the ma
tive corn. The upper leaves stand
erect, their tips extending beyond the
tassel. The silks OF the ear are pro-
duced at the point where the leaf
blade IS Joined to the leaf sheath, and
they appear before there IS any sign
OF an a beyond a slight swelling.
This latter characteristic would seem
70 DO IN aid in preventing o drying
out OF the silks before p|OlliuatlOn. It
IL thought by the department officials
that By crossbreeding some Of these
desirable qualities may be transmit.
ted 20 a larger type Of corn.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16
SOME REASONS FOR 1T.

While 1t is a matter of real concern
that thousands of small towns are
having their very lifeblood Slapped
out by the large increase in catalogue
house business, there are some fea-
lures in the cause Of this increase
that IT would be well If merchants
and residents OF these same small
towns would take into account. One is
the practice of the merchant in charg-
ing more than a reasonable profit on
some lines of goods offered for sale.
This begets the mail order habit,
which doesn't, as a rule, stop with the
articles on which unreasonable prices
have been charged. Another reason
for the mail order business is that the
home merchant so seldom in his adj
vertising announcement-if, indeed, he
has n in the home paper-names a
definite and specific price for his
goods, a thing that is invariably done
In the mail order catalogue. Another
feature that IS raising hob with more
than n town is that staples offered
for sale in its stores cost more thar
the same goods I'm adjoining towns,
while the prices paid for live stock
and produce are from 10 to 30, cents
per hundred less. In helping the small
town out Of the dilemma which many
OF them are getting into there is much
b can be done by those whose in
terests are most vitality involved
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16
HOW HE HANDLED THEM.

During the last week in October II.
ID. Brawner, a regular farmer and
feeder OF cattle and hogs, who lives
at Delavan, Ill, sold n carload OF two
year-old branded Montana bred Angus
steers on the Chicago market at 50,
the highest price ever paid for brand.
ed range fed cattle on the regular
market. The steers averaged 1901
pounds in weight and brought the
owner a triHe over S135 apiece. Cat
tie feeders win be interested I'm Mr..
Brawner's history OF the care Of this
bunch OF profitable beeves. He says:
"These cattle were bought on the
Chicago market one year ago yester-
day as yearlings, averaging 100
pounds, at 81 per 100 pounds. They
were bred and raised on n ranch near
Livingston. Mont. 1 took them home
and roughed them through last win
ter In the stalk fields and with n little
clover hay until April ], then fed
them in a dry lot for about six weeks,
when / placed them on blue grass
pasture. with a light ear corr ration
fed each evening until Sept. J.. 1 then
began giving them n full ration Of
crushed corn and oats, with dry fod-
der on pasture, until shortly before
shipment, when they were again
placed in dry lot. No patent stock
foods were used. 1 think the dry fod-
der was a great help to their finish, as
they always ate it with great relish.
AS a general proposition 1 strongly rec
ommend feeding shock corn complete
10 cattle after Sept. !. / do not APP
prove Of a standing ration Of corn ell
Their in self feeder or troughs, but in
fattening cattle I feed once per day
regularly Just enough grain 10 be eat
en- up clean. This lot OF cattle was
fattened with the least corn of any /
ever fed, and i have fed cattle prac-
tically all my life"
One or two further points Of inter
est in connection with Mr.. Brawner's
methods are that he makes a great
point OF careful and gentle treatment
OF his feeding animals; that he uses n
manure spreader on his farm all the
time, having in mind the necessity of
maintaining soil fertility by selling
beef and pork rather than raw grain
products. he also places n high esti-
mate or the well bred range fed steer
as uniform, growthy and free from dis
ease
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

a friend who makes n strong point
OF his dairy and usually secures a nice
reyenue from It told us the other day
that he was about a dozen fresh COWS
short at the beginning OF this winter
because a year ago he unwittingly
bought a sire which was badly infect
ed with tuberculosis, which got only
n portion OF his COWS I'm calf. Besides
this loss, there is great danger that his
whole herd Of cows may be infected
in greater or less degree with the dis
case. This Is n fair sample Of the
damage which tuberculosis inhicts on
the dairy interests OF the country, the
aggregate Of which would be appalling
could It be accurately known. Breed
ers should profit by experience Of the
above type and resolve not TO purchase
any breeding animal. and particularly
a thoroughbred. without a certificate
OF health which guarantees him free
from tuberculosis. 1t may be taken
for granted that such n guaranteed
sire will cost more than n rundown or
diseased scrub, but be will prove by
far the cheaper in the long run.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

The United States department OF
agriculture has lately issued n popu-
lar review Of some of the more i'm
portant and practical experimental
work done during the past two or
three years by the several state ex-
pertinent stations under the title Of
farmers bulletin No. 3G6. This will
place within reach OF farmers in all
the states valuable information which
would otherwise be available only to
farmers in states where the expert
ments were carried on. Among many
subjects reviewed are milking ma
chimes, cost Of producing farm crops,
treatment Of muck soils, manure for
timothy hay, corn breeding. weed
seeds in feeding stuffs, hookworm dis.
ease I'm cattle and milk supply Of cit.
ies. The bulletin is for general dis
tribution and should be in the hands
Of every up to date farmer.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

Irrigation OF Alfalfa" is the title of
farmers bulletin No. 373. which has
just been issued by the department at
Washington and aims to tell what soils
are best adapted to the growing of al
falfa and how the crop may be handled
TO the best advantage In the matter of
the irrigation and other care of It.
The bulletin is practical and valuable
and should be In the hands Of every
alfalfa grower in the irrigation Sec
lions Of the south and west.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

a northern Minnesota farmer had
an unusual exhibit Of alfalfa at his
home state fair this year, and inquiry
into the case has brought out the
5act that be got four cuttings this
season from his two acre patch, the
first yielding four tons 10 the acre, the
second three, the third two and a
half tons, and OF the fourth no record
was kept. as u was saved for the hogs
and chickens and was not weighed
II the last cutting averaged q ton per
acre Il would make the yield per acre
for the season ten and n half tons.
The land on which this alfalfa was
grown has n foot Of sandy loan sur
face soil with clay beneath. The
ground was prepared in the fan and
the seed sOwn without n nurse CROP
in the spring 40 the rate Of three
pounds per acre. The Geld was moved
tho 1et Of July and again the 1st Of
September 20 dispose OF the weeds.
Another favorable condition was that
the patch had n southerly exposure,
which made 81 warm and insured e1.
cellent drainage
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

While the crow has a bad name with
the agrlculturist, and perhaps justly
so, the bird nevertheless fills an i'm
portant niche In natures economy as
scavenger-a devourer OF dead and
decaying animal matter. In this re.
spect IL resembles the turkey buzzard
and vulture, the jackal and hyena. The
scavenger hosts are often n good deal
Of a nuisance. but they do much OF
natures dirty work. performing a serv-
fee which is but little appreciated.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

Alfalfa does not do well I'm n soil
which IS not properly drained nor
where the subsoil Ia oars gravel and
the roots are likely TO encounter small
afr spaces. IL is for these reasons that
the legume does especially well OH
deep, well drained alluvial soils or on
the deep volcanic ash deposits which
are found so frequently in mountain
and Pacific coast states.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

1t is an interesting act that the two
great staple cereal crops Of the world,
rice and wheat, should be grown in so
nearly equal quantities. the latest esti-
mates placing the respective yields
at 175.00 100000 and 10000, 100000
pounds. Other statistics compiled by
the department OF commerce and labor
show that the production of rice in
this country during the past ten years
equals that OF the half century preced-
ing. In 1908 the crop was SO0.O00.000
pounds. and of this amount Louisiana
and Texas raised more than 90 per
cent. During the past few years i'm
portations Of rice have continued at
about the same rate, which would
seem to show n large increase In home
consumption.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

One who has suffered severely from
bee stings calls attention 10 the fact
that the effect of the sting may be
greatly lessened II the stlnger is scrap.
ed or with n knife instead OF be-
ing pulled out. as the pressure exerted
by the fingers tends TO force the poi.
son into the wound from n little sac
which is situated neal its base.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

Folks who live In a latitude where
the thermometer goes to 20 below zero
have possibly q bit Of excuse for fol-
lowing the example OF the methodical
old elder who during the cold weather
was In the habit OF having his even
ing prayer on n placard at the foot OF
his bed and was wont as he hoped in
to look at 1t and say, "Them is my
sentiments too"
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

Unlike some other fruits and vege-
tables, apples are not ruined by freez-
ing. though there is little question that
their texture and possibly their quality
are impaired as a result. Such damage
is reduced to the smallest IL the fruit
is kept frozen until used or allowed
to thaw out very slowly. Often in
going through the orchard in midwin-
ter one VIII find apples covered by
the leaves and grass and q layer of
snow which seem to have lost little
of their original quality.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

There seems to exist between wild
and tame fowl n sense of comradeship,
due possibly 10 n distant kinship, aud
1t is manifested in interesting ways.
The melodious call of the southbound
flock Of wild geese finds response in
the answering call and tapping Of
wings of the barnyard flock. while
locks of tame mallards on ponds and
streams are frequently visited by their
wild cousins, and the latter are lulled
to n ems of security by their tame
ness and often fall n prey to the hunt-
err as n consequence. Though in less
direct line of kinship, focks Of bob
white will often come to the barnyard
and mingle and feed with the poultry.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

Tho use Of Iron sulphate may be eff
fective when sprayed on young weeds.
but n method OF eradication, which IS
better. Is TO adopt n system OF crop ro-
tation which will prevent the weeds
from going to seed. and this is not a
difficult matter II care is exercised.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

There are many feeders who will
carry good sized focks OF lambs in
their feed lots this winter instead Of
so many steers. as I'm former years.
With wool prices where they are and
mutton kept up in sympathy with beef
and pork prices the sheep feeder ought
to do well In his feeding operations.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

A friend who this year tiled a low
place on his farm that for years past
has been well nigh unproductive told
us the other day that the best corn
he raised this season came from this
low tile tract and yielded close to
seventy bushels, the return being suf-
nclent in n season TO pay for the
cost OF the filing. This is an instance
which may be verified in the expert
ence of almost any farm owner who
has made a serious and intelligent at
tempt to tile wei land. Low land is
usually rich land and uniformly pro-
ductive IL relieved Of its surplus mois-
ture.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

There arc said to be close TO $780,
600 dairy COWS in the United States
that are not paying for their keep. II
is calculated to make n fellow groan
to think of the job OF milking this
enormous bovine aggregation, and all
for nothing-only the privilege OF hav-
ing them around.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

Like some other much maligned
things, the Ben Davis apple has its
good points in spite OF all the abuse
which has been heaped upon it. Load
cd with the obloquy Of having been
the variety which caused the fall Of
our first father I'm the garden Of Eden,
Of having The rosy, smiling cheek, but
the punk inside. the Ben Davis, not
withstanding this. has n good many
friends. 1t is n hardy tree, a very
prolific and regular bearer, the fruit
stands up and takes n shine months
after other choicer varieties have with
cred away, while many orchardists are
coming to feel that, in spite Of the low
er price received for It, &c viii bring
in almost as many dollars during q
period Of years as Will the shy bear
ing Spitzenburg, which Is generally nc
cepted as the standard OF apple quail
~. The Ben Davis would therefore
seem to ill a mission like some other
homely things.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

The Mexican turkey raiser cooks
much Of the food for his flock and
always adds n moderate amount OF
fhili pepper, which. he contends, keeps
them In good condition and enables
them TO ward of disease.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

In the anxiety which so many folks
are showing these days along the line
of getting hold of cheap land the mer-
its of the cutover pine lands in north
ern Wisconsin, Michigan and Mime
sofa ought not to be overlooked. 1t is
true that the stumps will have TO be
removed from this land, but IL reports
are true that much Of 1t can be got at
from So to $40 per acre 1t would not
be high priced land with the cost of
clearing added. The soil is fertile,
suitable to the growing OF grasses,
oats and barley, flint corn, clover, po-
tatoes and other root crops The con-
ditions are favorable for stock raising
and d~airying, and altogether the open
ing would seem to he excellent for set
tiers of intelligence and energy. Were
we in search Of cheap undeveloped
lands we would investigate carefully
these cutoyer pine lands.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

Freedom from excitement. coupled
with gentle handling, means more but
ter fat from the dairy COW and more
meat on the back OF the steer In the
feed lot. 1t is a simple case or cause
and effect.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

One OF the most wholesome as wen
os effective laxative foods is apples.
Not only are they pleasant to the
taste. but they have n definite food
value. OLD and young should eat them
In generous quantities.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

1t was an astonlshed little house
keeper who took two cupfuls OF rice
to boil for two and found when It
ovcrflowed the kettle in which It was
cooking that she had food for n faml-
ly of sixteen.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

About six styles dolls, doll heads,
balls, rattles, doll shoes, tams, DOM
inoes, checkers, card games OF all
kinds, tree ornaments, blocks.
books, candles, irons, stoves, chill
dren's sets, animals, whistles, tops,
pant boxes, horns, masks, lantern
slides, and hundreds of others.
See these goods.
2 votes with each Toe
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

Shoes for
Everybody.
Very cheap; fully
guaranteed.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-16

Cooking ware of all kinds, ties,
collars, handkerehiefs, belts, sus-
penders, fascinators, boxes. hand
bags, perfume, books. tops, dolls,
comb and brush sets, nut sets, mir
rors, cigar cases, engines, lanterns.
sleds, trains, horses and wagons,
cups and sauccrs, dishes, salads,
states, figures, vases, jewel cases,
nut bowls, toy dishes, rubber toys.
2 votes with each Toe
The Winslow mail., 1909-12-25
The Musgravius
Family
By PAUL GLE $40

Copyright, by Short Stories Co., Ltd
The science Of mineralogy is regard
cd as the special domain of the Mus
gravius family. Georges Musgravius,
the founder of the dynasty, has occu-
pied for thirty consecutive years the
chair established for him in the Col
lege de France His eldest son. Jean
Musgravius, is professor of mineral
ogy at the museum, his son Henri is
chief lecturer on mineralogy al the
normal school, Pierre Donor, first SON
ln-law, is professor Of mineralogy at
the Sorhonne, lastly, Charles ;Bonni-
Guet, second son-in-law, less fortunate
than the others, is titulary OF lecture
association in the faculty of Toulouse.
Here he teaches mineralogy, like
everybody else distantly or closely
connected with the Musgravius fam
lily
This daughter left behind in the
provinces is the great grief of Madam
Musgravius. She can see her only
three times q year-at New Year, at
Easter and during the long vacations,
so when it became we'll blished
fact that they might depend on the
creation at the Sorbonne Of miner
illogical lecture association, Madam
MusgraviuS never doubted that. the
place would be reserved for Charles
Bonniquet. However, as one must
leave no stone unturned, she made her
husband put on his frock-cOat. tied
white cravat around his neck and,
after giving him instructions, sent him
TO the minister to plead his cause, or
rather. his son-in-law's.
The minister who had been expect
ing this visit for several days, had
had tirse TO prepare to meet the solicit
tations Of the old savant.
He had candidate of his own, who
was a fav0rite of his and whom he in
tendSd to impose on Musgravius him
self.
He was feeling irritated and quite
disposed to make scene, when the
The Winslow mail., 1909-12-25

petitioner was ushered into his office
He said to him at once, with a touch
of sarcasm which astonished the pro-
fessor:
Il am delighted to see you my dear
professor. Your visits are rare. sup
pose you want something"
You are right, Mr. Minister I've
heard that you have determined to
found lectures on mineralogy at the
sorbonne."
Il have determined-I have deter
mined? | beg your pardon, but you
seem to regard me as an absolute
monarch. The Sorbonne asks for a
lecture association, the higher council
is favOrably disposed and | ratify their
decision"
"Of course, Mr.. Minister, of course,
You are an old liberal What interests
me is that the association is founded"
Have you a man to recommend? ?"
Yes, Mr.. Minister, a most deserv-
ing man, Charles Bonniquet"
Your son-in-law?"
Yes, my son-in-law.
Il have heard that young man men
toned, but, not to deceive you, M.
Musgravius, his nomination is impos~
sible."
What do you say, Mr.. Minister?
Has anybody prejudiced you against
Bonniquet?"
mo, nobody has prejudiced me-"
He is man of great distinction.
lis essays on cretace0us soils have
Deen spoken of at the Academy of Sci
ences''
Il do not disputes his merits
Well, then, what is it?"
You have q right to ask that, and
to be frank with you, NJ Musgravius,
if we do not invite NJ Bonniquet to
the Sorbonne it is not that we do not
consider him fitted for the position
We have a more important reason"
What is it?n
Must | tell YOU? 1t is because he
$ your son-in-law"
Because he is my son-in-law?"
You, your sops and your sons-in-
law occupy every chair of mineralogy
in Paris. You are establishing dy-
nasty
There are other similar instances,
Mr. Minister"
Il do not wish to know them am
opposed to nepotism. l have made up
my mind to oppose it wherever ! find
/ It."
THAT determination is much to your
/ credit, Mr.. Minister, but YOU cannot,
/ under pretense Of making war on nep-
The Winslow mail., 1909-12-25
North Pole Thermometers.

The open season for north poles
suggests temperature. Platinum wire
electric resistance thermometers are
now used in physical research With
these tenperatures as high as ,00a
degrees centigrade arc practical, Such
q thcrmor' eter is electric in the fuil-
est sense of complication and deli
cacy and few scientists" could handle
it. Absolute zero, -273 degrees cent
Grade. temperature of space. Lowest
temperature yet reached, -263 rse-
e.rees centigrade. Boiling point OF
liuuid air. -182 degrees centigrade.
Polling poipt of yiquid carbonic acld.
= degrees cent? Aade.-New fark
Press.
The Winslow mail., 1909-12-25
RACE SOON WILL BE EXTINCT
Hairy Anus, Original Japanese, Are
Disappearing Before Spread of
Civilization.

Few know that the original Japan
ese were the Ainu race, a race which
is fast becoming extinct. Rev. John
Bachelor, a missionary whose life
work has been among these curious
people, recounts some of his interest
ing experiences among them, the Lon
don Daily News says
They are simple race of people,
very docile and manageable. During
his 32 years among them he did not
experience the least perverseness
from them.
Their religion is one of nature wor-
ship, the bear being one of their prin-
cipal fetishes. The animal is special
ly reared and trained almost every
hut containing bear-pit in which a
bear is kept. Their life is extremely
primitive. The dug-out boat, the huts,
and their crude methods of tilling the
land are similar to those OF the saw
age mid-African people. Though the
stature of the men averages only
about five feet, they are sturdily built,
and with their flowing boards possess
a certain patriarchal dignity that re-
minds one of the Welsh Druids.
The women adopt the peculiar fash
ion of cultivating trim mustaches.
They are also addicted to the habit of
elaborately tattooing their bodies.
Their food, which mostly consists of
rice obtained by barter from the Jap
anese, also includes whatever the
hunt may bring forth. That they are
not too fastidious in regard to their
eatables is shown by an amusing story
told by Mr.. Bachelor.
"On one OCCASION" he says, when
crossing one of the small streams by
the means of a bridge which is cSm-
posed Of a plank, ! fell into the watAr
Luckily, a small inn was near at hand
and | went there to get my clothes
dried and in the meanwhile ordered
something to eat. After finishing the
repast | said to the small boy who
had served r,2: That was very
nice woodcock | had for nay dinner
That was not a woodcock. said the
boy, it was a chicken. Surely not.
said Mr.. Bachelor, you don't kill
chickens as young as that, do you?'
No, sir said the boy, the bird was
not killed, it died yesterday.