Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-30

more information to its readers than
ever before. and for this reason is grad
ually discarding its jokes. To be sure.
those jokes were sad at times-sad and
feeble. The would-be humorist could
study the almanac and gain considerable
distinction as a wit at any gathering where
he was present. He could have done this
il 1t had not been for the fact that vari-
Gus other quasi wits who had made use
of the same reference had not been too
previous for him. The main objection to
the almanac joke is the persistency with
which 1t hobs up at every occasion. II it
were not SO long between years and al
MANAGES were issued oftener the United
States would be a nation Of wits
Anatomy and Ills.
The first page of the almanac usually
concerns itself mainly with the liver and
it's eccentricities and makes bold to state
the only cure ($5 for six bottles Of it, and
therefore needs no further elaboration.
The liver information is followed by as
Economical calculations and weather fore
casts which are printed on every other
page The Rev. Irl Hicks of ST Louis
has furnished weather forecasts for each
month to come to numerous country pa
pers. The almanacs have gone MIN one
better. They supply this sort of informa-
ton for twelve months to come, and II it
did not spoil the value Of the publication
for the following years they would prob
ably just as cheerfully furnish the rain,
snow, hail and sunshine possibilities .or
the next twelve years to come
The almanacs are read and studied and
used as reference works in every part Of
the United States. \ good many people
no doubt read the birthday predictions
or horoscope Of Your life" with measure
of seriousness. The farmer refers to the
weather forecast and plans his seasons
accordingly. Phrenology and palmistry
charts have helped to pass away many a
dull evening, and the dream dictionary
has dispelled the doubts concerning the
significance OF numerous dreams.
No Authors Name.
OF course, the almanac writer is anony.
nous and the reader does not know
whether almanac information is issued
from the highest authority. Whether the
1910 edition contains the last word on
palmistry and alien mysteries is a uues-
ton. good deal of the late almanac
literature has been frightened I'D with
threatening advertisements - threatening
in so far as the peruser of these articles
Is sure to be AFFLICTED with every disease
that can be cured at the rate Of dollar
a bottle, six bottles Cor S.. However.
although almanac literature has its debat-
able side. q good deal of it Is useful and
all of it is interesting.
The 100000 almanacs that are being
iiSo oun III "Ae coHCeIH oy leadfn8
Indianapolis firm are also being printed in
seven different languages by other print
ing firms in the United States. The al.
manacs are then shipped over ali the
world. Every booklet is provided witt, a
loop at the left-hand corner by which it
can be hung on a nail. a looping ma
chine made in Lockport n. Y. can ia stem
these loops through the booklets at the
rate of 5000 an hour. and a folding ma
chine folds the almanacs after the naee
sheets have been printed at the rate of
5000 an hour.
The nature of the almanac has not
changed much, and just for that reason
it retains it's popularity. People do not
care to see old friends like that In any
of them new-fangled dresses" The
printing of these books takes place in a
much shorter time than it did formerly.
and in view of the increased circulation
this is absolutely necessary.