davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26

The first thing to consider when
selecting breed Is the purpose we
desire them for
There are some breeds Of poultry
that are adapted to but one purpose
and that is laying eggs. among them
being what poultrymen. call the Medi-
terranean breeds such as the Leg
horns Minorcas. Hamburgs and others.
These are very good breeds but
what beginner is after Is hen that
will set and hatch some nice young
chickens and take care OF them In the
best shape.
He will also want breed that will
be ideal for market, one that will
mature early, have nice clean color,
be good layers, lay good-sized eggs, &C.
tive enough to be good rustlers after
grasshoppers and worms, be good set
tiers and mothers, easily tanned and
handled and breed that will bear
confinement we'll.
There are many excellent breeds OF
this class found among what are
known as the American breeds. The
Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Island Reds.
the Wyandottes. and other breeds be-
long to this class.
The Brahmas, Cochins, Langsharlgs
and others of the large breeds OF
Asiatic class are not as good layers as
the smaller breeds. they are more in
clined to be broody and as rule are
not as good rustlers as the American
breeds and for that reason would not
advise one to select ones foundation
stock from that kind Of breeding.
When we look the field all over
there is no breed that stands pre-
eminently at the head OF the utility
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26
REST THE HORSES FEET.

Every farm horse should, II pos
sible, be allowed to go without his
shoes at least two or three months
every year. In fact. 1t is hardly ne
cessary to shoe horse on the farm
unless he is to go on the hard roads
or work on the hard soil where he is
required to do much heavy pulling.
Without shoes a horses hoof will
grow out, regain It's natural shape
which Is always more or less changed
by continuous shoeing.
Many city horses with hoofs bound
and cracked and otherwise injured,
have been taken to farm, their
shoes pulled off and turned out to
pasture and thoroughly cured within
six months. In fact the farmers
around the large cities used to and in
this class Of animal a cheap supply,
many Of which turned out to be first
class horses showing that all that was
needed was rest on Mother Earth
without their shoes.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26
P0UL TRY ITEMS

There is no gold mine nor get rich
quick scheme, in the poultry yard, but
If You will practice these four words:
cleanliness, punctuality, persey erance
and care. you will receive a good pro
fit from the poultry.
During very cold weather 1t Is alb
solute1y necessary that the eggs be
gathered several times day; for II
they are left in the nests they are apt
to be frozen. The evil habit of egg
eating is very often formed by hens
getting their first taste of eggs from
eating a cracked one which has frozen
in the nest.
A poultry house need not be artifi-
cially heated to be warm enough for
the hens to be comfortable and lay
eggs, .but 1t should be built very
tight and snug, so as to exclude all
drafts of cold air.
Now that green food is so scarce
would be good time to sprout some
oats or barley. These sprouted oats
are what you see advertised as poul-
try feed for IS cents per bushel.
Some kind OF green food is neces-
sary for laying hens now that the
ground Is covered with snow with no
green blade in sight. Cabbage, tur-
nips, beets or small potatoes are all
good; 80 is scalded alfalfa leaves.
Hens that are not laying these days
can be ccaxed sometimes by feeding
them a small amount Of cut bone or
fresh meat in some form.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26
GOOD ALL-PURP0sE FOWLS
Should Possess Egg layi ng Qualities and Mature
Quickly For Market.
BY w. NJ. Kelly.

class like the Plymouth Rocks and I
do not believe that . person would 80
wrong II he selected stock from some
good flock OF that breed.
The Plymouth Rocks lay good-slzed
eggs that are Of . nice shape and color.
or the various breeds Of Rocks
would choose the White Rocks, az II
Is easier to breed them true to color.
killed for market.
The Buff Rocks ana the Barred
Rocks are excellent fowls and are fully
as good in many respects a. the White
Rocks, but one will and 1t much cas-
Ter to breed birds OF a solid color
and keep them true to type and mark.
ings than to breed the colored breeds.
For chicken that will grow fast
and mature early know OF no breed
superior to the White Rocks. They
have plump body and are attractive
in the market and when full grown
have the weight that makes them
bring home the money that II cost to
grow them.
The cockereis that are to be sold
In tho fall make quite an important
Item for us to consider and the White
Rocks cannot be excelled in this point.
When the hens are too old to keep
for egg producing purposes 1t Is quite
an important item to have them weigh
six to eight pounds.
There is an Increasing dcnrrd ~:
dressed fowls and II you have egg
customers you should be able to make
arrangements to supply them wiki
dressed poultry whenever ordered and
get the top price for your surplus
stock.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26
BOYS AND GIRLS ,AGRICUI~
TURAL CLUBS.

Within recent years q new method
Of agricultural education has been .de1
vissd in the form Of boys and girls
clubs. Such clubs have various obs
jscts. but usually they provide fol
prize contests among the members
Corn growing contests are probably
the most common among the boys.
although many other crops have been
tried, while the girls compete IN
bread making or sewing. or even tese
their skill against the boys in "a heA~
Ing.
According to the U. 9. Depar ,nent
of Agriculture. 395 counties In ~
States have such clubs. New York
has about 5000 members: Nebraska,
$4,000. and other States smaller nuns
bers. One county in Pennsylvania haa
1000 members. In most cases these
clubs are organized under the auspices
Of some State authority, such as the
commissioners OF agriculture. the sup-
erintendent Of public instruction. the
agricultural college. or = society. like
the State Corn Growers Association
of Delaware. But in many cases the
county superintendent takes the in
itiative, while in many other cases the
rural teachers arrange contests among
their own pupils.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26
FARMING A BIG BUSINESS
REQUIRES BEST
OBTAINED
B.

instance, the county or state steps in
and either does this work or chops
down the trees and charges the ex-
pense thereof to the land of the in
dolent farmer.
One tree Is now made to bear more
fruit than half a dozen did few
years ago: one acre is made to -tso-s
duce as much as ten acres dir
years ago. Intensive cuitivatin;
small and compact farms, "
available inch OF land utiliz.
ably, and the farmers and T.
lilies happy and 'contented. J
not affect them much. They
the absolute necessities Of life s.
world must look to them for living
30 that after all. the farmer is In
dispensable.
Never before has farming been car
ried on with such a sure scientific
foundation. With SOIL sunshine and
water in Just the proportions demands
ed by plant and tree, the business Of
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26
TO FRAME A HAY BARN cHEAPLY

on many farms beautiful buildings
could occupy the space given to old,
unsightly ehncks---buildings which
would shelter all surplus hay and fod-
der, and they would pay their first
cost each year used.
One of the cheapest and yet most
substantial buildings may be con-
structed after the plan In tho accom-
panying sketch.
Two-by-four stun may be used for
small buildings. vet where the struc-
ture is to be Is or Is or "a feet In
width with height of is to "a feet,
posts ex6 inches and 2x6-inch stuff
Is better.
The bents should be framed to stand
8 or feet apart according to the size
Of the building.
Each bent should be framed and put
together before it is raised. The plates
should be nailed or bolted to the top
of posts SO they will answer for top
nall ties as we'll as support for the
center rafters.
The center and lower nail ties for
the siding should be of the Same
thickness as the plates. The roof may
be OF any suitable material at hand.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26

The business OF farming, as prac-
ticed by the modern and progressive
farmer, Is something altogether differ
ent from the methods in force few
years ago. Everything about the mod
ern farm Is clean. wholesome and san
itarS. Pigs. cows and chickens no
longer occupy the front yard. in COM
mon with, the farmers family. ma
chinery is no longer left in the held
to rust away, and the farmer and his
family no longer dress sha bbily. The
government, agricultural colleges, troll
ley lines, electric lights, telephones and
rural free delivery are the great
agencies responsible for this change.
The modern farmer, especially an irri-
cation farmer. must he a scientist.
He must farm scientifically. He can
not surrender his orchard to the pests.
The law requires him to at least pro-
tect his neighbours orchards. II he
fails to comply with the law requiring
him to properly spray his trees. for
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26
GEoRGIA's BIG FORESTS.

The state of Georgia contains thirty
eight million acres. more than twenty
six million Of which are forests, en-
bracing In varying quantities practic-
ally all of the trees Indigenous to the
eastern states.
The chief hard woods OF Georgia
are the oak. the hickory, the ash, the
dogwood the black gum. and the per-
simmon. and these are found chiefly
in the mountains, along the banks OF
streams. and in the marshes and
swamps. The chief soft woods of the
state are the long and short-leafed
pine, the poplar and the cypress OF
all Georgia's commercial timber the
pine Is by far the most important.
With over a thousand sawmiIls in
active operation, with an army Of If
teen to twenty thousand men in con-
slant service, with an annual timber
cut Of from eight hundred million to
q billion and a quarter feet, and an
approximate annual value OF from fif-
teen TO twenty million dollars, lumber
ing II second only to cotton among
the native industries OF Georgia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26

Cleanliness In, every part OF the
poultry house, is Of the utmost i'm
portance with fowls in confinement.
Onions chopped nne and mixed with
tho hens food occasionally will pro-
mote health. Onions are great poul-
try tonic and they are relished by
fowls old and young. Our fall
habchsd chicks tumble over one an
ot1asr TO get to their feed when on
ions are mixed with It.
Keep the males entirely separated
from the hens in winter quarters.
when eggs are not wanted for breed
ing purposes. The eggs are better In
quality, and will keep longer If not
fertN1Sed, and In number are not In
creased by the presence Of the male.
Fullsts are the best layers. Old
hens bring the egg record down. But
Of course. there are always excep-
tons.
The removal Of nesting material,
and refilling with clean dry nesting
70 4 great help In keeping down the
Nee.
One Of the most difacult things for
Q beginner in poultry raising to learn
n to Gull closely, and there are others
besides the beginners that need to
practise this necessary thing.
A Aim of kerosene over the drink
ing water, will prevent one chicks
catching disease from another: also
it will cure slight colds: an easy pre-
ventive. and no possible harm in it.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26
CARE OF PIGEONS.

II pigeons are crowded into small
space, and the proper attention to
cleanliness be lacking. do not expect
good results.
A beginner should start with only 4
few pairs at first and see how he likes
the business before buying large
number of birds.
AS pigeons grow older, molting be-
comes greater ordeal. 80 much 80
that old birds have at times great DIM
Guilty in either shedding or renewing
their feathers, especially the larger
feathers OF the flights and tail.
A pair OF pigeons should be as near
the same size as possible.
There is great deal moro trouble
in raising and selling breeding stock
than there is in marketing squads.
Rheumatism Is pretty sure to show
itself II pigeons are allowed to sleep
in an open window or In a draft.
Poor judgment IL more often dis
played in the purchase Of breeding
stock than 1t is in the erection Of
buildings.
Warmth and dryness are essential
to healthy mott.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26
TO DOUBLE CROP YIELDS

agriculture, yet It has never been pedis
greed or improved by scientific breed.
ing. Like Topsy. 1t Just growed.'
It is mongrel plant. with probably
the greatest value OF any mongrei on
earth. / now have I'm my breeding
gardens seventy varieties and strains
of alfalfa. including those raised from
seed from every part Of the world
where the plant Is grown. In addition
to my own hybrids The method purs
sued In improving alfalfa IL to make
crosses and hybrids between all Of
these varieties and then select thu
one that shows the best quality, come
bined with the greatest productivenesst
This last season had two hybrid
that grew to a height OF three feet ii
ninety days from the date of planting
the seed. Any one who has grow1
alfalfa can appreciate tho significance
OF these figures. BY fixing some typa
OF this sort can put into the handd
OF the farmers improvements that
greatly will increase the yield.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26
ELECTRICITY AIDS THE POULTRY RAISER
It's Use Does Away With Oil Or Other Fuels In
Incubators
q 8 Miller
Incubators.
by G. S. Miller.

as free from dirt in all respects as an
ordinary electric light fixture and Is
practically as easy to use; the operator
merely turns tho button and the
silent current does the rest.
An adaptable electric hover has been
designed to take care of chicks after
they are Matched. As the name signi-
flcs, this hover is readily adaptable to
almost any location. 1t can be IN
stalled in an ordinary brooder, either
indoor or outdoor, or can be used In
=dependently. The heater Of the adapt
able hover consists OF an electroplate
with an electric thermostat. which
automatically cuts out the current
Whenever the temperature underneath
gree, and turns on the electricity, auto
matically and reliably, when the tenn
perature beneath the hover goes be-
low the required degree.
In this hover as In other electric
incubating devices, there is no cost for
operation, when the current is cut OF.
Breeders heated by lamps or oil
stoves can be regulated so that the
surplus heat is carried off. but the con-
sumption Of fuel continues, thus en-
failing waste. But when electricity Is
used the thermostat not only cuts out
the current automatically and thereby
stops expense when the temperature
under the hover reaches the required
degree, but later on, when the tenn per-
ature falls below the right degree
electrical contact is made automatical-
~ by the thermostat and the current
Is again turned on.
Tho advantage of the use OF cleo
tricity for incubating and brooding
purposes are: Economy in use, labor
included, with convenience in location
of incubator and absence of fumes and
gases; perfect distribution of heat In
the egg chamber, and great simplicity
and accuracy OF regulation. On ac-
count of these important advantages
1t Is believed that electricity will be
adopted generally within the next few
years for heating and regulating in
cubators and breeders in all cities and
villages of the United States and many
foreign countries where ordinary cleo
trio lighting current is obtainable.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26

Though such conditions aro unfavor-
able for beekeeping the thought Of put
ting the bees on the roof of a wood
shed occurred to me; and. though the
idea was laughed at built some
framework and placed upon it my two
hives with two additional.
Though the bees were just over the
door as shown in the picture, the only
time they gave us any trouble was
after had robbed them. Then they
would be numerous for short time.
reached the hive by way of an
apple tree close by, or through the
window above. in which the screen
was hung on hinge.
From this roof I took about 500
pounds Of honey from four hives,
(quite good returns from roof Z
feet square, ordinarily considered USE
less for producing anything) Percy
g. Sherman in "Gleanings in Bee-Cul-
ture."
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26

One Of the most interesting, II not
the most noteworthy electrical achieve
ment OF recent years, has been the de-
velopment Of electrically heated and
regulated devices for incubating and
brooding chickens. Electric incuba-
ton has been demonstrated to be
practical, economical and desirable.
In devising tho electrical heating
and regulating apparatus for fncuba-
ton, these devices were designed for
use on the electric lighting current OBJ
tainable from an ordinary tncandes-
cent lamp fixture In any residence,
once building or other structure that
II equipped with electric lighting or
electric power and where current Is
supplied twenty-four hours of every
day. Sunday included.
The "Electroplane" Is an asbestos,
metal bound. electrically heated and
regulated diaphragm, designed for use
IN the itcubators now manufactured
without interfering with their present
construction or principles of operation.
To install an Electroplare in an In
cubator. tho removable top diaphragm
is taken out and the Electroplane sub
one end of the incubator, a common
flexible lighting cord is inserted. con-
nsction IL quickly made with cord
and plug attached to the Electroplane.
tho current Is turned on by means Of
q button in the same way an electric
lamp IL lighted, and the machine is
ready for use. heated and regulated
by electricity.
The Electrobator is an electric in
cubator designed for the use Of poul-
try raisers who reside in cities or viii
lagos where ordinary electric lighting
current il obtainable and who do not
require large Matching capacity. It Is
designed to hatch six dozen (72) hen
eggs.
Inasmuch ss no odor. gases or dirt
Of any kind attach to the use OF the
Electrobator it can be operated and
will do satisfactory work in living
apartments where the owner of lamp
machine would not find It desirable to
run An incubator heated by kerosene
oil. The Electrobator Is odorless and
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26
A COVERED FEED-RACK

The picture will show how to make
about the barnyard.
A covered feed-rack for winter feed
ing of corn fodder or any variety OF
hay or grains. 1t answers also for
shade during the summer and shelter
for the manure deposited under it.
"A three in one shot
The center posts should be s or 10
inches square and 10 or IA feet long.
Set these In the ground "a or feet
in a straight row feet apart.
a plate is placed upon the row Of
posts and pair of rafters as shown in
the picture Is fastened to each post.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26

Prof B. c. Buffun. Of Worland.
Wyoming. who Is pioneer In the
science of seed breeding. hopes that
scientific methods and patience In
farming will double the crop yields.
Prof. Buffum Is leader among tho
few men who are devoting their entire
attention to improving farm products
in practical way. He 10 the author
of arid Agriculture" and has been
N agricultural work for more than
twenty years.
The ideas Of Prof. Buffum and
similar workers mark q reversal OF
the old plan OF using unmarketable
stuff for seed. Under the new system
the farmer uses the best seed that the
practical scientist can furnish. The
value of this plan has been demon
strated by the progress made with
corn and other grains.
Speaking of alfalfa improvement
during recent visit to Chicago. the
Professor said:
Alfalfa is the basis OF western
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26
THE FAMILY GARDEN
SUGGESTIONS REGARDING QUANTITY

Peppers-One-h half ounce Of seed.
Radishes-Sow one-half ounce every
three weeks.
Rhubarb-one dozen roots will last
family life time.
Spinach-Sow two ounces of seed
In drills.
Squash--One ounce of seed will
plant about twenty hills.
Turnips-One ounce OF seed sown
broadcast will produce big cast. Sow
thinly and do not be afraid to thin
out after the plants come up.
Amateur gardeners often make the
mistake of planting vegetables too
close together. Plants having large
foliage such as tomatoes, peas and
beans should be given plenty of room
In order that the sunshine may reach
all parts.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26

farming and fruit-growing has become
an occupation suited to the educated
man and woman. Scientific farming is
in Its heyday and intensive cultivation
is making ten acres as profitable as
eighty, and twenty acres as remuner-
alive as quarter section.
It is no uncommon thing to see at
nvll in the fields Of an irrigated farm
IN Of college training and of fine
sence.
With big horses and big tools, one
clligent man can now perform the
SKIS formerly requiring ten.
No salaried positions In the learned
professions can ordinarily command
the pay equal to the returns from
forty-acre farm under Intelligent man
agement. If the same area be put
into orchard the yield IS often equal
to that OF the presidents salary of
some great railway system. No Won
der irrigation and scientific farming
attract all young men.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26

d D. + . -
People who have not made study
Of gardening are some times puzzled
to know how much of each kind Of
vegetable to plant The following
quantities will be sufficient to supply
an average family, say Of six persons.
Asparagus Burrows twenty feet
long and three feet apart.
Artichokes-On ounce OF seed will
furnish an ample supply.
Pole Beans-Two quarts planted one
week apart.
Lima Beans-One quart planted one
week apart.
Beets-Two ounces of seed.
Brussels Sprouts-One ounce of
seed. This is one OF the most delicious
vegetables raised and should be in
every garden.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26

A sheeting of common plank is
nailed on upon which roof of straw
or old hay is placed.
Strips are nailed to the rafter braces
to which Stats are nailed, forming the
racks.
A feed trough for grains, mill feed,
and roots is built on each side.
This also catches the loose hay or
corn which falls through, and the
stock gets It cleaned up instead Of
tramping 1t under foot.
A rack like this will cost about SO,
for one 16 or Is feet long, and will
save many times its cost In one season.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26
carrots-one ounce Of seed.

Carrots-One ounce OF seed.
Cauliflowcr-One ounce Of seed.
This is another excellent vegetable
which is much neglected In the aver
age farm garden.
Celery-Onc ounce OF seed will pro-
duce about fifteen hundred plants.
Sweet Corn--One pint OF seed for
each planting. This should be planted
about ten days apart.
Cucumbers-One-ha ounce Of seed
will plant twenty-five hills.
Lettuce-One-half ounce of seed.
Sow ten days apart.
Onions-Plant two rows fifteen feet
long. making three paintings ten days
apart.
Peas-Did anybody ever raise too
many peas? Plant one quart at q
planting about ten days apart.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-26
PROFIT IN SHEEP.

Cold weather never effects sheep
but dampness is fatal in time.
It Is estimated that ten sheep can
be kept where one COW can, and the
risk is much less. It may be said
that the sheep always carries her
pocketbook with her.
II she dies, her pelt or fleece pays
her funeral expenses. II she lives,
her wool In the spring and her lambs
in the fall pay double revenue. No
other stock pays as large a precent-
age Of clear profit on the money in
vested.