davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26
WHY sOWs EAT THEIR PIGS.

Whenever a SOW shows disposition
| to eat her pigs 1t is sure sign that
she possesses craving fer some form
of food she is unable to obtain. If
sho cannot get the material that is
needed to balance her system she nat
uraily will devour he. own offspr: lg.
| Once she gets a taste of flesh in this
way tremendous appetite for nitro
genous feed Is developed. she becomes
| cross irritable and often dangerous.
A hog Is composed of blood, water,
gristle, flesh and bone. ali albuminous
or heterogeneous and the SOW must have
food to supply all these element in
her makeup or she cannot thrive
Sows usually dew Up the p;g-e eating
habit when they are born. Very often
she will devour pig during the pains
of parturition because she may think
they are c"I: d ~ her offspring.
When a SOW eats her pigs the best
way is to fatten her ano send her to
market as quickly as possible for 1t
is r. habit not easily broken. 2ut she
should at first be fed a ration that
will produce growth in muscle and
flesh. and not too much fat Later,
when she obtains her normal condi-
ton she can be fattened tho same as
any other hog. ~
For winter feeding, alfalfa or clo-
yer hay, oats or corn and shorts in
equal portions by weight will prove
excellent. If the weather is very cold
she may be given a little mere corn
and she should have plenty of exer-
els all the time s.r.H
| In summer, of course. she should
have the .un Of a good pasture ana
the~corn ration should be greatly re-
duced. II fed in this way 3 sow will,
in the course of one season, regain
her normal condition. but even then
the habit of .pig-eating may remain
with her and we would not regard her
as safe breeder
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26

The successful operation Of a road
drs5 involves two principles. which.
when thoroughly understood and in
telligently applied, make road work.
ing with this implement very simple.
The first concerns the length { po-
sition of the hitch, while the second
deals with the position Of the driver
on the drag. Each influences the other
to large extent, and successful man
ipulation of the drag Is dependent
upon an understanding Of both of
them.
For ordinary purposes the snatch
link or clevis should be fastened far
enough toward the blade end Of the
chain to force the unloaded drs to
follow the team at an angle Of 45
degrees. Chis will cause the earth to
move along the face Of the drag
smoothly and will give comparatively
light draft to the team, provided the
driver ides in the line Of draft.
Sometimes. however, conditions are
met which require special treatment.
AID in a rolling countr such condi-
tons are not in'requent. Often a fiat
place several ''ods in length or a seepy
spot needs special attention.
The distance from the drag at which
the team is hitched affects the depth
Of the cutting. Shortening the chain
tends to lift the front slab from the
ground; longer hitch causes the
blade to cut more deeply. The length
of hitch may be regulated by length
ening and shortening the chain at the
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26

The building Ill accommodate IA
cows, IL hor@es, has box-stalls FOR
both the cows and horses, and also
large calf-pen.
Manure and hay-carriers can cas-
lily be Installed, and these are great
labor-savers. .' .@i... RI.
The arrangement Of the bedroom
al silo Is excellent. The four-foot
chute extends the entire length of the
silo, 1t has small windows for light.
a tight door below, separating the
same from the feed-rcom, and keep
Ing out dust and doors.
The silage is dropped down this
chute and from acre shoveled to the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. for the cows. and
4 one for the horses. There are two
7 bins In the bedroom. and two more
may be located on the floor above and
!. connected by small spout for draw
ing of the grain. These spouts may
be located directly .ver the mixing
! boxes. .& says $50 ~ r.
All hay is supposed to be fed from
akove, one hay-chute being provided
for each two stalls. 4
The milk-room IL so located that
the milk may be taken to It at once
and It contains plenty Of clean water.
running water. II possible. Here. Of
course should be located the sepa-
rator. s%
The workshop is one Of the neces-
stiles Of the farm, as with few tools,
many bills for repairs can be saved
here. I'ss' y ! ,.-.
The i1arness-room f. located in the
center of the horse-barn, and the two
box-stalls provide room for both male
an. female animals. as we'll as sick
ones. " u 'is.'
rhe hay-bay Is open to the roof.
but this can be arranged differently.
The partition separating the cows
from the center section. Is boarded or
Mastered up tight, except the calf
pen, to keep out any doors. dust or
ditt.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26
A USEFUL WORM
BY II. b. Buckhaln.

sr - T. =. n. ! % !
its reader back to tho hoe. Let the
boys have a chance to read ana study
II they will, and X perchancs they
should display love Of books be-
yond the ordinary. by ell means -
courage them in . love OF scholar
ship. se3s $3.50 .. s,i&,afg l,%
Never mind about the prospective
expense Of educating q boy; there ars
plenty Of means already at hand By
which they, in one way or another
may be met, as many q man can tes-
tify. who as poor boy went to col.
lege. though he had not cent In a.
pocket at the start. @
What our great and rapidly de-
veloping country needs most Of III,
Just at this time. 10 boys familiaF with
the agricultural problems Of the day
who are ready by earnest devotion 90
scientific training to at about hnd1ng
the solution Of these most pressing
difficulties. sss
Where would we be today were Il
not for the men Of loyalty and far
sighted wisdom who devoted their
lives to the cause Of scientific agri.
culture? What marvels, veritable
miracles, they have brought to pas IN
the growth and cultivation Of plant
ferns. ed::::catins nature herself tn
perform her great wonders!
Others must follow after them. %
take up their work as they lay Il
ASIDE. and no man is better qualified
to follow In their footsteps than he
who has known the farmers struggle
from earlie:t boyhood.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26

Government statistics tells US that
next to the apple, the strawberry Is
the most universally grown fruit in
this country, and that the amount OF
annual revenue received from the
strawberry crop is second only to that
received from the apple crop. t.4
Viewed, therefore, from the stand
point of pleasure and profit, the
strawberry may be ranked among our
greatest and most promising of pro-
ducts. ~
First, let us consider the soil. The
strawberry, although not requiring en-
extremely rich soil, still is heavy
feeder. and responds very quickly TO
generous treatment in that regard.
Any soil that will grow good corn,
potatoes, or :, general line OF vege-
tables, also will grow good crop of
strawberries. Howe YER a light dress
ing Of barnyard-fertilizer, scattered
over the plot during the winter OF
early spring, will aid greatly In pro-
ducing the desired results. 10y r:
Flowing or spading should be done
to the depth of six or eight inches.
depending upon the nature Of the coil;
ans then It should Se thoroughly har-
rowed until it is as fine as an ash
heap, when 1t will be ready for the
reception Of the plants.
If the soil be composed largely of
sand. or what Is known as a sandy
loan, 1t will be we'll to roll the plot,
or drag plank over 1t. before setting
tn, plants. This will Arm the soil.
anf: put 1t in just the proper condition
for the plants. II the SOL inclines to
clay. or is a clay-loam, then this will
be unnecessary. as the soil Is by ma
ture compact.
The next consideration Is the quail
ity Of plants. During the last fifteen
years. no other feature cf agriculture
has been more strongly emphasized
by the scientific and practical tillers of
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26

/ Cattle have been known to stam-
pede when a gun was fired In close
proximity. Such treatment is ruinous
to the dairyman, to say nothing Of the
frequent accidents. when valuable
animal is sacrificed, the hunter max
ing off with his game and leaving tho
owner of the land that much poorer
for his generosity.
Finally, the game is rapidly beinR
exterminated, and much Of 1t is really
the farmers friend. The quail, tho
clear note Of which fills all bird lovers
with Joy, Is one of the best insect and
weed destroyers.
. A flock of quail in the potato patch
renders the use of Paris green unnec-
essary. and the detested cut-worm is
their favorite dessert
The farmer feeds the world" but
there Is no reason why he should Re
expected to tolerate band Of tres
passers every fall. cndangering the life
Of his possessions. In many commun-
tiles farmers are banding together
against the hunting nuisance.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26

fore setting. The rule to observe is
to trim the roots by at least one-third.
This may be done by taking large
pair of shears and cutting o.: the low
er end of the mass Of roots. Then
when you place these roots in the soil,
spread them out like a fan.
The plants should be cultivated
every ten days during the season, and
a good rule to observe is tha: after
every rain. Just as soon as the soil will
crumble In the hand, the plants should
be cultivated. BY 50 doing. the sur
f. Of the soil is covered with fi,.e
particles Of earth which, in common
parlance, is dust-mulch.N 2. G
This dust-r llch destroys capillary
action, and instead Of the moisture in
the soil evaporating into the air, it
can escape from the soil only through
the plants themselves. 5...,@
Set out your plants in April or May
of 1912 and pinch of every blossom
that appears during the entire grow
ing season of 1912. but in the spring
of 1918 every blossom should be al
lowed to develop into a large and lus-
c1ous berry. -F '..s ~.
After the plants have been c-lti-
Vated the nrst season., and Wnen the
first heavy freeze has come, the plants
should be mulched with straw Of any
kind. Mulching between the rows
should be at a depth of from two to
four inches. depending upon the elm
ate, and the mulching over the plants
should be very light, indeed, except
in the more rigorous climates.
The strawberry is seldom killed by
freezing. 1t is the alternate freezing
and thawing. that causes the soil to
heave. that is dangerous to the straw
berry
But mulching serves many other
and important purpo-es-it helps to
retain moisture in the soil; it adds to
the richness Of the soil, and it keeps
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26
GOOD BARN FOR MIXED FARMING

The box-stalls in both the cow and
horse barn are so constructed that tho
inmates can have a good view Of tho
other animals. They like company
and will do better II they can see their
neighbours. H 1
The floors Of the constable, the
milk-room, feed-room and silo, are Of
cement, the gutter being formed in
the floor, with four-inch drain at
the rear. leading to the manure pit.
The stalls are made to At both long
and short cows. The first sta. In
front, is four feet wide and flve feet
long. The rear stall is three feet six
inches wide. and four feet eight inches
long. The stalls slope from the front
to the rear. each stall being slightly
shorter than the one next to 1t.
The floor Of the horse-stable may
be made of cement or clay: but the
writer prefers clay for horses. and we
quite agree with him. for horses con-
fined on cement floors are apt to in
jure the joints of their legs by con-
tinual stamping: besides, we do not
believe that any animal should be al
lowed to lie on a cement floor that IS
not covered with boards. r
The barn. as shown In the illustra-
tons, is 50x60 feet. IL feet to the
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26

big broker. the butcher, the whole
saler, and the retailer. The public as
to pay five profits.
Abiding to the cost of milk, DR..
Wiley said it was about four times
what 1t should be to the public. be-
cause of lack Of proper system of dis
tribution.
"A dealer told me not ong ago that
he delivered 500 gallons of milk day
and that he had t-1elvs teams I, do it.
He said he had twelve drivers, and
every one stole from him. Eight hun
dred gallons Of milk light to be
hauled by one double team. The milk
man delivers milk at one residence,
then has to drive a long way to some
other residence and the expense is
needless"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26

treatment is particularly applicable
before a cold spell in winter when it
rs possible to have a roadway freeze
smooth.
A smooth road surface is secure | by
It's method. Clay, when mixed with
water and thoroughly worked. be-
comes remarkably tough and imper-
vious to water. If compacted in this
condition 1t becomes extremely hard.
Another valuable result of dragging
Is the reduction of dust, for the par
tlcles Of clay cohere so tenaciously
that there is but little wear when the
surface Is smooth. Dust on TN earth
road IS due to the breaking up under
traffic Of the frayed and upturned
e1ges of ruts anc hoof prints If the
surface is smoothed after each rain
and the road dries hard and even, no
edges are exposed to crushing and the
only dust which forms Is that due to
actual wear of the road surface.
Certain sections of roadway will
require more attention, than others
because of steep grades, seepage, e.-
posture . Eil--ide wash. etc. The best
guide in meeting these conditions is
the knowledge and experience gained
while dragging the roadway.
There Is one condition, however, in
which special treatment should be
given to a road. Clay hills under per-
sistent drag ging frequently become too
high in the center. To correct this it
is best to drag the earn toward the
center Of the road twice and a ray
from it once. 's5
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26
sPRoUTED OATS FOR WINTER FEED

Soak clean and sound oats over
night In q pail Of water. Next naorn-s
ing fill the flats about two Inches deep
AMI put in the sprouting closet. Place
the freshly filled flats near The top Of
the closets, SO as to get the maximum
amount Of heat and In that way start
the sprouts quickly.
Rake the sprouts thoroughly two Or
three times day until they have be-
come from half to three-quarters Of
an inch long, then do not disturb them
in any way. The oats should be kept
quite wet. They must be sprinkiedl Ct
least three times day.
As the oats grow, the fats are
moved to different positions, IN the
closets: The taller the material gets
the nearer the fats are moved to the
floor, as they then need less heat.
Feed when the sprouts are from {
to inches In height, at the rate Of 4
piece Of the matted oats about Or
inches square for each 10c birds per
day. Break up 10 that every bird IN
the pen may have some. 8
It should be clearly understood that
tn purpose for which green sproutsd
oats are fed IL their tonic and stimu-
gans. They are not fed for the food
value of the oats themselves. II one
wishes merely to feed oata they can
be most economically fed not sprouted.
The point Of sprouting IL to furnish
fresh. succulent, green food during the
winter months. ss
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26
PLAN TO RAISE STRAWBERRIES Next YEAR
OTHER OCCUPATIONS AFFORD LARGER OPPORTUNITIES OR
GIVE SUCH QUICK RETURNS
BY .M BURKE
by w. NJ. Burke.

time. For the small strawberry-plot,
we would prefer to cultivate these
plants by what Is known as the hill
system. This means that no runner
plants should be allowed to grow, tut
that each plant as purchased and set.
shall be permitted to develop to the
plants may be set 15x15 inches apart.
Where the plot is somewhat larger,
and is to be cultivated with the hoe
rather than with 4 horse-cultiv"tor.
the single-hedge system may be
adopted IL desired, and rows may be
made 80 inches apart. and the plants
set 20 inches apart In the rows. I'm
der this system the grower will per-
NIT the maturing Of two runner plants
from the mother. or original plant
set, and these plants will be layered
in line with the mother-plant in the
row.
This will give he grower three
plants for fruiting in the season fol-
lowing instead Of one plant. and as
there will be ample room for sunshine
actual increase in the quantity Of fruit
as compared with the hill system. al
though it must ue said that the hill
system is the one which will yield the
greatest number Of large berries.
In setting plants there Is nothing
so convenient in the way of a tool as
the d1bble. This is q large steel blade
with a handle. and while the plants
are being set Is held in the growers
right hand. The dibble should be
forced to the depth Of six inches, when
pressed outward, SO as to make an
opening large enough to take in the
roots of the plants.
The roots should be placed in this
opening before the iibble is with
drawn. After the roots are placed in
the opening and the dibble withdrawn,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26
BLAMES The MIDDLEMAN

Dr.. Harvey Wiley, vindicated chief
Of the bureau Of chemistry, thinks
that by eliminating the needless mid
dlemen. the cost OF living will be re-
dLced. 5~,a |
Admitting the grave seriousness OF
the increasing cost of>living DR.. Wiley
says the problem must be solved by
bringing the producer and consumer
closer together. -
DR.. Wiley advocates the purchasing
supplies from public storehouses to
give relief. ~. - 49, g..
Every city has supply bureau,
AMI there is no question that this
could be broadened into a depot of
supply" he said. "Now. Of course.
this idea will be jumped on by every
wholesaler and every retailer. But
that Is not the question. The question
is. How are we going to get at this
problem In q sensible way to solve 1t ?"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26
The 0CELLATED TURKEY

The wild species Of turkey. known
as the Ocellated or Honduras turkey.
was. originally a native Of Honduras
and other parts Of Central America
Some describe it as most beautiful
in coloring, equal to the Inpeyan
pheasant, II n-s richer. The head ana
neck of this wild variety are naked
and no breast tuft II present. The
caruncles Of the head and neck diff
fer somewhat from those Of other tur.5
keys. Is
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26

down the weeds while the crop Of
fruit Is coming on. thus rendering it
unnecessary for any cultivation to go
forward during this important period
But to the lover of fine, clean fruit
free from all grit and sand, the most
important thing about this mulching
is that it gives the fruit clean carpet
to ripen upon. and thus the fruit oes
to the table clean, and free from
e. erything Objectionable. ...=.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26

There IL general unanimity Of
opinion among experienced poultry
men that poultry do best upon som,
form Of green or succulent food dur
ing the winter months. The function
of such succulent food is bly,
largely in the nature Of digestive
stimulant. rather than as an addition
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26
IN AND AROUND THE DAIRY.

Every dairyman must, II he will
succeed, employ a detective in his
dairy barn-a Babcock tester. This
detective is absolutely honest, shows
favors to nobody and always records
facts FROM all the facts. The poor
cows stand no chance against 1t.
FIVE allow buyers to come into GU:
herds and pick out the best cows how
can we ever expect TO build UP pro-
fltahle dairy?
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26

ordinary manner. We save d num-
Der of hundred bushels of ears in this
manner and believe that it pays, espe-
cially in a country here orn is worth
seventy-five to eighty cents per bushel.
When this method is to be practised
1t is best to leave some of the best
cared corn ir.Ohe shock until the silos
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26

the soil. than thu Importance Of good
seed and good plants.
If one has room, say for 100 plants.
he should select twenty-five plants
each Of ar; ext-a-early variety, twenty
Ave Of the so called early variety,
twenty-five of the mid-season plants.
and twenty-five Ct the very late.
Under ordinary conditions he would
then have ripening strawberries over
period of from four to five weeks Of
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26
A Profitable Strawberry Patch.

thrust it into the soil about two inches
from the opening. Draw it toward
you, thus pressing the earth firmly
against the roots Of the plant. When
this is done, firm the soil with the
fingers about the crown of the plant.
leaving the top of the crown just even
with, or slightly above the surface CT
the soil. tsE
In this connection. we should say
that all plants should be pruned =
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26
HOW AND WHEN TO USE A DRAG
By d. w: King.

end which runs through the hole in
the blade end Of the drag. If small
weeds are to be cut the double tree
should be attached rather Gle sr to
the ditch end Of the drag. The drag
will now move nearly ditch end ,'ore-
most, and the driver should stand with
one foot on the extreme forward end
of the front slab. This will swing the
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26

Good barns cost money, but when
IN, farmer once knows that by the
proper construction of his barn., and
pther soutbuildings, he can often save
the work Of man, 1t will readily be-
come clear to him that the investment
will pay big interest in the long run.
The barn shown herewith wa de-
signed by a Missouri man. a.. '
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26

The ground color or the plumage y
beautiful bronze-green, banded with
gold bronze, blue and red, with some
bands OF brilliant black.
It Is to be deplored that this ~.
riety can not be bred successfully -
domestic fowl In northern climateA
I'll, writer can -iot learn that It has
ever been successfully bred outside Of
its native heath.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26

The man who calls improved stock
fancy stock will lave an account to
settle with his Maker on the judgment
day.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26

Booker T. Washington once said
that most colored men feel called" to
preach when tho sun is hottest nd
tie corr rows longest
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26

Leave a horse united when hooked
to vehicle and he will be likely to
baegone when you return for him.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26

Rake the orchard clean and then
let the chickens and turkeys pick up
t. bugs and worms that are scurry-
ing to cover. ta
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26

have settled and the top ensilage fed
off and then refill them later on with
the shredded stover.-M. w. Kelley
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-26

drag back to the pr per angle and
will cause the blade to pillow.
The drag does the best work. " N
the soil is moist, but not sticky. The
earth then moves freely along the
faces Of the slabs. If the roa..way Is
very badly rutted and full of holes. 1t
may be we'll to use the drag cnce
when the ground is slushy. This