davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26
THE FORMA TON OF THE SOIL

ganic matter is simply the remains of
plants which have formerly grown
upon the land, and which have par
TALLY decayed or rotted in the SOIL
Take a small Quantity of black soil,
heat it in the lid of a baking powder
can, and see If the odor that comes off
is not very much like tnat you notice
way.
We find then that the soil is composed
of small particles of rock mixed with the
remains of former plants, and that by
far the larger part consists of these rock
particles.
This suggests the thought that the soil
had been formed from the solid rock
such as are found beneath 1t, and this.
indeed, is what the men who have studied
the subject have found to be true.
Geology teaches US that at one time
all the surface of the earth was solid
rock At that time there was nothing
like what we now know as the soil.
These rocks contained all the con-
stituents necessary to make soil and
all the substances which the plants use
as food with the exception of the ele-
ment nitrogen.
This plant food, however, was not In
forms in which the plants could use It.
Suppose that you had a sack of wheat.
You know that there is plenty of food
there to nourish you for some time, but
it is not in very good form to eat so
long as 1t is in the whole wheat kernel.
One of the first things you would do
would be to grind 1t to a flour. And
that is one of the first things that ma
ture does In preparing the food for
plants; she grinds the rocks to flour.
In other words, the first process in
the formation of soil is the pulveriza-
ton of the rocks.
Nature uses several methods to bring
about the grinding or pulverization Of
the rocks The first of these is change
of temperature, or heat and cold.
If you examine a piece of granite you
will find that instead of being a simple
rock it is composed of different min
erals cemented together.
Now these minerals are differently af-
fected by heat and cold. You know that
most substances expand when heated.
The amount of expansion varies for the
different minerals in the granite and as
a result the effect of change in temper
ature is to separate the minerals, thus
breaking the rock into smaller pieces.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

One could scarcely imagine a more
uninteresting subject for discussion,
nor think of anything less likely to
prove of Importance to the careless
observer than that of the soil.
We are accustomed to think of the
soil as merely dirt thing to be
Stunned as far as possible, and kept
hidden from sight.
Perhaps YOU will not think the soil
worthy of interest and study. but did
you ever stop to think that without
the soil we could not be living in this
world today2<
The food which you eat could not
have been produced If there were no
soil. Off the plants which make the
foot for animals, in their turn derive
all their nourishment from the SOIL
SO, you see the soil is, after all, very
important to mankind.
We are so familiar with the soil as
it now exists that most of US do not
stop to think that it was ever any
thing different, but it has really
taken a long time for nature to form
what we call the soil, and in doing SO
she has employed the most wonderful
agencies.
Some one has defined the soil as
chat portion of the earth at or near
the surface which consits largely OF
fine particles
And again it has ben described as
that part of the earth into which the
plants send their roots and from
which they take much of their food.
Well, If the soil is the portion OF
the earth at the surface, what is be-
low the soil? Most of you know that
If you dig down deep into the soil you
will come to solid rock.
Sometimes rock is reached few
inches below the surface, and again
you must dig many feet before you
come to it, but sooner or later you
are sure to find bed of stone.
We learn therefrom this first in
teresting fact that underneath al
soils are found solid rocks.
Now, if you were to examine
sample of soil with strong magni-
flying glass or a microscope, you would
find that it is largely made up of very
fine particles of rock.
Mixed with these particles is
much smaller quantity of black ma
terial which is called organic matter.
or sometimes humus. little closer
examination will show that the or
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26
PRIZE POTATO MAKES
APPEARANCE IN QUITMAN

oUITMAN, Ga, Dec. 2S.-The prize po-
tato made its appearance in town this
week and it weighed "a pounds and Is
quite the biggest potato on record, even
here, where people are accustomed to
big potatoes.
It was grown by Caroline Malloy' a
negro woman ON the Avora farm. C. A.
Davis. a prominent farmer. has raised
COO bushels of potatoes to the acre this
year and had two vines which produced
an actual weight of 50 pounds. two
thirds of a bushel,
These very large potatoes are consid-
cred valuable as food for hogs. but have
not the delicate flavor of the small va
rieties and are not in favor for table use.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26
NuaRINs or rARM rTEws

Orange county, Cal, raised something
more than 1000 carloads of celery this
season, valued st $4,000.
1t took England 200 years to increase
her yield of wheat from II to IA bushels
per acre, to an average of AZ bushels.
This was accomplished largely by the
use of animal manure. The United King
dom has IA farm animals per mile,
while our best agricultural states have
less than so.
An old Japanese farmer told an Amer
tcan visitor that he owned two and a
half acres of land and that beside his
team-a COW and small donkey-he sup
ported his family and usually fed two
pigs. Japan supports many agricultural
experiment stations and the equipment
in some OF them for soil Investigation
is superior to anything in this country.
A half section Of land near Hastings.
Neb., was recently sold for $4,000 cash.
The land is devoted to gardening and is
money-maker even at the price paid
for it.
company has been formed in Okla
homa for the purpose of raising mules.
A large farm has been bought near
Nowata and no other animal but mules
will be raised on the land.
Last year Germany lost 5O00,000 tons
OF potatoes by decay and disease, and
the government has now offered large
money prize for method of preserving
potatoes during the winter, large prizes
to prevent loss by decay and from dis
ease
Two young people who moved on a
farm near Wapakoneta. Ohio, were given
hen shower by friends. They received
24O laying hens for the start.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26
PRETTY IRISH GIRL is
KILLED THROUGH MISTAKE

HYDE PARK, Mass, Dec. 23.-After
working diligently since 1880 o'clock last
night in an effort to solve the mystery
of the murder of Bridget Pritchard, a
pretty 1S-year-old Irish girl, Police Capt.
Franklin Grant has decided that the girl
suffered the fate intended for another.
Miss Pritchard a maid, employed in the
household of w. B. Vose, was stabbed
in the back by an unknown Italian while
crossing a bridge over the New Haven
railroad.
Her aunt, Mrs. Thomas Pritchard, upon
whose front steps the girl died, declares
that she had double in an italian girl
who resides in the neighborhood
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26
laANDAMUS DISMISSED
FOR TAX ON SALOON

MEMPHIS. Tenn. Dec. 23--Mandamus
ssought 10 enforce the collection OF a
privilege tax from John Persia. a sa-
bonkeeper OF Memphis. was denied and
Ihe case brought by several citizens
against oJseph creath. Shelby county
trustee. and others. was dismissed by
80 A. B. Pittman. in the fourth d.
Ft-s-- OF the circuit court here today.
--5unsel for the complainants argued
lhat IL Is a part OF the o-ficiai duty OF
Defendants to collect a license from sa-
iDonkeepers despite the act OF the Ten
sessee legislature whereby the sale Of
Equor IN this stat is illegal The case
vas brought as test. II is said
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26
QUITMAN POLICE CHIEF
is SENT XMAS PRESENT

QUITAfAN. Ga. Dec. 2s.-Chief of Po-
lice ]. P. Wade has received an 1S-pound
ham from King Richard. country ne
gro. as a Christmas present under very
unique circumstances On IL was card
bearing the inscription: TO Mr.. Wade
for catching Mr.. Starring" The Mr..
Startling referred to was the forger who
was ca1ght and convicted here in No
vember through Chief Wade's efforts.
Some time before Starling's misdeeds be-
rame known. the negro. Richards. was
convicted in court Of stealing wood and
IN Starling's evidence
He protested his innocence very strong
n at the time and later when Startling
kft town the negro followed Chief
Nade's pursuit of him with the keenest
Interest He wss overjoyed when Starl-
ing was finally caught and declared he
ras going TO send Chief Wade a Christ
mas gift-fhe ham it was
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

CHICAGO.-Mrs. Anna Godfrey, 80
years old. wife of a bed-ridden hus-
band. and mother of four children the
youngest years old. dressed in her
husband clothes. cut her hair ano
walked 10 miles to get work as a farm
hand. Eight hours after she LETT her
alIey-cottage home. she was founo
moaning and exhausted on a bench in
fashionable Oak Park
Judge ]. r. Caverly, before whom
she was brought for masquerading In
male attire. discharged her. You are
a brave woman" he said, and deserve
praise rather than punishment for your
act"
The best he could do for her was to
offer 10 take her children away from
her and place them in home. No.
she replied. Il will go back. to the FAC
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26
ARTESlAN WELL Is
PLANNED FOR GREENSBORO

GREENSBORO. Fla. Dec. 2S-The
Civic Improvement and Law and Order
league of Greensboro is seriously con-
s,dering the cost and feasibility of secur-
ing an artesian well for the city. Hon
James Dawson. Hon. Noel Park and
Editor ]. C. williams have been appoint-
ed on a committee to look into thhe mat
ter.
This new organization is making steady
strides in an endeavor to purchase a
mark for Greensboro. s457 has already
been subscribed and the amount is NOV
ing upward. 1t will be a park for young
and old, and will also have a ball park
for athletic events.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

A wheat field owned by a Russian
farmer, comprising 20 acres at Chero-
kee, Okla, yielded 1921 bushels, an
average of A bushels of 50 pounds.
The farmer sold this wheat for $1.O2
per bushel, the crop bringing 1885, ex-
actly 1896 more than the entire quar-
ter section comprising his farm cost
five years ago.
The new cattle cars of the Pennsyl-
vania railroad have round corners and
every bolt and nut is counter sunk so
that the interior is perfectly smooth
and the cattle cannoot injure themselves
In them.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26
BIG TOBACCO CROP
BRINGS XMAS JOY

LOUISVILLE. KY. Dec. 2S.-With So
100000 as prospective receipts for this
week from their tobacco crop, Kentucky
farmers countenance a bountifuI Christ
mas. All over the state buyers are pay
ing highest cash prices.
What threatened to be SMALL poor
crop early in the year. has turned out
well. the quality of the tobacco being
better than the rule for years past.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26
SHARP FIGHTING SAID TO
BE GOING ON IN PERSIA

ST. PETERSBURG. Dec. pa dis
patch here from Tabriz, Persia, says that
sharp lighting occurred again today near
the River Aji-Chai, in the vicinity of
Lake Urumia.
A detachment of Russian Cossacks is
protecting the government buildings at
Tabriz and the road leading to the town.
There. have been few casualties among
the guard defending the Russian consul
ate al Fabric during the recent fighting.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

tory, where / worked the last four
years. or i will get work as scrub
woman, but want to keep my babies
in our own home"
IT was able to earn only few dol
lars week. that with the $3.50 my old
est boy earned barely kept us. Then
1 told my husband that something
would have to be done. decided 10
get a lob on truck farm. thinking that
if / did we'll could bring the family
out and that would be better for the
children than to stay on the alley. !
didn't have a cent of money, so start
ed out to walk. For 10 miles went
along, resting when my feet got sore
and tired. and then starting out again.
MY husband thought that farm work
would be too hard for me. but l told
him that 1 could not work any harder
than I had been DOING
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26
Ask Better Accommodations

SAVANNAH. Ga, Dec. 23.-At the
chamber Of commerce this afternoon
there is being held a meeting for the
purpose of discussing the question Of
sleeping car accommodations in and out
of savannah. The feeling among many
of the business men of the city is that
Savannah is entitled to more consider
alton at the hands of the sleeping car
companies than she is getting.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26
HOW Rollers Barred

MACON, Ca, Dec. 23.-At Joint
meeting of the pastors and laymen of
the church of the city. the religious
sect known as Children of God" and
sometimes called Holy Rollers" will
be barred from worshipping in their
particular manner in any of the down
town churches. Their so-called frances
and unknown languages is said to be the
cause of the objection of the pastors
and laYmen.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

; At the conclusion of an experiment TO
answer the question. rs it necessary to
fertilize the apple orchard?" the New
York experimental station comes to the
conclusion that In "the average western
New York titled apple orchard, II well
drained, well titled and properly sup
piled with organic matter from stable
manure or cover crops, commercial fer
tflfzers are little needed"
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

1t seems strange that SOUTHERN farm
ers who have always been thought by
many northern farmers to be unprogress-
i've, are the first to take up cooperative
selling The Farmers union has among
it's members over 5000 cooperative con-
Germs, big and little. and they are get
ting more for their produce than ever
before. This movement is spreading over
the entire country slowly but surely and
farmers of the north and west ought to
give it more thought than they do.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26
AN oLD-FAsHroNED RABBIT TRAP

Make a box wit ha sliding door to
work up and down easily. Run a stringer
over the center peg and fasten the trig-
ger which has a little notch In IT to
hook behind the top board and TO hold
UP the trap door. When the rabbit
gnaws at the bait he pushes the trigger
back. which slides through the hole and
let's the slide-door fall. This can be made
out OF any strong box. by a boy who Is
handy with tools In half an hour, and
ii never fails to work.
Geese may be plucked for the s1ive
geese feathers" so-called, at the end
of the breeding season and again when
the feathers are grown out and become
so mature that there is no blood left
in the quilts.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26
Plan Xmas PROGRAM

SAVANNAH, Ca, Dec. 23.-The Savan-
nah Cotton Exchange is getting ready
for it's annual Christmas festivities. In
stead of being a tree, this year the oc-
casion will take the form of a banquet
to celebrate the early receipt of 100000
bales of cotton and the practical certain
ty OF receiving 100000 bales before the
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

1t requires a great deal of nerve to
pull up and destroy the unnecessary
seedling-more nerve than the amateur
possesses. They say that a person never
becomes a good gardener until he steels
his nerve to this ruthless sacrifice
vegetable must have plenty Of room
to develop its best size and flavor aud
one can take no pride in small or con-
vegetables. True it is that the
worst weed in corn is corn
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

When an orchardist gets to the point
that he must employ help in the gath
ering and packing of his crop he will do
well to have asset of printed rules posted
in conspicuous places for the guidance
of the people he employs and these
rules should be rigidly enforced.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26
CITY OFFICIALS ARE
NAMED AT CUMMING

CUMMING. Ga. Dec. 2s.-At an elections
held here Monday for mayor ana council
men the following ticket was elected:
For mayor. c. L. Harris. for council
men. A. o. Barrett r. S. Tatum. +. w.
williams. G. NJ. Puett and A. Strickland
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26
MOTHERS, HEMMEDI IN BY FLAMES,
DROP BABES FROM FIRE ESCAPE

connected the end Of the fire escape. with
the ground could not be loweredb and
policemen caught 80 women who jumped
from the second floor after throwing
their babies to the outstretched arms
below.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26
BIease Grants Pardons

COLUMBIA. s C.. Dec. 2--Gov. Cole
l. Blease celebrated Christmas today
~ freeing from the state penitentiary q
sonvicts- He pardoned eight men and
paroied - The ofenSes Of which the
men were convicted range from larceny
10 murder
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

Better put-the good apples at the top.
bottom and middle of the barrel, because
dealers now have a habit of examining
all three spots This suggestion is Tor
the tricky grower only. as all others an
not need it.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26
CHAPTER Masons Meet

DALTON. Ga, DEC. z3.-The Western
chapter No. so, Royal Arch Masons.
have named the following officers for
1912:
Eugene Harden. high priest; f. A.
Hamilton. king: K, c Coffey. scribe;
o. G. Spencer. captain OF the hosts; IL.
B. Farrar. Royal Arch captain: j. 4.
Goodwin. principal sojourner; Joe Whit
son, master of the third veil; WIli
NAMING. master of the second veil;
Charles Wood, master of the first veil;
T. ID. Ridley. secretary; G. w. Orr. treas
urer: ]. a. Ault, chaplain; r. r. Gill;
land. sentinel.
English farmers raise fine, young cat
tie by starting the calves on boiled lin
seed and whey with a run on clean
grass.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26
Mexican Land Not Sold

NEW YORK. Dec. 23.-The Mexican
vice consul here says that a dispatch re-
porting the sale by the Mexican govern
ment to the United States government of
portion of Lower California is absurd
fy untrue, because under the Mexican
constitution no territory can be alienated.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

AS God is merciful to us let us be
merciful tot he dumb beast under our
care. 1t is downright cruelty to allow
any animal on the farm to be unpro-
vided with comfortable quarters during
the winter and to suffer from lack of
feed and water at the proper time.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

Whenever prices of farm produce add
vance a little the cry is set up that
the farmers have formed trust. There
is no man in this country who is big
enough to form a combination of 100000
farmers and operate it as single organ
ization
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

White specks in butter are sometimes
simply fine particles of milk curd, re-
sulting from lack of care in szimming.
cream having been scraped from the
sides of the pan and being too dry to
thoroughly soften and mix with the rest.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

Don't think that you can peg away,
day in and day out, and then some
time come to the spot where you can
have a good time. It is much safer and
better to take a little at time as
you go along.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

A German psychologist after some
interesting experiences has discovered
that hens really have good memories.
They certainly never fail to remember
that the best scratching is in the
choicest flower bed in the garden.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

1t took some OF US good many years
to discover that there was more profit in
selling eggs from pure bred fowls at
$50 and 81 per dozen than from the barn
yard variety at % cents It is easy to
figure that Is pure breds viii earn more
money than 100 barn yards.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

Take day. or two if necessary. to
walk the fences with Ratchet and pock-
ct full of nails. When the grass comes
the animals become restless and will
quickly. find the weak spots.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

San Jose scale will attack an apple
tree irrespective of it's age. 1t is just
as serious pest on seedlings as it is
on trees 70 years old. The only effect
i've means of controlling San Jose scale
is tn elime-sulphur mixture. The ready
made lime-sulphur preparations, as rule.
are very effective in controlling this in
sect. Likewise are the miscible oils.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

I have found, but through expert
ments made by my wife. that second
crop clover makes the very best
chopped chicken feed for chickens that
can be used. I think 1t beats ground
alfalfa and that is hard to beat.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

However. that may be. one of the most
puzzling things for the beginner is to
find out whether any particular vegeta-
BILE should be thinned or transplanted
and how far apart the plants should
stand afterward.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

NEW YORK, Dec 23.-Fire broke out
in a tenement house on East Fourth
street early today. Soon the fire es-
capes were white with screaming women
in night gowns many with unclothed
children in their arms The ladder that
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

The state of New Jersey has appro-
priated $780, 600 each year. or as much of
that sum as is necessary, for work
against mosquitoes
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

We know an Indiana farmer who
choked two fine calves to death by
feeding them dry oats before he made
up his mind his youngsters would do
better on something else.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

Official statistics show that last year
20S,794 persons were added to Canada's
population from other states. OF these
1887 went from the United States.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

He will get some help from the cata-
logues as to the distances. but whether
he should transplant or thin is the kind
of thing that it not in the book.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

One reason why so many boys leave
the farm is that the city demands so
many more good boys than 1t can sup
ply and must needs draw upon the coun-
fry
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

Pick out the very smoothest and most
likely shoats for the winter killing keep
them in clean quarters and feed so as to
make well balanced meat-not too much
fat.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

The summer wood piles ought to be
growing fast these days, or will we
let mother and the girls rustic for the
stove wood next summer?
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

At the cattle sale of H. w. Woods.
of Baskerville. Iowa. black Galloway
COW called Gentle Annie" brought
s., 500.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

The split log drag is becoming popular
in the country towns and one can in
variably tell a town where it is in use.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

Farmers who say they can not raise
alfalfa have not gone about it in the
right way Some mistake somewhere.
Try it again
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26

While full grown pigeons find a ready
market. IL Is the five weeks old squad
nat i most In demand.