davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-02

ever, before this Is done air-slaked lime
or pulverized limestone should be applied
literally, since lime not only improves
the mechanical condition Of the soil. but
also sweetens it. and greatly induces the
growth of Kentucky bluegrass and other
lawn grasses.
After the lime and fertilizers are we'll
incorporated the soil should be allowed
sown. Rolling is frequently valuable IN
bringing about thorough packing OF the
subsurface, but this must be done with
care. Too much attention cannot be
given to the preparation of the seeded,
for upon this largely depends the future
Of the lawn.
When a new lawn is started the seed
ing should be done in the autumn, usually
in September. In this connection the
choice of seed is an extremely important
matter, and few suggestions along this
line may be OF some value There Is but
a limited list of grasses to choose from
for our conditions, and there are no highly
desirable lawn grasses that can be said
to be fully suited to the soil and climate
of this section. Kentucky bluegrass alone
is extremely difficult to maintain in a
turf, and therefore it is necessary to mix
other grasses with it. The best for this
purpose are the bent grasses, of which
our common redtop is representative.
X y
Experience gained from careful tests
and observation has indicated pretty def
nitely that the following mixture is in
general the most satisfactory for all con-
ditions in the District of Columbia:
Kentucky blue grass. ................ 18 pounds
Recleaned redtop. ......-..-......... pounds
White clover. pound
Where it Is possible to secure pure seed
of creeping bent grass or Rhode Island
bent grass it may be substituted for
redtop, using six pounds instead of three.
They are both fine-leaved form and more
desirable than redtop. but the seed of
no assurance that he is getting the true
variety in either case when ordering
them Therefore, for ordinary use, red
top is advised. If white clover Is not
desired it may, of course, be omitted.
However, in general it may be considered
valuable addition to the mixture II
is always advisable to buy each
item of the mixture separately. for In
this way not only better quality OF
seed is usually secured but the purchaser
is given the opportunity OF mixing them
in the desired proportions.
For starting a new lawn excellent re-
suits may be obtained by adding a small
above mixture. not more than two or
three pounds to the proportion given.
The rye grass comes on quickly ar d
protects the Amer. slow-growing grasses
until they are well established. and then,
being an annual or biannual. 1t disap-
winter oats or other nurse crops that are
commonly used. For a lawn containing
one thousand square feet. two to three
pounds of mixed seed is an ample guam
tity. The seed should be sown very
evenly. and covered lightly with weedeE
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-02

him a rescue was attempted but IL had
too much Roadway ana so ran past him
Seeing that the man was almost at the
point OF sinking. Ward jumped from the
afioat until the dingy arrived and hauled
them aboard.
There is considerable difference I'm the
design OF the medals awarded by the de-
partments for deeds of vaor. The gold
life-saving medal costs 500 and is hung
from a red ribbon. The silver one costs
but $40 and is hung on light blue ribbon
Both are round and attached TO an elab-
orately cut bar showing an eagles head
surrounded by a laurel wreath. The
medal is pendent from its bill.
The gold medals show on the diverse
side a 1ife-saving crew at WORK In an
open sea, and around IL are the words:
United States of America Act OF Con-
gress. June 20, 1874" On the reverse side
is engraved a small monument, by the
side of which leans a woman with a
wreath. Above the monument is an
eagle, and to one side Is an anchor and
flag. Encircling the whole are the words.
I'm testimony of heroic deeds in saving
life from the perils OF the sea On the
small monument is engraved the name OF
the recipient.
The silver medal depicts on its diverse
side a woman in flowing garments float
ing on the surface of the water and aid
ing a drowning man. The inscriptions
on both sides are similar to those on the
gold medal. On the reverse side a laurel
wreath incloses vacant space intended
for the name Of the recipient.
The medal Of honor of the Navy De
partment is Of bronze, and is suspended
from red, white and blue ribbon by an
anchor. The ribbon is crossed by two
bars, ono bearing star The medal
is in tie shape Of a star. In the center
OF which are two emblematic figures sur
rounded by stars. The reverse side Is
left blank for the name Of the recipient
The medal Of honor OF the War De-
partment. also bronze, Is round. This.
too. hangs from rcd white and blue RIB
bon. In the center is an eagle with
spread wirgs. and encircling 1t appears
the inscription. ''Virtutis ct audaciae
monumentum ct praemiriEn." On the
reverse side is inscribed For merit" in
side of a laurel wreath, and around that
~. s. Army and stars.
These medals are to be worn only whOn
the sailor or soldier is IN full-dress UNI
piece Of ribbon to be worn every day.
With the army medal 1t is q bar OF
red, white and blue ribbon. and with
the navy medal a tiny tri-colored knot
to be fastened to the blouse.
In the volume which contains the names
OF the boys in blue who have received
medals Of honor from the Navy Depart
ment is written:
This record Of the enlisted men who
have shed Iuster upon the service by up
holding the honor of the flag in storm
and battle. by their devotion to the
country and to each ether. and by their
unselfshness III risking their own lives
to save others, is especially commended
to the rising generation OF American
seamcn, that they may emulate the deeds
of their heroic predecessors and main
tain That high standard of gallantry
which has always characterized the per-
sonnet Of the United States naval serS.
ice"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-02

cate 1t. Even when this is done. care
must be taken to remove all the roots or
the grass will again gain a foothold and
soon be as troublesome as before. Ber-
muda is q very good lawn grass in the
south, but in the District Of Columbia 1t
can be considered only as a weed in
lawns.
There are many other weeds besides
the two Just mentioned that are a source
Of constant trouble in the lawn, not only
in the spring, but also in the summer
and autumn. Among the most important
are dandelion. plantain, chickweed, OK
eye daisy and yarrow. While it is quite
possible to eradicate these by the use
Of chemical compounds, the most prac-
ttcable method in the case Of those hav-
ing long tap roots Is to cut them or Well
below the surface with spud or SINH
lar instrument. and to cut or pull the
shallow-rooted species. The pulling OF
such weeds as dandelions and the plan
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-02
Queer Insect Discovered Which Is Necessary to Figs

given considerable newspaper publicity.
One of the reasons for the failure which
was given was that Smyrna fig growers.
fearing competition in this country. had
sent worthless varieties.
In order to prove this theory e. w.
Maslin Of California. in 1885. planted
Smyrna seeds which were taken from the
best figs imported to a large grocery firm
in this country. These seeds sprouted.
and in four years time the trees were
large and flourishing. In 1885 F. Roed-
ing, a banker Of San Francisco and pro-
prietor of large nursery at Fresno.
sent his foreman, w. G. West to Smyrna
for the purpose of investigating the fig
industry on the spot. Mr.. West remained
there four months and secured several
thousand Smyrna fig cuttings. as well as
cuttings Of wild figs. He was watched
by the people constantly and refused the
sale of cuttings. being able to secure
those he did only through a foreign resi-
dent, not suspected of any intention to
export. These cuttings reached Fresno
isss. ' ''" ~N -
1t was at this time that the most I'm
portant point in the domestic production
OF the fig was reached. In the cuttings
from Smyrna were some Of the wild or
caprifig. and It Is in this tree that the
little insect is found. 1t was not until
this time that 1t was recognized that the
Smyrna fig owed its popularity to its fla
vor, and that this was secured by the fer
tilization Of the flowers OF the Smyrna
fig with the pollen derived from the ca
prifigs, which resulted In the abundance
Of ripe seeds. and this mission was per-
formed by the little insects.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-02
GOLD LIFE SAVING MEDAL. = REVERSE
DIVERSE SIDE ~ SIDE -

carried him to Fairbanks, where his life
was saved The trip was made when it
was flfty-eight degrees below zero-so
cold that several of the dogs were frozen
the loss of one foot.
Each of the soldiers will receive
parchment certificate of merit" signed
by the President and Secretary of War
a bronze medal and 50 month additional
salary. This certificate and medal is
the only award the War Department
proper makes. with the exception of the
life-saving medal, which belongs really
to both arms Of the service and is award
ed by the Secretary Of the Treasury.
The army certificate Of merit" list
numbers scarcely more than 200. al
though they have been issued a con-
siderable number Of years. The navy
medals Of honor have been presented
to less than IT'S sailors for bravery in
time OF peace. while only 48 have re-
ceived life-saving medals. 40 Of them
Of silver and 6 of gold. The list In the
army is still smaller. The Navy De-
partment also makes enc other recog-
milton Of valor in her ranks. Letters
Of commentator" are sent to sailors
who perform heroic deeds in time Of
war or of peace. Their total, however,
is far greater than that of the medals,
for as many as three week are now
awarded, and have been for a number
Of years.
December 10 last William e. Snyder.
chief electrician of the U. S. s. Biz
mingham, was presented with bronze
medal Of honor by President Taft in
person. Snyder was ordered to report
to the bureau of navigation at Wash
ington. whence he was escorted to the
White House by a commander OF the
navy in full uniform. There, in the
presence Of the Secretary of the Navy
and tho entire cabinet, the presenta-
ton was made and 800 placed to his
credit on the books Of the Birming-
ham. He had earned the honor nearly
year previous. when he rescued
seaman on the same vessel, G. H. KEEP
hart, from drowning in Hampton roads.
Kephart was painting the ships side
from q staging forward, when he sud-
denly lost his balance and fell over
board. The tide was running strong.
the sea heavy and cold, and Kephart
could not swim.
Snyder at the time was in tho wire
less cabin. He heard the cry for help.
rushed out and jumped overheard from
His struggle to reach the drowning
man was terrible and his. efforts to
keep him afioat were heroic. Twice
they sank beneath the surface of the
water. But finally Snyder managed to
reach a steam launch floating astern
Of tho big ship. and held on until as
sistance arrived. This was his second
medal for life-saving.
Where there is more than ono award
to be given for heroic service in time of
peace the line must necessarily be sharp
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-02
and the freezing and thawing OF early

and the freezing and thawing OF early
spring.
There are always q great many in
quiries regarding grasses for shady
lawns. This problem has never been sat
isfactorily solved, since a good lawn
grass that will grow well in the shade
has yet to be found for this country.
Kentucky bluegrass and the bent grasses
are not shade-loving grasses. but they
can be made to thrive much better than
is commonly the case IL given proper
treatment. By thorough watering and a
rational use OF the fertilizers previously
discussed the evil effects OF the shade
can in many cases be largely overcome.
the points pertaining to lawn making
and maintenance in a short discussion of
this kind. However, 1t Is hoped that the
few suggestions given here will prove OF
some assistance to those having an in
terest in the betterment OF their lawns.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-02

was in Hampton roads en- route from the
southern drill ground when fire broke out
in a room directly beneath a magazine in
which powerful explosives were stored.
Immediately Signaled for aid. The North
Dakota was ordered to leave the fleet
formation, and the u. S. S. New Hamp-
shire was sent nearer to assist If it be-
came possible to do so.
No help was necessary, but In order
to save the ship and crew the room In
which the fire was raging had to De
flooded drowning three men. This list
of deaths would have been considerably
larger had it not been for the six sailors
named above, who worked valiantly amid
the explosives to prevent complete dis
aster. Several Of them were injured more
or less severely. A pitiful note underlies
this disaster. as 1t has been, and probably
always will be. impossible to determine
whether or not the three men In the fire
room were killed or knowingly gave their
lives that their comrades might escape.
Whatever may have been the case, while
the government was unable to give them
medals. at least they have gone down to
history as heroes.
-
The medals these men will receive mark
the highest award which can be won by
a sailor in time OF peace. It Is the
medal of honor. And each medal is &C
companied by a gift Of 500. If posi-
BILE, all six men will be called to Wash
ington and the presentation made by the
President of the United States before
the entire cabinet.
The soldiers who recently won medals
enacted their little drama in Alaska.
Stationed in Mimic, little telegraph sta
ton fifty miles from Fairbanks. with the
thermometer forty-eight degrees below
zero, were Chester T. Spencer. Frederick
Todd and Bert Anderson. For the point
of the story 1t must be emphasized that
the regulations do not require a soldier
is under forty degrees below zero. One
day a Canadian trapper staggered into
their shack almost exhausted. He had
fallen through the ice into stream. In
Alaska to get wet in the open is in
itself sufficient to bring death, but the
trapper bravely fought until he had ex-
tricated himself and then built q small
fire in a vain endeavor to get dry. AS
soon as he could walk he started out.
staggering toward the telegraph office at
Mimic, eight miles away.
The soldiers discovered that both his
legs were frozen st1n. and that he had
been walking on stilts," as they ex-
pressed 1t. through the deep snow in
tor at Fairbanks was hurriedly telephon-
ed. He instructed them to keep the
trapper's legs in ice water and to rub
them vigorously without cessation. For
the next three days the man was treated
constantly. Taking six-hour shifts. the
soldiers followed the doctors orders to
the letter and were finally rewarded by
the return of q small circulation of blood.
Then they put him on a dog sled and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-02

30 many factors initiating against sue
cess, unfavorable climatic conditlons'
poor soil and prevalence Of weeds, that
many are discouraged before they have
fairly begun. Our climatic and SOIL
conditions are such that even Kentucky
bluegrass. an exceedingly valuable lawn
grass in many parts of this country.
Falls far short Of it's best development,
while the fine-leaved fescues, which are
anexcelled for the texture OF their turf,
Ian be used only in the most favorable
situations.
The conditions here are such that We
nave come to regard a lawn as perfect
when 1t consists of a close sod of grass.
well kept and of good color. These quail
tiles, 1t is true, are highly desirable, but
In addition, there must be a fineness or
texture. which, in the last analysis. rep
resents the acme of success In lawn
making
While 1t Is possible to attribute all OF
our failures to our unfavorable con-
ditions. it will probably be found upon
investigation that our poor lawns are
due for the most part. either to lack OF
effort or lack of effort properly direct
ed. There are a sufficient number of real
~ fine lawns in this city to convince even
the most skeptical that a good lawn is
not an lrnpoSSiDlllly
There is no royal road to success In
lawn making. but there are a few simple
practices applicable TO our conditions that
IL followed will vastly improve the ap-
pearance of the lawns of Washington.
&x
One of the fundamental difficulties in
connection with the maintenance of lawns
in this section lies in the management OF
the soil. 1t is too frequently the case that
clay from the bottom of excavations is
used to form the top soil for the lawn. A
worse beginning than this could not be
made. The original top soil at best is
poor enough, but when the soil from the
excavations is used it is unreasonable to
expect grass to succeed on 1t. The first
step then in making a lawn is to secure a
fertile, we'll drained soil.
A reasonably fertile soil can be obtained BY
adding heavy dressing of wellrotted barn
yard manure compost to the original tor
~ and working 1t in thoroughly. How.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-02

of gold, silver and bronze testimonials OF
their valor. What the Victoria cross is
to the Englishman, the emblem OF the
Order of ST. Andrew to the Russian or
the Black Eagle to the Prussian these
medals for bravery from the War and
Navy departments are to the jack tarS
and the enlisted men who wear them, for
they have won them by courageous deeds
IN both war and peace, and in most In
stances have received such official re-
wards of their heroism in the presence
of the nations chief executive and his
cabinet
In all not more thans some FIVE hundred
odd soldiers and sailors have been SO
si9nally honored out of the entire ma
tional defense. But few of these medals
have been presented recently, for Uncle
Sam is chary indeed of honoring where
such an honor is not unquestionably due
Even then, however. he decorates with
several distinctions. First comes the life
saving medal in both army and navy, in
two grades, according to the heroism and
danger of the rescue-a gold and a sill
Yer one. Then the medal of honor. of
bronze, a letter of commendation' in
the navy and certificate Of merit" In
the army, each being awarded in proper
ton to the peril involved in the earning
of them.
To win one Of these decorations is by
no means easy, even II tneT6 De no QueS-
ton Of the heroism involved. One or
more eye-w1tnesses must send in sworn
statements OF the deed as he himself saw
1t enacted. Further, a recommendation
must be forwarded to the department by
the officer commanding the company OF
the captain of the ship. The merits of
the case are then considered by the de-
bartment. If approved. an order is is
sued for the medal to be struck OF and
properly engraved.
80
Life-saving medals have been awarded
since 1874 and are given not only to en-
listed men in both the army and the
navy. but In rare Instances to civilians
AZ well. who perform heroic rescuea In
The army the presentation Of q medal is
made by the commanding officer at mus
ter, and In tho navy before the entire
phys crow by the officer In command
In cases Of unusual merit the recipient
b summoned to Washington and Is deco
tated by the President or the Secretary
bf the department under whom he serves.
In September Of the past year six
sailors won fame In the same disaster
August Holtz. Harry IApscomb, Patrick
Reid. Charles c. Roberts, Thomas Stan
ton and Karl Westa- Under the con-
struction Of the law they displayed ex-
traordinary heroism In the line OF their
profession They were on board the
IT, s. 8. North Dakota, when, on Sep
TENDER 8. 1910. three men were killed
and several injured in a fire which threat
ened the life Of the entire crew and the
safety Of the vessel. The Atlantic neet
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-02

For ages 1t has been known that in
oriental regions It has been the custom
Of the natives to break or the fruit of
the capriig and tie it to the limbs Of
the edible fig trees. From the caprifigs
thus brought to the other fig trees there
energies a minute insect which. covered
with pollen, crawls into the flower re-
ceptacles Of the edible fig. fertilizes them
and thus produces a crop Of seeds and
brings about the subsequent ripening of
the fruit. By careful investigation It has
been shown that the different varieties OF
the caprifg are the only ones containing
male organs, while the Smyrna dg varie-
ties are exclusively female.
In order to bs certain that the proper
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-02

TN this day, when war Is being wagec
against germs and bugs, it Is rather
l. odd to find one bug which 1s no.
only harmless, but necessary to one OF
the foods which we eat. Perhaps II Is
but another instance when the excep'
ton proves the rule, but certain 1t Is
that without the energetic work done
by tho Blastophaga grossorun. the
Latin name, the figs which we enjoy
so much would be unpalatable. Az ex-
aexerated as the statement may ap-
near. 1t is yet true. as 1t Is this little
insect which increases the number OF
seeds in the figs, and it is these seeds
which give the peculiar flavor.
It is also true that until the Importance
Of the insects was realized by grow
ers the fig industry in the United
States was far from being successful.
Fig trees were first brought to this
country by the old French and Spanish
settlers, and were consequently found
in the southern and western states,
but it is especially in California that
the greatest effort has been made to
produce q marketable fig. Although
the first fig trees were planted In Cali
fornia as early as 1710 by the Spanish
padres, no attempts were made to dry
the fruit until much later.
~
After some years Of futile endeavor
in this direction 1t was gradually real
ized that the varieties then growing
there were not comparable with the
Smyrna fig, which is the standard fig
OF commerce. Consequently in 1880
and 1882 Gulian P. Rixford OF San
Francisco imported into California
about 1900 cuttings OF the supposedly
best varieties of Smyrna fig trees. These
were secured by the aid of z. F..
Smithers, then the United States consul
at Smyrna, and A. Sida. an American
merchant there. and 1t was thought that
the results would be gratifying. They
proved otherwise. however. and 1t was
found that the fruit Invariably dropped
Off the trees when about the size of a
marble. Many and varied were the ex-
plantations offered. and the matter was
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-02

ERE and there in
the military posts
all over the land
and on the decks
OF United States
battleships on the
high seas may be
found boys in blue
who wear upon
their boSoms the
commentator Of
the nation they
serve I'm the form