davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18

!. In growing corn for seed the farmer
must first find the variety best adapted
to his needs and then work to bring II
as near perfection as possible. 1t is
always best to select the varieties
grown on soil and in the climate
where the seed is to be improved. be-
cause the corn plant is peculiarly SEN
! sitive to its surroundings.
Corn that grows well on certain soils
will often, If transplanted to other
soils prove failure, and the reverse
is true. That is to say, corn which
shows up badly on certain soils. may
develop to perfection on other soils
that are rightly adapted to its needs.
This is a very important factor In
the selection of seed, and the breeder
should never go far from home for his
seed If he can possibly obtain good
corn that has been grown on soil and
in the climate in which he expects to
conduct his breeding operation.
If he must send away for his seed,
however, he should select it from that
locality which nearest approaches his
own. both as to soil and climate.
great deal Of poor seed-corn re-
suits from a lack of care in the harvest
ing and storing. 1t should be allowed
to mature thoroughly before being
picked, as immature corn does not OBJ
tain all the plant-food intended for it,
consequently its vitality is weakened.
Immature corn is hard to keep, as 1t
is liable to sprout and unless there Is
good circulation of air 1t will become
heated and moldy. Seed-corn should
always be selected from the field and
never from the load at the crib.
Selecting seed at the time of general
harvest is Objectionable, because many
times the work is done late in the sea-
son and in hurry, and the care of
seed-corn Is apt to be neglected.
The stalks from which seed-ears are
selected should be Of medium size.
strong at the base, tapering gradually
to the tassel. and should have large
leaf-development as the leaf is the
la laboratory Of the plant. The stalk
should also stand erect and be free
from smut or insect attack.
Never select from stalks with suck
ers. Ears, to be Of good size and quail |
ty, should have straight rows Of reg
ularly- sized kernels and which more
nearly represent the type desired.
These ears should be at convenient
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18

Professor p. G. Holden. who has
done as much in teaching farmers OF
the great corn belt how to increase
their corn yield, as any other man In
the country.
The corn should be thoroughly dried
and protected throughout the winter
from all sudden or extreme changes
of temperature or humidity. It rnust
never be allowed to freeze before It q
thoroughly dry, as its fertility will ba
affected.
Probably the best place to stora
seed-corn is in the attic. Experiment.
conducted by Professor Holden, at thu
Iowa station. show that where seed
was stored in more than forty difeerent
ways. the attic proved to be the .baat
place. ~.
The next best place is in a cellar
where the furnace is placed. Tho
average cellar is too damp and the
corn never dries out thoroughly.
Seed-corn hung up on wires or
strings under an open shed or In a drv
barn, keeps fairly well, but even there
experience shows that much seed-corn
IS either killed or weakened because
the seed gathered moisture durine
warm. damp spells, and then was In
5ured by cold weather which froxa Il
later. =
sometimes corn will sprout all right
IN the spring, but that Is no sign that
1t has a vitality to grow well. Much
OF 1T may have been so weakened that
II the season is cold, or the seed II
planted too deep. 1t will only give
weak stalks, and never attain its
proper growth or vigor
In selecting seed-corn it il import-
ant that more is involved than merely
looking at the ears. The kernels must
be studied. By Smelling OF q portion
of the ear from tip to butt perfect
ear will show the kernels close to-
gether where they are Joined to the
cob. Of uniform size and shape. CONF
pact and attractive in appearance.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18

to continue his crops Of celery, onions.
| etc. Here we have as true result tn
accumulation Of diseases which attack
| these plants; thus for field culture we
are constantly facing these problems
OF SOIL 1nfesting diseases and the hand
| ing or diseases is not an easy problem
since change to rotation may mean a.
serious decrease in the return from
the crop on the special type Of soil
While for general field culture avoid
ance or conditions may be successful,
tnls is by no means a simple matter
rotation Is often absolutely necessary,
out this same rotation will not rid the
SOIL OF the onion smut fungus. nor of
some other parasites such as in the
case OF the club-root fungus Of cab
bage and related plants. In these
cases some soil treatment must be APP
pied to field areas. In the case of the
onion smut 1t is sufficient to apply
rormAlin drip which will fall with the
seed and disinfect the soil layer in
proximity to the seed. This is effec-
tive because the smut fungus can PEN
citrate the terminating onion plant
only In the earlier stages Of growth.
On the other hand with cabbage club
root, where plants are transplanted
from the beds in which they are
grown, some general method of soil
treatment which involves the soil mass
Is more effective. In this case it is the |!
application of stone lime or caustic |
lime In liberal quantities. These ex-
amples are only illustrative Of general |
to be met with. In the case
Of potato scab, it is found necessary
both to disinfect the seed where scab
s present, even to a limited extent,
md to plant upon new soil not infested
With the scab organism. Potato ro-
ette prevails where potatoes are
crown on acid soils. This acid condi-
ion is evidently favorable to the fun
rus which attacks the stems of the II
'oung plants or even in early develop
nent Of the stems. These are often
otted off below the surface of the |
arth. In F>>r developments the J.
longation Of plant axis is stopped
nd a rosette appearance is shown in
he leaves. When this is found upon
eed tubers they should be treated
18th formald ehyde or corrosive subi-
nate.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18

In should not need any special atten-
ton to keep them free from lice, The
busting with insect powder of a large
NUMBER OF hens is tedious and dis
agreeable job, and with proper condi-
lions should not be needed. Hens that
are not vigorous and those that are
SICK Will often be found to be lousy,
and many think that the lice make
them sick. Lice are the result rather
than the cause of sickness. When the
hen becomes sick she is not able to
defend herself and becomes an easy
prey to lice. In a case of this kind.
and when hens are set. they need dust
ing with a good insect powder, but
there is something wrong with the
stock and the management il frequent
dustings are necessary.
When 1t is necessary to use an insect
powder care should be taken to get
one that will kill the lice without in
jurlng the hens. Some of the insect
powders put up especially for poultry
use are SO strong that they will injure
the hens.
Lice and mites are two of the worst
foes of poultry, and as the latter live
in the house, attacking the fowls when
on the roost or in the nest, every pre-
caution should be taken in building
the house to provide as few hiding
places for them as possible.
All fixtures. such as roosts, drop
ping boards. and nests, should be
movable. so that they can be taken out
when the house is white-washed or
sprayed. stop-louse roost fastener
prevents mites travelling from the
walls Of the house to the roosts
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18
RAISING BEEF CATTLE
DO NOT TRY TO MIX THE BREEDS-FOR BEST RESULTS.
SHOULD KEPT.
RESULTS. ONE KIND ONLY

stock Of pure breeding. Surely, II we
wanted pillow we would not go to the
store or factory and buy a Syracuse
beam. an Oliver chill mold-board, a
South Bend landslide, and Mount
porch, take a clawhammer and mon
key-wrench to make a plow of these
parts Well, it is just as absurd to
think we can make the different
breeds of cattle fit together and do the
desired work we'll.
I take it we do not expect to raise
beef cattle, or any others for that mat
ter, except for the profit they give us
in consuming the products Of our own
farm, converting them into beef and
esta blishing a new channel through
which to market these products. :
Then, if this Is our, desire, do as we
would in purchasing a piece Of
for any other purpose-buy
the machine that was manufactured
for that particular purpose. and buy
the best. The best is the one that will
do most satisfactorily the greatest
amount of work and at the least cost.
I am a great believer in beef cattle
when we can make them consume our
farm crops at market price and save
the trouble of hauling these away. IN
less we can figure market prices for
our crops fed at home, then the feed
ing or raising of cattle becomes bur-
len and not a profitable business.
Yes, they should do more than this.
They should make us profit above all
cost of feed labor, and incidents which
always enter into any business propo-
,ition or venture.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18
CARE IN SELECTING NEXT YEARS
SEED CORN
BY S. NJ. M ILLER.

picked Is the most critical time Al th>
handling of seed-corn. AS 1t contains
a large amount Of moisture at thar
time, 1T must be stored in dry, wen
ventilated place. and In such q way
that each ear will be exposed to a free
circulation of air. Seed-corn should
always be stored In the ear. but never
in barrels, boxes. or sacks, or above
large quantities OF grain.
There are many ways Of preserving
seed-corn, as by striking the butts on
sharp nails driven through a board. ty-
ing ears together In pairs and hanging
them over a wire. or. by laying them
on racks. Any method that will pro.
vide free circulation of air IL desir.
a BILE.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18

| All cattle are divided into or fall
into certain classes according to the
work they do to best advantage. In
other words, the disposition they make
of the feed they consume over and
above the amount needed for mainte-
nance determines this class.
! When we take into consideration
that cattle are only machines for con-
verting hay, fodder, and grains into
some product for human food and
they are the only machines or fac
tories known that will convert those
materials into beef, milk butter, and
cheese, we get much clearer concep-
ton of the real meaning of beef cattle,
milk cattle, or butter cattle.
BY beef cattle we mean those types
Of cattle which will use their surplus
feed to best advantage in the manu-
facture of beef. OF this type we have
three prominent breeds: Shorthorn,
Hereford, and Aberdeen Angus. While
these are the three leading beef
breeds, there are others, such as Red
Poll and Devon. BY some writer's the
Red Poll and Devon are classed as
dual purpose; but for the present we
will consider them beef breeds.
OF the three breeds mentioned first,
we can scarcely say one is better than
the other, for they belong on the same
plain. 1t is a matter Of choice or
preference with each man himself
which he likes best, and then that be-
comes the best for him. Every one
Of us will give our best attention and
efforts to the things we like best.
the breed Of cattle we like
best will give us best results and be-
comes best for us.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18
BY w, G. C1IRIsN1AN.

the two remaining breeds are GOOD
and in some sections are very popular,
but for strictly beef purposes are
rather small and have tendency to-
ward the dairy conformation.
When we go into the business of
producing beef we want the breed of
cattle that will produce that product
at the least cost and in the greatest
quantities. Then it behooves us to
select one Of the best breeds. I say
one of the best breeds, and I mean
one. Do not make the mistake that so
many have done and think that you
can produce better steers by breeding
together two breeds than pure-bred
steers of either one. Just remember
whenever you breed together two dis
tinct breeds you are producing grades
of both breeds and going down hill.
Again, when you breed together two
distinct breeds you are much more apt
to confine the poor qualities of both
breeds in the offspring. AS an example,
and one that is commonly practiced. if
you breed Holstein COW, which pro-
duces a large quantity of milk but poor
in butter fat, to Jersey bull, breed
which produces a small quantity of
milk and rich in butter fat, you are
very likely and most apt to produce a
heifer that will produce a small
amount of milk, the character inner
tied from the sire, and that little poor
in butter fat, the character from the
dam. The reverse is your desire, but
you may be disappointed. Knowing
these things, and also being able to
buy the pureb reds of any breed we
may fancy, let us act wisely in the
matter and purchase our foundation |
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18
SOIL INVESTING PARASITES lNJuRE
POTATOES
BY A. d. SELBY.

The cultivated soil is a medium In
which many species Of bacteria and
fungi survive from year to year. The
public Is familiar with the doctrine OF
bacterial infection or incubation OF
the soil in it's relation to the nodules
or tubercles of clover, alfalfa, soy
beans, cowpeas and other cultivated
plants.
One form Of bacterium is not suf-
fcient for both clover and alfalfa.
This fora of the soil both in relation
to bacteria and fungi of considerable
range of species is enriched by the
applications Of manure and by the
practices of culture; by this is meant
that the growing of given crop a
second time or third time consecu-
lively in the soil increases the prob
ability that the plant roots remaining
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18

Bases of potato stems showing les
ions caused by Rosette Fungus. The
shaded areas were dark with an
abundance of the fungus.
IN the soil are carried over from one
I crop to the next together with root
parasites which cause disease in the
plants of this crop. Manifestly, like
wise, If in preparation for a given
crop to be grown for the first time
upon the land. rather liberal applica-
tons are made of fresh stable manure
containing spores or mycelium, more
especially the resting forms of mycel-
ium called sclerotia, the soil will be-
come infected by this manurial appli-
cation.
While this source of infection is
rather rare in field culture there are
specific examples as in the scap dis
ease Of potatoes transmitted in this
way: the scab of sugar beets may be
carried in like manner But in fore
ing house culture where heavy appli
cations of manure are made. the
chances are greatly increased that soil
infection will be produced from the
manure.
7 1t is of value to rememhe- that seed
infesting or seed injecting organisms
are also very largely capable of sur
sSival in the cultivated soils. thus our
troubles multiply adequately if our
care be inadequate to avoid them.
We. perhaps. may assert that the
law OF nature is that Of diversified
plant covering; at any rate the law
of successful culture will permit of
statemen in terms of crop rotation.
And it is true that as culture ages the
number and seriousness of plant dis
eases increase almost in geometric
ratio. 1t is further conspicuously true
with respect to those areas devoted
largely to continuous culture in
single crop or in a group of closely
related crops such as the growing of
wheat in Western United States and
Canada, also in the growing Of flax
and other crops. Muck lands devoted
to vegetable culture. tempt the grower
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18

tested.
If there Is one direction in farming
in which thoroughness is required. it
Is in trying to destroy this weed. A
slipshod way will not do, and an ounce
of prevention is worth a thousand
pounds of cure. Farmers whose farms
are free from the French weed should
guard against it's incoming with the
utmost vigilance and care.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18
PREVENTION OF CLOVER WEEDS

In some parts of Germany and Aus
tria, the clover weeds, particularly
clover dodder, are being energetically
controlled. The seed-breeding associ-
atoms, or seed control stations, now
approve" of the clover seed, after a
commission. at the request of the
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18

owner. has inspected the field before
weeds are not present the seed Is ap-
proved, ena bling the grower to secure
higher prices; If the field is damaged
by patches Of dodder approval is re-
fused, and the seed has to be thor
oughly cleaned and sold under a
cheaper grade mark
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18
DUCKS AND DUCKLINGS,

Ducklings generally begin molting
when eleven weeks old and continue
for about six weeks.
Well grown ducklings very often
will begin laying at five months Of age
It Is not advisable to allow duck
lings bathing water before the weather
Is warm and pleasant.
Overcrowding ducklings will induce
feather pulling.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18
A FEATHERLESS HEN.

Last year Mrs. Dan Allen. a Kansas
farmers wife, raised a hen which is
entirely innocent Of feathers. She is
as bare all over as the palm Of her
mistress hand and as she began to
grow up and the other hens noticed
her lack of clothes, great excitement
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18

If you intend to plant a few choice
trees next spring. dig large holes for
them this fall, fill them with manure,
removing 1t next spring and filling in
- to the desired depth for the tree.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18

For kidney collie in horses give from
1 to 2 teaspoonful of Harlem oil,
which can be bought at any drug
store for 10 cents per bottle.-James
H. Romine, Elk City, Kan.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18

The farmer who raises fruit for his
own family should have much larger
variety than the commercial orchardist
because the latter must produce
enough of each kind to ship to advan-
tape
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18

Worry causes melancholy, melan-
choly causes bad health, bad health
causes bad temper. and dependency
and destroys good looks.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18

by experiments, however. If this weed
is to be destroyed, the work must be
done thoroughly. The weed produces
seeds so profusely that if one plant is
allowed to go to seed a large area of
surrounding land will soon be in
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18

ensued. The strange part of the story
is that this hen goes right along about
her business, and for three months
averaged an egg day, while the
other hens spent most of their time
standing around looking at her and
gossiping about her strange appear
ance, SO that they fell way behind in
their egg-laying duties.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-18

The feeding of onions to laying hens
has produced an onion flavor in eggs
The Washington times., 1912-12-21
JUNIOR MEMBER Of
AUTOMOBILE FIRM
WILL MARRY soon
Paul Barnhart, of Washing
ton, to Wed Quaker
City Girl.

Paul Barnhart, Junior member OF tho
Arm Of w. p. Barnhart & Co.. agents
for the Flanders. Everitt, and Stand
ard electric. began his automobile ex.
perience some years ago az treasurer
and auditor Of q number Of taxicsb
companies organized by f. r. Thomas.
At that time maker Of the Thomas
Flyer" These taxicab companies were
the first Of the kind to be operated In
various cities
Later he was connected with the New
Engand branch of the Olds! Motor
Works and severed his connection with
that branch to become associated with
the REGAL Motor Car Company. He
was placed In charge OF the New Eng.
land business Of tho company, with
headquarters In Boston. and achieved
considerable success. When his brother
William p: Barnhart. opened a sales
room in washington last year, Pau
Barnhart became a member Of the firm
Washington friends Of Mr.. Barnhart
will be interested 10 learn that on De
cember o he will be married to Mis-,
Gladys Southeimer, Of Philadelphia
The marriage will take place In thu
Quaker City.
The Washington times., 1912-12-21
Touch Of Realism.
Question of Storing
Cars for Winter

Just about this time Of the year tho
automobilist IL seriously thinking over
the problem Of whether he shall keep
his car In commission all winter or
whether he shall put In dead storage
until more favorable season for mo-
toring shall again come around. For
those who have decided to keep their
cars running II would be we'll for them
TO clean out the oiling system. II this
has not been done since the summer
season.
On cars that use circulating oil
system this 10 especially important. as
II will not suffice to simply renew the
oil that Is burnt up or that leaks away.
The old oil that gathers in the bottom
Of the crank case will become waxy
any dirty. 1t will lose the very fea-
lures which render II desirable a. o
cylinder oil and will cause trouble by
cumming up the piston rings and car
bonising. II the course Of the oil that
10 led through a circulating system b.
followed It will readily be seen by the
most inexperienced amate!ss that his
cleaning out IL o necessity and that
its omission will entail undesirable
consequences.
The Washington times., 1912-12-21
|SPORTSmANSH|P
FINALLY WAKENED
N MOTOR owners
| Gentlemen Drivers Are En-.
terins Their Cars In.
Road Events.

The time when gentleman sportsman.
ship'' shalt take the place OF purely
commercial exhibitions In automobile
contests 10 fast approaching. according
to close followers Of motor car sports.
And that means that the automobile
has really established itself at last - .
utiiity-ons Of the things mankind can
no longer ct along without than Il
could live the modern life without the
telsphons. the telegraph. the limited"
L means oll this because Il shows
that the sutenoeils = NO loneer 9
merely spectacular .gYcSd m9ch!ne om
the one hanl nor Q rich mans dream
q. the Qthsr. 40 the nne hores. wee .
!. Asr &: ..s: s:::, s:s s:s a.. ~ %osar ss! e: Z
acccpted nov e one q the most desir-
eb,s. enjoyable. and valuable LUXURY.
sess. There have. been ssyerei stgnIa.
sa:%Ss; .ss:.ns ss. :ss %oso1
The rsssSn Tor The increasing popu.
1erity Of road tests - o "gentleman's
sport" 10. Of oourse. that they givs som.
:Ss:a .s,.s q CLINT III. .ns fore
1vsrs, plow through mud or eand. and
D .aie and easily eeatroiisd under oil
WSsn u, ol,ddsn tour anA vas,eul
expected many private owners viii b
enrolled amone the entrants. for the0l
contests not only g1ve owners Q good
idea Of what their cars Will do uudei
:' cs1dsons sSs s!:e s,.s wii .ssie scrS e ne.
drivers With the pick Of the sutomobil,
factory drivers,