davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

ance: when glowing golden and ruby
apples in unblemished perfection bent
In rainbow curves the strong branches
Of healthy trees whose foliage was Of
deepest green; when little effort was
rewarded with great returns; when the
substantial income of welcome dollars.
gained through the sale Of surplus
fruit rendered the newborn industry
Of considerable Importance; when no
thought seemed necessary to be de-
voted to the future physical needs of
the trees nor to the possibility Of
grave problems arising where the
balance of nature" had been dis
turbed by so radical a measure as re-
moving large areas of native vegeta
ton and planting special crops. These.
indeed. were the years of revelation
years Astounding in clearly demon
strated lessons relative to the re
sources of the new country.
Then gradually came the shadows of
the period Of perpleXtty and discour'
agement--the years which brought
with them trial of human faith and
resource: years in which the scientist
was untiring and hopeful in expert
ment and research. and a few un-
Qaunte0. Nlue-iWdkG OicildI nlS'S. cic't
and attentive. faithfully keeping
abreast with scientific progress: years
in which unobservant, indifferent.
ia mt hearted orchard owners We're
puzzled or skeptical. The advent OF
this period of confusion had its origin
in the stealthy appearance of insect
foes infesting the foliage and fruits OF
| the apple, ;. which multiplied and
spread until the destruction was
alarming in intensity. No less a
scourge became the various fungous
and bacterial diseases which later APP
| peared and became disastrously preva-
lent AS result OF the discourage
! ment occasioned by serious insect and
fungous parasitism, owners quite gen
orally subjected their orchards TO the
| additional Affections Of starvation.
| thirst, exposure to extremes OF colo
| and heat and mutilation by pasturing
live stock, unmodified by any system
| Of culture that would tend to maintain
fertility, conserve moisture, afford pro-
lection from extremes Of temperature
or the vicissitudes OF the pasture-lot.
mead dow or cornfield. into which such
orchards were quite commonly con-
verted. This is the closing of the
neriod of affliction; Of encouragement
| and complaint.
And now the dawn Of awakening is
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31
ALFALFA--lTS HISTORY AND DISTRIBUTION

South Carolina there Is field re-
ported to be seventy-five years old.
Alfalfa has also been grown locally in
most of the Eastern States for many
years. The black prairie soils of Ala
bama and Mississippi are proving es-
pecially adapted to alfalfa. The sue
cessful districts have usually been the
somewhat limited area of limestone
soils where the conditions are es-
pecially suited to the plant.
The recent efforts looking to its fur
Their extension throughout the East
and South indicate that the chances Of
success increase greatly as the special
requirements for its production are
understood and provided for.
. So far as climate is concerned alt
alta can be grown in every State in the
Union. It is. however, very exacting
in the humid sections as to soil and
treatment. It is grown below the sea
level in southern California and at
attitudes exceeding 5000 feet In Colo
RADIO. Under proper irrigation 1t
yields abundant crops in the deserts
of Arizona The hardy strains are able
l. withstand the severe winters Of the
North Central States. 1t Is raised
without irrigation in semi-arid sec
tons where the rainfall Is only Ia
inches year, and also in the Gulf
States where the annual rainfall may
amount to IS inches. A rainfall Of So
inches year is ample for this crop.
and an amount in excess Of this Is
usually detriment. In ..oist climates
t. e soil is frequently FUR, and the
clay soils especially are apt to be too
poorly drained. In such a climate
weeds and fungous diseases prove
much more injurious than under less
humid conditions. Although h e
adaptability of alfalfa, Is great. yet In
the areas not perfectly suited to its
successful production care is necessary
TO provide the very favorable condi-
tions required by the young plants IN
order to overcome the natural draw
backs.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31


rolled back.
usually consists of a cold frame,
about feet vide and Of any con-
venient length, and lis made Of r.
inch boards fastened to stakes driven
into the ground. The whole bed Is
covered with muslin Immediately after
the seed is soWn. The seed is usually
sown about the first Of April. To-
bacco seed Is smaller than clover seed
and is difficult to distribute evenly. A
convenient way Is to stir a tablespoon
full Of seed into 2-gallon sprinkling
can full of water and then sprinkle
the wa.er evenly upon the bed. An
even tablespoonful Of seed will sow
about square rod.
The muslin covering is removed
only to water the beds and to pull the
weeds. In dry weather the beds
should be watered at least three or
four times week. Do not use too
much water--as excessive moisture
tends to favor fungous diseases.
Stable manure Is the chief fertilizer
for tobacco land. The land should be
pl wed early and narrowed OCCASION
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31
Noted Broad
Tail Sheep

The Voloshakaja class Of broad-tail
sheep is found in Russia. Roumania.
Austro-Hungary and on the island Of
Crete. At distance, some look like
Angora goats with INN ense horns.
Most horns diverge laterally and In
some cases upward. A few have no
horns. The tail, which is triangular.
resembling a sugar beet, is larger than
in the common Russian broad tail.
The outer wool is white, seldom gray
and black. very long and coarse. The
under wool Is very fine, lustrous and
In great demand all over Europe by
manufacturers Of fine wool rugs. The
meat of this breed Of sheep Ia most
excellent. At the setting Of the large
tail there are found great quantities of
fat
The skins of the very young lambs
give excellent fur and resemble our
half blood American-Lincolns very
much. In Crimea these sheep have
been bred for four hundred and fifty
years and closely resemble the Kara
kul. especially in the formation of the
rather triangular tail. They change
color precisely as the karakuls do,
that Is to say. when born the lambs
are jet black and vclvety in appear
ance. After three or four months the
hair becomes brownish, and when one
year old becomes decidedly gray.
Some lambs are gray when born. and
produce, beautiful fur resembling
silver fox. The meat of the very
young lambs brings from 80 to SO
cents per pound and is regarded as a
great delicacy. .N
The principal characteristic OF this
class of sheep is their long fat tail.
The tail is covered on the outside
with the same wool as the body and
often comes clear to the ground
Great masses of fat surround the tail
from it's setting to he tip. in some
classes. while in others the lower pro-
ton Of the tail is free from fat and
therefore movable. The tails of broad
tail weigh very heavy-ranging from
61s to 1,Sh pounds-and sometimes
much heavier.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

The four States leading in the pro-
duction of cigar-Ieaf tobacco are
Ohio, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and
Connecticut.
The tobacco produced in Pennsyl-.
vania Is dark and rather heavy, and
therefore useful chiefly as cigar
filler, like that Of Ohio. In contrast
With that of wisconsin, which is
largely useful for binders, and with
that of Connecticut. which Is much
used for wrappers. When properly
fortified. matured. cured and sweated,
PENNSYLVANIA tobacco Is characterized
by mild, agreeable aroma. and free
dom from bitter resinous. metallic and
rank favors, and it burns well, leav-
ing in most cases a coherent white
ash. This tobacco blends well In a
cigar with a tobacco Of more pro-
nounced aroma and flavor, such as the
thinner, Dutch or Cuban.
The continuous system of tobacco
growing in this State is exceptional.
Tobacco generally takes its place In
rotation with other crops. On the
average farm these include as the
principal crops. wheat. grass (timothy
and clover). corn and potatoes. A
four-year system, consisting of %
wheat. CD grass. CD corn, 90 to-
bacco. Is generally used, although
some growers use three-year system
consisting of "a wheat. Cd grass,
CO tobacco. In this system tobacco
follows sod. and is less desirable on
account Of the cut worms, which
some seasons infest the tobacco grown
after sod.
The selected seed is first planted
early in the season in g warm seed
bed, and transplanted when the plants
have attained proper maturity and the
soil and weather have become suit
able for their vigorous development.
A we'll protected spot, conveniently
near water supply. is selected for
the site Of the seed bed. The bed
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

Stacking alfalfa hay. The upright
piece is made to turn freely, and the
pulley at the base is so placed that as
the load is drawn up the rope pulls the
arm around so that the hay is de-
posted in the center of the stack.
commenced. It's culture has since
been extended to many Of the nonirri-
gated sections of the West. The more
humid sections of the Great Plains
area have proved especially adapted
to its production. Eastward Of the
ninety sixth meridian its culture has
been less successful owing to the
presence of less favorable conditions
of soil and climate.
The history of alfalfa in the East
ern States runs back for at least two
centuries, as the colonists made re-
peated attempts to establish it. Under
the name Of 1ucern" it had been in
troduced into England about 1850.
The attempts on the part of the
American colonists to establish it were
unsuccessful. The limestone region Of
central New York probably consti-
tutes the area of its longest continued
culture In any section of the East. In
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31
CIGAR-LEAF TOBACCO CULTURE

ally up to planting time. Fertilizer
is sometimes plowed under and some
times applied on top. "A common
dressing is 10 loads per :cre.
After the plants have grown to the
height Of 8 to inches and have de-
veloped to Z leaves 1t Is time to
plant them. Before the plants are
pulled from the seed beds they should
be Watered thoroughly Draw the
young plants from the beds one at
time carefully. All injured or dis
eased plants should be discarded The
plants are set from 1S to 80 inches
apart In the rows, and the rows are
from 36 to 48 inches apart. Three
men with a transplsnter can set as
many as 1900 plants In half day.
What replanting is necessary IL done
by hand.
The first cultivation should be
within or 10 days after the plants
have been set. In order to keep this
necessary mulch on the surface Of the
soil. cultivation must be repeated after
each rainl The soil must always be
worked toward the plant. not away
from 1t. When horse can no longer
pass between the rows without dnmag-
ing the plant, cultivation ceases.
In order that the nutritive Sub
stance may remain in the leaf, It Is
necessary to remove the seed head as
It forms. AS soon as the buds have
attained such size that they can be re-
moved without injuring the leaves.
topping should be cone. This must
be carefully done, or serious blem!sh
may appear on the full grown leaf.
The seed plants are selected at top
ping time. The suckers which begin
to develop after topping should be
promptly removed by pinching Tho
suckers must be removed every two
or three days In warm, moist weather.
In some sections it Is the practice %
sucker or top, as Il Is termed, but
once. about ten days or two weeks beg
| fore harvesting.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

A Rome Beauty tree after years o.
crop failures through infcstation o.
fungi and Insects. bearing crop or 4:
bushels OF sound. perfect. .on.-kccpin.
apples. Spraying made the change.
men have developed d are still per-
fecting methods OF control of the
numerous insect foes and fungous dis,
eases which have come in the course
Of time to render more profitable the
earnest endeavors OF the faithful hort
gculturist, and TO eliminate from com.
petition the thoughtless. careless. neg
ligent orchard owner
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

The wide distribution of alfalfa
throughout the world indicates re-
markable adaptability to various eli
mates and conditions.
The original home of alfalfa APP
pears to have been southwest of CEN
trail Asia, but from there 1t has been
carried to practically every part Of
the world where agricultural pursuits
are important. 1t is now one of the
staple forage crops Of every continent
Of the Old World and easily takes
front rank as the most important le-
guminous forage crop OF the Western
Hemisphere. The name alfalfa" Is
of Arabic origin and means "the best
fodder" The southern European
name Of "lucern" was formerly ap-i
piled to the plant in the eastern part
Of the United States and in Utah, but
this name has practically given way TO
the name alfalfa" under which It
was introduced by the spaniards.
The F'ersians were apparently the
first nation which grew this plant.
They took it with them when they in
vaded Greece about 400 B. c. The
object Of this introduction appears to
have been to provide forage for the
horses and cattle upon which their
armies depended. Alfalfa was intro
duced into Italy during the first CEN
fury A. D. Such early Roman writer's
as Virgil and Pliny give what may still
be regarded as excellent instructions
regarding the handling of alfalfa
fields. The introduction Of alfalfa in
to Spain was probably during the
Moorish invasion in the eighth cen
fury A. D. The Spaniards introduced
It into Mexico and South America dur
ing the sixteenth century 1t is re-
ported to have been carried northward
from Old Mexico into what is now the
southern portion of the United States
but it was not until 1854, when it was
taken to San Francisco from Chile,
that its rapid extension over the irri-
gated sections of the Western States
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31
Flower Hints
FLOWER HINTS.

Do not make the mistake of putting
seeds in the ground while 1t Is cold
ard damp. You will surely lose both
time and seeds If you do not walt until
the earth is warm and dry. 4y
Do not think that great variety OF
flowers is always pleasing, blu t try
massing a single snowy flower like the
Saliva and note the pleasing effect.
See that you try new flower every
year but fight shy Of the gh-priced
novelty.
The Dianthus or Carnation is easily
raised from seed and blooms the first
year If started early in the house or in
the hotbed However, it does not want
too rich soil or 1t will run to grass.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31
DAIRY HELPS.

Cheap land and cheap cows viii
breed cheap dairymen.
Close cropping of pastures Is very
Improbable. a..
A good dairy COW must be intelli.
gent, courageous and gentle.
Great lung capacity is essential t.
high production. T..
Poor food means suffering for the
COW and financial loss to her owner
A box stall should be part of thu
furniture Of every well-regulated COW
stable.
1t Is more pleasant as well as much
more Clearly to milk clean, dry teat!
with clean. dry handc. IT,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31
Pruning Apple Trees
VOLOSHSKAJA BUCK

There can be no ironclad rules laid
down relative to the pruning of a tree.
No two strees are exactly alike and
each one must be treated individually.
The object should be to preserve a
symmetrical. well-balanced top. open
in the center, without crowding the
branches in any part. III branches
which grow toward the center of the
tree, and thoce which cross or intern
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

Some country boys imagine that 1t
Is mark of distinction to dress as
city boys do. But why The city dude
with his exaggerated style Of clothes
can claim no distinction except that
of being q bit weak minded. The
dress of intelligent farmers and their
sons today cannot be told from that
of a sensible business man anywhere.
The old type Of "hayseed" has gone
forever.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

1t Is we'll 70. us to give thought. In
practical, common-sense way, to a
situation so fraught with interesting
facts and wholesome lessons as the
history of apple culture In many sec
tions Of the country. What familiar
story it is--et the early years when
the virgin soil of plain, hill and dale
brought forth fruit in generous abund-
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31
Arabian Blood in Horses Of Today
BY f. KNORR.

Ethan Allen lived, yet our best
stock traces back to them. without
Justin Morgan there would be no
Morgan horse. Justin Morgan was
rich In Arab blood. Messenger and
Diomed were of like parentage. The
beautiful coach horses known as the
Hackney trace their lineage to the
Arabian breed, At Fort Collins, Colo.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

Abandon the catch crops and cover
crop idea of farming and adopt the
wheat clover and corn rotation that
answers every requirement and simpli-
fies the whole thing.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

This Is the golden era for, those who
know how to manage dairy products.
Good prices are the rule. All such:
commodities have reached 4 high.
level and the situation Is such that.
farmers are assured liberal profits
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

BY some a ~horities 1t Is claimed
that the hardness Of Arabian horses
may be attributed to the fact that they
were bred and reared for thousands
of years under the most adverse con-
ditions. Other writer's claim, and
Justly too, that only the best environ
ment can bring out the best qualities
- man and beast-that the greatest
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

Never let young colt remain tied
when an automobile is coming on the
same road. Go out and unite him,
take firm hold on the bride reins,
pat his nose. speak quietly to him.
and try If possible to get the driver of
the machine to slow up. After he has
become accustomed to tho machines
he will not be afraid Of them.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

A wind-b break for orchards Is de-
sirable in nearly all sections. Spruce,
poplar or willow are suitable for this
purpose, and If planted with uniform
ity they beautify the farm.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

Homemade paper pots are Of much
value in garden work. They must
have drainage provided to be entirely
satisfactory.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

Many men are paying out SO for
feed where 81 would suffice to grow
the same amount of nutrients, and at
the same time build up the soil.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

With all the little colts and calves
and pigs coming to live on the farm
nowadays the farmer has right to
a hs pry smile. Look at the price Of
live stock
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

The liberty Of pasture affords the
growing pigs the exercise necessary tos
produce perfect health and body dessa
velopment. -. e
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

Putting more sunshine into your
barn by means of more windows
makes your horse look better.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

Ia your landscape ornamented witt
mowers, planters and plows?
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

gate with a broken hinge may
cause you bad reputation for pro-
family. ..- -.,...
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

Clean up the place-every fence
corner, the yard the barnyard, the
orchard.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

Whether or not you have an ear for
fine music, the grunting of your own
hogs sounds mighty good to you.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

The rose requires a warm sunny
location for its best development
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

Translate the bank OF manure
around the barn into your bank ac-
count. Scattering 1t on the fields will
do the trick.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

For an amateur having a hive of
bees is just little more exciting than
a bear hunt .... . ...
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

1t takes real Christian to drive
two miles through the mud holes and
arrive at the church In an exalted
! frame of mind.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

Early garden crops require a warm,
sunny location and sandy, though rich,
soil.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

fere with each other, should be re-
moved. fine-toothed pruning saw is
best for this purpose and the cuts
should be made smoothly and close to
the body or main branch Of the tree
from which the superfluous branch Is
pruned There is usually a little ring
or enlargement at the base Of each
branch; the saw-cut should be made
midway and downward through this
enlargement.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

Get farm. young man, and raise
good hogs.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31
Deep Burrows
BY GUM.

A dirt encrusted collar may mean a
halky horse for you.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

Test all seed that is to be sown now.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-31

The four States leading in the pro-
duction of cigar-Ieaf tobacco are
Ohio, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and
Connecticut. .-s..
Omaha daily bee., 1914-07-29
Fort Dodge Engineer
Has Narrow Escape

FORT DODGE, Ia, July 2S.-(Special)-
George Thompson. an engineer on the
Illinois Central between here and Council
Bluffs bears charmed life. For the
second time he has escaped death mir
aculously almost.
While he was in tho Omaha yards yes
terday after having discharged the pas
sengers OF train No. 13 at the Union sta
tion, ThompsOns engine was hit by a
switch engine pushing three cars ami
hauling fifteen. Three cars in front of
the passenger engine were piled up in a
space Of twenty feet and Thompson's
engine was telescoped back to the tender.
Thompson escaped unhurt.
Several months ago Thompson was
making a trip to Council Bluffs with a
freight train when driving rod of his
big engine broke One part of II crashed
through the cab roof and passed be-
tween his knees as he sat on his seat.
Undeterred by his close calls Thomp-
son continues about his railroad duties
with a smile