davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24

intermediate place between the two
groups. because the original source OF
the soil nitrogen Is in the air. Also
certain kinds of plants. the legumes.
are able to utilize atmospheric nitro
gen. though this Is done indirectly,
through the notwithstanding bacteria
found in their roots.
To the farmer the discovery Of the
elements that plants must have meant
much, for as long as they were un-
known there was no way to tell exact
ly what could be used to help make
poor land rich. Since this knowledge
was obtained the. world has been
searched for minerals that supply
these elements; soils have been an.
alyzed to find out how much Of each
they contain; and 1t is now possible
to take almost any soil and make 1t
fertile.
OF the seven soil elements men-
toned, only four have been found to
be especially important in practical
farming. That is, they are the only
ones which are apt to be deficient IN
the soil, and which generally make the
difference between q rich and poor
SOIL 80 far as plant food Is concerned.
These four elements are nitrogen,
phosphorus calcium, and potassium.
The last three are sometimes called
minerals" and are generally re-
ferred to under. the names Of "phos-
phoric acid" Time" and potash"
AS rule the most marked differ
ence between rich and poor land or
between new" and "old" land lies in
the content of nitrogen and humus,
which are abundant in the rich soil
but deficient in poor soil.
Fortunately there Is q family OF
plants that is able to get nitrogen
from the air through the aid of bac-
terra which live in their roots. This
family Is known as legumes. Those of
most Importance are as follows: Red
clover, alsike clover, white clover.
crimson clover. Japan clover. alfalfa,
sweet clover. cowpeas. soy beans,
garden beans and peas. and vetches.
On the roots OF all kinds Of legumes
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24
Cooperation

Cooperation Is tho working to-
gether Of a number Of persons for
some common end. In agriculture, 1t
means the organization of farmers for
the transaction Of business pertaining
to farming. Its purpose is to do
Jointly what cannot be done as eco
nomically or as we'll by individuals.
Its success depends upon several
factors. A sufficient amount OF bust
ness Is essential. The co-operators
should live near enough together to
have a community interest and per-
sonal acquaintance. The business
transacted should be simple in nature.
free from any great, degree of specu-
lation and Of vital Importance or
convenience to the co-operators. 10y
atty to the organization and an intel
ligent spirit Of cooperation are fun
damental. Leadership and harmony
are essential and minor differences
among co-operators must be SUBJ
ordinated to the common good.
The failure Of farmers to study and
practice cooperation Is the chief
cause Of these excessive middle profits.
It Is not essential that farmers should
sell their own produce to the con-
sumner, but 1t Is essentiarSthat they
should be so we'll organized that IT
they cannot get their food to the con-
sumer with reasonable charge for dis
tribution, they should be-; able to es-
tablish distributing agencies OF their
own. Until they do this, producer
and consumer will both be f1eeced.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24

! in New Hampshire at an early day
by John Herd.
Timothy is distinctly grass for hay
rather than pasture. It may be used
in pasture mixtures for early or tenn
porary pasturage, but it will soon give
place to the better conforming
grasses, as it does not take readily
to close grazing and tramping. AS a
meadow grass, however, it stands at
the head. The popularity of timothy
Is easily accounted for. 1t lies In
its good yield; in It's paiatability; in
the ease ana nheapness with which It
Is harvested; IN the great demand at
good prices for the hay; in the mod
crate expense of seeding an acre to
timothy; in the good termination OF
seed and the relative certainty of Sc
curing stand, and in it's longevity
when properly cared for.
Kentucky blue gSass, very COM
monty called June grass, and In Eng
land, smooth stalked meadow grass
Is native to both Europe and North
America It Is hardy and persistent
perennial we'll distributed over most
Of the United States. holding the posi-
ton as a pasture grass which timothy
holds as a grass for hay 1t makes the
best of sods and tends to crowd other
grasses out when land Is left any
considerable time in grass. particu-
larly II 1t be pastured- Blue grass Is
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24

for about 30 pounds per aero, which
would make the cost double what II
would to seed to a mixture Of timothy,
bluegrass and redtop.
Tall fescue Is ono Of some eighty
species Of the Festuca fm1ly This
grows four to eight inches taller than
the meadow fescue and Is somewhat
moro vigorous. The hay Of tan fescue
is of very good quality.
Bronze grass = q native Of Europe,
having been grown upon the cold,
dry steppes Of Russia for centuries.
As compared with other grasses II
is recent introduction in this coun-
try. 1t II proving q great acquisition
in the northwest and parts Of the
west. Bronze grass il in greater re-
pute al a pasture than as hay grass.
It has a very deep and abundant root
system which fortifles IT against
drought
Downy bronze grass has been nat
uralized from Europe. It IL hardy
and spreads rapidly whore introduced.
Perennial rye grass is native Of
Europe. It is great favorite in
England and Is perhaps the most i'm
por4ant grass Of Europe. Il Is val
ued highly az q pasture grass and IL
used to quito an extent for hay also.
though 1t Is preeminent1y pasture
grass. It has not gained very prom
inent position In tho United States
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24
KEEP THE EDGES OF
THE FIELDS CLEAN.

Most owners Of creek farms do not
make any great effort to fight the
brush and timber that keeps creep
ing in from the woodland along the
fields. Where there Is plenty OF rain
fall, the timber can crowd in on the
fields very rapidly, and the farmers
who do not desire to have the size
Of their fields decrease should make
every effort to keep the edges Of the
field trimmed up.
White elms are especially bad about
working into field. This tree has
long limbs, which grow for really
wonderful distances over the fields,
shade the ground. and prevent the
crop from making a profitable growth.
Then the tree produces great amounts
of seed which fy-yes, fly" is the
word, for they have wings-out over
the fields, where they sprout and be-
gin to grow. 1t Is true they usually
will die, but they cause as much
bother as weeds, and they must be
killed.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24


once day in it, feed to be an enec~
tive remedy.
It is essential that the colt b
turned to pasture as soon az possible
since the grass ana exercise are more
conducive to maintaining rs good
health than the stall eonhnement, and
this usually can be done after two
or three days, after the cont has
Quilted down and there u no danger
Of its running into the wire or woSf1e
Ing after the mare.
Practically tho Same management
should be applied to the mare, excepe
that she ought to be worked lightly
and fed mostly on roughage and oat4.
in order to discourage the formation
Of milk in her system and aid IN dry
ing her up.
1t is not advisable, however, to turn
the mare and the colt in adjoining
pastures till they seem to be entirely
reconc:led to the new order OF things,
! as they are liable to get into the wire
by attempting to reach one another.
and they should not be turned into
the same pasture till one is quite sure
that the weaving is complete and
that both mare and colt have for
gotten their former relations. ~
Coverdel.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24

ton with handling the marc, and
while some will require several days
Of gradual separation from the colt
before the weaning is made perman-
ent. most dams will stand the more
sudden weaving.
To guard against mistakes III this
respect, let the colt suck only at night
and In the morning for two days then
couple of days. Next, let 1t suck every
other day for four days. then shut It
away from the mare. permanently.
At this time the mare should be
MIXED three times day, or oftener
II necessary. Milk her just before tho
colt sucks every time.
It Is not intended that the colt Sc
cure much milk. The object Is simply
to make the weaving gradual for
both dam and colt. and to keep the
fever and heat sucked out Of the
udder.
After the colt has been permanently
and udder should be given thin
coating Of homemade soap. which
will assist in the drying-up process
and also prevent inflammation of the
teats and udder. Again, If the colt
should chance to break out and get
with the mare, the soap would not
be at all inviting for 1t to take hold
of. and is apt to prevent it from suck
ing.
Right here we may mention the
Importance Of making sure that the
mare and colt do not get together
again after the weaving once Is be-
gun as this makes it much more diff
cult than it was at the start, and one
may be the whole fall and winter
weaving the colt.
When the final separation Of the
dam and its colt Is made for weaving,
it will be a good plan to conflne the
colt in box stall, where it cannot
injure itself, next to the dam.
In this way 1t will quickly become
accustomed to doing without mink
and yet be near enough to the mother
that 1t will not fret much.
Place a little clean, bright clover
or alfalfa hay where 1t can nibble at
1t, and feed it about a quart Of oats
quart Of bran, and pint of shelled
corn. Also, have q little clean SAP
where it can reach it at all times, and
be sure to keep vessel Of clean. cool
water before it.
! If fed and watered plentifully, it 1:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24
NAMING FRUITS AND
VEGETABLES.

One Of the offices of the bureau Of
plant industry is concerned in naming
fruits and vegetables correctly. It Is
the privilege of anyone having an
unknown variety Of fruit or vegeta BILE
to send specimens to this office to be
identified. This work is done abso-
lutely without cost to the sender.
The Importance Of naming varieties
correctly is not realized until the gen.
eral confusion V ion results to the
trTck growers. IT growers and
farmers from incorrect naming is
considered. In u great many cases
one variety of vegetable is sold under
Great many names. For instance,
Of 500 varieties of cabbage listed,
the e are really not more than ten
varieties. The same condition pre-
wallis throughout the entire vegetable
kingdom.
Alay grower OF fruit or vegetables
who wishes to send specimens and
receive information regarding their
right names may advise the bureau
of plant industry at Washington, be-
forehand, and he will be supplied with
a suitable mailing box, which may be
scturned. containing tina specimen.
Without postage
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24

Plants need food of different kinds
very much as do animals. That is,
plant will starve If deprived Of any
one Of several substances in the soil,
just as man will stave If he tries
to live on fat meat alone. or on starch
alone or on sugar alone, or, for that
matter, on all three of these articles
of food, because they lack the ele-
ment that makes blood and lean
meat and which is found In eggs,
milk, beans. and the Iikn. To state
the case another way, person to be
we'll fed. must get not only food
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24

OF tho colt being puny or unhealthy.
but in most cases this Is the proper
range OF age for weaving.
However, If the mare has been re-
bred and is thought to be pregnant,
the colt should not be allowed to
suckle over four or five months at
the farthest, as the composition Of the
milk begins to change at this period,
and will WELD a deteriorating effect
on the health of the sucking colt,
at the same time tending to rob the
colt in foal Of the nourishment that
should be transmitted to it, while the
complications caused by these unfav-
orable conditions also detract from
the health of the mare.
In weaving the colt. one must be
guided partly by the amount Of milk
produced by the mare; her adapta-
bility to dry up quickly and properly,
without damage to the udder.
These are the points that should
be given special attention in connec-
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24
SOME PRINCIPLES OF SOIL FERTILITY
-'---s>a,..
=. Sy->~

are found small growths resembling
warts, which are called nodules. These
nodules are produced by exceedingly
small forms of plant life which can be
seen only by the aid Of powerful
microscope. These bacteria take
plant food Of tho various kinds needed
from the root sap Of the plants In
which they live aud In turn they sup
ply the plant with more or less nit
rogen, which they have the power to
get from the air. II a legume be
grown in a soil which does not contain
these bacteria 1t can only make use
Of the soil supply Of nitrogen. like
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24
THE REAL FARMER.

What is a real farmer? We use this
expression, "a real farmer" often,
and desire to define what we mean.
A real farmer Is person who makes
his living by filling the land and who
lives on the land he works. Men who
own farm lands and live in town, or
cities, renting their property, or leas-
ing it on shares, are not farmers,
even when they claim to be farmers.
The test is not a sentimental one. but
economic. Real farmers live by work
alone on the land.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24
Alfalfa hay
IRE - Manure, phosphate.
Y, potash and lime.

other plants, such as corn or wheat.
Thus the proper bacteria must be
supplied before a legume can be
grown successfully.
One Of the chief soil constituents
which are well known to decrease
under usual cultivation is humus, as
the dark-oofored organic substances
which result from the decay of vege-
table matter are called. The value
Of vegetable matter in the soil is not
apt to be over estimated. for the
humus produced from 1t increases the
water-holding capacity of the soil
and improves the texture, so that the
soil is less inclined to bake. Also Its
Importance in connection with differ
ent kinds Of necessary bacteria Is
very great.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24
Saving the Birds

BY arousing public interest in the
care Of birds in Meriden. N. H., a
small town. Ernest Harold Baynes
thinks he has begun movement that
will spread throughout the United
States, with the natural result of wise
protective legislation which the people
will gladly obey. Already bird clubs
have been formed in six other New
Hampshire towns, six in Massachu-
sets. one in Vermont. and one in
New York.
Starting with the idea that bird
wants are much like human wants
something to eat and homes, 5000
was raised. in amounts from fifteen
cents to two dollars. to provide these
things in and about Meriden. A food
house was built, with hopper roof"
of wood, an upper food tray Enclosed
by four glass sides, and a lower food
tray which is open. the whole being
supported by pole which runs to
the roof.
After the birds have eaten the con-
tents of the lower tray, the more adj
venturous lead the way to the upper,
in which Is kept a permanent supply,
protected from wind and storms by
the glass and the roof The boys and
girls Of a school look after the ar
rangements in winter.
Such food as suet, hemp seed, bread
crumbs and the like are fastened in
feeding boxes to the trees, SO that the
birds can help themselves in time of
need in winter. Window boxes made
of plain glass set in wooden frames,
with one side OPEN are also used as
food receptacles. A small farm has
been bought as a bird sanctuary. IN
der such kindly treatment the feath-
cred creatures are thriving, and they
have become surprisingly tame.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24

enough to satisfy his hunger, but
also food that contains in proper
amount the elements needed to renew
adj parts of the body. In like man
ner, plants. to be we'll nourished. re-
quire an abundance OF each OF a
number Of elements.
The elements found in the soil
which are necessary to plants are
nitrogen. phosphorus, calcium, potas-
SUM, magnesium. sulphur and iron.
Those that como wholly from air
and water are carbon, hydrogen and
oxygen. The latter group makes up
the bulk of the dry substance Of
plants. or 80 to 80 parts out of 100.
The element nitrogen can be given an
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24
POULTRY AND FRUIT.

The poultry business goes very we'll
with fruit growing. Chickens are
especially good in eating insects that
are harmful. Plum trees are very
good in poultry yards, also apple and
pear trees, but they need plenty Of
room so they will not grow over the
fences Movable houses for chickens
that can be changed from one part Of
an orchard to another, are very sev-
iceable and really better than per-
manent houses, especially for summer
use. - & = = sssSa d ~tsi--
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24
INCREASE OUR RESOURCES

Ihere are still In this country mil
lions of acres which have never felt
the pillow, while those which are now
under cultivation can. by the appli-
cation Of scientific principles. be made
to produce roany times the present
value of their products. How to use
and not abuse this great resource
IS the most important problem which
faces the farmer Of today-one
worthy of the best efforts of our most
profound and learned scientists; for
upon its solution depends the future
prosperity of the nation.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24
THE MARE AND HER COLT AT WEAVING TINE

not nearly 80 apt to wsnt e. suti.
Watch its manure closely, - TIL
sudden change Of rations IL very ape
to affect the bowdaA and any tss0u-
larity should be checked promptly
and remedied at onoe Tho tendency
probably Will be for them to become
somewhat tight In which casa doub-
ling the amount Of oab being givsn,
and cutting out most Of the dry rough
ago and corn, usually VIM prove .
sufficient laxative.
Sometimes worms VIII troutae he
weaning colt, and for these we And .
teaspoonful Of common sodA, Gfvso
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24

WEAVING the colt Is not simply an
act Of separating the colt from its
dam. but 1t Is q matter that will require
careful feeding and management OF
both, just the same as changes In
other conditions demand different ra-
tons and handling.
From four to SIX months 10 the
usual age at which the colt should be
weaned. OF course, there are excep-
lions to this rule, some doing better
If weaned earlier, where the mares
milk does not seem to agree with the
colt, and some requiring the dams
milk for longer period on account
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24

lawn grass mixtures. It stands fire.
quent clipping admirably. Its ono
weakness Is its habit of turning
brown in dry wheather. but whom
water can be supplied it leaves little
to be desired.
Redtop belongs to a family Of
grasses very generally distributed over
the globe. It Is a hardy and long
lived grass, making a heavy, tough
sod which stands tramping we'll. It is
about equally valuable for hay and
pasture. It Is little latter in tho
season than timothy but may be
seeded with 1t insofar as harvesting
Is concerned. It will do we'll on soil
that is too arid for clover or timothy
to thrive. While better adapted to
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24
BY G. G. WILLIAMS

not we'll adapted to rotation farming
1t is seldom used for hay. though it
really makes very nutritious hay.
It is both an early and a late fall
grower, furnishing excellent pasture
at both ends Of the season. Its short
season is in midsummer. particu-
larly If the weather is dry. It
stands grazing and trampling we'll.
but 1t is a mistake to Craze it too
close. Blue grass 10 the basis Of all
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24

In delivering goods your personal
appearance and the character Of your
outfit will tell decidedly upon your
business.
AS soon as a chicken gets sick re-
move 1t from the rest OF the flock.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24

Optimism is the ffrst-born OF hope.
the father Of confidence, the execu-
toner Of adversely, and the under
taker of pessimism.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24

To produce apples which best con-
form to the ideals of mankind re-
quires the best Of effort and craftiness
to outwit insects and diseases.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24

Pure air and plenty Of it is abso-
lutely necessary for turkeys.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24

pencil worn to stump in plan
ming farm work pays bigger dividends
than even ,sllo.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24

Plant plum tree in the chicken
yard this fall,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24

The home canning of fruit in
commercial way is increasing RAPIDLY.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-24

Nineteen states now require M
an examination IN aeT4cultue -
passed before . teacher may obem
his certificate.
Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1914-07-16
Union and Paper
Company Agree

New York, July 16.-The Interna-
tional Paper company has signed a
union shop agreement with thes var
ious international unions, whose mem
bers are employed by this concern.
The unions involved are the paper
makers, pulp, sulphite and paper mill
workers, stationary firemen, electrical
workers., steam engineers, plumbers
and steam filters, carpenters, machin-
lists and the American Federation of
Labor, representing all unions not
represented through utilization with
an International union.
The agreement provides that sit is
mutually agreed and understood that
the ploicy and practice of trade union
employment will pe carried out, which
means that employees who enter or
remain in the services and fail or
neglect to affiliate themselves with
the trade unions, will be considered as
unsatisfactory to- the parties of this
agseement." A ssisSH
The contract will remain in force
one year and will continue thereafter
until either party shall give}sixty days
notice in writing Of desired changes.
All necessary work performed on
Labor Day, Christmas, and the Fourth
lof July shall be p&id at the rate of
time and one-half. A. minimum of
1910 per day will be paid carpenters,
millwrights, patternmakers. machin-
lists, electricians, blacksmfths and
pipers. An apprentice system will be
established in the mechanical trades
as soon as a satisfactory system can
be worked out. Proper drinking wat
Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1914-07-16

years of age and over, in 1910, more
than every other one had a ,gainful
occupation; Of the males, over four
out of five were gainful workers, and
of the females, almost one out of four
was gainful worker.
Proportion Increases.
The proportion of the total popu-
lation engaged in gainful occupations
Increased gradually from S4.7 pei
cent in 1880 to Alb per cent in 1910
the increase being least rapid from
1890 to 1900 and most rapid from
1900, to 1910.
In the several states the proportion
of the population 10 years of age and
over engaged in gainful occupations
in 1910 ranged from 1853 per cent in
Iowa toes per cent in Mississippi. The
states Showing the largest increases
were Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia