davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19
Road Building

An interesting comparison between
the expenditure on public roads in
the United States in 1904 and in 1912
has Just been compiled by the Depart
ment of Agriculture through it's Of
fee OF public roads, showing the ire
nendous growth that has taken place
In the movement for better highways
within tho last eight years.
In 1904 the total expenditure on oil
public roads in tho United States was
t7s,771,417, but in 1912 the expendi-
lures for this purpose amounted to
31s4.232,S66. The expenditure per
mile Of public roads in the United
States for 1904 was $37.07. but the
expenditure per mile for the year
1919 had doubled, amounting to
$74.65. The expenditure per inhab-
liant in 1904 was $1.05. but in 1912
1t amounted to $1.7S.
The greatest progress in road build
ing has been made in the states which
contribute from the state treasures
toward the construction of state-aid
or trunk-line roads. In 1904 there
were thirteen states that contributed
out Of the general fund s2,607,OOO,
but In 1912 there were thirty-tive
states which contributed $43,757,43S.
The states having the largest expendi-
lures for state-aid and trunk-line
roads in 1912 were as follows: New
York, .$23,000.ooo; Pennsylvania.
$4,000, 900: Maryland, $3,37O,O0O;
Connecticut, 100000.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19
KEEPING APPLES in WINTER.

If your apples are not headed up in
barrels Ga much better way than to
keep them in open bins exposed to
the air. sort over carefully and 1t will
pay you to keep the most perfect
ones by themselves. Wrap each in
paper, as oranges are wrapped. and
pack away in box or barrel with A
tight cover. You will be surprised at
how greatly this little labor will i'm
prove the keeping qualities. Not only
will the fruit thus packed keep longer
without rotting, but the fresh texture
and flavor will be more perfectly re-
tanned. ...
Some of the western orchardjsts are
now packing apples for markets in
this way with all the care that the
orange grower exercises and no doubt
very soon all choice fruit will be pro-
tected.
While the professional should take
pride in wrapping each apple which
he sells In neat wrapper containing
his name and address, ordinary news
paper will suffice for home use.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19
FEEDING SlLAGE TO HORSES
BY GEORGE NJ. RONIN1EL.

the center. This is by far the most
important point in connection with
feeding silage to horses, and the lives
Of the horses fed on silage may de-
pend on the thoroughness with which
the tramping is done. If properly
done no danger Is likely to result: If
not properly done air pockets may
form and cause the accumulation Of
a small mass Of mold which the
feeder may overlook but which might
be sufficient to kill one or more
horses. ,-..
The value of silage for horses Is
greatest as a means to carry them
through the winter season cheaply
or to supplement pasture during
drought. AS the danger of mold is
greater in summer than in winter,
silage should not be fed to horses in
that season unless a large number Of
animals are getting it and the daily
consumption is so large as to preclude
the formation Of mold on the surface.
To cheaper the ration Of brood
mares in winter no feed has more
value than good corn silage. If the
grain goes into the silo with the slower
no additional grain is needed for
brood mares. hay being the only sup
Elementary feed necessary. If there is
little grain on the corn the silage
should be supplemented with 1 pound
OF Old-process linseed-oil meal or cot
tonseed meal daily per 1000 pounds
live weight, sprinkled over the silage.
Horses to be wintered on silage
and hay ration should be started on
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19

We have fed some corn and cob
chop to such calves, but this Is not to
be practiced for any great length Of
time, there being too much woody
substance in the cob portion of the
| feed-1n other words, 1t Is too diff
cult of digestion for the calves, al
though an excellent ration for the
older cows and horses. a.
More than a pint of corn and cob
chop is not to be given the calf at one
time, as 1t is productive of gastric
collie If left in the stomach undigested
very long. ..H-
| Perhaps the surest index to the gen.
eral health OF the dairy COW is the
condition Of its bowels and this Is best
| ascertained by keeping close watch
Of the manure passing from them. In
nine cases out Of ten you will find the
trouble, where there Is any, located
! there.
If the manure becomes dark colored
| and hard, too much overripe, hard,
| dry or woody feed Is being given and
this can be remedied by cutting down
the amount Of this feed and giving of
the ones likely to act as a laxative, In
greater proportion-oats, oilmeal, ETC.,
serve lnlS purpose. s
In case the manure is light colored
| and thin, exactly the opposite Is the
trouble and the nature Of the feed
given should be exactly the reverse
Of that for the inactive bowels, feeding
the drier rations that will bind and
thicken the assimilated mass after
digestion. *t~i
Other minor details which are really
Of vast importance when all summed
up are plenty Of open-air exercise in
the sunlight every day the weather
will admit. While snug shelter Is
most essential, close confinement in a
dark, poorly ventilated stall is to be
carefully avoided, as this stunts the
calf's growth and encourages the for
nation of dangerous disease germs,
especially those Of tuberculosis.
Clean pure water is also most es-
sential and the continued absence Of
this when the calf IS on winter rations,
which are apt to be dry, often brings
on dry-murrain and kindred deadly
diseases.
Salt should be kept where the calf
can reach it at all times, as this is one
of the greatest condiments known for
all live stock. 1t is also recommended
on account Of its promoting good
health and free, easy action of the
digestive and assimilative organs.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19
Matching Ducks

Ducks eggs may be Matched In in
cubators but it is better to use large
chicken-hens when possible. If one
wishes to hatch ducklings very early
in the season. then the incubator Is the
only thing that will do the work.
Ducks scarcely ever get broody and
when they do, as rule the season Is
far advanced. Besides it is poor policy
to place eggs under a duck.
Don't keep duck eggs over week
after they are laid. The fresher they
are the better they will hatch. After
a duck egg is ten days old it Is entirely
worthless so far as Matching is con-
cerned. They should be very carefully
handled as the albumen is much thin
ner than that Of other eggs. This fact.
coupled with the age limit. accounts
for so many poor matches: especially
where the eggs have been shipped.
AS soon as the eggs are laid. if not
placed at once for Matching. they
should be carefully wrapped in paper
and turned every day. They should
be kept where the temperature is
neither too high nor too low-about
so to 65 degrees F. Don't keep eggs
lHteHueu Aux Ill udIlp
cellar.
When ducks are laying their appe-
title increases, but one must be care
full not to overfeed. If their food is
not too highly concentrated and there
is plenty Of coarse grit and sand within
reach, there IS little danger Of over
feeding. Three or four square meals
a day will not hurt laying duck.
When overfed they lay double-yolked
eggs.
We give our ducks tepid water
when the weather is very cold. Coal
ashes are valuable to take up surplus
moisture from the floor. They should
be sifted and the cinders saved for
grit
Never give ducks buttermilk, or in
fact, any other kind of milk, to drink.
1t may be used to moisten their feed,
however. Buttermilk, skimmilk and
"clabber" are all valuable In duck
feeding but they should be used only
for moistening the feed and not as \
drink. 'S'1'e.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19

One should begin with the calf to
teach the future dairy COW to be
handled.
She Is not only easier to train at this
age, but she will be so much easier to
handle than after she drops her first
calf at three years old; besides a gen.
tie, tractable milch COW Is more apt
to be heavy producer than il
she is unruly and difficult to handle.
We slip the halter on the calf before
she is yearling-often before she is a
month old-then. by slow degrees,
teach her to lead. 1t Is only very
shoT time till she will lead any
where. stand tied and be Of even less
trouble than the older cows and
horses.
We also teach the heifer to be APP
preached from either side--no right
side" for us to milk from after she
comes fresh.
She Is also petted and rubbed about
the tanks and around the udder to
accustom her to milking when the
time comes. These are all important
items in handling and will mean a
saving Of much time and patience at
the first calving.
If the heifer is allowed to run out
with the common herd, eat the same
food and receive the same care. she
is more than apt to be no better for
milking purposes than the other
heifers.
We keep the dairy lleifer in snug.
warm place during the severe
weather. bed her we'll at night, keep
her stall clean and sanitary and give
her an occasional currying and brush
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19
LUNIPY-NIILK.

Lumpy milk is frequently due to in
lection with germs which gain en-
trance either through the milk ducts
in the teats or are carried to the I'D
der in the circulation from other por-
lions Of the body. Excessive feeding
with large grain rations seems to
have a part in causing the trouble, IN
some cases. In the absence Of COM
petent local veterinary help. give a
moderately light, laxative diet. with r
reasonable amount OF exercise. Re-
duce the grain feed temporarily at
least and give the udder long con-
tinued hand rubbing and gentle mas
sage. A mild physic may be very
helpful. The dose may be from one
half to one pound Of epson salts. dis
solved in three pints of water and
given as drench. the exact dose de-
pending upon the size and condition
of the GOWN. II. Reynolds.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19

about pounds Of silage daily per
1000 pounds live weight, the grain
and hay ration being gradually de-
creased as the silage Is increased unti,
the ration Is 20 pounds silage and 10
pounds of hay daily per 1000 pounds
hVe weight. 1t will require about a
month to reach the full feed of silago,
out the period may be decreased some
Wnat' depending on the Judgment and
skill OF the feeder
Mares fed in this manner will be in
splendid condition for foaling, and, so
far as the writer's experience goes, the
foals will be fully as vigorous, with
just as much size and bone as II the
mares were fed the conventional grain
and hay ration. s., 49,
Work horses when idle can be win
tered satisfactorily In this manner, but
much silage is not recommended for
horses at heavy work for the same
reason that driving horse can not do
his best while on watery grass pasture.
sllage is safe to feed to horses and
mules only when it is made from fairly
mature corn, properly stored in the
sllo. When 1t is properly stored and is
not allowed to mold. no feed excels
1t as cheap winter ration. 4. It is most
valuable for horses and mules which
are not at heavy work, such as brood
mares and work horses during the
slack season. With plenty of grain on
the cornstalks, horses will keep in
good condition on a ration Of 20
pounds of silage and 10 pounds Of hay
Tor each 1000 pounds Of live weight.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19
Deep Burrows
BY GUM
Making the same mistake twice is
mighty bad habit.

Making the same mistake twice Is
mighty bad habit.
There are said to be opportunities
enough to go around. Some people
get more than their share by grabbing
those You let go by.
It is strange that the names of the
best advice givers at the grocery store
rarely appear on the tax roll.
It Is said that the intricate beauty
of the thistle fills the soul OF the
artist with delight. But, generally
speaking, artists make very poor
farmers.
Although work is generally regarded
as the greatest tonic for all human
ills, still there are a lot Of folks who
prefer to put their trust in mental
healing.
When you have failed to raise any
crops to sell, it Is pretty hard to exult
over the high prices which your
neighbor received for the good crops
which he did raise. d
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19

Silage has not been generally 1ed
to horses, partly on account OF
certain amount of danger which at
tends its use for this purpose, but
still more perhaps on account of preJu-
dice In many cases horses have been
killed by eating moldy silage and the
careless person who fed 1t at once
blamed the silage rather than his own
carelessness and the mold which really
was the cause Of the trouble. Horses
are peculiarly susceptible to the er-
fects of molds. and under certain con-
ditions certain molds gro on silage
which are deadly poison to both
horses and mules. Molds must have
air to grow and therefore silage which
is packed alright and fed out rapidly
will not become moldy. If the feeder
watches carefully he will quickly de-
tect the presence of mold. When
mold appears, feeding to horses or
mules should stop Immediately.
It is also unsafe to feed horses
frozen silage on account Of the danger
of collie.
Corn to be made into silage for
horses should not be cut too green,
as sour silage will result and may
cause collie when fed. The corn
should be we'll matured and cut when
the grain is beginning to glaze. The
silo should be filed rapidly and the
corn should be vigorously tramped
and packed while filling. At least
three men should be inside the silo,
moving constantly, two around the
edges and the third across and around
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19

make an excellent pasture, especially
desirable for hogs. Soy beans may be
used satisfactorily for soiling and en-
silage.
The seeds Of soy beans contain as
much protein as linsesd meal, and al
most as much a. cottonseed meal.
Feeding trials indicate that soy bean
grain In large measure may take the
pace of concentrated feeds for all
classes Of stock.
Soy beans yield from 20 to 80
bushels Of seed per acre. and from
to 4 tons Of hay.
The growing of soy beans improves
the soil by increasing its store of nitro
gen and by correcting its physical con-
dition. Where red clover fails. or is
not adapted, soy beans may be substi-
tuted. The crimson clover crop may
be followed the same season by soy
beans, thus producing two forage
crops In one year on the same land.
On account of their rapid growth.
soy beans are admirably adapted for
catch crop after wheat early potatoes
or other early-maturing crops. Soy
beans have q wider use than cowpeas,
are q richer feed, are more easily
cured for hay or harvested Tor SEED.
Soy beans have yielded decidedly more
seed than cowpeas. Soy bean varieties
range in maturity from 70 to 140 days
Comparatively few varieties OF soy
beans are now on the market. Of
those for both hay and seed produc-
ton, the Wilson and Picking are rec
commended for the full season; for
shorter season. the Ito San and Ebony
are we'll suited. For green manuring
or sowing IN corn at the last cultiva-
ton, the Mammoth Yellow Is valuable
Soil for soy beans should receive as
thorough preparation as land for corn.
Sow beans do we'll on sod. A mixture
1T 400 pounds of acid phosphate ana
100 pounds of muriate Of potash APP
nlied at the rate Of ESQ to 400 pounds
ner acre is recommended.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19

The first step in the selection Of q
heifer suitable for the dairy herd Is to
take into consideration both her sire
and dam. especially the sire. as his
traits are more apt to be dominant
than that Of the dam.
Both parent stock should be Of good
dairy strain. If either Of them possess
strong blood from any other breed.
the offspring is very liable to inherit
the characteristics of the beef type
and be utterly unfit for dairy purposes.
Having ascertained that the heifer's
breeding is suitable. her individual
traits next should be considered.
Choose the hefer with trim. we'll
formed head. wide between the eyes;
large. dilated nostrils, denoting deep
respiration; large. brilliant eyes. sug-
gestive of a highly nervous tempera-
ment and consequent heavy milk flow;
thin. tapering shoulders and good
depth to forequarters. trim shanks
on both fore and hind legs.
See that the milk veins. Immediately
t.. front of and leading to the
udder are large and prominent, the
ribs long and convex to admit Of good
feeding capacity and proper calving
space.
The headquarters should be tapering
and somewhat sharp at the hip and
back bones. rather than plump and
round as in the beef type Of cattle.
There should be an ample space for
a large udder, the hind legs being
spread we'll apart. the TANKS being
wide and extending we'll up on each
side.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19
THE FUTURE DAIRY COW

ing. You practice this method will,
the colts-why not with the future
mich COW?
We feed the future dairy COW with
the thought In mind that every tissue
of her body should be nourished and
developed in the manner which will
promote milk production. since this Is
what will be required Of them after
maturity is reached. If the dairy COW
is fed only those rations which pro-
duce fat and flesh, we must expect
her to develop into a beef type Of
animal.
While practically the same feed
given a dairy COW will prove salts
factory to the dairy heifer, the rations
should be somewhat milder md
lighter. Of course. depending upon the
size and age and appetite Of the calf.
Clean. bright corn fodder, clover and
alfalfa make excellent roughage, while
the milder grains and bought feeds,
such as oats, cracked wheat, bran.
oilmeal. etc. should form goodly
portion of the daily feed.
Corn chop should be made about
one-third the regular ration, especially
In the winter. as 1t will be required to
maintain body heat and is an excellent
flesh promoter.
AS to the amount Of grain or chop
feed given the calf, for one of ordf-
nary size we allow about one-half
gallon morning and night, little over
half Of it being such laxative feeds as
oats and bran, or oats and oilmeal,
the balance being corn chop or shelled
corn.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19

If much magnesia is present in the
lime, boil longer than for lime-until
a dirty green predominates. Try boil
ing one batch a long time and see
whether the green color can be OBJ
tanned.
If green color can be obtained
once it must every time in order to
have good results from such lime. 1t
is we'll to spray with pressure of
nearly 100 pounds for the best and
most rapid work. .}..
For small trees calm day and one
or two nozzles with a careful man
back Of them can finish the job with
one application.
Medium sized trees will require
two applications-one with a breeze
from one point Of the compass, the
other . directly opposite breeze.
For the large and very large trees
select windy days and dozen or
moro MOBILES. The strong wind will
carry the hot spray UP and through
the trees, covering every twig, branch
and limb from the top to the ground
on at least tWo-thirds Of their cir
conference. Work with an opposite
wind when less will be required to
finish the job.
Use extension whether spraying
large or small trees and keep them
turned always from the men and
team that the spray will not blow upon
them. Rods of different lengths and
a good supply of nozzles should be al
hand Have stop cocks in the rods
Old blankets for the horses, espec-
tally on the cold days, and old over.
coats for the men will rob the job OF
some cf it's real unpleasant features
M. 4.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19
Care of the Chicks

As soon as the chicks are old
enough they should be taught to
roost outside Of the brooders upon
perches placed near the floor. Keep
the floors we'll covered with clean lit
ter Never use sawdust.
Heavy paper Is best for the brooder
floors. These should be taken out and
burned every day and replaced with
fresh ones.
A good way to keep an incubator
clean is to cover the nursery Eoor with
heavy paper before the chicks begin
to hatch.
Don't feed the chicks anything for
at least twenty-four hours after they
are Matched. Better wait forty-eight
hours before feeding. But they
should have all the tepid water they
will drink right from the start.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19

and cheese which they place on the
European markets in successful COM
petition with that produced in America
on land of less than one-fifth the
value.
A cheese market is held one day in
each week in the towns. One of the
largest markets Is in the town of Ak
maar. The market consists of a gov
eminent Weighhouse and a square
block Of pavement. On market day
the farmers drive In early with the
cheese they have made. pile them IN
neat piles on straw on the pavement
and cover them with canvas to protect
them from sun or rain. Cheese buy
ers, representing commission firms
from the different parts of the country
are present. Precisely at ten o'clock
the gong sounds, the market opens,
and the scene is a busy one. In about
two hours $4,000 cheese will change
hands. After being sold the cheese IS
removed on carriers, each borne by
two men. to the official weighhouse.
where they are weighed and then
packed into boats on the canal nearby
and taken to the different cities or
stored in large curing houses close by.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19
HANDLING THE RUNT PIGS.
Some runts are naturally weaklir

Some runts are naturally weaklings
while others are the result Of injuries
or undertaking. The poor feeder will
have more runts in his herd than tho
good feeder-no question about that
We always place ours in lot or
field by themselves where they will
have good pasture and a chance to
eat their meals without being knocked
and jostled around by their larger
mates. The poor things never have
half chance when allowed to run
with the herd and the chances are
they will never pay for the feed they
consume.
BY separating them, however, and
giving these runts some special care
they ought to return some profit.
Ground grain mixed into thick
slop with milk Is what the runts need
instead Of an exclusive diet of ear
corn. Then keep them free from lice
and provide them with warm shelter
so that all the profit will not be
chilled out of them by damp or cold
weather. -......
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19
The Soy Bean

Soy beans are we'll adapted to the
soil and climate conditions of large
section Of the United States. the
crop being an important one In many
parts OF the country.
Well-cured soy bean hay 10 equal to
alfalfa hay in palatability and feeding
value. For a brief period soy beans
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19
Winter Spraying For
The San Jose Scale

I find that lime and sulphur with
out salt is the best and safest applica-
ton for San Jose scale. It Is also
general fungicide and the one best
remedy for peach-leaf curl. Spraying
can be done any time during the win
ter if the weather permits.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19
The Cheese Markets q.
of Holland

The little country Of Holland exports
an immense amount of butter and
cheese. In this country land Is worth
from $500 to $1,000 per acre, yet these
people pay their rents or interest on
the investment by producing butter
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19
How to Plow

The pride of every good plowman
10 a straight. well-turned furrow: and
vet its straightness is but small part
o" its merit. Its true merit is meas
ured by its depth, the manner in
which 1t is turned and the way in
which it lies. When properly turned.
1t will present a loosely pulverized and