davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05

enemies. Except the crow. robin
and few other species. birds ind
only those turned up In cultivation;
the skunk. locating them by its sense
Of smell. digs them out of the ground.
Hop growers In New York, Michi-
gan. and elsewhere have serious losses
from the depredations Of the hop
plant borer or hop grub. That the
skunk is tho only efficient natural
enemy Of this moth has been attested
written about tho insect. The skunk
hop vine, thus locating the larvae at
work. All hop growers value the
skunk's service. and 1t was mainly
through their efforts that legislation
protecting this animal was first en-
acted in New York.
In July, August and September,
when grasshoppers are most album
dant, they constitute the chief food
of skunks, which consume enormous
quantities. During the disastrous in
vasions Of the Rocky Mountain locust
in the plains country years ago. the
skunk was reported az the principal
mammal that destroyed these insects.
Skunks are also fond Of tho Colorado
potato beetle. A writer says Of them:
they consider the beetle delicate
morsel and spend many busy eve
ming In potato patches catching and
eating the larvae and the mature
beetles"
Although other mammals. including
coye -, badgers. foxes, minks and
weascls do far more good by destroy
ing noxious rodents than is generally
realized. the skunk surpasses them all.
It is sufficiently numerous in many
localities to keep field mice in check.
and reports from all parts Of the
country show that close trapping Of
skunks and other fur animals is often
followed by great increase In dspre-
dations by mice.
The chief indictment against the
skunk is that 1t destroys poultry, ana
a few cases Of losses due to tho AMI.
NAL are reported. In many instances
Of alleged depredations by skunks. II
is quite probable that n1inks or WA
sells were the actual cuiprits. and that
skunks merely shared in the plumber
by eating the dead poultry. When ..
farmer loses fowls and does not SEQ
the animal killing them he 10 often
likely to mistake its identity. The
common skunk can not climb to .
roost, and would kill only birds found
on the ground. Minks and weasels
are expert climbers and are far more
bloodthirsty. It IL characteristic of
the weasel to kill many victims where
they are within reach. 1t makes
small but deep incision in the neck
or under the wing of fowl and takes
the blood as long a it flows freely.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05
LIME FOR ACID SOILS.

The ony economic neutralizer. or
corrective. for soil acidity which Is
within the reach of the farmer Is
lime. Ordinarily one thinks of lime
as that material used in the making
of plaster and mortar. Throughout
the agricultural world today, however.
the word lime" has taken on very
general meaning. It not only includes
burnt lime. or quicklime. but also air
and water-slacked lime, ground lime
stone, mari, pulverized shells, and
marble dust. These different mate
rails, with the exception Of burnt lime
and water stacked lime, are commonly
spoken Of as Carbonate Of lime or
lime carbonate" because they con-
sist of ordinary quicklime combined
with carbon dioxide gas Of the air.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05
BEAUTIFUL NASTURTIUMS.

The most gorgeous bed of nastur-
tiums the writer has ever seen was
made by friend who was always eX-
perimenting to secure the unusual.
The ground was excavated for two
feet and one foot Of fresh horse ma
nure put in and then filled In with
rich. light, sandy soil. This was done
about the middle of May and on June
first the four-inch high plants were
set out in the bed. They were care
fully cultivated and watered when
necessary and the result was many
brilliant flowers and most vigorous
plants The blooms, however. were
not very good for making bouquets
for they were frail and delicate-just
like blooms grown in the wood. but
they did make {. grand display of the
plants.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05
Provide Comforts
For the Poultry
A Few Suggestions Which Can Not
Fail TO Be of Assistance to the
Farmer Who Is Planning to Build
New Chicken Houses.

Economy Of floor space. simplicity
OF construction, and conveniece IN
handling the fowls which means a
saving OF labor, are the essentials to
,,c observed in the arrangement OF
the interior of the hen house.
Roosts located in the warmest part
Of the house, generally as far as pos
sible from the front, are the most
satisfactory. II they are placed on
level, there will be no tendency OF
the birds to crowd on the highest.
Valuable fowls are often injured or
killed by falling when crowded from
the roosts. Roosts should be simple
IN construction, easy to handle ana
arm. Poles may be used to advantage,
provided they are two inches IN Ola
meter. Two inch by four inch mate
rtal placed on edge with the upper
corners rounded make sensible and
satisfactory roosts Generally these
may be set in notches along the back
Of the house, making them easy to
remove for cleaning. They should be
placed not less than IL inches from
the wall, and one foot apart. OFTEN
the roosts are fastened to cross pieces
In the form OF a frame. these pieces
being hinged at tho back.
By raising these tho cleaning OF
the dropping boards u often made
easier. When hens arc apt to perch
during the day. they can often be
ENCOURAGED to use the scratching
floor BY raising the roosts. The height
Of the roosts from tho floor depends
largely upon tho breed Of fowl and
=. upon tho height Of the house. For
heavy breeds, 2 to feet IL as high
- the bird can safely perch, while for
lighter breeds 1 or even feet Is prac-
jticed. Eight to fifteen inches OF
roosting space should be allowed for
each bird.
The use Of the droppings platform
II strongly advocated, because 1t in
creases the size of the scratching
floor and also because tho manure Is
easily saved in this way. The plat
form. however, must be cleaned regu-
larry. II the poultryman Is not will
Ing to take this extra care 1t would
be better to have the floor beneath
the roosts surrounded by a partition
to prevent the birds scratching among
the droppings. The platform should
be placed low enough to make clean
Ing easy. Flooring is the most sat
isfactory| material to use for the plat.
form.
Darkened nests are the most de-
>Dirable for they not only furnish Sc
clusion, which hen desires. but also
tend to lessen the amount of egg eat
Ing, habit more frequent with the
use Of open nests. Portable nests also
facilitate cleaning and being easily
accessible, economic time.
A common method of installing
nests IL to place them under the edge
Of the dropping boards. This is a
very convenient way and little mate
rial 10 required to construct the nests.
Tho hen enters from the rear and
the door may be let down from the
front to remove the eggs.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05

In treating quantity Of seed pota-
toes with formaldehyde gas for scab
at the New York Experiment Station.
many of them were so severely
injured that they were unfit for seed.
The injury took the form Of sunken
brown spots surrounding the lenti-
cells and eyes. The gas was generated
by the permanganate method. using
the standard formula of 3 pints of
formaldehyde solution and % ounces
Of potassium permanganate to each
1000 cubic feet of space. An invests
cation into the cause of the injury
placed the blame chiefly upon the
small quantity (1.5 lbs.) of potatoes
per cubic foot Of space in the fumiga-
ton chamber. The high relative
humidity of the air and the sprouted
condition of the potatoes were i'm
portant accessories.
Numerous Investigations have
shown that in order to insure eff
cient disinfection it Is necessary to
have comparatively high humidity.
In the distinction Of living rooms
during cold weather this factor Is a
very important one because In artid-
cially heated rooms the relative hui
mildly is usually low and special
methods must be employed to raise
1T. A relative humidity Of about so
per cent is usually considered the
minimum for thorough disinfection.
In disinfecting seed potatoes Prof.
Morse recommends that "just before
placing the formaldehyde in the gem
orator the floor Of the disinfecting
chamber should be thoroughly wet
down with boiling water" Although
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05
FEEDING DUCKS AND GEESE.

Geese and ducks are very similar
in their habits Of eating. Some recon-
mend feeding the grain whole, but we
prefer feeding It ground. especially in
winter, as this enables us to mix the
green feed with it. Bran. shorts. and
corn meal or barley meal, equal parts
by weight, mixed with clover leaves or
boiled vegetables, is one of the very
best rations for winter. Milk mixed
with it improves it greatly. We have
secured fairly good results from feed.
ing boiled roots, shorts. and milk. but
the addition of small amount Of grain
gives better results. Tor summer
feeding the geese require nothing but
good pasture while the ducks do we'll
II fed whole grain once day In water
II rapid growth is not desired.-C. F.
Brown.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05

BAD results som etimes foI,ow
proper or careless method. ~
diins and feeding. both prior -
Immediately after vaccination. !.
spite OF the fact that clean :.
serum and fresh. uncontar;r =
virus were used. Among the ~ ).
tnat can be done to contribute 20
results are the following:
Feed the hogs moderately for
V-four hours before vaccinatins
not Iest them, az this Will cause !
70 % Wild and hard to handle.
During hot weather, yaccina+e
IN the morning or towards the
ming, rather than In the middle Of
day, when it 10 hot.
The hogs should be kept In a
dry place before vaccination
better both for the hogs and f.
persons who are to handle them
II possible, group the hogs ace.
Ing to size. This will lessen las
chances for error in estimating the
doses OF serum to be injected.
Provide box or table on which n
place the bottles OF serum and virus
disinfectants syringes ETC., where
they will be convenient but not likely
to be upset.
1t is even more important that thu
hogs be kept clean and dry after vac
cination, to reduce to a minimum tha
chances for injecting the needle
wounds.
Get the hogs into an enclosure
where they can be caught withou.
chasing them. This should be done
before the arrival Of the veterinarian.
RnaNtaI aff0rti0v, 81 - n -
the feeding OF the hogs after vaccina-
ton. Corn should be excluded from
the diet entirely for at least week.
Give reduced rations Of slightly laxa.
tive feeds.
Watch the hogs carefully for as
least three weeks after vaccina,; n.
especially If the double treatme,
been used. If all goes well for
weeks, there is little to be
later on.
II any hogs show signs Of ST
following the double treatment t: :.
should be isolated from the re-, =.
the herd. Sometimes another dos. r.
serum will save them.
II an abscess forms at the peirt
injection. It should be opened prof.
ly, and given a chance. to Ora,
Very few assesses should ',,ayJ,;
however, II $ths foregoing ru,s =,
followed.
Good serum properly used Is
reliable and has saved hogs Mtril
millions of dollars. but large quantities
of impotent or contaminated serum
and even limitations of, serum, rnv,
been used in many states WIFI.
results
There is no known cure or pre-.
i've treatment by ordinary med.t
tina, .ac be recommended for
cholera. Dislnfcc+ants properly
in sufficient strength may have Sc
value in preventing cholera simply
destroying virus on feeding a..
troughs, etc.--H. p. Hoskins. I'm.
sity Farm. st. Paul. MINI.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05
PREVENTING STOMACH WORMS
IN SHEEP

AS soon as possible after the iambing
period the old sheep should all re-
ceive a one or two-ounce dose Of gas
oine, followed by small dose of ep-
som salts. They should then be turned
on a worm-free pasture, If possible
In July the entire herd, including the
lambs, should be treated with gasoline
and turned into new pasture. This
treatment should be repeated In No
venber, when the flock should again
be removed to new pastures. Pasture
rotation combined with drugs that are
injurious to the worms Is the most
practical method Of successfully COM
batting this worm. At University Farm
pasture rotation has been practiced
so successfully that few losses have
occurred from the effects of this
worm.-W. L. Boyd, Assistant Veteri-
marian, University Farm, st. Paul.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05

corn and grasses and their invasions
entail heavy losses among farmers.
The good work of skunks in destroying
army worms has frequently been
noticed. These animals are also fond
Of tobacco worms. Two species of
these larvae very destructive to to-
bacco and tomato plants are the
southern tobacco worm and the
northern tobacco worm. Both species
occur over wide areas in the United
States, and in sections where no
tobacco is grown they feed upon to-
mato and potato plants While the
worms are active, skunks gather
them from the plants, and when the
worms go into the ground in the latter
part Of summer the animals dig out
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05

food, nitrogen, phosphorus and po-
tassium, one or more of them is de-
ficient in most of our cultivated soils.
OF these. nitrogen is the most i'm
portant. and, from recent investiga-
lions. has proven to be the most
elusive. Also it has been shown by
experiments in Germany and also In
this country that only from 40 per
cent to about 65 per cent of the nitro
gen applied to- crops is recovered or
taken up by the crops. This makes
the subject still more interesting.
1t is an established fact that all
legumes have the power of securing
free nitrogen from the air through this
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05
POTATOES INJURED BY F0RMALDEHYDE Gas

humidity. BY the property of !.
sorption the potatoes seize and h
the formaldehyde gas upon their SUI
face. If there are but few potat
they absorb SO much gas that Il,
tissue is injured: but when the asi..
is distributed over . large quan..t,.
OF potatoes It does not gather a. a.;
point In sufficient quantity to ca T.,
injury.
In our experiments various degree,
Of lenticel spotting occurred with al
quantities up to ~ pounds per cubic
pounds or more per cubic foot were
used. The gas treatment is to be
recommended only in cases in which
the liquid treatment II impracticable.
With the gas treatment 1t Is evi-
dent that In order to secure uniform
results the quantity Of the chemicals
must be varied according to the guam
tity of potatoes per cubic foot of
space. At present, the only formula
which can b recommended as 10
both safe and efficient for scab is
Of pints Of formaldehyde anu
ounces Of permansanate to 167 VI;
els Of potatoes in 1000 cubic fee.
space.
Similar spotting of potatoes resI -
from exposure to tho fumes Of am
monia, bromine or other. and from
dipping or soaking In strong solutions
OF corrosive sublimate and formalde-
hyde. However, in the use Of for
maldehyde solution tho quantity OF
potatoes treated has no appreciable
influence on the degree of the injury.
The same solution may be used at
least ten times without loss Of strength.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05
DIVIDING TIE FLOCK.

The best results are secured II the
pullets and cockerels are separated
when eight or ten weeks old. The
pullets must be kept growing and de-
veloped for early laying to bring tho
most profit. Early Matched pullets
should begin laying when Ave or six
months old. Unless the cockerels are
of exceptionally fne stock they may
be forced and sold as broilers or roast
ers and will often bring moro per
head in early summer than they would
II kept until autumn. The chicks
should be kept growing and develop
ing from birth to sale or maturity to
give satisfactory returns.-N. e. Chap
man.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05

skunk may return to the poultry
yard night after night for fresh
victim. A skunk making its home
under sheds and other buildings roams
about them at night in search Of
food, chiefly rats, mice and insects
That 1t should occasionally learn to
take chickens and eggs Is not surpris-
ing. but this happens far less fro
quently than Is thought to be the case
1t is habit learned by q few indi-
viduals and In no way a characteristic
Of the skunk family. OF course, the
individual skunk that learns to kill
and eat chickens should be destroyed
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05
JUST HORSES.

Sore shoulders and consequently
balky teams are the consequence of
hard work during the busy months
unless your harness fits properly.
The horse, young or old. that starts
out to farm work in the spring, fat
from the winters rest, WILL in one
week of hard blowing work off some
OF this flesh and the collar that was
tight becomes loose, works up and
down the shoulders and thus gals are
formed.
Watch the collar and unless it is
fitting tight either use an excess pad
or a smaller collar. The latter Is al
ways preferable.
Don't make any sudden change in
the feed.
Give hay to the horses first If they
are warm The grain. after they have
cooled off.
The pessimist has chronic case OF
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05

Fence with board overhang, height
six feet, showing stones in inside
trench to prevent the skunks from
digging ont. g
to tho demands Of persons interested
in conserving the resources of the
country. A fuller understanding. Of
the economic value of these creatures
would no doubt result in protective
measures in all the states.
The three fur animals still fairly
abundant In the United States are the
m uskrat, the mink. and the skunk.
OF these the muskrat is most likely
to retain it's numbers, since 1t multi
plies rapidly and, properly protected,
Is in no danger of extinction except
where swamps are drained for agri-
culture. The mink breeds but once
year, and close trapping has already
made it scarce over wide areas. The
skunk, although not yet in danger
Of extinction, is likely soon to be even
more closely trapped, as its pelt
has great intrinsic value and the
demand for 1t has not yet fully de-
veloped Within a few years the
prices of this fur will probably be
more than doubled.
While the skunk feeds mainly upon
insects, it's economic status can not
be fixed by this habit alone Not all
insects are injurious, as certain kinds
themselves feed upon injurious species
and are highly beneficial. The skunk
is one of the most important mann
mails in its choice of harmful insects
for its diet. 1t is the best-known
mammal enemy Of army worms The
common army worm, the wheat-head
army worm, and the fall army worm
are all very destructive to small grains.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05
Deep Burrows
BY GUM.
BY GUM.

Taking long walk in tight shoes
will tend to keep your mind off Of
other disagreeable things.
For drowning our SORROWS and
griefs the sweat of honest labor is
vastly more effective than whiskey.
There is enough "blue" in every
Monday morning for all the washings
on earth.
If "hot air" was good for ventila-
ton some folks would be real public
benefactors.
Ready advice dispensers generally
believe that it is better to give than
to receive.
When your own crops are a failure,
If you can still be glad over the profits
your neighbor has made you are a
real Christian.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05

convinced that a comparatively high
relative humidity is necessary for the
successful disinfection Of potatoes
by means Of formaldehyde gas many
writer's do not agree with Prot. Morse
as to the necessity of wetting the moor
with boiling water or to employ any
other means to increase tho humidity.
In cellars and storerooms suitable for
seed potatoes the humidity IL natur-
ally high. The sprouted condition OF
the potatoes Is also a factor IN the
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05

More than a dozen states now have
laws protecting skunks by closed
season. These laws we're passed IN
response to the wishes Of farmers who
recognize the usefulness of these ami
mails in destroying noxious insects and
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05

It then attacks another and another
victim, until satisfied.
A skunk. on the contrary. usually
takes only one fowl at a time and eats
OF II until satisfied. Having once.
however acquired taste for chicken.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05

You can spoil child by petting it
but the more you pet cow the more
profitable she becomes.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05
BY d. f. LANTZ.

Section through scent glands. The
scent sacs are removed from skunks
raised for their fur.
pupae in great numbers. Skunks are
also very fond of white grubs and
spend much time digging for them.
AS white grubs commonly remain in
the ground three years before emery
ing as mature beetles, each In this
time can destroy much vegetation.
They are quite secure from ordinary
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05

Many weeds get start on the farm
by the scattering Of manure on the
land.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05

J. 'usu AzBt 3 10Y doIo 7ul lou
8. " 'doIo ..4sBe.. ue sl B1IelIu euuM
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05
Care Of Hogs
At Vaccinatio !,

Good Serum Properly Used
saved Millions of Dollars W.,
OF Hogs, but Poor Serum and r,
less Methods Have Caused Iossn
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05

Save all the windfalls by making
the apples into cider.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05

The pessimist has chronic case OF
Indigestion
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-08-12
r1MEsREruBIIcAN MARsHAILToW1 IOWA: AUGUST T. 1914

geonhoIes n the stage entrance man
box, and had 70 hire . secretary 70
open my mali ana ssnd tho pressnn
back. Now if ct letter its either
from q dsessuAkse OF an old time
chum who wants me to steer her
daughter on to the stage or warn her
away from it."
Mrs. Wallingford smiled quietly. n
don't see why either class Of letters
should annoy you" she observed.
"You have good dressmakers, and you
don't object to paying the bills. and I
should think It would be pleasant
task to encourage budding genius or
to warn weak girls away from the
stage"
II don't know why in either case I
should nurse and bottle feed and bring
up by hand q crouch against the
stage" retorted Violet, massaging her
trace OF an extra chin. 1T brought
me some perfectly good husbands be-
sides Blackie. Say. hate my old
chums anyhow"
you're making your nose red, W."
warned Mrs. Wallingford, with hilari-
GUS laugh.
"Honest, am II" and Violet hurried
to the mirror. II am too fat to got
mad" she confessed, ''but 1t certainly
does get my Angora for girls l used
to know to write me that they have
grown up daughters. 1t makes me
feel SO old, and I won't be oldy'
!, That's 1t, is It? Who has been re-
minding you of your only enemy2"
Martha Tripp." snapped Violet Bon