davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-01

and this removes some dirt. There Is
however, certain amount of sedt.
ment left that Is not removed by the
strainers ordinarily used for this pur-
pose. complete separation Of the
dirt and suspended matter in sweet
milk is not an absolute proof of the
! amount or character of the impurities
which it may contain as much Of these
may have been dissolved in the milk
and cannot, therefore, be separated by
| filtration. fairly good idea of the
extent to which each lot of milk has
been contaminated may be obtained,
however. by test that will show the
amount of dirt contained in a definite
quantity Of milk.
Milk sediment tests are used to
some extent in Europe. These make
1t possible to note not only the amount
OF suspended matter in the milk, but
by collecting the sediment in narrow
tubes the impurities may be examined
further.
The value Of milk sediment test
which will quickly show the amount
of dirt In given quantity Of milk can
be readily appreciated by the con-
sumner and when the evidence, obtained
by such a test can be shown to the
milk producer, it will help to con-
vince him that greater care Is needed
to protect the milk from contamina-
ton during milking and handling. The
amount of sediment obtained by the
test will in many cases be great sur
prise to both milk producer and dealer.
A milk sediment test, which was
constructed by E. H. Lorenz, Madison,
Wis, according to suggestions made
by the writer's, Is herewith described,
This test may be used for testing a
large number Of lots of milk. Samples
Of one pint Of milk will filter through
it as fast as each lot is ready.
The inside cylinder is 2a inches in
diameter and inches long. It is
funnel-shaped at the bottom, termin-
ating in an opening about an inch in
diameter. A cap on the bottom con-
tains wire gauze strainer on which a
thin disc of absorbent cotton is placed.
This cap is easily attached to the APP
paratus by means of a hinged wire
loop.
After q sample OF milk has been ill
CeIeu lIlIOuSh Iuc lIlo Cay
the gauze and the cotton
filter is detached and the cotton disc
placed on piece Of white paper to
dry This cotton contains the dirt
and sediment collected from one pint
Of milk. The amount of dirt obtained
will vary with different lots of milk
and the discs when dry may be re-
turned to the milk producer as evil
dence Of the degree Of cleanliness Of
his milk.
Each cap should have a number
stamped in the metal and as fast as
one lot of milk is tested the cap may
be removed and another put in place
'or the next sample. The absorbent
cotton discs used as filters are stamped
,ut to fit the cap and wire gauze The
success Of fltering depends largely on
he texture of these discs which should
,e made of absorbent cotton that con-
aims no starch or Sizing" The latter
lave a glossy surface, but the 'un-
lied" cotton or cotton batting cut out
n the shape of round discs about one
Eighth inch thick allows the hot milk
o filter rapidly through it and retains
he fine dirt which Is suspended in the
milk The milk is kept hot in this
ester during filtering by means of
Iot water Jacket, surrounding the
nner cylinder
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-01

set of tools, cameras, trunk. leather
hand bag, writing desk. etc.
(8). Poultry equipment. such as
incubators, watering and feed troughs,
breeders. fences and gates
60. Free tuition to short course,
in agricultural and mechanical col
leges and regular courses in colleges
G0). Canvas tent, camp outfit
canoe, hunting equipment, baseball
suit, suits of clothes.
CID. Dictionary, encyclopedia. set
Of agricultural books, special club
library, series of books Of standard
literature.
CID. Subscriptions to farm jour-
nails, magazines for special periodicals
for boys.
Every premium offered for contests
and club work should have for its
main object the promotion and en-
couragement Of the work. The pre-
NUNS should represent the greatest
need and interest of the corn-club
membership; 1t must teach the broad
viewpoint Of the club work and en-
courage both members and leaders to
be progressive and constructive In
their work, and 1t should serve to in
crease the club members interest and
respect for farm life.
Club leaders, county superintend-
ents teachers, and others interested in
promoting agricultural and rural-home
interests should lose no opportunity
to have club exhibits and interests
recognized effectively at county, dis
trict and state fairs, county farmers
Institutes. Short courses, and teachers
associations are excellent mediums for
promoting club work, and an exhibit
of club products, special contests.
essays and general discussions on
phases of the work should occupy
some place and time during the regu-
lar session. Do not wait for an irvi-
tation to submit club interests, but
proceed at once to make and present
your plans to the proper officials, such
as the secretary, the president, and
the various premium and program
committees. Most Of these will be glad
to recognize the boys and girls in
their work and club interests In every
way possible.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-01

ing the weeds from using 1t. No
other class of live stock, with the ex-
ception Of goats, will eat as many
weeds as sheep. By converting these
waste products into wool and mutton
they are a source of profit to the
owner.
1t has been estimated that sheep
will eat 90 per cent Of all trouble some
weeds They are, in fact, commonly
used in cleaning up weeds from fields,
fence rows, road sides, stubble fields,
and corn fields. The common belief
among farmers is that weeds eaten
by sheep are SO broken UP In the
digestive processes that the seeds will
not terminate after passing through
the body as in the case Of other live
stock. However, weeds are rarely
permitted to go to seed II enough
sheep are turned in the field while
the weeds are young and tender.
In some Investigations carried on bv
the Canadian government among
considerable number Of sheepmen to
determine the kinds of weeds eaten bv
sheep, it was generally agreed that
sheep would consume all but a few
exceptionally unpalatable ones, such
as mullen, Scotch thistle, etc.
Where sheep have been kept. but
where for some reason they have been
disposed Of, striking difference has
usually occurred in the appearance Of
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-01
Present Time.

Sheep husbandry should receive
more attention from the farmers of
this country than 1t does at the pres
ent time. On many farms there are
no sheep at all On many others the
size Of the flock could and should be
increased and more attention given
to this branch Of farming with result
ing profit to the owner.
The various phases Of the sheep in
dustry afford numerous channels
through which the skill Of the pro-
Queer can display itself. The breeding
of pure-bred stock offers special in
ducements to many, while larger
number are content with the pro-
duction Of mutton and wool for mar
ket purposes. In the breeding of
pure-bred stock the beginner has a
of valuable breeds from which
he can make selection. 1t is not so
much the breed selected that will lead
to success as 1t Is the care and man
agement. 1t must be noted, however,
that certain breeds have wider
range of adaptibility and are more
popular than others. The number of
pure-bred flocks is increasing every
year and the demand for good breed
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-01

Combination Rack for Feeding Hay
and Grain. 1t Is So Constructed That
the Grain Troughs May Be Pulled
Back and Feed Put in Them Without
Entering the Pen.
ing stock Is more than keeping pace
with the increase. Pure-bred stock
grades. The natural or inherent adj
vantages Of pure-bred stock arise
from the fact that there has been
concerted effort in the development of
the better breeds to establish, inten-
sify, and perpetuate their superior
qualities by using only the best ami
mails for breeding purposes. There
have been some exceptions to this,
some inferior animals have been en-
tered, but the formation Of breed
has in general been based upon SUI
periority in some form. Neverthe-
less, owing to the temperance OF
inferior individuals, not all pure-bred
sheep are suitable to retain in the
flock.
A breeder Of pure bred sheep can
deve,op reputation that never could
be fred with grades. The sales Of
ped re breeding stock extend over
a much wider range Of territory than
those of market stock. The show
ring also spreads abroad the fame Of
the breeder of pure-bred stock. Larg-
er prices are obtained for purebred
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-01

V-shaped Grain Trough. This Type
Is Extensively Used, But Is Objection.
able on Account of the Large Amount
of Feed That Is Thrown Out and
Wasted.
sideration. Early spring lambs is
one of the most important, while late
spring or early fall lambs should re-
ceive due consideration. The produc-
ton of winter or so-called dollhouse"
lambs is well worth undertaking by
those who are favorably situated and
should prove profitable under favor,
able conditions.
Many farmers have disposed Of
their f1ocks and many others have re-
Trained from entering the business be-
cause of some Of the difficulties that
are peculiar to this industry. Among
the most important of these are cur
dogs, parasites, and diseases. A GER
tain amount Of trouble is Inevitable
where these abound. but ordinarily
this should not be sufficient to dis
the f1ockmaster. Good man
agement and proper care, will control,
IL not eliminate, these difficulties. The
flock that must rustic for itself Is the
one that suffers most from these
sources. Sheep are good scavengers,
but should not be made to subsist
upon weeds alone, with little or no
attention on the part Of the farmer.
The sooner the owner realizes that
MS sheep can not return satisfactory
profits under such conditions. the
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-01

locauon so that it may NOT mrerrere
with the best arrangement of the farm
as whole.
BY the millions Of bacteria which
generally live in connection with the
legumes, like alfalfa. clover. beans,
peas, etc. Nitrogen is taken from the
air and stored in the roots of the
plants. Part Of it is used by the plants
In their growth, and part becomes
available to other plants when tho
roots Of the legumes have decayed
Supplied with nitrogen in this way. all
leguminous plants grow better. and
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-01
ALFALFA GROWING IN THE NORTH
and

produce more nutritious hay than
! where no bacteria are found in the
nodules on their roots. Therefore,
when alfalfa is planted on field In a
locality where no alfalfa has been
grown before, it is almost always a
good plan to introduce some of the
right kind Of bacteria into the soil so
that they will be able to work in con-
nection with the alfalfa plants very
soon after they begin to grow. Such
introduction is called incubation. The
process Is simple. Soil from field on
which alfalfa IS growing luxuriantly,
and where the nodules in which they
multiply show that 1t contains the de-
sired bacteria, is scattered broadcast,
at the rate of 200 pounds or more per
acre, and narrowed in just before or
after sowing the alfalfa seed. Care
should be exercised to get soil only
from clean, healthy fields. Soil we'll
supplied with vegetable matter which
makes it congenial place for bacteria
to live is less likely to require inocula-
ton than is soil deficient in vegetable
matter.
When alfalfa has been grown on
any farm with success for several
years, and the soil in the different
fields is inoculated, 1t should be worked
in with the regular rotation, for the
same reasons that red clover Is used
In rotations. However, in using alfalfa
in rotations, It should be remembered
that it Is a true perennial. That Is.
unless winter-killed, it usually con-
tinues to live for many years. In this
respect 1t differs from red clover,
which is biennial and hence may be
expected to die out at the end Of the
second growing season from planting
the seed. Alfalfa is as valuable as
clover in keeping up the productivity
Of the soil through the addition Of veg
etable matter and nitrogen, but it is
not adapted for changing to new
field every year or every two years as
is clover.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-01
Red Carneau Cock, Weight Lib, o..

guaranteed mated birds at several dol
lars pair. For this reason a person
should buy pigeons only from some
dealer with whom he is personally
acquainted, or from some one who is
willing to guarantee not only as to the
birds being mated, but also as to age.
The females are, as a rule, more
delicate than the males in both old and
young pigeons, and when buying young
birds the purchaser is quite likely to
find among them many more males
than females Not only is it essential
to have nothing but mated birds in the
loft, but they should be from good
hardy stock. Some breeders have betSl
known to force their stock to such an
extent that they have lowered the
vitality. Others are surrounded by
conditions that it is impossible to pro-
duce good, vigorous birds. While soma
select their larger squads for marke.
and keep the smaller birds, which
would sell for a much lower figure "a
market squads, let them grow. AM
sell them later as breeders.
Great care should be taken in tn.
purchase of stock to know that it $
from lofts where there is no vernlin.
1t Is next to Impossible to get lice out
Of the loft when the flock once gets
thoroughly infested, and the introduce
ton Of one or two dirty pigeons will
very soon cause such a condition.
Flocks will be found where there is a
tendency toward r0up. canker, and
other diseases, and these must be
avoided if success is to be secured.
Owners of focks that have been in
tested are generally anxious to dis
pose Of them, and dealers have been
known to purchase these goods, and
after little doctoring, offer them for
sale. being careful to say, "They are
mated birds and in the prime of con- a
dition as far as age, weight, ETC.. are
concerned" 1t Is such experiences as
these that cause many to have i'll luck
from the beginning; in fact, they failed
before they had really begun.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-01
Colds Are Often
Carried On Hands

"Colds are often conveyed to others
through the human habit Of having
hands," says DR.. HI. w. Hill, of the
Minnesota Public Health association.
"There are 81 varieties Of infectious
colds by actual count, perhaps more;
and these are the kinds the hands
carry. Two other kinds are not in
fictitious. One of these is caused by
mechanical or chemical irritation such
as Is produced by pungent gas, by
dust or by the pollen Of weeds The
other is caused by drafts. Such colds
as these two terminate quickly. In
fictitious colds however, run a more
or less regular course, like any other
infectious disease, lasting from one to
three weeks or more.
Persons who have any Of the ST
varieties Of infectious colds should be
regarded as taboo to other people I'M
til they are we'll again. Children with
such colds should not go to school.
Adults should not go to dances, card
parties . or social gatherings Of any
sort. The reason Is that in coughing or
sneezing they throw out the germs Of
the disease and thus expose others,
worse still in putting the hand over the
mouth or nose when coughing or
sneezing they get the germs on tt
the hand-and then in shaking hands
with others they give the germs a
chance at new victim. In fact, the
hands carry these colds very COM
monty.
ITO protect yourself against infec-
tious colds, the only thing to do Is to
keep away from infected persons
From dust colds. all one has to do to
escape Is to keep out of the dust, and
vigorous exercise and a cold bath will
do much to help draft cold, but a
hand-carried cold is a different sort"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-01
CORN CLUB WORK Is OF GREAT VALUE
TheekA
Young p Is Product fMuhGo

It is well-established fact that both
play and contest interests perform
very important part in the processes
of education and have much to do In
creating efficiency for man in the
equation of social and industrial life.
The corn-club work is a very impor-
tant factor in the economy of the farm
in directing boys who live In rural
districts in the business as profitable
and noble profession. The way In
which the club work takes hold of a
boy is quite remarkable, and from the
enthusiasm created by the club work
and contests, greater interest in farm
life is sure to develop.
We need the boys for the present
efficiency of the farm, and we must
have their work, their leadership, and
their influence for the future If Anert-
can agriculture and rural interests are
to endure and contribute as they
should to human comfort and pros
perity.
The purpose of this article is to
suggest lines of interest and instruc-
ton in addition to the regular club
work, which has to do with the acre
yield at a reasonable cost of produce
ton. These club contests may we'll be
taken up in connection with the rural
and village schools; county, district,
and state fairs; farmers Institutes. and
educational gatherings, with view to
giving direction and interest as well as
important training during the entire
year The club contests will enable
both teacher and parent to win the
boy for better things in needed edu-
cative and efficient farm life. Much
could be said about the influence Of
this kind Of work upon actual produc-
ton and land values.
Boys corn-club work should be con-
structive and permanent, and in order
that it may be so the following lines
of contest work are suggested to the
club membership. These contests
should offer some relaxation from the
main line of work and should be prac-
teal and recreative as we'll as instruc-
tive. The following are few Of the
objects Of corn-club contests:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-01

IN red clover, alfalfa has a rival in
many parts of the north. Here red
clover luxuriates on soil to which it
seems especially adapted and which.
while sharing with alfalfa the capacity
for supplying nitrogen. both as fer
tilizer to the soil and as a nutritive
element in feed, lacking in other field
crops, has also shown greater endur-
ance under the trying conditions of
climate than have some Of the strains
of alfalfa that have been sown in the
north.
Alfalfa, however, Is recognized as
having higher feeding value than
clover. Could it, therefore, be made
a part Of ordinary rotations, it might
be given preference. On small farms.
or on any farms intensively cultivated,
its value as a heterogeneous food-supe-
rior to clover-and the greater GER
tainty of crop when once fairly
started, make it desirable that it
should at least be tested in a small
way. The longer life of an alfalfa
meadow, as compared to one Of clover,
will often make it a most valuable ad-
Junct to the farm. Success in hand
ling the crop in a small way, supple
mented by the knowledge thus &C.
CURED of the conditions making for
such success, will afford the best
guarantee against failure should 1t
later be determined to devote to alfalfa
a larger number of acres. Alfalfa
growing, in its present more or less
experimental stage in the north. is
compared with corn growing, once
thought economically impracticable in
many sections of the north on account
Of the short growing season. Just as
corn Is now successfully and profitably
grown in every state, so may careful
experimentation make alfalfa a per-
manent factor In the agricultural pros
perity of almost every section.
Any good corn land-any land not
too wet to grow red clover-should
produce alfalfa as we'll. An abundance
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-01
Milk.

Milk is natures most essential food.
BY unfortunate coincidence it Is also
the most susceptible of all foods to
faint through exposure, being endowed
with qualities which make it the best
known culture or breeding ground for
the propagation of disease germs and
bacteria. Because Of this, milk con-
tributes more than any other single
agency towards high death rate, es-
pecially among infants. Introduced
into the freshest and purest of milk,
disease germs propagate with incon-
ceivable rapidity.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-01

Details of Construction Of Milk Sed-
lment Tester. The central cylinder A
Through Which the Milk Is Poured Is
Surrounded BY Steam Or Hot Water
Jacket With q Half-fnch Intervening
Space. The Steam Or Hot Water En-
ters At the Lower Opening and Over
Over the Bottom of the Inner Cylinder
and Is Held in Place BY q Clamp Rod
d. This Cap Contains Circle OF Wire
Gauze e Over Which is Placed the
Disc of Absorbent Cotton. The Cap
May Be Quickly Removed BY Swing
ing the Clamp Rod ID To One Side and
the Dirty Filter May Be Replaced BY
. Clean One.
by the Babcock test. The acid is also
used more or less for inspecting differ
ent lots Of milk and cream.
The grading of milk and cream at
factories has been attempted to some
extent in recent years and an effort
has been made to base the price paid
for each lot upon the purity of the
milk as we'll as upon its richness and
per cent of acidity. The method COM
monty used for this purpose has, as a
rule, been confined to an inspection of
the odor, the taste and the amount of
sediment noticed in the bottom of the
milk cans when these are emptied
The benefits to be derived from
such an inspection depend largely on
the EXPERIENCES of the individual in
spector and the acuteness of his sense
of smell and taste. This, undoubtedly,
js OF some value, but since there Is no
universal standard that can be adopted
by all persons doing such work, the
opinions Of different inspectors may
differ in regard to the purity of the
same lots Of milk.
The contamination Of milk before 1t
reaches the consumer is caused largely
by dirt or suspended matter that gets
into It through carelessness in milking
or through failure to protect the cans
from dust during transportation. |
Nearly all milk is strained at the farms
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-01
THE FARM-HELP QUESTION.

Any farmer ought to be able to so
plan his work that he can keep the
same help the year through. The
men who do the milking are free
most of the day for blowing or taking
care of the crops. But it needs the
personal interest of the boss. Farm
ing has become a question Of wise
management-of head work-and we
will see lots of people come to the
front as successful because they do
not allow their think tanks to become
rusty-W. s.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-01
BY A. Army.

of vegetable matter In the soil Is es-
sential and so also is good drainage
such as will prevent water from stand
ing long on the surface in low places,
in winter, in spring, or after summer
rains. The water level In the soil
should not be nearer than seven or
eight feet from the surface.
When a good stand Of alfalfa is Sc
cured the field is usually surrendered
to this crop for four or five years, un-
less the plants are winter-killed. This
should be borne in mind in choosing
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-01

hours Of play time and vacation per-
iods. IAN ounce Of prevention is
better than a pound of cure
To stimulate interest in the contests
the following premiums would be
most suitable:
(). Free trips and expenses paid
to district and state fairs, educational
institutions, chautauQuas, etc.
(2). Top buggy, saddle, gold watch,
automo bile, etc.
co. Clear title to one or more
acres of land (to encourage land
ownership.
60. Farm implements, tools, equip
ment, etc.
90. Thoroughbred pigs, cattle.
horses, mules pens Of chickens.
(6). Club emblems. banners and
pennants.
ca. Manual training workbench.