davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24
KEEPING RECORDS OF DAIRY COWS
WeKept Information That
to n a Way.
By C. H. ECKLEs.

It is we'll known that there Is vast
difference in the amount Of milk diff
terent cows will produce. One COW
may yield three times as much milk
and butter In year as another on a
third to half more feed. One cow
may be losing the dairyman as much
money as another in an adjoining
stall is making for him.
Clearly, it is desirable to keep only
the profitable cows. To do this means
that systematic records must be kept.
No guesswork will do. No cow should
be retained in the herd unless her
milk and butter fat record shows she
is profitable. At the Missouri Expert
ment station one Jersey cow pro-
duced three times as much milk and
butter per year for three years as
another COW that was her half sister.
The difference in the cost Of feed
eaten by the two cows was not great
and both received the same good care.
The Illinois Experiment station
tested the herds of eighteen Illinois
farmers and found the same condi-
tons to prevail. The best ten cows
averaged $50 pounds of butter in year
while the poorest ten cows averaged
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

tom. The cover should be put on
after the log is fastened into place.
Either the top or bottom should be
movable. Another way of making
a log house Is to split a straight
grained log feet or more in length
through the middle and then to cut
out cavity with a gouge. The exca-
vations in the two halves can be
made to match exactly by means Of a
pattern or template having the size
and shape desired for the proposed
cavity through the plane Of cleavage.
The top of this house should be COW
cred with tin or zinc to keep out
moisture. The halves should be fast
ened together with screws to allow
the house to be taken apart and
clea ned. Phoebe5 like to nest about
buildings, and simple shelf under
the roof Of a porch or shed is all they
require.
Z nest shelter designed to be
placed In shrubbery for catbirds.
brown thrashers and song sparrows
requires little lumber or labor, and
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

nM Mgn gA Season There H@ BkPnoa B A N gFM

species win avail themselves of houses
constructed for them by their human
friends. The practice Of erecting bird
houses in this country, while now
nation wide, is not SO common and
uniformly distributed as it should be,
and moro extended provisions OF this
nature can not fail to result In
largely increased number OF house
birds.
The habit OF nesting In bird houses
has been adopted by individuals OF
many species which would not ordi-
narily be expected to make use OF
such homes. and this may be taken
as indicating that It will become more
general from year to year as facilities
are Afforded and as the number of
birds Matched in houses increases.
That western wrens and bluebirds
should take as naturally to artificial
shelters a. did their eastern relatives
was to be expected. On the other
hand, the use OF houses by birds
which until recently had persistently
ignored them Is surprising and must
be considered q victory for those who
have studiously attempted to enlarge
their circle of feathered neighbors.
woodpeckers, nuthatches, and tit
mice excavate their own houses,
usually new ones each year, leaving
the old homes to less capable archi-
tects. Builders Of artificial houses
generally go to the woodpecker for
designs and by varying styles to suit
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24
BIRD HOUSES AND HOW TO BUILD THEM


the tastes of different kinds of birds,
have been rewarded by such tenants
as chickadees, tufted titmice, white
breasted nuthatches, Bewick and Car
DINA wrens. violet-green swallows,
crested fycatchers, screech owls,
sparrow hawks, and even some Of the
Woodpeckers, the master builders
themselves. Flickers readily accept
houses built according to their stand
ards. Red-headed and golden-fronted
Woodpeckers are willing occupants of
artificial houses, and even the downy
woodpecker. that sturdy little car
deemed such q home satisfactory
abode in which to raise family. Shell
ters having one or more sides open
are used by birds which would never
venture into dark houses suited to
woodpeckers. They have been occu-
pied by robins and brown thrashers,
and. in one instance. by Q song spar
row.
The mum Der OF house birds may be
still further augmented as time goes
on. All of the commoner woodpeckers
are likely to be included. as are sew
eral Of the small owls and wrens, and
a few Of the wild ducks. as the golden
eye. The wood duck is already known
to use nesting boxes. Houses set
close to streams in the western noun
tains will probably be occupied by
ousels or clippers. Florida grackles
sometimes breed in flicker holes and
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24
ENEMIES OF YOUNG FRUIT TREES
Mass Cocoon Any Covering
Winter Months Should Be Removed
BY w. E. RUMSEY.

easily protected. Their small size
makes it an easy matter to examine
them for and to remove, borers. They
can be sprayed quickly and effectively,
and such insects rs tent-caterp1llars,
web-worms and bag-worms can be
removed from their branches by hand
with but very little cost and trouble
or expense. 1t is possible, too. with
very little cost and labor, to protect
the trunks from the ravages OF mice
and rabbits, and from the adult bor-
ers during the egg-laying season.
The bag worm is a peculiar insect
which may be quite easily controlled
by little care and precaution during
the winter months. It winters in the
egg stage in the old female bag. In
spring the young; matches and be-
gins at once to feed on the nearest
leaf, constructing, meanwhile, a case
to cover its own body. The case Is
composed of web and bits Of stick
and is carried by the caterpillar
wherever 1t goes. AS the caterpillar
grows the case, or bag. is enlarged,
and when growth is completed 1t at
taches the bag to a twig by strong
silken band and changes within to a
pupa.
The favorite food of the bag worm
Is arbor vitae and other evergreens
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

Martin House, No. Fl, Showing R0oe
OF Martin House Attached Soltdly -
Pole.
should b, made proof against IA
English sparrow. When Q martin
house is exposed to strong winds Il
may be advisable to attach guy wires
to corners of the roof. The pole may
be made Of a single piece OF 4-inch
galvanized pipe, set In concrete
base. In this case the house should
be a cylinder and the roof q cone.
Each spring before birds return
from tho south all filth and litter
sh ould be carefully removed from bird
houses. In addition to the relics OF
previous occupancy, houses are likely
to contain cocoons Of insects ana
nests Of bees or squirrels. Attention
to this one item OF spring cleaning Is
substantial factor in attaching birds
permanently to their houses. A little
sulphur scattered about house 10 q
good remedy for parasites. When
bluebirds or swallows take possession
of a martin house 1t is a good plan to
put up a one-room house in the vicin-
ity and remove tho nest from tho mar
tin house. 1nterlopers, thus evicted.
often transfer their housekeeping to
the small house. Houses designed for
woodpeckers should always have an
inch or so Of sawdust in the bottom
for the reception of eggs, as wood
peckers do not gather nest materials.
Due attention should be given to re-
pairs. It is easier to keep houses m
good order than to build new oneA
Birds have numerous enemies from
which a careful landlord will try %
guard them. Among these Is the
English sparrow, whose persistent at
tacks too often drive more desirable
birds away from their nests and from
the neighborhood- European star.
lings, which at present are not dfs-
tributed beyond narrow strip OF tho
Atlantic coast region centering about
New York, are to be condemned for
their pernicious interference with M.
tive house birds.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

one may well be placed in every patch
of weeds or brush frequented by thee
birds. Fastened to large horizontal
branch or in crotch of tree it is
likely to oe used by robins.
Houses placed on poles are es-
pecially suitable for swallows. Blue
birds and wrens also like this kind Of
a house, but they prefer one with a
rather deep cavity. In building a
house for f1ickers 1t should be so
arranged that the roof can be lifted
in the same way as a stopper Is re-
moved from bottle. A house suit
able for members of the woodpecker
family may also be used for nut
matches, titmice and chickadees.
A house designed for wrens and
house finches may be placed on
tree or fence post. It should be at
tached near the caves of a building.
The front gable is open, entrance to
the room below being through the
rear Of the upper floor. This house
can be opened for cleaning by lifting
out the upper floor.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

The treatment which an orchard
tree receives during the first few years
Of it's growth often determines to
considerable degree the profitableness
of it's bearing life If allowed to be-
come weak and stunted, as result
OF attacks of insects, it may live on
from year to year, but will probably
never fully recover. Many young
trees are killed outright by borers and
such pests. or SO seriously injured
that they soon succumb to droughts
or are broken down by storms.
A young orchard that is not pro-
tected from these enemies Is likely
soon to show many missing trees. and
those remaining will be irregular in
, size and will lack uniformity In
shape, vigor and productiveness. If
the neglect Is continued, these de-
| fects will become more and more ap-
parent as the orchard advances in
age. It Is essential therefore, in es-
tabishing a good orchard, that the
trees not only come from the nursery
free from hurtful insects and insect
injuries, but that they may be kept
so.
f.! Young trees are less able to with
stand severe injuries than are old
ones, but they are, likewise, more
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

may be expected to occupy houses
now and then. In every locality hav-
ing trees there is group Of birds
ready to appropriate houses when
they have the opportunity
House birds differ decidedly in their
requirements. For those which usu-
ally excavate homes for themselves.
the diameter of the entrance and the
depth and diameter Of the cavity
must be In accord with their specific
standards. Some birds are satisfied
with almost any sort Of lodging.
Bluebirds and wrens for example. are
content to build in tomato cans al
though chickadees and nuthatches
disdain them Wood Is a better build
ing material than metal or earthen-
ware. Entrance holes should be coun-
tersunk from the outside to exclude
rain. Heads Of nails and screws
should be set rather deeply and COW
cred with putty. All houses should
be easy to open for cleaning. A
and may even be an objection. as 1t
is frequently used by English spar
rows while they twitter exasperattngly
to more desirable occupants To pro-
vide for proper ventilation row OF
small holes is sometimes bored just
beneath the caves, but there should
never be ventllating hole lower than
the entrance, and joints should be
made tight as drafts Of air are dam
gerous. In case there is danger that
rain may be driven in through tho
door, a small drainage hole, which
will be covered by the nest, may DO
mace in the middle of the floor.
The appearance and durability OF
houses are improved by coat Of
paint A neutral shade OF green or
gray Is suitable for houses mounted
in trees, while those on poles, being
conspicuously placed. lend them
selves harmo liously to the landscape
when painted white.
Possibilities in the way of i'm
provising bird houses with very little
work are suggested in this article
Ordinary tomato cans arranged as
nests will quickly be tenanted by
wrens and bluebirds. The cans ought
always to be placed In shaded places.
as the metal becomes very hot In the
sun.
Bird houses in the southern states
have long been made from gourds
The entrance is in the side and a
drain hole in the bottom, as shown in
figure A. A piece Of wire through the
neck for mounting 1t completes the
house. A number of gourds thus pre-
pared and strung on a pole seems 10
make a satisfactory tenement house
for a colony of martins. Used singly
they are equally we'll adapted to
wrens and bluebirds. While gourds
are not durable when exposed to the
weather they are easily replaced.
Ordinary wooden boxes, If clean.
can be made into bird houses by
mer oily mailing on cover and cutting
out an entrance hole. Such make
shifts are rarely weatherproof and are
never pleasing to the eye. Branches
containing real woodpecker holes,
when obtaina BILE, are perhaps the
best attrac tion that can be offered
most house birds in the breeding sea-
SON. By carefully fitting such a
branch to fruit or shade tree its
foreign origin will scarcely be noticed.
A good house may be made from
log or large branch, followed by de-
cay, If it is fitted with a top and bot
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24


Stub Of Tree.
fresh water for bathing and drinking.
A .Eailow pool of varying depth, II
crly a foot across, becomes on hot
DAYS q center OF attraction for ali
thn birds in the vicinity, and 1t may
Be made with little effort and mate
rial: only small amount Of cement
is required. or. If that be lacking,
ran with tones in it set in the ground
will tie equally serviceable. Trees.
shrubs. and vines bearing fruit rel
their season.
Eirds are desirable about premises
net only on account of their beauty
and song. but because of the economic
value. There is. therefore, double
purpose in offering them special
nesting facilities. If mud is available,
swallows, robins, and phoebes will find
and wall their nests with It, If we
put out feathers, bits Of WOOL or
Irvine. dozen different kinds Of birds
will make use of them. II we furnish
safe retreats in which they can rear
their young comfortably, most of
them will be occupied. In fact no
attraction for summer birds Is more
effectual than a series OF houses
suited to the needs and habits Of the
various kinds Of house BIRDS
A few years ago only four species
were commonly regarded as house
birds-th, house wren. the bluebird,
the tree swallow. and the martin.
Since the movement to protect birds
and make neIphhOrs of them began
how yer, their natures and needs
have become better understood, and
! is now known that many other
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24
A Successful Bait
For Wolves

The destruction of wolves and coy
otes is matter Of great Importance to
stockmen and farmers in certain Sec
lions of the United States. A bait has
been experimental with by field natur-
alists of the survey department of the
United States with most excellent re-
suits. This consists of the following
fetid scent and which has proven very
useful in trapping coyotes and wolves.
Put into bottle the urine from q
wolf, the gall, and anal glands. which
are situated under the skin on either
side Of the vent, and resemble small
pieces Of blush fat; or, if these can
not be readily found, the whole anal
parts may be used.
In preparing four ounces of the
mixture use one quarter the amount OF
glycerine to give it body and prevent
too rapid evaporation, and one grain OF
corrosive sublimate to keep it from
spelling.
Let the mixture stand several days,
then shake we'll and scatter few
drops on weeds or ground or 8 inches
back Of the place selected for the trap
Carefully conceal the trap, if possible
uSdI d II al "AlCLl IiS "oiSCS AoAAo", ~
! they will catch the scent as they pass
| The farther from the trail the trap Is
set the greater will be the quantity OF
scent needed. A little of the scent
should be rubbed on the trapper's
! gloves and shoe soles to conceal the
human odor.
| This bait attracts wolves only, but a
similar bait, made from the secretions
Of coyotes, is equally reflective to at.
| tract these animals. 1t is highly prob
ably also that wild cats, lynx. and
mountain lions will be attracted by
bait prepared in a similar manner
| from their secretionS.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

Hsrds may b. gathered about US IN
oil seasons Of the year with ease and
certainty merely by offering what
they destre. In winter they ore often
pushed for food. and IL we supply this
need they viii report daily at the
lunch counter and holp to relieve the
tcdium OF our in loor life. In sum-
kner they care less for food provided
b. their human friends, and other
means must be sought to attract them
hbout the home. They appreciate
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

Martin houses are built on the
apartment plan 70 satisfy the social
instinct so marked in martins but
SO conspicuously lacking in most other
birds They usually contain not less
than 10 or IL rooms and for this rea-
son are relatively complicated, espe.
cially II they are miniatures Of elabor-
ate buildings. as Is often the case.
Like the single room houses, they
should be easy to inspect and clean
from top to bottom and. II possible,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

The caterpillars multiply on suon
trees and becomes exceedingly abund.
ant, where they often extend their
ravages to fruit and other deciduouS
trees.
The bags hanging to the branches
are conspicuous objects during the
winter months, and the best way OF
Kidding trees of this insect is to ool-
Iect and destroy the bags while the
trees are bare.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

Any farmer who feels that the sani-
tary arrangements in his home are
not entirely satisfactory is urged to
apply to the Department Of Agr1cul-
ture for the free bulletin No. 81. With
the help of reliable plumber or
sanitary engineer he will be able to
work out a simple and economical
solution for his problem.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

Some men rely upon their wits en-
tirely to make money but the man
who will combine intellect with the
work of his hand will get more satis-
faction out of life.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

A good method of cleaning the foli-
age OF house plants is frequently to
tip the plant bottom side-up In soapy
water. Immerse the plant clear to
the pot then cleanse in clean water.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

In some instances apple trees bear
every other year Proper pruning
and plucking Of excess fruit from
young trees will insure fruit each year.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

Winter pears should be stored the
same as winter apples, and when any
or all of them are needed to use, they
should be put in warm, dark ROOM
and this will ripen them.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

Boys and girls leave the farm for
two reasons: because they are not
permitted to shoulder responsibility
and because they have no financial
interest in the business,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

A little sulphur busted over plants
that show signs of mildew will often
stop the spread of the disease.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

Four thousand and eighty-three
students have attended the Mime
sofa School Of Agriculture since the
school opened in the fall of 1888.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

An orchard will live longer bear
better and be more profitable by be-
ing we'll cultivated and enriched.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

Nothing makes a cleaner-loolsing
poultry house than the use Of plenty
of whitewash.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

A cabbage or mangel hung in the
poultry house furnishes a much-like ed
green food.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

We get the best by sitting. Put
your cows through the process.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24

Like likes like. &c: COWS that you
love to see about you
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-24
Dairying Begins With the
Use of Milk Scales.

tanned in the pail to be read directly
without subtracting the weight Of the
pail.
Gilpin observer., 1914-09-10
CANARY POPULAR IN PARIS
Every Street In French Capital Echos
With the Song Of That Tune
ful Bird.

The Partisan has an amiable weak
ness for the canary. Every street
echoes with the song Of this bird, and
during holiday times when families
are away there are concierges whose
more or less restricted quarters are
positively numbered with cages oi
canaries. But in or out OF the sea
son the bird market is held every Sun
day Of the year in the City Island
and there is always a lively trade
in canaries. One venerable ornitholo
gist who dwells near the market has
spent his life In teaching canariei
to sing. and he has, after years Of
effort. produced a pure white canary
with a song as powerful and sweet as
any yellow or green bird ever sold
The supply Of the white canaries be
ing at present very limited, those sold
at the Paris market have brought com
paratively high prices- These birds
are as white as any dove and with
out a speck on their plumage.
The Partisan has his own specia,
way Of transporting his canaries tc
the cage that awaits them at his
home. The bird is placed in a small
paper bag and pinned to the lapel oi
his coat.
Gilpin observer., 1914-09-10
MEMBER COLORADO EDITORIAL ASSOCIATION
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1914
HOPE FOR RIMETALLIsM.

With gold decreasing in every coun'
try of the world and business rapid
ly increasing, it becomes apparent
there is not enough lawful money to
successfully carry on the worlds
commerce and another intrinsic val
ue must be used in connection with
gold to supply the deficiency.
Since ,re world began, silver has
been used by all countries and ma
tione as an exchange fer commodi-
ties alongside that of gold until Eng
land demonetized it about forty years
ago. The present struggle now going
on in Europe between contending ma
tions, demonstrates that those coun-
tries must return to bimetallisan
from necessity. Bimetallism implies
that the money unit shall rest upon
the two metals, gold and silver, and
that these two metals shall enjoy
equal coinage privileges and shall be
al ratio, also~that the coins made
from these metals shall be full leg
al tender.
Prior to 1873 when the crusade
against silver in this country began,
our ratio was Is Clio of silver to one
of gold, and this is the ratio now
existing on all our coined silver and
gold coins now in circulation in the
United States. The worlds COM
merce since 1878 has grown to such
immense proportions that neither
metal alone can be furnished in suf-
ficient quantities to support the
worlds constantly growing needs as
q medium of exchange.
England was the first country to de-
monetize silver and the present Eur,
opean war will undoubtedly necessi-
tate that country to be among the
first to declare for bimetallism and
should she remonetize at a higher
ratio, and 1t becomes international,
those owing monetary obligations in
the United States that have con-
tracted their obligations on Is Clio
to 1 basis must necessarily be COM
PEELED to pay more dollars to satisfy
those obligations. The war now be-
ing waged will undoubtedly change
the monetary conditions of the
world. and all countries may unite on
q universal ratio of silver with gold
that will prove beneficial to silver
producing America.