davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08

Although considerable number Of
our native birds build their nests on
the ground, the majority place them
in trees or shrubs, either in holes or
on the limbs or in crotches. Shrub
berry and trees for nesting sites, there
fore, are essential for making place
attractive to birds, and a double pur-
pose Is served if the kinds planted
are chosen from the list of fru1t-bear-
Ing species already given. Shrubs
should be allowed to form thickets
and should be pruned back severely
when young so as to produce numer-
GUS crotches.
Constant removal Of old trees and
modern tree-surgery have resulted In
a great diminution in the number OF
tree cavities, the natural homes OF
most Of our hols-nesting birds, For
tunately most Of these birds will
utilize artificial nest cavities. or bird
houses. -.
The most common errors In putting
out bird houses are choosing poor
locations and supplying too many
boxes. A bird house In bald, glarinS
location Is not nearly so likely to at
tract tenants as one in q partially
shaded place, martins, only, prefer
house standing apart from trees.
Entrances to boxes should be shell
tered by projecting roofs and should
face away from the prevailing wind
and rain storms.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08

wire from limb. The size Of the
hole regulates the character Of the
guests; If small, large birds can not
gobble the supply, and the cocoanut
meat as well as the stuffing Is eaten.
Cans with samll openings may be
substituted for cocoanuts. Food bas-
kets Of any desired size made Of wire
netting or a metal grating may be
hung up or fastened to the trunk Of a
tree Food mixtures in melted fat
may be poured into holes made in .
branch or piece Of timber or in cracks
Of bark or over evergreen branches.
All of these devices minimize or OBJ
viate the disturbing effects Of stormy
weather.
More elaborate apparatus for the
same purpose comprises various forms
Of food hoppers and food houses. The
food hoppers in common use for do
nestle fowls are adapted to the feed
ing Of birds, and some special forms
are now manufactured for wild birds
The food house is permanent
structure. with solid roof, and glass
on one or more sides to permit obser-
vations. The food trays 1t contains
are entirely sheltered from the
weather. In one style this Jesuit 10
obtained by mounting the house on a
pivot and furnishing 1t with vanes
which keep the open side always away
from the wind.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08

Alders and birches bear in their
numerous cones supply Of seeds
which are eagerly sought for by red
polls, siskins, and goldfinches during
the winter. We can cater to still
another group Of birds by planting
ashes and box elders. The winged
fruits Of these trees are opened and
the seeds eaten by pine and evening
grosbeaks, the visits of these birds
being largely regulated by the supply
of this kind Of food. Larches, pines,
and other conifers are attractive to
crossbills as we'll as to some Of the
species just mentioned.
Feeding fruit-eating birds IL best
accomplished by planting selected
species of fruit bearing shrubs and
trees. such as the following: Juniper.
green briar, bayberry, blackberry, red
mulberry, white mulberry, pokeweed,
barberry, sassafras, spice bush. wild
gooseberry. red currant, towering
crabapple. chockeberry, mountain ash.
Juneberry, wild strawberry. wild
blackberry. pasture rose, wild black
cherry, wild red cherry, black plum,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08

All bird houses sho1id b con-
structsd 20 that the intsraeY may
easily be Examined and eiseasa. This
10 not only important 70 permit last
years rubbish to be thrown OF hut
II necessary in many sections a the
country to facilitate inspsessoa for
sypsy-moth ssg masses and eoeoons
A. rule birds do not Inc being
crowded. AID u . phase h studded
with bird houses only Z nv sf them
VIII be occupied. Birds not only do
not want bird nsishbors too nsar but
they are impatient Of human med.
ding. aid therefore should b. sPnnted
- much privacy % possible, especially
during the inoubatins and bfooding.
Nests built in shrubbsry aFs especially
likely to como to bad end II the
birds are frequently disturbed.
IT We would protect ground -nesting
birds. as bobolinke. meadow lsrks ar !
oobwhitss. srass in the nesting fls
must not be cut during the breed. =:
season.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08
nv ". Il. McATEE, Asst. Biologist.

u,.A lovers throu ghout the land are
s..k,n~ WAYS and means OF increasing
~. number Of birds and OF attracting
49,, Ia the vicinity Of homes. WINE
80 basis for this movement IS IN par'
e.Nhe|sc 20 no small degree such er-
ecr+e are based on a growing appre-
action of the usefulness Of birds as
ansact degtroyers. The increase OF IN
$500 IN wild birds throughout tho
United States during the past oecaoo
has been phenomenal, and orsaniIa
lions having for their CHIEF OBJECT th'
ere ana protection Of birds are mum
NeRed By hundreds. II not thousands
Civic leagues and womsn's CLUBS nave
been especially active In attempts 10
attract birds to city parks and SUBURBS
With . view to bringing wild lie to
- doors Of those denied the priv
negs Of knowing It in wilder districts.
Food supply II tho vital factor IN
Sopd itfe ana the most important
single Offering we can make IN our
elDoets to attract birds It Is 1mpor-
Snat 20 note that an ample supply OF
nood prior TO ana during tho nesting
poason tends to increase tho number
q osro laid and also the number OF
beoods IN . season. BIRD FOOD may
u suppIied in two ways-by planting
trees, shrubss and herbs which pro-
luce seeds or fruits relished by birds,
and ~ exposing food in artificial de-
Wees. The most familiar phase of the
iattsr method II winter feeding.
During the season when the natural
food supply 10 at its lowest ebb birds
respond most readily to our hospital-
~. Winter feeding has become very
popular, and the result has been to
bring about better understanding be-
tween birds and human kind.
The winter foods commonly used
include sust or other fat pork rinds.
bones with shreds Of meat, cooked
meats, meal worms, out up apples,
birdssod. buckwheat, crac kers,
crumbs, cocoanut meat, cracked corn,
broken dog biscuits or other bread,
hemp seed. millet. nut meats Of all
kinds Especially peanuts) whole
o. rolled oats, peppers. popcorn,
pumpkin or squash seeds, raw or
boiled rice, sunhowsr seeds. and
wheat.
The methods Of making these sup
plies available to birds are a. varied
~ the dietary itself. A device very
commonly used IL tho food tray or
shelf This may be put on tree or
pole, BY window or at some other
point about . building, or strung
upon q wire or other support on
which 1t may DO run back and forth.
The last device n useful in accustom-
ing birds to feed nearer and nearer
. comfortable observation point. A
fault with food shelves IL that wind
ana rain may sweep them clean and
snow may cover the food. These de-
fscts may be obviated in part by add
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08
RAPE WITH RYE.

II next spring your stand Of rye 10
little thin, sow four or five pounds
of rape seed per acre early and after
ward give one or two strokes with the
harrow. There need be but little fear
OF dragging out the rye. as the crop Is
deeply rooted and the harrow will
have but little injurious effect. OF
course II the rye is pastured close the
young rape plants will be nipped off
when they are very tender and this
may interfere with a rank summer or
fall growth but, on the other hand, II
the rye II not pastured too closely the
rape in all likelihood will make q fair
" strong stand.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08

Game birds and sparrows may be
provided with feeding places by erect
ing low hutches or making wigwam-
like shocks Of corn or Grain sheaves
under which food may be scattered.
The opening should be to the south.
Those who desire to have birds
about their homes should not feel
that their power to attract them Is
gone when winter Is over. Winter
feeding easily passes into summer
feeding. and experience proves that
some birds gladly avail themselves
throughout the year Of this easy mode
of getting living.
We have thus far considered ways
of feeding birds titbits we ourselves
have cleaned We may feed them by
another method, by cultivating their
natural food plants and allowing them
to reap the harvest in their own way.
Less has. been done in this respect
for the true seed-eating birds than for
those fond of PUPPY fruits. The rea-
son Is obvious, however. Our seed
eating birds largely patronize weeds,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08


The owner of new hog house once
showed it to the writer with consider
able pride. The building was equipped
with conveniences of the best sort
and appeared to be ideal in every
respect except one-cost. It con-
tanned 1s pens besides the feed bins.
and cost, according to the contractor,
approximately $4,000, or 1922 pen.
The interest on this investment at s
per cent amounts to $11.10 for every
SOW pen, and the annual cost Of each
pen, including interest. depreciation,
repairs and insurance, would be about
$27. which is amply sufficient to pay
for a good pen outright. 1t Is hard
to see how such a building can ever
pay for itself.
A large house should always stand
east and west, facing the south, so
that the maximum amount Of SUM-
shine may be had in each pen. When
a double house IL used, the outside
pens on the north are often Of little
use in early spring and late fall on
account Of the shade and the cold
winds. This difficulty can be partially
overcome, however, by changing sows
so that those which have not narrowed
and those with the Oldest pigs, which
have least need Of the warm pens, are
on the north side. #-. .."
In the majority Of large hog houses
the upper windows are not so placed
that the sunshine will strike the floor
when it is most needed there. In
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08
The Size of the
Farm Counts

Records from 400 farms in Minne-
sofa, indicate that Of nearly equal
importance with good live stock in
making farm pay are tho size Of
the business and the efficiency Of the
man. and horse-labor. The best
measure Of the size of farms busi-
ness is the number of hours OF man
and horse-labor expended annually. A
unit Of labor consists of ten hours Of
man-labor or twenty hours of horse
labor. Labor income Is the amount
earned by a farmer In excess of the
household, and of farm expenses and
interest on the farm investment 5
per cent. Keeping these definitions in
mind, farms with less than 200 units
of labor annually, gave labor In
come Of $97; farms with from 401
to 600 units of labor, gave a labor
income of 1857; and farms with more
than 1000 units of labor, gave a labor
income Of $so5.
The efficiency Of man-labor 10 even
more important than the amount OF
time expended. The labor income
gradually increased from IS, where
the hours per man for year were
1900 or less, to $3.50. where tho hours
per man were more than $500 each
year.
A farm business of more than aver
age size gives opportunity for hiDo
efficiency Of man. and horse-labor and
farm business Of more than average
size coupled with high labor efficiency
brings profits in farming.-A.,H. Ben.
ton. University Farm. st. Paul.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08
Weed, Harbor Insect,

Getting rid Of grass. weeds, and un-
dsrgrowth about the farm during the
fall and early winter Is one Of the
bss< protective msasures the farmer
can use against crop-damaging in
sscts tho following year. Weeds,
matted grass. dead vegetation and
brambles along fences, roadsides. mar
gins Of fields, banks of little streams
Or bitches, especially in irrigated ter
5itoriss. are the natural alternating
and often breeding places Of many de-
structive insects. This vegetation
gives grasshoppers. chinch bugs and
othSr insects most favorable condi-
lions for temperance the following
spring and summer Similarly, VOL
untary growths Of wheat harbor the
Hsssian fly; while stray alfalfa plants
IN the fields and around them may be
the source Of the incursion of grass
hoppers. The Hessian fly In the alb
sence Of volunteer wheat at times
lays tn eggs on the young crabgrass
which may spring up in the fall after
% tract has been burned over. Late
sowing cannot be expected to protect
winter wheat from attack in spring If
volunteer wheat has been permitted
80 grow up either in nearby fields or
among the lats-sown grains. Grass
hoppsrs lay millions of eggs along
the banks Of canals and bitches
q the western country. Chinch bugs
hibernate in punches Of broom sedge.
and many other destructive pests
could not endure the winter were 1t
not for these natural nurseries.
Tho sntomologists therefore recon-
- o1a0
roadsides, fence margins and all waste
lands. ditch banks and similar places
BY burning over, pasturing, or In case
OF ditch banks, by blowing or d1sking
in the fall. This will tear up the
roots and expose the eggs of grass
hoppers to the excessive moisture and
cold Of winter and will also turn up
those insects which hibernate in the
ground. Burning vegetation where
possible will destroy many insects,
though. in the case Of grasshoppers.
1t probably will not be as effective as
cultural methods.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08
ENCOURAGE POULTRY SHOWS.

Poultry shows are, as rule, not a
money making proposition. They
are promoted and conducted by or
CARNATIONS composed Of poultry fan
ciers, who are interested in educating
the public in the breeding of pure
bred poultry Of all standard varieties.
The door receipts help to pay the
many cash prizes and other trophies
offered to encourage the breeding Of
better specimens Of the various varie-
ties of our domesticated fowls. With
out these exhibitions the progress Of
improvement in the standard varieties
would be reduced to a minimum. and
the poultry raisers be handicapped in
their endeavor to advance the growth
of the pure-brsd poultry industry In
this country.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08
HOUSING THE PIGS TO GET THE MOST PROFIT

because they can be finished for mar
ket before the cold weather Of winter
sets In when grains are more expen-
sive. II these pigs are crowded, many
of them can be marketed by the first
of October. Without good house
two filters a year can not be raised
to advantage, because the spring pigs
must be put off until SO late that the
fall litters do not get well started be-
fore cold weather, but with a good
house two filters can we'll be raised.
Most farmers do not feel that they
can keep an old sow for one litter.
but with two filters 1t becomes a diff
ferent proposition. It is universally
conceded that old sows raise better
pigs than young ones, and the keeping
Of old sows enables one to select and
keep only the best producers
A little pig loves sunshine and
needs 1t almost as much as he needs
food No piggery Is fit for the pur-
pose unless 1t admits direct sunshine
onto the floor Of every pen at the time
the pigs are narrowed. furnishes
plenty Of fresh air, and provides for
exercise in tho open air. Dryness'
sunshine, warmth, fresh air, freedom
from drafts, and exercise are Of pri-
mary Importance In raising pigs.
These secured. the battle Is half won.
In putting up buildings the six re-
uuirements just mentioned must be
kept constantly in mind: not one can
be neglected. ~ 81.
The writer knows of ono farmer
who has a splendid farm with a fine
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08

eral marked advantages. In the first
place. there is usually more time to
care for them early in March. Early
March pigs are large enough to begin
to eat as soon as pasture is ready and
thus get the longest possible pasture
season. and can be expected to make
more pork from grass than Is possible
for later pigs. They can be kept on
pasture until ready for market, or
nearly so. Not only can they make
more use Of pasture but they can
make more economical use Of all feed
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08
POULTRY PLANT
MINUS BOOSTERS

To those who refrain from keeping
poultry, being fearful that the roost-
ers will disturb the quietude of the
neighborhood, let me recommend the
keeping of hens without roosters and
buying baby chicks each spring to
replenish the laying stock and to
raise for fryers and roasters. There
are thousands following this plan.
Even those having small back yards
can raise poultry, providing, Of
course, such yards are touched by the
sun. Poultry must have sun. There
are some who are attempting to keep
chickens in back yards and Easements
never reached by a ray Of sunshine,
but my advice is if you can't give
your chicks this necessity of life you
had better not try to raise poultry.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08
QUEER WAYS OF EATING.
Spiders chew their food with hard.

Spiders chew their food with hard.
horny Jaws.
The jellyfish absorbs its food by
wrapping itself around the object
which it seeks to eat. --
The butterfly pumps nectar through
tube into its body, and bees and
flies suck their food with their long
tongues. .
The woodpecker has a three barbed
tongue, like a Fijian's spear, with
which it draws out the worm or in
sect.
The cuttlefsh does not chew It's
food with it's mouth, but with It's
gizzard.
The horseshoe crab chews it's food
with it's legs. The little fellow grinds
it's food morsels between its thighs be-
fore passing them to the mouth.
Surgeons draw in their food by
suction and are toothless.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08
A GOPHER DESTROYER.

Minneapolis eorrospondsnt sends
US recipe for killing the pocket TO
pher. which he has found excellent.
1t 10 so simple and inexpensive that
we give 1t here In his own words. It
10 evident that early spring u the best
time to use It.
We were troubled last year Inn
menssly with this post. Early in the
spring made hole in their run with
a broom handle. Into this dropped
raisin, having first replaced the
seeds with crystals Of sulphate Of
strychnine. One or two early applica-
lions rid the whole place Of the pest,
and there has been but one recur-
renee, and a single dose fixed this
also."-F. L. Washburn. Entomologist,
University Farm, st. Paul.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08

which we do not wish to cultivate.
while the fruit eaters depend upon
many plants which we hold in such
esteem for their ornamental value
that they are generally cultivated.
Something can be done to attract
the seed eaters about our homes,
however. A number of commonly
cultivated plants, belonging to the
same groups as those upon which tho
birds feed extensively in nature, pro-
duce good crops Of seeds These
plants, being dependent upon cultiva-
ton, can be used without fear that
they will become pests, The follow
Ing are suggested for the purpose:
Princes feather. love lies bleeding.
asters, calandrinias, blessed thistle.
centaureas, California peoples, sun
flowers. tarweed, forget-me-nots, por-
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08
SAVING GIRDLED TREES.
About two years ago a friend 7

About two years ago friend had
her four apple trees. two years
planted, girdled by some pigs that she
had turned in the same lot. They had
eaten the bark to the roots and up
for foot. She asked me If I could
save them. I told her it was doubtful
She then told me to do what thought
best. AS bridging was not practical
cut them off close to the ground
and inserted two CRAFTS from the top
Of each tree into the root the best I
could, waxed them thoroughly, and
gave them protection. Every graft
grew. The we'll developed roots
caused Them to grow wonderfully,
and I think the trees were quite as
large in two years as though they had
not been in1ured.-J. A. Idall, Ill.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08
WELL-DRAINED SOIL
FOR ALFALFA,

In the humid sections Of the coun-
try it is especially important to pro.
vide q well-drained soil for alfalfa.
In the irrigated districts tho problem
Of drainage to prevent or reduce the
accumulation Of alkali is often se-
rious. In the regions Of heavy RAIN
fall natural drainage must be pro.
vided. It has been found that alfalfa
requires much more complies drain
age Of the soil than do other fleld
crops. Where the underdrains are
unabls to carry of the rainfall rapidly
enough for prompt drainage, It IL
sometimes the practice to backfur.
rev, leaving the dead burrows at in
tervals Of rod or less. This permits
the water to run Of quickly in the
evetat 81 heavy rains.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08
PICTURES IN THE HOME.

No one can tell you what pictures
to hang on your wa]ls--that is mat
ter OF individual taste. But an at
tempt should be made to have the pic
lures harmonic. not only with the
others in the same room, but with the
background. Many rooms having rest
full, harm onious. wall colers are
spoiled by the variety. in frames and
mats, or by the groupings of the pic
lures; also by putting into a small
room q picture that needs distance to
bring out it's full meaning.
It is not necessary to have the pic
lures all the work Of one artist or all
on the same subject. but they should
in tone and style of frame.
Alice McFeely.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08

sand cherry, crowberry, smooth
sumac, holly, black alder, bitter
sweet, buckthorn, Virginia creeper,
summer grape, leatherwood, wild pep
per, wild sarsaparilla, Towering dog
wood, red osier sour gum, winter
green, creeping snowberry. black
huckleberry, early sweet blueberry,
snowberry, coralberry. high-bush
cranberry, common elder, red berried
elder.
Birds devour cultivated fruit prin-
cipally because the processes Of cult
walton diminish the wild supply. The
presence of wild fruit in locality
always serves to protect domestic va
rieties, especially when the wild trees
or shrubs are Of the same kind as the
cultivated ones and ripen earlier.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08
AUTO A FACTOR.

Two conditions of civic life en-
phasize the necessity for good roads
One 10 war. The Roman roads were
built because Rome had vast armies
to move. The present European war
has kept Thousands upon thousands
Of men busy in eastern Prussia ana
western Poland building roads, in
territories where before there were
only swampy trails. Many Of the
roads in Belgium and northern France
were built during previous wars.
when vast armies must be moved
quickly, so that the present war has
found in roads and motor cars the
means Of moving great armies a.
never before. Good highways have
made possible a rapid transportation
Of troops which is astounding the en-
tire world.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08

dinarily the farmer has no means Of
ascertaining where to put the windows
so as to get the maximum amount Of
sunshine at the time he wants 1t, I'M
less he happens to be building just
at that time, which Is very unusual
The country is dotted with hog houses
in which the owner thought he was
putting the windows where he wanted
them, but found later they were in
the wrong place.
In double houses the windows for
lighting the south pens must be as
high up as possible in order to get
them away from the hogs.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-08

The following shrubs may be planted
for the use Of the birds for the pro-
lection Of cultivated fruits:
Wild strawberry. wild blackberry,
wild pepper, red and white mulberry.
Juneberry, wild red, Japanese, sar-
gent and Mahaleb cherry, fly honey
suckle. red berried elder. silky-lsaved
pear. and crabappls.