davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07
Prevention is the
Only Remedy for
Blackhead in Turkeys

Black head in turkeys is caused by
| a parasite and is characterized by
great sores in the caeca (blind In
parasite causes irritations. destruc-
ton of the tissues and nearly always
the death OF the affected turkeys.
The characteristic symptoms of the
disease are as follows: The loss of
appetite and tendency of affected
birds to stand apart from the rest of
!, the flock is common. When the in
testines are severely affected the birds
have diarrhea and the droppings are
liquid and stained orange yellow; this
Is a characteristic symptom. Diseased
birds are frequently found dead under
the roosts.
The only sure means Of diagnosis
however, Is by post-mortem examina-
ton Of bird that has recently died.
The bird should be cut open to expose
the internal organs, and the liver and
caeca examined. The presence of
large sores in the substance of the
liver and in the caecal walls is suffi-
cient evidence for diagnosis. The
caecal sores may vary from a single
point to large scabs covering nearly
all the lining of both caeca. The liver
is very much enlarged and the sores
on 1t are two-fifths to three-f fths of
an inch in diameter.
At the present time there is no
known cure for this disease and the
only means by which it can be con-
trolled is by preventive measures. On
farms where an outbreak has occurred,
all the turkeys which have not come
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07

Shiny rope. Of which farm poets have
sung, is responsible for many SICK
member of the farmers family
Sometimes wells are being contain
mated by cesspools or drainage pipes.
The writer knows of many cases OF
typhoid fever that we're traced to such
sources. A tile drain that leaks. or d
cesspool placed within hundred feet
of a well, is dangerous. Where the
ground is sandy, gravelly. or filled In,
a cesspool may be dangerous even
though it is several hundred feet
away. Much, Of course, depends upon
the Law of the land and on the stratifi-
cation Of the subsoil. Surface indica-
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07
Saving of Meat and Chicken Fat an Economy

yield more fat than is palatable "
serve with the meat or soup. The ex-
cess may be used acceptably wherever
any other fat is used. 1t has been
recommended as especially desirable
for pastry. On account OF it's .on-
sistency it may be mixed with harder
fats to make them all more soft
Soup should be set aside to cool so
that the fat may collect in a cake on
the surface. This may be placed with
the fat to be clarified.
Water may be used in clarifying fat
The amount to be added depends upon
the degree of impurity Of the fat
Heat only until the fat melts and then
stir well. The fat separates as a more
or less clear layer on top while the
water dissolves out much of the i'm
purity from it. II the fat contains
sediment, it can be removed by strain
ing while hot through double cheese
cloth If Objectionable odors and
fiavors are present. they may be re-
moved in many cases by heating the
fat with small pieces of charcoal.
Fats should be kept free from water
in closed Opaque containers in a cool
place. Rancid fats may be kept for
soap making.
If every housekeeper will pledge
herself to save the fat we need not
fear a fat famine in our country. Ii
we continue in our reckless waste OF
this valuable food, the amount is likely
to fall far short of our needs, and the
price will be unnecessarily increased.
Will You do your part to keep up the
supply and keep down the price?
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07
Fair Big Factor in Agricultural Development

4. vell conducted state, county or
district fair is a strong factor in the
formation Of agricultural ideals and
rural community upbuilding. No
rural community can hope to make ad-
vancement or to remain progressive
without some means of bringing be-
fore its people the products Of that
community. Furthermore. no man
ceu hope to continue to make advance
mont in his chosen industry unless he
learns from other men interested in
the same field of operation. Farmers
recognize now more than ever before.
the importance of minging with their
neighbors, exchanging ideas. making
criticisms, and gathering new infor-
nation.
Fairs afford untold opportunities for
those who will attend. There they
meet as exhibitors in competition and
e SPECTATORS. All learn to look at the
fairs from the educational viewpoint
- well as from the viewpoint OF en-
tertainment or what they win IN
money prizes as exhibitors. True. the
money offered is a great inducement
in The way Of defraying expenses but
many exhibitors might well have as
much money in their pockets at the
end OF the week by leaving their ex-
hibits at home. On the other hand,
those who exhibit take home a new
opinion Of their products. and have
had established in their own minds
revised standards which will aid them
In selecting and preparing exhibits
for tho following year. In addition.
every exhibitor, whether winner or
loser. takes home more or less adver-
Using. Advertising secured at fairs is
considered of the best as evidenced by
the many exhibitors and by the in
creased business which has come to
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07

those who exhibit. No breeder Of
pure bred stock should neglect single
opportunity to place it before the pub
lie. The county fair is good place to
begin.
The live stock industry owes much
to the many fairs held throughout the
country. Much improvement in
breeds has come as a result Of these
public exhibitions and ratings. Many
have been encouraged in the produc-
ton of better stock simply through
the incentive gathered at the live
stock shows. No man who hopes to
continue as producer of high-class
live stock can afford to miss single
opportunity to attend livestock shows.
Unless he attends such shows he loses
sight of the correct standards and gets
behind the times. The fair circuit is
the school of the constructive breeder.
Few men have attained success as
breeders who have not been close
students of show ring standards and
awards. These men must necessarily
become fewer because of the rapid
strides in breeding and the increased
competition.
He who neglects to make use of his
state, county or district fair not only
weakens his own position but neslects
to support movement which is vital
to the state or community in which he
lives On the other hand, the public
should realize that nothing can do
more to encourage better breeding,
feeding and management Of live stock
than successful fair. The fair is just
what the people make it. BY their
attendance and support it can be made
a great factor in state and comm unity
betterment. Without their support it
must tell to those few who do attend
the story of non-progressive, mac
tive commonwealth.-S. 7. Simpson.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07

to the d1f1Ee nn1e-sulphur solution and
arsenate of lead spray employed in
the control Of insects and diseases of
fruit and foliage. It may also be used
in Bordeaux mixture or in arsenAte of
lead and water spray. This is great
advantage, as the orchardist Is en-
abled to spray against several pests
simultaneously. It must be remem-
bered, however, that although the ad-
dttion of soap adds much to the
spreading power and efficiency Of the
nicotine spray, soap must not be used
with lfme-sulphur solution.
It b also a comparatively simple
matter to make nicotine sprays at
home IL tobacco stems or refuse to-
baceo are available. In the home
it is difficult to determine the exact
strength Of the decotion since the
various kinds of tobacco refuse vary
greatly in their nicotine content. In
this connection it Is pointed out that
the stems from which the extract has
been made have a value for fertiHzins
purposes of about $40 a ton. With
tobacco refuse and stems costing
about $40 ton. the spray solution
can be made for approximately
cent gallon. the fertilizer value Of
the extracted refuse covering the cost
of labor. etc. The sprays should be
made up as they are needed, for fer
mentat:on begins within a day or two.
Washes made OF fishoil or laundry
soap are also effective against aphids,
and are especially suitable for use on a
small scale. The fish-oil soap Of diff
ferent brands on the market varies
greatly in water content, SO that the
precise quantity of soap to be used
with a given amount of water will
vary also. Manufacturers, however,
are required by the Federal Insecti-
eide Act of 1910 to state on the label
the amount Of active ingredients. in
this case soap. and of inert ingredients.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07

Wells are often contaminated by
surface water, or by carelessly located
cesspools. This should. by all means,
be prevented. The top four or five
feet of the wall should be laid up with
stone and rich cement mortar Or
should be made of concrete to make it
impervious to water. A platform
should be made of concrete cast in
one piece and provided with prop
erly made lid. No we'll should be left
open so that straw. leaves, insects or
reptiles may fall into it. The often
made statement that a live toad in a
we'll will purify the water is evidently
incorrect.
The much praised open well with
its oaken bucket, rusty wheel. and
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07

season. Now and then, while the
catches grasshopper and calls the
poults to come and get it. They soon
learn to find their own feed, however,
and range out ahead Of the mother
hen in search Of whatever they can
find.
Young turkeys usually remain with
the mother hen until about October or
November, when the males ordinarily
separate from the females and range
by themselves When two turkey hens
with broodS of about the same age are
turned out on free range together they
will remain in one flock, and as this
makes it easier to hunt them up and
care for them it Is advisable to turn
out or hens with their broods to-
gether when they are given free
more than this number of young
poults in one flock, however. as they
may all try to crowd under one or two
hens to be lowered.
Improper feeding. combined with
close confinement, has been the cause
of many failures in turkey raising.
When on free range the poults are
busy searching for feed most Of the
day. Here there is no overlooking
and lack of exercise, such as the poults
are often subjected to by those ignor-
ant of their wants. If the range is
plentifully supplied with green feed,
grasshoppers, and other insects. and
if the weather is favorable, then the
best plan is to allow the poults to feed
themselves. 1t is usually able,
however, to have them come home at
night and if driven up and fed at a
certain place every night they Will
soon learn to come up themselves.
When. on account of rainy weather
or unfavorable range conditions. it is
advisa Bile to raise the poufts by the
coop method, more care must be given
to their feeding. For the first two
days after Matching, poults require no
feed, the yolk of the egg which they
absorb before breaking out OF tho
shell being sufficient to maintain
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07

them for that length Of time. Access
to clean drinking water and little
coarse sand and green feed to pick at
is all that is needed until the third
day. Beginning with the third day,
the poults should be fed according to
the quantity of natural feed they are
able to pick up outside the coop. They
should always be hungry. To feed all
they will clean up several times day
removes the cause of searching for
feed, so that little exercise is taken
and indigestion is sure to result When
natural feed is scarce, or when the
poults have to be kept from ranging
outside. they should be fed lightly
about five times day. II allowed to
run outside the coop where they can
find insects. seeds. and green feed, they
three times day.
Successful turkey raisers use many
different kinds Of feed, some Of the
most common being as follows:
"a Hard-boiled egg chopped fine
and orn-bread crumbs for the fest
week, and then whole wheat and
hulled oats.
ca Stale bread. soaked in mix and
squeezed dry, for the frst few days,
and then common chick feed.
go Clabbered milk seasoned with
salt and pepper, corn-bread crumbs.
o. Equal parts "pinhead" OATS.
whole wheat, and cracked corn.
90 Cracked wheat.
60 Corn meal and wheat bran
mixed in the proportion of to and
baked into bread.
(7) Bran or middlings one-half.
cracked Egyptian corn one-quarter.
wheat and hulled oats one quarter.
In addition to the above. skinned
milk and buttermilk are quite often
fed, with excellent results. A good
plan is to keep the milk in front of
the poults during the morning and
water during the afternoon. II grit
and green feed can not be picked up
outside the coop, they must be pro-
vided in some other way. Chopped
onion tops, lettuce leaves. dandelion
leaves and alfalfa make excellent
green feed. Grit can be furnished in
the form of coarse sand.
While she is confined to the coop
the mother hen should be fed twice
a day on a mixture Of grain, such as
equal parts corn, wheat and oats.
and green feed, while water and grit
should be kept before her all the
time. An occasional feed of meat
scrap or fresh. lean meat is greatly
relished and helps to keep her in good
condition. In feeding the hen-and--
poults. 1t is advisable to feed the latter
outside the coop and the former in
side, in order to prevent her from eat
ing the feed intended for the poults.
1t is seldom necessary to keep the hen
and poults confined for more than a
few days at time, and the sooner
all can be given free range, the better.
Whether or not they should be put
into the coop at night after ranging
during the day depends on the weather
and the danger from predatory anil
mails.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07

The Increased prices of butter. lard,
and all other fats bid fair to go still
higher. The shortage can be relieved
considerably by saving much OF the
] fat which is usually wasted In the
home. Such saving may avert de-
felt of this important foodstuff which
| accounts in part, it IS SAID, TOT tne
| Inadequate diet of the German people.
! Investigations of additional sources OF
fat are being made; but it remains for
| the housekeeper to conserve the avail
able supplies.
The familiar grease trap stood FOR
many years at the foot OF the SINK
as a definite testimonial of the rat
wastage which passed out OF the house
by that route. The garbage can and
the slop bucket give further evidence
Some of this waste is unavoidable per-
haps, but much of it can be saved and
every housewife should appoint her
self that task.
Efforts should be made to utilize the
fat which comes into the home in the
form of fat meat Much of it is rem
dered as the meat cooks. This should
he clarified and saved. Serve a piece
of fat and piece of lean II the lamlly
will eat fat. Otherwise save the fatty
portions SO that the fat may be rem
dered and used instead OF lard.
The fat which cooks out from bacon
should be carefully treasured. II 1t is
not scorched. it may be used for corn
bread. mullins, griddle cakes. IN salad
dressing. to season vegetables. and IN
numerous other ways.
Chickens in good oonctt,on usually
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07
FARM AUTOS.

Fruit-groWing farmers are certainly
progressive. It was only few years
ago that an automobile was seldom
found on fruit farm, or any other
farm. But they are almost common
place now, and the fruit-growers are
putting the gasoline engine to work in
another way-they are buying trucks
and tractors. And why not? Tractors
have proved their value, and find
mighty few fruit-growers who would
not like to have a truck to haul their
crops to market or the loading station.
Some Of them are already using motor
trucks and in another year or two I
almost believe that trucks will be
almost as numerous as automobiles
are now
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07

down with the disease should BE-
marketed for meat and not sold fol-
breeding. Nor should eggs from an
infected flock be used for Matching
1t would be we'll not to attempt ia
restock a farm with turkeys for sew
eral months; and not until. thor
ough disinfection Of the premises has
been made, by exposing the grounds
to the hot summer sun and by the
liberal use of freshly slaked lime in
the poultry houses, roosting places,
and feeding pens. A three per cent
solution Of Liquor Cresolis Compositus
should be used to spray the walls and
all wood work of the poultry house,
including the roosts.
A fresh start may be made by
Matching turkey eggs under hens. or
by obtaining fresh breeding stock
from a non-infected district.
d is recommended that turkey rails
ing be conducted on dry, sandy we'll
drained lands. since black head seems
to be prevented in large part by dry
ness Of the surroundings.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07

tions are often deceptive: frequently
the underlying stone strata do not
conform closely with the fluctuations
of the surface.
The cesspool may become source
of danger even when it is located far
away or on the opposite side of
ravine or a creek A careful study of
the premises will reveal the existing
danger of poisonous pollution. Stag
nant ponds or creeks in the vicinity
of wells are very dangerous. For this
reason, cities never pump water from
such sources. but always from exca-
waited or driven wells.
Another method Of pollution Of
wells and springs is through faults or
assures in an imperviors stratum
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07
THE TURKEY HEN AS A MOTHER
For Those Favorably Situated Raising Turkeys Makes Very
Profitable Side Line.

For poults the turkey hen 10 tho
best mother that can be found. She
knows their needs and can talk to
them in a language that they soon
learn to understand. At the approach
of any danger she gives low, warn
ing note that sends them scurrytng in
every direction for a weed or patch of
grass where they can lie fiat on the
ground safely hidden from view.
While on free range, she keeps her
brood together by talking continuously
in a contented, purring tone SO that
the poults always know where she is.
When her poults become widely sep
arated, or if some become lost, and
she hears their peep, peep" she calls
them with the characteristic yelp
heard 80 frequently during the laying
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07

through which lead Of water drain
ing a polluted basin or area finds its
way to the surface in the form OF a
spring through a assure.
European literature records a num-
Der of extensive epidemics of typhoid
fever due to underground breaks or
assures. In one instance in Switzer-
land an epidemic of typhoid fever
broke out in a certain village and over
seventeen per cent of the inhabitants
were stricken The entire village was
supplied from the waters of a large
spring. A painstaking investigation
revealed the following facts: On the
west side of the ridge was a little
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07
TEST SEED WITH CARE.

The secretary Of the United Sta0es
department of agriculture, states mat
every farmer should test all seeds for
purity and termination before plant
ing" 1t is an absolute waste to plant
dead seeds or seed which is baby
mixed with noxious weeds. Much OIL
the seed Is already in the ground, but
II is not too late to test corn, barley
beans. buckwheat, millet, fax, anala'
soybeans, and all root crops. which
proba bly, have not yet been planted.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07
CONTACT SPRAYS FOR APHlDS
Most Effective Means Of Controlling Insects That Do
Damage Orchards.

substances used in the control Of these
insects. The cost of the concentrated
article is high. but as it may be greatly
diluted the actual cost of applying
the spray compares favorably with
that Of other contact sprays. OF the
commercial preparations the 40 per
cent nicotine sulphate is the solution
in most common use. Weaker grades
may be used il care Is taken that tho
spray 10 made up to contain not lezs
than o.O5 or 0.o6 per cent Of actual
nicotine.
Nicotine may be added either 70
the winter strength lime sulphur solu-
ton used for the San Jose scale, o1
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07

greatest with those species OF aphids
whose attacks result in curling the
leaves of the plants on which they
feed. This curling serves to protect
the insects to a considerable extent
from the contact spray. Those spe-
eies which do not curl the leaves are
more easily controlled by sprays after
L Is noted that they are becoming
Aumerous.
Nicotine has been found to be one
Of the most effective substances for
killing aphids. and as it may be ap-
piled with entire safety to plants it
u possibly the best suited of all the
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07

This will enable purchasers to make
up a solution which should range
from pound Of soap for gallons of
water to l pound for gallons. de-
pending upon the amount of water
present in the soap. AS has been al
ready said, soap should not be added
to lime-sulphur solution. Nor should
Nme-sulphur solution be added to
kerosene emulsion. This last may be
used against aphids at the rate Of 1
gallon to Z or gallons Of water. The
stock solution for this purpose is
made according to the following for
mula: Kerosene, gallons; fsh-oil
or laundry soap. y pound; water, 1
gallon
In view Of the increasing damage
to apples from the various kinds Of
aphids, the annual bud spraying Of
apple orchards appears to be good
practice. and if continued over a
series Of years would, no doubt, prove
profitable. The several aphids which
occur on the plum, and the green
peach aphids, do not curl the foliage
to the same extent as do some of the
apple aphids, and it usually will be
found satisfactory to spray the trees
after there are Indications that these
insects are abundant. Where the in
scots have proved troublesome regu-
larly. however. spring spraying may
be desirable. In the case of currants
and gooseberTies It is especially i'm
portant to spray rs the shoots are
pushing out, otherwise the insects will
soon be protected by the distorted
foliage. When spraying is carried on
later in the season the liquid should
be directed upward to wet the in
sects on the under side Of the leaves.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07

underground water. to go no one knew
where. In order to determine whether
it could be possible that this spring
was being fed by the underground
quantity of salt was thrown into a
deep hole dug into the valley. In a
few hours the waters of the spring
became very salty. and thus was es-
tablished the connection between the
irrigated valley and the spring.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07

-pheRe - h1He number Of Diff
Ansm kinAB Of aphids, one or more
e vA1aA nav attack almost every
6Wa ef orchard and bush fruit For
he most part, however, the same
nGuFes Of control are applicable to
all the speeies- Quite . number q
Tie sphid species winter In the egg
aAGe On the plants which they at
tAck In tAe following spring. These
~ he controlled successfully By
GyHEfng when the buds first show
green dps OF the foliage. In this way
the nFst brood Of the insects is Killed
md Insurance Is Obtained against in
my later In the season. Additional
spraying may. however, be necessary
Il The infestatton il severe. The Inn
portance Of early bud spraying il