davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1917-02-16
By Walter E. Packard

Soils-The character of the soils IN
this region varies so greatly that it
is essential that any one buying farm
land should pay particular attention
to the soil conditions and should get
soil that is adapted to the crops he
expects to raise. One should not buy
hard or medium hard land for vine
yard planting, for example, for the
vines will not do their best on any
but the sander soils. These hard soils
are better adapted for sorghums, bar
;ey or cotton.
The soils of the Imperial Valley
range from heavy clays to coarse sands
and gravels. The most extensive types
are clays, clay loans, silt loans, san
dy loans and fine sandy loans. Con-
siderable areas of sand and gravel
ere found on the mesa lands and along
the edge of the delta soils. Practical
ly all Of the soils in the valley eX-
cept those of the mesas have a sub
soil or substratum of heavy clay at
depths varying from one to twenty
feet. This impervioas layer has .
marked influence on the water and
plant relations of the soil, and es-
necially on the drainage conditions
The depth of the sol! above the clas
layer should be determined before de-
Gliding upon the crops to be grown or
the methods of handling those crops.
The clay soils are very compact and
hard to handle. A representative
sample showed a content of 28.7 per
cent of colloidal clay and 63.31 PEI
cent of fine silt. Water penetrates
this soil very slowly, and on account
of the difficulty of tilling and prop
erly caring for the crops, lands Of
this type have not proven very pro-
ductive. The clay loan, a medium
heavy soil, is the predominant type.
A representative sample contained
14.34 per cent of clay and 1884 per
cent of fin silt. This soil can be
titled without difficulty and is es-
pecially adapted to field crops. The
sandy loans and fine sandy loan soils
are adapted to alfalfa, truck farming
or fruit growing. The sands, although
very productive when rightly handled.
are not so desirable as the sandy loans
because of their porous nature, per-
mitting rapid penetration Of water, 50
that when the clay substratum is pres
ent at moderate depths there is dan
ger Of a high water table with its
resultant evils.
The soils of the San Pasqual val
ley are quite different from those of
the Imperial valley. The sandy types
predominate. The character of the
soil varies greatly on almost every
farm, making uniform irrigation very
difficult The subsoil is a sand
which, allowing a very rapid move
ment of water, results in the forna-
ton of high water table through
Imperial Valley press., 1917-02-16
Packard Explains Character
of Soil in Imperial Valley


The soils of the Palo Verde valley
resemble those Of the Imperial val
ley quite closely in many respects,
although the effect Of soil material
of local origin can be clearly seen.
The heavier soils correspond to the
clay loans of Imperial Valley, con-
tanning more sand, however, which
gives them a more mellow appearance.
The subsoil here is almost invariably
Pasqual valley.
The Coachella Valley soils are local
in origin and differ greatly from the
Colorado deposits. These soils are
predominantly sandy and contain
much mica. When properly handled
they are very productive.
The major portion Of the soils of
this region are noted for their fer
tility. Not only are the essential
plant food elements, potassium and
nnosporous, present in sufficient
quantities, as indicated in company
ing tables, but the amount CT car
tonate of lime present is such that
these clements should become read
lily available. There is enough potash
in the samples tested to render the
sells permanently fertile in respect
to that element. With the yearly ad-
dition of both potassium and phos-
phOrus in the irrigation sediments the
necessity of applying commercial fer
tilizers containing these elements may
never arise. Nitrogen, which is lack
ing II all desert soils, is deficient and
must be added by application of ma
nure, commercial fertilizers or By
plowing under legunninous crops, such
as alfalfa. Organis matter of any
kind should be added at every oppor-
tunity, as the results in increased
crops are very marked.
The proper physical condition Of the
soil must be established and maintain
ed, as upon this depends not only the
right penetration of air and water but
also the promotion of necessary bac-
terial action, whereby both nitrogen
and other plant foods are made avail
able Too much water rots the roots,
prevents the development of nitrifying
organisms, and aids the development
of injurious bacteria. Deep blowing
with the turning under Of as much
organic matter as possible, will do
much toward improving the physical
condition of the soils. Blasting the
harder types of soil before planting
trees breaks up the stratifcation and
aids root and water penetration, if the
work is done when the soil is dry.
Alkali is present in all of the soils,
as is true Of any arid regino. Some
soils contain enough to affect the most
crops. Some, on the
other hand, do not contain sufficient
alkali to injure the common crops
grown in the region. No person
should plan a permanent planting OF
trees until he knows definitely that
neither to injure his planting. This
station makes examinations Of soils for
alkali for land owners.
Common salt, or sodium chloride, is
the most common of the so-called al
kali salts. Comparatively little alka,i
(sodium carbonate) is found, possibly
owing to the fact that the content of
gypsum Calcium sulphate) is general
ly high in these soils. The common
white alkali Sodium sulphate) forms
a large proportion Of the salts in some
sections and is present in fairly large
proportions in most instances.
There are different methods o.
handling alkali land which are more or
Imperial Valley press., 1917-02-16
Ruth Stonehouee a. l.. & :. Tonight.

''Love Alame' is a. unique s.ory
adventure with Il hu11o, Gus twist
throughout. Four yaung c.ubn e.
lake a wager +na5 trey can reach
Constantinople bT No7eniher =, but
hat no woman ca ! accomplish his
Betty Mason, ! tom")y, runs away
-om home dr9s icG as 4 hoy when
er father tries to marry her of
to sissy. She travels by box cay
QUITE and meets up with the clul'-
men and joins. Among their many
adventures they land on a cannibal
island where the natives worship a
i've volcano. The scenery in this set
ting is beautiful and many humorosu
situations occur before they are fin
ely picked up and reach Constan-
tinople within the restricted period.
Imperial Valley press., 1917-02-16
Plot in Boston
CRy United Press

Boston, Feb. 16.-A plot to dyna-
mite the sttae house has been report
ed to the authorities. It is under
stood it was planned for tomorrow
night. It is said the informant IS o.
the "highest standing"
Imperial Valley press., 1917-02-16

less satisfactory. In the first place,
alkali-resistant crops can be grown
on the poorer soils. Date palms, for
example, will grow in strong alkali
and thrive in this region. For this
reason much of the bad alkali land
should and probably will ultimately be
devoted to the production of dates.
Bermuda grass froms good pasture
on land unfit for less resistant crops.
Cotton will grow in land where other
field crops will not thrive.
Drainage is the most satisfactory
way of reclaiming alakli land. When
good drainage outlets, such as the
Alamo or New River channels, are
available, drains can be constructed TO
carry off the surplus water with much
of the alkali The reclamation work is
very slow, however, and considerable
time is required to free the soil from
alkali. Flooding without unde"-drain5
ditch at the lower end of the field to
catch waste water will not carry away
much alkali. Such 4 drain helps main
ly in that it makes possible the longer
running water across the fed. This
fact is shown clearly in any irrigated
land containing alkali and has been
practically demonstrated in many
cases. In spite of this fact, many hold
to the idea that the salts are washed
Oh from the surface in ordinary flood
ing. Where water table exists un-
derdrainage must be practised.
Where farm is being damaged by
O. - LIo - - coo4iCy,
Imperial Valley press., 1917-02-16
Notice to Property Owners.

Call at your Bank, the office OF
YOUR Mutual Water Company or the
IRRIGATION District and sign the peti-
ton for Bond Election. 1t is import
ant that the Election be held at the
earliest possible date. 2-l'
Imperial Valley press., 1917-02-16
Notice to Property Owners.

Call at your Bank, the office Of
your Mutual Water Company or the
Irrigation District end sign the petit
ton for Bond Election. 1t is import
ant that the Election be held at the
earliest possible date. 2-17
Imperial Valley press., 1917-02-16

RUPRECHT, German Coach stall
lion; the ideal all-purpose horse
for Imperial Valley. Only Coach
horse; also blue ribbon winner
at fair; stands at ranch a miles
northeast of Holtville; season,
$40. Mercereau. 2-19
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1917-10-26

the free and the home of the brave as he
believed all men or nations are entitled
TO progress.
Following Mr.. Staples, Scout Master j.
Fredrik Virgin was introduced to make
a report of the work of the Boy Scouts
in soliciting subscriptions for Liberty
bonds. He reported that the work of the
30 Scouts was only about half through
but that they had returned l12 applica-
tions for bonds aggrcgating $lG,450
While there was one for $1,000, one for
81 600, one for 500 and few for $500
more than 100 were for $50 each. They
came lagely from persons who probably
would not have subscribed had they not
been solicited Rev. Mr. Virgins report
was greeted with applause. He said the
Scouts were doing a real work, not a
stunt" They are trying to make every
house in Brattleboro feel its responsible.
ity. 'If he does his duty today" said the
speaker, "his country is going to be safe
for him when it comes time for him to
cast his ballot"
The scout master was followed by At
torney Lester T.. Wurfel of Newark,
n. j., who had charge of the Four
Minute men of that city. He cmpha-
sized the fact that the citizens of
America must bear the responsibility
that goes with citizenship. This coun.
try would not have been the richest
and freest in the world if our forefa-
theirs had not fought to make it So
The nation row needs our money that
it may remain unsullied.
He cited the fact that Germany
which has casualty list of eight and
a half millions has just raised $1,000
100000 as its seventh loan. He reviewed
the indignities of Germany against our
ships and combatants in violation
of assurances to the contrary and men
toned the duplicity of Won Bernstorff
Zimmerman and other German agents
Persons who do not feel their respon-
sibiitv and their obligation to assist
in the Liberty loan. in the face of the
facts are as bad, he declared. as those
who defend Germany.
Before declaring the meeting adj
ourned Chairman Walker called attcn.
ton to the campaign to be waged be-
ginning next Sunday for pledges to as.
sist in the conservation of food, and
as chairman of the Windham county
committee which has this work in
charge he urged everyone to be ready
to sign the cards when asked and eX-
pressed the belief that the returns
would be 100 per cent from the state
of Vermont. The object of the cam.
paign, which is to be nationwide, is
to induce people to comply with adj.
vices of the national food administra.
ton board, which is headed by Herbert
Hoover.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1917-10-26
PAST NOBLE GRANDs GUESTS
Dennis Rebekah Lodge Carries Out
Especially Pleasing Program-Effec-
tive Closing Tableau.

Past noble erands night was OBJ
served Tuesday by Dennis Rebekah
lodge and at the close of the reg
ular meeting fitting and pleasing
program, prepared by Mrs. A. j.
Currier was carried out. There
were present that evening II past
noble grands, and five others responded to
their name by letter. The first past noble
grand, Mrs. Mary W. Brown of Frost
street, was present, also her three sue
cessors, Mrs Helen Newman, Mrs. Myra
Stone and Mrs. Mary Currier
The refreshments were in charge of the
young unmarried people of the society.
The tables, attractively decorated with
flowers, were set to form a cross and the
present noble grand, past noble grand
vice noble grand and chaplain were seated
at the four points. Each one gave a
toast. At the close of the supper hour
all past noble grands gave an original
yell, thanking the order for the fine re-
ception given them The entertainment
which was highly pleasing, consisted of
readings, musical numbers and closing
tableau. Each past noble grand respond
cd to her name, either personally or by
a representative of her family; Mrs
Mary Browns granddaughter, Miss
Eleanor Clay, rendered pleasing piano
solo when Mrs. Browns name was called
Abbott Richmond rendered song when
his mothers name was called.
The closing tablcau was beautiful and
the audience was deeply impressed by it
Mrs. Arthur l.. Maynard, representing
Columbia, was seated on the platform
surrounded by the four oldest past noble
grands, two on each side, and the Other
past noble grands formed semi-circle
about them. Then three daughters of the
past noble grands, Mrs. Hazel Exner
Miss Amy Moran and Miss Ruth Wilder
came in and formed the three links, carry.
ing red white and blue. Each carried a
flag and as the entertainment closed with
the singing of Star Spangled Banner each
flag was waved, which made a particu
larly effective sight. The present noble
grand Miss May Cook, presented each
of the four past noble grands who were
first in the service of the lodge, bouquet
of carnations.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1917-10-26
BrattlebOro
Bellows Falls

Score Brattleboro rs, Bellows Falls
o. Touchdowns-Plumb >, j. Moran,
T.. Moran. Goals from Touchdown
Z. Moran 4. Referendum. Umpire
Hayes. Head linesman - Thompson.
Time-l0 and 10 minute periods.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1917-10-26
HIGLEY-ROCHON.
Double Ring Service in Roman Catholic
Parish House Wednesday-Will Live
On Central Street.

Robert f. Higley and Miss Adelinc
Rochon were married Wednesday morn
ing at $50 in the Roman Catholic par
ish house, Rev. Father Thomas F. Nc
Mahon officiating. They were unattend-
ed. A double ring service was used. The
bride wore a brown broadcloth travel
ing suit with brown velvet hat. Mr..
and Mrs. Higley left at o clock for a
trip to New York. They will visit on
their return trip in Springfield Mass.
They will begin housekeeping at so Cen
trail street, where they have an apart
ment furnished ready for, their occu-
pancy.
Mrs. Higley, who came here from
Springfield, Mass, graduated from the
Memorial hospital training school for
nurses in 1914 and since that time has
been following her profession in Brattle-
boro.
Mr.. Higley is son of Mrs. Ellen NJ.
Higley of Brattleboro and has been EN-
ployed several years by the Twin State
Gas & Electric company as motorman
on the electric cars.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1917-10-26
PERFORMANCE OF FIRST CLASS.
So Long Lefty Makes Strong Appeal to
Auditorium Audience.

Promises made as to the excellence
of the So Long Lefty company before
its appearance in Brattleboro certainly
were made good by the performance in
the Auditorium Tuesday, and a fair
sized audience was present although
early indications pointed to a small
house. 1t was one of the finest musical
comedy productions seen in Brattleboro
in years, full of life and ginger with
cOrking good music and front rank
company. 1t was different from the
usual run of musical comedies, dealing
with jewellers in "horse car colony'
in California, and the plot was much
more pronounced than in the usual run
of musical productions. Gladys Lock,
wood, who played the part of Lefty Rob
bins, long, lanky woman who cared
more for the cabaret than the kitchen,
acted with an abandon that appealed
strongly to the audience, and the other
members of the cast were IS karat all
the way through. Excellent solos and
choruses, captivating dances and other
specalties helped round out first -class
entertainment
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1917-10-26
MRS. TRUMAN E. WALLACE.
Dies in Home on Highland Street Fol
lowing Shock.

Mrs. Esther S. Wallace, sc, wife of
Truman f. Wallace, died at her home,
9 Highland street, Sunday, as the re.
suit of a shock which she sustained
Friday night. On Saturday morning
about 6 o clock Mrs. Lawrence Hudson,
who occupies the lower tenement in the
house but has sleeping quarters adj.
joining those of Mrs Wallace on the
top floor, found Mrs Wallace in bed
unconscious. 1t is believed that she
was stricken about ! o clock the night
before.
Mrs. Wallace was the daughter of
Henry and Elizabeth Williams and was
born i'll Lancaster, n. H., - years ago
next month. She was twice married.
her first husband being Nathan Smith,
by whom she had three children. About
nine years ago she married Mr.. Wallace
IN Newfane, where she was then liv.
ing. Mrs. Wallace had lived in Brat
tleboro about eight years. She was an
attendant of the Congregational church
and a member of the Woman S Relief
corps Besides the husband she leaves
three daughters, Mrs Alice p. Lavov
of 20 Spruce street, Brattleboro, and
Mrs. Eva Robinson and Mrs Rose Pike
of West Wardsboro, and one brother.
F. f. Williams of Cambridge, Mass,
and eight grandchildren.
The funeral was held at the house,
at O'Clock Tuesday afternoon.
Rev, Richard II. Clapp, pastor of the
Centre Congregational church, ohiciated
and the bearers were Ralph Pike. Paul
Lavoie, Almon Robinson and Lawrence
Hudson. The burial took place in Morn
ingside cemetery.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1917-10-26
INDUCE PASTOR TO SING.
Demonstration Before Baptist Church
in Windsor Where Pacifist Preacher
Stirred up Trouble.

The good people Of Windsor took cx
captions Sunday night in no uncertain
manner to what they considered an
anti. American, If not a pro-German or
der, issued Sunday from the pulpit of
the Baptist church by its pastor, Rev
&c. II. Waldron. who is a pacifst as
outspoken as the soap box orators of
| New York city. They gathered in
force in front of the offending pastor s.
church Sunday night that he might be
compelled to listen to song, dear to
the heart of every good American and
which he refused to allow his parish
toner's to sing at the morning service
yesterday. He not only heard it, but
when he put in an appearance he was
| requested to sing it himself, holding an
American flag, which he did.
The Star Spangled Banner was to be
sung in all the churches Sunday
morning at / o clock but the idea ap.
lparently did not appeal to Rev Mr..
| Waldron. BY his order the national
anthem was not sung in his church and
he also ordered that the bell of the
cdifce should be used only for the pur.
lpose of calling the people to worship
and not for the promoting of the sale
of Liberty bonds, also that the bell
should not join the chorus of the bells
of all the other churches in town when
they were sounded to remind the pco.
pie of a patriotic duty.
| 1t was not long after the morning
service that practically every person
in the village had heard of Pastor Wal
dron g latest pacifst act and wherever
two or more people assembled on the
street this was the subject of CONVEX.
sation.
The outcome of the affair was that
a few minutes before the evening serv-
ice at the Baptist church was SEIZED.
uled to begin about 300 people. includ-
ing Catholics and Protestants of all de
nominations, gathered in front of the
church and sang The Star Spangled
Banner as they had never sung it be-
fore. they were aware, evidently, that
it is a penal offensc to interrupt n re.
ligious service for they began their
demonstration about Il minutes before
the hour of service.
While the singing was in progress
! Rev. Mr. Waldron emerged from the
front door of the church and at the
conclusion of the anthem addressed the
crowd. He stated first that he was am
American, but did not cite any act
of his to prove the assertion. Instead.
he traced his ancestry back to The
Mayilower. He was not opposed to the
government of the United States. he
said, but was opposed to this war and
to all other wars and incidentally he
denounced the kaiser
At the conclusion of his remarks he
was presented with an American flag
and requested to sing the national an.
them. which he did with the Stars and
Stripes wound around his body and
he was joined in the singing by Mrs.
Waldron.
1t is understood that one or two of
the deacons of the church support the
pastor i'll his pacifst views but that
the big majority of the members, some
100 in number, believe in supporting
the government in this war. Rev. Mr..
Waldron has been pastor of the church
for about two years.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1917-10-26
NEXT DRAFT cLAssIFIcATIoNs.
Here Is the Information Wanted by All
Men Between Ages of 21 and 80 In
pluciva

elusive. '
The five classiications into which
men awaiting draft will be divided un-
by President Wilson have become
by the Provost Marshal General s Of
flee and are here published.
1t was discovered that what was to
have remained an official secret for a
week or more was divulged Saturday
night at dinner in New York, which
Secretary Baker and Provost Marshal
General Crowder attended.
CLASS l
l. Single men without dependent rela.
tives.
2. Married man Cor widower) with
children, who habitually fails to sup.
port his family.
3. Married man dependent on wife
for support.
4. Married man Cor widowcr) with
children, not uscfully engaged, family
supported by income Independent of his
labor.
>. Men not included in any other de-
scription in this or other classes.
6. Unskillcd laborer.
CLASS IL
!. Married man or father of
motherless children, usefully engaged
but family has sufficient income apart
from his daily labor to afford reason
ably adequate support during his alb
sence.
.. Married man-no children-wife
can support herself decently and with.
out hardship.
,. Skilled industrial laborer engaged
in necessary industrial enterprise
4. Skilled farm laborer engaged in
necessary agricultural enterprise.
CLASS III
|. Man with foster children depend.
ent on daily labor for support.
3. Man with aged, infirm or invalid
parents or grandparents dependent on
daily labor for support.
5. Man with brothers or sisters in.
competent to support themselves, de-
pendent on daily labor for support.
4. County or municipal officer.
.. Fireman or policeman.
6. Necessary artificers or workmen in
arsenals; armories and Navy Yards.
I. Necessary customhouse clerk.
s. Persons necessary in transmission
of mails.
8. Necessary employees in service of
United States.
10. Highly specialized administrative
experts.
II. Technical or mechanical experts
in industrial enterprise.
-. Highly specialized agricultural
O.
or Nation.
10. Assistant or associate manager
of necessary industrial enterprise.
IA. Assistant or associate manager
of necessary agricultural enterprise.
CLASS "
!. Married man with wife (and) or
children Cor widowcr with chldren) de-
pendent on daily labor for support and
no other reasonably adequate support
available.
>. Mariners in sea service of mer-
chants or citizens in United States.
). Heads of necessary industrial en-
terprises.
4. Heads of necessary agricultural
enterprises.
CLASS V
|. Officers of States or the United
States.
,. Regularly or duly ordained minis
, tiers.
3. Students of divinity.
4. Persons in military or naval scrv.
I ice.
>. Aliens.
&. Alien enemies.
:. Persons morally unfit.
s. Persons physically, permanently OF
mentally unfit.
9. Licensed Pilots.