davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
THE TULIP IN POTS.

Some varieties of tulips are well
adapted to the flOwerpot. The Gu
siana vent grows to a height Of 20
inches, with q slender stem. The
leaves are very long and narrow, and
the flower sometimes measures two
inches across. This variety is of the
funnel form. with bright lemon-yellOw
flowers, with light shading of green or
white, sometimes streaked with pink.
It is very fragrant, and when properly
cultivated is one of the most beautiful
of all the tulip family. The tulip is
easy to cultivate, as it thrives well in
either heavy or light soil. 1t does bet
ter, however, in rather light soil, we'll
drained and fairly rich. Those grown
in heavy, black soil produce smaller
flowers, and the colOrs are not nearly
so bright In some of the uplandS
of Virginia the ideal tulip soil is found
for the growing of bulbs, and it is said
to be almost identical with that of
Holland, where this flower is SO success
fIIIlv grown
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
DOCTOR SANDY SOIL
FOR GARDEN PLANTS
Difficult to Obtain as Good Yields
of Cultivated Crops as in
Former Years.

fBy H. T. BUTTON, in Charge of Farm
Crops and Soil Fertility, New York State
School of Agriculture on Long Island,
Farrningdale, Long Island. N. -
1t is a common observation among
the farmers and gardeners Of many
parts of the country that it is increas-
ingly difficult to obtain as good yields
of cultivated crops as were secured in
former years with less amount Of fer
tilizers and labor. This is particular
'ly true of cucumberS and cabbage and
is noted more often in sandy soils than
in those of finer texture.
In some parts of the state where the
soils contain a large amount of clay
there is little or no complaint, and in
some cases the productivity seems TO
greatly increase by good methods of
farming At the present time the yield
of cucumbers per acre seldom runs
above $4,000, while in former years as
much as 125, 900 were secured without
difficulty. There are probably several
reasons for this state of affairs, among
which may be noted the increase in
fungous diseases and the probable in
creased susceptibility to disease, but
an undoubted factor lies in the chem
ical condition Of the soil.
In the parts of the state where the
soil consists of a larger proportion of
clay, it is generally the custom to prac-
tice regular system Of farm rotation,
which involves at least one small grain
and two years of grasses and clovers.
There is no question that the raising
of grass and clover benefits the soil
by absorbing from it many products
of the decay of manures and fertilizers,
thus rendering it more sanitary and
wholesome for such delicate plants as
garden crops. In places where 1T is
not practicable to keep large part
of the land in grass and clover, the
same results can be and often are Sc
cured by the use of cover crops and
green manureS.
The benefit of q green manure crop
cannot be estimated in terms OF nitro
gen or even humuS added to the soil,
but some credit must be given for the
improved sanitary conditions of the
soil after q green manure crop has
been plowed in.
The only one Of these crops which
Is widely grown on Long Island is
rye, which is at once the best and
worst of all cover crops. 1t is best be-
cause it will grow On very poor land,
or land which is exceedingly acid, and
may be sown later in the fall than
any other crop. 1t is the poorest
cover crop because it does not add any
nitrogen to the soil and if allowed to
make a large growth has an injurious
effect~on certain crops which follow it.
These two facts are not entirely due
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
SPEAKING OF HEDGES
By LIMA r. ROSE.

More and more the hedge is coming
into its own. For miles and miles
along the New Jersey coast, reaching
from Atlantic Highlands to Sea Grit
is the most continuous stretch of
country homes in America. Million
aires, near-milliOnaires, people with
money and people who are merely COM
Portable have made this region a show
place of never-ending interest There
are more milliOnaires among the home
owners of this one spot than the en-
tire realm Of England holds.
They have discarded the fence al
most entirely and mile after mile of
privet comes into view as one motors
along the smooth. beautifully kept
roads.
There are also, in the Pacific region,
hedges of geraniumS five feet high,
hedges of Gala lilies and of roses, but
the substantial, serviceable evergreen
hedge is the last word for elegance and
utility, and the New Jersey coast Of
fers the best possible field for it's
study.
Here is how the landscape garden
ers of this section handle the plants:
Before the plants are brought to the
ground a quantity of top soil is pro-
cured for the purpose of filling in
about the roots. They need lots of
moisture to keep them healthy and to
maintain the rich green color Then
the transplanting is done in the spring
and the plants are handled with care
to prevent the roots from being dried
out by the wind.
The evergreenS that run from II to
"a inches are set from to II inches
apart. The larger plants can be placed
with 1S-inch intervals.
buShy, they are pruned when planted
and this makes the subsequent shaping
of the hedge easy. The spring time is
taken for the pruning, because the
plants are then resuming their growth
and the process finds it's best results.
Starting at the beginning, the first
thing to do is to dig a trench wide
enough not to cramp the roots, so that
they can spread flat and not touch the
sides. Then plenty of well-rotted stable
manure is worked in the trench with
the soil. After the planting a coating
Of manure is placed on the surface of
the soil, covering all of the earth that
has been disturbed. This mulch is left
In place for Il year, and is then usual
ly worked into the soil.
Where double-row hedges are re-
quired the plants are set in rows six
to nine inches apart and the plants
from 6 to 16 inches apart in the rows.
The whole eastern coast is begin
ming to show the effect of hedge cul-
ture. Newport, the queen of summer
resorts, Long Island and all of the 9TH
er show regions are literally marked
with the natural substitute for the
fences.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
FARMERS LEAD IN
NEXT LOWER HOUSE
Thirty-TWo Assemblymen Come
From Rural Districts.
MORE ATTORNEYS I'M SENATE
Figures Ascertained by Industrial
Commission in Collecting Ma
teriaI for the 1917 Blue
q Book

Madison.-Already the Wisconsin in
Clustrial commission has begun the col
lection for material for the 1917 Blue
Book" with the idea of issuing the VOL
ume before the adjourning OF the legls-
lature. Many of the statistical tables
relating to elections have been c0lIl-
piled and much of the general material
relating to the work of the commission
and the duties of the different depart
ments was put into shape before Paui
]. Watrous resigned from the Industrial
commission, as its secretary.
The commission is now gathering the
data and biographical material on the
members of the legislature. The office
Of the secretary of stNe is co-operat-
ing. According to the information
compiled there will be "a farmers in
the next legislature-32 assemblymen
and 2 senator's. Next in the point OF
numbers are tradesmen. 13 of the lower
house belonging to this class. Farm
erS, tradeSmen and mechanics have a
total of 50 in the lower house, sufii-
cient number to control or defeat legis-
lation in that house were they to act
together.
In the senate, composed of 80 men,
bers, there are: Farmers, 2; attorneys,
z; real estate men, 2; retired, / bank
ers, 4 contractors, 3; iumbermen, i;
liquor dealers, / publishers, z; man
ufacturers, 4 ; druggists, 2; physicians,
4. publjc officials 1: clerk, l, and
jewelers., I.
In the assembly, composed of 100
members, there are: Farmers, 81; at
t0rneys, 6; merchants, 10; mechanics,
10; real estate men. z; retired, D.;
bankers, 3; contractors, 3 lumbermen,
3; liquor dealers, 3; publishers, 81;
druggists, /; hotelkeepers, 2; physi-
clans, / I; public officials, /; statesmen,
2; clergymen, i; civil engineer, l ac-
cOuntants, ] laborers, l, and the oc-
cupation of one is unknown.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
Ask Better Pay for Employees.

The annual report of the civil serv-
ice commission emphatically urges bet
ter pay for employees in state institu-
tions-institutions that care for the
blind. insane, and feebleminded of the
state.
The r4oOrt declares that there is no
dearth of applicants for clerks and
stenographers. and other positions
wherein the state pays better than do
private concerns, but that great diff
Guilty is found In getting worthy en-
ployees for the state institutions.
1T is very unfortunate that this is
true" says the report. "rhe blind
the deaf and dumb. the neglected, the
insane. the feebleminded, and other
wards of the state should have the
very best care that money can pro-
cure. 1t is to be hoped that the
board of control will be able TO
remedy these matters and make 1t
possible to employ more worthy peO-
pie at these institutions. Many of
the splendid employees at present
working in these institutions are
doing so because thew realize the
great need. and they are willing to
make financial sacrifices"
On the whole the commission re-
ports that the quality of applicants
for state jobs is getting better every
wear. More men and women who are
not simply looking for job, but who
contemplate state and government
public service are applying. The per-
centage of applicants with normal
and universal educations b large.
The commission also asks legisla-
ton which will allow them to go
outside the state for men and wom-
en-, in competitive examinations
which they feel cannot be flied in the
state.
That all employees should be I'M
der civil service Is another sugges-
ton of the report. The clerical po-
sitions in the supreme court, in the
highway and banking departments,
engineers in the railroad and audit
ing and accounting experts in the
board of public affairs should also be
required TO come under the service. it
Is declared.
a resume of the examinations given
during the passed year shows that 152
were submitted TO applicants and
taken by 1895 people. OF these 1908
passed and 2079 failed.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
DEMOCRACY OF FLOWERS
BY ELIZABETH VAN BENTHUYSEN.

Flowers, like genius, belong in the
family of democracy. The one is just
as pat to pick out log cabin as q
palace for its home. President Will
son, speaking at the log cabin in which
Abraham Lincoln was born, called at
tentiOn to this feature of genius When
he said that genius picked its society
as it willed, without regard to the
status Of the persons, he also called
attention to one of the distinctive at
tributes OF flowers.
am reminded of this idea by one
of the most recent social events among
the millionaires of the East. Down on
Long island. where there are scores of
palaces more costly than anything that
any king ever dreams of building, q
number of rich women came together
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
Price Increases Shown.

The great increase in the prices of
i,ll Wisconsin farm products during
the past year is shown in a summary
of estimates of crop production and
prices compiled by the bureau of crop
estimates of the United States de-
through the weather bureau. The fol-
lowing table shows the acreage and
production and the price on December
1, 1916, as compared with the same
date of 1915, of the chief agricultural
products of Wisconsin, the acreage
and production being shown in thou
sands:
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
Cieary to Fight Premium

Madison-State Insurance Com
missione- III. ]. Cleary asked Gov
ernor Phillip and Atty. Gen. w. G..
Owen for permission to bring an ac-
ton against the Independent Order of
Foresters of Toronto, Canada, to pre-
vent it from collecting an assessment
of $500 on each $1,000 policy in force
in Wisconsin. The commissioner sad
that the assessments would virtually
consume the value of the policies OUT
standing in Wisconsin and would de-
prive the policy-holders Of all benefits
under their Insurance contracts.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
JAPANESE NAPLES

One can go long way and do worse
than to pick the Japanese maple for
ornamental effect. The elegance of the
tree, its rich coloring and it's decorative
value cannot be OvereStimated.
One should always take care TO give
the maple a sunny position to fully de-
velop its rich coloring. In the spring
and summer it should be literally wa
tered.
1t is important to keep the soil loose
about the base of the trees and under
no circumstances should the pruning
knife be applied.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03

prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agricultural
Before deciding upon the location of
an orchard, among the features that
should be carefully considered are the
roads and the distances over which
fruits and supplies must be hauled.
Rough roads with steep grades in Sec
lions where there is no immediate
prospect of Improvement will make it
almost impossible to produce fruit at
a profit. Long hauls are expensive,
and rough roads cause serious damage
to the fruit; and where there is close
competition with more favorable To-
cations the profits are apt to be very
small.
Transportation facilities are impor-
can't. When orchards are not within
wagon or truck haul of the market,
the railroad facilities should be care
fully considered. Not only must the
train service be adequate, but the Sc
curing of refrigerator cars when need
ed and the icing of the same at reason
able rates are necessary in shipping
periShable fruit.
The markets to which fruit will be
shipped must be accessible without
much delay in transit. Where trans
fers are numerous, and roundabout
connections with branch lines of rail
roads must be used, delays are fire.
quent and rates are high, thus consid-
erably increasing the expenses.
The economic conditions, such as the
procuring of suitable labor and the ia
cilities for the care of this labor, must
be taken into account.
The climate must be considered In
selecting the kinds of fruit to grow in
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03

for an entertainment. They had three
elegant prizes TO be awarded. -
For what, you ask.
Bridge?
No.
These women of the aristocracy of
money came together, each bearing Il
little basket, to compete for the prizes
that were given for the best arranged
basket Of flowers that had been grown
by the woman who arranged the hand
basket.
All of the money commanded by peO-
pie who consider one with Il mere mill
lion poor, could not provide these wom-
en- with a pleasure that the poorest
child of the log cabin cannot enjoy.
What child is there in the land who
cannot pick and arrange d bunch of
pOsies with as much freedom as the
wealthiest of these grand danes?
1 think it good idea. Why not
have little contests at which the taste
and good judgment of the members Of
each little circle of a community will
NC eCSICu ny TIC dl idIlSCiHeIt VI INV
erS?
One need not award cut glass and
silver prizes. There can be just as
much rivalry and competition where
the prize is but a ribbon. And when
the award is made the committee that
judges the prizes ought to be made to
tell exactly why one bouquet or basket
is better arranged than another. The
members should say in what respect
one set of flowers is better grown than
another.
Thus will be established an inter-
change of ideas as to the growing of
plants and flowers and the artistic SEN
sbilitieS of each contestant will be de-
vefOped while the stock of general in
formation will be improved.
Flowers are the true democrats.
They are as sweet for the pauper as
for the prince. There is absolutely no
bar to a study of their beauties and l
would like to know that in a million
homes the example of this rich coterie
on Long island is being followed to the
profit of other people and to the bet
ter production of the pretty things Of
life.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
Will Worry Eionu.

Madison.-Governor Philip will not
appoint a private secretary TO sue
coed Lawrence c. Whittet, accord
ing TO his statement. Mr.. Whittet
will necessarily leave the governors
office when the legislative session COM
nences. Il will not appoint a secre-
tary," said the governor. Mr.. Whittet
will only be out of the office few
months and itS would not be worth
while TO put another man in here.
guess we can worry along without an
other appointee."
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
Announces Pension system.

Beloit-FairbankS-M & Co. Of
Chicago announced d system of
pensions for old employees of their
shops in Beloit, Indianapolis, LRd. and
Three Rivers. Mich. Men or women
who have served 20 years will receive
$500 TO 5000 a year.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
Feeding for Profit.

With the present market prices, eV-
cry colt of good draft breeding ought
to return a good profit if fed so as to
make the maximum Development.
S. Montgomery, University Farm, st.
Paul, MINI.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
Pedigree With Stock.

Pedigree counts in the selection OF
live stock, but to pedigree must be add
ed performance. A COW of illustrions
lineage which does not make good st
the milk pail might as well be scrub.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
Confinement Bad for Colt.

The colt that is grown up IN yaro
or stall with no exercise, will not de-
velop into a big-muscled and valuable
horse. Hill-climbing and plenty OF
play make q good colt.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
Two Litters of PIGS Yearly.

Profitable hog raising is best at
tanned by providing for two filters
year, something that seldom happened
in former times. The new efficiency
demands that everything be kept con-
stantly moving.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03

ton of the actual sale prices. Ten
years ago, in 1905, there was not a
county in the state where per acre
sale prices of land averaged 500 or
more, outside of Milwaukee county.
These statistics show in striking
manner the startling increase in land
valuation in the state. The Counties
where the sale price per acre exceeds
500 are: Milwaukee, S226.60; Dodge,
$126.13; Calumet, S125.25; Racine,
S11S.58; Walworth, S115.60; Ozaukee,
S112.25; Rock, $111.40; Dane, S110.73;
Green, $110.1O; Sheboygan, $10779;
Lafayette, $106.65 Waukesha, S10663;
Kenosha, S104.96; Manitowoc, $103.5O;
and Washington, $1OO.73. A few coun-
ties approach the 500 mark very
closely.
The commission goes on record very
emphatically for better pay for local
assessors
1.-The local assessor receives at most
in the tOwnS-three dollars per day
at a time of year, when if he himself
is farmer, he is most centered in his
own affairs. Compared with other pub
lie officials, the assessor receives the
smallest amount of compensation, and
his task is the most difficult Of all To-
cal questions to haAlle The state
treasurers receive S215, 553.65 from the
counties. They need only moderate
clerical ability. The assessors who
collect the taxes receive but SAL
6SS.33 and theirs is the most important
duty of all. 1t would be matter Of
justice and economy to the public to
depart from the annual assessment Of
real estate at least, and to have an as
sessment worthy of the name made by
one or more competent assessors, ade-
quately recompenSed and to have such
assessment remain for a period of
years"
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
Married Fifty Years.

Racine.-Mr. and Mrs. Charles w.
Mills, 225 Harrison street, celebrated
their golden wedding anniversary on
Saturday. They came to this country
in 1854, settling in the town of Ray
mond. Mr.. Mills is member of the
G.. 4. K.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
Oldest Postmaster Dies

Beaver Dam. - L. l.. Fairchiid
eighty-nine years old, one of the ear
Hest pioneers in Dodge county, and
the Oldest postmaster in the state, died
at his home in Rolling Prairie.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
Thick Ice on Lake.

Neenah.-With temperatures rang
ing about IA degrees below zero
this section is experiencing the coldest
December weather in years. There is
IA inches of ice on Lake Winnebago.
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-03
State Land Values Growinu.

The average sale price per acre of
lands in Is counties in the state in
1915 exceeded 500. according to the
annual report of the tax commission.
This figure is reached by compila-