davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middletown transcript., 1917-12-01
WINTER KILLING OF
TREES EXPLAINED
Loss of Moisture Results in More
or Less Drying Up of Tis-
sues of the Plant.

(By C. B. WALDRON, Missouri College
Of Agriculture.)
It is commonly supposed that if
trees are given a sufficiently moist soil
during their growing period that their
winter condition in this respect Is a
matter of little Importance.
As matter Of fact, trees are giving
off moisture at all seasons of the year
though to q much less extent, Of
course, in cold weather. During the
warm sunny days in winter there is a
considerable loss Of moisture through
the twigs and except in very severe
weather the roots are able to furnish
this loss though the soil about them
be frozen. The ability to do this is
naturally less If the soil be dry or
frozen very hard. In that case the
loss of moisture results in more or
less complete drying up of the tissues
Of the plant and this often results In
the death of the tree.
What is known as root killing may
In some instances be due to the i'm
mature or unripe condition Of the plant
when winter begins, but in most cases
root-killing follows dry seasons.
If the soil has been kept moist by
cultivation or mulching the trees are
safe but If the soil is dry it should be
thoroughly wet before freezing and
then mulched with old straw, chaf or
stable manure to prevent drying out.
The mulch delays freezing and this
In itself is an important item, as it is
the long continued frozen state Of
woody plants that Injuries them to a
fatal degree.
A moist soil, then, kept in an I'M
frozen condition as long as possible is
the surest means to prevent winter
killing Of trees.
Middletown transcript., 1917-12-01
CHAPTER w.
The Quest of the Sea Shark

The Quest of the Sea Shark.
Lieutenant Donald Paget stood on
the upper platform Of the F55, which
ran awash in the waves of the North
Atlantic, far from the mother ship
which had conveyed her and others of
the fotilla almost to the north of
Scotland.
The frail little craft hummed noisily
as her petrol motors drove the twin
screws through the water. The F55,
one of the older type Of submarine,
was making ten knots through a diff
cult sea. Within her $50 feet by Is
she held an amazing potentiality for
destruction.
Above the coming tower rose the
single periscope for the captain or
lookout man-now almost useless,
should the F55 submerge herself, on
account Of the washing seas. Within
the tower were the observation port,
depth meter, and tubes connecting
with the engine room and torpedo
station. The platform quivered inces-
sanity as the periscope motor under
meath throbbed, and the vibration of
the engines made the entire vessel
shiver.
In the few days that he had been
at sea the sense of responsibility for
his ship and the lives Of his men had
weighed on Donald heavily. Now, en-
tering the coming tower, and taking
his stand beside the lookout man, he
seemed to assume dual personality.
One part of him bent itself auton1at-
ically to its task. The other was
thinking over the events Of the past
Middletown transcript., 1917-12-01

deep sea. Soon the force OF the IN
ternal pressure would disrupt 1t.
He turned off the gas and staggereu
out through the kitchen into the lttie
garden. He knew now that Master
mans story had some germ OF trutn
he had discovered some species OF
deep-water-seal, end his mind, STRAINED
by his privetions. had imagined the
rest. Why, he himself had almost
imagined he had seen woman III Tue
second tank!
He reached tie gate, opened It,
slammed it, and ran down the ROAD.
He did not cease running till he pulled
himself up under a street light. he
realized then that he was hatiess';
people were staring after him.
And, looking back, he imagined tnat
he saw the shadowy outlines OF the
girls body beneath the light OF the
lamp.
+ "Tm going crazy!" he muttered.
'It's been a crazy night. l WONDER
I wonder how much of it happened
and how much was the result OF the
blow"
And he half believed MacBeard had
never existed, and that q burglar mao
assaulted him.
But, as he thrust his hands into
the pockets of his trousers, he pulleo
out the single page Of Masterman's
manuscript, and then he knew that
there was at least some basis for the
remembrances that surgea through mis-
busy brain.
Under the light of the next lainl
he read the page.
"My dear friend Donald" 1t began
Then followed the lines which Page1
had begun In the Inventors club, but
never finished. There was the warn
ing against MacBeard, ''the enemy Of
the human race" Then Mastermar
had written:
So much I have learned, but know Ut
tie. He has the shrewdest brain OF tns
century, and it is capable of infinite evil
Not as a tale-bearer, Donald, but out O.
duty to humanity, I here set down what
have discovered about him. If he knew
that his past was revealed. my life woul6
be worth less than even the two months
which my doctor gives me.
He has been tracking me, spying on me
I learned only today that he has fas
motorboat in readiness off the coast t.
make the journey to the Shetlands al
soon as he has discovered all that know
You must thwart him. and under no cir
cumstances let him get hold of this man
uscript. His history is as follows:
Donald scanned the rest of the pag'
hastily. MacBeard's past, though i
seemed shady and criminal, had littl'
Middletown transcript., 1917-12-01
EXPERIMENTS WITH
CROPPING SYSTEMS
Results Obtained at Missouri
College Show That Rotation
and Manuring Pays.

Experiments at the University OF
Missouri college of agriculture with va.
rious cropping systems in rotation with
and without manures have given the
following results:
1. Crop rotation has been as eff.
cient in maintaining yield Of corn
during the 25-year period as the addi.
ton of seven tons of manure annually
where corn has been grown continu.
Ously.
.. Very heavy applications Of COM
mercial fertilizers on all crops Of a
six-year rotation have maintained the
corn yield at approximately the same
level as the application Of seven tons
of manure annually, although the cost
of fertilizer has exceeded the value
brought net return.
3. Continuous timothy, MANFRED an
nually seven tons per acre for rs
years, has brought the largest annual
net return, 1886 per acre, Of any of
the systems used, where both cost of
production and cost or treatment are
considered.
On the last basis continuous timothy
without treatment netted $5.19 annu-
ally, rotation Of corn, wheat, clover
netted $2.97 annually, without manure,
and $4.S7 with seven tons Of manure
annually. Continuous corn without
manure lost 1920 annually, corn ma
nured, Al cents annually, while con-
tinuous wheat heavily fortified lost
$11.3O, and a six year rotation heavily
fertilized lost $11.47.
4. All crop rotations brought a net
return; the MANFRED rotations aver.
aged much higher than the unmanured.
Thus, these experiments show that ro-
tation combined with manuring pays.
Middletown transcript., 1917-12-01

few days, and bordering on their sig
nificance
On the day following his visit to
Baltimore, Donald had telegraphed re-
peatedly to New York, but no news
had been received Of the Beotia, and
he had been unable to obtain any in
formation concerning her from any OF
the port officials. He had finally gone
aboard at Newport News in a very
disappointed frame Of mind, hopeless
Of meeting Ida Kennedy until after
the war.
The chances Of his surviving 1t did
not appear to him to be brilliant ones.
A last message from the mother ship
informed him to keep his course
toward the Shetlands. He was in
structed that battle cruiser had
slipped out Of the Kiel canal and
was lurking somewhere among the
!. Norwegian fjords, with a view to
evahing the blockade, making for the
Atlantic, and harassing shipping there.
The inference from this statement
was an obvious one, for the American
fleets patrol joined the British in this
longitude.
| '"Smoke to starboard, sir"
| Sam Clouts, the lookout, was speak
| ing, and instantly the two parts Of
Donald's personality fused. Ida Ken
nedy was forgotten. Upon the hori-
zon, through his glasses, Donald could
see tiny spiral of curling smoke.
He flung over the surface steering
wheel and headed the F55 straight for
the stranger. From that distance he
knew that, while he could see the
tunnels Of the ship, the submarine was
invisible, owing to the curvature OF
the earth.
Relinquishing the wheel to Clouts
he watched the stranger. Gradually
the smoke thickened; then there came
into view two tunnels. and hull half
invisible among the chopping waves.
1t was impossible to mistake the on
coming ship. She was battle cruiser
of the Bluecher class, and she could
only be escaping westward to harry
commerce along the Atlantic trade
route. With her fast heels and II
inch guns, she could match any unit
afloat except those Of the home squad
ron.
Donald's luck was with him after
all.
She was proceeding west-nor-west,
evidently purposing to round the Shet-
lands and so gain the shelter of the
open seas. 1t was a daring maneuver,
and she would certainly be sighted by
the British destroyer flotilla. Still,
though she could hardly outsteam
these fast little craft. she might beat
them off and escape before either the
British or the American blockading
vessels could come upon the scene.
Donald spoke a sharp command into
the tube Of the diving station. The
hatch was jammed down. The hori-
zontal rudders at the bow were de-
flected, the water rushed into the div
ing tanks, and the F55 began to dip.
The surface running light slanted sea-
ward as the bow went under, and
slowly regained poise as the stern fol
lowed, bringing the F55 back to an
even keel. The hum of the petrol mo-
tors ceased, the. hull was filed with
the roar of the inrushing water; then
the electric motors took up their
steady throbhing.
give meters!'' announced the man
at the depth Indicator. "Six meters
Seven-half ~
Middletown transcript., 1917-12-01
To Stop Food Gouuinu.

Edwin G. Baetjer, food administrator
for Maryland, will, SO far as in his
power lies, endeavor to put stop to
food price gouging. He proposes to
publish daily the prices of the prin-
cipal foods.
This movement to prevent food
gOuging is the result Of a conference
held in Washington between the
states food administrators and the
members of the National Food Ad-
ministration. 1t has the sanction of
the National Association of Retail
Grocers' Association.
"The plan of price regulation" said
Mr.. Baetjer, sis one that is calculated
to bring about fair, equal price to
the consumer and to 4 press any at
tempt at foOd-price goA Most Of
these cases are isolated on4s and the
National Association of Retail Grocers
has promised it's cooperation in the
work"
Mr.. Baetjer conferred with members
grocery trade. He says he is finding
the grocers willing to give active and
moral support to the plan. He also
said that the price regulation, as pro-
posed by the National Food Associa-
ton, would protect the honest dealer
from any imputation of overcharging
and would relieve the retailers Of the
odium cast upon them by a few dis
honest ones, who are taking advantage
Of the war situation to overcharge
States Food Army Wins Big Victory.
Maryland's food army is victorious.
The quota of 10000 pledges for food
conservation the United States Food
Administration asked of the state has
been completed. The total signed
pledges received is 129,9S5, with sew
eral hundred more expected.
Though they were confident of
reaching the mark set for them, never
theless there was considerable rejoic-
ing by the leaders of the army when
it was learned that the drive against
waste had been a success, in spite of
the organized opposition from pro-
Germans who tried to hamper the prog
ress of the army.
There are still few captains and
lieutenants in the city and the county
districts who may turn in several hun
dred more cards. All the cards will
be ta5ulated and filed for instant refer
ence should any retailer be reported
as trying to unduly raise the price Of
his commodities. All women in the
neighborhoods Of such dealers will be
notified of the attempted gouging and
will be advised to trade elsewhere.
Middletown transcript., 1917-12-01


right kind of feed goes q long way
toward bringing about this contentet
state of mind. Never clean the stables
just before milking, for it will stii
up a tenfold odor than any feed thu
cows will eat.
Conserve Soil Fertility.
If there is any question before thu
farmers of this country Of more i'm
portance than that Of conserving thu
soils fertility, I am not cognizant d
1t.
The most important business d
dairy farmers is to increase the guam
tity Of manurial substances and apply
it where it is most needed.
All of the manure, both liquid ant
solid, should be saved and applied t
the land. I believe 1t Is best to hau
it from the stable to the field and ap
ply it as fast as made.
When all the liquids have been
saved by the use Of absorbents, large
amounts of manure may be made and.
if it is hauled to the fields direct from
| the stable, these liquids will drain into
the soil to the depth Of the furrow
slice, and there will be little loss from
| exposure.
In addition, the cows will not be
wading knee-deep in the mire and
filth every time they are turned out In
the yards for water and exercise. Most
| of the work comes at time when
other farm operations are slack; and
the soil, besides enriched, plows cas-
Ter and works up better during the
whole Of the next season, on account
of being porous by being covered with
manure during the winter.
Time to Haul Manure.
When hauling manure from the sta
BILE to the field, we plan to haul the far.
Their fields while the ground is frozen,
and close to the barn while soft and
muddy.
There is no reasonable excuse for
| dairy farmer to allow more than one
third of his manurial fertility to wash
away in a dirty, filthy barnyard, and
spend one or two weeks during the
busy season in the spring to haul II
across the muddy fields to get it on his
| land.
Middletown transcript., 1917-12-01
(By w. M. KELLEY,

(By w. NJ Kelley
Good stable management Is an I'M
portart factor In determining the
profits from the dairy herd during the
winter. The first essential is that the
COWS be comfortable, because COW
Kept otherwise can never do her
best.
She must have comfortable place
20 lie down, stand up, move and
stretch her limbs and lick herself all
over the body. She must have sun
shine and plenty Of light. She may
have pure air to breathe, and this
means that the stable must be provid-
ed with some system Of ventilation to
give a frequent change Of air.
This need not be expensive, only a
little forethought and few dollars
worth of material and labor. She must
have good pure water at least twice
day, or better still, have an automatic
water basin at her side.
The stable should be cleaned daily,
and be thoroughly disinfected. The
ceiling, floor and sides should all be
smooth, and Of concrete construction,
and the fixtures largely iron. 1t Is
not expensive, and they are sanitary
and permanent.
Large, smooth, concrete hangers for
feeding are about the best we know of
today. Judgment and common sense
must be exercised in the methods Of
feeding and handling cows. Fixed
rules in feeding are not practical.
Best Feeding Methods.
Overlooking is wasteful; underfeed-
ing is improbable. The cows must
be well nourished at all times, but If
given more than they need for main
tenance and production, they waste it
as rule.
Never stir up dust or foul odors at
milking time. If you do, lot of 1t is
sure to get into the milk.
Whether to feed the cows just be-
fore milking is a much debated ques-
ton. 1t is not at all dangerous to feed
them a little grain, provided you stir
up no dust or disagreeable odors.
As a rule, the cows will give down
their milk more freely when they have
contenxed minds, and a little of the
Middletown transcript., 1917-12-01
WALLS
Anna.h


Vernon Harrington returned II
1ston, Ala, Monday and as soon
ssing executive business shall hav<A
Zen disposed of he will take up the
tedious task of framing the budget to
ybe submitted to the next General A.
sembly In this task the Governor
will summons to his aid the head o.
the several departments of the state
government and of commissioners, the
superintendent Of all institutions sup1
ported wholly or in part by the stateI
including colleges, academies, host
pitfalls for the insane and similar INF
situations. The Board Of State Aid
and Charities will be a most valuable
body in supplying necessary informa-
ton in regard to institutions, schoid2
and hospitals.
The old practice of delegations and
Of other representatives Of state-aided
institutions going to Annapolis and
pleading before committees for .appro-
priations is now obsolete. They VIII
lay their wants before the Governor.
who will incorporate in the budget ap-
preparations which in his judgment
each institution ought to receive, and
from this judgment there is no appeal.
The General Assembly may decrease,
but it cannot increase single item in
the budget This radical change.
which is one of the many brought
about by the new system, is considered
necessary on the theory that the total
sum of expenditures by the state will
fit in with the receipts during the
period for which the budget is framed,
thus making a deficit in the State
Treasury impossible. The new method
is designed to do away with log-roll-
ing and other undesirable practices In
the General Assembly. The fact is
not overlooked, however. that 1t lodges
great powers in the hands of the Gov
ernor-powers which may be utilized
for perpetuation of political influence.
Political friends and supporters may
be favored to the disadvantage of the
heads of institutions who do not bask
in the executive smile.
Preparatory to their part in framing
the budget the superintendent of the
several hospitals for the insane will
meet this week and will discuss the
several appropriations which in their
judgment they will need for mainte-
nance and for other purposes during
the next two years. Because of the
increase in the cost of living larger
sums will be needed for these hos
pitfalls, especially those which have not
had facilities for increasing home
grown products At the Springfield
Hospital these products amount to
thousands of dollars and may keep it's
annual appropriation within the pres1
ent figure.
Middletown transcript., 1917-12-01
Instruments of Precision

Accuracy Is one of the most neces-
sary qualifications Of the present-day
business girl-or so it would appear
from the following conversation over
heard the other day In the park: $50 I
answered the phone, and he said, is
Mr.. <. there? and I said, Yes, do you
want to see him?' and then what do
you think he said? He said, My dear
girl, this is not telescope; this is a
telephone "-Manchester Guardian.
Middletown transcript., 1917-12-01

Truman Grover, a farmer of Ere
mont, Ohio, claimed exemption from
draft on occupational grounds, bur
when the frost killed his cucumbers,
tomatoes and melons, he withdrew his
claim, saying that he had nothing to
do on the farm, SO might as well go
to war.
Middletown transcript., 1917-12-01

interest for Donald then. He resolved
to put Masterman out of his mind in
attention to his duties.
Of one thing only he was sure: he
was not going back to the house to
see whether there were any more
specimens.
Somehow-he never quite remem-
bered how-Donald found q hotel, ex-
planned his appearance to the landlord,
obtained fresh clothing, sent for his
yalise, drank three hot whisky toddies,
and got to bed.
Middletown transcript., 1917-12-01

In Scotland there has been built a
drawbridge in which all the work of
opening and closing it and guarding
traffic over and through it is done by
electricity,
Middletown transcript., 1917-12-01
Prevent This Loss.

Rats destroy grain when newly
planted, while it is growing, in shocks,
stalks, NOW, crib, granary, elevator,
car, or ship.
Middletown transcript., 1917-12-01

Agreeing with the idea advanced
some time ago by Commissioner of
Motor Vehicles E. Austin Baughman,
States Attorney Aaron R. Anders, of
Frederick, has declared himself in
favor Of abolishing the coroner's
juries, and said he hoped steps along
this lone would be taken by the next
legislature. "Coroner's juries were
all right in their day." says the States
Attorney, "but they have outlived
their usefulness, and 1 hope the next
legislature will abolish them
Spesutia Island, famous as a duck
Ing ground in the Upper Chesapeake,
will not be taken over by the govern
ment in it's purchase of 10000 acres of
Hartford and Baltimore county land for
the Aberdeen Proving Ground. This
announcement is particularly crafty
ing to Hartford countians and many
New Workers and Philadelphians, who
visit there annually in cunning and
fishing season, for it is in the heart
of the ducking grounds and the best
fishing waters.
A. H. Huber died at his home in
Westminster in his 10Th year. Mr..
Huber was long a prominent figure in
the life of Westminster, having held
the position of postmaster for quar-
ter of century, and having led the
Republican party in the county for
many years. How varied his interests
were is indicated by the large share
he had in promoting the Westminster
Water Company, by his election for
II successive years as secretary
treasurer of the Westminster Ferti-
lizer Company and by ownership dur
ing IS years of one of the leading drug
stores in that city.
Steps to have Maryland adopt the
American Uniform Boiler Law will be
taken at the next General Assembly.
The legislative committee of the Mer-
chants and Manufacturers Association
will prepare a uniform boiler bill, the
association having approved the cam
paign of the American Uniform Boiler
Law Society.
For the first time in the history of
Allegany county the old law which per-
mits the imposition of corporal pun
jshment on the wife beater was en-
forced at Cumberland With black
snake whip, about four feet in length,
Sheriff Peter c. Mcfarland gave Ed
ward Stewart, white laborer of Cum
berland, 20 lashes. The prisoner
WINGED as the blows were delivered,
but never murmured. The execution
of the sentence was carried out
privately and the public knew nothing
of it until it was over.
Middletown transcript., 1917-12-01
Teach Horse to Walk.

There is one advantage in teaching
a horse to walk well and that is, he is
not injured in the least in any way for
any other gait.
Middletown transcript., 1917-12-01
Success With Stock.

To conduct live stock farms success
fully, care must be taken to have the
pasture located so it will be of easy
lccess to all parts Of the farm.
Middletown transcript., 1917-12-01

According to Josephus the walnut
tree was formerly common in Pales-
tine and grew luxuriantly around the
Sea Of Tiberius.