davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
Worlds Corn Acreage and Distribution
By the U. S. Department of Agriculture

The worlds area annually planted
to corn normally averages about 1885,
100000 acres. Approximately 10000
900 acres are planted in the eastern
hemisphere, where the principal corn
growing areas are southern Europe,
Asia, the Mediterranean countries of
Africa, and the Union of South At
RIGA. Among the countries Of Europe,
the greatest acreages are In Austria
Hungary, Italy, the Balkan states, and
Russia. A much less extensive acre
age is grown in Spain and France. In
Asia, British India, Turkey, and
southern Asiatic Russia have the most
extensive acreages the crop is grown
less extensively in the Philippines,
China, and Japan. Practically all Of
the African acreage is in Egypt, the
Union of South Africa, and Algeria.
Australasia contributes comparatively
little to the worlds corn acreage.
OF the 135,000,O00 acres planted to
corn in the western hemisphere, 1867
100000, or three-ffths of the total
worlds acreage, is in the United
States. Next to the United States,
Mexico and Argentina have the great
est acreages. The crop is grown ex-
tensively in the smaller countries Of
South America and of Central America,
and less extensively in portions of
Canada.
Argentina is the leading corn-pro-
ducing country of South America. It's
annual yield approximately is 250,000,-
900 bushels. More than half the Ar
g~entina crop is exported, so that, con-
siderlng its production, 1t does not
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
Ne,.. NlA4meQ
Kept Two Mice Busy Whole
Year Operating Thread Mill.

A thrifty Scotchman, David Hutton,
conceived the idea of using mouse
power commercially. relates the Popu-
lar Science Monthly. He experiment
ed and found that a mouse will run
on an average ten and one-half miles
a day.
One nous In Mr.. Hutton's collec-
ton actually ran Is miles in n day.
The power of a mouse is not much
when compared to horse power; yet,
1t is enough to spin cotton thread,
The cost of a mouse upkeep is not
very high. One mouse was kept In
fine working condition for 35 days on
one-half penny's worth Of oatmeal.
During those 35 days that mouse rnn
1852 miles.
Mr.. Hutton built a thread mill for
his mice which was so constructed
that the mouse was able to twist and
reel from 100 to 220 threads a day.
The mouse ran ten and a half miles
every other day.
Two mice were kept constantly en-
gagged in the spinning of thread for
more than a year
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
Boys Can Help Country by
Gardening, Raising Poultry,
Pigs, and Conserving Food

How every American boy, although
separated by the Atlantic ocean from
the actual theater of war against au-
tocracy, can play his part in unfolding
American ideals, is pointed out by
Secretary of Agriculture Houston In
a message addressed to the Boy Scouts
Of America. The Secretary pledges to
the boys the hearty cooperation Of the
federal and state agricultural agencies.
Secretary Houston's statement fol-
lows:
''The splendid army of Boy Scouts
of America can be of very great help
to the nation in this time of world
need. The war can be won only If
we deliver the men, the ships, and the
food in sufficient number and quaint
ties to make our wal program effec-
tive. You as a boy scouts can greatly
aid by growing home vegetable gar
deps, raising pigs and poultry, con-
serving food by canning and drying
for home use and In many other ways
open to you.
"Will you not help your country
again this yea even in a bigger and a
better way than you did during the
summer of 1917? Your task will be to
beat your own record In food produc-
ton and conservation. May your motto
for 1918 be every scout to feed a sol
der and n other
81 desire to extend to you the hearty
good win and cooperation of the off,
Gals of the United States department
Of agriculture, also that of the CO.
operative club leaders Of boys and
girls extension work at the agrlcul-
turaI colleges, who will be glad to az
sist you In POUR work."
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04

All the time the woman in the fine clothes and makeup watched the
baby with that hungry look that-you can't put 1t in words, but the next time
you see a baby in a car, say, watch the passengers, men and women. and
somewhere in that crowd you will catch the expression. But you couldn't
spell it to saw your life.
The woman looked al the baby that way, and right tin the middle of its
pounding and kicking and yelling, by some luck-maybe it WASH. Just luck,
either, but never mind that-by some luck, the baby caught the woman's
1t was a clear caseo Of hypnousm. The woman gathered up her belongings
with subConscious convenuOnaHty, paid her bill and then went straight to the
baby and took him in her Farms. The mother a frankly gratifed that a
woman of such worldly afuence should be playing nurset to her child, until
until another wOman at another table-an ominOuIy vrtuous woman whose
milk of human kindness seemed to have curned cal wei and whispered a
remark.
The mother took her baby from the woman, and the woman, understand
ingy, wen out of that cafe mad enough 20 bite nails.
That vas all there was to it unless-uness som day-somewhere-a
vcOusy good meddler and a overprudent mother who snatched her baby
from the arms of q mldneaged Delnah should be called to account by an
accusing Judge, who, himself loved little children when he walked the earth
"a long time ago.
And serve them both right.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
Illuminating Gas Is Being
Used in England as Motive
Power for the Motor Cars

The war has at least served a useful
purpose In teaching practical economy.
Today we r facing a serious gasoline
shortage.
In England, according to the Science
ct la Vie, Illuminating gas is now being
used extensively as the motive power
for motorcars, omnibuses and motor
cycles. 1t is much cheaper than gas
oline, and its use conserves the linn
tied supply of fuel for the motors at
the front.
Another war industry has been given
birth and ALREADY a large number of
companies have been organized to
manufacture tanks for supplying We
hicles with gas.
The system is very simple and may
be applied to almost any type of mo-
tor vehicle. All that Is necessary is a
balloon container for the gas, tubing
to carry the gas to the motor and GER
tain adjustments in attaching the con-
trolls to the carburetor and accelerator
pedal.
In England the balloon in a box rests
vi lOp VI the car, where IL is Helu III
position by elastic bands, which stretch
when the balloon is filled and shrink
as it empties. 1t is made of India
rubber tissue like that used in the or
binary balloons Of ascension.
The tubing from gas bag to carbur-
etor is fitted with a cock which has a
triple function. 1t permits the bag
to be charged or emptied or can be
turned to the neutral, which permits
the gas to flow along to the carburetor.
A second cock controls the flow to the
carburetor. This is turned off when
filling or discharging.
Between this cock and the carbur-
etor is the control mechanism attached
to the accelerator. This mechanism is
so arranged that gas or gasoline may
be used as it happens to be convenient.
The only difficulty at present In the
way Of a wholesale substitution Of gas
power for gasoline lies in the fact that
the factories which manufacture bal
looms are under military control.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
lndeIlbIe Ink From Fungus
Found Growing In France In
Decaying Vegetable Matter

The utilization of q common variety
of fungus for the manufacture of ink,
now both costly and scarce, has been
proposed In France, says the Path
finder. The ink-yielding fungus which
is often found growing in clusters
where decaying vegetable matter ex-
lists in rich, damp soil is sometimes
called the '%inkstand" or the ''ink bot
tle' because Of the fact that when 1t
decays a black liquid is produced. Its
cap Is elongated and bell-shaped, white
at first and covered with a shining
powder, later turning to gray with
small brown scales on its top.
A French scientific journal says that
extensive experiments in the produc-
ton of indelible ink from this fungus
were once carried on by French bot
anlsts. The fungi are simply placed
In a bottle or other container.
After standing for a day or W o they
change to a black pulpy mass, which,
On being filtered through a folded
cloth, yields a deep black or brownlsh
ink, not unlike India ink. The addi-
ton of a small quantity of gum arabic
and a little of the essence of cloves
is said to improve it and preserve its
fluidity.
The ink consists of a liquid in which
are suspended the minute spores Of the
fungus. For this reason 1t can be
readily identified by means of a mi
%croscopic examination. AS 1t is also
indelible 1t is peculiarly valuable for
use in writing of wills and other doc
uments which are sometimes subject
to fraudulent alterations.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04

CRATES keeper carries a stepladder also, and the ostrich "a carries basket
Of thermometers.
Teddy and Louisa are doing a IS well as could be expected, but the great
Richards ran Vi and got a dozen porous plastrs to put oil the small of his
pack when h lie returned the great Indian htnoceros was lying fiat o
his back dentinE the pillow with his horn and shaking the building with his
breathing.
1t took Dick and a force of assistants with crowbars a good half hour to
persuade the invalid Ito roll over and when he did it took another fifteen
minutes to discover where the small of his back was. When the spot was
found 1t vas evident that the supply of porous paers was inadequate. Dick
had to ruho out and get a couple of dozen more,a and while he was gone the
rhinoceros rolled over on his pack again.
Yesterday, however, the pasters we're In place, but Dick and the patient
think there must be something wrong with them. They didn't seen to draw
right somehow So Dick hustled out for some towels 20 dip In hot water to
wrap his patient in. In the whole park he could find only three dozen towels,
and the lot Of them scarcely would make a handkerchief for the great Indian
rhinoceros.
The ever resourceful nurse obtained a dozen tableloths, however, and
Dick hopes the tablecoths did the trick. but the great Indian rhinoceros
undoubtedly is n of the sickest rhinoceroses that ever lay fat on its back
and played that it vas q steam piano.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04

met contributions, net deductions, and subdeductons The most tangled n.
mussy thing I've ever handled.
knitting compared % filling out a n income a. return is like holding the
baby when he's all dressed up and nowhere to &c compare. to walking him u D
ad down the floor when he has the collie"
A woman, smiling, cam over to the scene If batle.
"Oh, I'm all through. It's just nots so bad after all. There's a nice nan
who gives you a eat tells you just what % put down, and you "a ask
questions about the parts you don't understand.
"Oh, you're third. Don't let any ne get ahead of you. Goodby II only
takes We minutes"
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04

stroyer is going to send that sub to the bottom and Bmys ship is laying
alongside to rescue the crew. You see that woman standing before that
stone wall with her arms tied and a handkerchief over her eyes? Well, she's
a spy. If you wait a minute till the firing squad comes up you car Zee her
shot If you want to-"
The woman spy who must have been every day of four years old and
h masked her iniquides n a pink Bingham slip and bob culs, posed smi-
ingy against the fence, witho me eye peeking wei her bandage.
Up marched the squad. led by a drummer, knee high to that grasshopper
which lends Itself 70 accommodatngy to occasions like this
Each soldier wore khaki or a sailor suit or a N Indian costume, and all
were armed with real toy guns They lined up, took aim and the victim,
terrorized by the grim make[beieve of childhood, which is of the most
real things in this world, yelled out as the officer lifted a handkerchief and
the squad shouted, Bang"
But she played the game like a little sport and fell according to schedule.
What a wayOf, Oldfashoned and unevenuu world it used to be whal
children hoated ships of clover down the stream-and Matched snakes ut of
horsehairs-and rode tobacco sdcks-and played jack suaws-and worhped
stiff china dolls with black culs painted on.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
Using Farm Machinery.

The greater use of farm machinery
as a solution of the farm-labor prob
lem is the logical and, indeed. ineyi-
table outcome of the situation brought
about by the war. Not only are fed
eral and state authorities urging this
course upon farmers, but encourage
ment in various forms to do SO is being
held out to the farmers In all parts
of the country.-Springield Union.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04

other table in the same cafe. What
she saw was a lump of pink fat, blue
eyes, a lot of dlmples and exactly two
teeth-the combination perched on a
high chair beside a girl-mother who
was going through an afternoon
tea" that began with three fried and
was to end with jelly frappe. The
baby obviously objected to oysters
allied to frappe, for he pounded the
table with pudgy fists. And for good
maa Snra he vailed and vellad and
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
Homemade Meal.

Soy bean meal is on sale In some
places. but the housekeeper who
wishes to do so can grind soy beans by
putting them through a meat chopper
several times or by using a coffee mill
or other small mill. The meal does not
require any preliminary cooking to
soften it. Soy bean meal can be used
like other common meals to make a
variety Of palatable dishes
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
Items of Interest.

In buying a meat chopper
choose one that is easy to clean.
A little pine vaseline will re-
move milldew and stains from
leather.
Every well-fed child should
have n egg a day as part of its
diet.
Rock salt broken into coarse
bits is a great help in cleans
ing bottles.
Made of a fiat steel spring, a
quickly adjusted belt has been
invented to take the place Of
strings on kitchen or laboratory
aprons.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04

There will be the sporty fellow. who, thinking % slip one over IN the
government. will look at his watch, note that the hands register 1 O'Clock,
and will excaim:
Its only midnight boys-weve got another hour yet"
An tnteigentlooking Ia al heard to say:
I'm not going to be mixed up about this time business-rm going to
carry two watches N in my left vest pocket and n in my right vest
pocket. When 1 want to do anything II. look att the Elm my right pocket,
but when 1 want TO really know what time it is, I'll look at the other one"
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
Mothers Cook Book

Food habits, like all other habits,
are not easily changed. Do not try too
many wartime dishes at once. Use
ingenuity in the preparation and serv-
ing of new combinations, try to have
them look and taste well.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
Sweet Potato and Peanut croquettes.

Mix a cupful Of mashed sweet pota-
to with a cupful of finely chopped pea
nuts, a half a ~teaspoonful Of salt and
a dash of pepper, shape into GRO
quotes. roll in fine bread crumbs, and
bake In a hot oven until brown. II the
crumbs are well buttered before using
the croquettes will brown quickly.
Serve with a white sauce seasoned
with two tablespoonfuls Of chill sauce.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
AppIes in Maple sirup With Nuts.

Cut eight apples in halves and re-
move the cores with a spoon, put into
a baking pan with a cupful of maple
strip and ~ cupfuls water and two
tablespoonfuls of butter, sprinkle with
two tablespoonfuls Of chopped nuts
and bake until the strip is thick serve
with whipped cream.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04

II you don't believe It a trip to
the Legal building, Eighth and G
streets, where women taxpayers
stand in line all day to make their
income tax returns, would convince
you.
"Never knew women could be so
quiet" said a mere man, as he stood
there looking at the women in line.
"Why, you could hear a pin drop"
You'd be quiet, too, II you had
to keep your mind on one of these
ksAnks," spoke up a woman taxpayer.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
scaIIoped Onions and Peanuts.

Cook six onions In boiling saIted wa
ter until tender. Chop two-thirds Of
a cupful of freshly roasted peanuts.
Melt two tablespoonfuls of fat and add
two tablespoonfuls of barley -four /;
when smooth add a cupful of rich
milk, a t~easRoonful of salt, a few
dashes of paprika. Put a layer Of
onion, a layer of peanuts, then white
sauce in a baking dish, cover with but
tered crumbs and bake.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
Honey Custard.

Beat two eggs, add half a teaspoon
full Of salt, one-third Of a cupful Of
honey and beat again; add two cup
fuls of milk and mix thoroughly. Turn
into four earthen cups. Set into a dish
Of water and bake until firm In the
center. Sprinkle with chopped nuts
just before putting into the oven.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
Subterfuue,

"Bliggins sits
out in a boat by
the hour and
fishes"
HE isn't really
fishing. He's only
lodging regular
work."
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
It's Cheaper Now.

"The cook burnt the steak again."
exclaimed the experienced housewife.
"Dear mel" said young Mrs. Newly
wed. wouldn't ordinary coal have
been a little cheaper these days"
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04

play. The other morning, after a
night rain had washed the cobbles
and filed the gutter brim up with
fresh water and put gold-green leaves
on the bushes, 1t seemed an extra
nice alley to a woman who was max
ing a short cut through it-but peo-
pie do make such ridiculous mistakes.
For 1t wasn't an alley at all. Three
boys who were floating toy boats
down the gutter explained:
'This is the Atlantic ocean and
this Is The American navy Nv do
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
AppIes With Nut stufflno.

Scoop out apples and fill the shell
with English walnuts and apple pulp
mixed with mayonnaise; place in a
circle on a large serving dish and heap
whipped cream in the center.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04

10 DICK HICHaruS, Ine nurSe m httenu-
ance, until he has a suffering rhinoc-
eros on his hands. Other victims are
Teddy, an Alaskan brown bear, and
Louisa, a H%imalayan black bear.
All three have been taken to the
isolation ward Of the hospital pro-
vided for such contingencies and
strict precautions are being taken to
guard against further spread Of the
epidemic. Every keeper carries a
thermometer with which to take the
temperature of his charges. The
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04

understand the daylight saving"
scheme is largely due to an argumen-
tative disposition.
But, however that may be. there is
something to what he says. There is
going to be a lot of topsy-turvy busi-
ness resulting from the double-quick
of the clocks, unless people really do
what they are being told to do:
"Set your clock forward an hour
and-forget It'll"
The trouble is some of these birds
-. ln4nannInod net 70 formok a
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04

school officials OF other cities, who
have found that keeping the schools
open for educational purposes has
resulted in speeding up educational
work and lettering the standards Of
both pupils and teachers, Mr.. Thur
ston strongly urged that the District
schools be put under the quarterly
system, with small vacations between
the quarters. This system will speed
up educational processes in Washing
ton. Last year about 1900 pupils were
eommnda In opada aobooJa o-au
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
Eat Nuts, Save Meat,

Nuts are so wholesome, present such
a variety and are so well liked that
they should be used more often as a
food rather than a delicacy.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
Chronic pisconsoIatlon.

"What do you think of this daylight
saving movement?"
ut won't do any good" replied the
weary commuter. It'll get me up
earlier in the morning, but they've
fixed it so that I'll miss my train the
same as usual"
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04

during une summer scattered throughout the city. Two high schools were
open during the summer period Of about six weeks An appropriation esu-
mate o before congress Is part OF the regular District appropriations bill
carries provision for money to permit many of the District high and grade
schools Il remain open during the summer months.
At Eveleth, Minnesota, the aI[year schOo has grown out of a summer
school that has been successfully conducted for the past six IT seven years.
The superintendent reports that a year ago, when special efforts were made
% increase the enronment Of the summers school to owe 900 pupils 1t ws
decided to II over definitely TO a aIlyear organization. consisting II four
terms spring,s summer, fall and winter, three school months In each term.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
Seem Unable to Get "Hang" Of Daylight Saving

RAL~TIMoRE-There is in this city a IA who sTears he can't get the
- hang of the daylight saving" plan. He is a perfectly intelligent fellow,
with a keen enough brain. and there is a strong opinion that his Inability to
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04

The youth did SO.
No response.
"Can you hear me now?" This IA spoken in a ordinary voice.
No response.
Now put your hand ver your left ear" said the doctor, in a faint voice.
The order a promptly obeyed the candidate "saw the Light and meekly
submitted to the rest of the examination.
A sweet young woman, employed in n of the Detroit draft board Offices
caught several slackers who were clever enough to foil the medical examiners.
One instance, which IA reported by a member of the local board. concerned a
young man who insisted he deaf and who evaded the tests and tricks of
the examiners. As he left the medical room the smne which the demurrer miss
flashed att him caused him to forget ar and home and country.
"Were you acceptedT" the young woman asked in a very low tone.
"Naw; they turned lie down, and gee, 1 wanted To-"
Don't worry my friend, we made a little mistake and you're accepted"
said a drawing dice behind the Stacker.
The youth whired and faced the medical officer. He blushed and STAN
mered, but finally began to grin.
"Thats number six for me-" said the girl in the case
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
World of MAKE Believe" Affected by the War

WASHINGToN-There is a alley with a gutter down the middle and
that open into back yards. And, always. little children romp in and out in
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
lust the Adventures of Three Women and a Baby

G HE was dressed to KILN the sense that she was armed with every
woman always loses when her enemy is Time
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
Capital Claims Priority in Women Taxpayers

THAT Washington has Tor women taxpayers in proportion to its popua-
I ton than any other city in the United States reports of the income tax
bureau will abundanuy prove.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
Washington Small Boy lust Now Much Disturbed

THAT the public schools of the District of Columbia should be kept open
or twelve months every year ws the statement of Ernest L. Thurston.
supertntendent Of schools Confirmed in this belief BY the experiences OF
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-04
Draft Boards Find Ways to Deal With SIackers

rHICAGo:-Although a majority of sackers have sought to evade military
~ service by submitting sad stories Of physical ailments or helpless depend
ets, nor than a few classical excuses have been heard by local boards and