davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-11
Sheep-Killing Dogs

To meet the menace of the sheep-killing
dog which is recognized as one of the
ageatest hindrances TO mutton and wool
production in the United States, several
methods are suggested in farmers bulle-
tin 1885, THE Sheep Killing oDg." issued
by the United States department of agri-
culture. Uniform state dog laws are adj
vocated as probably the best method.
and. a digest of existing laws and the
complete text of two satisfactory laws
(thpse of Pennsylvania and West yir-
ginia are given in the, bulletin. The
use of dog-proof fences is suggested and
the cooperation of owners of dogs is
said to be important.
""The war needs of mo United States
and the allies make it imperative that
the number of live stock be substantially
increased says the bulletin. The whole
of Europe is contending with shortage
Of all classes of live stock and is fac
ing problem in the supply of farm ami
mails that will not be solved for years
after the war is over The entire world
is in need of wool and it will take some
tine after peace is declared to restock
the world trade The need of an in
creased meat supply and the necessity of
greater wool supply should make the
sheep one of the most profitable of farm
animals.
Men who have entered into the sheep
business and have failed to find the keep
ing OF sheep profitable, agree that one
of the greatest causes for their discour-
agement has been the sheep-killing dog.
Thousands of sheep are ruthlessly killed
each year by dogs, causing monetary
: loss to sheep owners Of over $1,0o0,000 an
nually. The greatest setback of all that
the dog causes to the farm industry as a
whole consists in keeping out of the bus
mess men who are otherwise inclined tc
70 into it.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-11
When Spring Comes In

Harry M. Dean, in American Agriculture
When Spring comes in with smiling face
She quickly brightens up the place
Wherein old Winter held his sway,
And drives that braggart far away.
And then IL seems to me each bird
Some mystic message must have heard
For each one sings his clearest note.
And pours his .sladness from his throat,
When Spring comes in.
When Spring comes in, with silent hand
She sets her seal upon the land;
The ground. a-sparkle with the dew
And little green things peeking through.
As though they were a bit afraid
To venture forth without the aid
OF their old nurse All living things
Thrill with the sladness that she brings,
When Spring comes in.
When Spring comes In it seems to me
The world is full OF yitchery:
For then hear the buxzing bees
Among the blossoms of the trees,
And see the green grass everywhere.
And breathe the perfume in the air,
Beneath the blue OF cloudless skies.
When Spring comes in.
When Spring comes in l sit and dream
Beside some lazy, laughing stream.
And watch the fishes idly play
About my hook. as. II to say,
1--WE know your tricks but "a
wait,
And then you'll find wen steal you'
bait
land 90 they do, but still wish
mo greater joy than just to nsh.
When Spring comes IN.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-11
Skimmilk for Pigs

I recently attended a sale of pure-bred
pigs. The pigs were pure-bred Duroc
Jerseys. 1t is a long time since have
seen so many hogs of so uniform quail
ity and in so good thrifty condition as
were those offered and sold.
One man who had made the round Of
sales said to me. This shows what good
care and feed can do attended a sale
just the other day where the gifts were
about the same age. They did not look
thrifty. They did not weigh much more
than one-half as much as these. People
simply won't buy animals out of con-
dition."
We would naturally ask ourselves,
why are these hogs in such good con-
dition?' One reason is that these pigs
had a good start. They had plenty OF
good skim milk to drink. Another rea-
son is that these two men are good care
takers. They are on the job all the time.
They feed them regularly and they pro-
vide clean, dry and well-bedded quarters
for them My opinion is that the chief
| reason for their good condition was the
large amount of skim milk these pigs
were fed. Both of the men who owned
| these pigs are breeders of large produc-
ing pure-bred Holsteins
At the Wisconsin experiment station
| to find out the value of skim milk for
pig feeding. They were of the same
quality and weight. One pig was fed
$50 pounds of grain composed of corn and
gluten feed. At the end of 100 days this
pig weighed IS pounds and gained %
pounds live weight. Water was all he
had to drink. The other pig was fed 216
pounds of corn and 30 pounds of skim
milk. This pig weighed les pounds and
gained 1856 pounds during the 100 days
Isn't this good example of what skim
milk will do in making a pig grow ?
Skim milk mixed with ground corn
makes an excellent balanced ration. It
! supplies feed that contains good proteins
and plenty of minerals. If We want our
little pigs to make rapid gains this
spring. feed them plenty Of good sweet
skim milk twice day. 1t will mean
rapid growth, healthful pigs. more pront
and more pork and lard for our SOL
diers.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-11
Teaching the Calf

To raise good thrifty calf is an art.
The looks OF calves on farm is good
indication of the ability of the owner as
a stockman.
One of the very important things in the
raising of the calf by hand is to get him
to eat grain early Some think that the
time when the calf is changed from
mothers milk to skim milk IS the criti-
cal period. The time is critical IL the
calf does not know how to eat grain.
| If calf has been taught to eat grain,
he will not suffer a setback at the time
he is changed from mothers milk to
skim milk
Calves should have stanchions and :
manger in front of the stall. The man
ger should be kept clean ana dry.
There should be one calf in the pen
old enough to know how to eat grain.
Little calves are great imitators. When
the younger calves see the older one eat
grain they will try the same thing. We
have frequently had calves that knew
how to eat grain when they were two
weeks old Some OF the brighter calves
would start to eat grain when just few
| days old.
There should not be more than about
four calves in one pen. There should
be stanchion for each calf, so they can
be shut up for a short time after they
have been fed milk. to prevent sucking
4 on each other
| Another good way to teach a calf to
eat grain is to hold handful of grain
UP to the calls mouth Immediately after
he has been fed milk At this time the
surface OF the mouth and nose Is damp.
The calf is also anxious to get some
thing INTO his mouth. If handful OF
grain is given him then to take into his
mouth and chew, in short time he Will
seek this grain himself after ne has been
| fed the milk. and thus get into the haolt
of eating grain regularly.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-11
FLOATING SOAP
Watch Your Stock

n occasionally happens in case OF
sick animals that the farmer is apie
to make an accurate diagnosis. More
often, he lacks the necessary uhaer-
standing of the structure and func-
ton of the various parts of the an
imal body, or of the symptoms, path
ology or LESSONS of disease and the
experience with diseased animals 10
diagnose the complaint properly. This
being true and since veterinarians
are too often not called until too late
or until the time they could render
tile greatest service is past IL De-
hooyes farmers to inform themselves
in regard to the consequences OF neg
lect.
Many animal diseases depend Tor
their origin on a germ. usually spe-
cff1c for the disease in question, and
tho germ in turn depends for Its ex-
istence on the opportunity to repro
duce itself in the animal body Fire.
vent its entrance into the animal
body and it in time Is unable to
reproduce itself and likewise the dis
ease. Also prevent its transmission
from one animal to another and we
limit the ravages Of the disease
1t is a subject OF almost daily OBJ
servation of veterinarians that more
or less widespread disease among
the animals ON a farm or in a local
ity had its inception IN a single ami
nal that was observed to be "off
feed" but was given no particular at
tention until days later. when sew
eral others showed the same symp-
toms.
The one man in the community who
| Is trained to diagnose animal dis
eases and administer treatment is the
veterinarian and his services should
| be sought early in case of sick ami
| mails, but. in the meantime. 1t is neces-
sary. and it evidences a lock of good
business principles to allow the sick
| to infect them. On the first evidence
Of disease of any kind the sick should
| be separated and kept isolated until
the nature OF the affection is deter
mined. Observance of this practice
will often save mahy valuable ami
| mails.
| The same principle should be OBJ
served when purchasing animals which
may have been exposed to various in
| fections without the knowledge of the
purchaser. Such animals should not be
allowed to ming1e with those already
on the farm. and efforts should bt
made to determine the existence of in.
| lection. such as tuberculin test an6
tests for abortion.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-11

Out in Iowa on the hillsides Of sac
and Ida acounties, a small group of farm
ers are growing rich in raising popcorn.
For years, in one small community, with
in a radius of Is miles, over half of the
raisedS and this small acreage has pro-
duced profits that support one of the
richest and most prosperous communities
in the central west The town of Ode
boil, which would be the center of cir
Gle drawn around the 15-mile territory,
has beautiful churches. rich banks ana
large. well-equipped schools.
/ The population of the town is only
100, but the big profits the farmers near
by are making in popcorn Is making this
one of the richest small towns in the
country
ONE prosperous farmer sold $3.50 worth
of copccrn last year from his 62-acre
farm He practically paid for his farm
with this one crop. But for years he
has been doing the same thing. Year
after year he and his neighbors have de-
voted themselves to raising popcorn and
have grown independent.
These men have made business OF
raising Popcorn. 1t is the principal prod
ness and industry of the community de-
Ponds upon the popcorn crop. But pop
corn will grow anywhere that field corn
will grow, and it is planted and attend
ed in about the same manner.
Other farms in other sections of the
country can raise this grain and show
greater profits per acre than with any
other product on their farms. About the
only restriction in raising popcorn is that
| i. should not be grown in a field adjoin-
| ing field corn. The field rotation and
| the cultivation of popcorn Is practically
the same as field corn. And the profits
for even an average yield are a grea:
deal larger.
| There is no reason why the commercial
supply of popcorn should be raised In
one or two communities. Other sections
of the country will produce just as we'll
Any part of the so-called corn belt, will
yield good harvest Of popcorn. But
these farmers have been raising popcorn
for years One followed the example
Of another, until the entire community
! is a popcorn center.
i The enormous increase in demand anc
a short crop last year have almost com
rletcly exhausted the reserve supply o.
popcorn in the United States. In pre-.
vious years the reserve has always beer
maintained. In 1916 the popcorn raiser
sold his 1915 crop. In 1915 he sold his 1911.
crop, etc. But now that reserve is gone
and the 1917 crop is on the 1918 marke
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-11

Grow what we consume, consume
what we grow! The government urges
US to do this. common sense ADVISES u
and no living man can present sound
argument why it is not the best thing
we can lido both for ourselves. for others
and for. helping with the great war. II
in addition to growing ones own corn
meat butter. eggs, milk, vegetables and
garden truck, he is so located that nc
can dig his own coal or cut his own
wood. SO much the better for himself,
Tor others and for the country. just SO
Ear as a citizen OF this country today
naars absolute Independence himself ne
& adding to the independence OF his
co,ntrv and the more he makes himself
,n.1enendent of the railroads and OF hireo
haln' The more he will have his own az
fa;rs in his own hands and the less ne
vi,r no- influenced or injured by the Dps
s,,a downs of war, or other outside con-
d;tions beyond his control
cars are scarce, help is7hign ana uneer-
cain. prices are sky rocketins but tne
man who can handle his own farm anu
h,,ds his wants and needs down 70 what
~ e = produce on it. Is just as independ-
mi If ali these conditions as though they
aid not exist. More than that, II ne can
ID this and still continues to use cars
needad BY others, help needed Tor others,
fne, others are suffering for and SO on.
ha "a not q truly loyal citizen IN thia
time of his country's greatest neeos
we have always advised and ureedtne
81 Il -supporting Independence for just Is
many 81 our people as possible and now
| our greatly tried government urges y
and loyalty and even safety for our own
families demand it.
one Of the greatest things that can
leone out Of this war will be the habits
| Of saving and self denial which are
being brought home to mi!lions-amone
the poor 81 wen a. the rich. And nex1
+ 10 this viii bs fully realizing that as !
nation ne must be self-sustaining and
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-11
Trend Of Prices


The level Of prices paid producers OF
the United States for the principal crops
increased about As per cent during de-
cember: in the last 10 years the price
level increased about Ia per cent dur
ing December. On January !, 1913, the
index figure Of prices was about 43.S per
cent higher than a year ago, 104.K. per
cent higher than two years ago. And
1921 per cent higher than the average
Of the last 10 years on January /.
The prices of meat animals-hogs, cat
tie, sheep and chickens-to producers OF
the United States increased 81 per cent
from November Is to December Is; in
the last seven years prices decreased in
like period IL per cent. On December
Is the index figure Of prices for these
meat animals was about $50 per cent
higher than year ago, 1893 per cent
higher than two years ago. and 94.4 pei
cent higher than the average of the last
seven years on December Is
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-11

Cream of Bean or Pea Soup-To the
cooked and mashed pulp add enough
milk to make two quarts of soup. Sea-
son and thicken with flour.
PURGE or Porridge of Beans and To-
rlatoes-Instead of milk. tomatoes may
be used. Add a cup of canned totfa-
toes or three medium sized tomatoes
which have been cooked for 10 min
utes and put through a sieve. If the
porridge is too thick, add water or
stock. Season and add the flour as
directed
Bean or Pea Soup With Meat--The
peas or beans are soaked as usual and
cooked with the meat in four quarts
Of water instead of two. Use a soup
or ham bone. or ons-ha1f pound of
salt pork or any sacked meat, and
cook until the beans are soft Re-
move the meat and put the soup
through a sieve Season and thiclSen.
The cooked meat cut In small pieces
may be added to the soup. An onion,
several stalks of celery or soup herbs
are good cooked with the soup.
IN STEWS
All the different varieties OF peas
and beans can be used with or with
out meat and with rice, vegetables,
etc. Kidney bean stew is especially
good.
Boston baked beans is such an old
favorite that it needs no recommended
ton, Soak one quart beans and cook
until tender, but not so soft that they
will fall apart. If desired. one-fourth
pound Of salt pork may be cooked
with them. When tender, add half
teaspoon mustard, one tablespoon
sugar or two tablespoons molasses and
one tablespoon salt. Bake in a COW
| cred dish for one and one-half hours.
| leaving them uncovered for the last
| Is minutes. Any Of the other beans are
good cooked this way and SO are dried
| peas. Omit the molasses if peas are
Used. Either beans or peas can be
boiled and baked in a fireless cooker.
INSTEAD OF MEAT LOAF
Two cups cooked peas or beans. one
cup cooked rice, one cup bread crumbs.
! one egg. one tablespoon fat, one-half
teaspoon salt or one teaspoon IL the
rice Is unsalted, one-eighth teaspoon
paprika
| Put the peas or beans through a
| sieve or grind in meat grinder. Mix
all the ingredients well. Form into a
loaw and bake until brown. Or cro-
quettes may be formed. rolled in
bread crumbs and Drowned in the
| oven, Basic frequently with small
spoon of fat to cup of hot water
! SALADS
i Salads-CoolS the beans and peas
as usual until just tender. Let them
get thoroughly cold. Add little
minced onion celery, green pepper, OF
the same amount of shredder cabbag &c
as there is beans or peas. Season with
salt and paprilsa and mix with the
salad dressing. Serve on lettuce. A to-
mato stuffed with the mixture makes
delicious salad.
Beans and peas can be used in place
of much of the meat we eat. They art
rich in materials which the body needs
the bodybuilding proteins, iron ant
some of the others minerals, and they
give the body a large amount of fuel
1t is not wise to use the beans ani
peas as our only protein food. how.
ever, and leave out milk, meat or fie.
entirely. But many of us can use less
| meat. which, is more expensive and i.
needed to send abroad to our fighter,
land the allies.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-11

You will find this a pleasing dessert:
Boil the prunes until tender but not
broken. Take out the stones and NIL
with chopped nuts. dates or ratsins.
Return the liquid to the fire. bring 70
boil and stir in half box Of gelatine,
which has been dissolved in half cup
of water. Pour this around the prunes,
and when cold serve with whipped
cream sweetened and Favored with va
nilla-Mr Jim Kincaid
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-11

am sending my recipe for oatmeal
cookies which we think are fine and
quite help in saving -four. Use SIX
cups oatmeal run through food chop
per. one and q half cups sugar, one cup
butter or lard. two-thirds cup sour
milk one level teaspoon soda, one tea
spoon each of vanilla and lemon ex
tract. pinch of salt. Raisins may he
added. but the cookies are very good
without.-Mrs o. r. Hughes.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-11
Soft Cheese Making

The use of homemade soft cheeses,
such as pimento, olive cream, sand
witch nut and cottage cheese as well as
many others of similar nature, is one
OF the best ways or Hooverizing, as
well as their being one of the most
healthful foods for summer use.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-11
Homemade Farm Soaps
HARD SOAP

| 1 have used successfully this recipe for
| five years. My soap is harder than
boughten soap. is white, and when made
ALWAYS use this soap for dishes and often
| for laundry work.
| Empty contents of one can of I've in an
| earthen basin and add three pints of
cold water. Stir with wooden ladle till
dissolved. 1t will become hot. Set aside
till cool. Keep away from children, as
1t is poison.
! Melt five pounds of grease and when
iukewarm add one-half cup powdered
borax. Pour in slowly the I've, which
must be cold. Stir with ladle till it be-
comes thick like hasty, pudding, then
turn in dripping pan. Mark in bars
when set.
| The next day remove from pan and set
away to dry. Do not use within two
weeks I save all bacon and ham rinds
and trimmings When a pailful has ac-
cumulated / try out in the oven and in
this way obtain my grease for soap
making. Usually l have two or three
patches of soap ahead, SO that 1t will
thoroughly dry before using.
| 1 have bought grease for u cents a
pound and still found it much cheaper
than to buy soap from stores at the pre-
vailing price. This recipe never fails
Mrs. c. H. Smith.
SOFT SOAP
II Mrs. S. r. S. will follow directions
on I've cans good hard soap may be
made by adding four ounces of plllver-
lied borax The soap with the borax
will be better to soften the dirt espe-
cially il used with hard water.
For the past 20 years 1 have made sof,
soap to do my washings, using I've made
by teaching hard wood ashes. The lye
must be strong enough to hold an egg
to the top when placed In 1t.
| use any waste fat, as rib bones, rinds
of hams or pork, waste from the head
or any fat that accumulates at butcher.
ling time. A pailful OF strong I've is put
lin a large iron kettle with five or SLY
pounds of scrap fat and boiled until the
fat is dissolved At this state it will
Hook foamy when boiling. This can nov
he reduced by using one-half I've anc
one-half water until five or six gallons o
4 soft SOAP are made. You cannot tell ex
actly how much, as the fat will not b
ali pure grease, as it must be when con
lcentrated lye is used. Soap made will
concentrated I've takes less time t.
make. but no better soap can be mad
for washing than the soft soap. 1t i
always ready, and not particle of ia
need be wasted.-Mrs. Susie A. Lane.
FLOATING SOAP
i For this white soap, which will float
luse two tomato cans of grease and on
can of patent I've dissolved in one quar-
OF cold water. Heat the grease and IN
, water containing the I've separately
when both are lukewarm, pour the ly'
: into the grease. stirring all the time
Immediately add one cup OF ammoni'
and two tablespoons borax. dissolved il
one-half cup of water.
, ! stir until as thick as honey. Put pape
} in the bottom of a dripping pan am
pour the mixture in it In ABOUT lou
) Irours mark II off. Put it in a dry plac
, and in a week it is ready to use--Mrs
jP. A. Koehler.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-11
FOR GREATER INDEPENDENCE

that as individuals we ought to and can
be nearly so. The farmer and his family,
of course. are the ones who can come the
closest to this.