The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-28
M E N W o M E N
 A ND T H l N G s

 the ruling by Commissioner Burruss. Then came the letter to the editor or The Age-Herald from George s. Earnest which was published in the issue of Fri it comes to his comment on the commits sioner's stand in the matter, but will leave that matter to him.
 do not want, however, to let his really practical and worth while advice to get by without adding my indorsement to it, and to congratulate him on his ingenuity in the use of trimmings" and to also compliment him on his ability as gar- dener, and his success as chicken raiser. He has given the public valuable tip in the utilization of a small plot of ground.
 I'll not claim that l have been as thrifty as he has been, but I'll gladly admit that am trying to learn how to be. The question of the disposal of some peach trees which had to be cut down in my chicken yard confronted me. l knew that it had been the custom to pile the trash in the gutter and await it's removal sooner or later by the street wagons.
 The little orchard had to be cut down as the trees were volunteers and the peaches of no account. I let them grow from sprouts simply to shade the chicken runs, but they were so thick and grew so fast that finally they just cluttered up the place, and I concluded it would be best to get rid of them. The work was started by my namesake, who worked faithfully until he was taken sick, and before his full recovery I took up the job.
 had always heard that one of the best forms of exercises was wood chopping. The stories of Gladstone's exploits in hts forests had whetted my desire to the ex- tent that several years back, when spending a month at Pelham Heights, the Baptist mountain some 20 miles below Birmingham, I undertook with an old ne- gro preacher, a practical woodchopper the, job of thinning out the trees in order to get better views of the surrounding territory.
 It was before the war, and I wss in good physical trim and about as hard as the average day workman, but soon found in spite of the fact that I was both younger and larger, that the older and smaller man could fell two trees cas- fly while I was making one fall, and that without; the least desire to sit down on a log and view the landscape Ger was bit peeved for while over the ease with which he did the work, but soon became reconciled as I discovered that there was sleight in cutting down timber.
 With the memory of my experience at Pelham still fresh in mind thought one of the easiest and best ways to condi- tion myself after getting soft during the war would be to cut up for stove wood the trunks of the peach tree and the larger limbs. I got hold of the axe and set to work, but it wasn't long before I found out that it was dull and my wind a bit short. It takes different kind of wind for chopping than it does for speak ing, otherwise I would be great wood chopper.
 Now, if any of you wffo read this are inclined to think that it is an easy thing to cut wood, all that I have to wish is that you'll try it out for yourself, and then am sure you will have more sym thy for me. had not cut long before my breathing was short and hard, my back aching, and my hands blistered. But when I start anything l try and see it through, and I did my mornings task in spite of the weariness of flesh.
 
 have worked at the job for quite awhile. and am still at it, but am glad to say that my wind is getting better. my back stronger and my hands are healed It is> needless to add and my ap- petite is a coming one" I find that the trouble with most desk men is that when they undertake to work about the home they are apt to overdo it at first, ano if not gifted with, "sticka bility'' are too ready to resign and let the 'thandy man finish it.
 I thought I was making a discovery all my own until learned that MT. Earnest had caught on to the same idea of util- izing the trimmings for sticking peas, beans and other climbing vegetables. as I soon found that in trimming the limbs I was unconsciously putting in piles va rious sizes to be used later for sticking purposes. I really got absorbed in the selection, and have on hand a supply which I hope to use at least during the next few years.
 I also separated the trunk into two sizes for burning purposes. One I will the kitchen stove. But the thing l did which is not mentioned in the letter of MT. Earnest is that in trimming the limbs put aside all of the smallest limbs which could be broken easily with tho hand in one pile and then also set apart the twigs in another to be used after dried out for kirNling purposes for which they are well adapted
 I'll confess it may seem bidding for an American to save twigs to use in lighting fires, but having preached the virtues Q. thrift and, the vice of waste in season and out during the war by voice, and with pen, thought would take my aws advice in peace times, and any. one who has never done as I have done with the brush which comes from the trimming ot trees will be astonished to know just how much that is useful can he saved. In