Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1923-02-07
THE WILLOW VALLEY SAGE

February, the second month Of the
year, according to our calendar in
present use, was the last month OF
the year in the old Roman calendar.
1t is allowed but twenty-eight days,
with an additional day in the leap
year completing century, day Is not
is divisible by four save that, in the
year completing century, day is not
added unless the year be divisible by
four hundred. Tie shortness of the
month is due to the fact that two days
were stolen from it to lengthen the
months of July and August, named in
honor of the Roman emperors, julius
and Augustus. Several days of Feb
ruary are especially noted. The sec
ond is Candlemas Day, one of the
quarter days, in which rents are due
in Scotland; in this country the same
date is called Woodchuck Day The
saying goes that on this date the
ground hog comes out and looks
about him. If he can see his shadow,
that is, if the day is bright and clear,
he goes back to his burrOw for six
weeks. At the end of this period real
spring weather may be expected. An
old saying among the farmers in the
United States concerning this date is,
After Woodchuck Day, you should
have half your hay" st. Valentines
Day, the 18th, is another date that is
observed by many people of this coun-
try. The birthday Of many noted men
occurs in February. Horace Greeley,
the 3rd Charles Dickens, 7th; VIM.
T. Sherman, Sth; Abraham Lincoln,
18th. George Washington, 22d; James
R. Lowell, 26th; Henry W. Longfel-
low 9th. February was called the
rainy month by the ancients.
A half century ago the old timers
were wont to say, In fifty years from
now the timber supply will be ex-
hausted in this RECON-" Could those
old pioneers come back to earth at
present they would be surprised at
the volume of business that is going
on in the selling of cord wood, stove
wood, railroad ties, lumber and saw
logs. Never in the history of this re-
glOn has there been lyeller times in
wood products than has been witness
ed in recent weeks and with the COM
ing of sleighing, it is booming every
day. Strings of teams and auto trucks
can be seen every day on their way to
mareket. Prices were never better
and it Isl amazing the amount Of tim
Der products that are being taken
from the hog BACKS" cracks and
canons of Richland county hills. This
boom came at an opportune time, for
many were at their wits end to find
the wherewith to pay their taxes. One
farmer came in with two loads of logs
which brought him $3.50, enough 10
pay his taxes and some to spare.
Another farmer brought in one log
which brought him $62. From relia-
! BILE sources we got information that
on some of the busiest days the buy
ers at Richland Center paid out from
twelve to fourteen thousand dollars
| per day. At that rate it means lot
of money is being distributed among
those people who need it and will
spend it. Already a much more op-
timistic view is taken as to the pinch
in money matters. This is another
proof that Old Richland, with her di-
versifed industries, can and does rise
to any emergency that confronts her.
Those species who are always found
in the class of knockers, should be
quiet for a time at least.-Richland
Democrat