smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

correspondent ot the Ploughman writ
ing from Danvers, Mass, wants to know
how to grow asparagus. Plants are raised
fom seed sown in drills fifteen inches
apart in good garden land and well titled
and wceded. They Will be ready for
transPlanting the next spring; the land
should be prepared as early as possible.
as the plants start into growth quite early.
The soil should be a mellow, deep sandy
loan, heavily manured. The manure is
ploughed in, and after narrowing. the
rows are struck out l2 feet apart with
large plough drawn by one horse and the
furrow deepened by shovelling out the
earth with long handled shovel. The
manure cart is driven alongside, and lit
Tie fine manure scattered along the bottom
OF the furrow the plants are set about a
foot apart and covered with a hoe. by
drawing in about an inch of earth on top.
The furrow should be about eight inches
deep below the average level of the land.
so that the crown of the plant will be six
inches under the surface after the burrows
are filled, which Is not done at once. as
the plant would be choked by too deep a
covering at first; the object in planting so
deeply is to enable the small plough or
cultivator to run directly over the roots to
kill all weeds, without disturbing the
crown of the root.


The plants make slow growth the first
year, and 1t is common to plant the ridge
between the rows with carrots, or peppers.
or some other crop that does not make
much shade.


In the course OF the first year, the re-
peated hoeings and harvesting of the crop
on the ridges will fill up the burrows lev
ell. The second year, the bed should be
top-dressed well, and left without cutting
to strengthen the roots. The third year,
the bed can be cut moderately Every
year the bed will need to be manured;
this may be done in early spring, or after
cutting ceases. about June 2Oth, or late in
the fall. fine compost of horse manure
and night soil is best, applied at the rate
OF about six cords per acre, by ploughing
little furrow on each side OF the row, in
which the manure is spread and covered
with plough. Cutting should be done
every day, and as the punching requires
some time, the days cutting is never sold
till the next day; to keep il fresh, it should
be placed in tub with about an inch of
water in the bottom, and the tops kept
perfectly dry. The punching requires a
good deal OF skill to do it quickly and
neatly. and is usually done by women by
the piece, 62 cents per 100 lunches being
the usual price.


The cutting continues till June 20th or
25th, when the market begins to prefer
green peas, and AS late cutting Injuries the
strength of the roots. the cutting should
not be continued after this date. The bed
should be well cultivated and hoed, and
vigorous alter. growth will give promise
OF fine, large shoots the next spring, for
the early shoots are the product OF the
root stored up the year before.
Year: 1878

In answer to question, the
Prairie Farmer says


cite all vines, trees Or shrubs,
in rather small bundles loosely
set them on end, on the ground.
in we'll drained situation and
cover all with a mound Of earth.
Thus they will keep perfectly
until time for planting in the
spring, and in many cases The
ends will be found ready callons-
ed and granulation commenced
They should be planted before
the feeding roots appear


"For gratis, box should be
prepared, in which they may be
packed in damp moss, spagn't'n,
as the best means of preserv alton,
since this material keeps uni
.formly moist, and is entirely free
from heating. Having secured
them thus, nail the box tight,
place it in the cellar, and they
will be found right in the spring.


"When this moss is not to be
had, the next best plan, we think,
is to tie the gratis in a loose
bundle, place in a box, nail Stats
over the top, dig a hole in the
ground to a depth Of two feet, in
we'll drained situation, put The
box therein, the slat side down,
and cover all with earth. They
will thus be kept uniformly moist
and fresh, and come out plump
and in good condition in the
spring. Indeed, gratis some
what dried may thus often be
brought back to their normal
state !; nevertheless, we prefer
moss when it is to be had. Mild
weather, late in the fall or early
winter, is the proper time to cut
gratis"
Year: 1878

AN ANCIENT FoRr.-Near Newport
| Wayne County, Ind, are the remains o


an ancient fort, which the 'oldest inhabi'


tant" found when he settled up the coun-
try. but of the origin of which not the


remotest tradition existed among the In,
dians who roamed through that part of the
State. Half century ago, when the dol.
lar Of the daddies was taken into respect
able society by the ancestors of its present
enemies, the walls Of earth stood six to
eight feet above the ground around them,


but these have been IeveIed BY the pIow,


until they are scarcely highter than the
wheat field in which they are located.
The Richmond Palladium describes it I:
"Withio the fort the ground is cultivated,
and when grass is growing there a
large ring or circle can De seen in it. 1t
lis perfectly round, about forty feet in
diameter, and the band is about forty five
wide. 1t is distinguished by the rank
growth of the straw, its darker color, and
a singular habit it has of lying down.


Before the heads are tear full the stalks
bend over, and soon the whole band is
lying in undulating billows of green straw
on the ground. The heads always lie
with the circle and always in the same
direction, so that one branch overaps the
one before it. The heads never fall out
side of or in the space inclosed by the
band, and the effect is beautiful. Children
think that a company of fairies frequent It
on bright summer nights, and chase the
mooEbeams around it,
Year: 1878




When Governor Gerry managed Mas.a
chusett>, country deacon happened to
catch a fine salmon, and, knowing that the
Governor had peculiar liking for that sort
Of fish. he determined to present it to him
So the salmon was carefully packed, and
the deacon, in the absence Of railroads,
started in bis wagon for Boston. On the
journey be stopped to dine, and, telling at
the table his errand in regard to the fish, a
practical joker present could not resist the
temptation Of slipping out to the wagon
and changing the salmon for a poor cod
fish. The unconscious deacon went on to
the Governors house, and, after annoanc-
ing his gift. the two worthless opened the
box. and discovered the favorous Goldfish.
Mortified, the poor deacon started for home
wth his Goldfish, and stepping for lunch
at his dining place, the wag secretly Re
moved the Goldfish and replaced the sal
mon. When he reached home, the dea
con monrnfnIIy told the story to An incred-
u'ous wife, who had herself backed the sal.
mon; they opened the box together. The
deacon stared. SWELL, you are a pretty
good salmon when you are in the country
said he; 'but when you are in Boston you
are miserably poor goldfish"
Year: 1878

FENcEs.-It is said that the
fences in this country cost more
than all the houses whether
this is strictly true or not, it is
beyond question that their first
cost is immense, and that a vast
expense is yearly incurred TO
keep them in repair and what
makes a bad matter a great deal
worse is the fact that a la!ge part
of this expense might be avoided.
Farmers have built too many
fences some of these are not
merely useless, but are a positive
disadvantage. They take up
considerable land which ought
to be under cultivation, but from
which nothing of value is obtain
ed. and they are in the way
about cultivating and harvesting
Tic SlOPo.


In some places these evils are
so strongly manifested as to lead
to marked deduction in the
number.of fences. In some parts
Of Massachusetts, this is true to a
great extent, a great number OF
roadside fences having been re-
moved and many inside fences
have been taken away. Where
stone walls abonna it is some-
what difficult to follow this cx-
ample, but wooden fences can
easily be removed. For many
purposes large fields are better
than small ones ; if they were
not, it is a question whether any
advantage which small fields
could furnish would be sufficient
to justify the great expense Of
fencing them-Dirigo Rmal
Year: 1878

An English paper relates the


following story Of keen bidding.


A certain east of London Jewish


firm had received a commission


from Birmingham to sell a batch
| Of 100000 Sniders. The other


day a stout, foreign looking indi-


vidual called, saw the patterns,
and agreed to buy the whole lot
at a certain price. His offer was
accepted and he went away,
agreeing to call next day, pay a
deposit and conclude the affair.
An hour or two after he left,
another person, also foreigner,
called and offered an advance of
nearly twenty per cent. upon the
price agreed or by the first pur-
chaser. The Hebrew dealer said
he Gid not feel bound to sell to
any one who had not paid a de-
posit, and that ifpurchaser num-
ber two paid his deposit before
purchaser number one the mus
kets would be his. Number two
went away, saying he would be
back again in an hour and bring
with him the deposit money re-
quired. He had hardly left the
counting. room when third par
ty put in an appearance, offering
more by nearly ten per cent,
than number two, and more by
about thirty per cent than num-
ber one. Moreover, he brought
with him, in bank notes, a con-
siderable sum, which he paid
down as a deposit. The arms
were then said to be his, and the
usual sale-note duly made out.
1t afterward turned out that all
the three purchasers were agents
or brokers for the same firm, and
that IN their eagerness to obtain
their commission they had been
bidding against each other.
Year: 1878

How ARrEMus WARD WRorE,--A
friend of Artemus Ward who was with
him on the Cleveland PIaindealer for some
time, says ne used to be incessanty whit.
Ting his chair and desk. His manner ol
writing was as peculiar as everything else
about the man. His mission in life seem.
ed to be to hunt up funny things. When
he found them, out Of his own head or else
where, he himself enjoyed them bette,
than any one else. As he sat writing
when the funny idea struck him, he would
laug', with guffaw which seemed to
shake him from his heels upward. He
sat in an arm chair, always with his left
!eg swung over the arm Of his chair.
When the joke came, be used to pound the
table with his fist. slap the long, thin leg
that hung over the chair, and explode with
laughter. 1t was his habit to share good
joke with his associates in the office at
once. BE loved sympathy, as if he had
been 4 woman. and seemed to stand as
much in need Of it. He wrote rather
rapidly, and writing seemed to come easy
to him. He laughed nearly all the time
he was writing.
Year: 1878

Somebody has sent to this Office tract
emitted: What is it to be Damned y
Such tn rg+ are useless to newsp 'per men.
All of the profession wlo have been any
length Of time engaged in it are very well
aware what it is.-Boston Transcript.
Year: 1878

To day is tue fifth anniversary Of
the contest between the Reliance and
Water Witch steam fire engines, which
took place at rownsend's ditch, south
side; in which the Reliance came of
victorious after three hours squirt,
throwing water lift further than the
Water Witch. The Reliance still
claims the championship.
Year: 1878

in Grace Church this evening beginning
at $50 O'Clock. The service will con
sist of preaching, prayer and exper-
fence and will conclude with the old
time Covenant. All are welcome.
Year: 1878

" Puss in Boots" is mythical person.
age, but the dog in boots is no imaginary
creature. In the regions of eternal snow
and ice, where the only beast of burden
is the dog, the cold il sometimes 10 in.
tense that sharp icicles form between
the claws of the canine slcdge travellers.
This causes most serious obstacle 10
the speedy progression Of the dogs. and
would, after few days, render them ut
terly unfit for their laborious duties. as
the icicles grow larger and larger ~ they
go on, until the poor creatures are quite
unable to stand. The older dogs how
ever, will every now and then stop and
bite off the icicle from their feet. Not
20 with the novice. He trudges wearily
along; every step he takes adds to his
torture, and after n time every imprint
Of his foot ON the snow bears n red stain
from his cut and bleeding paws. AT
such times the dog boot is called into
requisition by the driver, principally for
policy, but occasionally, let US hope. out
Of humanity. The dog boot is generally
made Of raw hide, and is simply shaped
like small bag or pocket. This il drawn
over the foot Of the animal and made
secure by tying il round The ankle with
q leather string. Thus protected, if the
surface Of the snow is pretty level, these
wonderful Esquimau dogs will travel at
the rate Of forty miles n day for many
days in succession
Year: 1878

An amorous but too confiding New
York negro fell desperately i'm love with
q cOlored widow living in an adioining
block, but didn't know how to make aS
effective declaration. He hadn't anv
amatOry language IN stock. nor did he
possess the requisite humility to avow
his passion for the tinted Venus but
he knew she was his affinity. At length
IT occurred to him to confde his passion
TO q friend whom he readily solicited to
write letter to the ebony Dcsdcmona.
The friend was not a proverbial and
faithful go-between. He gravcly i'm
formed the widow that the size of her
feet was the talk Of tho neighborhood
and asked her If she could not pare
them down a little The name of the
colored man was signed, and he was to
call on her on Sunday night for an an
swer When the too confdine lover
was asked how the suit was going he
demurely uncovered head very sparseIv
settled where the wool ought to have
had luxuriant growth, and rather
evasively remarked "She didn't sav
muffin, and ] didn't stay dar MORN 2
minute"
Year: 1878

III all the world garden were,


And women were hut flowers;
III men were bees that busted there


Through all the summer hours;
On ! would hum the garden through,
For honey, till l came TO you.
Then should hive within your hair,


Its sun and gold together;
Aud | should bide in glory there


Through all the changeful weather.
Oh, should sip but one, this one
Sweet flower underneath the sun.
Or ] would be a king, and coin


Your golden hair for money;
And | would only have to seek


Your lips for boards of honey;
On, i would be the richest king
That ever wore a signet ring.
Year: 1878

GRoANING,g ,grumbling, and gossiping
are, according to the Worcester Gaseite.
the " three G's that do more mischief to
the business Of the country than the
drought, the potato rot and the army
worm"
Year: 1878

a LARGE increase in the immigration
from Germany is prophesicd for this
year. Three hundred and twelve landed
in New York City last week The re-
strictions imposed by the German Gov
crnment against emigration seem to
be without avail.
Year: 1878

Tho Northern Pacific Railroad.
Ohicago Times.


4 bill to allow tho Northern Pacific
railroad company ten years additional


time for the completion of their road
was reported in the House yesterday,


and recommitted, 50 that it may be in
readiness to be presented for debate
and passage whenever favorable op-
portunity occurs. As measure of JUS
tice to multitude ofstockbolders, who
cannot in any other way hope to save
the investments they were induced to


make in the flush times before the pan
ic, the extension should be unhesita-


tingly granted. The road is develope-


ing the resources Of q country whose


productive capacities prove to be much
greater than has been supposed. 1t will
afford ready access to the habitat Of
the hostile Sioux and other trouble.
some tribes; and by forcing an early


solution of the Indian problem, save


the government very liberal annual


interest Oh the value of the lands con-
tanned ia the grant-most of which


lands, by the way, would have no val
ue. during this century at least, unless
the road we're constructed. Few meas


ures now pending in congress will do
so much for the public interest, while
extending measure Of relief that IS
Year: 1878

by Special Deputy Collector Anderson from
the parish of St Landry there are quite 9
number OF voters In that parish that Woulu
ike To have him return to the parish ana De-
come q candidate for the State Senate or
lower house, and If the latter with a view OF
being elected Speaker.


Deputy Collector Anderson has a letter
from Secretary Of the Treasury Sherman,
dated April Is, and evidently reply to one
sent, In which the Secretary SAYS that he
would be very willing to allow extra pay to
the Deputy Collector but that 1t Is not In his
power but only IN the power OF Congress to
make such an allowance.


1t was stated In the Custom louise yester-
day by an official, who is thoroughly con-
versant with the movement at Washington.
that the DEMOCRATS Washington corre-
spondent was correct In his telegram yester-
day announcing the withdrawal OF Packard
from the Collectorship race. The official al
luded to states further that his information
Is TO the effect that both Packard and Ander-
son have been notified by all intimate friend
OF President Hayes that neither can be nom-
mated as the Collector Of this port under any
circumstances. The position, it seems. was
rendered In an indirect manner to VIM. IL.
Hunt, who, while not positively declining,
mentioned his preference for q position on
the bench Of the Court OF Claims, which Was
given him. According to the best informa-
zion obtainnble the most prominent names
now mentioned In connection with the Col
lectorship are those OF Gen. McMillen and
Col. Cyrus Bussey.
Year: 1878

The State Board Of Liquidation will meet TO-
morrow at noon.


Some interesting matter will be found in an
other column relative 10 the appropriation OF
$4,000 by the Board OF Liquidation to It's secre-
tary.


In the rear OF the State House there is fully
a hundred cart loads of ashes. which some en-
terprising contractor might get to I'LL up lots
with


Assistant Attorney General Egan will. 1t Is
said. soon apply for leave OF absence Tor u
couple OF weeks 10 visit his 1rlendS In Inc
northern part OF the State.


Rumor has 1t that In an old cistern or. we'll
under the bank building In the rear OF the
State House there lie u few stands OF arms,
dropped In, so to speak. about the time the
sion Of the building.


The Board of Health is advised of the arrival
at quarantine yesterday of the schooner VIM
Dasley, from the Island OF St. Thomas. with q
cargo Of truit She will be boarded at Slaughter.
House Point this morning on her way up by
adopted by the board as to discharge Of cargo
tu liz alton. ETC.. will be carried out.


The Governor has had examined by the At
torney G, neral the transcript OF t the record IN
Who, with G: =; Goodloe. murdered. on the
The record having been found correct, the
GOV ernor will cause death warrant to issue
on Monday when he will fix the day for the
execution.


Having received the hrIet of the attorneys fol
those who believe the Moffett register bill un-
| constitutional and the argument OF those who
Governor will now examine the bill and will
decide on tomorrow or next day whether ht
will sign it or not. For the purpose of a thor
ough examination OF the arguments and bill
| fully during the evening, though not arriving
at any conclusion.
Year: 1878

The deposits at the United States Sub
Treasury yesterday from customs, revenue,
etc, amounted to S26,937 46.


An order has been issued forbiddjng visitors
from going on the roof of the CustomHouse,
that being occasioned by the copper roofing
being SO tramped that the seams are broken,
admitting the rain.


United States Shipping Commissioner
Wright has removed his office to the building
on the corner of Customhouse and Peters
streets, opposite the branch OF the Peoples
Bank


1t is stated at the Custom House that the
Secretary of the Treasury has declared that
as long as he remains in the Cabinet, Messrs.
Wells and Anderson will retain their present
positions in the Custom House.


The Special Deputy Collector has some
fifteen or twenty applications referred to him
by the Secretary Of the Treasury, which were
made direct to the President for positions in
the Custom House here. They went from
the Presidents Office to the Secretary OF the
Treasury and were by him referred to the
Office here.


According to the personal letters received
Year: 1878

Though not yet officially announced from
police headquarters, it is rumored that in-
structions have been issued to the police to
note the personages who frequent some of
those houses OF doubtful character, located
In respectable neighborhoods, with view Of
ascertaining who can be called upon or sum
moned as witnesses should test case be made
by the filing OF an affidavit against such par
ties as may be known as the proprietors.


1t is thought In police circles that the law
IL rigidly enforced by the recorders, can be
made effective in each and every case, but
should the courts interfere nothing can, of
course, be accomplished. One instance is
cited by the police where den was broken
up on Barracks street by the police, the pro-
prietress removing then to Dauphine street,
and fearing interference again she applied for
and obtained an Injunction on the eighteenth
instant, restraining the police from interfering
with her in any manner in her business, and
that though she had no license Of any descrip-
tion, which prevents of course any further in-
terference in any way on the part OF the po-
lice.


The police authorities are eapprehensivet Chat
should the precedent be continued their ef-
forts to secure the removal Of or abolition ol
such places cannot be accomplished.
Year: 1878

The City Hall officials have concluded to
dispatch Col Robt Wood to Washington to
lay before Congress the urgency of including
New Orleans among those ports, the improve
ments to which are provided for in the bar
Dor appropriation bill Col. Wood, who acted
as secretary to the photographic commits
sion, is In possession of valuable facts and
arguments with which to impress upon Con
gress the necessity OF providing for the Sc
curity Of our port.
Year: 1878

That we'll drilled and efficient body Of men
will hold high festival at the Fair Grounds on
Saturday and Sunday. May II and II. There
will be mule. horse and foot racing. dress
open to all companies numbering from 35 to 40
men. In the evening there will be given grand
ball wherein prize will he awarded to the best
lady dancer We have not heard the uame Of
the brave man who will award this prize.
Year: 1878

Prices to suit the times" together wi
every comfort the most fastidious could a
or desire. and the most delicate attention i
every want. has made the Colonnade the hotel
Philadelnhia A
Year: 1878

Whenever you Send paper to a
yoaag lady, cat "A small item out
almost anywhere. This insurcs the
Office the sale of another paper.
She has gol to see what it was her
friend cut ont. Thus Is the printers
business Increased.
Year: 1878

LONDON, August 1.-The Daily News
is informed that the Marquis of Lorne
will not leave for Canada until after the
elections IN the Dominion have been
held. He will probably arrive there IN
November. In the possible event of an
interregnum the commander-in-chief of
the force will, in accordance with pre-.
cedent, act as Governor General of the
Dominion.
Year: 1878

Some of the morning papers yesterday in noticing
the death Patroiman Wells of the Fourteen Ia pre-
cnct gave that official history and mission which
did not belong to him. lie never Methodist
minister, nor clergyman of any other
denomination. Except that his appearance was
sanctmonious, which, no doubt. gave rise TO
the canard, he who was every
inch officer, and was therefore more secular than
ministerial In his habits The story about his dying
worth 100000 $4,000 is likewise erroneous. He
was man OF economical habits. and used to consider
il laudabe boast that he could live on forty cents
a day. In this manner he saved considerable sum
during his long service the force. but his friends
claim that lie could not he worth more than $4,000
at the time of his demise.