smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

Wherever this has not been done


yet, it can be done now, and that with


less regret than when we see the trees


full of blossom buds. Here the crop


will be slim one at best, and there
fore heading back will not be much


loss in the crop for the present year,


while the advantages gained for the
next are of considerable Importance.


A peach grower once told us that to
head the trees in the spring had ten
dency to make the fruit of that sum.
mer rot; whether or not he was cor
rect in his opinion, we have not yet
observed. Another says, do it in the
winter when the weather is very cold.
This latter might not injure the trees
or the succeeding crop, but we are in
clined to think it would not be very
pleasant work. Our faith in the nom
pruning of even peach trees, is grow
ing stronger; that is, if we would
watch and pinch the points of the
ranker growing shoots during the sum-
mer. This we are convinced is the
correct theory in the apple and pear;
and we believe that unripe wood when
fall sets in, and over-luxuriant growth
in summer, are the main subjects for
the pear blight. Pinchiug the tips of
shoots, at once checks
them and causes the wood to ripen be-
fore another can strike out. Some
head back their pear trees severely in
the spring, which causes them to put
forth strong upright shoots again, un-
less the tree bears full crop of fruit,
and as a rule heavy growths are averse
to much bearing. But by pinching
the tips in the summer, they have
tendency to form more blossom buds,
and we all know that after a fruit tree
mas attained a proper size, we want it to
pear well.-Rural World. !
Year: 1875

When I first considered the import
ance Of changing my stock Of hogs,
the question presented itself, what
I should select, as breeders all claimed
their stock was the best. So | con-
cluded to commence on the Magic
large, coarse, white hogs, with few
spots on their bodies But after q
careful trial, / was convinced that this
was not the hog that would suit me,
SO / crossed them with the Poland-Chi-
ma or Butler county hog. This added
some good qualities to the Magic stock,
but did not improve in any respect the
Poland China.


The pigs were strong and grew rap
idly, but did not fatten even. Some
that were bred in the Poland-Ch
blood were fat and ready for market at
ten or twelve months old, and the rest
of the lot had to be kept until nearly
eighteen months old. So with this
result / thought it best to continue my
experiments, so / selected some of the
best Poland-China blood, then added
to it the improved Berkshire, and soon
found that / had gained the point Of
my experience. Ieeemed to increase
the size of the Berkshire, and still left
their superior fattening qualities. Sol
fed this cross long enough to satisfy me
that they are the hog for the farmer who
does not pretend to breed pure strains.


But I have come to the conclusion
after carefully investigating the differ
ent theories of sbreeding-that no
crosses breed as perfect and evenly as
one strain in its purity, so I have d.
rected my undivided attention to the
Berkshire. My breeding stock is i'm.
ported, and / find my pigs are strong
even when young, and remain 50 till
fattened. So, in conclusion, | will just
say the Berkshire is my hog, for
have found from experience that they
lre the most profitable of all breeds
Cor. Am. Swine Journal. !
Year: 1875

CABBAGE WoRMs.-A correspond
ent of the New York Tribune gives
the following method of killing off the
green cabbage worm, which our read
ers may find sufficiently valuable to
pay for preserving until time for apply
ing another season. Dissolve one tea
spoonful of salpetre in common pail
full of warm (not hot) water, and
sprinkle the cabbages Herewith on the
appearance of the worms. Two or
three applications will suffice for the
season. The water, besides, acts like
a charm in promoting the growth of
the plant.
Year: 1875

MAJOR WALL: With your permis-
sion, / will give my plan of raising
hogs. Sow rye and oats in the fall for
winter, and early spring grazing. Fence
four lots, say two acres in each lot; !;
plant in whip-poor-will peas, as early
as the weather will admit; as soon as
the first lot comes in. turn your hogs
on il as soon as they eat off the peas,
turn them on the second lot, and plant
the first over, and go on in rotation,
raising two crops on every patch, and
three on the first. If the farmers of
the State will try this plan, they will
build up their poor land; for the pea
is about the best sub soiler that can be
put in the earth; for with its long tap
root, it brings to the surface rich plant
food that lays buried deep in the earth.


Now, if there be any doubling
Thomases among the brother Patrons,
let them try the plan, for I know sue
cess will crown your efforts !; and you
will be able to furnish the poor-houses
of Mississippi with meat, and be as in
dependent as our friend who settled in
the woods without going through those
heavy night sweats, splitting rails by
moonshine.


Yours fratarua1ly.
Year: 1875




SoUTHDowN SHEEP. Hon. John
Wentworth. Of Chicago, large stock
breeder, as well as politician, in a re-
cent circular, says:


after trying all kinds Of sheep,
we have given the preference for gen
,eral utility to the Southdowns. Upon
fair grounds they are ranked as mid
.dle-wooled. They are half way in
quality and quantity of wool between
the common sheep and the best Meri-
nos. But their mutton is the best in
the world, and their wethers grow the
largest and command the highest prices
in all the markets. The day is not
far distant when all our beef and pork
will be demanded for Eastern. and for
eign markets. The West must live
upon mutton, and that of the fine
wooled sheep is far from being palata-
bile. Hence it is desirable that our
farmers at once lay the foundation of
a Southdown herd. Besides being the
best of all food, there is no other that
can be raised so cheap as Southdown
mutton, as they are the hardest, and
can be kept in large Aocks better than
any Others The wool will pay for the
keeping, thus leaving the carcass clear
profit. For crossing upon the larger
breeds of sheep, there are no superiors
TO the Southdowns."
Year: 1875

WHEN TO WATER CATTLE.-The
usual time to water cattle or horses is
after feeding in the morning, little
before and after feeding at noon, and
before feeding at night. These times
are most convenient, and are probably
as good as any other time that could
be chosen. Copious watering at any
one time should be avoided.
Year: 1875

To REMOVE GARLIC FLAVOR FROM
MIEK.-A correspondent Of the
American Agriculturist says that wood
charcoal is an excellent absorbent Of
the disagreeabIe flavor Of garlic in
milk. He uses it every spring by
dropping a piece three or four inches
thick into each pan Of milk.
Year: 1875

Near the old village church just around


the corner Of the green, where the May


pole used to stand, and where the geese


and the ducks wandered about at their


own sweet will, lived old Thomas IIus-


band. He was widower, left with the


charge Of three soDs and one daughter


who were brought up by him, as all his
neighbors admitted, in most creditable


manner. The sons followed his own


trade of carpenter, the daughter kept


house, which situation she had filled from


the age Of fifteen years, at which period


her mother had died. She was the village
belle, in figure and face strikingy beauti-


full. Her hair was of the richest auburn,
and was allowed to fall in natural ringlets
upon her shoulders She had large,
brown, liquid eyes, and her complexion,
although sunburnt, showed more Of the
| lily than the rose. need not add that
She had many admirers, but she appeared


to oe quite insensibe to their attentions,
and devoted herself with rare self.denal
to the care Of her aged father. Her
father was one morning found insensiblc


in his bed, had hsd paralytic stroke in


the night, and the doctor called in was
struck with the remarkable beauty OF the
young nurse. lie was a young man Of
regular habits, tolerably clever in his pro.


lession, and belonging TO family which
had lost its wealth, but not its family
pride. Successive visits only served to


fan the fame which had been kindled in
his bosom, and he wooed and won the


lovely Elizabeth His friends objected


to such match. but his mind was made


up, and one morning the church bell,


rang out a merry peal as they left it,


porch with the vows Of husband aud wife


upon them. From the church she went


at onee to take possession OF her new


home, and soon acquired the tone and
habits Of a sphere which, though new tC


her, she was in many respects well quail


fed to fill. There were many points o.
contrast between her aud her husband
, lie was little, red.iaccd. jolly-lookinE
man-ful of fire aud iun-would tall
very gravely Tor Il while, but seldom fail
cd TO conclude his discourse with som,
smart saying, at which, if he laughed Il
all, it was with closely. compressed lip
| and low gurgle in the throat Iii
> wife, on the other hand, was rather tall


quiet and somewhat reserved i'll manner
I aud combined much iirmness with gentle
D ness and affection. Years rolled on dur
ing which one son and six daughters wer
. born to them and up 10 the birth Of tb
a Youngest, their domestic happiness ha,
[ been almost unclouded, After tha
n trouble came Their table was richl


furnished with all the necesshlies an,
/ many OF the luxuries Of life of all tn


latter she partook sparingly, but of on
= luxury she could not at any time be in
Y duced to taste That luxury was win
u and the other forms Of alcoholic drink
$ TO all these she had strong dislike, no
+. as Il matter OF principle, but Of taste


She had never tasted them from child
It hood, and the smell of them produce


nausea. She sucked her children with
# out the aid OF beer or porter, and retain
o ed her vigorous health. But after tn
!. birth Of her youngest child her heal,
r declined and her husband. on carefu
Year: 1875

On Wednesday last, as Mr. Joseph
Millard, of New Boston, Schuylkill
county, Pa, was digging in a cellar
for the purpose of making it deeper he
'unearthed q tin box which he put on
his shovel and threw out with the earth
he was digging. The box lay about
for over two hours when man coming
along stepped upon it with his heel and
round piece of something fell out of
it which he carelessly picked up and
put in his pocket. Another party then
opened the box, and on the top found
a piece of cloth with number of but
tons on it; underneath that piece of
patchwork and beneath it number of
round pieces of metal resembling coin
but covered with green mould. Think.
ing these things of little or no value
they were pitched about among the
boys for some time. At last on the
mould being cleaned off they were as
certained to be'gold. .coin..of the denom-
ination of twenties, tens, and fives. 1t
is computed that the box contained
between $500 and $400, and it has been
pretty well divided among the people
OF. the village. How it came there no one
knows, but it is surmised that it had
been buried by a woman of the name
of Clark who died in the house some
years age, las when she lay on her death
bed she made attempts to tell some
thing, but on account of weakness she
could not, and pointed dowr to the eel
lar, but those present could not under
stand what she meant. .1.
Year: 1875

. N'N~ ~~~N-"o


In his late message, Gov. Hartranft,
of this State, prophesied that unless
the present wholesale clearing of tim
Der lands is summarily stopped, with
in four years time our people will feel
the effects of this destruction of our.
forests in long droughts in summer
and spells of severe cold in winter.


Similar warnings have been frequently
given by observing and thoughtful


writers. Many persons consider that
the effects of this practice are already
being felt. The cold winds from the
far north, unchecked by the forests
that formerly broke their force, sweep
over the barred earth without hind
rance, and soon freeze it so hard that
the water from the snow and. rain
runs off, swelling the streams and
causing dangerous freshets, instead of
soaking into the ground and filling the
| spring from which the streams draw
their supplies in the summer season
During hot weather, the water in the
beds of these streams, unshaded by
trees and exposed 10 the fierce glare of
the sun, evaporates with great rapidi-
I ty, and the water resources of the
country become less year after year.


1t is we'll known that clearing away
forests diminlshes the rainfall, and the


baked and barren fields. which once


were luxuriant pastures, in some parts


of our country, fully illustrate the
fact. In portions of France and in


Egypt, the authorities were compelled


to plant trees to prevent drought, and
the experiment was highly successful,


rain now being plentiful in parts of


Egypt where it was previously un-
known. To illustrate the difference
in temperature between bleak and
unprotected country and one partially


covered with timber, let any person


take shelter from the present cold


blasts behind clump of thick trees or


bushes, and the sudden feeling OF
warmth and comfort will be as CRATE
full as 1t will be unexpected by those
unaccustomed to the change. If we
wish to avoid arctic winters and tor
irid summers, we must protect our for.
est trees.
Year: 1875

Prior to the holidays the Legis-


lature is said to have gotten square,
! ly down to work in better style
than has been usual. Upon the
Debt question it is diametrically
opposed TO Gov. Kemper's plen of
compromising on the present debt
with four per cent interest. The
present body seems clearly in favor
Of paying half the debt with six
percent intel est. This would be
very fair, but we see no way to
bring it about except a continuance
of the present state of affairs until
the bondhOlder's patience shall have
been as much exhausted as that of
the people now is. The question
of assessment of the lands of the
Commonwealth, so that equality
may be observed, is up and will be
hard to put down. The Governor
desires the appointment of the
assessors, but the Walker men, who
are the flinders, oppose this because
Kemper will appoint men WHO rate
the lands ,ov. They desire the ap-
pointment of "a supervisory board
who shall reviseand adjust the ccun-
ty assessments. Of course if these
should be funders they will thereby
have another wire in the nose of the
people, for they can assess as high
as they chose and then put all we
have in their pockets.


An effort has been made to re
duce the number Of Senators and
Representatives and if successful
the l, ndholders can then buy ont
the limited number just as they did
orce before.
Year: 1875

land, will make desperate effort to
get control of the town at the May
election. By this means, if you au-
.horize the sale of the land by your
votes. they expect to sell the lands to
themselves at such prices as suits
them, and then loan your money to
themselves to speculate on. This pro-
gramme has been avowed, in part, by
one of them.


In view of these facts. and consider
ing that the most heartless spectators
In our town are at the head of this
move to force this land on the market
at this unfavorable time, l have no
hesitation in saying, on. my response
bllity as a citizen, OF. ;. the town. that /
believe the sale of the land at this time
would be followed by serious conse-
quences to US all


A CITIZEN.
Year: 1875

To the Boardof Supervisors Of Wash


iDgtOn Co,


We have been credibly Informed
that at late meeting of your body
a proposition was offered, and perhaps
formally entertained TO build on the
Court Hotise lot a number of Offices
for the purpose Of renting out. Have
we not a sufficient number Of such
buildings now to accommodate all the
officers of the county without building
an additional number? AS We under
stand this matter, but we don't pre-
tend to say that we are posted. 1t Is
this, that one Of the county officers is
in areas from 81 coo to g 900, which
amount has been due some six OF
seven years and still unpaid, now to
make this amount due the county
easily paid by the delinquent officer
it is proposed that number OF offices
be built and paid for by the county
Would this course increase or lessen
the levy? Would not the payment OF
the deficiency by the delinquen; officer
be the most speedy and certain reme>
dy to reduce the levy and the one
that will be the soonest felt by the
people?


We hope the board will give the
people some light on this subject, as
they should have an opportunity to
make known their views, as it is their
money which is proposed to be dis
posed Of


ENQUIRER,
Year: 1875

We hope Gregory of the Peters
burg APPEAL now sees what his
ideas about burning in Effigy ahd
cremation have come to. The ne
gro women of that city now burn
their own husbands in Effigy and
are careful to see that the said hus-
band is inside the EfligY when the
burning is done.
Year: 1875

The best writer is he who can con.
vey the clearest thoughts in the short
est space. Some writer's so hide their
thoughts in useless words that it be.
comes task after you have read
column to comprehend its meaning.
Ornament in style is good when it
beauties the thoughts advanced, it is
ineXcusable when it covers them from
sight. a writer before he touches
pen should first get a clear idea of the
subject he is to handle this well un-
derstood, his next effort should be to
say what he has to say, in the fewest
words possible. We would not have
a single thought dwarfed by a stingy
use Of language but even this would
be better than to see it choked out of
existence by a superbundante of
words. Write to the point, and wher
you have reached it, stop. 1t requires
severe mental training to acquire that
simplicity of expression which CONVEYS
to us the grandest thoughts in the few
est words. yet it is within the province
Of all to approach if not equal it. 1t
has been said that it was more diff
cult to abridge an article than to
write one, that it requires more time to
write a short article well, than TO pre-
sent the same thoughts in double the
space.


When Queen Anne told DR.. South
that his sermon had cnly one fault
that of being too short-he replied
that he should have made it shorter if
he had had more time. Let our wri-
ters--especially those of the press
boil down their efforts before they pre-
sent them to the public. In this fast
age the man who can say the best
things in the shortest space is not far
removed from public benefactor.
Year: 1875


ed at the prisoner. Then at the pa
per again. In a moment he looked
up, and said:


'Clerk, administer the oath to this
boy"


Dan was sworn.


cannot repeat his testimony here,
but be sure it was drolly worded and
dIsjointcd enough. 1t made every
body laugh, even while it interested
them profoundly. The substance o1
it w&s that on this day when the forg
ed check was passed he was taking
photographs between Il NJ. and 3 p.
m, Among the pictures he made
One Of man who was standing in
the window of q building on the oppo.
site side of the street The man that
he photographed was the prisoner at
the bar.


Immediately there was general
buzz in the court room. The prison
er's pale face flushed, and he gazed at
Dan with alook Of Joyful gratitude.


But there was still 4 very impor-
tant question to be settled cat what
time exactly was that photograph
taken ?"


Dan took the picture, and looked
at it closely.


"There's the clock on st Luke's
Church, pin that corner there said
he, pointing to the place, and handing
the picture back to the judge.


The judge looked again, holding the
paper up to the light and turning it
carefully around, ''By the dial
here said he, sit was just one O'Clock
at the instant when the picture was
taken


The jury and the counsel now ex-
amined the photograph minutely. 1t
could not be disputed, there was the
identical man, and there was the proof
that he was not in the bank at the
moment when the forged check was
passed


The teller was once more placed up
on the stand. He was confused by
the evidence he had heard, and was
by no means as positive as he was be-
fore, At last he reluctantly admitted
that he might be laboring under a
mistake. And upon that, he retired
into the crowd with an appearance Of
great cbagrin


Dams triumph was complete. He
was hero. People forgot MS strange
dress and his wild looking head, and
actually ''lionized" him. The prison
er was discharged. lie instantly went
to Dan. and, seizlng both hands, ex-
claimed:


"You have saved me. You shall
have anything you want. cannot
do enough to show You my graft.
tude.


From that moment Dams star be-
gan to rise, He had money enough
to continue his experiments, and he
eventually discovered process by
which he succeeded in obtaining the
richest and most durable photographs
that are now taken. He still keeps
t he old camera that made his for
tune.
Year: 1875

This is what the Altii Union thinks
OF the hanging Of John Scott Smith:


"What subject fer the sicsly sentimen-
talism which abolishes legal capital pun-
isliment, was su;h man as this! The
sequel demonstrated that the abolition OF
the death penalty is ono of the laws that
cannot DO enforced--one that even the
usually law-abiding citizens OF Iowa will
not submit TO. We think that those de-
tcrmined citizens of Ottumwa, who in the
bright light of a noon-day sun, without a
mask or any other sign that they were
ashamed of their proceeding, did wrong to
take the law into their own hands and put
to death even such man as Smith. 1t
would have been more noble in them to
maintain the dignity Of State authority and
let the law take its course though the pun
ishmcnt mcted out thereby to this desperate
man should not be commensurate with his
crime but they did just what almost any
other community in the State would have
done under similar circumstances, in the
absence Of law iullicting capital punisl.-
mont upon such offenders.


1t is becoming very evident that the
penitentiary under sentence of imprison-
mcnt either for life or a term of years. has
in il little terror for such men as Smith
and therefore little tendency to prevent
crime. Capital punishment alone has any
terror for such and the people are generally
becoming convinced that its tcrrors would
save the lives of several good citizens in our
State every year. Hence they will send
men to the Legislature who will restore the
penalty to its place upon our Statute books.
Year: 1875




Three weeks heavy rains appear
now to have ceased. The flood has
bsen terribly severe upon the crop
prospects. The spring, though late,
gave through the month Of May and
up to the middle OF juno the best
Of promise Of . heavy crop, the farm
srs were jubilant, but the flood of three
weeks past has put an entire different
phase upon things. Good weather
now will, OF course, retrieve much, but
It cannot 20 redeem the corn crop as
to prevent loss Of about one-half the
crop 10 this county. On the level
prairie most all the corn is damaged
past recovery. Wheat has been seri-
ously damaged; oats II there be no
high wind to blow down the immense
growth of straw will probably be q
fair crop. The potato crop with fair
weather ought to be good. Grass has
thiskened mp and will be fair crop.
The food scourge Of the past three
weeks has been one of the severest
drawbacks upon this section Of the
country that We have experienced for
years, We are confident, however,
with good weather which promises so
well, much Of the gloomy appearance
now prevailing will pass away though
great damage must unavoidsbly fol-
low.