smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

During a recent visit to Western


New York number of farmers asked
our opinion as to the value of straw
as covering for their wheat fields
the coming winter The interest


which such q question implies is


gratifying. 1t shows that the poor


wheat crops of the past two or three


years have taught farmers that some


thing is the matter, and if wheat


growing is to be continued something


must be done to insure better crops.


Stable manure put over the wheat


In fall is known to be a valuable pro-
tector; but does it save the crop chief
ly as mulch or from its manurial


properties? IL is not easy to get sta


BILE manure enough to cover the large


wheat fields which many farmers
sow, and some of the best farmers


draw their barnyard manure on corn


and potato ground in spring and


have little left for use as top-dressing


in fall. They, however, have straw
in plenty and ifit can be made avail
able for immediate use their fields
can be well and cheaply protected.


Our own observation and expert
ence shows that straw is of little val


ue for this purpose. Wheat is often


wlnter-killed from exposure to bleak


winds and it seems as ifa covering


even of straw would be beneficial.


Practically, however, it is probable
that poverty Of soil is tie trae diff
Guilty. We have seen wheat fields
exposed to the bleakest winds and
most severe freezing where the crop
came out ell right because the soil
was rich, while or poorer soil in
pi otected situations the wheat was
an entire failure The plant on q
poor soil does not seem to have much
to 1--we tor, and gives up the ghost TO
insects, cold weather aud other evils
about as readily as thoroughly dis
couraged men and women TO do
when attacked by disease Poor
land is subject to various fatalities
which crops on rich soil escape.
Wheat was made to endure the cold
OF winter, and when properly grown
1t has means of protesting itself from
Its severity. With plenty Of sppro-
pirate food it will manage to wrap
itself with a mantle Of its leaves and
brave the severest storms Of winter.
We have repeatedly seen wheat on
rich soil pass through the winter
successfully, while on poor soil with
less exposure it has been almost
ruined by winter killing. CONNER
cial fertilizers drilled in with wheat
have the same effect, while mere
straw mas not


Straw is not by any means o cheap
manure. Its value for selling NAV
De low, but even then it is worth far
more as feed or for bedding than
as manure in its unfermented state.
If 1t can he sold at ten to fifteen dol
lars ton as was done in most Of our
large cities year or two ago selling
straw is not bad mode # disposing
Of it provided better measures are
purchased in it's stead But always
save enough for beding and as an
absorbent of manures that would
otherwise be lost. Thus used the
soil will increase in fertility so thas
very soon winter grain will be well
fed and strong enough to MAINTAIN its
vitality without protection during
the severest winter.-hural Netc
YORKER. -
Year: 1875

WASHINGTON, Oct. Is, 1878
THE EFFECT OF BUTLER's SPEECH IN WASHING


ToN-REMINIscENCEs OF A BLUNDER.


The address OF General Butler the currency ques-
ton falls nat in Washington will all theories Of that
gentleman the subject OF finance, in view Of his
ridiculous speech Congress three years ago when he
made the famous bunder about the apparent difference
between the quotations Of United States bonds in Lon
don and Frankfort An otherwise plausible dissertation
in support Of his greenback theory OF great length
and evident elaborate preparation wholly spoiled
by this egregous blunder As financial philosopher
Butler is shallow than Bill Allen.
Year: 1875

BISGHAMToy Oct Is, 1878
As Minnie German aged nine years, was walking
with younger sister in the outskirts of this city last
night she waylad and outraged by young man.
The OF the children attracted the attention Of
two ladies', who went to their assistance, and the
time party OF men upon the scene, but the
ruf1ian had escaped into the woods Parties went In
search OF him this morning, and information given by
boy led them 70 tho house of young named
James Lovert, who lives in the neighborhood Of the
victims house. After trouble they succeeded in
arrestng Lovert and taking him before the children
he was fully identified by them. The officers
had some difficulty in removing him to Jail, as there
a strong disposition manifested by the crowd TO
lynch him. The girl is dangerously injured and may
Year: 1875

STANFORD, Conn, Oct Is, 1875.


he 7:10 passenger train the Now York New
ven and Hartford Railroad while approaching the
pot at this place this morning, struck and instantly
led named Freeman. The train came in con.
\ with the with such force to hur him some
tance TO one side OF the track An Investigation
Vowed deceased to be a resident Of Riverside in the
town Of Greenwich; that he was in the habit Of walking
the track daily to and from Stamford and that ho
was so engaged when he met his untmely end. De.
ceased about seventy years Of age. No blame Is
attached 10 the engineer conductor OF the train
Year: 1875

Tho following record viii show the changes in the
temperature for the past twenty hours in compar
son with the corresponding date Of last year. ind
Gated by the thermometer at Hudnuts pharmacy,
Year: 1875

TO INVEST A FEW DOLLARS. WITH POSSIBLE RETURNS OF THOUSANDS. IS OFFERED BY THE DISAPPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC LIBRARY OF KY TO THE 27th OF FEBRUARY. NEXT, OF THEIR FIFTH AND LAST CONCERT AND TO THE RETURN OF THE MONEY IF THE DRAWING SHOULD NOT COME OFF AT THE DAY NOW APPOINTED.
Year: 1875

framed so as to secure tho coioieu poop.' '
certain rights in public conveya. "co' 'n ~
restaurants, and hotels, but really l. ''cAuO1 ~
enforce nothing but that sort OF 80
equality which knows no law except p. ""
dice and custom, and can never be estabiisbe>
by all the Congresses and courts in Christen-
dom. We do the freedmen the justice to
believe that they care very little about THIS
bill, and are not anxious, as class, to thrust
themselves into company where their presence
is not acceptable. 1t would be strange,
however, il among them all there were not
some aspiring spirits eager to avail themselves
Of the new privileges offered them, merely
because they have been told that they are
privileges. The incidents attending the execu-
ton of the law thus far are about what we
might have expected. We hear of no trouble
as yet OF railways or steamboats,; but colored
men in various parts Of the country have sud-
denly betrayed an intense desire to be lath-
cred and shaved at the BARRIERS, are found
calling for cocktails at first-class rum-shopS;
and on one or two occasions have even bought
dollar tickets for the theater. Thus Congress
elevates the oppressed race, and the Goddess
of Liberty probably dances with delight at the
spectacle.


Undoubtedly the senseess prejudice which
excludes a decent man from hotels and other
places of entertainment because he belongs to
what was long o servile race, is cruel and un-
christian. But it is only aggravated by the
attempt to crush it through the means of the
law. At the North it has been gradually dy-
ing out ever since the beginning oil he war,
and the time is not distant when, if no in-
prudent legislation revives it, we may count
upon its entire disappearance. AT the South
the change would be still more rapid ii selfish
political agiators would stop making mischief.
But Oh the other hand, the schemes by which
some of the Southern Legislatures are trying
to nullify the law are certain to do HARM
They proclaim q virtual il not an actual con-
nict between the laws Of Congress and the
laws of the State, and thus raise the bar
room privileges Of the cOlored man to the
dignity of political rights. Let the Civil
Rights statute alone, and the difficulty will
adjust itself. SO far as the law cOnfers any
real benefit upon the colored man it will be
of benefit to society generally, and therefore
to the white man as well as to the black. 30
far as it attempts to prescribe to us with
whom we shall tip the cOnviyial tumbler and
rattle the festive fork, it will fall to the
ground under the load of its own folly, and
the politicians of the future will be very
much ashamed OF it.
Year: 1875

drawn and replaced by tho same amount Of


notes Oh new banks, and the half o million


OF legal tenders which would be unlocked


would De real addition to the mass of the
currency. This initiation, however, Is for the
present moro than counteracted by the with
drawal Of greenbacks equal to eighty per cent
OF the amount Of the new issues of bank
notes and by the surrender of circulation.
which ooerates rs an immediate reduc-
ton of tho volume Of the currency.
Whether the eject of the present de-
pressed state OF trade, in conjunction
with the last two currency experiments, will
DO TO produce initiation or contraction, it
may be difficult to fOreteIl, but as TO tho
correctness of Secretary Brstows interprcta-
ton of the provision quoted above, there
can be no dispute. To-day the legal tender
circulation will be reported at S380,GJOOo.
The language Of the act is quite as plain as
that which ordains tho Sinking Fund, and wo
rejoice to see Secretary of the Treasury
Obeying laws as he finds them in the statute
books, without originating any amendments
from his inner consciousness, after the fashion
set by Mr.. Boutwell,.
Year: 1875

The report comes from Washington that
Secretary Brstow will this week call in for
redemntion, Oh account Of the Sinking Fund,
thirty million dollars in six per cent bonds.
The bonds will fall due about the middle OF
June. We strongly suspect that on Or before
the maturity of the bonds an arran cement
will be made with the Syndicate for the sale
of an equivalent amount of five per cent bonds
"to enable the Secretary OF the Treasury to
"prepare and provide for the redemption"
of legal-tender notes and fractional currency
under the authority granted III tie Free
Banking act which was signed by the Presi-
dent in January last. If this suppOsltion shall
prove to be correct, the operation VIII not
have the effect to decrease the Public Debt Il
single dollar, or to increase the stock OF the
precious metals within the reach OF CONNER
cial men. The effect will be precisely that OF
any other funding operation. The interest on
thirty millions of the Public Debt Will BE-
diminished one per cent. and we shall have
made one more move in the tedious business
Of replacing our six per cent bonds with tives


But whether the Public Debt is to be ac-
tually reduced and the stock Of gold il ,he
Treasury dispersed, or whether the Sinking
Fund contribution is to be nulliiied in the
way we have supposed, is a question III re-
gard to which the public should not be left
in doubt. The operations OF the Treasury
must not be conducted so as to play into the
hands of spectators. 1t is of the highest i'm
portance to everybody connected with trade
to know whether or not thirty millions
in gold are to be added to the stock in the
market between now and next July. If, IN
addition to the usual IMPORTS from foreign
countries, We are to be called on next Sum
mer to pay for thirty millions of bouls, we
arc entitled to notice in advance. 1t will not
be fair play to induce the mercantile public
to regulate their business in anticipation Of an
extraordinary disbursement three months hence
of thirty millions in gold, and then, when the
time comes, to dodge round a corner and
avoid paying out the gold by giving five per
cent bonds instead.


If there Is any intention in the mind of
Secretary Blstow OF of the President to get the
Treasury III shape for resumption in 1879, it
cannot be possible that they seriously intend
to disbursc thirty millions i'll redemption of the
Public Debt next June. In the seventeen
months from October 1, 1873, TO March I, 1875,
the net decrease of the Public Debt has
been only $l,31,009, and in October, 1873,
the Treasury was thought TO be 50 weak
by the President and Mr. Richardson
that they commenced the issue Of legal ton
Ger notes from their socalled reserven to
meet the current expenses of the Government.
We give the President and tho Secretary Of
the Treasury credit for a sincere desire to
carry out the pledge of resumption in 1879,
and We therefore feel confident that the
disbursement Of thirty millions for the Sink
ing Fund, which the law indeed requires will
be counteractcd by borrowing an equal
amount under the provisions of tho act of
January ID, 1915.
Year: 1875




When we como to review the policy of the
Congress which has just expired it docs not
seem to differ materially from the principles
of government professed by the Roman Em =
perors in the decline of their power. Degen-
eratc Caesars thought it enough to keep the
popuace fed and amused, while the wearers
of the purple ruled and rioted; and one can
almost believe that the leading statesmen at
Washington this Winter imagined they heard
the old cry Of Panem ct circeESes,
and that the whole art of legislation con-
sisted in satisfying the demand. Confronted
by tremendous political change in the North.
thfy could think of no measure to restore
their fallen popularity except the gratuitous
distribution of two or three hundred millions
of dollars among the voters in the guise OF
"bounty bill" Menaced with loss of a
mart of their cOl0red supporters in the South,
they called upon the War Department for
hogsheads of army bacon to give away in the
districts endangered by an overflow of Con-
scrvatsn, and then they promised all the ne
croes good seats at the theaters and free adj
mission to the best bar-rooms. What could
statesmen do mOref



feated by the President. The Bar-RoOm bill
has become law, and the country is watch
ing with curiosity that is half amusement
and half disgust to see what it will do for
the negro. There is little left in it which has
any practical value. Whatever Congress could
lawfully do to secure for the freedmen the
blessings of education and the privileges of
citizcnship,-that it should have been the
task of the Republican party to insist upon.
and all wise men would have applauded the
work. But for this scheme no person Of
sense can entertain sympathy or respect
1t contains jury clause which vio-
lates the Constitution and common
sense-for WHAT Why, to secure suitors the
inestimable privilege of 0 trial before the
most ignorant and incompetent jurors obtain
able. 1t ronte'rs other clauses 0stensibly
Year: 1875

The Democrats and Liberals in Connecticut
having nominated two Judges of the Supreme
Court for Congress against Messrs. Kellogg
and Starkweather, the Administration organs
are protesting with great vehemence against
the inpropueiy of such proceedings. They
say the spectacle of Judges of the Supreme
Court as candidates for political Office is very
revolving, and they call upon the people with
much earnestness to rebnke it at the polls.
They unite in saying that the very least these
judicial gentlemen can do is to resign their
positions on the bench pending the Congress
sional election. decent regard for appear
ances, they urge, must compel them to this
course, and they seem surprised and even


shocked that neither of the gentlemen takes that
view of it. Both Mr.. Kellogg and Mr.. Stark
weather, we presume share in this feeling of
modification and shame at the degradation of
tho bench. That a Judge of the Supreme
Court shoud step down from the bench to
be a candidate for Congress is inexprcssiby
shocking to them. For they know what it
means to be in active politics; they know
whether OF not o judge can be candidate
for Congress without soiing the ermine,n
as they call 1t. or being guilty Of conduct un-
Year: 1875

The New-Hampshlre campaign was brought
to a close yesterday in a perfect blaze Of
oratory. Both parties had effective speakers
in the field, and mass meetings were the order
of the day in almost every important town in
the State. The election i3 to be held to-day;
but the contest is so close and each party is
40 confident of success, that it is not safe to
trust any prediction as to the result
Year: 1875

We give elsewhere what may be taken as
the Vice Presidents defense of his action in
signing the Bounty bill, and of the much
moro indefensibe course he pursued in warmly
espousing it. The signature seems to have
been an act vindicated by high parliamentary
authority; but the support of the bill is not
creditable to the Vice President. We look for
better things from him than from roaring
demagogue like Logan. Everybody in these
days is anxious to think well and to speak
well of him, and it is a real grief to find him
on one subject taking a course which permits
neither.
Year: 1875

4 most remarkable discovery is re-


ported from the astronomical obsery-
atory established by the Russian
government several years ago at


Pamleteska, the highest point with
one exception on the Himaiayail
range. For several months peca-


liar bright spot had been discovered


shining from the extreme edge Of the


moons disc, at point where no


mountains breaI. the continuity of


IT'S perlmeter 1,his light suddenly


disappeared and remained Invisible


tor nearly twelve months. 1t has


lately reappeared in greater bril-


liancy than ever, and the immense


power of the telescope attached to


the above observatory, so well known


in the scientific world, has developed


the fact that the light proceeds from
some huge FURNISHED substance, act
ing as< ssirror, which must he at
least 100 feet in diameter. The most
astonishing thing in the matter is
the almost complete proof that this
is actually mirror of artificial cou-
-struction, and the theory of the, sa-
vans at Pamleteska is that it is erect
ed for observations of a scientific
character, principally.to observe the
earth's surface. s-a -


1t is well known that the immense
height OF that portion of the moon
which is turned toward the earth,
not only through the well known
laws of grayitation, keeps that por-
tion of her surface. presented toward
us, hut renders it uninhabitable. 1t
is supposed that the side turned from
us may have an atmosphere suitable
for animal life, and that Intelligent
beings observing the halo of light
she'd around its horizon by reflections
from the earth, may have taken this
means to ascertain the cause. Some
ingenious device to place u mirror at
Il height where animal life could not
he sustained, was the result 1t is to
be hoped that this discovery may lead
to others in regard to our interesting
satellite
Year: 1875

A Vicksburg wife informed her
husband, the other morning, that she
was working herself into the grave
for the want of hired girl, and as
he went out she leaned back and fell
to weeping. The children were max
ing noise in the hall as he passed
out, and he called out: "You want to
stop this racket Your mother won't
live week, and when you get step
mother here next spring she won't
put up with any such foolingw When
he came home to dinner his wife met
him with smile and said: "Isn't
ours a cozy home, Richard, with only
our own little family to look afterr'
Year: 1875

From the New York Evening Mail.


or course we can drive the oxen
home, we told the farmer. The idea
Of doubling our ability, when we
have seen them handled every day
for the past month! He handed over
the long whip and started them, we
taking the proper position in front.
1t was easy enough, though rather
monOtonous, till we met team COM
ing the other way; then we "geed'
those oxen into u ditch, and, running
against tree, came to a standstill.
We received a pleasant smile from
the teamster, as we had given him
the whole road. But there we were.
We hollered ''gee," )" shaw, "and shack"
till our throat felt rough. We couldn't
get ahead unless we borrowed an AK
and cut the tree down, and when we
tried to back them they spread out
from the pole, and stood face to face,
nearly choking themselves. Then
our patience gave out; we kicked the
near one in the ribs; he playfully re-
torted by switching us across the face
with his fly dispenser. We lit pipe,
and putfed smoke into their nostrils.
This was a happy thought; they
sneezed over us, and backed, but for
got to stop till they got stone wall
between them. We went home to
borrow steam derrick, but before
the arrangements were made the oxen
came in view, and calmly stopped in
front ofthe barn. You may think there
is nothing human in an OK, but we
are ready to swear that both winked
when they saw us, and one had pos
tive grin on his face. We refrain
from expressing our opinion of oxen.
Year: 1875




Late in December, after our fall
stock of bulbs was disposed of, We
found dozen or more hyaeinths of
various colors which had been over
looked. To keep them from spelling
they were hastily planted in four or
five large pots, and these set away in
an out-building, where they would be
free from frost and have very little
light There they were left for three
months, and nothing done except to
water them occasionally. Expecting
little or nothing from them, they were
not noticed till leaf and flower stalk
were both perfectly developed. The
light had not been sufficient to color
the flowers, and these were all of y
dirty pale green. The pots were
now brought to the sitting room and
placed in the full sunshine, and in
few hours each spike had assumed
its natural tint. The effect was very
beautiful. Not q bulb had failed
red, purple, yellow, blush and white
were all large and perfect
Year: 1875

AS you have stood some stormy day
upon II sea cliff, and marked the
giant billow rise from the deep to rush
on with foaming crest, and throw it.
self laundering on the trembling shore
did you ever fancy that you could stay
its course and hurl 1t back to the
depths Of the ocean? Did you ever
stand beneath the leaden, lowering
cloud and mark the lightning's leap
as it shetland flashed, dazzling athwart
the gloom, and think that you could
grasp the belt and change its path?
Still more foolish and vain his thought
who fancies that he can arrest or turn
aside the purpose of God, saying,
"what is the Almighty that we should
serve him? Let us break his bands
asunder, and cast away his cords from
usw Break his bands usunder! How
he that sitteth in the heavens shall
laugh. DR.. Guthrie
Year: 1875

Tomorrow night We are to have a
legitimate old folks concert. These
pleasant entertainments are the con-
Meeting link between the music of the
past and the music of the present. The
quaint costumes, the homely manner,
the austerity ofthe music of the past,
will rebe produced. The old melodies


which will be sung tomorrow night,


are as dear to the musical ear to-day
as they were when the Germans sung
Old Hundred or the Scotch Covenan-
ters sung Dundee. This old and loved
music will be given to morrow night
under all the Inspiration of ancient
costume, and with all the ability of
our leading amateurs. We predict
the most select and appreciative au-
dience ever assembled in Los Angeles.
Year: 1875

The day had been overcast; sudden
ly the sun shone out, and little patch
of sunshine frightened the corner of
the carpet. Immediately Tray got up
and, with wise look, trOtted to the
bright place and laid himself in it.
"rhere's true philosophy" said John;
"only one patch of sunlight In the
place, and the sagatious little dog
walks out of the shadow and rolls
himself round in the brightness. Let
not Trays example be lost upon US,
but wherever there shall shine one
patch of sunlight, let US enjoy it."
Year: 1875

The New York Herald presents arguments in
opposition to the reduction Of the army, and car
nestly warns the Democratic majority in tho
House that such step would be a mistake
Time will show whether this advice has any l.