smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

The injunction, ''know thyself," is not
more important than the one Of ssknow thy
soil,' if addressed to the progressive, wide
awake farmer. Ii anything deserves study
it is the earth, for fromit we derive the means
Of subsistence and, though it is mine of
wealth, we should know it's exact condition
and not draw from it in the form of grain or
root crops, more than we return in the form
OF manure knowledge Of the soil may
be made of great practical benefit to the
thinking farmer. For instance, if his soil is
formed by the decomposition of granite
rock, he can ascertain with little trouble
what are the constituents Of that rock, and
what are the special manures that will be
most likely to prove Of benefit in keeping
up its fertility. 1t is by the study of the soil
of any particular formation that the farmer
comes to understand it, and knows how to
cultivate it to better advantage than any
other


The rocks which underlie large section of
country here in the west, do not however
indicate positively the character of the soil
on the surface. The rocks which ordinarily
show themselves Oh the surface are covered.
to a greater or less extent, by transported
materials from some other source, which we
call drift. The vast quantities OF these ma
terials, which thus oyerlie the original rocks.
consist on inspection, of the ruins of other
formations that have been broken and crum-
bled down, and their fragments borne to
other localities by some unknown power.
=. e
either in the form of glaciers or iceburgs;
others to the upheaval of the bottom of the
ocean, by which resistless torrent of min
.gled mud, ice and water swept over the con-
tinent, tearing away hills, scooping out val
leys, crumbling away various strata of rock
and depositing their materials in different
and often distant localities.


1t is not supposed nor expected that the
practical farmer will undertake to analize
his soil himself, for it would be so inaccurate
as to be nearly valueless. Yet he can deter
mime some of its physical properties, its re-
lation to atmospherical agency, its diminu-
ton Of bulk on drying, its properties to re-
tain heat, ETC., by simple apparatus recon-
mended by Prof. Kuhn, director of the Ag-
ricultural College at Halle, Saxony:


"The apparatus proper consists of a glass
bottle and tube, connected by piece of rub
ber tube The glass tube is closed by a good
cork at one end, and is marked off in cubic
centimetres ila this one present, although
any measure can be employed. It is known
that the physical properties of the soil de-
pend largely upon the percentage of coarse
and fine sand, and Of clayey and humus sub
stances. 1t has been found that 65 cubic
centimetres of this coarse sand weigh ten
grammes; S.5 cubic centimetres of fine sand
will weigh also ten grammes. TO separate,
take ten grammes of dry soil. seive it, that
Year: 1876




Nothing is so pleasant and encouraging
as success, and no success quite so satisfying
as success in the culture of flowers. If isa
pleasure with no compensating pain-one
which purifies while it pleases. We gaze
on the beautiful plants and brilliant flowers
with delicious commingling of admiration
ana love. They are the offspring of our
lore-thought, taste and care-a new myste-
llous and glorious creation. They grew
truly but very like the stars and the rainbow.
a few short weeks ago the brown earthv
beds We're bare and lifeless now they are
peopled with the fairest and frailest Of earth,s
children. We have created all this grace
moulded the earth, the sunshine and the rain
INTO forms of matchless beauty, and crystal
lzed the dew drops into gems of loveliness.
Ihere is no greater pleasure than this in
an me earth, save that sweetest and noblest
OF pleasures, the fruit of good deeds.


There may be hard-hearted, selfish people
who loveflowers,we suppose, for there were
pad angels in heaven, and very unreliable.
people III the first and best Of all gardens:
but 1t has never been our ill-fortune to meet
with one such-and if by accident we should
discover amonstrosity Of this kind, we would
be more frightened than we were a long time
ago at what we thought ghost sitting on
cemetery gate.


10 love flowers, however, because of their
sweetness, beauty and companionship and
as the wonderful work of Fathers loving
hand, IS what we mean when we speak Of
the love Of flowers. Many cultivate flowers
from a desire to excel their neiehbors. or
as an evidence oftheir refinement and culture
who know nothing ofthe absorbing love that
causes man almost involuntarilv to raise
the hat and bow the head in the presence
OF so much heaven-lent loveliness. This love
OF flowers is confined to no age or station
we see it in the prince and peasant !. # is
shown by the aged father, totterino near
the grave, who seems almost to adore the
fragrant flowers in his button-hole. and bv
the little ones, who, with childish olee
search the meadows for the dandelions Of
early spring. The love Of flowers, we fancy
is the most pure and absorbing with the
young. The innocent and pure can love
the pure flowers, we think with an earnest
ness and devotion unknown to some Of ia
that are older.-Vich's Floral Guide.
Year: 1876

|. TAAN 11NG IkEES.


With the expenditure of few davs' labor
in planting out trees, the farmer may mate
rally enhance the value and appearance of
his farm.


The cottonwood and quaking-asp, which
grow in abundance along our streams, are of
quick growth, and if planted along the irri-
eating bitches, will, in a few years, grow
large enough to be of much benefit. The
work of planting can be done during the
fall and winter months, at times when there
is no particular rush of work.


In q few years, when our Territory will
have become thickly populated, and the vast
area of valuable farming lands which are
now unclaimed are settled upon, timber for
building and fencing purposes will doubtless
be scarce, and trees set out this winter will
come in good use for repairing fences.


Aside from this, there are many other ad-
vantages to be derived from the planting and
cultivation of timber A row of cotton
woods, locusts or some equally rapid and
hardy growers, encircling the farms of our
valleys would add to their value and serve
to bcautlfy our homes. The timber would
shield us from the strong winds which sweep
through our country in the summer, and
provide shelter for stock in winter.


The following is what an Englishman
says about horseradish:


''There is in most garden establishments
a great demand for horseradish, and espec-
tally at the present season. The plant is, in
many gardens, placed in some obscure cor
ner where few things could exist. and the
produce from such situations is genarally
very inferior. If the following simple meth
cd is adopted, fine, straight, clean sticks can
be produced in ten months that will measure
from five to eight inches in circumference
Any time in February, take small, straight
pieces of the root, the size of the little fin
ger, or little less, and from eight to four
teen inches in length. Take off all the side
roots and buds that may be seen, and then
in an open situation prepare piece of ground
by well manuring and deep digging plant
the roots in rows three feet apart, and from
twelve to eighteen inches in the row. They
must be planted in a nearly horizontal posi-
ton, and about two inches beneath the sur
face. Keep the ground at all times free from
weeds, and by the end of October sticks
such as above mentioned will be the result,
in half the time that it would take by the
old method of planting cuttings of the roots
from eighteen to twenty inches Deep The
roots, being placed SO near the surface of
the ground, enjoy the full influence of the
sun-heat, and hence the rapid growth.


Though Judgment may collect the mate
rails of the goodly structure of friendship,
it is affection that gives the cement; and
passion, as well as reason, should concur in
forming firm and lasting coalition.
Year: 1876

Though Judgment may collect the mate
rails of the goodly structure of friendship,
it is affection that gives the cement; and
passion, as well as reason, should concur in
forming a firm and lasting coalition.
Year: 1876

Henry A. Wise retained n perfectly clear
mind up to the last moments of his life.
He was great man, one of the greatest
of his day and time; belonged to the old
school of Virginia gentlemen, anu was
guided in his career by those exalted sentl-
ments which prevailed in the bosoms of
such men as Washington, Jefferson
and Madison. There was nobility
about this man which caused those
who enjoyed his presence to bow down
in heart before him, and meanness and
low cunning would cringe before him
with a mortal fear. An instance is IN mind
when Wise was making his great canvass
against Know-Nothingism in Virginia. 1t
was at Charlottesville, and the hall was
crowded with tremendous audience. He
had been dogged for several days by ly-
ing reporter for the Tribune, and Wise had
just learned who the man was. He began
by telling his hearers what had been said
IN the Tribune in regard to himself, and then
giving the picture of the falsifier, in
formed them that he was in their midst.
Ashamed to meet the eye of the great speak
er, he hid himself away IN some corner whare
no one could discover him. The attack
was so rebuking, and the picture of the
man so contemplate that though news
paper reporter he became disgusted with
himself, and fled from exalted presence and
took the very next train which passed
Charlottesville, and left Virginia behind
him. Wise was great moral power in
life, and his example will be an influence
for honor and integrity for long years to
come. He was pure man, and politician
of unblemished fame. AS stated, his
mind was grand to the last moment of his
life, and while life was glimmerng in its
socket he made use of the following char
acteristic words:


my life has been devoted to virtue and
integrity. l never robbed the poor, and
what is better and easier l never robbed the
RICH"


To his son he remarked:


Take hold, John, of the biggest knots in
life and try to unite them. Try to be
worthy Of mans highest estate. Have high,
noble, manly honor. There is but one test
Of anything, and that is, 70 be right. If il
is not right turn away from it."


What reflection was the life of this
great statesman upon the politicians of to.
Say
Year: 1876

TIE true policy of the Southern people
is not to act upon the suggestion of the
Baltimore Gazette, but they should bear in
mind that they have friends in the North
working earnestly for their salvation.
These friends are true and brave, and their
name is legion. They entertain the same
political opinions as Democrats of the
South. and are ccnduc ing this canvass for
the good of the whole country; and the
Southern people should comUit no act
which may injure the mutual cause of these
people. Governor Parker, in New Jersey,
has made use of these words:


the policy of the Republican party to-
ward the South since the war has no psral-
lei for heartlessness and cruelty. Posterity
will regard it with horror and disgust, and
history will stigmatize it as the great po
litical crime of the century. The scheme
of bayonet rule was devised for party pur
poses, without regard to the welfare OF
tho people, North or South-it was op
pressive to the South and ruinous to the
North
Year: 1876

THE history of the District of Colum-
bia ring is familiar to the whole country.
1t was formed for purposes of plunder and
has had absolute control of the District of
Columbia for years. By mans of false
measurements and fraudulent vouchers sup
piled by Babcock, while confidential secre-
tary of the President, and by other devices,
it succeeded in plundering the Treasury of
millions of dollars which the taxpayers OF
the different States will have to make
good. Boss Shepherd, the leader of the
ring, is one of the most intimate personal
friends of Grant, who has aided him to the
utmost extent of his ability in his designs
against the public funds. Grant is believed
to be secret partner IN the ring real estate
pool
Year: 1876

Hard times would, by this time, have
completely gained the upper hand of every
body were it not for the steady decline for
years in all the necessities of lifo. Money


has been concentrated in the hands of the


few, aud at the same time it has been


boarded, or let out only on such securities


and in such amounts as exclude the masses
FROM its benefits. These same ''hard


times" about which Sd much Is said anu


written, and which all but favored
few have encountered, must have an
end, and it is believed it will
come when the American people
secure a national administration il which


confidence can be reposed. These as
sertions are not of an idle or clap-trap
political nature, based as many are upon
nothing, but are solemn and supplying
facts. The expenses of the United States
government under Grant have been extrav-
agant beyond comparison during times of
peace. For six years of his administration
ending June so, 1875, the public expendi-
lures amounted to over "a, 900, 900, 900, all
of which has BEEN extracted from an over
taxed people, and large proportion
of which has been appropriated to
the use of thieves. The causes for distress
are therefore plainly visible. Confidence
is destroyed and those who let their money
be used for purposes of good in ordinary
times are led to invest in such securities as
will be easily realized upon, and which it
is painful to say tend to do little else than
enrich villains. The wealth of the masses
has been absorbed by system of political
rings, and as stated the bottom would long
since have fallen out had not the people
been led to greater economy, and found
some relief through the universal decline in
life's necessities. With this decline, however,


which has been fully fifty per cent. ON all
staple articles in the last ten years, there
has been no perceptible relief, for just 80
fast as economy and lower prices have left
balance to the account of the citizen, just
so fast has it found its way by increased
taxation on everything into the government
treasury, and thence into the pockets of
rogues. This is the circle in which money
has travelled, the greater portien of it drop
ping as it passed around permanently
into the pockets of those whom
corrupt government allows to han
die it. To bear US out in these asser-
tions we have been led to extract from a
valuable table of rates made in New York,


the following comparative prices of neces-
Year: 1876

A Lexington Avenue man was reading u
story to his wife, the otner night, and came
to piece of ''fine writing" in which the
ear of the heroine was compared to ''some
creamy-white, pink-tinted shell Of ocean,


''By the way" said the husband, cutting
short his reading, ''thRt description Of the
ear reminds me OF your ear-you have an ear
like she'll"


1t was the first compliment she had re-
ceIved from him since the early days OF
their marriage, and blush Of pride suf-
fused her face as she asked


"What kind Of shell, darlingi"


"An abalone she'll" he replied.


She had never before heard of or seen an
abaione shell, but she did nos want to dis
play her ignorance, so she made up her
mind to hunt it up in the Condensed Con-
chology" that ornamented the centre table.
Next morning, the first thing she did after
her husband had left the house was to hunt
up the description of an abalone shell. She
found it. 1t was described as she'll about
the size Of an ordinary wagon wheel. She
nursed her wrath during that day, and when
her husband came home that night she met
him at the door with n towel roller, and
now his ear is big as an abalone shell, but
it looks. Ikea piece of pounded beef
Ne'o York Express.
Year: 1876

An English butter maker Of experience,
who is now on visit 10 this couotry for the
purpose Of looking over our cheese and but
ter dairies, gives US the following iDforma-
tioa concerning method in practice
among the butter makers OF England for
hardening or rendering butter hrm and
solid during hot weather: Carbonate
Of soda and alum are used for the purpose,
made into powder. For twenty pounds
OF utter one teaspoonful Of Carbonate OF
soda and one 'teaspoonful Of powdered
alum are mingled together AZ the time OF
churning and put into the cream. Tbs
feet OF tais powder il 10 make the butter
come firm and solid, aud to give 1t clean,
sweet favor II does not enter into the
butter, but its action Is upon the cream,
aud it passes of with the buttermilk. The
Ingredients of the powder should not be
mingled together unil required 70 be used
or at the time the cream is IN the churn
ready for churning - RatertorB On ~
TiNaes
Year: 1876

Were it not then for the increased drain
upon the country, resulting mainly from its
political decentralization and consequent
extravagances, the poor man of to-day
would be enabled to lay up money faster
than he could ten years ago. Two direct
causes prevent this. One is that
confidence being destroyed, labor is
not SO constantly employed as it wss
in 1886 and the other is that corrupt rings
have command of most of the money in the
country. There is but one course open
for relief, and with its accomplishment the
people at large will once more become
coDtented and happy, Tor they will
be surrounded with plenty and COM
fort. Want of confidence has shut
the doors Of factories, and varied indus
tries with millions invested have lain idle
in consequence Of it. Fifty thousand able
bodied men In New York and a cores
pondIng ratio throughout the country are
without work and without bread, and
the only hope for relief is il
q thorough and complete change of the
national government. Officials are armed
with power hard to resist. Ninety five
thousand Federal officials against fifty
thousand in 1869 have an influence over
the voters that it will be hard to overcome,
but reason and necessity must certainly
prevail and place the country once more
where it can settle down into universal
prosperity and peace.
Year: 1876

The expgsienctr -
Rosebud battle has about e&1Eioded Y Fkkk, slt.s
that white man is the equal OF tive -
The daring and recklessness show .MAKE
first pitched light of the campaign fsSSse
how much they had staked ON the result.
Those who claim that the Indian war will be
Of short duration disregard the fact that the
Sioux are among the very best fighters in the
world. They possess union and strength,
cunning without an equal, personnel in
which every man is al athlete, capable OF
supereminent feats OF endurance, horseman-
ship and agility. Further, they po sess the
vast advantage of fighting on ground OF
their own selection, in their own countTy,
and with whose resources, either for sup
plies or defense, they have perfect famil.-
arity. It affords them, too, NJ every step,
natural fortifcations equal-for purposes Of
concealment or defense-to the most elabo-
rate work possible TO engineering skill.
Well mounted, armed with the very best OF
modern small arms, ever alert and tireless,
regarding death In battle Rs an honor tohe
sought rather than as q calamity TO be
avoided, they are practically as effective as
a civilized army OF twenty thousand men
operating in an open country and according
TO the rules Of modern werfare.
Year: 1876

THE latest news from Crooks command
is that the men are suffering for food and
clothing. Terry's command, on the con
trary, is supplied with all the luxuries.
One is a soldier, as was Custer, and the
other is a pettifogging lawyer and shows
the distinction made by the administration
even IN the army.
Year: 1876

CONGRESS at its last session appropriated
5000, 900 towards the completion of the
Washington monument, and the Monu-
mental Society now makes an earnest call
upon the people of the United States to as
sist In carrying out the grand scheme of
raising an unequaled memorial to the
''Father of his Country"
Year: 1876

THE papers and politicians had better
shut up about division of the State. The
masses are not going to support those who
would, by dismemberment destroy the
grandeur and exalted name Of Texas
Year: 1876

osE would scarcely read the circular Of
Col G. w. Jones, and then vote for him
As man IN the least calculated 70 reflect
credit upon Texas as one Of IT'S Congress
men. 1t is flied with stuff unbecoming
AnY one aspinng TO be . statesman The
best course for this gentleman 70 pursue
i 70 withdraw his candidacy, and thus
maintain the respect Of bis fnends-
Year: 1876

= N one. "


New York, Nov. GA Herald re-
porter sent yesterday card to Tweed
inquiring if he had any statement to
make rejecting on Tilden. Tweed en-
circled the question with a deep blue
pencil mark, and over it wrote in big
blue characters the one werd ''None."
cso Wants has Rights. A...
J. Milton Turner, (colored) United
States Minister to Liberia, having been
refused Accommodations at the Astor
House, has commenced action against
that hotel under the civil rights bill for
S5, 900 damages.


The Statesman on Sammy.


Thurlow Weed visited Tweed in jail.
The former afterwards told reporter
that he passed an hour and half with
Tweed and found him in far better
health than he expected. He had grown
thinner, but this he deemedIan improve
ment, and he regarded him as far better
than when he last saw him. Tweed
told him that he had escaped on the
evening of his drive, gone straight on
board yacht which conveyed him to
the vessel on which he sailed for Cuba.
From the hour of his starting he had
suffered only from slight attack of
diabetes, shortly after the Franklin left
Vigo. He had taken but little exercise
on the voyage over, as he was compelled
to walk in company with a sentinel,
which was unpleasant. He had as yet
no idea what course of action he would
take. That was under the direction of
his counsel. He had no unkind feelings
toward anyone, and would state moth
ing to affect anyone. The Government
had his baggage and was welcome to
what it contained. They could not find
word that would implicate anyone.
He thought Tilden had acted harshly
toward him, but he had nothing to say
in that connection and could not say it
If he'had. ~


The Tribune's account of Tweed's
Weed interview says that Tweed, while
a prisoner on Blackwell Island, was an
xious to restore to the city all his prop
erty, but his counsel objected.
Year: 1876

AN energetic movement is being
made by parties at Bismarck and
along the line of the road, to induce
the opening of the Dakota branch
of the Northern Pacific by the lst
of March, to enable the expected
rush to the Black Hills to be accom-
modated over that route. It is to be
hoped that it will prove a success,
az that is undoubtedly by far the
shortest and best route.
Year: 1876

So few understand the clay OF the land" at


the Head of Lake Superior, that they are
unwittingly lead into thinking Superior un-
reasonable in her demands to retain inviolate
the natural entry to the St. Louis river. a
map would better show the situation at a
glance, but as we have none, shall try to give
Year: 1876

The movement in our Legislature
to fix the salaries of State officers
at a respectable figure, and require
all fees received to be paid into the
general fund, is a move in the right
direction if the sums said to be re-
ceived by them for fees is correct.