smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875




The hardest thing for a daughter OF So
ciety visiting in Washington to learn is
said to be that social rules here are so an
tipOdal TO fashions fats in other parts Of
the country as though this were a city in
Cochin China. Ladies come for a few
davs, and almost crack their stays with
spleen at learning they must go around
and do all the initiatoTy calling. "She
knows 1 am here, and she ought to call
first, (" said a Chicago society lady stopping
briefly at the Arlington House. 1t was
the wife Of a Western COngres man to
whom she was referring, and all the ex-
PLANTATION in the world could not cOnvin e
the fair soiOurner that she must start out,
find the Hon. Mrs. Blank, and make the
first courtesy. Why this should be eti-
quette is more than l will agree to tell,
any more than why it shouldn't be eti-
quette everywhere else. am only doing
all possible to save feminine heart-bur
ing by telling the dimity dears what they
must expect. When you come to Wash
ingtOn g, be prepared to hunt out yOnr so
ciety friends in person, or DO not tear your
chignOns in anguish at finding yourself
neglected.
Year: 1875

We have read with great care the ad-
arss,7 of Col. Cole to the General As
sembIy, relative to the taxation Of rail
roads. As the exemption clause IN the
charters oiEthe various companies is
decidedly the strongest point hemakes,
md one which there is no getting
around or over, if well taken, We have
zone to the trouble Of looking up the
charter Of every company ever organ
lied in the State. We find a wonder
full similarity in their provisions. In
fact, the language Of the exemption
clause in the most Of the charters
is word for word the same. The
ac,s incorporating the Nashville and
Cbatts uooga Railroad Company says
the CAPITA stock shall be exempt for
ever. Tie r1r1ey paid IN for stock
having been expended in purchasing
right Of way and IL construction OF the
road, we suppose that 50 much OF the
Year: 1875

AMONG the many sufferers on that slip
perry, iCe-bOund New Years eve in Paris
was an old maD, who was forced to sit upon
the pavement. When found in the lonely
street on which lie fell, he Rad lost con-
sciOusness and was frozen fast. The 81
maritans who came to his aid were too
eager to remove him, and, as acOnsequence
of their haste, left in the ice much Of his
clothing and more Of his skin. A skiilful
surgeon patched the broken part with the
skin Of a new-slain lamb, and that's how
he comes to have wool in the place where
the wool OnghLn't TO crow.
Year: 1875

AT last here is a new fancy in the pres
tidigiLation line. Ee borrowed q bonnet
from a lady in the audience, and as he
was about to return it it caught fire in the
gas, and he had to stamp on it with both
feet 10 extinguish the fame. Misery Of
the ladyl I5 was her best bonnet. Then
be fired a pistol, and a bonnet just like il
fell from the chandelier in the middle Of
The theatre.
Year: 1875

Hon. FERNANDO WOOD has not the
slightest recollection Of the amendment
made in the late Congress by which the
postage OF third class matter has been
doubled, and explains as follows:
''The great fault Of our system Of legis-
Iation IN Congress was that during the
lass few days Of the session thegreatest
confusion prevails, and many bills pass
without the possibility Of any proper
action being taken upon them.
During the last session of Con-
gress ne had not been absent
from his seat single day,
and had been exceptionally attentive
to the proceedings Of the House, but
it was impossible for anyone to know
all that vas done at the close. The
act IN question, he presumed had been
reported upon by the Committee
on Postoffces and Postroads IN the
usual way, and the parties who we're
responsible for its contents were the
members Of that committee. Mr. Wood
then went on to describe the scene Of
confusion that invariably prevails dur
ing the last days Of a session.
The members crowded around The
Clerks desk, and each handed IN his
own bill and devoted his entire ener-
.gies to having it passed, apparently
not caring whether any other was
passed or not. The noise and din
were very great on such occasions, and
many acts were passed Of which the
majority Of the members were utterly
ignorant until after the adjournment
of the session"


In view Of the present condition of
s4fslrs in our Legislature, and the fact
that ti,cre remain but five more work
ing days Of the constitutional term,
NAV we not suggest that the above
should be carefully studied by the
Senate. as an example "more honored
in the breach than the Observance" "
We say the Senate-because the
House has already doneits worst. Had
Gen. .Sheridanmarched his soldiers into
the Hall of Representatives, on Wed
nzday last, and dispersed that body at
the point Of the bayonet, he would have
dealt a blow TO Tennessee less deadly
than was aimed by the men who sit
there as the custodians of her dearest
interests and her most sacred honor.
Year: 1875

ELSEWHERE we publish an arti-
Gle from the NelU Orleans Times IN an
swer to a summons Of a Legislative
committee which has been appointed
TO investigate the charge of bribery
and corruption against the members
from Shelby IN the matter Of Johnson s
election to the United States Senate.
In its editorial the Times takes occa-
sion to refer to gentlemen connected
with the Ledger as probably
in possession Of some OF the
facts which it has suggested or alluded
to as existing on the subject. The
Times is altogether mistaken. We
know nothing at all in regard to the
charge that paperhas suggested against
the ''nine" Shelbyitas; never heard Of
1t until the Times gave 1t publicity, and
didn't believe there was one word Of
truth in it when we read It We have
taken several occasions to say as much.
Memphis Ledger.


1t may be added that an Appeal re-
porter interviewed the other parties
mentioned by the Times, and that all
of them were most positive in denying
that they had any knOwledge Whatever
Of a corrupt arrangement between Mr..
johnson and the Shelby delegation.
Now let US have a rest. As we are all
virtuous, why should we not be happy
Year: 1875

In fattening animals time is often mat
ter of Importance TO the feeder. Sometimes
month gained is equal to 30 per cent
greater weight at later period. Cooking
food renders its constituents more soluble
aud digestible, therefore more rapidly enter
ing on flesh aud fat. Asa condiment aud
appetizer for fattening animals, molasses has
no equal. A small quantity of sweet, upon
hay, will cause larger quantity to be eaten
with relish. We have often tried molasses
upon poor animals with great satisfaction.
A poor horse will show a change in condition
in few days. The molasses is not only an
excellent condiment but an excellent food !;
and being 30 soluble and assimiable that it
produces an immediate effect upon the con.
dition of the animal. Three pints may be
fed to fatteDing animals per day, but to cows
and breeding stock it must be fed sparingly,
aud not more than pint per day to COW,
as too much sweet will prevent their breed
ing. When necessary to use straw for fat
tening stock, the use of molasses diluted
with eight to 10 proportions Of water to wet
the straw before steaming, will be found to
render it.voFy palatable. aud cause il to be
eaten Incorporated with other fattening food
as readily as hay. Some noted chemists have
supposed all starchy food to be converted in-
to sugar by the action OF the stomach, be-
fore it becomes assimiated as food. Perhaps
this will account for the remarkable effect of
sweet food upon animals.


TStewarts Prize Essay.
Year: 1875

Not hundred miles from where l grow
potatoes, city gent purchased small iarm
year or two since aud commenced opera
tions in the spring after his own fashion. or
course there was much speculation among his
neighbors as to how things would come out,
as the land had been skinned by its former
owner, one Of the old "regulars" In that
business. Some Of the now potatoes must
be tried, but the land was very poor and
very little manure could be had at any price,
therefore something must be done to prevent
failure and the fulfilling OF adverse prophe-
cies. But Mr. Sidewalk had read that pot.
ash was good fertilizer for potatoes; in
Tact, the best crops Of this tuber were usually
produced on new lands full of ashes and
decayed vegetable matter, consequently he
set to work to supply the FIRST Of these IN
gradients, If not both. In the neighborhood
there is a sawmill, aud about il, as usual
quantities OF old sawdust few loads of
this were hauled home aud heaped under a
shed. Iu the meantime Mr. Sidewalk had
ordered sent out from the city 200 lbs Of
pure potash. This was dissolved 10 water
and poured over The sawdust, little at u
time, and the heap worked over, aud then
more Of the liquid put on, until at last the
entire 200 lbs had been taken up. Of course
this made rather an expensive fertilizer and
one that would scarcely be profitable in u
long run, but it was city VS. country, and the
former was bound to win, aud he did. The
land was plowed aud narrowed, aud then
furrowed out for the potatoes a liberal guam
tity Of sawdust spread iu the trenches, pOta-
toes dropped upon it and covered. OF course
the neighbors saw the sawdust, but the pot
ash part was kept secret. The potatoes
grew amazingly, and the yield was something
never before seen on that farm 10 the mem
ory Of the oldest inhabitant. The next
spring Mr. Sidewalk had made provision Tor
other aud cheaper kinds Of manure, consc-
quently did not care about any more saw
dust, but his neighbors did, and there was a
great scramble for all that could be had at
the sawmill and it went into burrows and
hills in large quantities, no questions being
asked or explanations required OF the city
farmer.


1t is probably unnecessary to mention the
results, but | would advise any one going
that way not to mention "sawdust" in the
hearing Of those who thought that they had
learned new "kink" in potato growing from
a city man turned farmer.-[" Daily Rural
Life" 10 Rural New Yorker.
Year: 1875

During the dry season of late summer
every country residence should secure several
barrels Of road dust. 1t is worth many
times its cost as an absorbent. Those who
keep poultry may secure by its use valu.
able fertilizer, nearly as strong as guano,
with none Of its disagreeabe odor. Place
an inch or two Of road dust in the bottom Of
a barrel then, as the poultry house is regu-
larly cleaned, deposit layer an inch thick
Of the cleanings, aud so on alternately, lay
ers of each till the barrel is full. The thin
ner each layer is, the more perfect will be
the intermxture Of the ingredients. If the
soil OF which the road dust is made is clayey
the layers of each may be Of equal thick
ness; if sandy, the dust should be at least
twice as thick as the layer Of droppings
Old barrels Of any kind may be used for
this purpose, but if previously soaked with
crude petroleum or costed with gas.tar they
will last many years. If the contents are
pounded on floor into fine powder before
applying, the fer tlizer may be sown from a
drill Road dust is one of the most perfect
deodorizers Of vaults, converting their con-
tents also into rich manure Place barrel
or box of it in the closet, with a small dip.
per, and throw down a pint into the vault
each time it is occupied, and there will be no
offensive odor whatever. This is simpler,
cheaper and better than water-closet, and
never freezes or gets out of order. Mixing
the road dust with an equal bulk of coal
ashes is an Improvement, making the iertil.
izer more friable.


springfield Republican.
Year: 1875

In order to obtain the best results iu hatch
ing chickens at this season of the year, it is
advisable to follow nature as much as possible
in the construction of nests intended for sit.
ting hens. 1t has transpired that the nat
ura place for hen is to select for her nest
in which to deposit her eggs (from which,
after weeks Of patient brooiing, she brings
forth her downy little onesl, is upon the bare
earth, hy that wonderful gift called instinct
she is impelled to choose secluded spot,
often beneath brush heap, hay barrack or
some such place, where the ground is always
shaded, hence moist. Where is the fancier
who cannot recall instances of this kind, Of
hens that were annually in the habit of
stealing their nests under the barn or some
where out Of the reach Of meddlesome urchins
and who rarely, il ever, failed to bring forth
from dozen to fifteen strong, healthy chicks ?
Then grandmother would. say, "Hens allus
do best when they steal their nests and sit
themselves" Somehow we never could agree
with the "old lady" on this point, but we
often had to acknowledge our defeat, when,
after an abaenoe of three weeks, hen would
aome proudly marching up to the door sur.
rounded by her numerous progeny.


After many failures, We at last learned
two things; First, that the hen was a breeder.
BY this we mean that all hens are not suit
able for breeding, and their eggs are ofton
sterile but hen that is inclined TO steal
her nest is in a healthy breeding condition,
and will court the attention Of the cock, and
every egg will, as a rule, be found fertile,
AVID if they could DO found aud set under
another hen, would hatch just as we'll under
favorable circumstances.


The second thing that We learned was
that the hen invariably chose rather moist
damp or shaded place, on the bare ground ;
therefore in making your nests for sitting
hens at this season Of the year, make them
on the bare earth, If possible if not, fill a
box of the proper dimensions two.thirds full
ofdAmp earth, mGke slight depression there.
10, then cut a sod to fit, and set your her
upon that. | do not pretend to say that eggs
cannot be hatohod otherwise, but think
better results may be obtained by the above
plan. Fanciers' Journal,
Year: 1875




Mr. jonathan Yalcott, Of Rome, N. Y,
in lottOr to the Country Gentleman on the
management Of manure says:


In the mouth Of August, aud first half OF
September, when the corn is caring aud fill.
ing out, and consequently requires more
plant food to mature full crop than at any
other time during its growth, the decompos-
ing sod and fernenting manure beneath, or
in it, will at this time furnish much more
nOurishment for the growing crop than at
any other period Of ia existence, and at the
time Of its greatest need, and when it can
be best appropriated to the growth and ma.
turity OF the crop; without such plant food
the crop cannot produce its best yield. Very
many farmers bave no doubt seen crops that
started well, fail in the caring and filling
simply because the plant food had so nearly
given out that there was not supply when
most needed and then it was too late to remedy
the loss for that crop, and could only prove
OF benefit by resolving that hereafter, if pos
sible, it should not occur again from the
sama cause.


confess that so far as my experience goes
in practice of forty years, prefer to have
my barn.yard manure covered with the soil
not as deep as it can be plowed down, but
from four to six inches for corn, depending
on the soil as to depth, aud from three t
five inches for the small grains. Where
used mostly for corn on sod ground, anC
then followed with oats or barley, il thu
ground is plowcd as l have mentioned, the
manure will Of course be finely fermenteC
aud we'll intermixed with tho soil for thu
bcpe6t of the coming clop of small gruiu, le
that be whatever the farmer chooses, o.
thinks best adapted to his soil, and the course
Of rotation he may choose to adopt in hi'
farming operations,
Year: 1875

Under the title Of Scasonabe Hints, the
Gardeners Monthly for August has the fol-
lowing.


We have repeatedly called attention in
these pages to the great advantages Of assist
ing the tree to throw off its outer bark.
This is done by scrapiug, washing, or Sitting
up and down with knife in many instances.
We have had to stand great deal Of ridi-
cule from men whose horticultural knowledge
is confined 10 the books Of the college library,
but we have recommended it from actual
observation Of the good resulting,--and more
over the practice is not inconsistent with our
understanding of the processes Of plant life,
To be sure it is not pleasant to have a pro-
fessor in a college, as one did a few years
ago, gravely tell his class that when "the
editor of the Gardeners Monthly recon-
mended the Sitting Of the bark Of fruit trees,
the advice was on par with the belief of
planting in the moon signs, and as likely to
be Of service 10 the tree as the Sitting Of a
mans leg would be 10 cure the rheumatism, -
--and then we have a learned society 10
Massachusetts, teaching that "the rough bark
Of fruit trees, is designed by nature for the
protection oftho stem from cold winds, and the
Gardeners Monthly might as well contend
that taking off the scales from a small pox
patient would prevent the small pox, as that
clearing of bark scales would make tree
healthy" 1t is singular how prone people
are to argue in this smart way. 1t makes
little difference to US however; Of the two
we should prefer to be professor than a
believer in "moons signs, but if the pen
atty for believing in the efficacy of bark
washing, scrapiug and Sitting be to be re-
manded among the "ignorant Pennsylvania
Dutch" as we have been told, we gladly
accept the company we are placed
in. We know Of nothing more seasonable
just now than this attention to the
bark, and which may be continued as oppor-
tunity offers, till spring time.


We know the risk we run of turning the
bile of our intelligent friends,-but we are
quite sure that those who follow our advice
will thank us for it /; and this will be a suf.
tieient return for our forced contribution to
the "small pox" and rheumatic" entertain.
ment
Year: 1875

From Prof Goessman's lecture, reported in
Scientific Farmer.


A new era may be dated from the time
of the introduction Of commercial manures.
The farmer finds himself less restricted than
formerly, be is more at liberty to choose his
crops, with reference to his markets, thus
tending to make his business more remunera-
tive. Their importance can not be Overesti-
mated as long as farmers allow so large n
proportion of home fertilizers to waste, and
as long as the sewage question Of the cities
remains unsolved.


Although we recommend the use Of COM
mercial fertilizers, yet it is only to make up
for past losses and present wants. Our sys-
TEN Of rotation and management, in general
farming, ought to be SO arranged as 10 produce
upon the farm the manures required by the
crops taken of, for peeupiary reasons. In
farming for special Industrial purposes alone,
will these fertilizers attain more and more
prominence on account Of their specific inAu-
ence upon the development of those constitu-
eats in the plant which give to certain crops
a peculiar commercial value as C. g., liberal
supplies Of potash increase the amount of
starch in the potato, and sugar in the beet,
and produce a superior fiber in fax.


Barn-yard manure is quite deservedLy the
main fertilizer in ordinary farm operations
yet its special value results more in its ben
efcial influence upon the physical than upon
the chemical condition Of the soil.


Analysis of ordinary barn.yard manure
1000 pounds;
Year: 1875

Cur FEED FOR HoRsEs.--An accurate far
mer has furnished the Country Gentleman a
statement of his experiment with feeding cut
feed and meal to his horses, accompanied with
weighing and measuring. He cuts oats and
straw about an inch long with a rawhide
cylinder machine, and this chopped straw is
then treated with corn meal and bran mixed
in about equal quantities as to weight, so
that each horse has about bushel Of cut
feed and three quarts of the meal and bran
twice in each day. Sometimes hay is cut
instead of oat straw, or both are mixed. 1t
is found that 200 lbs per week Of this mix
ture of corn meal and bran, added to the cut
feed, will keep pair of working horses in
the best condition. This, he is satisfied from
experiment, is less than two-thirds the cost
Of keeping them on uncut hay and whole
grain. The corn meal alone is not so good
for horses as when mixed with bran. An
excellent meal is made of ground oats. The
fodder is cut by horsepower, on stormy or
spare days, and stored away in large bins, so
as to furnish always supply on hand.
Year: 1875

SMOKING IN THE BARN.-'No smoking Is
posted in most decent iactories-it ought to
be posted in every barn, There is not much
difference between having horse-thief
around the stables, and a man cleaning of
horses with pipe in his mouth; and there
is no hired man much meaner than the ono
who when his employer comes round, slips
his pipe into his pocket or holds his hand
over il as if il we're little bird. All such
fellows should he paid off, or started of, and
kept of. As for the farmer himself going
into the barn with a pipe in his mouth, no
complaint can be made but if his establish
ment burns up nobody should cry unless it be
the wife and children. Lightning and incen-
diaries, and spontaneous combustion COM
bined, do not cause as many barns TO be
burned as the pipe aud generally at least one
good horse goes also. 1t would be much better
If the smoker could 60 up with the smoke,
and have smoke enough for once.


Micawher in N, Y, Tribune.
Year: 1875

WHEAT ON CLOVER SOD.-The best prep
aratiOn for wheat crop is a good clover lay.
This should be turned under by the first Of
August, to give time for decomposition before
sowing the wheat, If tho Plowing is not
done till the first OF September, when the
wheat is to be sown, another month must pass
before any real benefit can occur to the grow
ing plant. Lime sOwed on the clover before
turning it under, assists materially in hasten
ing decomposition, and il plowing has been
deferred until nearly seeding time, it will be
found very advantageous. Take one year
with another, have observed that good
healthy growth in the fall is essential to sue
cess in growing wheat, and the farmer can
not take too much paiOs in trying to secure
its growth, j. H., in Ohio Farmer
Year: 1875

We have received the premium list Of the
Both fair of the Windsor County Agricul-
tuFal Society, to be holden at Woodstock,
September 1880. We learn that the fairs
of this society are very we'll sustained by the
people of Woodstock and vicinity. 1t has
long been a matter Of regret that the
people of the county do not more gen.
orally attend these fairs and exhibit their


agricultural and other products thereat. 1t
is too much to expect that farmers from all
parts Of the county will go to Woodstock
every year with specimens OF their stock and
crops, and yet they do not take measures to
Year: 1875

The cable brings the intelligence that the
foot and mouth disease has broken out with
great violence in Dorsetshire, where 10000
animals are affected, and the disease rapidly
spreading.
Year: 1875

We have seen it stated that a mixture Of
wheat, shorts aud middlings busted on potato
vines will kill the bugs DIR Blake, Of Bel
lows Falls, informs us that dry soil from the
field shaken on them in the middle Of the
day will kill every slug. 1t should be borne
in mind that the mischief is not done by the
beetle itself, whose business it is to lay eggs
and die, but by the slug, from the time it
matches until it has attained its full size and
passed through the change to the beetle.
9his slug is sliRy, ropulsivo.looking beast


and any dry substance that is scattered on
it kills it as eifectually as an active poison.
Year: 1875

as the common school, the debating
club, or any other educational insti-
tuition, exert a beneficial influence
on the politics of the country.


But change the rule and convert
the Order into apolitical association,
and instantly one clique will obtain
control Of it and use as a mere par
tizan machine. All who disagree
with them will be driven out, and in
stead Of its exerting a beneficial in
fluence, it will become a powerful
engine for evil.


We wish every Patron would be-
come an anti-monopolist; but if the
Order should become a political or.
ganlzatlon, even for the advance
ment professedly of anti-monopoly
principles, we would have to con-
denim it, for the reason that it could
hardly help becoming more dan.
gerous and oppressive monopoly
than any that now exists.