smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

The soft wind grieves about the caves
Tonight, though spring ishere.
The boughs are wet and naked yet


And cold in the early year.
If something stirs in these STILL dark frs
1t is only a lonely bird
That came to-day with the rain-clouds gray
And sang the song l heard
Somewhere, 1 ween, spire of green
Hath pierced the waking mould,
And holdeth up pure whit, cup


With tiny heart of gold
Somewhere, I ween, sweet buds are seen
Half-hid by wandering leaves;
Would l could go where they nestle low
Away from the wind that weaves
Such slow, sad song in the night so long.


oh, blue-eyed baby dear;
If thou could'st come through the darkness


home,


The wind could not be drear.
Portland transcript.
Year: 1875

Turnips are not injured by freezing if
they are allowed to thaw in the ground
before being pulled If they chance to
freeze after being taken from the ground
the injury is very slight if they are allowed
to thaw IN dark place and are not handled
while frozen.
Year: 1875

In the office of one of the Detroit hotels
recently gentleman snapped his finger
to boot-black, and as he put his foot on
the box he said; "You look like good,
smart boy" ''See here, mistern' replied
the boy, as he rose up, brush in either
hand, s.I've had that game played on me
a dozen times, and now want to know
whether this is cash shine or whether
you're going to pat me on the head when
I get through and tell me that III be Gov
ernor OF Michigan some day"
Year: 1875

Hay cakes, composed of hay and straw
very finely cut, well mixed with crushed
oats or rye. and moistoned with solution
OF rape seed or linseed oil cake, and then
well worked and formed into tablets under
pressure, have been for some time en-
ployed in France as convenient and
portable food for horses
Year: 1875

The San Francisco Bulletin, OF recent
date, speaks very encouragingly concern
ing the crop prospects III that State IL
says:


The recent rains have frightened the
hopes of farmers in nearly all parts OF the
State There was only 4 small area where
the crops were suffering from drought
But everywhere the pastures have been
greatly helped. Nearly all the early sown
grain, with the exception OF one or two
dry valleys, is now beyond much injury
from drought. We may therefore set it
down as fact that no drought can now
occur to reduce the crops below good
average. The outlook is even better
There is good promise of an cxtraordi-
nary yield OF grain and grasses. With no
drought on the lst of April, and the season
weather contingencies to be counted in,
except as to few sections where drought
is the rule and moisture the exception"


The Bulletin estimates the yield Of wool
at 50,000,000 pounds; wine, l5,000, 900
gallons wheat, A. 900 900 bushels Fig
urng in the lesser crops, it puts the proba-
bic money value of the agricultural pro
duets OF the year at 800 oGo, GOO





HANGING BASKETS. A late device for
these graceful and desirable floral orna-
ments is made of sponge Take soft,
large sponge, such as is used by hostlers
to wash their horses. and soak it for sever
al days, so as to cleanse it, Then scatter
over it, and into its crevices, canary bird
seed, hemp, lawn grass, oats, kernels of
rice, and tuck into the small holes tiny
bulbs of oxalis and crocuses. Now place
the sponge into a deep soup plate, filled
with quite warm water and as it evapo-
rates, turn in n little more hot water, which
it should be daily sprinkled with by dip
ping a little hand brush into it, and shak
ing it over the sponge. Place the dish in
the warmest place, and cover the sponge
with q cloth at night to keep it warm, and
in q few days the seeds will begin to
sprout then put it close to the window in
the suniest place, when the sponge is
covered with verdure, and looks like u
large green ball, you can attach green or
scarlet cords to it. or copper wires and
suspend it in the window. In short time
the bulbs will bloom. and the grass will
flower, and the sponge basket will prove
lovely ornament to your room. OF
course it must have a small supply of
quite warm water squeezed over it every
day. for if it should be allowed to become
dry, the tiny fibrous roots would surely
perish entirely, and destroy the beauty Of
your floral novelty. Country Gentleman.
Year: 1875

A SCARECROw 1t is well known that
blue and scarlet colors in juxtaposition
cause dazzling effect on the eye. These
colors strung on line and placed over
strawberry beds produce puzzling effect
on birds, and no bird will enter the garden
while these colors tlutter in the air. Pieces
Of blue and scarlet calico should be cut
about one and half feet in length, and
tied to a line one foot apart. An old fan-
mel petticoat will supply large quantity
of inexpensive scarlet strips. This line is
to be supported by poles six feet in height
from the strawberry beds. To support
strawberries, keeping them clean and en-
abling them to ripen all round, take a
piece of stout wire a yard in length, bend
it at right angles ten inches from each
end, bend the space between the right
angles into a curve. Stamp these two
ends six inches in depth into the earth
close to the strawberry plants, then draw
the fruit over the wire, each plant requir


ing two. To prevent rusting, place the
wires in creOsote three or four days and
then dry them. Gardeners Magazine
Year: 1875

A correspondent of the Ploughman re-
Gently complained that his hens were all
the time pulling the feathers OF the rest Of
the fowls and wanted to know the cause
and the remedy. A writer in the Poultry
World observed his fowls addicted to this
habit very carefully, and noticed on the
ends of the freshly plucked feathers that
the quill was covered with an oily sub
stance. 1t occurred to him that the oil
was what the fowls were after and acting
on that idea tried an experiment of feeding
small scraps of tallow to them, and found
it worked admirably, the commotion in
the yard ceasing at once, and the fowls be-
coming peaceable and quiet He found
that an occasional feeding of kitchen
grease OF any fatty matter prevented the
inclination by supplying the appetite be-
fore it gets into morbid condition.
Year: 1875

The New England Farmer says that
orchard grass should be sown early in the
fall or early in the spring-the earlier the
better in either case. if the ground is in
suitable condition. Two bushels of seed
fourteen pounds to the bushcl, are enough.
Northern clover seed at the rate of ten
pounds OF more to the acre should lie soWn
with it.


A Michigan correspondent OF the Lew
iston journal says that out West they con-
slider that a wash of lime in the Spring is
a sovereign remedy for the attacks of the
borer. If this be correct it should be ex-
tensively applied at the East for it is a
good fertilizer, and, in the opinion Of
many, makes the trees grow smooth, pro-
ductive and thrifty.


The following is said on good authority
to be an etfectual remedy for pear blight
ITO halt bushel of lime add tour pounds
OF sulphur, slake to the consistency of
whitewash, and, when it is applied add
to each gallon of the wash half an ounce
OF carbollc acid. Apply this to the diseased
parts


The number of hogs packed at the West,
from November l to March |, was about
$3.50, 900, a little over 100, 900 more than
last year. The average weight has been
about 3 2 pounds less than last year, and
| in lard there has been an average falling
Oft OF about one pound per head
Fred A. Lewis, of Granitevile, Vt, has,
OF at least he says that he has, cow
| which has raised within ten months two
calves that weigh $50 pounds, given milk
from which 204 pounds of butter has been
made and supplied all the milk and cream
needed in the family.


| During a stallion show at Parit, Ky. on
| Monday, Goldsmith's Abdallah came in
collision with another horse and was killed
| almost instantly. The shaft of the sulky
entered his breast and came out near his
shoulder. He was considered one of the
best horses in the United States


Sulphur and lard is recommended by
the editor of Land and Water, as a sure
cure Tor the mango on dogs, and other
animals. The offensive odor. as well as
the irritating effect. can be removed from
the ointment by adding a drop or two of
sandal wood oil.


A correspondent places the temperature
! at which cream should be churned at GO
to 62 degrees, Prof Arnold, we believe,
prefers to have the cream a little warmer
The butter will come quicker if the cream
be very warm but the butter is not SO
good.


The Springfield Republican says that
farm hands are now constantly arriving in
the western part of the State and seeking
situations. There will be, this season, a
reduction of about 20 per cent from the
last seasons wages, and the farmers ex-
pect to get good hands at 500 month


Inc line wool sheep, formerly the pride
OF Vermont farmers, as we'll as source
OF wealth, have almost disappeared. The
dairy business is now one of the best pay
ing IN the State, and the demand for Yer
mont cheese is constantly increasing.


prize is to be offered at the next fair
Of the New England Agricultural Society
to the young lady who can cook the best
farmers dinner on the fair ground
Year: 1875

The adoption of the report of the Special
Committee OF the Board Of Fire Under writer's abro-
eating tho contract with the Board OF Insurance
Brokers' aud practically allowing free transactions IN
Insurance. has excited great deal o. interest and dis
cussion in circles This action is generally
believed, will lead TO such cutting OF rates as will no
positively an to the insurance interest
Members Of the Brokers Board soy that probably no
action will be taken by tho Board concerning the abrO
CATION OF the contract. They propose to allow the Un-
derwrters 10 do the talking while they, the brokers'
will do the business. They believe that there will be
general cutting oil rates.


The crowded and dangerous condition OF Church-s
from ChamDerss TO CaDalst exctes the apprehe
Of Under writer's One Of them said that Whatever
duotons he allowed 10 other localities. be would make
none In that seetion eity
Year: 1875

The game Of billiards for the Delaney cham
pionshp emblem and 1900. which occurred last night
at Tammany Hall. was moro interesting in some
respects than the which took place the previous
evening The pools sold all the afternoon t2o to s9 In
favor OF Rudolphe. The game called at s:l6, Wig
paux winning the lead. Neither player scored on the


first shot The first run In which any remarkable skill
was displayed in tho twelfth inning when Rudophe
made 80 points by series Of nicelycacuated gather
ing shots vignaux followed with run OF 80 points.
In the next inning he made co. crossing his frat string
and leaving 129 to 81 In his favor From THIS
noin until the end the game extremely sided
and in favor YignauI. He finally closed the game In
9Oc
Year: 1875

The Committee On Rapid Transit of the
Board Of Aldermen yesterday In executive session.
but as Two OF the members were not present merely
desultory discussion followed, and the Committee then
adjourned. 1t is understood that the majority of the
Committee opposed to the construction by the city
of road but might favor the granting Of municipal aid
to project


The Hon. L. Bradford Prince Will introduce In the
State Assembly to-day another bill TO aid In procuring
rapid transi 1t ~ = ooaDIete railroad bill In Great
Year: 1875

IF 1T WAS POSSIBLE TO GO THROUGH LIFE
without Cd Of the minor aud lew Of the
more Ills Of life wou be avoided But e TO hope
happy exemption Is well to remember that Dr. JAMES
curative for CouGbs and Colds Asthma and
and Bronchis
Year: 1875

When A merchant desires a salesman for an impor
tant department in his business the conditions
usually are that the salesman must extend the
business in his department. otherwise some man
of larger capacity and greater skill will take his
place.


Newspaper advertising is salesman, one who never
sleeps and is never weary, who goes after the
public carly and late who accosts the merchant
in his shop the lawyer in his office. the student
in his study, the cultivated woman at the family
hreside who can be in q thousand places at
once, and address million each morning, saying
to each one the best thing in the best manner.
Newspaper advertising is art and like every
thing else requiring special skill and varied
experience, may be dear or cheap as it is well or
i'll done, and to this end the undersigned is pre-
pared to advise with and to promptly furnish
plans and estimates for skillful newspaper ad-
vertisng in all the leading newspapers through
out tho country on the most favorable conditions
and with view of producing the best results
for the outlay.


For all other facts address
Year: 1875

DECATUR, ILL, July 22.--That gold
has been found near this city is beyond
the question of doubt; but whether or
not 1t exists in sufficient quantities to
pay for mining it, remains for future de-
velopment. A scientific silversmith has
tested the nugget and found that it re-
sisted the strongest acid, and pro-
nounced it pure gold. Captain Mason,
an old California miner, gives it as his
opinion that gold actually exists in large
quantities. The nuggets that have been
found and tested were picked up acci-
dentally in small ravine running
through corn-tield after recent heavy
rain.


The general appearance Of the earth in
the vicinity of the gold region is rough
and rocky, and it is known as the Dutch
Creek neighborhood about three miles
west of Decatur, instead OF eight or
|nine miles north as stated in previous
dispatch. The farm upon which the gold
was found belongs to Andrew Kepler, q
cigar manufacturer, and it was at first
thought by many that it was ruse in
order to effect sale for his land, but
more recent developments sustain the
truth of the report that gold actually ex-
lists on the premises.
Year: 1875

The citation against Mayor Johnston
was presented at his office this morning
and will be served Immediately on hit
arrival from Glendale this afternoon
The Mayor is ready to oppose tht
charges, and will do SO personally.
Year: 1875

Talking with "A very bright and ambi-
tlous young woman, a farmers daughter,
where we stopped over night, she said
farming was a dull sort of life. Yes
said a young man Of twenty-five years,
there is no incentive to work it is all
hum-drum, routine, and hard work-no
relaxation of effort, and nothing to stim-
ulate the mind"


What nonsense" we replied There
IS every thing for stimulus Each farm
is a world itself, about which those who
have lived upon it know little or nothing.
comparatively. Suppose, for example.
we were to ask how many kinds of grass
es-real grdsseS-grow on your farm
could you tell US, with their correct names,
habits and history? Suppose we ask you
how many species of plants are indigen-
Gus, on your farm, and the names of these
plants, time of Towering, color of flowers,
soil and locality in which they grow
could you tell us? Suppose we were to
ask you how many species of birds visit
your larm every year, the time of their
arrival and departure, their habits while
with you, their names and their habits
while absent from your locality the balance
of the year-could you tell us? Suppose
we ask you how many species of insects
are to be found on your farm-their names
history, habits, whether injurious to yor
or not. upon what trees or plants they
live, when and how often they appear, ant
how long they stay could you tell us
suppose we ask you to show us specimen:
OF the grasses and other plants. the birds
insects. etc. which may be gathered with
in your boundary fences. could you show
them to usP And yet, if you We're to un-
uertake to acquire the knowledge we have
suggested by these inquiries, you would
ma your lie too short yet the knowledge
you would gain, the interest you would
soon take IN it. and the knowledge Of
your own impotency you would acnnirf
would prove to you that it is not the fary,
that is dull place, but it is you who are q
dull Rural New Yorker.
Year: 1875

One time, not everso-lo long ago, a Bos-
ton gentleman and his wife determined on
spending their vacation in the country
even in New Hampshire. in 4 good farm
er's family. Early in the season they had
talked over the matter and decided exact
ly what they wanted and what they would
do; and having been 10y friends referred
to a good old couple in the interior of the
State, they wrote and engaged board Tor
a lew weeks. 1t took considerable time to
settle matters, SO many little things oc
cured to the wife to be arranged for, but
at last everything was satisfactorily ad-
justed The letter was to announce when
they might be expected; and just here
something prompted the thought in the
woman's mind, and she insisted that her
husband should inquire Of the farmer how
far away the water-closet was from the
house; tor at some extremely well-regu-
lated country homesteads that institution
is tritle less than a quarter of mile from
the fire place. Don't you forget it, said
the wife; because il it is rs far off as some
are, will not go-so there


Well, the husband wrote to the farmer
and told him about what time he should
leave Boston, which road he should take,
and when he might be expected. He for
got, until he had signed his letter the in
quiry his vile had directed him to make
SO he added the following interrogatory as
postcript-.P. SWIM you please inform
me how tar it is from the house to the
w. C.?'


In good time the farmer got the letter
Everything but the postscript was explicit
apl nna1nI inf ofat h1lf hat
was the meaning of wv. or The honest
old farmer and his honest old wife were
both-fguratively speaking stuck. They
scratched their heads and thought; but all
to no purpose. They couldn't answer the
lettef until they knew what wv. c. meant
of course, and with all their study and
shrewdness its meaning they could not dis
Germ The old farmer went out into The
field about his work; but all the while w
c. was before his eyes, and the explanation
was the worst puzzle he ever knew. All al
once it came to his mind like flash
'Pohn said he; 'of course that's it, and
away he went to the house. Wife said
he, I've got itn Have you?' said she
we'll for goodness sake, then, what does
w. c. mean?' why, it is the meeting
house, of course, se,-Wesleyan Chapel


1t seems that small chapel had been
built to accommodate two neighborhoods
the distance being about the same from
each; and the farmer discovered that hi:
to-be city boarders were church going peo-
pie, and wanted to know how far it was tc
the Westinghouse. Having discovered the
meaning of the at first mysterious initials
he sat down to write, and initiating the
style OF his correspondence. he reserved
his answer to the inquiry till the last, ane
then added the following extraordinar,
information p. Sit is three miles ane
halt to the w. c. and you have to %
early to get seat.


1t is conjectured that it was now thu
Boston gentleman's turn to puzzle over wv
c. but our informant came away sool
after the farmers letter was written, an
the result of the correspondence has no
been made public
Year: 1875

A writer in the English Gardeners
Magazine says that he could never under
stand why gardeners in private establish


ments, and those who have the manage
ment of market gardens. should so widely
differ in their practice of the winter dress
ing of asparagus beds. The farmer, either
late in the autumn OF the commencement
of winter. spreads over his beds thick
covering of decayed matter He then digs


from the alleys or trenches between the


beds quantity of soil which is strewn over
the manure on the top Of the bed, giving
the bed an even slope toward the bottom OF
the trench. When this is done the trench
es between the beds are filled with plenty
OF rotten manure, into which, in the grow
ing season, the roots of the asparagus
find their way. Early in the spring the
beds are lightly forked, a portion of the
soil going toward filling up the alleys;
thus in some degree the beds are lowered


With the market gardener the practice
is different. He makes good the side of
his bed in the spring; and instead of re-
ducing the quantity Of the soil, he adds to
the top of his beds; thus their depth is in
creased. The reason for these opposite
systems Of culture appears to be that lie
market gardener, in order to obtain as
paragus fit for the market. must haye each
stalk of Il sufficient length, in order to
make saleable bundles; therefore it is nee
essary that there should be an extension
Of its growth underground, because when
it reaches few inches over the surface it
must be cut, or the shoots would soon be-
come unfit for the table With the private
gardener the length Of stalks is not of so
much consequence, because they are sent
to the kitchen in a loose state; and there
fore very little more than the length Of
the saleabe portion is required for that
purpose.
Year: 1875

TIE WORK OF A HAMMER. The relief
light-boat which has recently been station
ed at Cornfield shoal was towed to this
Brainard's ways for repairs it having been
discovered that she was leaking badly,
1t was some time before the locality of
the leak could be fixed, but 4 place was
finally found amidships, where the plank
ing and three or tour inches of the keel
were entirely gone The only thing which
had kept the vessel from sinking was the
copper sheathing Between the planking
and ceiling was found Il hammer. which
is supposed to have been left there 13
years ago. when the vessel was re-topped.
The handle of this hammer was worn
down to a mere stump. 1t is supposed
that the planking and keel were worn
away by this hammer as it moved with
the continual motion OF the vessel. N. l..
Telegram.


Colonel Ethan Allen of Revolutionary
fame, though roughly reared, was very
courteous by nature, and made every pos
sible effort to improve his manners by OBJ
serving those of other people. When he
was a prisoner OF war in New York City
on parole, he was invited into the best
society of the city, and on one occasion
attended Il large and fashionable dinner
party Olives were passed around during
the feast, and, following the general ex-
ample, Colonel Allen took one. He was
unable to overcome the disgust it caused
his palate, and taking the half-chewee
fruit in his hand, said, with low bow to
his hostess, "Madame, with your permis
sion I'll put that God damned thing OF
! the table,
Year: 1875

'.Oh your nose is as cold as ice, a Bos-
ton father thought he heard his daughter
exclaim the other evening as he was read
ing in the next room. He walked in for
an explanation, but fhe young fellow was
at one end of the sofa and the girl at the
other. while both looked so innocent and
unconscious that the old gentleman con-
cluded that his ears had deceived him, and
SO retired from the scene without word
Year: 1875

| SCOT AS GARDEN FERTILIZER. Per
haps it may have occurred to some of our
lady readers that the refuse SCOT of our
chimneys is one of the most valuable
stimulents and fertilizers they can have
for their garden flowers. The following
incident OF practical experience is from a
lady contributor to the Rural Carolinian :
During two seasons we nursed fed and
petted the Hartford prolific grape vine-as
much for its shade over the window as for
its truit-but it persisted in remaining a
stunted cane, yellow, and refusing to
climb. Despairing a shade, grapes and
roses, we finally bethought ourselves of
SCOT as a manure, and forthwith made a
''soot tea by sleeping a teacup of SCOT in
a quart of wafer This we administered,
two doses each, to both the trees and the
vine. The vine grew six feet in height in
the space of six weeks, the rose bush four
feet in the same length of time-both
therefore rejoiced in living green.