smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

A Sacramento paper of the 23d says:
Lincoln, Placer county, usually asqui-
ct place, with nothing TO disturb the
even tenor of its country ways. was on
Wednesday agitated to somewhat I'M
usal extent by an elopement which took
place on the night previous A gentle
man, the father of pretty and marri-
ageable daughter, had forbid an estima-
BILE young man we'll known in this city,
where he resided, to court his daughter
or even speak to her; but the young
people were determined to surmount pa
rental obstacles, and friends of the
young man aided him in the chivalric
enterprise. A license was procured
Tuesday,and it appears that pater famil-
las suspected something, for that night
the damsel was directed to lodge in the
extreme upper part of the house. But
but at midnight, by some OF them gett-
ing OH top of the house, the young man
anil his friends managed to lower the
lady down, and took her III triumph be-
fore minister, who tied the knot, and
the couple went to their new home
happy
Year: 1875

james Rivers, of Cass County, Mich,
writes thus to the Country Gentleman -
Last spring in March L took my leached
ashes out of the leach tub, and cleaned my
hen house the same day. l placed in
large box about six inches of ashes, aud the
same of hen manure, thus alternating the
layers till the box was full, containing some
ten bushels. | covered the box tight, filled
the second box in the same manner (of the
same size), and left it open. In May when
the potatoes began to come through the
ground, nearly every hill had from one to
three Colorado beetles. Intending to use
the fertilizers upon the coming crop, mixed
the contents of the first box thoroughly to-
gether, wheeled it into the potato patch, and
put common sand shovel to about three to
five hills, covering what potatoes were up,
bugs aud all. The box which was covered
was so strong Of ammonia, that to hold the
nose over it Was more than any one could
do. The other box was served in the same
way (althOugh less strong), and applied in
the same manner. l covered the patch, ex-
eept six hills in one corner. Not bug was
seen except on these six hills. When plow-
Ing them for hoelng they were covered with
bugs two-thirds grown. L brushed them off
upon the ground, when hot and dry, contn.
uing to plow and hoe, and my potatoes were
perfectly free from bugs the whole season.
notice that as the plant comes up, il raises
the crust Of the earth around it, which makes
hiding place and retreat for them at night
and in stormy weather. | thought the ashes
would check this, and it did more than that.
The plants as they came through were Wig.
orOus and healthy, and attracted much at
tentiOn. The potatoes raised were Early
York, Early Rose Peerless and Peachblow,
some of the Peerless weighing two pounds
each, and yielding about $50 bushels per
acre. My son had about half an acre AZ
rods of, from which he picked on an aver
age two paniuls of beetles per week for foul
or five weeks aud the rest of my neigbbori
were as badly off, some fields being destroy
! cd entirely,
Year: 1875

Suggestions about Farm Improvement.


A story is told Of an Irishman who had
resolved to save four thousand dollars, and
was overheard debating with himself how he
should do it. There are two ways" said
he, I" can save two hundred dollars year
for twenty years, or twenty dollars year
for two hundred years. Which shall il be ?"


The question of time, how long a farmer
should be engaged in making needed i'm
provements on his farm, has been almost as
great puzzle as was that Of the Irishman
in the story. The common method is to em-
ploy only the smallest possible amount Of
capital, and extend the time indefinitely. If
the farm shows profit at the close of the
year Of five hundred dollars, possibly one
tenth or one.fith that sum may be devoted
to job Of Undertaking, fencing, or TO pur'
chasing manure. To put the entire profits
each year into the farm as an Investment is
scarcely thought Of by the average farmers
Of this country. As the farm begins to i'm
prove, the temptation is to let well enough
alone, and use the surplus money in finer
carriages, and more expensive style of living.
We have noticed that there is scarcely any
limitation to this increase of family expenses
after the habit is formed, and too often the
farm is run slow in order that the farmer or
his family may live fast If improvements
are made, the money is grudgingy doled
out, though the small sum thus paid may be
all that helps to keep the farm and the farm
er in his rapid style Of living. A reyersa!
Of this process-to be content with fewer
luxuries, aHd devote the money thus saved
to improving the farm, would be of decided
advantage to the farm il not to the farmer.
The success Of so many of our foreign born
population in buying and paying for farms
where sons Of old settlers are barely making
living, is due to their greater economy in
personal expenses. They are not more skill
iul nor generally moro industrious, but on an
average they do put more Of the profits back
on the farm than the average of Americans
In almost every neighborhood where under
draining has become prevalent, it is some
Englishman, lrishman or Scotohman who
has taken the lead and set the good exam
pie.


believe in farmers living well no class
better deserves the fat Of the land. be-
lieye in fine carriages, houses, and gener-
! GUS scale Of personal eEpenses-nOt at the
Year: 1875

Though grass may be the natural food
Of cattle, il is none the less true that all i'm.
proved farming and breeding implies very
considerable deviation from state Of nature
In this sense it cannot be doubted that meal
and grain are equally natural food for i'm.
proved stock; at least they always eat
heartily enough 10 make their food seem
natural, and their thriftiness and healthful-
ness give evidence that such feeding is adapt
ed to their changed condition. have little
doubt it is the idea that grass only is good
as summer food which keeps many farmers
from supplementing summer scareities by
grain and meal. They will feed their COWS
and other stock literally during winter but
the first bite of fresh grass stops all that,
and animals are left to shift as best they
can. Nothing could be worse policy than
this. There is no time Of year when little
corn meal can be used TO better advantage
than in feeding it 10 milch COWS in April
May, and even into June. There may be a
time when June grass is at its best when
cows will not eat meal readily; but as soon
as summer drouth causes scarcity the ad.
ditional feed will be in demand and may be
profitably given. During the hottest months,
ground eats, screenings, or shipstuffs are
preferable to corn meal, but there is little
time during the summer when something
may not be given to advantage.


There is nothing which tends to make the
farm rich so rapidly as liberal feeding, and
on many accounts summer is the best season
for this purpose. A quart of corn meal
twice day, or eight quarts of bran per
day, will pay in the increased flow of milk.
and fields thus pastured will grow richer all
the time, especially if each fall the droppings
of animals are evenly spread over the grass.
In August and September drilled corn may
be given in place of the grain, or if pastures
are entirely dried, it may take the place of
the grass, and meal or mill feed be added.


Last year l intended to feed the COWS un-
til toe middle Of June, but not having any
corn ground, and the teams being too busy
to 60 to mill, L stopped the allowance for
very few days. The result was that two
new milch cows lost nearly half in their
yield of milk, and more still in quality.
The grass at this time gave good ' bite, T"
but lacked substance. AS soon as the feed
was resumed, the flow and richness of milk
increased; but the COWS were not as good
all the season, from less than one weeks
loss Of their meal ration. | fed the meal on
cut constalks and straw, substituting cut
clover hay for the stalks late in the spring
as the weather became warmer.-Cor. Coun.
try Gentleman.
Year: 1875

Most farmers who grow roots choose tur-
nps or rutabaeas as being most easily grown
and most certain to produce q crop. But
always toward spring they wish that part Of
their turnips were changed to beets, enough
at least to feed the COWS after calving until
grass is advanced sufficiently to pasture. For
sheep or fattening cattle, rutabagas are as
good root as need be, for their principal
objection is that they impart bad favor to
the milk aud butter. Even here beets and
mangel wurzels are preferable because they
keep sound later in the spring, while turnips
fail when they are most needed. Some farm
ers grow few turnips among their corn for
early use, and follow with sugar beets and
mangel wurzel. Beets and wurzels are read
lily eaten by hogs. and are an economical
food for those kept in store condition through
the winter. If cattle are corn-fcd, store
hogs will get enough grain from their drop
pings if left to run in the barn-yard during
the winter, and very little will be wasted.
Feeding cattle with corn, and letting hogs
work among the droppings is extensively
practiced at the West With some roots to
6ll out, this plan would be nearly as econom-
ical as grinding the corn into meal.


Mr.. William Otis, late President of the
Western New York Agricultural Society,
has for several years practiced growing su-
gar beets for COWS. He resides near the
city Of Rochester, and supplies milk to a
great many dealers, for which he finds his
beets admirably adapted. The beets do not
make rich milk, but they increase the
quantity more than any other feed which he
has tried. With few COWS some corn-meal
has to be added to keep up the flesh, but
most thrive well on beets and corn-stalks, OF
clover hay, without other food. His method
of growing beets is to drill in by the acre
rows three feet apart about the lst of June.
The land need not be very rich. All Mr..
Otis farm is fertile enough for beet crop
with no more manure than would be given
for corn. Excepting one hand.weedng while
the beets are small, all the cultivation is
done by horsepower. The cultivatOr is
kept going through the rows once week
until September, and every vestige of weeds
is cleaned out. There is no better mode Of
cleansing land that is foul with weeds than
by well,tended root crop, and the soil is
left fertile enough after crop Of beets ia
grow anything else that may be wanted. A
clover sod is preferred for beets, but u rich
stubble will answer.


AS to varieties, the mangold will yield
moro weight per acre than the sugar beet
but the latter is so much richer and better
feed that l prefer it for ordinary planting,
Lanes improved sugar beet grows nearly as
heavy as the mangods, and is much the best
for most uses. 1t is remarkably smooth, free
from 6brous roots, and grows one-third tC
One-half out Of ground, making it easier
gathering, Mr., Wick objects to Lanes su
gar beet that it lacks sweetness, 1t is al
most as presumptuous to differ from Mr.
Wick on horticulture as to object to St. Pau
on theological point, but some of the bes
farmers in this county recommend Lane
Year: 1875

The following from the Maine Farmer
was printed in the VERMONT FARMER last
August, but at the request of a subscriber
we reproduce it: Get small steel trap
if it has spring that can be turned under
the jaw out of the way when set so much the
better pole twenty feet long and a bit
of board just large enough on which to set
the trap. Now bore in the center of the
board hole just large enough to fit
the smaller end of the pole, and some
smaller ones around the edges. Tie the
board firmly by means of a string and the
smaller holes to the bottom of the trap, and
the end of the trap-chain to the pole. All
is now ready set the trap; adjust to the
end Of the pole; elevate the pole
in the open field, and tie to a stake or other
convenient object to keep the pole erect.
Smaller birds are not apt to alight on so
high stand. once caught seven hawks
in one trap in four weeks, and only one tho
er bird /; that an owl.
Year: 1875

DIR. Kuhn, of Germany, making expert
ments upon the food of cows, with reference
to its effect upon the composition of the
milk, found that an increase of fatty or al
luminous matter produced an increase in
the How of milk, along with bodily condi-
tion, up to certain maximum but that,
when this maximum is reached, increase in
the milk stopped, while improvement of bod
lily vigor went on.


This is in accordance with the experience
of every observing farmer. The only ex-
ception that can be made to the above rule
is In regard to the maximum of the milk
yield; that is, the maximum point is not the
same IN all co,oS.


Some cows, the moment you increase the
quantity or quality of the food, commence
to take on flesh, or, as the doctor expresses
it, improve in bodily condition These COWS
are not valuable for dairy purposes aud ol
this class are most of the Durham and Dev.
on cows.


There is another class that, as soon as the
food is increased, respond at the pail and
churn, and it is long time before you can
get them to fatten up. This class are the
valuable ones for the dairy and this is the
principal difference in breeds of cattle for
dairy purposes.


1t is a common remark among farmers
when speaking Of COW noted as a good
mixer that " she is the hardest COW to fat.
ten ever saw"


We never saw good mixer fat and for
this reason we spoke in late number, that
the COW should be regarded simply as ma
chine to convert corn, hay, &C., into butter
and cheese but as DIR. Kuhn has proved
there is, no doubt, point at which the
product will be fat, instead of butter and
cheese.


We advise farmers to experiment little
and see how much they can make their COWS
eat without gaining in flesh. We believe
such an experiment would prove profitable.
-Practical Farmer.
Year: 1875

Repeating the proposition in former ar
tce that in such uniavorable localities as
North Eastern Vermont, " none but the very
hardest Seeding of apple trees are worth
top-grafting," it may with the same consist
ency be said that those which have proved
vigorous and hardy are abundantly worth
the trouble and expense of working, and this
is the way would do it: If the tree is only
from two to four feet high, and has main
central upright scion Ceaderj one-half inch
or less in diameter, this may be grated by
inserting a scion with several buds on it,
and in this way tree may be reclaimed
with single scion. If the stalk and scion
are of the same size it would be preferable
to splice-grait them, as it will make a
smoother and sounder joint. Use waxed
cloth for splce-grafting, or else tie with cot
ton thread, and then cover the joint with
melted wax. If there are several main
branches and no central " leader" then graft
those as near the main stalk as convenient
When trees several inches in diameter are
to be grated, would cut off the central
limbs near the stalk three to six inches from
it, removing say one-third or one half of the
top, and set scions in them, not by splitting
open through the center, but carefully split
ting obliquely into the outside corner or edge
of the stump just sufficiently to admit the
scion. Cut to an edge on the inside, and
wedge.shaped. When the limbs are not
more than one inch in diameter they may be
sufficiently split with large, stout pruning
knife, without driving upon it and held
open with the point to admit the scion.
Ii the limbs are large l would insert several
scions in each stump (about one inch apart
clear round and let most Of the suckers
grow which do not actually crowd the gratis,
and next year splice-graft those. In this
way the gratis can be brought near the stalk
and near the center of the tree, the advan-
tage Of which will readily be seen without
any further explanation. Remember aud
cover all the joints as well as all the places
where limbs have been cut off with melted
wax. An old TIN pail with few Goals and
fine chips with wire attached to the bail to
carry it by, will be convenient to set your
dish of wax in. 1t must not be hot enough
to rattle when poured from spoon into the
dish. If it will run still like mOlasses it is
safe.


Good trees, with good cultivation will pay
for grating even here and farther north
but great care should be used to leave enough
of the original top to absorb the sap until
the gratis can do it.


Il. p. CHENEY.


Glover, May 10.
Year: 1875

Aptness to teach is not always connected
with aptoess TO govern, but is equally desir.
able as a qualification for the important du-
ties our teachers have TO perform. Ability
to teach we'll implies the power to interest
and fix the attention Of the pupil or class
the power to illustrate and apply principles
the power to read character, so as to be able
to adapt instruction to the varying capaci-
ties and dispositions Of different pupils and
the discretion TO know what to teach, and
how much to teach


Aptness TO teach does not necessarily i'm
ply the highest order of scholarships, nor
the largest ability to understand and explain
given lesson but the power to inspire,
guide, and control the pupils in self.culture,
and in the obtainment of knowledge by their
own earnest application.


School trustees should spare no pains 10
the selection Of teachers for their schools, TO
6nd those who possess these peculiar gifts.


Energy Of character, or what is appropri-
ately called "snap" is necessary quai6ca-
tion for the good teacher. One lire teacher
is worth score of dead ones. He will ac-
complish much more work; and his presence
and influence are inspiring, not only in the
school room, but in the homes of the chill
dren and by the way. A live teacher
makes live school, and awakens new in.
terest in the cause of popular education in
the community where he resides. This vital
energy of which l speak enlivens his whole
being. 1t is seen in the elasticity Of his
steps, and in his animated conversation. 1t
flashes from his eyes, and streams from his
fingers, as the red current of life courses
rapidly through his veins, propelled by
heart, every fibre of which throbs with SYM
pathetic emotion, and lively interest in the
work in which he is engaged. Energy is
essential to success in any enterprise, and
especially in the difficult and important
work Of managing and teaching school.


And the teacher of our children should
have a well-balanced and highly cultivated
mind. The man or woman Of zone idea,"
the mere visionary Of executive habits, should
never be tolerated in the school room. Such
person has distorted views of life and false
principles Of action and is an unsafe exem-
plar and guide Of youth. The educator, above
all men, should have a social mind, n clear
judgment, and a comprehensive knowledge
of men and things. All his mental faculties
should be fully developed, and in harmonious
action; and this implies not only soundness,
but culture. And that culture should be
liberal. 1t is not enough that our teachers
understand merely the branches to be taught
in our schools; they should be intellectual
men and women, who have the power of
systematic thought the power to analyze,
classify, and reason; and the power to em-
ploy their varied culture and attainme nts in
the business and duties of practical life.
Such teachers only are well furnished for
their work and such only should be regard
ed as suitable candidates for the high Office
which they are called to fill. What have
said as to the desirableness Of general culture
is indispensable, and must always be accom-
panied by thorough knowledge of the pri.
mary branches. PARENs.
Year: 1875

TINE TO SET TREEs.-Is there any partic-
ular time in the spring for setting out trees,
so as to make them bear2 A neighbor
tells me that if they are set at the third day
in the new moon in May, they will bear
sooner than at any other time of setting. Is
this merely folly? J. C. J. Eiyin, N. b.
Trees must be set out before the buds have
started, and In mellow and moderately
rich soil-not in the moon. Dig large
holes spread out the roots naturally, press
ing the soil around them with the fingers,
setting them no deeper than they grew in
the nursery mulch with long manure or
leaves, so that the earth shall be always
moist around them allow no weeds or grass
to grow near them keep the ground well
cultivated and mellow for several years, and
they will come into bearing as early as
human care and labor can make trees bear.
1t depends on the man aud not the moon. i
Country Gentleman.
Year: 1875

Cut-worms having done much damage last
season and previously, l was induced to keep
a record of my experience with the pests.
Two years ago planted piece of sod to
corn. My corn came up even and looked
very fine, but in three days there was scarce
ly stalk left on the ground. let it re-
main two weeks, then cultivated it, and
planted it to beans. While planting the
beans l noticed the worms crawling away,
and they attacked piece of wheat adjorn-
ing, and destroyed a strip rod wide along
the edge. Il came to the conclusion that
the worms must have green food to sustain
life. Last year tried four acres Of tame
sod, turning it over early before the grass
had started much. dragged it to bring
up the roots and dry them. In week l
gave another dragging, which destroyed
everything green. then planted it to corn
and had no more trouble from cut-worms
They do but little damage except on newly
turned sod. Corn on such ground should
be worked early and often, and be kept
clean, so that worms and other insects have
no shelter or food. Gardens kept clean are
but little troubled with cut-Worms. The
best remedy is exposure and starvation-COr.
Country Gentleman.
Year: 1875

The Weather.


Since the first Of January we have had
real old style winter. Extremely cold
weather and deep SHOWS. Winter fingered
in the lap of spring, and still fingers. A
good deal of snow is still in sight aud the
weather is cold and winterish, so much SO
that winter clothing with overcoats and
mittens still is needed to keep one COM
Portable. Frost not yet out, land cold and
wet, grass and grain does not grow much as
yet But very little farming done and that
little is on warm, light land aud the work
has been done on top Of the frost


Help and Tramps.


Help is very plenty this spring and wages
are down from last year. To-day, May Z,
have been overrun with applicants for
work. No less than seven men have applied
and l might make my own terms. | hear
Of men all about this vicinity that are to
work eight months for sixteen dollars per
month with board. think the best men
are the cheapest and as all kinds are plenty
shall hire none but good help Extra good
help always have good jobs at good prices.
l am paying best help twenty.six dollars per
month and board. Day wages in this
vicinity are sl25. Tramps are more
numerous than ever. As many as thirteen
some days call at the house for victuals
They walk right into our barns and out
buildings to take their maps in the daytime
and in the nighttime they have such build.
iugs all their own way unless they are shut
out with lock and key.


stock


has generally wintered well and is ia good
demand at fair prices. Extra new milch
COWS bring from 60 to so dollars. The
majority of cows for sale are sold or offered
at 55 dollars each. Went out among the
farmers short time ago to buy three new
milch COWS. Found three promising young
cows with calves by their sides and bought
the lot at S55 each. In a Eve mile drive
met four different parties out in pursuit of
cows. Looked at one lot of forty, new
milch and all for sale prices from 55 to go
dollars. This lot was bought last November
and came from Ohio. They cost then $50
each. They were put on the farm to turn
the hay into manure as the owner had got
sick Of selling hay and buying manure. The
cows have had one ton Of meal to the lot
and what good upland hay they would eat.
They were all in very good condition and
will average about $3.50 each and this
will pay the owner $3.50 per head for
wiutering. They did not consume much
out Of the barn before the middle Of Decem-
Der as they bad the run of the meadow and
the aftermath was heavy.


Why Nor.


Pitsfeld, Mass.