Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 July 1891 — REAL RURAL READING [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

REAL RURAL READING

WILL BS FOUND IN THIS DEPARTMENT, AtrlmUiiral Prosperity—Good Use for • Useless Article-How Not to Have “Cholera’'—Diluting Fresh Mllkfor Cream Raising—Poultry In France—Bones and Bone Meal—A Bamboo stand—The Kitchen. Agricultural Prosperity.

Statistician DODGE, of the Department o f Agriculture, was N. in Cincinnati the other day, and had a long talk Vsjfl with an attache of k the Times newspaper, of that city during » which he said many interesting J 7 things and gave y much valuable information relat--j s*. ing to agricultural interests and prospects. Th e number of acres

nnder cultivation in the United States have more than doubled since the war, and now comprise about one-third of all the land in the entire Republic. When, a few months ago, prices of farm products were low, and there was a temporary depression of agricultural interests, these facts wore not considered. The population of the United States has not doubled since the war, but tho number of acres under have, and one aero will produce much more food than Is requisite for one person. The food supply was far greater than tho home demand, and, very foolishly, wo were admitting foreign food products to tho value of $25,000,000 yearly to compete with the over-production of our own farmers. The demand for sugar is steadily increasing, and, by tho statisticians estimate, it will be but a short time until the sugar bill of tho Nation will reach tho enormous sum of $200,000,000 yearly. This should be spent with American producers; not a penny of it should go abroad. Tho eminent success of the Grand Island, Nebraska, boot sugar works will encourage new enterprises and within the next five years $50,000,000 a year, at least, aro likely to bo paid for beet sugar, grown and made in tho Western States. As to Cotton, we aro producing about one-half of all t .e fiber used in the world and we are likely to sustain our supremacy. And as to tobacco, we are likely to become independent of Cuba or Sumatra for the finest growths; of good and medium kinds wo already grow enough for home use. A Good U«e for a Usnleos Artlekv What is more provoking than a wooden button that gets tight on the screw and pulls out, because you forget to turn it always the one way? What is more abundant and more useless than a broken hinge? Did you ever substitute the latter

tot the former? Just try it and see how nice it is to have a button that is “always there,” works easily, is strong, “never gets tight,” although it may not look very neat. —Practical Farmer. Walks Between Farm Buildings. Tho grounds about most farm-houses are poorly supplied with walks. Sometimes there is no way to approach the house from the street or to go fron* the house to the well or farm buildings, except to travel over ground that is not covered with turf. During a large portion of the year, and especially in tho winter, it is necessary to pass through mud or snow. As a consequence damp feet are among the penalties attached to passing out of the house during unpleasant weather. Of course, it is very difficult to keep the floors of a dwelling clean when the occupants are obliged to walk through mud every time they go out. There should be good walks leading from tho street to the entrances to the house, and to the wefl and the various out-buildings. They not only promote comfort but save a large amount of work in taking care of the house. Very good and serviceable walks may bo made by nailing plank to scantlings placed on edge. The walks may be from two to three feet wide, according to the width of the planks. Walks constructed in this manner are easily kept free from snow, as they may be swept off as often as is necessary. Tho only objection to them is the difficulty in driving across them. This difficulty may be obviated by raising the drive-way for teams or by placing inclined planks or timbers against the sides of the walks. Good walks may also be made of fiat stone or gravel confined between pieces of timber. To prevent the timbers from spreading they should be fastened together at suitable distances by means of cross-pieces. The gravel should be clean ahd the surface of the walk should be slightly rounded so as to carry off water.