Jasper Republican, Volume 2, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 November 1875 — Cooking Corn-Stalks. [ARTICLE]

Cooking Corn-Stalks.

Everyone knows that cattle cannot eat the stalks of corn that are thrown to them as fodder, but eat only the blades and tops. An observing farmer will notice that often the stalks are chewed but not eaten; this is done by the animal in order to obtain the juices contained therein—many persons do not believe that a corn-stalk containes any nutriment, but it does. There are machines made to cut and crush the stalks fine; but even with this we prefer' steaming. It has been proved that warmed or cooked food is valuable for stock, hence cooked stalks would be beneficial. Do not steep the stalks in water and boil them, but steam them. To do this get a deep sheet-iron pan like a sugar pan but deeper, build a flue and arch in some convenient place in the same manner that sugar puis are made; now get a frame made of iron rods the size of the bottom of the pan inside, and the rods running the short way of the pan; these rods should be riveted to three rods running the long way. Now, put this frame on supports three inches high or more, and fill in with water nearly to the rods; put on your stalks after having first cut or crushed them, and kindle the fire under the pan and steam the stalks until done; then, when cool enough, feed This way you have a warm feed of nutritious food and the steam does not drive out the sugar and starch of the stalk. CM course the pan must be made large enough and kept covered when in use. We advise crushing the stalk between rollers, or, it convenient, run through a threshing machine before steaming.— American Patron.

When you think of buying a harness examine the leather of the hame-strap and the near tuck of the throat-latch and likewise of the crouper. If these ends are of slazy stuff, calculated to squash and plague you while trying to make them enter their loops, don’t buy.” The man who cut the harness did not have the interest ot the purchaser in his mind. At three separate and distinct scowls for each buckling the harness would be dear as a gift. And most likely faults and oversights run through the entire rig.—Hartford Courant. To ascertain if your gun is loaded, put your foot on the hammer and blow in the muzzle, letting the hammer slip from under the foot and descend with smart force on the nipple. If the gun is loaded, you will be notified of the fact.