Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 January 1901 — To Keep Burglars Out. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

To Keep Burglars Out.

Here is a little arrangement for use as a burglar alarm which is complete in itself and needs no batteries or wires to operate it. It consists of a circular base plate, upon which is mounted a gong and a spring-actuated escapement and clockwork mechanism of any convenient form. From one edge of the base project ,two sharp prongs, which rest on the floor, while on the opposite side there is a sliding spindle, also sharpened to a point. To put the

BURGLAR ALARM DOOR LOCK, alarm In position the' pair of prongs are driven into the floor a short distance by a blow of the device Itself. Then the tip of the spindle is placed against the bottom of the door, inclining the alarm at about the angle shown. As the spindle is controlled by a spring, a push on the door drives it in a ,short distance and releases the bell mechanism, at the same time effectually locking the door against further movement.

Cornstalk DU«mm. The Division of Animal Pathology of the Nebraska Experiment Station haa received, within the past few weeks, more inquiries regarding the disease in cattle known as “cornstalk disease” than it has received before during the past five years. The inquiries show that a great loss has been sustained by the feeding .of cornstalks. This is one of the mysterious diseases that seem to baffle the scientists. The division issued a bulletin in 1898 on this subject, which discusses the various theories with probably the exception of a few pew theories that are being advanced this year. There have been quite a number of inquiries as to whether this disease oould be caused by chinch bugs, tor it has been reported that cattle have died in stalks that were heavily infected with these insects. As near as can be told, this has little or nothing to do with it, because there are numerous outbreaks where the fields apparently free from this pew. A question that is asked in almost every case is, whether it is safe to turn in cattle after a heavy frost From past experience it can be said that the frost has very little to do with it, for cattle have died in stalks in very severe, cold weather, so for that reason could not recommend the use of stalks simply from their having been frosted. The only reasonably saje suggestion that can be given to any one that wishes to pasture his cattle in stalks is, to not exclusively feed them on stalks, but to provide some grain ration—either hay or oats or straw. By this is not meant that the animals should be allowed to run at will to a straw stack, because there is some danger in that; but they should be compelled to be in an enclosure for a certain length of time, and during that time should be allowed no cornstalks, but should be given hay, alfalfa, straw or grain. Another inquiry that is always made is, what can we do for them when attacked? In almost all cases the treatment is of no avail, because the animals are dead before treatment can be administered. In cases where the symptoms indicate a brain affection, give chloral hydrate in repeated dosee at intervals of from half an hour to three-quarters of an hour apart, as long as the symptoms may require. Give from an ounce and a half to two ounces at a dose. Mix the chloral with a little linseed water or flour water, and give in about a pint to a quart of water as a drench. Many cases have been cured by this heroic treatment.

Of Interest to Horaemen. Queen Victoria has given an order that none of her horses shall hereafter be docked, and the Prince of Wales has taken the same stand. This is said to be the result of agitations carried on in England by those that consider docking cruel. Now that royalty has taken a firm stand in the matter, it Is expected that the custom will become obsolete. * * * Some recent estimates on the horse supplies in the United States and some European countries are as follows: United States, 14,000,000; England, 1,152,000; Scotland, 194,000; Wales, 153,000, making about 1,500,000 for Great Britain. Ireland has about 490,000 horses. These statistics are said to cover only the animals on the farms and do not include the number in the cities. * * *• Those that patronize stallions should see to It that the pedigrees are correct, if they are paying for the service of pedigreed stallions. We notice in a recent exchange an expose of one of the tricks that is said to be extensively worked in the West. The owner of some unpedigreed stallion gets out a pedigree with high-sounding names and prints it in a circular to the farmers around him. They, not being experts in such matters, are readily taken in and patronize the Btallion. The practice is very injurious to the horse-breeding interests, for it fills the locality with almost worthless horseflesh. Live Stock Item*. Cattle in Lee, Washington and Fayette counties, Texas, have been dying of an unknown disease, which to thought to be tetanus or lockjaw. Mr.. Marcus Daly’s interests in tke trotter were ten times greater than in runners, and he died the owner of by far the greatest collection of trotting brood mareß ever gotten together. According to an Oshkosh farmer very few cattle will be wintered in that part of Wisconsin this year. It is all owing to the scarcity of feed, which has already commenced to be felt. Notwithstanding its splendid equipment and fine shipping facilities, the big packing plant at New Brighton, Minn., is closed, except the feeding pens used by cattle shippers. Fire recently swept over the ranches Ip Sherman and adjoining Texas counties. A score or more were burned over and all feed consumed. The burned area is estimated to be forty miles long and six wide. Most of the cattle were saved, but will have to be transferred to new feeding grounds. Imports of woolen manufactures into the United States are less than one-third in value what they were in 1895, while during the decade 18901900 exports of woolen manufactures have more than trebled. During the eight months ending August 31, 1900, the imports of woollen manufactures amounted to 812,084,928, against 840,667,044 in eight months of 1895 and 820,544,094 in the corresponding eight months of 1896. The horse business Is certainly on the up grade. As an indication of this we may point to a horse sare recently held in New York at which 702 head of horses were sold. The total sum realized tor them was 8352,180, or over 8500 a head.