Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 April 1899 — Page 3

FARM AND GARDEN

Setting Wagon Tires. There are many jobs that a farmer can do for himself, if he only makes the attempt. One of these, says the American Agriculturist is the setting of the tires on the wheels of his vehicles. The usual charges at a shop for one wheel will exceed the cost to the farmer of setting all four, and the time spent in hauling them to and from the shop, to say nothing of the trouble and vexation of unsatisfactory work or ruined wheels, is far greater than it would be to do the work himself. To do this, it requires an outlay of only the cost of a metal trough and linseed oil, about half a gallon to a set of wheels, though more than enough to

WHEEL IN POSITION FOB BETTING.

do the work will be needed, aa the trough, while boiling, must be filled so as to cover the felloes. This trough (a) can be made of galvanized Iron, by a tinner. Set It on brick or stone In such a way that a fire can be built and kept up under It Put In enough oil to cover the felloes, and let come to a bolt You are now ready to put In the wheels. The way this is done is shown so plainly In the Illustration that description Is unnecessary. To prepare the wheels, let them soak in water until the tires are tight, washing out all the mud and dirt possible. After being placed in the oil, the wheel should be slowly turned to prevent Charring. The length of time required to boll a wheel depends on its condition, as does the amount of oil it takes for a set Two sets of wheels can be easily set in half a day. This job will prove far more satisfactory than one performed by a blacksmith, who, often on account of the dry wood swelling after he has shrunk the tire, ruins a wheel by dishing It Breedin a Turkeys. The best results in growing turkeys are from yearling hens bred to a gobbler two years old, and three would be still better. The young hen will lay more eggs the first year than she will in any year after, and If she mates with a gobbler two years or over the young turks will be active and vigorous. Watch the hen turkey carefully, and remove her first eggs as soon as laid, lest they become chilled. Two and sometimes three settings of turkey eggs must be taken from the young . turkeys and set under common hens before the hen turkey will sit steadily herself. The hen turkey must be confined mornings when she has young chicks, or she will draggle them through the wet grass and thus kill them. A Good Milk Stool Is shown in the accompanying Illustration. It is made of two boards 22 Inches long and 10 or 12 Inches wide. Nine

USEFUL MILK STOOL.

Inches from one end saw half way through each board and split off the long end. Across the elevated end nail a board about 12 Inches long for a seat. Place one-half inch cleats on the lower porkton, upon which the pail is to rest Thephil is thus kept clean and is not easily upset—Orange Judd Farmer. Good Roade. The latest cure for bad roads is crude oil, experiments with which are being made at the suggestion of good road associations. One barrel of oil is said to be sufficient to create a waterproof strip 100 feet long and 12 feet wide. Major Meigs, a civil engineer of Keokuk, lowa, claims that no other material is as cheap and effective, and offers to have oil sent to responsible parties wishing to experiment if they will pay the freight—Epitomist Wood A shea for Apple Tree*. In some tests at the NeW York Experiment Station it was found that the foliage was greatly Improved in sections of the orchards treated with WOOd find

also improved in some seasons and with some varieties, but during the seasons which favored the perfect development of the fruit the color was not helped. Apparently the use of ashes has a tendency to hasten the perfect development of the fruit. Some seasons this ripening process was carried so far where ashes .were used that the apples did not keep as well as on plants untreated.—Orange Judd Farmer. Slow-Germinating Seed. There are some kinds of seeds, like the salsify, that are so hard and dry that it seems impossible to germinate them quickly enough in spring so as to keep ahead of the weeds. We advise putting such seed in water made almost scalding heat, or about 150 degrees to 160 degrees, for a few minutes at a time, withdrawing the seeds and repeating the scalding until the seed shows signs of swelling. Then plant such seeds, and if the soil is warm the plants will be up as quickly as the weeds. Onion seed may be treated the same way. Some kinds of plants which come up very small and are not conspicuous can be cultivated quite near to the rows by dropping a few radish seed In the row where the more valuable crop Is grown. The radish will show sooner than almost any other garden plant, and what radish are thus grown can be pulled out and used by the time the other crop can be seen to hoe closely to it The Leaf of Young Grain. There is much difference in the breadth, size and color of leaf in young grain as it comes up. It is partly dependent on the character of the seed, as the plant sends up Its first leaves mainly from the starchy matter which encloses the germ and which the germ uses until it is able to put forth roots into the soil. Barley being larger and heavier than oats has always a broader leaf, though If oats are sown on rich land and somewhat late they will come up with a leaf that looks like barley. But this rank growth early is not regarded favorably by the cultivator, for he knows that It Is liable to be followed. by rust of stalk or grain later in the season. Harrowing grain that comes up with too small and thin a leaf bruises these first leaves, and as it also stimulates root growth, it causes the plant to send up new shoots with much broader leaves. This dries out the soil, thus preventing the excessive, growth later that invites rust Barn True*. I send sketch of barn bent I think any one who will give it a thorough study will decide that it Is strong, selfsupporting, and no danger of spreading. The purlines and some other timbers are drawn out of proportion to the rest so that the construction can be understood. The plan is original with myself, and has not been practically tested, but I am confident that there is no possible chance for an out-

NEW BARN PLAN.

ward thrust, for the long brace, A, A, passing through between the timbers forming the purline and on through the short tie B, and through the double studding C, will forever hold the .barn from giving out The purlines may run from the ground sills, passing between the cross sill D, on up to the purline plate, showing the mode of construction at E. The dotted collar beam at F F is to be fastened to the inside rafters on a level with the cross at G, in order to fasten the rangers for a track to run a hay fork. The lower end of purline at H H is to be cut so as to fit over the sill, and showing spikes to be driven. This frame can be made to resist an indefinite amount of pressure.—J. H. Fisher, in Ohio Farmer.

Migration of Insect*. In the Scientific American, Prof. Holden gives some interesting observations on the migrations of insects. Once in the San'Gabriel Valley of California he saw a flight of yellow butterflies which passed continuously for three or four days to the northeast For sixteen square miles the column moved, and one could not look out doors without seeing the fluttering bits of yellow in the air. Yellow butterflies are famous for their mysterious migrations, and sometimes out at sea they will cover the decks and riggings of ships. Peach Twijr Borer. A correspondent of the Michigan Farmer reports a new enemy on his peach trees. It is a borer, which eats its way into the twigs near the end of the season’s growth, killing the twig at that point. Then it burrows in the tree forks and remains until spring, when it enters on a new campaign. It has never been seen until last year, and it is hoped that the severity of the winter, which killed peach trees in so many places, will also make an end of this new enemy to the tree. Good Harne** Oil. First melt three pounds of tallow at a slow heat, without it frizzling or boiling, and then, having mixed sufficient lampblack with one pound of neatsfoot oil, slowly pour that into the melted IS

HERE’S A GOOD HOME.

IS CONVENIENT. COMFORTABLE AND NEAT IN APPEARANCE. Low-Cost House, with the Equipments of a Mansion—A Dwelling with an Interior Arrangement that Would Be Hard to Improve Upon. Modern civilization has not only developed a taste for appearance of a dwelling house, but has created a desire for all the modern improvements. No matter how low the cost of a house may be, people expect all the equip-

ments of a mansion. The lady es the house generally cares much more for the interior arrangement for convenience than for the exterior appearance, except that she wishes it to look pleasing and comfortably home-like. Of course there are a few who “live for show,” and these only are the ones who do not care about the arrangement, “just so it looks nice and attractive.” In the design herewith given the interior arrangement has been the first consideration, the exterior receiving just enough attention to prevent its looking too plain, and make it neat and pleasing in appearance. We have that very desirable feature, a front stair hall, from which one can go into the parlor or dining-room. These rooms are ample in size and pleasantly locat-

ed, with large bays from both. The wide sliding doors between enable them to be thrown together on occasion of home entertainment The dining-room also has outside entrances from front and rear side porches. From the dining-room opens the kitfchen with passage through the pantry between. The pantry is folly equipped in modern style, with sink, drain board, shelves, bins and pastry table. There is also a large china cfoset beside pantry, which opens from both kitchenend dining-room. On the diningroom side this china cl'oset is finished very much resembling a sideboard In style, and provided with a casq of drawers from floor to thirty inches above floor. From off the dlningopom opens the family bed-room, to the rqar of and connected with which is the bath-room. The bath-room is fitted with tub, wash bowl and water closbt, and has also a door leading to kitchen. Stairs to the cellar lead down from the kitchen. Going upstairs from the front, one lands In a small hall, with large Unto closet, and from which are accessible three large bed-rooms, with ample closets. The front hall is finished in red oak, and the staircase., of very attractive design. Is built of same material. The remainder of the first story, except kitchen, is finished in selected

white pine, and the kitchen in Southern yellow pine. All the first floor is finished natural color in hard oIL Second poor Is trimmed in painted pine. JU

MODERN LOWPRICED HOUSE.

cellar seven feet deep Is provided un» der rear portion of house. Of the exterior little need be said. The timbers are of good sound pine, upon a foundation of good rubble stone. SIHs 6xß are used with walls above of 2x4, plastered three coats inside and covered outside with' shiplap sheathing overlaid with building paper and half* inch siding. The gables and roofs are covered with good pine shingles. The first story is eleven feet and the second story nine feet in height, with quite a large attic. The house is heated by furnace, and will cost to build complete about S2,BOO—E. A. Payne.

UNCLE SAM’S FIRST MINT.

Historic Building in Philadelphia Nearly Destroyed by Fire. A recent fire in Philadelphia nearly destroyed the first mint used by the Government of the United States. By hard work the historic building, situated at 87 and 39 North Seventh street, was saved, to remain a splendid object lesson of the growth of the republic. It seems almost incredible that so short a time ago this plain old structure represented the entire personal holdings and real estate of our national government The history of the first mint of the United States began with the passage by Congress of an act looking to the formation of such a necessary institution. The initial step to put this act In operation was naturally the appointment of the officers of the Institution who should have charge of the establishment For director of the mint Washington selected David Rittenhouse, the astronomer, who received his appointment and accepted the position on July 1,1792. Henry Voight a watchmaker, was appointed chief coiner, and Tristram Dalton was made treasurer. In the succeeding year Albion Cox was appointed chief assayer, and Robert Scott engraver. July 31, 1792, the corner stone of the new mint was laid by Washington, a distinguished gathering of the leading men of the day being present The foundation stone in place, work was commenced on the building at once. So rapidly for that period was the work pushed that the foundation was ready for the superstructure on Aug. 25. The framework was raised on the afternoon of that day. A few days later, on Sept 10, six pounds of old copper were bought for the mint by Ritenhouse, at the rate of 1 shilling 8 pence per pound, this metal being the

first ever purchased for the coinage of the United States. Three coinage presses Imported from England arrived on Sept 25, and were put in operation about Oct 1. In his message to Congress Nov. 6,

1792, President Washington made the gratifying statement that a small coinage of half dimes had been completed, the “want of small coins in circulation calling the first attention to them.” Before the end of the first year after the opening of the mint not only half dimes but also dimes and coppers in a sufficient quantity to meet the pressing needs of the country had been coined. In 1794 the first silver dollars and half dollars were coined, and in the next year the first gold eagles and half eagles were produced. Up to the year 1816 the work of coining at the mint was done by hand or horse power, but in the later years steam was introduced for operating the presses. For forty years the old building on Seventh street was .used for the purpose of the mint, the marvelous growth of the country then rendering better quarters necessary.

At the Browning Club.

Member—Browning, you know, is like Wagner Friend—l see. At first you don’t understand Mm, but after a while you think you do.—Puck. Nearly every man says his wits dresses “too young.”

BOOM IN FULL BLAST.

AN INDEX OF UNEXAMPLED PROSPERITY. Dealers in Agricultural Implements Report a Lively Business Throughout the Northwest-Good Times for Farmers —Trusts Should Be Doomed. An index of the unexampled prosperity now inundating the farming regions of the great Northwest is furnished by the lively boom that Is being experienced by dealers in agricultural implements. Last year was an extraordinarily good year for the sale of all kinds of farm machinery. During the previous period of depression there had been a very appreciable check to the normal demand for this class of merchandise. The farmers manifested a disposition to make the old machines do the work and worry along without any expansion of their equipment until better times came. The good times that 'they had been hoping for came shortly after President McKinley’s inauguration. Last year the demand that had been bottled up far five years or thereabouts broke loose. Factories, distributors and dealers were pretty well swamped with orders. Early in the harvest season the manufacturers of harvesters announced that they would be unable to fill any more orders. Had it not been for the slow maturing of the crops In this vicinity serious inconvenience would have been caused by the scarcity of harvesting machines. All lines of farm implement manufacturing shared in the boom.

Being the first year of general buying after several years of economizing it was naturally supposed that 1898 would continue to figure as the high water mark of implement buying for many years of simply normal demand. Particularly was it predicted that the reaction would certainly make this year a poor one in that line of business. These predictions are not going to be verified. The year 1899 is going to set a new high water mark in the agricultural implement trade. Manufacturers and distributors report that so far this year their shipments of farm machinery have been from 20 to 25 per cent larger than in the supposedly banner year of 1898. With good weather and fair crop prospects during the spring the showing will increase rather than diminish during the year. Factories are working day and night to AH the orders that are pouring tn. Distributors have welcomed the late unfavorable weather, for it has given them time to fill orders for machinery to be used in spring work that would otherwise have had to go unfilled. The boom is on in full blast again. It will be a little curious to see how the fellows who insist on trying to construe present conditions into “sham prosperity” will explain this reliable indication of real prosperity among the farmers of the Northwest The theory that was applied to the wage raising movement—that it was a bribe to labor tendered by the trusts—will hardly hold good in this case.—Sioux City Journal. All Volunteer* Can Come Home. President McKinley has administered a crushing blow to all the anti-adminis-tration howlers, in his order that all the volunteer soldiers who desire to leave the service must be promptly given discharge. The treaty with Spain has finally been concluded, and on the very day the ratification of the peace treaty occurred all the army commanders were notified that the war with Spain has been settled with a treaty of peace and all the volunteer soldiers in Cuba, Porto Rico, the Philippines and elsewhere, who desire to return home must be honorably discharged from the army with the least possible delay. President McKinley has kept faith with the people and with the soldiers. The order for the discharge of all the volunteer soldiers who desire to return home is sufficient explanation of the reason why the regular army has been rushed to the Philippines during the past three months, and still further proof of the President’s never varying desire to carry the will of the people into effect—Des Moines Register.

Bryan tn Hl* Blindness. Little wonder is it that the Jeffersonian Democrats of the East are calling for a new party leader with the courage of his convictions and intelligence to grasp the difficulties of the present situation. Little wonder is ft that the disciples of Jefferson and Jackson repudiate the leadership of Bryan when he poses as a nerveless demagogue, as he did at Milwaukee. Mr. Bryan is trying to commit the Democratic party to an out-and-out anti-annexation policy. If be is to make the platform and be the Presidential candidate of bis party in 1900 the Democrats will enter the campaign antagonizing the principles and policy of Jefferson and devoid of the sturdy Americanism of Jackson.—Chicago Inter Ocean. Trust* Are Everywhere. There are trusts in Germany, Austria, Italy and Russia, as well as every other country which has great industries or natural resources valuable enough to attract large sums of capital in their development. The trusts are doing more damage in some of those countries than they are doing here. Nevertheless the Republican party will keep up its warfare on the trusts. It has been fighting them from the day they first made their appearance. It is the only party which has had either the courage or the intelligence to strike a blow at the illegitimate practices of the combines and to restrict them in their operations. It is a satisfaction, therefore, for the country to know that as the Republican party is going to remain in control of the nation for years to come its vigor-

ous and practical work In maintaining the people’s interests In this as in till other fields will be kept up.—Bt MM Globe-Democrat _ to Dowa with th* Trust*. Trusts can be formed in any ctvflisMP country. There are trusts in England, where free trade is one of the of the government Trusts can flAurlsb in those countries which • use diver money as well as in those countries where gold is the only standard of value. AU trusts were conceived and organized in selfishness. The first trust brought together producers, cheapened the cost of manufacture, and increased? the profits of the men concerned. The march of invention, of new processes, has invariably been faster than has been the lowering of the price of the finished product to the people. To say that trusts have reduced the prices of manufactures is to state a thing which is false. Trusts take refuge behind this lie in order to justify themselves in the opinion of the people. Trusts are organized for the purpose st Increasing profits. Products would Mg cheaper to-day if there were no trusts. I A hundred competing factories are better for the people than is one corpora* tion which controls or operates five hundred factories. Recently trusts have been created for purposes of speculation. A great many 1 men have become rich in this way dtSS Ing the past year. The losses which are inevitable wifi fall to those who? are caught with watered shares in their possession. All trusts, therefore, are harmful to the people. All trusts are created in order that the people may be robbed in one way or another. The only course open to the several States | and to the United States is to destroy the trusts. The Republican party leads in reforms. The Republican party should make immediate and relentless war upon trusts. The Republican platform in Ohio this year should be built upon this idea. The Republican Congress which will meet next December should take up the trust question at once. Mr. 1 1 McKinley should be renominated and re-elected on the declaration that aB trusts are dangerous, dishonest, and must be destroyed. The fight should be | hard and fierce. Down with the trusts! —Cleveland Leader. Prosperity I* General. M The general advance in wages Is aa evidence that prosperity has become general instead of being confined to eer- ' tain classes. It may be that the workingmen. of the country are in no better condition than they were in former years, so far as wages are concerned, for the advance in the cost of living, may have been equal to the advance in wages. Still, they are in much better condition in other ways. Where two; years ago hundreds of thousands of workingmen were idle, they are now employed, and their wages have kept ' pace with the increased cost of living. This is evidence of general prosper*! ity, for the advance in nearly all commodities has benefited the producers, especially the great mass of American producers, the farmers. If this increased cost of living had not been followed by an advance fn| wages, prosperity would have been one-sided and oppressive to the work- ? ingman. As it is, all are now prospering together and in like degree. Theg advance agent did not belie his show. | Everything advertised on the bffl»| has been exhibited.—Tacoma (Wash.) Ledger. A Wonderfully Good Record. . Last week’s statement of business failures in the United States was ths| best made in a long time. Many other weeks this year have shown remarkable improvement compared with the good conditions existing in 1898, but last week was a record-breaker. In the corresponding part of last year the number of failures reported to R. G. Dun & Co. was 232. The latest figures are only 141. The decrease, for a single week, is 109. That Is a falling - off of no less than'47 per cent. It is at the rate of about 5,700 failures in » ; year. Such figures are nothing less than the evidence of a revolution In busL| ness conditions, and it must be borne in mind that the state of trade and industry was not bad a year ago. The rate of improvement is the most extra- j ordinary which can ba found, taking into account the comparative good conditions which existed in 1898. Tho| present state of business is excellent and the outlook is good. Trust* and the Tariff, The craze for trusts Is great growing. Their own future as well as j their effect upon the Industrial and commercial world is something which cannot yet be foreseen with anything like certainty. If they shall prove to be as bad in fact as they are in the anttelpa-1 tlons of many persons, and in popular opinion, generally, there is no doubt j that the American people wffl find remedy for them. But the man whol knows that there are more trusts with-1 out protection of their products in tb»| tariff law than there are with such pro-I tection, and who still contends that the ; remedy for trusts is to take away the protective tariff, is a demagogue, whos?4 the man who believes that any politicall party is responsible for the system has a ready-made remedy for its evils « should begin his work of reform at the primaries in voting for men whom h*rj is sure are wiser than himself.—Milwaukee Sentinel. Relative Importance. Many of the free-traders say that the Dingley law has been ' 9 • Jr**'