CHAMBER SET, or a nice imported GOLD BAND, or MOSS ROSE TEA SET, or
a nice WHITE GRANITE DINNER SET FREE, in exchange for a few hours' time
among your friends, getting up a little club order for our choice TEAS,
COFFEES, Etc., at much lower prices than stores sell them. We are the
cheapest Tea House east of San Francisco. A GUARANTEE given to each Club
member. TESTIMONIALS and full particulars for getting up Clubs FREE. Write
at once to the old reliable SAN FRANCISCO TEA CO., 1445 State St.,
CHICAGO. Mention this paper.--A reliable firm--_Editor_.
CORN, GRASS, AND FRUIT FARMS BY ANDREWS & BABCOCK, HUMBOLDT, KAN. Money
Loaned netting investors 7 per cent. Write us.
Silk Culture.
Osage for Silk-Worms.
In a private letter to the editor of THE PRAIRIE FARMER Dr. L. S.
Pennington, of Whiteside County, Illinois, says: "Many thanks for your
instructive articles on Silk Culture. Could the many miles of Osage orange
found in this State be utilized for this purpose, the industry would give
employment to thousands of dependent women and children, by which means
they could make themselves, at least in part, self-supporting. I hope that
you will continue to publish and instruct your many readers on this
subject."
Anent this subject we find the following by Prof. C. V. Riley in a late
issue of the American Naturalist:
"There is a strong disposition on the part of those who look for making
money by the propagation and sale of mulberry trees, to underrate the use
of Osage orange as silk-worm food. We have thoroughly demonstrated, by the
most careful tests, on several occasions, that when Maclura aurantiaca is
properly used for this purpose, the resulting silk loses nothing in
quantity or quality, and we have now a strain of Sericaria mori that has
been fed upon the plant for twelve consecutive years without
deterioration. There has been, perhaps, a slight loss of color which, if
anything, must be looked upon as an advantage. It is more than likely, how
ever, that the different races will differ in their adaptability to the
Maclura, and that for the first year the sudden transition to Maclura from
Morus, upon which the worms have been fed for centuries, may result in
some depreciation. Mr. Virion des Lauriers, at the silk farm at Genito,
has completed some experiments on the relative value of the two plants,
which he details in the opening number of the Silk-Grower's Guide and
Manufacturer's Gazette. Four varieties of worms were reared. The race
known as the "Var" was fed throughout on mulberry leaves. The "Pyrenean"
and "Cevennes" worms were fed throughout on leaves and branches of Osage
orange, while the "Milanese" worms were fed on Maclura up to the second
molt and then changed to mulberry leaves. At the close examples of each
variety of cocoons were sent to the Secretary of the Silk Board at Lyons,
and appraised by him The Maclura-fed cocoons were rated at 85 cents per
pound, those raised partly on Osage and partly on mulberry at 95 cents per
pound, and those fed entirely on mulberry at $1.11 per pound.
"This, Mr. des Lauriers thinks, seems to show that the difference between
Maclura and Morus as silk-worm food is some 'twenty-five to thirty per
cent in favor of the latter, while it is evident that the leaf of the
Osage orange can be used with some advantage during the first two ages of
the worms, thus allowing the mulberry tree to grow more leafy for feeding
during the last three ages.' The experiment, although interesting, is not
conclusive, from the simple fact that different races were used in the
different tests and not the same races, so that the result may have been
due, to a certain extent, to race and not to food."
SCIENTIFIC AND USEFUL.
A writer in an English medical journal declares that the raising of the
head of the bed, by placing under each leg a block of the thickness of two
bricks, is an effective remedy for cramps. Patients who have suffered at
night, crying aloud with pain, have found this plan to afford immediate,
certain, and permanent relief.
California stands fifth in the list of States in the manufacture of salt,
and is the only State in the Union where the distillation of salt from sea
water is carried on to any considerable extent. This industry has
increased rapidly during the last twenty years. The production has risen
from 44,000 bushels in 1860 to upwards of 880,000 bushels in 1883.
The amount of attention given to purely technical education in Saxony is
shown by the fact that there are now in that kingdom the following
schools: A technical high school in Dresden, a technical State institute
at Chemnitz, and art schools in Dresden and Leipzig, also four builders'
schools, two for the manufacture of toys, six for shipbuilders, three for
basket weavers, and fourteen for lace making. Besides these there are the
following trade schools supported by different trades, foundations,
endowments, and districts: Two for decorative painting, one for
watchmakers, one for sheet metal workers, three for musical instrument
makers, one for druggists (not pharmacy), twenty-seven for weaving, one
for machine embroidery, two for tailors, one for barbers and hairdressers,
three for hand spinning, six for straw weaving, three for wood carving,
four for steam boiler heating, six for female handiwork. There are,
moreover, seventeen technical advanced schools, two for gardeners, eight
agricultural, and twenty-six commercial schools.
The Patrie reports, with apparent faith, an invention of Dr. Raydt, of
Hanover, who claims to have developed fully the utility of carbonic acid
as a motive agent. Under the pressure of forty atmospheres this acid is
reduced to a liquid state, and when the pressure is removed it evaporates
and expands into a bulk 500 times as great as that it occupied before. It
is by means of this double process that the Hanoverian chemist proposes to
obtain such important benefits from the agent he employs. A quantity of
the fluid is liquified, and then stowed away in strong metal receptacles,
securely fastened and provided with a duct and valve. By opening the valve
free passage is given to the gas, which escapes with great force, and may
be used instead of steam for working in a piston. One of the principal
uses to which it has been put is to act as a temporary motive power for
fire engines. Iron cases of liquified carbonic acid are fitted on to the
boiler of the machine, and are always ready for use, so that while steam
is being got up, and the engines can not yet be regularly worked in the
usual way, the piston valves can be supplied with acid gas. There is,
however, another remarkable object to which the new agent can be directed,
and to which it has been recently applied in some experiments conducted at
Kiel. This is the floating of sunken vessels by means of artificial
bladders. It has been found that a bladder or balloon of twenty feet
diameter, filled with air, will raise a mass of over 100 tons. Hitherto
these floats have been distended by pumping air into them through pipes
from above by a cumbrous and tedious process, but Dr. Raydt merely affixes
a sufficient number of his iron gas-accumulators to the necks of the
floats to be used, and then by releasing the gas fills them at once with
the contents.
DAIRY SUPPLIES, Etc.
THE DAVIS SWING CHURN.
The Most Popular Churn on the Market.
[Illustration of a swing churn]
Because it makes the most butter. Because no other Churn works so easy.
Because it makes the best grained butter. Because it is the easiest
cleaned. It has no floats or paddles inside. Also the Eureka Butter
Worker, the Nesbitt Butter Printer, and a full line of Butter Making
Utensils for Dairies and Factories. Send for Illustrated Circulars.
VERMONT FARM MACHINE CO., Bellows Falls, Vt.
The Cooley Creamer
[Illustration of a creamer]
Saves in labor its entire cost every season. It will produce enough more
money from the milk to Pay for itself every 90 days over and above any
other method you can employ. Don't buy infringing cans from irresponsible
dealers. By decision of the U. S. Court the Cooley is the only Creamer or
Milk Can which can be used water sealed or submerged without infringement.
Send for circular to
JOHN BOYD, Manufacturer, 199 LAKE ST., CHICAGO, ILL.
CHOCOLATES.
GRATEFUL--COMFORTING.
EPPS'S COCOA.
BREAKFAST.
"By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations
of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine
properties of well-selected Cocoa, Mr. Epps has provided our breakfast
tables with a delicately flavored beverage which may save us many heavy
doctors' bills. It is by the judicious use of such articles of diet that a
constitution may be gradually built up until strong enough to resist every
tendency to disease. Hundreds of subtle maladies are floating around us
ready to attack wherever there is a weak point. We may escape many a fatal
shaft by keeping ourselves well fortified with pure blood and a properly
nourished frame."--_Civil Service Gazette._
Made simply with boiling water or milk. Sold only in half-pound tins by
Grocers, labeled thus:
JAMES EPPS & CO., Homoeopathic Chemists, London, England.
When you write mention The Prairie Farmer.
MISCELLANEOUS.
3% LOANS,
For men of moderate means. Money loaned in any part of the country.
Address, with 2-cent stamp.
MICHIGAN LOAN & PUB. CO., CHARLOTTE, MICH.
[Illustration of a ring]
This Elegant Solid Plain Ring, made of Heavy 18k. Rolled Gold plate,
packed in Velvet Casket, warranted 5 years, post-paid. 45c., 3 for
$1.25. 50 Cards, "Beauties," all Gold, Silver, Roses, Lilies, Mottoes,
&c., with name on, 10c., 11 packs for a $1.00 bill and this Gold Ring
FREE.
U. S. CARD CO., CENTERBROOK, CONN.
SEEDS, Etc.
THE DINGEE & CONARD CO'S BEAUTIFUL EVER-BLOOMING
ROSES
The Only establishment making a SPECIAL BUSINESS of ROSES. 60 LARGE HOUSES
for ROSES alone. We GIVE AWAY, in Premiums and Extras, more ROSES than
most establishments grow. Strong Pot Plants suitable for immediate bloom
delivered safely, post-paid, to any post office. 5 splendid varieties, your
choice, all labeled, for $1; 12 for $2; 19 for $3; 26 for $4; 35 for $5;
75 for $10; 100 for $13. Our NEW GUIDE, _a complete Treatise on the Rose_,
70 pp, _elegantly illustrated_ FREE
THE DINGEE & CONARD CO., Rose Growers, West Grove, Chester Co., Pa.
1884--SPRING--1884.
TREES
Now is the time to prepare your orders for NEW and RARE Fruit and
Ornamental Shrubs, Evergreens, ROSES, VINES, ETC. Besides many desirable
Novelties; we offer the largest and most complete general Stock of Fruit
and Ornamental Trees in the U. S. Abridged Catalogue mailed free. Address
ELLWANGER & BARRY, Mt. Hope Nurseries, Rochester, N. Y.
[Illustration of trees]
FOREST TREES.
_Largest Stock in America._
Catalpa Speciosa, Box-Elder, Maple, Larch, Pine, Spruce, etc.
_Forest and Evergreen Tree Seeds._
R. Douglas & Sons, _WAUKEGAN, ILL._
EVERGREENS
For everybody. Nursery grown, all sizes from 6 inches to 6 feet. Also
EUROPEAN LARCH AND CATALPA
and a few of the Extra Early Illinois Potatoes. Price List FREE. Address
D. HILL, Nurseryman, Dundee, Ill.
FOREST TREE SEEDS!
I offer a large stock of Walnuts, Butternuts, Ash, and Box Elder Seeds,
suitable for planting. All the growth of 1883. I control the entire stock
of the
SALOME APPLE,
a valuable, new, hardy variety. Also a general assortment of Nursery
stock. Send for catalogue, circular, and price lists. Address
BRYANT'S NURSERY, Princeton, Ill.
SEED CORN.
Yellow and White Dent,
Michigan Early Yellow Dent,
Chester-White King Phillip,
Yellow Yankee, Etc., Etc.
Also the Celebrated MURDOCK CORN.
L. B. FULLER & CO., 60 State St., Chicago.
CUTHBERT RASPBERRY PLANTS!
10,000 for sale at Elmland Farm by
L P. WHEELER, Quincy, Ill.
SPECIALTY FOR 1884.
200 bush. Onion sets, 20,000 Asparagus roots, Raspberry and Strawberry
roots, and Champion Potatoes. Italian Bees a specialty. Send for price
list for 1884.
SEND EARLY TO A. J. NORRIS, Cedar Falls, Iowa.
SEEDS
Our new catalogue, best published. Free _to all_. 1,500 _varieties_,
300 _illustrations_. You ought to have it.
BENSON, MAULE & Co., Philadelphia, Pa.
A Descriptive, Illustrated Nursery Catalogue and Guide to the Fruit and
Ornamental Planter. Sent free to all applicants.
WM. H. MOON, Morrisville, Bucks Co., Pa.
SEED CORN
NORTHERN GROWN, VERY EARLY. Also Flower Vegetable and Field Seeds 44 New
Varities of Potatoes Order early. Catalogue Free.
FRED. N. LANG, Baraboo, Wis.
[Illustration of a fruit evaporator]
CULLS AND WINDFALL APPLES
Worth 50 Cents Per Bushel Net.
SAVE THEM BY THE
"PLUMMER PATENT PROCESS."
Illustrated and Descriptive Catalogue and full Particulars mailed free.
PLUMMER FRUIT EVAPORATOR CO., No. 118 Delaware St., Leavenworth, Kan.
When you write mention the Prairie Farmer.
FERRY'S SEED ANNUAL FOR 1884
Will be mailed FREE to all applicants and to customers of last year
without ordering it. It contains illustrations, prices, descriptions and
directions for planting all Vegetable and Flower Seeds, Plants, etc.
Invaluable to all.
D.M. FERRY & CO. DETROIT, Mich.
[Illustration of a cabbage with a face]
J. B. ROOT & CO.'S
Illustr'd Garden Manual of VEGETABLE and FLOWER SEEDS, ready for all
applicants. Market Gardeners
SEEDS a Specialty. Write for Wholesale Price List. --> SENT FREE
ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.
FLORAL GIFTS!
[Illustration of a ring with hearts]
[Illustration: Magnifies 1,000 times]
50 CARDS
SOUVENIRS OF FRIENDSHIP Beautiful designs, name neatly printed, 10c. 11
PACKS, this Elegant Ring, Microscopic Charm and Fancy Card Case, $1. Get
ten of your friends to send with you, and you will obtain these THREE
PREMIUMS and your pack FREE. Agent's Album of Samples, 25cts.
NORTHFORD CARD CO., Northford, Conn.
ONION SEED FOR SALE.
Early Red Globe, Raised In 1883.
JAMES BAKER, Davenport, Iowa.
NEW CHOICE VARIETIES OF SEED POTATOES
A Specialty. Twenty-five kinds. Will not be under-sold. Satisfaction
guaranteed. Send postal, with full address, for prices.
BEN F. HOOVER, Galesburg, Illinois.
FOR SALE
One Hundred Bushels of Native Yellow Illinois Seed Corn, grown on my
farm, gathered early and kept since in a dry room. Warranted to grow.
Price $2 per bu. H.P. HUMPHREYS & SON, Sheffield, Ill.
Onion Sets
Wholesale & Retail
J. C. VAUGHN, _Seedsman_, 42 LaSalle St., CHICAGO, Ill.
MARYLAND FARMS.--Book and Map _free_,
by C. E. SHANAHAN, Attorney, Easton, Md.
NOW
Is the time to subscribe for THE PRAIRIE FARMER. Price only $2.00 per year
is worth double the money.
Peter Henderson & Co's
COLLECTION OF SEEDS AND PLANTS
embraces every desirable Novelty of the season, as well as all standard
kinds. A special feature for 1884 is, that you can for $5.00 select
Seeds or Plants to that value from their Catalogue, and have included,
without charge, a copy of Peter Henderson's New Book, "Garden and Farm
Topics," a work of 250 pages, handsomely bound in cloth, and containing a
steel portrait of the author. The price of the book alone is $1.50.
Catalogue of "Everything for the Garden," giving details, free on
application.
PETER HENDERSON & CO. SEEDSMEN & FLORISTS, 35 & 37 Cortlandt St., New York.
GARDEN SEEDS.
DIRECT FROM THE FARM AT THE LOWEST WHOLESALE RATES.
SEED CORN that I know will grow; White Beans, Oats, Potatoes, ONIONS,
Cabbage, Mangel Wurzel, Carrots, Turnips, Parsnips, Celery, all of the
best quality. Catalogue with directions of cultivation FREE. --> SEEDS
FOR THE CHILDREN'S GARDEN. 25 per cent. discount. Let the children send
for my Catalogue AND TRY MY SEEDS. They are WARRANTED GOOD or money
refunded.
Address JOSEPH HARRIS, Moreton Farm, Rochester, N.Y.
SEEDS
ALBERT DICKINSON,
Dealer in Timothy, Clover, Flax, Hungarian, Millet, Red Top, Blue Grass,
Lawn Grass, Orchard Grass, Bird Seeds, &c.
POP-CORN.
Warehouses {115, 117 & 119 KINZIE ST.
{104, 106, 108 & 110 Michigan St.
OFFICE. 115 KINZIE ST., CHICAGO, ILL.
FAY GRAPES
Currant HEAD-QUARTERS.
ALL BEST, NEW AND OLD.
SMALL, FRUITS AND TREES. LOW TO DEALERS AND PLANTERS. Stock First-Class.
Free Catalogues. GEO. S. JOSSELYN, Fredonia, N. Y.
Remember _that $2.00 pays for_ THE PRAIRIE FARMER _one year, and the
subscriber gets a copy of_ THE PRAIRIE FARMER COUNTY MAP OF THE UNITED
STATES, FREE! _This is the most liberal offer ever made by any first-class
weekly agricultural paper in this country._
[Illustration: HOUSEHOLD.]
For nothing lovelier can be found
In woman than to study _household_ good.--_Milton._
How He Ventilated the Cellar.
The effect of foul air upon milk, cream, and butter was often alluded to
at the Dairymen's meeting at DeKalb. A great bane to the dairyman is
carbonic acid gas. In ill ventilated cellars it not only has a pernicious
effect upon milk and its products, but it often renders the living
apartments unhealthful, and brings disease and death to the family. In the
course of the discussion Mr. W. D. Hoard, President of the Northwestern
Dairymen's Association, related the following incident showing how easily
cellars may be ventilated and rendered fit receptacles for articles of
food:
"In the city of Fort Atkinson, where I do reside, Mr. Clapp, the president
of the bank told me that for twenty years he had been unable to keep any
milk or butter or common food of the family in the cellar. I went and
looked at it, and saw gathered on the sleepers above large beads of
moisture, and then knew what was the matter. The cellar was full of foul
air. I said to him, 'Prof. Wilkins is here and will tell you in a few
moments how to remedy this difficulty, and make your cellar a clean and
wholesome apartment of your house.' I went down and got the professor, and
he went up and looked at the cellar, and he says, 'for ten dollars I will
put you in possession of a cellar that will be clean and wholesome.' He
went to work and took a four-inch pipe, made of galvanized iron, soldered
tightly at the joints, passing it down the side of the cellar wall until
it came within two inches of the bottom of the cellar, turned a square
elbow at the top of the wall, carried it under the house, under the
kitchen, up through the kitchen floor and into the kitchen chimney, about
four feet above where the kitchen stovepipe entered. You know the kitchen
stove in all families is in operation about three times a day. The heat
from this kitchen stove acting on the column of air in that little pipe
caused a vacuum, and nature abhors a vacuum, and the result was that in
twenty-four hours that little pipe had drawn the entire foul air out of
the cellar, and he has now a perfect cellar. I drop this hint to show you
that it is within easy reach of every one, for the sum of only about ten
dollars, to have a perfectly ventilated cellar. This carbonic acid gas is
very heavy. It collects in the cellar and you can not get it out unless
you dip it out like water, or pump it out; and it becomes necessary to
apply something to it that shall operate in this way."
This is a matter of such importance, and yet so little thought about, that
we had designed having an illustration made to accompany this article, but
conclude the arrangment is so simple that any one can go to work and adapt
it to the peculiar construction of his own house, and we hope thousands
will make use of Mr. Hoard's suggestion.
An Old Roman Wedding.
As far as the nuptial ceremony itself was concerned, the Romans were in
the habit of celebrating it with many imposing rites and customs, some of
which are still in use in this country. As soon, therefore, as the
sooth-sayer had taken the necessary omens, the ceremony was commenced by a
sheep being sacrificed to Juno, under whose special guardianship marriage
was supposed to rest. The fleece was next laid upon two chairs, on which
the bride and bridegroom sat, over whom prayers were then said. At the
conclusion of the service the bride was led by three young men to the home
of her husband. She generally took with her a distaff and spindle filled
with wool, indicative of the first work in her new married life--spinning
fresh garments for her husband. Five torches were carried to light her.
The threshold of the house was gaily decorated with flowers and garlands;
and in order to keep out infection it was anointed with certain unctuous
perfumes. As a preservative, moreover, against sorcery and evil
influences, it was disenchanted by various charms. After being thus
prepared, the bride was lifted over the threshold, it being considered
unlucky for her to tread across it on first entering her husband's house.
The musicians then struck up their music, and the company sang their
"Epithalamium." The keys of the house were then placed in the young wife's
hands, symbolic of her now being mistress. A cake, too, baked by the
vestal virgins, which had been carried before her in the procession from
the place of the marriage ceremony to the husband's home, was now divided
among the guests. To enhance the merriment of the festive occasion, the
bridegroom threw nuts among the boys, who then, as nowadays enjoyed
heartily a grand scramble.
Mr. Smith's Stovepipe.
Once upon a time there lived a certain man and wife, and their name--well,
I think it must have been Smith, Mr. and Mrs. John Smith. One chilly day
in October Mrs. Smith said to her husband: "John, I really think we must
have the stove up in the sitting-room." And Mr. Smith from behind his
newspaper answered "Well." Three hundred and forty-six times did Mr. and
Mrs. Smith repeat this conversation, and the three hundred and
forty-seventh time Mr. Smith added: "I'll get Brown to help me about it
some day."
It is uncertain how long the matter would have rested thus, had not Mrs.
Smith crossed the street and asked neighbor Brown to come over and help
her husband set up a stove, and as she was not his wife he politely
consented and came at once.
With a great deal of grunting, puffing, and banging, accompanied by some
words not usually mentioned in polite society, the two men at last got the
stove down from the attic. Mrs. Smith had placed the zinc in its proper
position, and they put the stove way to one side of it, but of course that
didn't matter.
Then they proceeded to put up the stovepipe. Mr. Smith pushed the knee
into the chimney, and Mr. Brown fitted the upright part to the stove. The
next thing was to get the two pieces to come together. They pushed and
pulled, they yanked and wrenched, they rubbed off the blacking onto their
hands, they uttered remarks, wise and otherwise.
Presently it occurred to Mr. Smith that a hammer was just the thing that
was needed, and he went for one. Mr. Brown improved the opportunity to
wipe the perspiration from his noble brow, totally oblivious of the fact
that he thereby ornamented his severe countenance with several landscapes
done in stove blacking. The hammer didn't seem to be just the thing that
was needed, after all. Mr. Smith pounded until he had spoiled the shape of
the stovepipe, and still the pesky thing wouldn't go in, so he became
exasperated and threw away the hammer. It fell on Mr. Brown's toe, and
that worthy man ejaculated--well, it's no matter what he ejaculated. Mr.
Smith replied to his ejaculation, and then Mr. Brown went home.
Why continue the tale? Everybody knows that Mr. Smith, after making a
great deal of commotion, finally succeeded in getting the pipe into place,
that he was perfectly savage to everybody for the rest of the day, and
that the next time he and Brown met on the street both were looking
intently the other way.
But there is more to tell. It came to pass in the course of the winter
that the pipe needed cleaning out. Mrs. Smith dreaded the ordeal, both for
her own sake and her husband's. It happened that the kitchen was presided
over by that rarest of treasures, a good-natured, competent hired girl.
This divinity proposed that they dispense with Mr. Smith's help in
cleaning out the pipe, and Mrs. Smith, with a sigh of relief, consented.
They carefully pulled the pipe apart, and, holding the pieces in a
horizontal position that no soot might fall on the carpet, carried it into
the yard.