VOL. LXXXII. THE MOON AND POTATO OROP, The Old Bellef that the Moon Controls the Potato Orop Exploded by Tests Made by Agricultural Department, In this section of the country, as well as in others, the farmer is heard discussing with his neighbor as to the proper phase of the moon in which to plant potatoes. It has been handed down from one generation to another until it has become an established custom to plant potatoes in the dark of the moon if you would have a good crop. This idea has been exploded by the agricultural department and here is re- produced an article from the Scientific American, the best authority on things scientific, which follows : ‘““ After exhaustive experiments in potato planting, the United States Department of Agriculiure has to say that, in season, one time is as good as another to put potatoes in the ground, ‘ Almost everyone, even if he were not reared in the country has heard of the idea of planting potatoes in the dark of the moon. The field workers of the Department of Agriculture have been investigating the matter and have found that seventy per cent. of the farmers of this alleged enlighten- ed country put in their crops and do a good many other things about the farm governed solely by the moon's phases, Many farmers will tell you if you plant potatoes in the dark of the moon they will run to tubers, snd if in the light cf the moon they will run to tops and the crops are planted ac- cordingly. “There is usually a basis in fact for any superstition and the moon super. stition is so deeply rooted that a num- ber of experts from the Department of |! Agriculture while going up and down and across the laud have made it their business to study the question and see whether there might not be a germ of truth or, at least, some reason for the general belief that the moon's phases have an effect on animal and vegetable life. They have concluded after patient investigation that the moon myth is one of the comparatively few myths that date back to pure savagery and has absolutely not an stom of scientific foundation on which to stand. The agricultural experiment stations all over the country have been defying this sup-retition for several years and raising just as good crops when the moon was one way ss when it was the other. Therefore, once for all, it is conclusively decided that there is nothing to the theory that potatoes should be planted in the dark of the moon. “ All of this may not «em very seri- ou: investigation for a great govern. ment to undertake, but the work nevertheless has been interesting to scientists, and if they have succeeded in weaning a few from the old super- stitions about planting potatos, they have been well paid for their work.” —————_ YA — Orphan's Home at Greenville, Hereafter Juve 24th must be count ed one of the important days in the history of the Reformed church in}j this country. Oa this date the new Bt. Psul’s Orphan's Home at Green- ville was formally consecrated, and the chureh’s work of csring for the helpless and dependent children, was thereby given greater opportunities than ever before. Oa June 26, 1906, the old Home at Butler was sold, in Nov 18, 1907 the farm of 800 acres at Greenville were selected as the gle for the new home On July 11, 1908, the corner stone of the new buildings was laid with appropriate services, and on Jupe 24, the home was consecrated. When the consecration services began, thirty-three ministers of the Reformed church were on the platform. The singing was led by a choir made up of the children of the home. It was a day of rejoicing, and gladness filled the hearts of the people who were present. A—— A Br ——— The vemand For Jig Saw Pomsles, The Demand for jig saw puzzles in- creases every week Every Bunday The Philadelphia Press awards 200 of these fascinating games to solvers of the puzzles printed in The Bunday edition of The Philadeiphia Press, Hundreds of keen-witted readers have expressed their appreciation of the smusement these puzzles afford and} write that they mean to try to solve the puzzies every Bunday. Interest ing to grown-ups as well as the little ones. Get The Press early next Bunday. Bryan Writes to Taft, If President Taft will submit to Congress an amendment to the consti- tution providing for the election of penstors by direct vote, so that the state will vote when the vote to ratify the income tax ee ut is taken Bryan will pledge support | in his power to secure its ratification, according to an open letter issued by ryan to the president. He says it i k The large burn, just remodeled last year, owned by William Bodle, near Hunter's Park, was totally destroyed by fire Thursday afternoon of last week, the structure having been struck by lightning during a heavy Mr, Bodle, a son and hired man had load of hay, tied their horses to the and were watching the The son was badly stunned by the The Centre Hall base ball team was them from a wire Insurance was carried in the Centre fire insurance company for The barn will be re-built at once, Is MP AP BIBRA II. LOCALS, The showers, the middle of last Irvin W. Zsigler has changed his oecation from Lambertville, New Bidney Poorman, on the James A. Hon. A. G. Morris, of Tyrone, will While Merchant John W. Runkle, was driving from Harry W. Dinges, who pays consid- small hard to excel If you are in need of a wagon, a Foreman & Smith, Centre They have just what you want, fitis a sound, bang up wagon you AW O Rearick, at Milroy, sold out grain and cosl business to his his in car as been devoting time to lots from A serious mishap befell Michas) resuited in {internal rjuries that may prove fatal, Mr. He was picked up A Marsh Creek farmer, Joseph Poor tendons, Tre never be able to During these busy seasons on the If your separator is not giving satisfaction, get one that will do the wrok properly, The loss keep will pay the interest on a D. Laval cream separator that will skim years to come, besides it will keep you in good humor when you sre turning the erank. Talk to D. W. Bradford at Centre Hall, on this subject. The young school teachers, and pros. peotive school teachers, should not complain because the examinations for tenchers’ certificates are becoming more and more rigid. The profession should maintain a standard even much higher than it now does, and ft is only by elevating the standard that better salaries may be demanded. In years gone by a school teacher was looked up to as one possessed of edu- estionsl qualifications, If not always a man or women of refinement, later the rank and file fell ton lower but now it is on the rise again. It is only by the most severe slashing on the part of the superintendent that the standard may continue to rise, and a Lewis C. Corbin, of Juniata town. ship, finding a bog eating one of his young turkeys, threw a brickbat so hard at the hog that striking a rail it flew to pieces one of which struck Mr. Corbin’s three year old boy in the head, possibly inflicting a fatal injury, The hog was not hurt, The large bank barn on the farm of McAlister Myton, located near Cottage, was destroyed by fire early Thursday morning, entailing a loss of 2000, upon which was no insurance, The farm is tenanted by Joseph Gilli- land, The quick work of the men saved the stock, but everything else was destroyed, including the new made hay and a new wagon, John B. Couch, a Miller township farmer, was seriously and perhaps fa- tally irjured while cutting wheat with a binder on Tuesday, While he was fastening the hames on one of the horses, there being two horses and two mules in the machine, the mules started to run, kuoockicg Mr. Couch down and the binder eaught him and dragged him until he came to a ditch in the fleld when he rolled in the ditch, which saved him from instant death as the machine ran over him. Ouoe of his legs was broken and ankle dislocated and on the other side his hip was dislocated besides being badly bruised and cut about the head and ody. - as — : Peunsylvania Free of Debt, It is perfectly fitting that the Com- monwealth of Pennsylvania should be free of debt, a contingency shortly to be realized. A stale possessed of the resources, the natural wealth sand marvelous manufacturing equipment such a= this enjoys should never have incurred a public debt. That it hae done so might be attributed to the fact that it has so long been conducted un- der the mansgement and for the benefit of a corrupt and defiant polit. ical machine. What the balance on the right side of the ledger might bave been had the political machinery been controlled by honest, publie- spirited, efficient and zealous public servanis ean only be imagined, We do know, however, that boss rule en- tails an unceasing drain on the treasury. ——————————— I TARAS Applies to Centre Hall The versatile writer of ** Jottings by the Wayside,” in the M:Mlinburg Telegraph, makes the following well. put remarks, which apply with equal force to Centre Hall : By a careful calculation it appears there are just about 500 people in town disgraced and suooyed by about ten dogs running the streets. A man may not epit about in public places under a penalty of one dollar, but the dog may pollute the pavements, the corners, porches, posts, store goods and even people's gardens, all for why ? Because people are afraid to stop fir, They want it stopped vut fear offend- ing a few. What brave cowards men are. Even the women scrue and clean up the dirt io silence until it ceases to be a virtue, so the Stink Peddlers can roam aboqt. A A ARAN Franchise Extended, The Bunbury, Lewisburg & Milton Elvetric Railway Conipany has re. ceived notice that the extension to its line from Lewisburg to Milton has been granted by the state. This means that the company has a complete chartered route between Sunbury and Milton. The line will connect with the Bunbury and Selinsgrove Com. pany’'s tracks at Shamokin Dam. From there it will be run to Lewis burg by way of Winfield, then over the new inter-county bridge to East Lewisburg and on up to Milton, pro- vided its owners mean business, Site for Malta Home, A site bas been purchased for the proposed home and hospital to be erected by the Knights of Maltaof this state. It is the Rittenhouse farm, near Lewistown, containing 185 acres and which cost $6000, Itie the intention of (he order to erect a home and hospital for the care of aged and sick members, together with widows and orphans of desd members, and it is expected that about $100,000 will be required to erect suit. able buildings. The money will be raised by assessments on the various commanderics ip the state, Arms and Spies Iojared, David Corman, who lives along Pine creek, in Haines township, fell from a cherry tree while picking cherries and sustained severe injuries, The limb on which he was standing broke precipitating him to the ground, His loft arm was broken, his right arm and spine were injured and his right side paralyzed. His condition is serious, ; DEATHS, PHILIP MUSSER. Philip Musser, “son of John and Busan Musser, was born in Centre county, February 19, 1823, and passed away at his home in Lena, Illinois, July 10, 1600, aged eighty-six years, four months and twenty-one days. His youth was spent on his father's farm near Bellefonte, and there he grew to manhood sand received his education, December 21, 1848, he was united in marriage to Miss Barah J. Bike, of Aaronsburg, and their union was a very happy one. In 1853 they moved to Btephenson county, Illinois, locat- ing In Cedarville, where they resided until 15866 when they removed to Lena Mr. and Mrs. Musser were the parents of five children, two sons passing away in early childhood, and three daughters, Mrs. Anna M. Shoesmith and Mise Susie, of Lena, and Mrs, J. M. Cain, of Freeport, still living. Mra, Musser passed away July 31, 1588, The remsins were interred in the Lena cemetery. Those from out of town who attended the funeral were Rev. and Mrs, Colver and Elias Heck- man, of Orangeville; Dr. and Mrs. Charles Lyons, of Brodhead, Wiscon- sin, Philip Bwartz, of Pecatonica, Mr. and Mrs. William Bike, of Red Oak; Rev. 8B. L. Btiver, of Bunker Hill, Illinois; Mrs. J. M. Cain and dsughter Ethel, Charles Bike, Mrs. M E. Kailey, Mr. and Mrs. W. B, SBtiver and P. O. Btiver and wife, of Freeport MRS D. B. LOUDER Mrs. Addie E. Louder, wifeof D. B Louder, died quite suddenly at her home at Oak Hall Baturdsy morning, 10th Instant. For the past year or so she bad been a suflerer from disbetes but her condition was not even serious and she was able to look after her bousehold affairs, Fridsy morning she was out driving with her husband tut about poon she took suddenly ill and her illbess was such an ag gravated nature that she died at seven o'clock the next morning. Deorssed was 8 dsughter of Mr. and Mrs J. Irvin Rose and was born near Pioe Grove Mills, Janusry 7th, 1855, fo Aagust, 1875, she was united in marriage to D. B. Louder, of the (Giiades, nod ever since the family have lived in upper Penns valley. She is survived by ber husband and thr e sous, Ross, Elmer and Ralph, as weil as the following brothers and sisters ; J. H. Ross Linden Hall : E. C., of Lemont ; Mrs. Alice Weaver, Mre, James Lytle and Mis. George Glenn, of Btate College. Rev. W. K. Harnlish, of the Presby- terinn church, officiated at the funeral, and ioterment was made in the Branch cemetery. TOBIAS WEITZEL. Tobias Wetzel, at one time a resident of Centre county, died at his home in Lock Haven on Monday afternoon of Inst week. He had been in poor health for a year or more and for two weeks prior to his death was corfined to bed. He was seventy-six years old snd was born in New Berlin, Unlon eounty. Fifty years ago he came to Centre county and conducted a hotel at Nittany, later moving to Millheim where he was proprietor of the Union hotel. About the year 1570 he quit the hotel business and moved to salons where he engaged in farming until the year 1879 when he moved to Lock Haven, For a number of years past he had been engaged in the dairy sod milk business. He is survived by his widow, two sons, Howard, of Lock Haven ; John B., of Howard, and one daughter, Mrs. L.T. Allabach, of Lock Haven. He also leaves four brothers two of whom are Dr, F. F, Wetzel, of Mill. heim, and Bawmuel, of Asronsburg, REV. DR. MILLIGAN, Rev. J. Lynn Milligan, D. D. who was for forty years chaplain at the Western Penitentiary, died at the resi. dence of his brother-in-law, J. Holmes Irwin, at Newport, Monday, of last week, He had been an invalid for six months. He was with the 140th Reg- iment Pennsylvania Volunteers during the Civil War. For thirty years he was Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Allegheny, and for eighteen years sec- retary of the National Prison Con. grees. In 1508 he was president of the Mr, // The Indien, \) Children’s Day services were held in all the local churches in Centre Hall, and the writer made just a bit of in- quiry as to the size of the coins that filled the collection baskets on these particular occasions. The funds col lected on Children’s Day is devoted by all churches to the most noble ciuse of the church's work, yet If the audiences had tried to out-do each other in giving Indians, it is nit like ly that a larger percent of that small- est coin would have found its way into the eollection basket. But who gives the pennies ? The poor ? No. The children ? No, The visitors from other churches ? No. Who then ? The stingy. As a rule it may be overlooked when the child drops the Indian st a church service. It is the denominstion of coin he is accustomed to handle. Bat it is not the child that fills the baskets with pennies. No, not the child. The little boys and girls too often watch the basket go by with the ex- pression that * papa will pay ”' and he does with a penny. The little boy and girl cannot reach a church with out passing a slot machine, and he musi turn his back and walk fast if that little crank does not appeal to Eim too strongly to resist exchanging bis Indian for the cheapest candy on earth. But the Indian, the dirty penny, who gives it ? The msn and woman, the young man snd young woman, all of whom have earning capacity, if not & bank sccount, are the niggardly stingy who drop the dirty pennies st religious services, And they do so without shame, These people spend liberally on themselves, liberally com. pared to their earnings, for luxuries, but al the religious service they have the gall to shake their wallet until a penny comes to the top, and this le dropped with ao air as if it werean eagle. There is hope for the boy or girl or any one without earning capacity or means, who with a degree of shame permits his or her pennies to resch thie slter, but there is no hope for the redemption of the miser who carries a fifty dollar watch, buttons his shirt sleeves wilh gold buttons, wears five doliar pattent leather shoes, creased trousers, smokes cincoes, and then gives the Indian. Neither is there hope for the man who lives re- tired with a farm back of him from which his living comes, or the man holding the mortgages, bank, railroad or other stocks, who gives an Indian, vickle, or a dime. His coin should be the quarter, the half dollar, dollar and eagle, 3 MI A AP AAR HIEAIIAIN. Business Men's Pionie, August 24. The annual meeting of the Centre. Clinton Business Man's Picnic Asso- ciation was held Friday, at four o'clock, st the Club House of the Clin ton Country Club, a short distance from Mill Hall. Bome thirty members were present and held a very pleasant sud profitable meeting. The old officers were re-elected for another year, with the exception of the office of vice president, which bad been filled by C F. Montgomery, now de cessed. Phil. D. Foster, of State College, was elected to fill the vacancy, The picnic this year will be held August 24th. Every effort will be msde to maké this the best yet, Last year’s plenic was conceded to be the best picnie the Association has ever had but with increased funds for en- tertainment, and active work on the part of all the members, there is every reason to believe that the coming picnic will eclipse all former ones. The next business meeting of the Associa- tion will be held at the Bush House, on 30th inst, A AD IAAI. From the Journsl, John Reighard and Ellwood BSoott, of Shamokin, spent some time with Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Muck. Mr, and Mra. F. W. Auman sad Elmer Ross, of Pittsburg, spent the past week at the home of W. N. Auman, Mrs. Wallace Weaver and young son, of Philadelphia, are visiting among relatives and friends in this place and vicinity, William Swarm, of Baltimore, spent Saturday and Bunday at the home of his father-in-law, J. H. B. Hartman, where Mrs. Swarm has been staying for the past several weeks, Edward Bewezsox, of Altoona, a son of Frank Bowersox, who was a former resident of Penn : was in town visiting old scquain. tances. He had not been here for seventeen years, Mr. and Mra J. W. Kerstetter and Prof: and Mrs. Orvis E. Meyer and daughter Marion, of who are spending some time at NO. 28. os ————— TOWN AND COUNTY NEWS, HAPPENINGS OF LOCAL INTEREST FROM ALL PARTS. Lakemont park, Altoona. Lock Haven and Williamsport capitalists will drill for ofl at Hyver, Mies Ida Rhoads, dsughter of Ww. A W. Rhoads, of Howard, has recovered | after a serious illness, For the past two weeks W. B. Mingle, Ee¢q.,, has bad cabbage for tabel use from his model garden. The showers last week made the corn hump ; tickled the oats almost to death ; and in potato lots one could bear the command “ lay over ! D. K. Keller, according to the étories related by his bay-makers, had & crop of hay that was called first-class both as to quantity and quality. D. Li. Kerr, sometime ago, laid a ce- ment walk from the main walk to his residence. A walk of a similar kind is being constructed In front of the residence of Mrs. Lizzie Jacobs. M. C. Gephart, the Bellefonte musical instrument dealer, was in town last week, and while here placed & piano in the residence of D. A. Boozer, the saddler and liveryman. Miss Lids Musser has forsaken the profession of school teaching, and has enlisted with the nurses. She Is pow at the Bellefonte hospital, and is taking a course to become a trained Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Meyer returned from their western trip. They were accompanied by their grandson, Harold Musser. The west had many atiraclione for them, but after all Centre Hall is the old home. Mas. Mary A. Neft, formerly of Centre Hall, who for 8 number of years has been making ber home st Bethany, [ilinois, just returned from s trip through Iowa, Nebraska and Miss. She was much pleased with the ~~ The Centre Hall junior bsse ball team went to State College Thursday morning and from there to Hunter's Park where they were scheduled to play a game with State College. Rain interfered, and the boys return- ed feeling they would have won had ine, The Lock Haven State Norma Behool completed the most prosperous year in ite history. The graduating clgss numbered one hundred and it was a five body of young people, It is gratifyiog to note that all who desire to teach have schools, This Normal School is one of the best in the state. Write for a catalog. William Vonads, as blacksmith at Fiedler, was severeiy burned while beating wagon tire. As the fire was not burning briskly enough for him bre attempted to stert it with coal oil, and while pouring the oil from = can onto the fire the oil jgnited and ex- ploded the can. His clothing was set on fire and he was severely burned about the head and breast. The first annual reunion of the Re- formed churches of the Aaronsburg charge will be held in Dr. G. BR, Frank's grove, west of Millheim, Thursday, August 5th, The Coburn, Aaronsburg and Peon Hall bands are invited to be present. Prominent speakers will make addresses in the forenoon. Refreshments will be served on the grounds. Everybody is invited to be present. The best evidence that the readers of the Centre Reporter appreciate the paper is that they pay the subscription pramptly, sod ungrudgiogly. The Reporter is worth much more than the subscription price to any one who has an interest in Penns Valley, no matter how many other papers come on his or her table. Nothing but the Reporter fills the bill—it is old enough to be good and not too old to be stale, Henry Guunesallus, a son of Ira Gun sallus, of Liberty township, was taken to the Lock Haven hospital suffering from gun