V SCENf AT ANNAPOLIS NAVAL ACADFMT. 1.1 " - " '"" - , .. rlnl'ywT'H' LIVE STOCK IMPROVEMENTS It 1b a noticeable fact at all the great stock yards of the country that the quality offered lu the market Is steadily Improving. In the past dozen or mode years this fact has been very noticeable by all the stock yard'buyers. The greatest Improve ment has appeared, In the beef cat tle and mutton sheep from the west ern and southern ranches. The great number of pure bred sires sent to these sections In the past 20 years has had a most marked Influence In this betterment of quality now coming to the stock yards and pack ers. The grading up Is also going on In the central agricultural states. It has come to be well known that good grade animals sell In the mar kets at an average cf two dollars on the hundred higher than the common, and all observation has taught live stock feeders that the same amount of feed only Is required to finish both, while the common ones fed fall much below In weight as well es quality thnt of the high grades. The International, State and county lairs and live stock shows have had a marked .Influence for good In tho direction of the use of better blood In breeding. The agricultural col leges and experiment stations have also had an excellent Influence In this direction, and last but not least, the agricultural press has carried the gospel of better breeding to every sec tion of the country, by the publica tion 'of the station reports and the numerous examples of noted breeders and feeders as well as the facts from the markets, and the cruslal tests at the butchers blocks giving the per cent of the high priced meat per carcass. These things all tell, and no odds how dull some people may be, they wear their way Into conscious apprehension of the facts and they go tp improving their herds and flocks. "Iron sharpeneth Iron, o a' man sharpeneth the counten ance of his friend," and so that Is the way the world gets on to better things. Indiana Farmer. LOCUSTS AND CATALPA3. Experience has taught me that trees will do better when cultivated than when not cultivated. They do not do well In sod, and they ought not to ibe crowded so closely that each tree cannot have a fair chance, but as to exactly how much space each tree should have there Is qulto a difference In opinion, however. I have had best success with trees that had about 75 square feet of apace, as this gives them enough room to develop into fair-sized posts and by the time they begin to be crowded they can be thinned out and ' they will be ready for use. This harvest of posts should be begun wlien they are from seven to ten years old, as the trees will be practic ally the same size. It has been the practice quite general among farm ers who were growing posts to plant the trees about equal distance apart each way, CxC or 7x7 feet, as a mat ter of convenience, and In order to keep up cultivation as long as pos sible, I would advise planting them at least 8x8 feet; then the cultiva tion can be kept up for several years, which, I have learned, will greatly as sist them in making a quick growth. The best growth depends upon the soil, however, and other matters also. The locust grows much faster the first year In poor soil than the ca talpa does, 'but the catalpa will soon overtake It. The locust would be very profitable for growing posts If It were not affected by the borers, but they must be watched or they will ruin them. The catalpa needs comparatively rich soil, and yet I have had them do very well In soils that were not quite so rich; but In general, I would advise planting of .catalpa in fairly rich soil, and the locust on the poorer soils, as my ex perience has been that locust will grow and thrive better on thin lanj than the catalpa. R. B. Rushing in the Indiana Farmer. DODDER IN ALFALFA, CLOVER, ETC. The (Bureau of Plant Industry, of the Department of Agriculture, has Just Issued a free circular dealing with dodder. This Is a parasitic plant, or weed, which is particularly dangerous In alfalfa and clover fields, and less so "with flax. It feeds upon Its .host plant, and reproduces Itself bf Its seed and .by pieces of Btems. There are several kinds of dodder, scmie of which are affected by clim ate, conditions, as the small-seeded alfalfa dodder, which is so common In the West, but not known In tho Eastern States. Dodder seeds are .1 very common Impurity of clover, al falfa and flax seed in the trade, and this can readily be detected with the aid of a magnifying glass. Certain kinds are more commonly found In domestic than in foreign seed, while the -contrary Is true of other kinds. Low grade seed Imported from Eu rope generally contains dodder. With regard to preventive meas ures, dodder plants should not be allowed to seed, they should be re moved early, and preferable destroy ed by burning. Hand methods may be used If the plants are not too abundant; otherwise ploughing un der before they go to seed, or burn ing the stand If seeds have already ripenedi- will be necessary. The most generally effective mcaii3 ot prevent ing the Introduction of dodder Is to use seed free from dodder seeds. The purchasing farmer can easily make a reasonably satisfactory test for dodder seed. FARM NOTES. If a hen lays an egg a week the year through, It will Just pay for her feed and every extra egg will yield a profit. If you want to get a good catch of clover next season, give the fields which are to be sown, a good coat ing of manure. It you sin against your stock, be sure your sin will find you out In re duced profits. No sensible man would take chan ces on breeding poor, starved ani mals, nor should he think of using Immature and shrunken grain for seed. The hog pasture should be gotten In better shape by sowing grass over badly rooted places, and the fence should be mended so that the young pigs do not break out. A pumpkin cut In halves and plac ed before the fowU will soon be noth Ing but rind. A good way is to stick them on nails In the walls ol the house, as the fowls will get de sirable exercise In jumping a few In ches to reach them. .Mite traps are being used success fully by some. They are so arranged that when the mites eeek seolusion after their nightly feast they are trapped.' The team should be fed the heaviest meal In the evening, for they have more time then to enjoy It. There is enough back-breaking work to do without using the scoop shovel to unload grain. Put in a portable dump elevator. The team will do the rest, and It will take a few min utes to crib a big load of corn. TO 'RID POULTRY-HOUSES OF LICE. Turn out the fowls some days and close all the cracks In the house ex cept the door. Take a kettle of live coals, and pace on the ground In the centre of the house, but If there Is a wood floor, lay a flat stone un der the kettle. Throw a half pound or a pound of sulphur on the coals, and shut the door. If the house Is left closed for a few hours It Is safe to conclude that no lice or mites will bo found therein after the opera tion. The sulphur cure Is the best method of riding poultry houses of pests, but if the house Is not tight it will not prove satisfactory. Clean the house as well as can be done, mix whitewash with fresh lime, mix In a liberal supply of sulphur,' after which throw sulphur Into all the cracks. Apply kerosene oil to all the roosts, and burn off the outer sur face. Air the house thoroughly. Weekly Witness. THE SHEEP AS A CIVILIZER. A speaker at a farmers' meeting eulogized the little animal with the golden hoof In tho following Inter esting strain: "Sheep are always ' the advance guard to attack new and undeveloped territory. The first Bheep and the first Negro slaves that placed foot on what is now the United States of America, were landed from the same fleet at St. Augustine1, Septem ber 6, 15G5, 330 years ago. From that day to this khe" sheep has been the most universal, live agent of the settlers In subduing the country and maintaining Its productiveness; and whenever they have neglected them, sterility exists as a monument to their folly." Weekly Witness. ONE ADVANTAGE OF FALL CALVES. One advantage of having calves come In the Fall is that during this season of the year there is usually more time on the farm to attend to the cattle, calves are more economic ally raised, since by the time the Spring grass shoots up they aro ready for It, and are In good con dition the next winter to begin the duties of maternity. Weekly Wit ness. SEPARATE THE EWE. Never allow a ewe to run with the flock. When this Is permitted and twins are born, the first born wand ers away , and becomes mixed with the flock before the mother has a chnnce to own It, and the chances are that later she will refuse to have anything to- do with It. Farm ers Home Journal. DEFY THE COMBINE. Tho man who has two or three good cows and a bunch of Plymouth Rocks can defy the meat combine or any other combine. The cow and the hen have paid for more luxuries for farm homes- than the corn crops, and at the same time taken care of the grocery bills. .Indiana Farmer. According to the Engineering Rec ord a concrete tank at the San An tonio gas works has been in service for three years, holding heavy Texas oil without showlDg any leakage whatever. New York City. Jaunty, hip length coats are always becoming to young girls and are among the pret tiest ones thnt are shown for the com ing season. This model has novel pockets that make a feature and is adapted both to the suiting materials and to the cloths that are used for separate Jackets. Also-It will be I Mk VI' mi found very satisfactory for immediate wear, as well as for the between sea sons time and the early autumn. It can be made either with long or three-quarter sleeves and will be found charming for the light weight broadcloths, that make such satisfac tory wraps for cool summer evenings, as well as for the heavier suitings and cloaking materials. In the illustra tion, howewr, It Is made of golden brown broadcloth, with collar and cuffs of velvet. The coat is made with fronts, side fronts, backs and side-backs, the many scams meaning becoming lines as well as easy fit. The pockets are arranged over the tide-fronts and all the edges are finished with machine stitehing. The collar is oddly shaped and can be made cither of contrast ing material or to match the coat, as liked. Rolled over cuffs finish the long sleeves, stitched bands those of the three-quarter length. The quantity of material required for a girl of sixteen years Is four yards twenty-seven, two and flve elghth yards forty-four, or two yards fifty-two inches wide, with three eighth yard of velvet. Empire Waist Line. Is It possible that the high. Empire waist line has lived its day? Paris has Just put out two or three wonder ful new models for women of fashion .which have the waist line exactly nor- K i i j . uiui uucji uuu iruui. Fashionable Fabric. Crepe de chine, than which no fab ric Is more popular, and Justly so, will be largely used in both the satin and silk finished weaves. The Pari sian modistes are making it up In all sorts of dressy gowns. Skirts Aro Longer. - The fashion for extra long skirts on most of the smart gowns has caused the designers to put out a walking skirt that 'eo vers Jhe instep. fMLAW rotated Hack Coats. The coat with pointed back and front has a successor In the coat with pointed sides. Elnstlcs In Corsets. Since style demands the flat hip and allows the larger waist, the ordi nary corset is not a comfortable af fair. There is a new one made which has two bands of silk elastic let In straight up tho front to allow relaxa tion and deep breathing. Circular Tunic Skirt. Unquestionably the tunic skirt is a graceful one, and that it already has taken a firm hold upon fashionable fancy Is evident. This one Is abso lutely simple yet draped In a most effective and grnceful manner, and Is adapted to all the soft and clinging materials that are characteristic of present styles. In the Illustration a dotted foulard Is trimmed with band ing and the cost 1s an extremely trilling one, but the skirt would be pretty made from such wool materials as voile or marquisette, from crepe de Chine, messallne, Liberty satin or any material of the sort, and also of such simpler things as cashmere and alba tross for home wear. The skirt is circular, the right side being extended well over onto the left and shnped to form the drapery. There are darts that mean snug fit over the hips and the draped portion is laid In pleats that provide long and graceful lines. The fulness at the back can be laid In Inverted pleats or the skirt can be cut off and finished In habit style. It can be made either In. the pretty round length or cut to escape the floor, when it becomes adapted to the street. The quantity of material required for the medium size is eight and one half yards twenty-four, bIx and one fourth yards thirty-two, or five and one-halt yards forty-rour inches wide, with five and three-fourth yards of banding. Gold Cords and Lace. With gold flowers, gold cords, gold lace, the latest thing to put about the neck of a lingerie waist is a piece of gold braid about an Inch and a 'half in width, depending in front, finished with tassel3 or loops. Use of Gold. Gold Is very much seen in soft gowns of black not the cheap, bright gold, but the dull, almost rusty color. ENTRANCE FACING CHESAPEAKE BAY TO BANCROFT HALL, UNITED STATE NAVAL ACAlEMY. A Unique Umbrella. Owing to the fact that the handle rod or stick of the ordinary umbrella ts centrally disposed, a slnglo person can occupy only one-half of the space beneath the umbrella, with the re sult that his outer shoulder Is usually exposed to the drip and rain. To remedy this defect, two Inventors of Brldgewater, Va., have designed an umbrella which when raised will have the handle located to one side of the centre, leaving the central portion of the sheltered space unobstructed. This umbrella when closed has sub stantially the appearance of the or dinary article. The umbrella stick Is provided with the usual runner, but the stretchers Instead ot being connected to the runner as In the or- A Unique Umbrella. dlnary umbrella, are attached to a carrier which Is connected to the run ner by means of a pair ot links. Hence, when the umbrella Is closed, the ribs fold closely against the um brella handle, but when the umbrella Is raised the7 are tilted with respect to the handle, as Illustrated In the engraving. Scientific American. Don't Expect Enough. Most people do not expect enough of themselves. They do not realize that things they see other people do, and envy them the power of doing, they could do themselves If they only tried. So much ot what seems to "come natural" to other people Is only the result of long continued ef fort. We may not be able to do as well as they have done, but some measure of success In the same direc tion la within our power. Home Chat. Sprayer For Hose Nozzles. A simple attachment for hose noz Kles has recently been Invented, which will permit the operator to control the form of stream Issuing from the nozzle. Thus the water may be per mitted to flow either in a solid stream or It may be sprayed to any extent desired. Tbe device consists of a pan-shaped blade, which is hinged Sprayer For Hose Nozzle. to the nozzle In such manner that It may be rocked toward or from the Btream. The blade Is formed with a handle which by means of a leat spring bearing on the nozzle is nor mally pressed upward to keep the blade or deflector clear of the stream. When the operator so desires he may press on the handle, bringing the de flector into engagement with the stream, and thereby spraying the" water. Scientific American. Not One III Doctor 'Now let me seen If you can put your tongue out." Tough Boy 'What would I put me tongue out at you fer? tint done nawthln' to raa." Brooklyn Life. "3 n Fir "'frf v ,3 " IS I Cooking Cattle Whole. One of the most popular forms ot entertaining guests In the South is to hold a barbecue, as It is called.- The host generally employs a skilled white or colored barbecue cook. A trench Is dug In the ground and the bottom filled in with kindling and hard wood which will burn to coal. After in "tn'i.- Si" "'ASS eVlT, Roasting Carcasses Whole For Barbecue. the fire has been made, carcasses of sheep, fowls, sometimes steers are fastened above the bed of coals and thus roasted to be cut up and served on long tables with vegetables and other viands. One ot the features y of the barbecue Is the roasting of the carcasses In the presence of the guests. This picture shows one ot the roasting trenches with cattle be ing cooked over the live coals. Reversible Type Cabinet. A sectional type cabinet of interest to printers has been devised and pat ented by a Wisconsin man. With the ordinary printers' type cabinet but one man can work at the cabinet at the same time. Three or four com positors may be waiting to use ths cabinet to get at some of the forty or fifty different cases of type. These objections are overcome in the Im proved cabinet shown here. Instead of all the type cases opening on one side, they are arranged to open on all four sides of the cabinet. Wash ington Star. Crusade Against Cocaine. Baltimore, following the lead of New York State, has started a vigor ous crusade against the cocaine evil, which is said to be particularly prev alent among the negroes of that city. An ordinance prohibiting the easy sale of the drug and making persons found with It In their possession sub ject to arrest has passed the City Council and Mayor Mahool has prom ised to sign it. to Deride. You pfh rw irn l$-3
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers