THE NORTH PLATTE 8EMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE.
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A Steamer Experience Party.
Tho description of this novel party
will bo In time to assist many of you
who want to glvo welcomes home
to many of your friends who have
fared abroad this summer. Ocean
travel and trips on tho great lakes
clear through to Buffalo have been
very popular, as thero havo been
somo palatial Bteamors put on this
year which havo given voyagers a
senso of security on our treacherous
Inland seas.
With all this In mind tho hostess
nsked eight friends, every one of
whom had taken a "steamer" vaca
tion. Two of them having mado tho
old-fashioned "befo' do war" trip from
St. Louis to Now Orleans on "tho
jrlver." Tho guests were asked to
give only flfteen-mlnuto descriptions
of what was to them the most Inter
esting or exciting part of their trip,
and thus you see- two hours of tho
afternoon "from three to six" was
beautifully filled. AVhllo ono person
"talked," the othora had their needle
work. Tho affair was held on the porch
and there were as many steamer
chairs as tho hostess could borrow.
After all had arrived, tho twelve-year-old
boy of tho household dressed as
n ship's steward, served hot beef tea
and "pilot biscuit," and during the
aftornoon tho tlmo was sounded by
bells. Books of travel, guldo books
and Hteraturo bo abundantly furnish
ed by steamship -lines was scattered
about, and there were many souvenir
postals with a desk equipped for
writing should anyone wish to send
a last message back by tho pilot, who
came in dressed as a sailor (a dear
little chap in middy suit wjth "First
Pilot" on his capband).
After each ono had had her turn
with no. interruptions of mal do mer,
delicious refreshments were served,
and everyono agreed that it had been
a most delightful afternoon, as it had
given good friendB the opportunity
of meeting and hearing each other's
experiences just when they wore
fresh in tho mind, and all were so
enthusiastic. Lists of books to read
were exchanged and plans begun for
'"noxt" year's vacation and tho next
"steamer experience" party, which
was voted should bo an annual affair.
A Corn Roast.
Our amusements are greatly gov
erned by the season of tho year, and
right now tho popular thing Is a
"corn roast." Of courso they are not
new, but thero Is something decided
ly alluring in a moonlight night, a
big bonfire, just tho right crowd, and
plenty of nice, sweet roasting ears,
not forgetting sweet potatoes, bacon,
icoffee and tho delicious sandwiches
i the girls know how to make.
Even tho effete east Is having corn
roasts with tho smartest of the smart
set as host and hostess. Motor cars
are often discarded and hayracks
with four horses call for the guests.
If a colored man who knows "just
how" is available, ho may bo called
upon to superintend the broiling of
the bacon, roasting tho potatoes, corn,
and making tho coffee; if not, the
men of tho party will bo found quite
capable. Banjos, guitars and tho
cushions from the wagon add to tho
enjoyment after the repajt, then tho
affair usually winds up with an In
formal danco at the home of tho host
ess. These are delightfully informal
affairs. Here is a list of sandwiches
that the girls tell mo are especially
nlco for such occasions. I cannot
give tho rules, but I am sure you all
will know how to go about making
them Just from tho names. They
Pretty Designs to
Every bride-to-be tikes to have her underwear marked distinctively.
These little violet and bowknot wreaths can easily be traced over the
newspaper with a sharp Implement after Impression paper has been placed
between the newspaper and the fabric
should bo wrappod separately la wax
ed paper:
Stuffed ollvo nnd egg sandwich.
OHvo and English walnut sandwich.
Pimento cheese sandwich. Tho pi
monta cheese comos In Jars already
propared for uso.
Sardlno sandwich, mado wltn may
onnnUo dressing.
Minced ham nnd chicken sandwich.
Tako a goodly supply of papor nap
kins and, drinking cups.
A Peach Luncheon.
A poach luncheon will bo reason
able as long as peaches aro ripo and
tho weathor favorable, for tho Invita
tions soy "luncheon served on tho
lawn." But tho hostess has provldod
tho decorations of tho houso so as ta
give an outdoor offect as much aa
posslblo Bhould the day prove Incle
ment. If the day Is fine a round tablo
spread with white Is to act under a
canopy mado of awning material, sup
ported at tho four corners by Btakoa
driven firmly into tho ground. Rows
of Chinese lanterns will decorate this
outdoor dining room. Tho tablo con
terpioco Is to bo a pink enamolod
basket la"don with peaches, leaves
and vines. For place cards thoro
will bo cardboard peaqhos done in
water color with a green leaf or two.
Horo is tho menu, which is unusually
dainty:
Tomato and caviar canapes, jellied
veal or tongue with potato croquettes,
olives, shrimp in aspic with a mayon
naise dressing, cheeso wafers. A do
HcIoub peach omelet comes next
served with brandled peaches. Tho
dessert Is to bo peach Ico croam in,
shape of tho real fruit, tho leaves bo
lng mado qt pistachio Ico cream.
They will bo placed on plates cov
ered with real peach leaves. It desir
ed tiny liquor glasses may bo fillod
with peach brandy. Tho hostess-Is to
wear a pink gown with a stock nnd
belt of yellow. This Is a very good
combination providing Just tho right
shades are selected.
A Bonnet Party. '
Now do not say that bonnet parties
aro old, until you hear about this ono,
which was given for twenty children.
When all had arrived the hostess
passed threo sheets of colored tissue
paper, some squaros of crepe paper of
gay color, and two fancy paper nap
kins to each child. On a center ta
ble sho puts pins, scissors, tubes of
pasto and littlo towelB and a bowl of
water for wiping tho paste off of finger-tips.
Sho said a half-hour would
bo allowed for making any kind of a
hat, cap or bonnet, tho maker to don
the headgear and when time was call
ed they wore to form In lino and pass,
before tho Judges, who would award'
the prizes.
Such a busy tlmo' as those chlldron
had; they wero really most clevor,
too, in building their hats. The old
est guest was eleven and "tho young
est eight and somo of tho work was
excellent. The prizes wero doll band
boxes containing lovely hats for dolly
and the Ico cream was served in tho
dearest straw hats (doll slzo) lined
with waxed paper. Tho children en
joyed the novelty and each one went
homo with her creation on her head.
It Is needlesB to say that thoro wero
no boys at this party. Tho young
hostess declared that boys from nlno
to twelve wero "no fun." I do not
know what our boy friends will say
to this; perhaps somo of thqm will
mend their ways a bit, so as not to
be left out of parties.
MME MERRI.
Smart Blouses.
Tho satin blouse is still very smart,
especially In white, and buttoned in
tho front with large boll shaped but
tons In satin or ivory1, and either very
apparent buttonholes or else thick
satin loops. A littlo embroidered
pocket breaks tho simplicity of the
corsage op one side, and tho littlo
silk handkerchief placed thero gives
a pretty touch of color.
Laco and embroidered blouses will
bo always pretty. Fine allover Valen
ciennes lace, which does not crush
and which gives such filmy effects,
makes exquisite blouses, mingled with
Irish lace, dotted not, etc. A narrow
satin collar makes a pretty finish.
A delightful chemisette of India lawn
was seen In ono of tho big lingerie
houses. It was embroidered with dots
in high relief, after the fashion.
Be Embroidered
1
NOTES FROM
MEAD0WBROOK
WH i ;m d;w p v 7
ifcr5?2Sj
Feed your soil. '
Always uso a pure-bred ram.
Sheep aro beneficial to the land.
Novor allow the milk to sour In tho
swill barrel.
Glvo tho colts attention. It will
not do to neglect thorn.
For the fenco-flying habit, trim ono
whig. It is a painless cure
Churning should be dno on tlmo.
Botter put off Bomcthlng' uIbc.
If you want to keep eggs for any
length of time turn tlrem over eery
day.
First grow bono nnd muscle, then
put tho fat on. Corn Is splendid for
fattening.
A feod of "something while milking
will often make a stubborn cow let
down her milk.
Tho working hours of tho poultry
man extend from "virly till late; there
aro no holidays.
The Babcock test for a cow'b pro
duction is often on acid test of her
owner's gumption.
Try raising the farm horses In
stead of buying them. It is the safe
and profitable way.
Don't expect every chick hatched
from tho3 high-priced eggs you bought
t bo prize-winners.
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The chilled or wet chick gets a set
back from which It will not soon re
co"or sometimes never.
With pastures burned up the man
tflth silage left over from last winter
Is now finding good use for it.
Even in niBh time it pays to tako
a half day off every week to keep tho
machinery In good working order.
Chicks that havo been drowned In
water tanks that someone forgot to
empty would make a good-slzod flock.
Old pastures are sure o havo Inter
nal parasites and this is ono reason
why frequent changes should be
made.
Tho sooner the calf can be grown
up to cow or steer size tho moro
profit thero Is In the business of rais
ing cattlo.
Tho bettor way to raise chicks Is to
Keep them In a yard enclosed with
poultry netting until they aro well
feathered out.
Savo tho soil moisture by working
early In the spring and keep this idea
f saving tho moisture clearly beforo
you all the time.
Tho feed for maintenance may bo
tho samo for a cow that returns GOO
pounds of butter fat per year as for
ono that returns 100 pounds.
Hens will cat a great quantity of
coal cinders, nnd they aro very good
for them. Try putting a load in tho
chicken yard and watch tho result.
Throw the milk strainer in tho
scrap heap. Tho cloth strainer over
tho pall is tho only thing. Dirt kept
qut will not havo to bo strained out.
Whoro tho cows run in rough brush
and pasturo thero will bo cuts and
scratches on udder and teats. Keep a
bottle of vasellno handy at milking
tlmo.
Keep close watch of the botatoei.
Do not allow tho bugs to get settled
In their destructive work, but prevent
It by spraying In season or othor
methods.
Tho breed Isn't nil rind the feod
Isn't all. oil sure you aro on tho
right track with both and there will
be no disappointment in tho dairy
business for you.
The planting of a fow shrubs as
spirea, lilac, mock orange, hlglibush
or cranberry about tho edges of tho
lawn or In groups, often adds to tho
valuo of the homestead.
Health Is natural and disease un
natural. In the fight between tho
two nature will usually comn out vic
torious If we glvo her a littlo en
couragement In tho way of humnno
treatmont and sanitary surroundings.
Tho American Pigeon Kcopor nnys:
Though wo have hnndlod hundreds
of birds we find It impossible to dls
tlngulsh the sexes except when about
throe weeks old; thon the femnlo Is
Kent-rally smaller, nnd tho legs nnd
feet of tho male bird arc larger than
those of the female.
Purchaso a separator.
Butter must be kept cool.
Mulching potatoes Is excellent
Change tho sheep pasturo often.
A dog which worries stock Is deni
as a gift.
Powdered charconl mixed with soft
feed nlda digestion.
Bo sure tho salt box in tho sheep
qunrters is kept filled,.
The floorlcss coop on drained ground
is the only kind for this season,
Courage based upon knowledge Is
tho farmer's most valuable assot.
Confidence and contentment are two
important fnctora in poultry culture.
The first calf should bo dropped
when tho heifer Is about two years
old.
Generally tho moro condon&od and
finished tho products the moro tho
profit.
If vermin- bother the setting hen,
try a few moth balls In the nostlng
material. '
An oven and proper temperature of
tho cream gNes toxturo rind solidity
to the butter.
Poultry likes fresh straw now nnd
then JiiBt as well as tho cow likes to
be well bedded.
Dairying does not bring Its best re
turns until It Ib mado n business In
ctcad of a choro.
An abundance of sunllcht Is a treat
help in keeping poultry houses clenn
nnd fowls healthy.
The ambition to bocomo rich and
own vast acres has kept many men
poor all their lives.
A good way to tell ripo melons la by
ho fragrant odor. They nlso part
easily from the stem.
Taking caro of tho tools nnd Imple
ments Is ono of tho best modes of
economizing on tho farm.
Success lies not In tho number of
cows a man keeps, but rather n tho
kind of cow that ho keeps.
Monoy nnd position without happi
ness aro like a tablo loaded with good
things and no appctlto to eat.
Keep a good amount of absorbents
In tho yards where pigs aro kept and
havo a dry, clean place to feed In.
Furnish salt regularly for all of tho
animals and sco thero Is always plen
ty of clean, good wator for them.
Drop everything to help a horso or
a cow that Is In trouble, no matter
whether It is your own or your neigh
bor's. Guinea fowls are the most persis
tent bug eaters of all tho poultry tribe.
And they are good eating too tho
guineas.
Many tlmes steel or other metnl
covers get small leak holes, which
might bo repaired and tho roof last
Boveral years yet.
Tho horse that has a long stride
has a lown down kneo and ho moves
with more easo and rapidity than tho
ono with a high knee.
Somo one man In the neighborhood
could make n business of spraying
nnd secure enough work to keep him
busy a largo part of tho year.
When milk sours beforo all' ho
cream has had a chance to rise, not
only will tho butter bo poor In quality
but some of the cream will bo lost.
Tho woman who sorts oggs and
gradeB and packs them carefully for
market Is always well paid for her
work In tho Increased prlco they
bring.
The small furm pays bettor In pro
portion to Its slzo than the largo farm,
becauso of Us compactness, less fenc
ing and drainage and moro economy
of labor.
Among tho cows as elsewhere. It
Is largo production thnt pays a profit
and It Is n mistake to make a good
production pny tho cost of keeping a
bad ono.
Tho foundation of all poultry farms
Is egg productions. There 1b too
much risk in buying eggs from hatch
ing broilers. Such broilers aB a rule
aro all sorts and sizes.
Somo farmers are so bUBy listening
for n horso trading opportunity to
knock at their front gate that they
can not hear tho rooster crow about
n bigger ono In tho back yard.
The milk producing function Is to a
largo extent under tho control of tho
nervous system. Any lnlluonce that
disturbs tho quiet or normal condi
tion of tho animal will have Its ef
fect tipon tho quality of tho milk.
Over-exercleo toughens the flesh of
even a young fowl. A good breast Is
half tho race for a valunblo table bird
A hen bagging down behind is vory
unattractive as a carcass. Tho attempt
to properly fatten poultry while on
n freo rango, Is to throw away tlmo,
money and good eating
MAKING GOOD START
w$kS aPPtifi ftffli
1 i '
First Prize
Tho hog Ib moro an Individual than
u machine, mora perhaps than tho
average farmer who raises hogs sim
ply becauso they scorn to be ono of
the farm's many equipments, realizes.
Hogs can bo, with common senso
attention to its environment, food and
other necessnry attentions, produced
and marketed as quickly as a crop
of grain, nnd added to this tho fact
that a grain crop makes an Incomo
only onco a year and thero 1b no ren
son why hogs cannot bring In monoy
trlco In tho year, and all tho moro
should a hog's needs nnd Individual
tnsto bo catered to.
A puro bred boar costing $25 to
$50 nnd a small herd of grqde sows
aro all that Is required for a very
decent start in tho hog business, but
to get out with profit nn abundance
of feed that tho hogs can harvest
Bhould bo provided boforo tho hogs
are bought or bred.
In tho selection of tho malo hog
It should bo borne In mind that ho
vjjll bo apt to stamp his outward form
and nppearnnco on the offspring,
Tho Internal structure nnd all tho
result of Its action will be determined
for tho most part by tho femnlo par
ent. This Is not only thoory, but a
well-known law of breeding.
Therefore, success In hog raising
depends largely on tho selection nnd
trentmont of tho male. It matters less
how good tho sows may bo than is
imagined unless careful selection In
the males Is looked to.
Tho boar should be of flno external
form for this is tho result of n superior
internal organism. Width botwecn tho
loro legs nnd largo heart girth just
behind them denotes a large, active
heart nnd lungs, th.o very foundation
of any animal.
Straight, Btrong, clean limbs, with
hoofB erect, denote a good, solid frame
work. Smooth, mellow skin covered
with aoft, silky hair denotes tho
healthy liver and an absence of In
ternal fever.
TIMELY' NOTES OF
THE POULTRY YARD
Caponizing Should Be Done in
Fall, So Birds Will Secure
Highest Prices.
ny c. s. Mii.ucn.)
This Is tho best tlmo for caponlz
lng, for tho reason that tho cockerols
aro tho right ago and weight, and will
arrive In market during Jnnuary Fob
uary arid March, when the demand Is
greatest and prices aro highest.
Tho drono lion Las no moro use In
the poultry yard than tho robber cow
has In tho dairy herd. Cut them both
out and savo feed.
Tho only way to dotcct tho robber
cow Is by tho Babcock test, and to
spot tho drono hen Is by tho trap
nest.
FowIb that are dry-picked present n
much botter nppearnnco than thoso
that aro scalded.
Do not deceive yourself with tho
belief thnt you can successfully ralso
poultry without admitting plenty of
sunshine to the poultry yard and tho
houses.
Evory poultry ynrd Bhould bo so
constructed that It can bo moved
without much difficulty. This Is
ofton necessary when a diseaso
strlkoB tho (lock.
While graso Is necessary to a fowl's
proper condition, It Is not fair to ex
pect a hen to live on grasB alone.
Gocbo will mako a pretty fair liv
ing if they hnvo plenty of grass, al
though a handful of grain every day.
even during tho summer months, will
do thorn nil the more good.
Fowls do not thrive during s tho
winter unless thoy hnvo somo grcon
feed. The natural food of domestlo
fowls Is that which they pick up on
rango, nnd If suddenly deprived of it,
both as to green vegetable matter,
and meat Jn tho form of bugs nnd
worms, the ovll effect la quickly seen.
Stagnant water will make young
chicks ill nbout as quickly as any
other bad thing thnt may bo Intro
duced Into their systems.
Spado up a part of tho poultry
yard and bow It to some quick grow
ing legumo, confining (ho fowls In
tho othor part; when tho crop Ib
well started, chnngo tho fowls over to
It nnd plow up the other sldo. Do it
now.
Excellent for Table.
With a strawberry bed, a few berry
bushes, and somo plum and apple
trees tho table can be constantly sup
plied with a variety of desserts easily
and quickly prepared
IN HOG BUSINESS
Yorkshire Sow.
A "Short concavo fnco and slllghfly'
dropping ear aro tho auro signs oC
an onBy keeper and of tho quiet dis
position. Such aro somo of tho feat
ures that Bhould bo demanded In tho
malo hog, not for nppoaranco but bo
causo thoy lndlcato qualities of reali
valuo.
It Is Important, of courso, that tho
malo hog should bo chosen with reft
erenco to tho fomaloB with which
ho Is to bo mated. It is always or
Interest to noto tho faults of tho dunu
which may bo corrected, or at any
rnto, modified, In tho offspring wltli(
careful selection of tho Biro.
If sho Is sharp-backod and Blab
aided ho should bo broad on tho baclc
with woll-Bprung ribs. If sho Is long;
nosed and courso about tho head ho.
should havo n short, concavo faca
with a fine ear nnd a heavy Jowl.
It sho Is too conrso, too lazy, too
actlvo, too anything, in fact, tho op
postto characteristic should bo promi
nent In tho malo with which she Ib'
to bo mated.
It is sometimes desired to make u
direct cross botweon two breods. Inj
this enso tho mnlo should bo selected
from tho smnllor of tho two. When
It Is not desired to cross breed It Is
host to hnvo tho malo somewhat
smnllor and moro compact than tluv
female with which ho Is to bo mated.
Tho male chosen to fill tho responsi
ble position of head of tho herd
should not only bo a good Individual
untmnl, but should comn of n family
that shows uniformity of brooding.
Ho should also come of a strain
that Is known to bo prolific. It Is it
losing game to koop a sow a wholo
year that rnlBeB but six or seven plgB
In thnt time. TIiIb Is often dono and
tho fault Is not nlwnys on tho femnlo
Hldo of the house.
Tho strain that has no two pigs,
allko, that farrows small, weak Utters,
that ho lacking vital ruggedncss.
Bhould be shunned with nil posslblo
caro.
STERILIZED SOIL
FOR THE FLOWERS
Destroys All Vegetable and Ani-.
mal Life, Keeping Out Weeds
and Worms.
Vow' persons i aro aware that tho
soil used by florists for filling window
boxes nnd flower pots Is sterilized.
TIiIb is not dono to kill tho germs,
but to destroy all vcgetablo nnd ani
mal llfo In tho soil, bo that tho weeds
will not bo springing up along with
tho flowers, and worms eating their
way through tho wooden boxes.
Tho Bterlllzlng plnnt consist of a
largo bin, with stenmplpes running
through It about four apart. Along
thoso pipes thero aro holes overy
fow Inches.
Tho soil, which Is sod, plowed up
nnd left to decay for a year, la,
dumped In. Thon the steam Ib turned
on for half un hour. At tho end of
thnt tlmo tho process, Ib comploted.
"It's Blmplo enough," said a green
Iioubp man, "but ono thing has to bo
avoided. If tho soil is heated too
much It becomes useless. Some or1
tho elements are destroyed by exces
sive heat."-rE. V. B.
EASY METHOD FOR
KILLING GOPHERS
Piece of Parsnip, Baited With
Strychnine, Will Prove Quite
Effectual.
(Jly JACKSON TAYLOR)
Whenever I find fresh dirt throwi
out by a gopher 1 uncover tho holo nnd
tuko n piece of parsnip about ono Inch!
long, cut a circular pleco out of ono
end, scrape somo of tho parsnip up ln
tho bottom, then mix aB much Btrych-i
nine with it ns can bo taken up ou'
tho point of u largo pcnknlfo, put thai
circular pleco back and tho batt Ib
ready.
1 then put tho bait in tho holo, push
ing It back a foot or more, and leav&i
tho holo open. Now Mr, Gopher will
always como out and Btop up tho hole,
for ho does not like tho light; the
parsnip Is n great temptation to him,
and ho eats It, stops tho hole, and
seals his grave.
Sometimes thero may be tho second
gopher In the run, but not often. I
havo never failed to get tho gopher,
and I think It tends to koop others off,
for 1 have been troubled but littlo
since using this plan.