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' CHAPTER XVIE-Continued-He
begins to experience a feeling
that up to this time has been foreign
to his nature fear becomes a factor
in the game. What if this American
downs him before all these people
will Barcelona, the pride of all Mex
ico, the hero of a hundred victories
in the arena, ever dare to lift his
head in public again?
He would give years of his life for
a chance to beat this accursed gringo
to a jelly in the presence of the peo
ple. How fiercely he would send
those powerful fists of his into that
face which mocks him now with a
smile he would mar the good looks
of the other forever.
Back and forward they push, cau
tiously sparring, and each watching
"for his chance, though every unedu
cated eye can sec that Barcelona's
only hope lies in a sudden coup de
grace, by means of which he will fin
ish his antagonist
Dick does not desire to prolong the
affair beyond a reasonable time he
has already done what he wishes with
the bullfighter held him up to the
ridicule of the people. The oppor
tunity presents itself, which he instant
ly scis those who watch him see
him make a feint which dazzles Bar
celona, who attempts to parry it, when
from quite another quarter corned a
thundering blow that strikes him on
the side of the head:
It is a knockout, a quietus.
The Mexican king of the bullring
goes reeling back in a most undigni
fied manner, finally falling in a heap
near the edge of the platform. He
moves not insensibility has doubt
less resulted from the American's
blow.
Dick has kept himself ready, and
had the other gained his feet and at
tempted to draw a weapon he would
have found himself confronted ly a
revolver that meant business.
"Gentlemen," cries the American.
In Spanish, "you see victory has de
clared for the lady. You are chival
rous, you will wish her success in
dealing with these scoundrels who
would cheat her out of her birthright
Yes, you will escort us as a guard of
honor to the Hotel Iturbe, so that the
.friends of yonder groaning bullfighter
may do no barm. Am I right?"
He has struck the popular fancy,
and is the idol of the hour a shout
arises, and our friends find them
selves cowoyed to the caravansary in
triumph by at least two-score of Mex
icans, who cheer the American senor.
the ladies, and Colonel Bob. until all
are safe under the friendly roof of
the hotel, when the excitement dies
away.
Our friends are then left to obtain
what rest they can after the exciting
episode of the night, and in contem
plation of what lies before them, for
on the following cay they leave the
comforts of the city, and start upon
the dangerous road that leads to the
mines.
CHAPTER XIX.
On the Road to the Mine.
Dick is awakened on the following
morning by the strange cry of a vege
table vender shouting his wares along
the street. It is early, but there is
much to be done, so he hurries out
and begins the labor of the day.
Miss Pauline has left everything in
his charge, and when the caravan
finally reaches a point of readiness,
about half-past ten, it is as complete
an affair as could well be imagined.
Every man is well mounted and
armed, bronchos carry tents and
stores, and there arc riding horses for
Miss Pauline and Dora, strong, gentle
.beasts, capable of doing much work.
Had Miss "Westerly the selection of
her mount she might have purchased
an animal with more spirit in him, for
she is a natural horsewoman, and nev
er more pleased than when breaking
in a steed inclined to be vicious. She
even gives Dick a reproachful look
when shown her steed. That worthy
hastens to prove hoVT wisely he has
chosen their course lies only now
and then through valleys or over
plains as a general thing it is up the
rugged sides of mountains and over
the roughest of country.
Miss Pauline sees the point, and
laughingly declares her confidence in
his wise forethought his practical
experience in this line ought to be of
great benefit to them all.
So the leave the city about an hour
before noon a small crowd to see
them off, and quite a number cheer
the American senor who afforded
them such rare sport on the previous
night.
About the same time another expe
dition is getting ready in a hurrj
of course it is Lopez and his adher
ents, also bound for El Dorado. What
was begun on the Alameda may yet
be concluded at the mine, for the
plotting Mexican has men there who
are under his thumb, and who will
obey his beck and cod.
Dick halts his caravan some miles
outside the city for dinner. They are
still in the beautiful valley of Los
Remedios, though heading up in the
direction of a gap which leads in the
direction of the far-away mines.
Looking back, they can see the tow
ers and domes of the capital, on the
right perched upon a hill is the sanc
tuary, Chapultepec on the left, and
the towns of San Angelo and Tacu
iaya. Farther down is the Church of
San Esteban and the famous tree of
Noche Triste, under which Cortez is
said to have wept en the night of his
disastrous retreat from the City of
Mexico, July 1st, 1520.
In plain view are also the cones of
the several volcanoes, their snow
capped tops standing out against the
sky. and looking intensely weird in
.tnis tropical country which has never
known such a thing as frost.
When dinner has been eaten, the
coarse is resumed, and quite a num
er of miles placed behind them ere
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the sun, reaching the horizon ahead,
warns them that it is time to go into
camp.
Not a trace of civilization remains
they are surrounded by what is per
haps the grandest and wildest scen
ery on the whole American continent;
great masses tower above them, while
below is a defile hundreds of feet in
depth.
A camping place is near, and they
hasten to reach it; then the tents are
hastily thrown up. fires made, the
horses corraled, and all preparations
made for spending the first night out
Dick studies his men. Some are
strangers to him, although probably
recommended by ethers, and he de
sires to know them as well as possi
ble, so that in time of trouble lie will
be able to station them so as to get
the best work done.
AH seems merry enough; provisions
are plenty, tha fire cheerful, and more
than one man sings a popular song,
picked up, it might be, on the great
Mississippi, the ocean, or some for
eign land.
Then a request Is respectfully made
that the ladies sing. Dick bears it
himself from the men. They are
Americans in a foreign land, and Pau
line is at last induced to gratify their
desires.
Then the mighty hills and gulches
echo, probably for the first time since
they were created, with a woman's
song. Pauline gives them numerous
selections, just as they came to her
mind, but the one that takes them by
storm, and which is repeated by re
quest, is the ballad "Comrades,"
which was just having its run in
London and Paris at the time our
friends left France for Mexico, and
which Dick joins in rendering.
Later on some of the voyagers
sling hammocks; indeed most of
them dread sleeping on the ground in
this country, where snakes of a pois
onous nature, tarantulas, centipedes,
and the like, roam about
Dick had posted his guards, and on
this night it is easy enough to man
ipulate matters, since on one side of
their camp the trail runs along what
is really a shelf of rock, where one
man can protect them from a surorise.
No precaution is neglected: they
have too great an interest at stake for
that The hour grows later and the
'Explodes with
fires die down; the breeze rustling the
leaves, or perhaps a cry from some
wild beast in the ragged defiles of the
mountains, is the only sound that
comes to the ears of the guards, who,
at a specified hour, are changed.
The night passes without an alarm,
and when morning comes Dick is
pleased to hear Miss Pauline declare
she slept well upon the cot prepared
for Dora and herself in one of the
tents.
After an early breakfast they start
forward, as the day promises to be
a hot one, and they will want to rest
several hours between twelve and
three. Animated nature is seen
around them, plenty of gay plumaged
birds, some deer, and even a bear is
sighted across a barranca.
So the' go along, making good prog
ress all the while, and plunging deep
er and deeper into the wilderness.
With nature so love'y and prospects
so lirisht, with those they adore in
their company sixteen hours out of
each day, is it any wonder the two
comrades are happy?
True, they never ioiget that danger
hovers over them that one of the
most remarkable schemers is pitted
against them, and that even while
they sleep he is endeavoring to weave
his spider's web about them.
Eternal vigilance is the price of
safety, and they do not mean to be
caught napping.
Thus three days pass they have met
one mule train comirg from the mine
laden with pure ingots of the precious
metal, for the El Dorado is now equip
ped with crushing machinery, the
most modern stamp mill, and all that
the best mines of Colorado could
boast of. This train of pack mules
has a convoy of soldiers, who have
been actually hired by the owners of
the mine to protect their treasures
en route. Think of hiring out soldiers
for such a purpose!
"We are nearly there." says Dick,
when they make camp the third night
"by neon to-morrow we will be at the
mine."
It happens that on this night their
camp is pitched In the valley. A
queer formation rises in the middle of
it and upon this they have hit as the
place to rest Tents are raised, fires
lighted as usual, some of the escort
fish in the stream with good success,
while others, who are hunters by na
ture, wander off to see what game
they can scare up.
"I am told this Is called the Valley
los Muertas the Vale of Death do
you know where it received the
name?" asks Pauline, after they have
had supper, and while they sit about
the fire, a cheery blaze that does
much to dispel the darkness.
Dick Denver frowns a trifle at Paul-
tee's question, and noticing the look
ot surprise she gives him he laughs
lightly as ce says:
"I had Loped you would not hear
the name mentioned Huggins wasIn
discreet to speak of it in your pres
ence. As you suppose, there is a grue
some story connected' with this weird,
uncanny looking, gloomy vale."
Miss Westerly turns her eyes upotf
Dick, nods a little, and smiles. That'
is enough although he does so under
protest, Dick is compelled to obey.
"Well, the truth of the matter is.
years ago, when the El Dorado was
in the Lopez family, and yielding
more than any mine ic Mexico at .the
time, a party heading toward the capi
tal with a relay of mules, laden with
the richest ore, almost pure metal,
was surprised in this valley by the
desperate bandits whe abounded at
that time, and though they fought
bravely they perished."
"All?" gasps the Interested Dora.
"Every living soul of that band,
save a boy who had secreted himself
in the sage bushes, and who saw the
whole dreadful carnage. I heard the
story from his lips he was a white
bearded man when he told it, but I
could see him shuddet as if again he
saw in imagination every detail of the
awful massacre. Enough let us talk
of something more cheerful. You
know now why the Mexicans call it
the Death Valley."
Dick sees the ladies to their tent
then he goes in quest of Colonel Bob,
whom he finds smoking a villainous
Mexican cigar, which he takes from
hiB mouth with every puff and exam
ines with a glance that is solicitous,
even while it speaks of intense dis
appointment r
Dick can read his comrade like a
book, and he knows the man from
New Mexico has something weighty on
his mind.
"Look here, Bob. you're up to your
old tricks."
"Eh?" exclaims the other, as Dick's
hand comes down upon his shoulder.
"Net a bit, old man. I've just been
waiting until all was quiet and the
ladies had retired. I knew, as cer
tain as two and two make four, that
you'd be after me for a consultation,
and then I meant to tell you what I
knew."
"I understand," says the other,
quietly; "they will attack us to-night
Senor Lopez and his gang of disrepu
table characters. One thing is cer
tain the City of Mexico was never so
clean as now. since !epez has carried
away every rascal whom a few pesos
or reals could bribe into a crime."
"Yes, they're coming to-night sev
eral things tell me so; among others
a Flash and Roar."
the fact that just when we came to
this spot and all werp busily engaged
preparing for the night, I happened
to cast a glance backward, and at the
point where the train passes up the
defile and over the mountain I had a
glimpse of several mounted men.
There was no question in my mind as
to their identity, for I was expecting
them."
"Those words mean something.
Why do you believe we are to be at
tacked to-night?" pursues Dick, who
would make a good lawyer, he is so
quick to seize upon a point.
"My informant is Tampa Garcia,
one of the two Mexicans we have in
our train. He is a first class plains
man, but has been rather wild in his
day, so that Lopez believed he would
join them. Tampa tcok his money
and was in doubt what to do. The
songs of Miss Pauline have driven the
bad devil out of his heart he says
she made him think of his earlier
days, of one who is with the angels
now. He threw the tenor's gold into
the river we passed yesterday, and
to-day resolved to confess all to me."
"This is good luck," remarks Dick.
"So, you see, it was resolved before
we left the city to attack our camp in
Death Valley. Forewarned is fore
armed, and we'll see that the yellow
boys are warmly received. To-night
they will be taught a lesson never to
be forgotten to-night old Mexico
will learn what Yankee guns, backed
by Yankee arms, can do."
Bob is not boasting he means
every word he says, and the time will
soon come when the proof must be at
hand.
"You had an object In not telling
me before?"
"Yes I didn't want to alarm the
ladles perhaps it wculd have been
better, though, to have let them
know. You see where I put their tent
not a stray bullet can strike it"
"I admire your selection of the
ground, Bob it couldn't be bettered.
But we have work to do the men
must be warned, anl our defenses Im
proved." "That is so we don't want to be
caught napping. Come, we will be at
It"
(To Be Continued.)
"Fill Return Early."
Mr. Rounder (tenderly) Do you re
member, dear, during out courting
days how I used to tell you the 'old
old story?'
Mrs. Rounder Yes, and you still tell
me the 'old, old story.'
Mr. Rounder (in surprise) When
dear?'
Mrs. Rounder When you start for
the club. Chicago Dail w
rABMOMHAHKOAfiKN
INFLUENCE OF NATURE,
Therefore am I still
A lover of the meadows and the woods
And mountains, and of all that we behold
From this green earth; of all the mighty
world
Of eye and ear, both what they half cre
ate And what perceive; well pleased to recog
nize Tn nature, and the language of the sense
The anchor of my purest thoughts, the
nurse.
The guide, the guardian of my heart, and
soul.
Of all my moral being.
Wordsworth.'
SCHOOL GARDENS. .
One of the many striking evidences
of the great changes wrought during
the last century is in the pedagogical
method employed at the present time.
Many of the new departures proved
to be fads and departed this life with
out leaving footprints on the sands of
time, but no one can question the wis
dom of incorporating in the curricu
lum of our common schools some
practical knowledge of the nature that
supplies us with our healthiest foods,
and that is the purpose of the school
garden, which is now being brought
forward to the attention of the public
The school garden idea adopts, In a
manner, the practical mode of teach
ing so forcibly carried out by Mr.
Squeers, of Dotneby's hall. When a
scholar has learned that botany means
a knowledge of plants "he goes and
knows 'em." In Leipslc the pupils
are taught botany in the form of ap
plied horticulture; that Is, they learn
to graft, to plant and to transplant,
and a special Incentive is afforded to
cultivate home gardens. In Sweden
the idea is still further elaborated up
on, and the garden includes hotbeds,
summer houses, fountains, etc., and,
the government gives a bonus for
each "arden established.
Manual training in this country has
been confined mostly to the use of
shop tools with a view of shortening
the distance between the graduate's
pocket and the great American dollar.
This is an error. The school garden
would bring better results for the
same amount of time spent. It would
turn out grafters of an entirely dif
ferent kind from those with which the
word Is now associated. It would help
to make horticultural ventures more
successful financially, aid in the dis
covery and propagation of new and
valuable varieties, and strengthen the
body as well as the mind.
The school garden would be nothing
more nor less than good, old-fashioned,
cool common sense injected into the
hot haste of cramming down senseless
facts and jumbled figures.
SNOWING HOW TO MILK.
Know how to milk? Of course we
do! And yet, if the old cow could
speak, she might quite often say, that,
in her humble opinion, you could
profitably take a few lessons in that
gentle art
It is business for the cow to be
milked. Sue considers it so, and you
ought to.
It is not fair to sit down to "a cow
and pull and haul her until she steps
around In the stall and acts as If she
were being shamefully hurt. Some
times a cow will stop eating and wait
until the ordeal Is over before she
will resume operations in that line.
The cow that does that is not com
fortable. Uncomfortable cows do not
do their best for their masters.
Other men have a way of milking
that so pleases the cow that she
clearly shows that she enjoys the
process. These are the men after
whom we should pattern.
Watching them, we see that they
never yell nor strike, nor otherwise
mistreat their cows. They sit down
quietly, take hold of the cow's teats
gently, no matter in how much hurry
they may be, and begin to draw the
milk, without pressing too hard, for
they know that they are touching her
at her tender point, then they keep
steadily at it until the last drop is
out
The auto evil will soon be in evi
dence from one end of the land to the
other. Just as soon in the spring as
the farmer gets his roads mended, the
drivers of the gasoline engines will
come rushing along always selecting
the best, and halting for nothing when
they are in a hurry to "get there,"
and they are generally in a hurry.
The efforts made by farmer members
of the various legislatures to have en
acted adequate laws to safeguard the
public highways from the auto evil
have, we believe, proved abortive In
every state; not a single effective law
has been passed anywhere, and rural
people must continue to suffer as
heretofore. Just in proportion to the
increase of the number of autos li
censed to invade the public roads, the
mischief will be aggravated, and the
number of outrages be multiplied.
BUCKWHEAT AS A CATCH CROP
We sometimes lose our seeding in
the oats or wheat, and rather than re
seed we plow the ground as soon after
harvest as possible and sow to buck
wheat Buckwheat Is an exhaustive
crop, but I occasionally use It to
further my grass seeding plans. I
have never failed in getting a good
catch of grass or clover, though buck
wheat falls occasionally in maKing a
good crop. Weeds growing in the
wheat stubble after harvest is a sure
indication that the clover seed Is
gone. It only takes about 60 days for 1
buckwheat to grow and ripen. It wi 1
usually yield ten to 20 bushels per
acre, so It pays well for the labor in-
volved and at the same time makes a
fine shade and protection for young
grass and clover sown at same time
with buckwheat I sow about three
pecks per acre.
When a cow shows signs of skk
mess Immediately take her out of the
herd and keep her milk separate from
that delivered to customers; that's the
first thing. The next thing is to give
her such remedies as her symptoms
Indicate the need of, being especially
careful of her feeding in the meantime.
HORSE NOTES.
More vicious horses are made so by
illand injudicious treatment and train
ing than by inheritance. A good sen
sible horse possesses a high-strung
nervous temperament that will not
brook teasing, nagging and abuse. A
horse controlled through fear will
sooner or later break over such
bounds and cause trouble. Kindness
of action and word is much more ef
ficacious for control of most horses
than violent language and harsh
treatment
The well trained horse of whatever
breed or type is much more desirable
and possesses a higher market value
than the wild, skittish and awkward
animal of same size and quality. The
best method of horse training on the
farm is to begin handling the colt in
infancy, make it "halter wise" and by
persistent patient and kind treatment
secure Its confidence and friendship, t
Prohibit all "monkey shines" by the
boys among the colts and horses,
also.
The public watering trough that
most effective disseminator of glan
ders, distemper and other contagious
horse ailments is again In commis
sion. When driving to and fro on the
highways farmers would do well to
use a bucket for watering their horses
rather than risk exposure to contagi
ous diseases. Watch the number and
character of "crowbalts" that patron
Izez a public watering trough during
a half day in warm weather and you
will realize the force of this admoni
tion. Be very careful how you go Into the
stall ny the side of a strange horse.
Some horses are extremely sensitive
when thus approached, and are like
either to kicn. or to bite the one who
does It. Never enter the stall of any
horse, no matter how well you may
be acquainted with it, without speak
ing to it.
IN FAVOR OF SHEEP.
Sheep have a way of utilizing by
products which no other animals
seem to have, says a publication of
the Iowa Agricultural college. Of the
400 or 500 different plants which may
be found in any locality sheep will
eat all but a very small percentage,
while cattle and other stock will
touch only a little over one half.
Even If sheep are turned Into an Ideal
pasture they will now and then nibble
at the weeds; extermination of the
weeds results. When the grain is har
vested and taken from the field the
place for the sheep is the stubble.
Rose bushes, wild buckwheat and the
weeds and grasses to be found in the
fence corners and fence rows fall vic
tims to them and furnish fall feed,
thereby fulfilling a two-fold purpose
for their owners; that of destroying
these pests and converting these
waste products into good mutton and
wool. The lamb crop may be fattened
and developed in the corn fields in the
fall. If at the last cultivation of the
corn dwarf essex rape is planted be
tween the rows in the moist soil it
will make very rapid growth and by
weaning time it will be ready for the
Iambs. Old sheep cannot be turned
in this way because they will pull
down the corn; lambs, however, will
do no damage, but on the other hand
they will eat much of the pigeon
grass and other weeds.
THE SPREADER PATS.
The manure spreader is one of the
most important essentials in the
economic handling of farm manures
as well as for the proper conserva
tion of their value. I feel competent
to say that they may be considered
one of the most important imple
ments on the farm, either large or
small. I believe they will come near
er paying a dividend on the invest
ment than any other farm tool. The
expense of handling the manure is
lessened by three-fourths at least, and
as "manure hauling time" generally
comes when other heavy work is
pressing, the saving of time is con
sidered as much of a gain as the sav
ing of labor.
While the manure spreader can add
nothing to the value of the manure It
does, by the process of minute disin
tegration so consummately accom
plished by this machine, put the ma
terial in a mechanical condition which
renders its fertilizing content more
immediately available, much more
evenly distributed and therefore val
uable. APPLE ORCHARDS AND DROUTH
There can be no doubt but that
apple trees are more or less checked,
in many situations, by the want of
water during the dry times of July
and August, and more in some soils
and situations than others. Neither
can there be any doubt of a responsive
activity "to the effects of a warm and
wet autumn. The buds swell and
burst into shoots or flowers in
many cases, and in the southern lati
tudes of Illinois are sometimes very
conspicuously developed. With a cor
responding activity of the cambium
and a subsequent hard freeze, it is lit
tle wonder that damage is done. The
evil consequence then, of the sum
mer's drouth, is what we snould In
the first place strive to avoid. This
may be accomplished in several ways
known to us all, and I may only men
tion such as the choice of site, deep
drainage to favor the penetration of
roots into soil likely to be moist in
summer, good surface cultivation dur
ing dry times, extensive mulching, se
lection of varieties possessing powers
of withstanding drouth.
The cow and the man are not all
that is necessary to make a successful
dairy. There must be a good farm
that will produce the required feed,
that has a shady pasture and good
water supply, fields and buildings
where cows may be comfortable, a
barn surrounded by perfect drainage
that is warm, light and perfectly ventilated.
There Is probably nothing prodscei
on the farm to-day that is sold on the
market so widely misunderstood as
honey. Honey is not gathered by the
bees, but is produced by the bees.
Scientifically sneaking, the bees gath
er .nectar from the flower, which Is no
more honey than cream is batter. Jit
ter the bees take it up into their
pouch, it is converted by them into
thin honey. This, after being depos
ited in the wax cells, is evaporated by
a process of the bee's wings to nearly
50 per cent and then becomes honey
In a strict sense of the word.
It is one of the sweetest 'known ar
ticles naturally produced without the
agency of man, and, therefore, pure
honey commands a good price. Like
every other article that is of high
value, in the past it has been largely
imitated. No poor article Is ever
counterfeited. The very fact that im
itations of various kinds have been
on the market, would prove the value
of real honey. The pure food laws ol
our various states have done won
ders In weeding out from the market
a great deal of adulterated honey.
One of the worst adulterations thai
we now have on the market is a piece
of wax comb which contained honey"
and from which the honey has been
extracted, placed in a jar and a com
position of glucose and honey poured
in around It, and sold on the market
as honey. The public, seeing some of
the wax comb in the center of the
liquid, have been led to believe In
buying it that they were getting the
real article. This has led to the vari
ous newspaper reports and their ex
aggerations, which might lead the
public to believe that comb-honey
was adulterated. All honey, when
gathered by the bees, is placed In lit
tle wax cells of a hexagonal form, and
after being filled up by the bees, the
comb is capped over by them in the
same fashion as the housewlie seals
the preserves which she puts up in
the summertime.
ROTATION AND SOIL FERTILITY
Only during recent years farmers
are coming to more fully realize that
systematic rotation secures the main
tenance of fertility with increase in
the production of crops. All plants dc
not equally draw the elements of
plant food from the soil. Their roots
are sent to different depths in the soil
and have a different solvent action
upon the constituents they reach. Ro
tation tends to disperse insects and
fungous diseases are reduced ma
terially. Weeds are more readily
eliminated, the soil is maintained in
good tilth, the humus compounds of
the soil are increased and the work
of the farm generally Is more easily
and naturally disturbed.
Schemes of rotation should have
the growing of at least one legumin
ous crop. By this means large sup
plies of nitrogenous food are secured
from the air. Potash and pnosphoric
acid, if lacking in available forms,
must be supplieu by manure or ferti
lizer, unless caustic lime is used to
break down these latent minerals and
convert them into soluble plant food.
Stock raising, dairying and poultry
keeping are profitable lines to carry
on in the scheme for improving the
fertility of soils. No one system of
rotation can be successfully applied
to all conditions of soil, climate and
markets.
FEEDING CATTLE ON GBASS.
Experience shows that greater gains
in pounds of beef with less grain can
be made on grass than with grain and
roughage and with less labor involved.
If corn is fed it should be soaked, and
although a less quantity is necessary.
The price is relatively higher in sum
mer than In winter. Grain and grass
finished steers show a greater shrink
age in going to market than when
finished on grain and rough feed.
However, summer feeding of grain
with grass, to animals of proper age,
is coming into popular favor and our
best farmers are beginning to- appre
ciate their grass lands as never be-
fore.
Plant sweet corn, potatoes or-some,
other hoed crop between the rows of
blackberries and raspberries the first
season after setting. It will be a
source of profit to you and an ad
vantage to the young berry plants, for
you will not be so likely to neglect
their cultivation. Berry plants should
never be mulched the first season;
most berry growers prefer cultivating
to mulcning at all times. It insures
healthier cane growth, and the planta
tion will last longer than when
mulched with straw, as the plants
root deeper and are not so badly in-
jured by long continued drouths.
Sometimes the fruit on a single
tree is worth more than two or three
acres of wheat. There is a tree in
northern Delaware, 78 years old, that
has produced an average of $50 worth
of fruit annually for nearly 20 years.
One year the cherries sold for $80.
Six years ago this old patriarch bore
54 peach baskets of delicious fruit or
about 1,100 pounds. And all of this
fruit has been a free gift of nature,
as the old tree has stood In a door
yard all these years unattended and
uncared for except in cherry time.
Gooseberries can be grown on a va
riety of soils in northern latitudes,
However, it prefers cool, strong, rich
soil, but on a northern exposure will
succeed on light, sandy, or even
gravel loam. A mucky soil will pro
duce an abundance of growth. The
plant requires much food and there
fore needs to be fertilized heavily on
light soil. A heavy top dressing ol
cow manure each fall on such soils ii
necessary, while on the richer soils a
dressing of manure every two of
three years is sufficient
Don't encourage your young horsei
to run away by leaving them In thi
field without tying. The plan ma;
work well a long time. Some daj
they will be scared, then the damage
is done, the loss of life or limb will
wipe out all the time saved.
The day for raising cheap horses has
passed. Range will cost something and
cheap grain Is far off. They must be
come a farm product It takes longei
to raise a horse to serviceable age thae
it does to fit a steer for market and the
cost per year is about the same.
A TALK ABOUT ROSES.
A Side Locatien Better Tham Cen
spicaovs Oae Frepaxatiea ef the
Soil Battle Agaiaat :
No garden Is complete withoot
roses; fortunately there are varieties
suited to all climates and conditions.
but success with roses, as with
means putting the right one im
right place.
Do not put one of the large-growing
types where there Is barely roost for a
small one; do not put a tall-growing
sort where a low-growing would look
better, and do not put a climber
against a wall where the sun will beat
on it for hours at a time.
Roses are more easily cared Tor,
when grown in rows or beds than as1
single specimens scattered here and
there over the place, and make a much
finer showing when in bloom. Roses
ire beautiful for a comparatively short
time and do not make an attractive
showing except during the blooming
season. For this reason a side loca
tion is better than one more conspicu
ous. Spade the soil very deeply and mix
well rotted manure with it using about
sne-thlrd manure. If the soil Is very
heavy and sticky, mix a liberal amount
3f sand with it, and If the available
spot for the bed happens to be where
water stands during the winter dig the
soil out to a depth of two feet or more,
and put down a six-Inch layer of
stones, broken crockery or bones to1
serve as drainage material.
Mulch the rose buds early with old1
manure, chip-dirt or lawn clippings.
Cut out dead branches and dead or
diseased tips to where the wood is
healthy. Ever-blooming sorts bloom
on the new wood, while almost every
other variety produces its blossoms on
the short lateral shoots that start out
from the side of the old branches.
Sometimes roses are spoiled by mil
dew, though this rarely happens ex
cept when growing in damp and shad
ed places. Sprinkle sulphur over the
leaves when wet with dew, and if this
does not check the disease move the
plants to a location where they get
more sun and air.
The rose bug is a ravenous leaf
eater and the foliage should be spray
ed with a paris green solution (a tea
spoonful to eight gallons of water)
after the sun is done shining on the
bushes for the day. Spray with clear
water in the morning to prevent the
sun from burning where the poison Is.
For the rose-hopper dust the foliage
with pyrethrum powder, and for the
rose slug (a little worm that eats both
leaf and buds) use a whale oil soap
suds, after picking off all that can be
found.
Aphis (lice) may be ched-M by
spraying with clear waler or any of
the usual remedies. There are many
good Insecticides, including Bordeaux
mixture, kerosene emulsion, tobacco
tea, a Js made by steeping quassia
chips, Mfe hellebore in water, and
many 'otters, but always begin the
fight early enough that a test of ma
terials may be made. When planting
and training roses keep in mind the
fact that half the battle is in being
able to make insecticides reach the
under side of the foliage. Farmers"
Voice.
HOW TO GROW DAHLIAS.
Plant Tubers About Four Inches
Deep, Do Not Disturb Eyes Hot
and Dry Weather Harmful
There are few flowers more pleasing
than the dahlia. It is particularly for
cut flower purposes, as it continues to
produce beautiful flowers longer than
most other plants.
The tubers of a hundred different
varieties, each with a charm of its
own, may be purchased, or the plants
may be grown from seed, but the
easiest method is to plant the tuber
like roots. The tubers are separated
into several pieces each, leaving one
eye for each piece, and planted in a
yard or field like potatoes, except that
the time of planting must be delayed
until all danger of frost 13 past.
Care must be taken not to disturb
any of the eyes. The tubers should be
planted about four inches deep and
given a good watering immediately
after planting. They grow best in very
rich, heavy soil, and should be plant
ed about two or three feet apart They
should be in a position which Insures
plenty of light and air, but where the
plants will not be exposed to much di
rect sunlight. They will not endure a
long season of very hot dry weather.
The plants should be tied to stakes
about four feet in height All but the
strongest shoots should be removed
as they appear, only the strongest be
ing left standing, and the tying
should begin when the plant is a foot
high, being continued as it grows.
In the fall, after the frost has killed
the tops of the plants and there is dan
ger of the ground freezing, the roots
or tubers may be taken and stored in
a dry, cool, frost-proof room or cel
lar. It is a good plan to examine the
tubers occasionally during the win
ter and remove any decayed specimens.
The dahlias which may be grown
by the amateur are numbered by the
hundred and every year new varieties
add to the list in beauty, form and
color. Brooklyn Eagle.
THE LAWN XOWER.
(Cut the Graslca Sweatemupica.)
Springs up on every lawn to the die
quiet of the householder.
yi
-V
9