1'O.iZ UJV1A11A JJAJUUX JtfJiJE , JttUAJJAl' , BIAS. 5. 1SSK )
FLAX CULTURE IN EUROPE ,
Etport of a ( Joverainent * Agent Scat to In
vestigate It.
THE PEAOTIOE IN BELGIUM.
Soil Preparation , Good Seed and
Careful Handling Brlnj : t * - llct-t
llcsnlts How ttie Crop
in Harvested.
Charles Richards Dodge , an agent
racially appointed by Secretary Rusk
to investigate the subject , makes a re
port on flax culture In Europe , of which
the following is a summary :
The finest flax grown in Europe is un
questionably produced in western Bel
gium. While the superior quality of Cour-
traiflax is claimed to bo due chiefly to the
( j nction of the soft , slowly running , al-
niofat sluggish waters of the river Lys ,
without "oubt there are three other im-
I
I > ortant factors which aid in the result :
First , a soil preparation , with syste
matic rotation of crops and extent of fer
tilizing that few , if any , flax farmers in
America have ever practiced ; second ,
the use of only the best seed ; and lastly ,
most careful handling and skillful man
ipulation from the time the crop is
ready to pull until the blraw goes to the
bcutch mill. Nor is the care and vigi-
laxed even here.
I was informed that flax succeeded
IK-SI in a deep and well-cultivated soil
that Is not too heavy , experience prov
ing that in a dry calcareous soil the
btiilk remains short , while in heavy
clajt'3 boil it grows very long , although
its fiber is not so fine. The ground is
plowed either in the fall or spring
plowed or spaded , for a
great deal of the flax land
is turned with the spade. The wort : may
begin in .November , sometimes a little
earlier , or it may be put off until Febru
ary or the first days of Marcli. 1 was
told that both methods had their advo
cates and opponents , and that either sea-
bon may bo advantageous or disadvanta
geous , according to the kind of winter
which follows or precedes.
In the matter of enriching the boil
there is no half-way work or turning
'short corners. " ' Where stable manure
Is used it is generally put on before win
ter fets in. Then in spring before sow
ing the ground is heavily treated with
feitilizers , or night-soil in solution is
pouicd over it. A great deal of the ma
terial is brought from the towns and
kept in closed receptacles or reservoirs
until the time for using it on the ground.
Stable manures are used in connection
with chemical fei tilizerfi. Of the latter
it is common to employ from six to eight
hurdled kilograms per hectare , or
roughly , from five to seven hundred and
fifty Douuds per acre , and to go over the
ground with the liquid night-boil in ad
dition.
But the Belgian flax farmer does not
depend upon careful fertilizing or culti
vation alone to put the soil in proper
condition for gi owing flax , a careful sys
tem of crop rotation playing a very im
portant part. Regaidmg the precise
order of rotation and even the length of
time between two growths of flax on the
Kime land , there is the greatest differ
ence of practice in the several districts
and even in different towns of the same
district , so no one absolute course of
cropping eac bo laid down. In the
Courtrai region the occupancy of the
land with flax varies from five to ten
Tears , the average being -about eight.
In eastern Flanders it is five to nine , and
in the Brabant five to eight. In some
other sections a much longer time
elapses between two crops of flax , and
one or two generations back fifteen and
even eighteen years were sometimes al
lowed to intervene.
One informant stated to me that flax
was most generally sown after leafy
plants , such as potatoes or turnips , whea't
and especially out stubble being highly
approved. A common rotation is clover ,
oats , rye , wheati , and in some cases
hemp. Crops of rape , tobacco , beans
and vegetables ( these latter crops on
farms contiguous to towns ) or eien
onions and salsify , are grown , as in mid
dle Belgium. Clover is considered one
of the best crops to precede a crop of
flax , as its numerous roots go deep into
Jbe soil and from their decomposition
not only furnish nutriment to the growing -
ing _ flax roots , but enable them more
easily to push down into the boiL In
'the pamphlet of instructions published
by the Irish fhix bupply abbociation , the
Belgian rotation is given as flax follow
ing corn ( grain or maize ) after j > otatoos ,
mangold , or beet , clover not being men
tioned at all.
After bpadiiig or plowing , the ground
is well broken with the harrow , often
times being brought almost to the condi
tion of garden soil. It is then rolled and
the"beod planted , this being done any
time from the last w oek in February
until the latter part of March , depend
ent upon the weather.
It ib cou = ideitid of prime importance
that a good quality of K od bo used , and
In Belgium the greatest care Is taken
to bocuro only such a qualitv of seed as
will give the best results. The appear
ance of the grain , its richness in oil , the
absence of all foi elgn odors indicating
mustiness. or bad condition , purity , and
its germinating power , are all consid
ered , and no test neglected that will en
able the cultivator to assure himself as
to w hat he Is buying.
The seed is most usually sown in the
morning and harrowed with a harrow
bet with very clo-.o teeth. Thib is con
sidered necessary for giving a uniform
ity to the stand of flax in the field , insur
ing the name standard of fineness in the
ultimate product for every pirt of the
* ' " ld.
ld.Tho
The amount of seed sown varies ordi
narily from two and one-half to three
bushels per uere. After the eood has
germinated and the plant is about ready
to api > car above ground , or sometimes
even after it has bproutod , the land is
rolled , partly for the purpose of laying
the soil firmly and partly to make the
Mirfuce even to facilitate the next opera
tion * thut demands the cultivator's at
tention , the weeding ; this is done when
the flax plants are from 1 to 2j inches ,
or at the end of eight to ton days from
ume of sowing.
In Flanders , and throughout Belgium
as well , the beed is of secondary iui port-
unco , and thei-efoi-e to obtain us fine and
Ptrong n tiln r as jiossible the flax ib
pulloa before it Is f ull > ripe , or when it
is just Iwginnlng to turn j ellow , coarse
flax rijKjniug earlier than fine. The
work begins usuallv the labt week In
June , bornetimes a little earlier. The
flax is pulled with great care , the ends
being Kept \ ery even , and the straw laid
in haudfuls on the ground , a line of
st being laid down , which serves
bind those hondluls w hen a sufficient
/ quantity has boon pulled to tie. When
put into btooks to dry , the seed ends
psv being tied together , the bottom ends are
opened out , ghing to the stock the ap-
} > uaran < v of uti A-tent. Aft r drying In
the btook the handf uls of btraw are then
tied into Email bum has or "beets" and
pJod. something ; as cord-wood is piled in
this counlr , two poles first being laid
upon the ground to prevent In iury to the
bottom Inj-r by dampness , ntid two poles
drhon at each end of the pile to Keep
the "hedgo" in form.
In piling It is the custom to reverse
the beets in nll-ermtUj IBJ erf. before the
top Inyer is put on a row of . "beet ? Is Inld
lengthwise near the edge of the
pile , so thnt the top layer will
bo given the projtcr slant to
bhod the rain. The flax is left In this
jwsitlon for Hjvoral weeks , and then
either retted very boon or put into im-
monte stacks , or wjmetlmes into sheds ,
to remain till spring.
The teed is usually removed soon after
the flax is pulled , A common method
of accomplifchlng this is to draw the
heads through a hetchol or comb of
square Iron plelsets some fifteen inches
high. These pickets are about half an
inch wide at baie , and , as they are
pointed at the top , the spaces between
them grow narrower as the bottom
board into which they are driven is
approached by the head of the bundle of
flax straw , and the food capsules are
detached. When the seed vesiols are
dry , they are threshed with an inbtru-
ment made from a square block of wood ,
cither flat on the bottom Or fluted to
form coai > o teeth , a curved bundle being
mortised into the top.
There are three system of rotting
practiced in Belgium , the dew retting
most commonly followed in the neigh
borhood of Brussels , and in the flax dis
trict I visited near Gembloux ; the ret
ting in cratea anchored in running -water
as practiced in the river Lys , in Fland
ers , and the system of plunging the flax
straw into pyols or cisterns as soon as
pulled , which pertains in the IVnes
country and some other sections. The
dew rotting need not be described here ,
as it is the usual practice in our own
countrv , giving an uneven and least
valuable product of all methods of rot
ting. In the pool retting the } > its or
reseri oirs are dug some months in ad
vance , so that the looe earth will have
been wnshed from the walls and thev
will be clean. They are of vurj in < j di
mensions , and are sometimes divided
into several compartments by partitions ;
these ate formed either of boards or
walls of bed , or of earth , the bottom
being very clean. Sometimes alder
fagots are placed with the flax to iu-
fluenco its color , blight diflercnces in
color depending upon many things , all
of which are taken into consideration by
the opei ator. The first process is to
secure the beed , as has been described ,
after which the flax is again bound into
bmall bundles , which mu t be neither
too light nor too loose , so that the water
will penetrate them freely after they
have been placed in the pits. To keep
the bundles under water they are cov
ered with a layer of straw , on which
beds , or in "some localities b1one or
boards , are placed. Precisely how long
the flax should be allowed to remain in
the water must be determined by the
operator ; five or ten days is the range ,
the quality of the growth itself , the
weather , and other circumstances all
being considered. A farmer learns by
experience when the flax is sufficiently
retted to raise , though tests by break
ing a few stalks from time to time inubt
be made. After being "washed put" ' or
"taken out of the rot , " and while still
wet. the straw is spread upon the neigh
boring fields to dry , or in order that the
process of retting may be completed ; the
precise duration of time necessary for
this operation is also determined by
various circumstances. By breaking a
few flax stalks or rubbing them between
the palms of the hands , how ever , the
farmer can judge pretty nearly when the
crop should be housed.
This is the manner of packing the
bundles for immersion : Crates or irames
of wood are used , having solid floors of
boards , the sides being open. These
measure about twelve feet square and
perhaps a meter in heightpr a little over
a yard. * First a strip of jute burlap is
carried around the four sides , on the in
side , coming well to the top rail of the
crate. This is to strain the watery-or to
keep out floating particles or dirt vhich
would injure the flax by contact with it.
The bundles , which measure eight to
ten inches through , ave composed of
beets laid alternately end for endbo that
the bundle is of uniform size throughout
They are stood on end and packed so
tightly into place that they cannot move ,
each crate holding about two thousand
to three thousand pounds of straw.
When a crate is filled the entire top is
covered with clean rye straw and
launched and floated into po-iticm in the
stream. It is then weighted with large
paving blocks or other stones until it has
bunk to the top rail when it is left for the
forces of nature to do the remainder.
The time of hnmernion is from four to
fifteen days , dependent upon the temper
ature of the water and air , quality of
flax and other influences. There are sev
eral delicate tests which indicate when
the flax is ready to come out , although
the near approach of the time is made
known by the self-raising of the crate
out of the water ( often a foot or more ) ,
caused by the gases of decomposition.
When ready to remove , the crate is
floated opposite a windlass , and there are
many along the bhoretho chain attached
and the affair pulled half way up the
bank , when the bundles are at once re
moved. The big bundles are taken back
) o the field asrnin and are now bt olcen up
and again put into the form of little bell
tents described above. This woik is done
by boys , who show grout dexterity not
only in spreading and standing up the
little bundle when it Is first opened for
drying , but in the subsequent operation
of turning the tent inside out , so that the
straw that was shaded in the interior
may be subjected to the air and sunshine
ana the drying be iiecompliihod evenly.
After this drying process is completed
the flax goes into the big bundles for a
second immersion , and 1 H as told some
times a third , though rarely. This vrork
begins in September and continues until
too cool to rot the flax advantageously.
Then it begins again in" March and con
tinues until all the flax has boon retted.
Much of the uiirottod liitx is carried over
to the next year in this manner. Not
only is it thought to improve the quality
of the flax , but it if better for the pro
ducers , enabling them to hold their pro
duct lor good prices when the fall prices
are low.
Here are some of the prices paid for
labor In the flax fields of the Brabant :
Workmen in field , 2.60 francs per day ,
not boarded ( equal to 60 cents American
money ; women , 1.60 francs ( SO cents ) ;
weeders , boys 80 centimes and women
1.25 francs per day (16 ( to 2-5 cents ) ;
spreaders , when flax is dew-retted , boys
at various ages , from 75 centimes up
ward and women 1.60 francs. Seed was
quoted by the 100 kilograms at 4 francs
( approximately $4.76 "for 220 pounds. )
Belgian "blue flax , " dew-rotted 60
francs j > er 100 kilograms (8 ( cents t > er
pound ) , though it is estimated thut
these prices uro too low to pay. Russian
flax retted under the snow is "bometlme E
sold in Belgium at 76 francs per 100 kilo
grams , or a half cent less per pound than
the above. Naturally , the production
of the cheaper grades of flux IB declining
under this competition.
The flux culture of Franco is confined
lor the most part to the departments of
Nerd , Pub-de-Calals and others contig-
lousto in the north , Lille twine the center -
tor of the industry. I visited Lille , but
found nothing especially different in
methods of cult uro and of tor-treatment
from the practices pursued in Belgium.
I append prloos of the different forms
of flax fiber produced in France :
Dew retted , 7 . tc 10 ceata per ponad.
Tank retted. 10 to 15 cents per pound. River-
retted , 15 to 80 cents jicr jwnncC
The cultivator receives S24 to ISO per
ncre. But the net cost of culthatlon is
about $43 per acre , rental included , BO
that the fanner growsAax at a lews if his
Bales fall below this figure , and at a
profit if the price realized gives him
more than this sum per ncre. Unfortu
nately , there has l > een ICHS in many dis
tricts in late \ ears , which accounts for
the decline of the industry in France.
In Ireland , as in other flax growing
countries , clean land , in good state of
fertility , and with proper drainage , is
required for the crop. A systematic ro
tation is followed , with a most thorough
preparation of the land by deep plough
ing , harrowing and pulverizing ( the lat
ter especially In heavy soils ) , and subse
quent rollings. The best of hoed that
can be got is sown at the rate of two
bushels to the acre. On heavy soils the
Dutch seed is considered the most - suitable
able , while the Riga seed is thought to
answer better for the light or medium
boils. The ground is Fcept free from
weeds , the weeding being done when the
flax is four to seven inches high. The
crop is pulled when ripe and immediate
ly rippled , if it is desired to secure the
peed , many of the Irish peasants of late
years , I am informed , paying little at
tention to saving the seed. "Dams" ' or
pools are employed in the retting , these
being dug out in the winter , though some
of the jK isantry are content to use bog
holes M > ft water being exquisite. While
the Irish ] > easant farmer is perhaps less
careful than his Belgian confrere in pur
suing this industry , it will be observed
in studying the syVtem in vogue in Ire
land th'at success is only attained by
bklll and close attention to details.
'Mr. .Tohn Orr Wallace gives me the
following general instructions in regard
to Irish flax culture :
Any good soil that will produce a good
crop of wheat , oats or barley will suffice
for flax. The soil must be in good con
dition , but must not have bad manure
recently applied before sowing the seed ;
plowing should not exceed four inches in
depth. The best rotation is.to . sow flax
after oats from lea cround ; that is grass
land which has been prepared for and
has produced a crop of oats ; the stubble
plowed in autumn , again in February or
March , harrowed and rollud until 'the
oil is thoroughly pulverized ; destroy all
weeds before sowing flax becd. This
feed should be sown about the second
week in April. When the plants are
about four inches high all weeds must be
pulled , the boys and girls who do the
work to proceed against the wind , that
the flax plants may "be blown erect when
the weeders have passed on.
When the straw begins to turn yellow
and the foliage within six inches of the
ground is drooping , pull at once. At
this stage the seed in the boll is chang
ing to a dark green or brownish tinge.
Tie the straw in small bundles and stand
on end to winnow. When quite hard
and dry put in stack. There is ji larger
and better yield of fiber when the straw-
is kept until the year following its
growth. If fiber is required at once the
seed can be rippled and the btraw
steeped in boft water , that is rain water.
or if this is not attainable , in pits of
water in which vegetable matter grows ,
and which has been exposed to the sun's
rays for a period of five or bix week's.
The btraw should be protected from the
earth at the bideb of the retting pits ;
place the straw in layerb until the pit is
quite full ; stones or planks of wood , with
btones on top to keep the straw entirely
under the water are laid upon the top
layer of flax straw. If the temperature
of the water is 80 = fahrenheit or up
wards , about bbc days will be sufficient
to ret the straw. From the fifth day ex
amine a few straws , at diflerent parts of
the pit several times dailv , and when
the fiber pulls readily and entirely off
the wooly core it is tiine to remove from
the pits. Stand the sheaves on end to
dry ; pull the band or tying on each sheaf
close to the top and spread out the root
ends , so as to expose the sun and wind.
When perfectly dry stack for a few
weeks. This improves and mellows and
brings "nature , " ' or a soft bilky feeling
to the fiber. It is now ready for the ma
chine.
CULTIVATION' IN THIS COUNTRY.
For the guidance of tho-.e who wish to
try the experiment of growing flix : for
fibre the present season a few brief hints
aie given. Much depends upon the se
lection of the boil , a moist , deep , strong
loam upon upland giving the best re
sults. Barley lands in the middle states
and new prairie lands and old turf in the
western stilus are frequently chosen. On
the contrary , a soil full of the seeds of
weeds is not to be thought of under any
condsideration. Some New York flax
growers incline to a heavy clay for the
production of fibre and seed , though the
choice of u wet boll will be fatal to buc-
cess.
cess.Flax
Flax culture in Russia is carried on
upon the vast plainb in the interior sub
ject to annual overflow from the rivers.
As we have seen , rotation of crops is an
element of success in all foreign coun
tries whei e flax is produced. By studying -
ing the practices abroad the American
flax grower can determine what will be
best in his own practice. Fall plowing
is desirable in our own country , with a
second plowing in the spring as early as
possible. Then harrow , reduce to'fine
tilth and roll the ground well before put
ting in the seed. Mr. S. Edwards Todd ,
in u prize essay on flax culture published
bix j ears ago , lays great stress upon the
matter of reducing the soil to fine tilth
aud rolling well , the object being to have
the surface of the ground as famooth and
uniform as it can be made , HO that the
flax may get an even start , grow more
uniformly and the surface of the ground
be better to work over when the flax is
pulled. Of course all stones should be
removed or pressed into the
earth , and lumps are to ba
equally avoided. Phosphates , plaster ,
nbhes and salt are considered the best
manures. Dr. Ure recommends a mix
ture of SO pounds of potabh , 2S of com
mon bait , i > 4 of burnt gypsum , 54 of bone
dust and 66 of mngnesiawhich he claims
will replace the constituents of an aver
age acre of pax. Belgian farmers use
liquid night boll or other liquid manure
collected from the cow-house and stables.
It is fermented in cisterns and is borne-
times mixed witn oil cuke. One trouble
with stable manure is its liability to con
tain ungerminatod seeds of woods , wliich
is as fatal as a weoJy soil. And woods
may also be sown with flax seed that has
not boon carefully selected. As a final
preparation for sowing the seed it has
been advocated to run o er the ground
with a harrow the day the seed is to be
sown destroy ull the little weeds that nm v
be just appearing , then put in the beed
while the soil is fresh.
Only the bobt quality of seed should be
used. Mr. J. R. Proctor of Kentucky ad
vocates the white blossom Dutch as the
best seed for American flax-growers. In
all cases the heaviest , brightest and
nlumpest wed should be preferred *
Finer fiber is obtained from early sown
flax than from later sown , and two bush
els per acre is the smallest quantity that
should be bown when the best results are
desired. When sowing for the produc
tion of seed alone , two pecks to a bushel
will suffice , this allowing the plant to
branch. The larger the quantity of seed
therefore the finer the straw , and like
wise the fiber. After bowing tibo the
brush harrow ; some growers , also advo
cate rolling. Afa to time for towing , a
New York grower Bayfe , "Sowwhen the
soil has bettleil and is warmed by the in
fluence of the sun , aad weeds and gross
have begun to spring tin-nnd the leaves
| of trees begin to unfold. "
Too early sowing mny r ull In injurv
1 to the young plants. The weedingwhoh
this is noeessarjis performed when they
are less than five inches high.
A RLLNGTOX HEIGHTS.
One of tJ e Most Bcantlfnl and Pict
uresque Spots About " \Vjishlnjiton.
A Washington sight well worth seeing
Is the Sunday pilgrimage to Arlington.
The miles of smooth city pavement , which
make driving in the capital always de
lightful , are far less crddid on one day
of the week than the rough , dusty roa'd
which leads out through Georgetown ,
across the bridge , nnd then winds grad
ually up the heights , says Kate Field's ,
Washington. A continual train of all
sorts of vehicles , as varied if not so nu
merous as the famous Derbv day process
slon , keeps the dust whirling in dense
clouds from noon till sunset
Do vou know that scries of old prints ,
"The Voyage of Life , " which btill hang
In some rural parlors to frighten chil
dren and puzzle their elders ? In one
corner of each of the series rise a group
of faintly-outlined white buildings sup
posed to repre-ent the heavenly man
sions. The view of Washington from
Arlington Heights on a spring day shows
just the same misty white grandeurs ris
ing out of a violet hare that you find in
the corners of those old prints.
At every tunflin the w inding road vou
see the monument in a new position ,
until , if you shut your ejes suddenly , a
dozen blender , bhining white shafts will
dance in front of them. Dr. Holmes and
Mr. Story have lately said some very
shabby tilings about the monument
which have pained me greatly. Both
insist that an obelisk should be a mono
lith , and all that Mr. Story will deign
to say In praise of the Washington
memorial is that it is "the tallest chim
ney in the world , and the ugliest. " * It
seems to mo a vain affectation to denv
the effect of great size when united with
symmetrical proportion. Why does the
leading actiess on the stage always
wear the longest train , though it may
be entirely disproportionate 1o her
height ? It is because the eye will pay
tribute to size though the ininddoes not ,
and an extra half yard of satin or velvet
in the wrong place would prove a serious
rival to the best acting. The monument
ment would not be nearly so impressive
if it allowed a rival landscape. To ob
ject that "it is inappropriate as a tribute
to Washington" is still more absurd.
The father of his country , with all his
many sterling traits , was a vain man ,
and imagine that the costly
simplicity and Beierity of the
great white shaft pleases him im-
men ely. It is seen at its best in a misty
morning when the top i * out of bight.
The gentle slope of the ' ides buggesti by
the logic of proportion a much greate'r
height than the real one ; and you can
easily imagine that the apex ib actually
lost in the clouds.
But to return to Arlington. It is alit-
le melancholy to see the fine old mansion
stripped of furniture and scrubbed and
whitened as only buildings under mili
tary control can bo scrubbed and whit
ened. The tiled porch suriounded by
Doric colums seems proof against heat ,
and strikes those who enter from the
outside sunshine with a sharp chill.
What n doHght'ul plnce it must have
. been In the days of It now vanished
J glory , to pjwnd n .ong , hot Bummer after
noon.
Just in front of the mnnsiou , on the
loveliest spot In the grounds , is Sheri
dan's grave. A stout rail and many
keep-off-the-gras' ! sign * are intended to
hold the public at a distance ; but hero-
worship is stronger In mo t men than
the soldierly virtue of Implicit obedi
ence , and last Sunday at least half a
dozen little bunches of wild flowers laid
carefully at the ba e of the btone showed
where patriotic souls had violated the
law. Of course Grant , too , should be
buried at Arlington. It is better to have
such reverent sentiment concentrated in
one beoutif ul spot than to dissipate it all
over the country.
Evcrr tissue of the Iwdy , every IK > IIP , must
cle nnd orpnu is inudc stronger nod nuu-c
healthful uy the use of Hood's Snrsui > arilla
Three St j-lUh SprltiR IVmnpts.
Pule blue and black is the favorite
combination in hats and bonnets of the
latest Importation. Hero are three of
them , says the Ladies' Homo Journal.
A wide-brimmed hat of shirred lace ,
turned up at the back with an exquisite
IK > W of pale-blue cros grain ribbon ; in
the center of w Inch ib n tiny bow of
black A elvot ribbon ; drooping from this
all over the crown are bunches of pale
blue sweet peas , with black \ eh elbow
on the brim in front.
A Murie Stuart capote is of black
braid , with fine wreath of pale forgot-
me-notb under the edge all around : a
jwrt-looking bow of pale blue gros grain
ribbon stands on one bide of the pointed
front ; there is n smaller bow or knot of
ribbon at the back , from which dejTeud
the long tics of blue ribbon.
A hat with projecting brim , nan ow at
the back , is of black open work braid ;
the brim is faced with shired pale blue
crepe ; the crown is of black point d'esprit
over a puff of pale blue : at the back is
artistically anauged a bunch of beauti
ful , nodding. pale blue tips , from which
depends a scarf of the point d'esprit , a
yard and a half long , to be wound about
the neck and fastened on the left bhoul-
der.
_ _
A Pciiiijlvnuin Solomon.
'Squire Morrisev of Georgetown re
cently rendeied a decision which fairly
eclip-ed the famous one by Solomon.
John Painter of Welsh alley arrested
three neighbors named , respectively ,
Dougherty , Pickett and McGuin on a
charge of pigeon-stealing. The "squire
heard the evidence carefully , and by
way of settling the point at ibsue , which
was an intricate one involving the ques
tion of ownership , he ordered the pig
eons brought before him.
To each bird he attached a colored
ribbon , and then in the presence of some
200 witnessob gae them freedom. They
darted oft toward home , and , watched
vigilantlj bj the "squire aud his com
panions ; finally alighted. Instead of
their destination being at the home of
cither the defendants or plaintiff it was
found to be the coop of a third party ,
named James Kane. James was irn-
mcdiatelv bworn and testified that he
had sold the birds a few days ago to the
defendants. On the strength of this
tebtimony the latter were discharged
and the costs put upon Painter.
iA Slight Mistake
Just so ! ho ! lioJIwliyycs , indeed I
see ! I see ! tis this I need
To cleanse my blood , this S. S. S.
"This Swift's Specific , I confess
The four J > as made was rather hupa.
Why ! I've been taking vermifuge !
This dude will , no doubt , take S. S. S. and make a man of himself. Reader ,
if you are sick , it will be well for you to remember that seventy-five per
cent , of the ills of the flesh are due directly or indirectly to poison in the Blood.
Would it not then be well to examine closely into the cause of your troubles ?
Thousands have done so , and have taken S.S.S. to be cured by it sound and well.
Corel ! by S , S. S. after fbe Potash and Sarsaparilla Mixtures had fatted.
* * I contracted a severe case of blood poison in J8S3 , and mr phvsidans put mo under a mercu
rial treatment itu three months w itliout doinr me any eood ; in fact 1 was gradually cro me w orsc.
1 then consulted another physician , who tried me with potash and sarsaparilla , but with no better
result. J then became disgusted with doctors and their re-nedics , and commenced tafcine Swift's
{ specific ( S. S. S. ) Alter taLine seven bottles I was entirely cured , and 1 ha > e not had any EJ mp-
tarns of a return since. 1 lave recommended S b. S. to others , who have used it with the sami
teed results. " ' J.C.NACE. Hobbywlle. Green Counts , Ind.
Treatisecm Blood and Skin Diseases mailed free. SWIFT SPECIFIC CO-Atlanta. Ga.
BLODD MAKER
Is composed principally of the fol of the bowels , and dandelion to
lowing herbs : Barsaparilla , Yel regulate the liver and kidneys ,
low Dock , Stillingia , Senna , Dandelion There are no herbs known to med
delion , Buclru , Ehnbarb and Gin ical science that , taken together ,
ger-with Iodide of Potassium : The have such n wonderful effect on
t
rhubarb to relieve the bowels , Bar- the human system. No one need
YOUR BLOOD IS YOUR LIFE
enparilla , yellow docli Btillingia and fear to give it to the most delicate
buchu to cleanse the blood ; iodide person , as its work is thorough and
of potassium to open the glands and yet harmless.
secretions of the body , ginger to re. For children add one third syrup ,
lieve the stomach and intestines , which -will make it quite pleasant
eenna to increase the secretions to take.
If your druggist does not keep it accept no substitute , but order direct
from Beggs Mfg. Co. , 195-197Michigan St. , Chicago , 111. and they -will
forward , express pitpaid , one bottle for $1 or six for $5.
SHROEDER X DERN ,
Provisions and Stocks.
Basement First National Bank.
SOS South 13th Street , Omaha.
ON ISSUCD WANTED BY CITIES ,
COUNTIES , 9CHOOI
DISTRICT * , WATER
etpondeac
COWPANICS , CTC.
H.W. HARRIS & COMPAKY ,
IM-ICS Dearborn Street. CHICAGO.
TO Stria Str t. BOSTON.
GILBERT BROTHERS ,
TAXIDERMISTS ,
Bpcclmpnn c n l > r i > ont u K frT ) liy mull or MPIT
tor iirktr * M& .Surtli Iblb Strwt , Uomha.
RKlLWflY TIME GRRD ,
oS' A < j"
Onmha I'epot 10th and Mn on ftreetn
4HO p m
li 4'i a m Cbltaeo nxprrifi
I' in p m riilrnpo nxpri'in
J W ) p 111 Iowa lju-nl rxrvpt Sunday
Ix-nrrs Ut ni.l.N'i,11i.Sr A 3\iO HH hll
Omaba , IVpot Idtb nnd Mamm trt rt
ina'i u m. . Ih-nn-r Ilnr Kiprc
in lift am1 lifincr Kxprcai
.GjUjjL iK-nvrr Mpht "xprw
Tear r i K" OTFJ1 J A i jT
Omaha I Pi-pot llltli und Ma on Mroptu
iiSJ a ni Kiin.-ni , Cltj- liar Kxprvni
j45 [ p hi K. < ' Aight l"xp jrla t' " "
"Eeafrii " 7 T M'jN PAlUlC
Omaba | Pfpot 1IUU nnd Marcy trupt Uniuba.
2,41 p in Overland "Flyer BJSI p m
7 W p in Pacific 1'rpross ; 16 a m
IB H ) n lu lli-uvtr iiprc 4 .10 p in
4 4i p uilGrnnd IMand I'xp ( except Sun.1 i 1 ! 11 p m
I * IX ) a nij _ Kaunas City Kxpri'i [ jaili njn
TTivT.7 cliJtAi.o It I AliATIKT -.rrlves
Omaba. r 1' Ut-pot ] llth _ and Marcr Sl Clmaba
lo p m , Mcbt iiirpi : 11UUJ5 a m
ii 15 a in Atlnntlr Eipri 030 p in
41 | > m _ _ A"t" tlliUli l.luiHl'd ' 111 < j a in
i * avcii cuiraco -viTit'i mrhsTintK -"frTfi-V"
Omahn V 1' dcpiit , lOtli and Marry M Omaha
111. ' , am . . C'hlcaso Exprc'i . . T , ' p ni
< 'flip ml . . . . Vo tlbulo Limited II50 a ill
r,15piuLr ( ex feat Mall ( Ar ex Moa ) 7 ,0 a lu
Via p nil . . . . in Urn ! Klyer- : j j p m
iTcares t Ifll-AoO , Mii < i Hl 1'At H. Arrives"
Omaba I' 1 * tlppot. IDlb and Marcy hta I Omaha.
U Hum. ClilcufCi-Mnll K'lct ; > t Mindiir ) ! l > Uipiu
GK ( ) ji ui1 rblcasu Kxprci I I1 43 a ui
I11 p m ! C'hUaco li.Mir < "i > . III i1 m
OMAHA i tl j Arrivn
'tl ' P depot. 10th iiud Marey I Oiuahn.
4 Ui p m t. ] < on ) ( annon liiill 1" 4 > p m
MISSOURI PACIFIC ECJJUHI1./LS / TRAINS
UNION PACIFIC fct'imilBAN TRAINS
Tin-he train ! nlxo slot' at lth ! ! 17tb 2Utb nnd 24th
ftrects , bumtutt nnd bavldee Crumlncortlnjr -
men > tralna do not run Sunder
LPIITCI I CHICAGO K I k PACiriC. | AITTC |
TnumfcT I Union IK'imt. Council lllugd. iTranster
Arrives
TranniHrl Union Deiintr Council HlnnV. 7vrnnrer
lull n in1 Chlcnco Krprcsi 1,00 , p m
f , 00 P ni I > entltiulo Limited U HI a m
lUlrj p ail . .KaHiern Flyer
b 1KI p m j Atl.iP.Mr Mall
Ltaves CHICAGO , MIL. A. bT rAUL. | Arrlvi
Truimfer l Dnlon IH'pot. Council lllug i lruimlor
li iO a m Chlctipo Mall ( ( Kcjit uudayl fi-K ) p m
C. p m Chltaco Vxpruan. li 15 a m
10 IK ) p m _ CbUupo lltproHK _ . _ 2 IK ) p m
lAaven I K C , ST JO1 ! i C II I Arrive !
Trannterl Union l > ep < ) U Con ncll Bluflii Trannfer
10(17 n nil .KuimaH City Day Kxpr < UK I I , UU p m
1025 p ro | Kuima City Mcbt rrpninii I HIP a ni
I RTO I OMAJJA'iTf LTTCfI I Arrlrns
q'ranfterl Union l > eput. Council UlnCt ITramfer
Hall _ 12 15 p m
B4U a ui Chicago Fxpromi ! , . ) p 1 _
10 00 p in Cblciicu Kxpri'd * R2II a m
500 p re Cblcaco Kant alall [ , . .10 p m
7.JO p m Oi'nton ixical lilt ) a m
'XTJlTVlt'l'Af. . . . 7 Arrivm
Traniif ur I llnlun IHipot. Counrll IlluCn ii ranafer
7 45 a m hiuux Cllr Aic'umuiodatluu ur , u m
t.50 p mi bt : " U.5 p ui
PRINCIPAL POINTS
EAST , WEST ,
NORTH and SOUTH
13O2 Farnam Street.
HARRY P. DEUEL
Olty Passenger and Ticket Agent ,
Ji A S.d .VatrJi Sa't Tnt to Smulerr oj
OMT-Dr LwJuci IVrlodlriil milt
tbcrrrnitirtmear n the mcnttrun rr l iB bud
citre tnpprefeM u fTU wua'eve * taunr lrrm t *
u.eiirtruutl'.n 3lut ri ' ntb > ld : > 11 * taitn ctr
> US jirrcDiuir-r Am J''j 11 a t > J'p > Ki .n-
iri I 411 } t la. otEt uelj bberumn 1 Mt < iuioll.
ltodce t nrM-I * I Dmaba < A Melcbrr boulh
. M. 1 lul . UILUUU ittuC * . tl , vt lui K.
NLBHASKA
National Bank
U. S , DEPOSITORY OMAHA , If KB.
Capita ) , - $4OOOCX )
Surplus Jan. 1st , 189O , - B7DOO
Offlpfr ana nirMtorii IlenrT W Tale * rrmtdnntj
lwltS lli ed , Tlerd-riildent , Jamr W tata eT. .
VMnriin. . Jubn N CXilllnt. It C Cuiblnc J N U.
ratrlclj W U B Ilucbon , canhlrr
THE IRON BANK.
Cortirr I2th and Tarnam Strrrtu
A General HnnVlrtr llun'\c BTranJaptpa.
OOMMEIHOIA.LX
National Bank
Capital , - $4OOOOO
Surplus , AO.OOO
. and DtrrrtorK. . M Mnrfeman O M.
Hitchcock , .Inncph Garnciiu , Jr. . A Henry r. M.
Andrrnon , William ( i Maul , rice preMdcnt 1 It.
William * A P llopklni prrnldi lit A Milliard ,
randier , 1" It llryanl , lunliitant cnnhlrr
Omaha ManUfaotUrers.
Hoots nnd Sliop * .
'
KIRKENDAUL , JONES Jc COT ,
Wholesale Mannfacturcrs of Hoots & Shoes
Apoiit ( for Itorton HuHier Mioe Co. I1IC ! 1M audllOC
llarnry Street Omaha Jseb
Ilre crs.
BTORZ ic ILKR ,
Lager Deer Brc\\ers \ \ ,
Iful Ntrtb 18th Street , Omaha , Neb.
Cornice.
EAGLE CORNICE WORKS ,
Manufacturers of Galvanized Iron Cornice
Window cnpff nnd motnllr Atrlleht * John
prcprlcti.r . 1U r.nd 111) boutli link t-lr
ArtlMs' Siaterlnld.
A. HO3PE , Jr. ,
Artists' Materials , Pianos a'nfl Organs ,
IMS I'oimlnn ' Ktrcrt , Onmtin jM'h
Conl , Coke , Ktc.
OMAHA COAL , COKE AND LIME CO. ,
Jobbers of Hard and Soft Coal.
B E Cor irth end IKiujrlnt Suwtn Oranlrn \ < H.
NEBRASKA FUEL CO. ,
Shippers of Coal and Coke ,
214 Houtb l.lUi Btrret , Ouinlin Neb
Ci r rs.
DEAN , ARMSTRONG 4 : CO. ,
Wholesale Cigars.
405 N ICth Street "Hrllol" 1 < 19
Ir } Goods nnd Notions.
M. E SMITH ir CO. , .
Dry Goods , Furnishing Goods and Notions
Corner 11 tbuud llimnrd Strootn
KILPATRICK-KOCH DRY GOODS CO. ,
Importers and Jobbers in Dry Goods ,
Gciiti" ' Furnlslilnr Good * Corner lltli ROD Uiurner
btrt't'th Omiihn fDb
Fuiniture.
DEWET & STONE ,
Wholesale Dealers in Furniture ,
Fnrnnrn Strrrt , Omnhu , Nfliranka.
CHARLES SHIVERICK ,
Furniture.
Omnhn ,
Groceries.
McCORD , BRADY & CO ,
Wholesale Grocers ,
13tb nnfl I cuTcnworth Streets , Omaha , KHirnrtK.
Lumber , Etc.
JOHN A. WAKEFIELb ,
Wholesale Lumber , Etc. , Etc.
Imported nud American Portland Cemi-ut tat *
ucintfor MUwuuLne Ilytlraullc Coin cut , and
v. imil.lroe. .
CHAS R , LEE ,
Dealer in Harflvoofl Lumber.
Wood curvet * and purquet flonrtuK Mb nnd Douplu
StruutH , Ouiaba , Jitthraaka.
"
LOUl BRADFORD ,
Dealer in Lumber , Lath , Lime , Sash ,
Doom , Etc. Tardu , Corner 7tu and Doucltti
Corner IDtli andl'oughui
FRED W. GREY ,
Lime Cement Etc. Etc.
Lumber , , , . , .
Corner lull and DaueUB Streets , Omaha.
Milliner } and Notions.
I. OBERFELDER & CO. ,
Importers and Jobbers in Millinery ,
! 08 , 21D and Z1S SouUi lltb street.
Notions :
J. T. ROBINSON NOTION CO. ,
Wholesale Notions and Furnishing Goods ,
11 ! < Ilarncy street , Omaha.
Oils.
CONSOLIDATED TANK LINE CO. ,
Wholesale Mined ani Lubricating Oils.
JLilc creane , etc. , Omaba A n Ilinhop , Manager. \
Paper.
CARPENTER. PAPER CO. ,
Wholesale Paper Dealers.
Carry a nice rtock of prlntlnc , wrapping nd wrttl :
pajier Bp clal atteutluu clrcn to card paper.
JL L. DEANE Ar CO. ,
General Apenta for
Halls' Sales ,
Rl an fl K3 South lUtb Bt. , Omaba.
To } B. Etc. _
H. HARDY & CO. ,
Jobbers of
Dolls Albums Goods
Toys , , , Fancy ,
Route Furnlnblne Good > , Children' * Carrlnc * * . 1201
} urnam vtrtet , Omuhu , Neb
Water .
Suppllea.
_ _
V. B. VTIND ENGINE & PUMP CO. ,
Steam and Water Supplies ,
ntllldty wind cillli Die and 020 Jonei it. , Oiuuba.
_ G F lloii , Acting Managnr. _
BROWNELL , 4c CO. ,
Engines , Boilers and General Macliinery ,
bbect-tron work , eteaiu pumpi , law mllU 121i 12lt
LeavtuwurtU itrnot , Omaba
Iron AVoilr * .
PAXTON it VIERLING IRON WORKS ,
Wrought and Cast Iron Building Worlf ,
Euclnei , bram work general foundry machine n4
lilackimlth work. Offlre nud worki , U. f.
lly und ITth uroet , Omaha.
OMAHA BAFE & IRON WORKS ,
ManFrs of Fire and Burglar Proof
t'aulti , jail work , Iron tbvttnn uud Cm e > cap 4
Q Andr ou .pruji r CUT I4tu nuajfknuu bu
, Doom , Ktci.
M. A. DISBROW & CO. ,
Mbol ale nianatoctureri of
Sasn , Doors , Blinds and Mouldings ,
Branch onion lltb aud Iiird itrrcti , Omaba V e. ,
S o t-i t li Q m EL IT fi j
"
UNION STOCK YARDS CoT"
Of Soutli Omana , Limited.
T ( tratti f.r tlm 1 ptl , M N - e ei
I rcndu Wepnvl.flic | m , a u. otb
ui to hcintt t e i ur ( * nnQii.ii C