The Ottawa free trader. [volume], December 25, 1886, Image 3

About The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916

Image provided by: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library, Urbana, IL

                
FARM AND GARDEN.
CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM-STOCK
SHOWS-WORN OUT LANDS.
A SenHlbU C'WUtii llreed Swine for
, Other 1'ulnt thmi Fat An Important
I Fowl New mid lleautlful 1'Uut Win
ter Feeding of Sheep.
Feed racks ou;rht to bo bo constructed
that Bheep can procure their food without
tearing the wool from their necks or fill
ing their fleeces with dust, chaff or hay
seed. Make tlio floor or tne loiicioseiinu
tiirht to prevent the dropping of dust from
above. A rack suitable for liny or straw
approved of by Henry Stewart and used
bv nianv eastern farmers is illustrated in
the accompanying cut. This rack should
be about 3j; feet high at the front. The
bars are placed li inches apart and may bo
o oak, ash or chestnut, unmneu sniooin,
and 1 inch thick by 1 inches wide.
The front of the rack should slope back
ward at the top 3 or 4 indies to prevent
the hay or clover dust from fulling out
upon the sheeps' heads. At tho-rear of
the rack sloping boards are fitted, so that
as part of the hay or straw is eaten the
rest falls down to the front where the
sheep can reach it. The end oft lie rack
ought to be dosed with bars in the same
way as the front, so that lambs cannot
creep in and yet lost. This rack may be
made of any iiosireu iengin.
1 ij ii U hbhl
i
. 1, i'Z.-STfSfSfA I
1 1 &Fn?Z2-'2ftl
ri:r.I HACK FOTt SltF.El.
Tho variety of foods suitable for tho
winter feeding of sheep is . extensive.
Hay, straw, pea and bean haulm, corn
fodder, and roots of various kinds, corn,
oats, rye, buckwh-at, cotton seed and
linseed oil cake, meal and bran furnish a
wide ileld from which a proper choice of
food can be made.
The relative feeding values of these
various substances as food will determine
their relative money values, and as these
differ and fluctuate from tune to tune, it
. is often uecessary, in order to secure 1 lie
most profit on the feeding, to select the
food that is most economical in its use,
althorsh it may be the highest in price.
Clover hay is 'one of t lie most valuable of
single foods for winter use, provided it
was cut when in blossom, cured so as to
preserve all its good qualities mid kept
free from damp and mold. ell cured
pea straw is preferred by many next to
clover hay and before timothy or any
other hay. Oat straw is readily eaten by
sheep and is a healthful food, liar ley,
wheat and rye straw will help to keep life
in the stock, but are not sufllciently
nutritive to contribute much to the
growth of flesh or wool and ought there-
f jre to be used only as adjuncts to roots
and grains or oil cake meal, live straw
that is affected by ergot is highly injuri
ous to pregnant ewes and is also the occa
sion of inilammation of the stomach and
intestines to sheep that feed on it. Such
Straw ought to be used only for litter.
' Plant With Fine Folliijre.
Numbered with new and rare plants
recommeded to the lovers of ferns by
Peter Henderson
is tho Asparagus
T e n n i s s i ni u s,
the line lllniy foli
ago of which
equals in delicate
beauty the maid
en hair ferns.
One of the char
acteristics of this
Ttlnnt: in tlutt. flip
steins or frond?
4$ stand without
wilting for a long
time after being
cut, which rend-
it. vnl ii nl tin t n
mix with c u t
flowers. If so de
sired it can be
grown, like ni
lax or the climb
A new 1M.AST. ing fern, on a
trellis, as shown in the illustration.
-IP
Tho Stock Shows at Chicago.
Numbered with important lessons
learned by wide awake farmers at the
recent stock shows at Chicago, is t ho ad
vantge of pure blood in the improvement
of all stock and the excellence attained
through careful selection and breeding iu
meat production and in the dairy inter
ests. The show of cattle comprised short
horns. Jerseys, Herefords, Devons, Alicx-deen-Angus,
Holstein-Freision, Sussex
and grades and crosses. The Herefords
made a line show, though not present in
great numbers. Tho breed most largely
represented, both by pure bred animals
and grades, was the short horn.
The swine breeders were out in full
force, ami the show of fat hogs repre
sented the various breeds, ItcrkshircR,
Poland Chinas, Kssex, Duroes, Victorias,
large and small Yorkshires and others.
The exhibit of horses was a fine one,
especially in draft horses Normans, Per
cherons and Clydesdales. There was also
a fair showing of Cleveland bays and
French coich horses.
At the poultry show the Plymouth
Rocks and Brahmas appear to have lost
none of their old popularity, and were out
in fine array. Of the newer breeds the
Langshang and Wyandotteslead. Theso
two breeds seem to be running a very
even race for popularity.
I! ChrUtmat Tree and Green.
One of the great delights of a child's
Christmas is the Christmas tree. This is
so easily provided us to be within the
reach of all who desire to make the 2-jth
of December what it ought to be a gala
day for the young folk. An evergreen
tree of size suited to the number of tho
household can be kept firmly in place by
inserting it in a hole bored in a heavy
square block of wood. A small tree may
be set upon a table; for a large one a rude
low platform can be constructed. Cover
tablo or platform with green baize, or,
better still, with mosses and lichens.
The tree may be lighted with tapers or
ordinary small lanterns covered with
bright colored flannel. Festoons of pop-1
corn strung on n thread furnish a cheap ,
and at the same time effective decoration.
The bright lights, the. white trimmings
contrasting with the green, with paper
cornucopias and bags of nuts and candies
will maVe the tree a "thing of beauty"
In the eyes of chidren almost without tho
additional surprises in the shape of gifts
tb&t ingenious hand have made and bang
upon the. tree. In order to heighten the
effect presents not decorative in them
selves should be wrapped in pretty colored
papers and tied with bright ribbons.
For making wreaths and otherwise
trimming sitting room, and parlor ground
pi no represents a favorite material. A
little holly with its red berries combines
handsomely with ground p'ne. Cedar,
spruce and hemlock can all be utilized for
house decoration. Some sprays of bright
red bitter sweet among the dark green
will give a pleasant touch of color.
These suggestions are given for the
benefit of households that are far removed
from towns or cities and where tho mak
ing of a merry Chistmas depends upon the
ingenuity of loving hands rather than the
spending of much money. To theso house
holds it is quite possible to give at least a
holiday air to the home, if not in elaborate
preparations by arranging a few branches
or sprays of Christmas greens here and
there about doors and windows and
around pictures or In graceful fashion
upon the .walls. Little people are quite
content with home mado confections in
fanciful shapes and practical home mado
toys ami articles of wearing apparel when
these nre presented iu mysterious pack
ages borne on Christmas trees.
Keep the Clfctern Clean.
A large per cent of sickness is due to
the impurities in the water used for
drinking and culinary purposes. In many
sections cisterns nro depended on for the
water supply; theso when ill constructed
are a danger to health because of tho im
purities which obtain access to water and
unlit it for use. Kvery part around tho
surface of a cistern ought to bo mado
close.
A cistern may be made both frost and
vermin proof as follows: Let the beams
that support the floor be bedded in the
wall or shoulder i if the cistern and covered
witli lime or cement mortar, leaving a
smooth surface all around for tho tirst
floor. Cover this with a second floor
raised eight or ten inches on a frame of
two by ten joists made of cedar or other
wood. Pack the earth closely against
this frame and let the top floor extend a
few inches beyond t lie frame all around.
WHAT SHALL WE WEAR
COMMON SENSE CISTERNS.
Another important point is to get rid of
tho sediment which gathers at the bottom
of every cistern. This is easily accom
plished by carrying tho overflowing pipe
to the bottom of tho cistern on a line
with the inlet pipe, and thereby forming
a current which disturbs tho sediment
and carries it into the overflow, as is
shown in the illustration.
The illustration also shows the arrange
inent of the draw pipe, which should
have a fine wire strainer on the end and
should rest upon a support near t he
bottom of a fine strainer at least two feet
high. A piece of one-quarter inch mesh
of galvanized wire gauze bent into a pipe
a foot in diameter gnu covered with thick
flannel cloth doubled makes an excellent
llltcr for the water. A cistern thus con
structed six years ago for use in a dairy
bnm, says the correspondent who de
scribed it in The American Agriculturist,
has never required cleaning, und the
water has always been good.
Scnniblc Advice About Swine.
At the National Swine Growers' con
vention Professor Morrow in an address
said he thought that growers had gone
far enough in developing the fat produc
ing capacity and in getting up fancy
points. He gave tho following sensible
advice:
"Breed from mature animals. Select
breeding stock with reference to health,
activity and vigor, and not alone with
reference to early maturity, ease of fat
tening or possession of the minor points
distinguishing breeds. Cease to magnify
petty points as essentials, thus limiting
our selections. Kecognizo tho fact that
grass and clover are natural and admir
able food for hogs, old and young. Give ex
ercise to tho young and all breeding hogs.
Give some variety of food and not corn
alone. In food, water and shelter give
that reasonable care to secure good sani
tary conditions which common sense and
experience dictate. Trust little to the ad
vertised specific for diseases."
A Good Word for Geeite.
The goose, ns the holidays draw near,
becomes a bird of importance, assuming
at t he Christinas feast much the same
position tho turkey claims at Thanksgiv
ing dinners.
Just why more farmers do not raise
geese does not appear; they are hardier
than turkeys and much easier to rcur,
and when fat always bring a good price in
the market.
For commercial purposes it is advised
to select either the Toulouse or Embden
varieties. The former is commonly known
as the gray goose because its plumage is
of that color, and the Kmbden is called
the white goose, its plumage being white
throughout. As to quality of flesh these
varieties are about equal. Hence a choice
between the two is greatly a matter of
individual taste. To make goose keeping
a paying business, no matter what variety
is kept, it i3 necessary to have a good
pond with a plentiful supply of water.
They ought also to have a house all to
themselves, regularly supplied with
straw.
Facts Farmer Otiht to Know.
The rate of yield for the hay crops this
year averages about one half ton per acre,
and the total product is placed at about
45,000,000 tons.
An estimate of the cane sugar crop of
the world this year reports an increase of
2,21 000 tons, and of the beet sugar crop
a decrease of 520,750 tons.
Professor W. J. Green, of the Ohio ex
periment station, considers that there is
no evidence that sulphur used properly in
bleaching fruits endangers the health.
Owners of exposed cattlo in aud about
Chicago have agreed with the live stock
commissioners to allow the catvle to
bo appraised and killed, and trust M the
legislature to appropriate an amount
sufficient to pay for those found not to t
actually infected with the disease.
TAILOR GOWNS AND COSTUMES
FOR FANCY DRESS.
511s Gained and the I.lttle Japanese Maid.
The Tailor Gown Is Becoming Lighter
la Weight and Defter Adapted to Ita
Purpose.
This week our fashion column shows first
two more handsome Kedfern tailor gowns.
They are from original designs njieeially fur
nished u. Woolen dresses have almost alto
gether superseded silk em's for the street.
That change has been brought about by the
tailor gown.
This winter it is better adapted to its pur
pose than it has been heretofore. Every ef
fort has lieeu made to lighten it in weight.
An approved fashion is to make a single
skirt, plain and scant, with a plain band,
pinked or scalloped at the bottom, aud a
slight draping liebiiid. The skirt is made
without lining, and in case of Ann, heavy
goods tho lining is also sometimes left out of
the waist.
IN THE HOUSEHOLD.
Fin. 1. Fio. 3.
Fig. 1 shows rather alight weight tailor
gown. The skirt falls plain with a scant box
plaiting and slight draping behind. The gown
is of wine colored Vienna cloth, handsomely
braided in fine blu 'k tubular braid.
Fig. t! is a beautiful gown of heliotroH
faced clo h combined with velvet of the same
shade. Hat to match. F.very seam of the
short, close basques is now wlmlcboned.
Fancy OreKses.
Tho season of fancy dress parties for grown
people and children is near at hand. In view
of that we have had copies prepared of some
of the dresses thut will lie popular this season.
The name of this
figure is simply
"Games." Miss
Games steps aliout
at the parly with
a head dress in imi
tation of a rouietto
table, a fan mado
of policy tickets, a
bodice ornamented
with cards, ond the
points of her dash
ing red tunic stud
ded with dice. Her
skirt is trimmed
w i t h chess and
checker boards.
D o w ii tho right
side of the skirt,
held by gilt cord,
hangs uu ornament
made of a billiard
ball, while in frout
of the lady's boots,
upon her noat in
step anil ankle, np
jienr domino pat
terns. This is a
unique dress. Tho
cloth to muko it,
calico stamped in
tb game patterns, can be usunlly had
ready prejKired. If not, the patterns can lie
sewed upon plain goods; si"c or cotton. The
middle of Jie jkirt is yellow, tho bottom
piece rod, sleeves and plastron, white muslin.
The nxt figure is called Uio Japanese maid.
The great popularity of tho liht comic
operant "The Mikado" has popularized every
thing lielonging t
Japaneso dress and
drapery. The Jap
aneso girl's dress
hero shown is
something on the
( Ii'i r of thut of
the tire.- little
maids from .. .i
The hair is di atv.i
back from the
forehead, heaped
up at the crown
of tho head, and
ornamented w i t li
long pins stuck
through and
through it. T h e
under iettieoat is
of brocaded yellow
g'lcls. The upjier
garment is light
blue. Tho opu,
falling sleeves, of
prodigious length,
nre lined wita the
yeiloiv goods. The embroidery on the
lge of the upjier sl:it and thene k piece
sot in at tho breast are rlso yellow. Tho em
broidery at tho breast is yellow. P.luo fun,
with ytllow sticks. Tho full, wide sash is
red. liluo stockings rid yellow "Mikado"
-dipiiers. Ordinary pai-r parasol, whose pre
vailing shade is blue.
GAMES.
mm
JATANESE MAID.
Illark Toilet.
In addition to entirely black toilets richly
embroidered with je lieads, black dresses
trimmed with color ie much liked for the
theatre and evening woar. In oiio handsomu
costume black laeo is fulled over a gold yel
low, satin slip skirt; the velvet bodice is cut
square and trimmed with a donblo row of
gold yellow, silk jionip'Tis. Tho sash is black
velvet. The black kid gloves are embroid
ered with gold, and gold thistles and aigrette
are worn iu the high dressed hair.
FASHIONLETS.
Snowsboe elulis are rganizing in northern
Michigan, and fl.fioo worth of flannel uni
forms Lavo been ordered from one tailor
alone. A toboggan siido will also be built at
Marquette.
Monkey skin mulT.s will l fashionable.
Silver ami bluo fox are popular furs for
trimming.
Tho bridegroom at a morning wedding
wears a black cloth frork coat, vest to match,
gray trouser and w'-ite silk cravat, either
plain, n-ppci or figured.
Music boxes, which com tinder the head of
luxurs'S, are akin to jewelry and mlverware,
and tb-ref or ought to bo in stock, not only
lu city store, but in towns and village,
Mean for a 11 In but Good American
C hrist man Dinner.
An excellent Christmas dinner for refined
people, who know that the best eating is a
few dishes at a time, and those of the first
quality, is as follows:
First course Haw oysters, half a dozen
upon each plate, with half a lemon also to
each plate; salt, pepjver end a glass of nice,
crisp celery and some olives; crackers and
butter, or cold, light rolls and butter.
Second course Remove the oyster plates,
squeezed lemons and all, leaving the celery
and olives. Then bring on your roast
turkey, cranlierry sauco and vegetables.
Mashed potatoes, sncoota-ih and stewed
tomatoes will be quite enough. The potatoes
should be beaten up with a fork if there is
not in the household one of those new fash
ioned wire potato lienters. Potato's beaten
to a creamy pulp are much lighter Mian those
mashed with a pounder. Dress them richly
with cream and butter. Tho potatoes and
cranberries may be served ujkii the dinner
plates, the tomatoes and succotash upon sauce
dishes. Add to tho articles already men
tioned a lettuce salad, with a mado dressing
of oil, vinegar, jiepper, salt, mustard, eggs
and a little sunar. That is quite sufficient for
tho heavy and main course. Americans,
whether they own to it or not, usually like
their coflee with their food, and there is no
reason why they should not have it, unless
they wish to be fashionable. In that caso
they will put it oir till after the main part of
the d. nner is eaten.
After the turkey is dispatched take away
all his remains. Don't leuvo anything upon
the table that suggests grease and hulf eaten
food. These (lungs removed and tho tablo
cleared, bring on the mince pie piping hot.
After that on or two kinds of fruit. Then
nuts, rnisius and coffee. Tall dishes of can
dies in bright colored wrappers, with mottix'S
inside, amuo the young folk and look pretty
Upon the table. 1'hey m:iv lie dived into at
nut and raisin time. Hut it. is simply "horrid"
and alto;:tilicr uiiU-arablo to poke one's
fingers into l i nils, nuts and raisins and can
dies before I I'.e time for eating I hem comes.
No decent person will do that.
Wo hae here outlined a plain An erican
dinner, and a very good one it is, too.
Flowers or Towiii finis upon the tablo will
add to (ho pleasant effect. Then keep good
natured and polite in spite of the world, tho
flesh and tho devil and you w ill have a per
fect Christinas. We hoie it will be a very
merry one to everybody.
Why Some People Are Poor.
Silver s)mous uro used to sciiqm kettles;
codec, tea, jvpiiei and spices nro left to stand
open and lose their strength; potatoes in tho
cellar grow, unci tho sprouts are not removed
until the potativs become worthless; brooms
aro never hung up, mid aro very soon spoiled;
nice handled knives aro thrown into hot
water; tho flour is sifb-d in a wasteful man
ner, and tho bread pan is left with tho dough
sticking to it. Detroit Tribune.
A Steam Cooker.
Persons who have tried tho steam cooker
shown in the illustrations are enthusiastic in
its praises. Its well tested claim is that it is
constructed on seiontilic principles, giving
concentrated heat, togeiuer with steam press
ure. Its is called tho 'Teoi less Steam Cooker,"
and can be used on a common kitchen range
or cook stove, or an oil, gas or gasoline stovo.
Wo are assured that it will cook meat, pud
dings and vegetables at the same time, with
out mingling the flavors and without having
them all taste alike, like so many hotel dishes.
Tho ordinary size is designed for a family
of from two to
eight persons. One
of the greatest ad
vantages of this in
vention Is that it
preserves tho juices
of meats. A whole
dinner can be
cooked ntonco.with
tMiie of the fussing
and skipping about
thut WMars out the
lifo of tho house-
COOKKIl OS STOVK. keeper who cooks
several things at a time upon an ordinary
rango. It saves time, labor and fuel
Fig. 1 shows tho cooker as it looks upon the
ouWdo when It siU upon tho range with
several articles of food steaming inside. It
siems able to do everything but fry pancakes.
There is no doubt that fsnl cooked by
steam is tenderer and rnoro evenly done and
better flavorM than that "slapped up" in tho
ordinary fashion anyhow and in any time.
In tho cooker lioforo us water Is put into the
bottom. It turns to steam, passes up and
around tho outside of the various compart
ments, heats them intensely hot anil roasts
chicken, bakes potatoes, etc. At the top a
colander containing food V) c st-vimed, ns
corn or pudding, is set upon the cooker and
tightly covered. The steaui pas through
and through it and soon (Iih-s the work.
Fia. 2.
Fig. 2 shows a vertical section of this ad
mirable household implement, with tho din
ner inside. It is a good dinner, t-o, from
boiled corn and pudding at the top to roatt
chicken at tho liottom.
Observe the tu!es A, B, C at each side of
the cokT. A, on tho right, is a tul for
conveying tho surplui steam into the stove.
B, on the left, Is a steam whistle. When the
water is getting low, ping! it goes off, shrill
as a iienny trumpet. Then the cook knowi
she must pour more water iu at the tube C
below B. This tul U provided so that water
may be (oured in without taking oif the
cover.
Tho cover over all is steam tight. There is
a safety valve provided which regulate it
self. There is also an indicator Li b tclli
wueu the water is boiling and the food cook
log.
Carriages,
Buggies,
Phaetons,
AND TUR
BEST
Road Cart
MADE. '
Walt and eitmlne our
hire mmk 'ttd get price
bflere haying.
Konri CurU from 3S.M
to ttt.iu.
KACTOHV. one block
wwl of pontotHi'P.
OTTAWA. ILLS.
G-JLY &c SOIT,
--A -XLJ
..V r I 1 - ; f J- iii ja
KNETJSSL'S DRUG STORE,
MAIN STREET,
West of La Salle Street, (south side.)
OTTAWA, ILLINOIS.
Icoor a kvp coufUotty on hand Urge and well selected itocu of
DRUGS AND CHEMICALS.
All the new and Doptilar Paten Meillclnea. E xti ai tad 8plcei for culinary
Perfumery, Hrushes, and Fancy At tides for the Toilet
Paints, Oils, Varnishes, Window G'ass, &c.
rarticulat Attention given to the Compounding of Physician Pi wcriptiortB
A.
Vert
I. K. file's AK
Hi C Afro-
m ifi n jn.
WHO IS UNACQUAINTED WITH THE CEOCRAPHY OF THIS COUNTRY, WILL
SEE BY EXAMINING TMI KWr, I MA I I nc
f 5;00f V0ggJed Wing CrnfVf V5? .
CHICAGO, ROCK ISLAND & PACIFIC R'Y
By mason of Ita central position, clone relation to principal lines East of Chtcar
and continuous lines at t.-rminal points Wost, Northwet-. and Southwest-is tb
only true middl-link In that transcontinental system which invites and facil
itates travol and traffic in either direction between the Atlantic and Piuunc
Thn Bock Island main line and branches include ChicawoJoUet, Ottawa, La
Salle, Poena, Oenesoo, Moluie and Rock Island, in Illinois; Davenport Musca
tine, Washington, FairUeld. Ottmnwa, Oskaloosa, West Liberty, Iowa City. Dea
Moines, Indianola, Winterset. Atlantic, KnoxvUle, Audubon. Harlan, Qutbri
Centre and Counril Bluffs, in Iowa; Gallatin, Trenton. St. Joseph. Cameron ana
Kansas City, in Missouri! Leavenworth and Atchison, in Kansas: Albert La,
Minneapolis and St. Paul, in Mianesota; Watertown in Dakota, and hundred
of intermediate cities, towns and villages.
THE CREAT ROCK ISLAND ROUTE
Guarantees Speed, Comfort and Safety to those who travel over it. IU roadbed
is thorouKhly ballasted. Its track is of heavy steel. Its bridges are aoua
atrurturos of stone and iron. Its roUinir stock is perfect as human BkUl can maka
it. It has all the safety appliances that mechanical treuius has invented ana
exwnence proved valuable. Ita practical operation is conservative and method
ical -ita discipline strict and exacting. Ihe luxury of its passenger acoomjnoOa-
tions is nnequaled in the West -unsurpassed in the world.
ALL EXPBESS TRAINS between Chira and Uie Missouri River consist
of comfortable DAY COACHES, magnificent JPULLM AN PALACB. PARLOR
and SLEEPING) CARS, elegant DINING CARS providing excellent mealand
-between Chicago, St. Joei3i, AtUiiaoa and Kjuiaaa Oity-reatful BiCIININ
CHAIR CARS.
THE FAMOUS ALBERT LEA ROUTE
Is the direct, favorite line between Chicago And Minneapolis and St. Oyar
this rout aolid Fast Express Train run daily to the summer resorts. Prqua
localities and hunting and flshin ir rounds of Iowa and Minnesota. f1""La
wheat fields and erazina; lands of interior Dakota are reached via Watertown.
A short desiratle route, via Seneca and Kankakee, offers superior inducement
to travelers between Cincinnati. Indianapolis. Lafayette and Council
Joseph. Atchison, Leaver worth, Kansas City, Minneapolis, St. Paul ana intr-
meAUcl5ssof patrons, especially families, ladies and children. JJ
official and employe of Rock Island trains protection, rsspectf ui courtesy ana
kiDFoyr Ti?keVs?Maps. Folders - obtainable at all principal Ticket Offlcea la tha
R. R. CABLE.
Pru t & Ges'l Wfr, Chiug.
E. ST. JOHN,
Ast't Ges'l M g'r, Chtcij.
E. A. HOLBROOK.