VOL. LIV.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND., APRIL 22, 1899.
NO. 16
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Givo   Criticisms  on   This   Department,
Also  Stato  How  Writers   May
Improve     and    Shorten
Copy.
1st Premium.—^ow can I criticize this department? I will make one suggestion to writers of
this page. A good many of them forget to make
paragraphs. It is a weariness to the eye to see an
article with never a resting place ^in it. A funny
editor told me that it gave him bronchitis to read
aloud an article devoid of paragraphs. Some poet
wrote a little poem fall of suggestions to writers
about condensing their copy. Yoa all may recall
it. Bach verse ends with the line:
"Boil it down."
We may all take a hint. Why dear old grandfather was wont to criticise our school essays in
his rural vernacular, thus, "it takes a power of
ground for you to turn on." My mother was a
magazine and newspaper writer, and I gathered
hints from her. So I tell the tale as it was told to
me. "Allow p'enty of space Don't crowd your
matter. Tab ets and pencils are cheap, so is ink
Dive into your subject, avoid preliminaries. Don't
use stereotyped phrases, beware of oid adages. Be
careful as to your capitals. Spell well. Punctuate
the beBt you can. If your article is full of meat,
the blessed, wrinkled editor will And it out and
make corrections. Say what you have to in brief.
In other word do what an old class leader said at
the old brick meeting house at class, "friends, now
chop off your remarks at both ends." Get inspiration by reading Thomas Carlisle and notice his
Bhort terse sentiments. Be brisk and bright and
your style will take care ~of itself. A writer said
that every man should have his own style, as he
had his own coat." Don't end yonr sentences
with an "of" or "for," this is slovenly. Of course
people who write much have books of reference,
a good dictionary, a book of synonym and a work
on quotations. I have Bartlett's Familiar Quotations though it it is a little old, later onesare better.
This, however, gives from the old itandaid poets.
A dictionary of the Bible is good, so ia an encyclopedia, and Allibine's dictionary of authors. There
is no better time than now to buy a library. Mine
is moat inherited, else I should have to deprive myself in thiB line. Finally, and lastly, don't talk
about the waste basket, it is as tireBome as the stale
joke the village editors make on the subject of
mothers-in-law. K. S
Id Premium.- This -question is to me worse than
an un solvable Chinese puzzle and I am wondering
what others will Hod to say will improve it. I
think it is just about right now. I always feel a
little aggrieved when I find that something else
has crowded it off the lirst page, and put it back
somewhere else. The Parmer isa live paper and
one which does a good work throughout the land,
This Experience Department seems to fill a want
of the community. It is a source of wonderment
to me, how the editor thereof thinks of so many
vital subjects and keeps them going in a continual
round throughout theyear, and year after year.
If one would save the artfcles and it would be
Worth while to do so, makings scrap book of the
thingi moat interesting to the one doing the work.
But it is not all the agricultural part of life work
that is taken up; the ethical and religious side of
affairs also nnd a place and really such culture is
quite as important as agriculture. We had a
search question surely in a recent issue, when we
were asked to tell what we meant to others, and
who could answer that question? No one but the
one who keepB the great record above, and whoso
experience department covers the universe. It is
a good thing to have such seasons of inlooking, although in the majority of cases it is best to look
out and not in, to look up and not down,and to lend
a hand. Besides the farming side of life, besides
ethics »nd religion, besides gardening and fencing
ftnd aU sorts of pertinent things, the women and
children ate not forgotten. These have a chance
to leam how others save and plan their work; they
have an opportunity to air their own methods,
providing these meet with the approval of those at
the head of the work. But some of ub sometimes
'orget that others want the same chance and we
take up too much spac?. I can't think of any way
to pnt a brake upon our volubility, save to limit the
length of m's submitted. The rule might not be
arbitrary, but a certain number of words could be
allowed with a margin of say, twenty-five words
either way, this would give us uniformity, and all
* fair chance, and really the chief thing Is condensation. One must practice expressing ideas in at
'ew and as pertinent words as possible, and yet
«ven those who are not expert in writing, should
be allowed an equal chance with those who are
'or it chances that those who use a pen the least
have the most valuable ideas to promulgate. It is
my idea that this class of folks should be encour
aged to give to the world their experience upon the
lines laid out for us from week to week. Itiacer-
taik that theie would not be apt to ubo too many
words P. M. R.
kd. Premium.—The only crit'eism I can find on
this department is that some of the articles written
are too long, and in my opinion not very interest-
ing. I think an article should be written as short
as possible, using1 not many words and yet expressing the idea very plainly. J. J. Z.
Dearborn Oo.
1 wish to enter a plea for moie topics of a domestic and social nature. There are many farmers'
wives and daughters who are able contributors to
topics of home interests. "Home is the heart's
sanctuary," and any inspiration that elevates the
character of the home is valuable. The burden and
heat of the day are not born by man alone, and
woman now claims her place as an equal factor
with mankind. When the armB are mechanically
plying a trade, the mind escapes far away and often the pious heart of woman mingle great thoughts
with daily household labor. Without a vigorous
purpose the best means are worth little, and with
it the humbleBt becomes mighty. Let us be earnest in our efforts for that knowledge which will
make us worthy members of communities, and enable us to better fulfil the duties ans adorn the
proprieties of life. I mike no suggestions as to
length of copy for this department, as we have
such a rareity of topics that what might meet all
the requirements of the topic of one issue would
not give the required space to treat the subject of
another issue. This lies with the editor. Let him
require a certain amount as he sees the necessity.
Rockville. Farmer's Wife.
A plain or direct argument is the best; this characteristic of writing will greatly shorten the copy
in a very good way. Length of disconrce depends
a great deal on the subject in hand, for instance,
"Agricultural Superstitions," given in a former
number, two writers occupied about two columns
each, which of course was necessary. Length also
depends on season of year. For in the cold, bleak
winter, when nights are long, nearly every one
likes plenty of reading matter before him; while at
the approach of spring—the beginning of the busy
season—he cares not so much for the reading matter as what it contains. Then for the sake of the
busy man condense articles as far as practicable.
This you may do, flnt, by writing your composition, inserting as much thought as possible, regardless of anything else; second, rewriting, striking
out all words and phrases and provincialisms that
are not ot interest to the tradesmen, and not bearing on the thought directly—it ia the thought and
not the words that, as this this season, wtll improve the copy in for thii department. Third,
make unity, flow and rapidity of expression to the
best of your ability. In looking over the articles
of this department I noticed that they have been
good essays in regard to rhetoric and more especially to practical ideas. Last but not least we
would like to hear more often from the review of
this department. W. I). T.
Plainfield.
AH the criticism I have to make on this depart,
ment is that the new topics ought to be printed a
week sooner. For any one as far from the oflice as
some of us are does not get the paper in time sometimes to write on the subject he may be best acquainted with. Writers might improve copy by
studying it over more before writing, or better by
rewriting. If one will give it the right thought a
piece can be bettered every time it ia rewritten.
Corydon. I). L.
It is said the highest art of criticism is a word of
praiBc. I have enjoyed the various articles and the
wide range of topics so much that I feel that I am
wiser and happier from reading the experience department of tht" Fabmkr. I will Rive a rule my
teacher med to repeat to ut: "When given a sub"
ject for an essay write it at once, if passible, and
lay it aside for two weeks, then read it nnd rewrite
it." I think this will be a good rule for iih whenever we contribute to the Farmer, I move we all
give n vote of thanks to Mr E. H. Collins for hia
entertaining and practical department.
New London.       Ktbki. Stovt.
BKVIkW,
We didn't get quite as many suggestions aB we
hoped for. Why isn't tbe department stronger?
Why doesn't it fill its place so very well as to pick
up every one who reads it and fix him as a friend?
Do the strongest people read it in your community?
And do they read it first, before other paperB?
There are a very few writers n agricultural papers
■whom I read standing, if the paper comes juat aa I
am starting to work. I am afraid to Bit, lest I remain too long. But I mutt read them. Such articles are always brief, say one column. Somehow
there is a sort of touch with the practical in them
that is facinating.   They are not   dreamy.   They
eeem to be written by men standing, so to speak.
They are full of business and it is as much asabar-
gain that they can take time to write. They are
read by those standing. There are some fairly
good articles that I read lying on the lounge, that
is if I have time to read them, and can catch a time
when the good wife is out feeding the pigs.
Yes, chop it up if you want it to be read. Don't
connect too many sentences with and. I well remember one writer in another paper that would tie
you hand and foot by a serpent like chain of sand
and drag you into a dingy thicket. I used to throw
down the paper and run when I saw an article by
him,
While speaking of style let me quote from a little
book called Self-Cultivation in Knglish. You can
get it for a quarter at any book store. It says:
' Too frequently words signify nothing in particular. He who can put a great deal in a little is the
master. His hearers could not cough or look aside
without loss, If we care for grace and flexibility
we must let our thoughts run. What Btamps a man
as great is not freedom from faults but abundance
powers. Welcome every opportunity for writing.
Writing moves in sentences and seldom demands a
paragraph. A sentence must be compelled to say
a single thing. It should close strong. Don't plow
a field or a row, but a hill of corn at a time. Write
copy by sentences. One at a time, and see that
each means a definite thing. In writing remember
the other person. Find out men's wants and wills
and meet them there. One must lean on his BUbject
if he would have his writing strong. Publication
is of little consequence so long as one is getting
ones self hammered into shape." I will loan this
book to you for a stamp.
Allow me ta give yon a sample of condensing.
One writer says, "At the present time it is hardly
possible to overestimate the valueof experience*
The population being bo greatly increased over
former years, the individual has less room and
time for his own good or evil experiences. He
muBtwork more rapidly and put in more spare
moments, to acquire his share of wealth. So for
experience he depends on that of his fellow citi.
zens."
Condense to this: * In the present competition
no one can afford time and money in experiments
which otherB have already worked out for him*"
Sixty-five words cat down to 25 This leaves some
to be read between the lines. It also gives the expression closely built form, and strength and clear.
ness tif meanirg.
It is time the department should eDjoy rather bet_
ter expression. But in saying S3 I do not lack: in
earnest appreciation of the great help that comes
to us from imperfect copy. We are all imperfect.
The department hangs on the copy ofthe writers.
I thank you all very frankly for your effort, and
hope criticism may be helpful to you and through
you to the department. If more copy were condensed like the Bample just given we should have
space to publish a greater number of letters. It is
often painful to send in a lot of really good copy
that deserved a premium, and know that it cannot
be published. We aim to publish the best of ft at
some future issue
In speaking of brevity I must also say that some
copy is too brief. One cannot do a subject justice
without words. We should, however, write from
theBtandpoint of telling experience rather than
that of preparing an exhaustive magazine article.
Note that in bulletins they give a whole lot of
minute experiments, and then a summary. What
we want is the suit mary wiih a chatty lot of experience worked in with it.
Prem iu me of $1 75 centa and 50 cento will be
given to 1st, 2d and 3d beet articles each week.
Let copy be aa practicable as poeelble and forwarded 10 days before publication to
Carmel. E. H, Collins.
No. 1G4« April 29. How do you treat cowb
from drying off to calving? How avoid milk
fever?
No. 165, May G.—Does it pay to spray fruit?
What fluids do you use? What sprayer? When?
How often?
No. ICG, May 13.—Experience in melon culture.   Soil, planting, bugs, marketing.
No. 167, May 20— Give your beet variety of
potavoes. How do you secure vitality and a
good etand, and prevent blight and bugs?
No. 168. May 27.—A friend haa a living room
in the S. E. front of a two etory house. It has
a bay window and oile other large window,
and measures 1Gx18x10 feet. How can ehe
paper it and furnish it, carpet, pictures and
aU thereat? (Other rooms will match it later.)
The coet should Buit a ICO acre farm.
No. 169, June 3,—Name popular mistakes In
corn culture. Boes it pay to detaseel barren
stalks? Or to plant a few late rows for pollen?
No. 170, June 10.—Tell us about a nice farmers'picnic.   How make it lively and restful?
No» 171, June 17.—Experience in sowing rye,
beans, clover, or other feed crops in corn.
No. 172, June 24.—How beet clean roomB in
dally housework, floors, furniture, brass, pictures and the like.
No. 173, July 1.—The effect of the policy of
political expansion on American agricultural
interests.
CHEMIST WILEY ON CANNED BEEF.
In hie testimony before the army investigation committee, Ohief Chemist Wiley Baid
that when this Investigation was begun Secretary Wilson's instructions had Bimply been to
"find out the truth." He found that the canned beef was not a complete human food, being deficient in carbo-hy dratea. Some of the
mineral substance in the meat would be removed by tlie heating necessary in canning
the meat, but these contained no nutritive
value and consequently their removal would
not affect the value of the meat as a nutrient.
It would, however, affect itB palatability. On
account of the absence of carbo-hydrates the
canned beef ehould be served with rice or potatoes and It should constitute about one-
eighth or one-seventh of a balanced ration.
Good. Roads.
."SDiTOKS iNDIAlfA   FARMES.
Please answer through the columns of your
paper, as soon as possible, this question: Do
you think it would pay the farmere in this
county to vote and pay a two per cent, tax for
the purpoee of building a Macadam road? The
taxable property of Boone township, in which
the road is to be built ia a little over $2,020,000
making a tax of a little over $44,000. The
township is to issue bonds drawing from 3>£
to 5 per cent, interest. Many of the farmers
are against it. They eay that the tax and interest is too much of a burden to ue. The
roads are now and have been for two montha,
so bad that one can hardly get to our county
seat, which is in Boone township, and the
town at which the stone roads start. There
are 8 main roads leading to town, Some say
that a 2 per cent, tax will build about 28
miles of the road to be built. It ia to be about
9 feet wide and 7 or 8 inchea of rock in thickness. We have 10 years in which to pay the
2 per cent. tax. Our land has a clay subsoil.
I am in favor of good roads of most any kind.
Warrick Co. Suuscbiber.
—We can not speak definately about the situation in your eection, but in general it is
safe to say that good roade pay much more
than they coet. If you people will take the
testimony of farmers in sections where good
roads are common they will be compelled to
admit that thoee who know best what good
roads are are their strongest advocates.
Macadam roads ought to be built in your
section where lime stone la ao plenty. The
crushing la a comparitlvely inexpensive process, with the improved machines for the purpose that are made now-a-daya. It ie wiee to
study into the eubject of coet before letting
your contracts. We have an inatance in point
here just now in the cement paving contracts
that are being made in and about thia city. A
contract has recently been let for eome 8 foot
walks about the court house grounds, at only
39 cents a linear foot, In contrast with this
several euch walks have been put down in Irvington by different contractors, at more than
doublo thia rate, namely GO cents a linear foot
for 5 foot walks. So, look out for your contract and see that you are not imposed on and
mado to pay double price for the work.
Good roads pay in dollars and cents; they
pay in wear and tear; they pay in comfort and
convenience; they pay iu making the children
contented and happy on the farm. In after
years the young folks will gladly assume their
part of the burden of paying off the bonds,
and will rise up and call you blessed forgiving
them the good roade that make their Uvea eo
pleasant and add eo much to their profits.
The blankets issued to the soldiers of our
army coet the Government $3 40 .each.