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VOL. LIV. INDIANAPOLIS, IND., APRIL 22, 1899. NO. 16 %xpzxizncz Qzpixxtmmt. 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.
Object Description
Title | Indiana farmer, 1899, v. 54, no. 16 (Apr. 22) |
Purdue Identification Number | INFA5416 |
Date of Original | 1899 |
Subjects (LCSH) |
Agriculture Farm management Horticulture Agricultural machinery |
Subjects (NALT) |
agriculture farm management horticulture agricultural machinery and equipment |
Genre | Periodical |
Call Number of Original | 630.5 In2 |
Location of Original | Hicks Repository |
Coverage | United States - Indiana |
Type | text |
Format | JP2 |
Language | eng |
Collection Title | Indiana Farmer |
Rights Statement | Content in the Indiana Farmer Collection is in the public domain (published before 1923) or lacks a known copyright holder. Digital images in the collection may be used for educational, non-commercial, or not-for-profit purposes. |
Repository | Purdue University Libraries |
Date Digitized | 2011-01-25 |
Digitization Information | Original scanned at 300 ppi on a Bookeye 3 scanner using internal software. Display images generated in CONTENTdm as JP2000s; file format for archival copy is uncompressed TIF format. |
Description
Title | Page 1 |
Subjects (LCSH) |
Agriculture Farm management Horticulture Agricultural machinery |
Subjects (NALT) |
agriculture farm management horticulture agricultural machinery and equipment |
Genre | Periodical |
Call Number of Original | 630.5 In2 |
Location of Original | Hicks Repository |
Coverage | Indiana |
Type | text |
Format | JP2 |
Language | eng |
Collection Title | Indiana Farmer |
Rights Statement | Content in the Indiana Farmer Collection is in the public domain (published before 1923) or lacks a known copyright holder. Digital images in the collection may be used for educational, non-commercial, or non-for-profit purposes. |
Repository | Purdue University Libraries |
Digitization Information | Orignal scanned at 300 ppi on a Bookeye 3 scanner using internal software. Display images generated in CONTENTdm as JP2000s; file format for archival copy is uncompressed TIF format. |
Transcript | VOL. LIV. INDIANAPOLIS, IND., APRIL 22, 1899. NO. 16 %xpzxizncz Qzpixxtmmt. 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. |
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