The Chemawa American, January 01, 1946, Page 6, Image 6

6
THE CHEMA WA AMERICAN
Draining the Beaver Dam Land
On the Chemawa farm there are 75 acres of peat
soil formed by tlie filling with organic matter of
old Lake Labish. In the “swamp” stage a railroad
locomotive is said to have wrecked on the trestle
crossing Labish and disappeared never to be
recovered.
This swamp land was drained by means ol ex­
cavation of deep drainage ditches, with laterals
running from each side of the ditch. Use of drain­
age tile was discontinued in favor of 16-foot wood­
en boxes open on the bottom, the latter staying
in the loose soil much better.
This soil is rich in nitrogen but very low in
potassium so this must be added for good yields.
Weeds grow prolifically the year around on this soil.
Five acres of "Beaver Dam” land is considered in
this locality to make a full time job for one farmer,
and furnish him a satisfactory living. This gives
some idea of the work involved in properly caring
for this soil as well as it’s productiveness.
At Chemawa right now we are in the process of
re-boxing some of the lake bottom land. The old
boxes are rotted out and do not drain, the land again
becomes swampy, cold, and unproductive. Temper­
ature readings in the soil last summer showed a dif­
ference of 12 degrees between the well drained and
poorly drained land.
Another interesting feature of this soil is the fact
that it will readily burn. A cigarette butt carelessly
tossed aside may start a fire which will burn for
months and is most difficult to extinguish.—H enry
C. A bell .
• The First Americans were the first in the armed
forces. During the first 18 months the American In­
dian put more men per capita into our fighting for­
ces then any other racial group in the country.—
King Features.
• IDEAL CHEMAWA BOY
Smile
.....
Robert Kutch
Eyes
.....
Calvin Picard
Hair
.....
Reginald Tulee
Speech
....
Robert Eickmeyer
Teeth
.....
Robert Frye
Complexion
.
.
.
Harry Cooper
Physique
....
George Cagey
Personality
.
.
.
Gilbert Towner
B.T.O.
....
Gene Lahr
Bataan Hero Visits
David Berger, class of 1934, visited the campus
during the latter part of January. He had just been
discharged from the army and was headed for home
and the family at Dagmar, Montana. David was
captured at Bataan and experienced the horror of
the Death March and 3 years of Japanese prison
camps.
Gossip
Bernice Foster’s song is ffIts Been A Long, Long
Time.” Is it that delayed letter, Bernice?
We wonder why Minet and Virginia take a daily
trip around the block. Couldn’t be the bet with
your tablemates to lose three (3) pounds could it?
Why did Chuck Billings leave Gene Lahr on the
dance floor? Was it about Oliver, Chuck?
Do the stories vary on why so many boys are
campused? I ve heard three stories from the same
source.
Who is this Lew Miller that writes such interest­
ing letters, Elsie?
What was wrong with Marty’s shoes when she
came from Salem Sunday? Couldn’t have been on
backwards could they, Marty?
Who is this frRay Acuff’s singing star” we hear
so much about from Dumore? Is it Seattle or Al­
bany, N. Y.?
Spring will be a little late this year. Doesn’t that
upset your plans, Elinor and Bob?
Little and Phil looked so unhappy at the Mc­
Nary Hall house party, there wasn’t any interference
was there?
Who’s got eyes that sparkle like the lilies sprinkled
with dew. Annabelle Summers?
Spud would make a marvelous salesman, but his
prices!!
• IDEAL CHEMAWA GIRL
Smile
....
Charlene Billings
Eyes
.....
Susie Adams
Hair
.....
Jessie Miller
Speech
.
.
.
Virginia La Fromboise
Teeth
.....
Elinor John
Complexion
.
.
.
Phil Halfmoon
Physique
....
Elsie Grunlose
Personality
.
.
.
Bernita Hayward
B.T.O.
.
.
.
Minnetta Simmons