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About The Corvallis gazette. (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899 | View Entire Issue (April 6, 1894)
THlOOK V ALUS GAZETTE, FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1894. TiArtnrTir 4 n uricsfm ma 4- OOEER HABITS OF THESE WILY AND TROUBLESOME UTTLE RODENT3. nialr pepredatlona In Cornfields and Veg etable Patches They Are Easily Caught In Spite of Much Canning Undermined by Canal Building. Of all the queer creatures, including crawfish, turtles, bullfrogs, etc., wbiob Infest the shores of the Potomac near Washington, affording sport to small ,--w-f toys gifted with an appetite for the tfaase, not least interesting is the musk rat. Moskrats, though timid animals, seek the neighborhood of human habitations. l, Xhy have learned that the presence of v dian assures them an abundance of food, , " v while at the same time their natural -enemies are fewer. Hereabout they Boorish, being to a great extent undis turbed. They are not destroyed by farm ers, though in certain regions they are dreaded enemies of agriculture. Of corn tbey are extravagantly fond. They will eat it at any stage of its growth the Beed from the ground, tho young plant from the furrow or the "roasting ear" from the stalk. They visi the cornfield at night, cut ting down the 6talks and carrying away the juicy ears. Afctiraos streams flow ing through "bottom lands" where this cereal is cultivated aro fairly covered with floating stalks the result of the nocturnal forays of those vermin. In or der to make the flinty grains tender they will sometimes deposit tho ears in wa ter for two or three days. These ani mals are fond of many kinds of vegeta bles, robbing apple ore bards and patches of turnips and parsnips. In winter and early spring they subsist in great part on the flesh of river massela. Probably they are driven by hunger to this diet of shellfish. Records of thi3 habit are preserved ia the banks of many canals, where alter nate deposits of shells cleaned by musk rats and of sediment may be seen in places reaching to a depth of some feet. The means by which the animal obtains the mussel from its shell has been much discussed. Probably it is often done by inserting the paws or toeth between the Valves and tearing thorn apart. If the moilusk cannot be caught unawares, the edges of the shell are broken by means of the teeth. The heavier species of mussels, it is believed, are carried out upon the bank and left until they became weak or die, when the valves can be easily separated. . - KoskraU, yoa see, are vety clever oreaiurea. Farmers attribute to tUcut '-' appetite for yoang ducks, but it is probable that tbey are wrongly credited witb a destrnctioa actually committed by "tart lee. These rodents are very unsuspicious and are easily captured. Many of them are killed by means of poisoned apples or-.tnrnips placed near their burrows. One of the most effective traps for them la a barrel without ends placed upright v near the bank of a stream, so as to be about half filled with water. Inside of It -upon the water are put grass and weeds with seme pieces of parsnips. Every night the barrel is likely to cap ture from one to half a dozen musk rats. When a rat gets inside, it is impossi ble, owing to tho depth of tho water, for it to stand upon its hind legs and cut a hole in ,.the 6taves above water line. At tho same time it cannot get out at the top. When several are taken the same night, a fight usually ensues, resulting in the death of all of the cap tives either by the sharp teeth of their companions or by drowning. The musk rat is very ferocious when cornered. Its worst enemy, next to man, is the dog. Hawks, owls, foxes and mink all prey upon it. These rodents have sometimes been found in the stomachs of large cat fish, but the fishes were so tainted with the flavor of the food as to be unfit to eat ' ' With the building of canals in vari ous parts of tho country has oOtne a change in the life of the muskrats in many localities. They have actually abandoned to a great extent the streams to take up their habitations along the banks of these artificial waterways. No doubt they realize the greater security afforded them from floods and other dangers. These animals will rarely oc cupy banks of gravel or sand, preferring loam or light clay. Advantage has been taken of this fact by railways, which so long as they construct banks of giavel and keep them free from vegetable growth are rarely bothered by the ro dents. Otherwise great damage is done, the burrows caving in, undermining the tracks and doing other injury. . In early spring the greatest damage . is done. With the alternate freezing and thawing at that time of the year the coverings of the underground pas sages fall in, exposing cavities of sur prising extent to one who does not know the amount of subterranean work these animals are capable of doing. Much vigilance with eyes and ears is often re quired to prevent such caving from causing disastrous injury to propezty. The burrows commonly extend into the bank for a distance of from 10 to 30 feet.' ' There are usually two openings from which passages lead backward and npward from the stream very crooked ly. Tbey end in a large gallery, which is the home of the muskrat, Washing ton Star. ('- Tidal Vsi The question whether there be each a thing aa a tidal wave I onoe asked the captain cf an Atlantic liner. - "Oh, yea, " be answered; "we keep a tidal wave for the passengers and the newspa pers. If yon want to know what it real ly is, I will tell yon. It is when a pow erful ship is driven through a head sea at each speed that before she can clear herself of one big wave she is into a sec ond.' ' The second and first together are too much for the ship, and she carries away a deckhouse or bridge or a boat or two. That is a 'tidal wave.' " Cor. New York Tribune. -, '. ( , - How Ho Felt. It is told of one of the most austere bishops of tho American Episcopal church that once when catechizing a class of boys he called attention to the disobedience of Jonah and the conse-j quent punishment. To enforce the. lee-1 ion he said in a stern way, "And, nowf boys, .how did Jonah feel when the whale swallowed him?" One brightj lad answered, "I think he felt down in the mouti," Philadelphia Press. THE MILLIONTH OF A SECOND.' rhis Astonishingly Small Amoant of Time Measured by Electricity. Instantaneous photography has made us familiar with the fact that very mi nute subdivisions of time are possible.' Successful negatives are now frequently taken where exposure lasts only the one thonaandth part of a 'second. But at the first blush -the statement that a single tick of the clock the three thousand six-hundredth part of an hour can be divided into millionth soema almost incredible, so infinitesimal is the fraction of time to bo determined. This is a scientific age, and science is nothing if it is not exact. Man has measured and weighed the abysses of the great oceans that cover three-fourths of the surface of oar migratory planet and can give approximately the number of drops of water and grains of sodium chloride of which it is made up. He has also computed the size, meas ured the distances and analyzed the composition of stars so distant U3 to be not even visible to the naked eye. Aft er this it requires a very bold or a very ignorant individual to set any limit to human ingenuity. That extremely minute fractions of time could be accurately determined was incidentally discovered by a cele brated electrician while making some famous experiments with regard to tho velocity of electricity. For the purpose of his experiment he caused an electric discharge from a Ley den jar to be sent through half a mile of copper wire with a break in the cen tei. This gave rise to three sparks, which were reflected m a rapidly rotat ing mirror revolving at tho enormous rate cf 800 times a second. The position of tho sparks in the mir ror showed that tho central spark was slightly out of line, or was slightly re tarded as compared with tho other two, which were strictly simultaneous. The mirror, therefore, had moved forward somewhat while tho electric charge w&s traveling through the quarter of a mile of wire to the central break. The difference between the position of the sparks was found to be one-fourth of a-degree, and as the mirror revolved through SCO degrees in the one eight-hundredth of u second the actual retardation of the central epr.rk amounted to the one one million one hundred and fifty-second thousandth part of a second only. This is the smallest fraction of time- ever determined. It is obvious that by simply lengthening the wire through which the electric discharge is sent less minute fractions of time can be accu rately determined In a similar manner. If It takes an electric discharge the ono-tnillaonth part of a second to travel over one-qtiartez mile of wire. It takes four times as long to journey a mile, or, to be exact, the two hundred and eighty eighth thousandth port of a second. In other words, electricity travels 288,000 miles per second. It is by tho above method scientists have been able to ascertain the velocity cf electricity and duration of electric flash, the speed and duration of light ning, the velocity of light and much other valuable information respecting the pioperties of these forces of nature. Boston Globe. The Trade In Maino Ashes. "Maine burns more firewood to keep warm winters thau any other eastern state," Gays a Maine man who has been In the business. "The wood is of bettor quality and makes better ashes than can be collected in Massachusetts or New Hampshire, and there's a sharp demand for Maine ashes in the ' middle and southern states for agricultural pur poses. Great quantities are used in Massachusetts also. There are a num ber of dealers in Boston. who make a business of collecting ashes through Maine for shipment. Carloads and.car Voada of them go out of the state by rail yearly, and shiploads are sent to Florida end Georgia, where they want the best hard wood article. They send north phos phate rock, and we send them ashes, and the trade is a benefit to both sec tions. "There are some parts of Maine de nominated 'prime by the dealers, be cause they are in hard wood, maple and birch regions and do uot burn much soft wood. - In some of these localities there is a sharp competition in the business. Leached ashes from the potash and soap factories used to be shipped mostly, but they've gone out, and dry ashes are wanted. So much is this the case that one potash man I knew, a dishonest fel low, dried bis leached ashes and shipped them as unleached. The potashes and local soap factories of Maine are ran under by the demand for dry ashes and are going out of business. Probably the day is not far distant when dealers in Portland, Bangor and other Maine towns will look after this trade and do the shipping direct from Maine ports to the southern states. There is a large profit in it, if I am not mistaken." Lewiston Journal. John Raskin's Home. Brantwood, the chosen lakeside home of John Ruskin daring the last quarter century of his life, occupies one of the most favored spots in all England. Sit uated on the border line of Lancashire and Cumberland In the lake district, it overlooks the smallest of the waters in that ''lake country" with which the names of Wordsworth, Southey, Cole ridge, Lamb, Lloyd and Wilson are in-' delibly connected. - Set in the background of a half encir cling wood of exquisite grace and mys tic beauty, as seen in the green half light of Its tranquil shade, Brantwood is protected from the east winds by the open, rising moorland that stretches far to the rear and faces a long slope of lawn that sweeps down to Coniston water's edge. Behind the green and purple moor the water, of its overflow ing wells runs swiftly down the rocks with all the fuss of a real cascade, and. the exalted rock of "Naboth" rises just beyond the borders of his estate a sort of natural pulpit which is rented by Buskin, so that from its greater height, which be loves to climb, he may gaze upon the wider view. In front the' nar row lake, sparkling in the snn and blue as the waters of the Rhone or of Thnn. Then the rising banks beyond of broken green, with white faced houses h link ing behind the trees, and the gray vil lage of Coniston nestling away to the right, close down by the head of the lake, and beyond the "Old Man" him self towers above the smaller hills that rise close about his knees. McClure's Magazine, j Nature should be assisted to throw off Impurities of the blood. Nothing does it so well, so promptly, or so safely" as Swift's Specific. CURES '. mmm.': P0!S0M LXFISHAXt NO CSARMS. L For three years I was troubled with mala-' rial poison, which caused my appetite to fail, and I was greatly reduced in flesh, and life lost all its charms. I tried mercurial and potash remedies, but to no effect. I could i gt-tno relief. .1 then decided to try A few bottles of this wonderfu medicine made a complete and permanent cure, ana a now enjoy Detterneaita wan evsr. J. A. Kick, Ottawa, Kan. . Onr book on Blood and Skin Diseases mailed free. Swift Bpboltio Co., Atlanta, Ga, J- 'A C AUTHORS, Heal Instate, l.isoraoce and CoIIeclion Agency. Curvallfs, Orrjron, GREATLY REDUCED RATES J3-Z- 'tecs FOR THE . CALIFORNIA R3TJND TRIP TICKETS Good for 30 Bays, LBANY.'To" AN FRANCISCO And Return 82'6.o6pV- IncldEng FIVE Cat Tickets to tho Fair. FROM ' San Francisco tc Other Points In California will he allowed juirchnsers of special Midwinter Fair tickets AT THE FOLLOWING ROUND TRIP RATES: TO STATIONS UNDER 150 MILES FROM SAN FRANCISCO, ONE AND ONE-THIRD one-way fare. . TO STATIONS 150 MILES OR MORE FKOM SAN FRANCISCO, ONE AND ONE-FIFTH one-way faro. For exact rates and full information, in quire of C. K. FRONK, Agent at Albany, Oregon. Or address the undersigned. RICH'D GRAY, T. H. GOODMAN, Gen. Traffic Manager. Gen. Puis. Ag't San Francisco, Cal. e. p. kogehs, AmsL Uen. F. & P. Ai(t, Portland, Or. THRO' TICKETS falt Lake, Denver. Omaha. Kansas - City, Chicago, St. Louis . AND ALL Easter Cities. DAYS TO CHICAGO Hours Hours The Quickest to Chi cago and the East. Quicker to Oraaha & Kansas -City. Pullman and Tourist Sleepers, Free reclin ing Chair Cars aud Dining Cars. S. H. H. CLARK, OLIVER V. MINK, V RECEIVERS. KELLERY ANDERSON. : For rates and general Information call on or address W. H. HURLBURT, Asst. Genl. Pass. Ps-is. Ag. 254 Washington Street, cor. Third. , PORTLAND. OA. Rheumatism, Lumbago, Sciatica Kidney Complaints. Lame eacK, otc EE. SAKBEM TRIC BELT With Electro-Magnetic SUSPENSORY Latest Pateat I BttltiMii -Win cure without medicine all Wwssms rerolttnsr from OTer-t&xatlon of brain net-re forces t exoaarn or indis cretion, as nervous debility, sleeplessness, lan poor, rheumatism, kidney, liver and bladder complaints lame back, lumbago, sciatica, all female oomplaints. AlArtrto Belt contains irraan-nu ftapronsMnls (rrer all otnen. Lnjrreu im Instantly felt by wearer or we forfeit t,0OO.0, and will care all of the abore diseases or no pay. Thpo. sands hare been enred far this marreloua mvenUoo after aU other remedies failed, and ws irlT hundreds vt teBHmoniais in cms ana sreryotner ecase. Our Pmerral latpra'ed XLICTRIC SCSPFHSOKT. the trraatest boon erer offered weak men, FRKK wick aU Belli. Health ass Yifmw SMaatt OTARillTKED la apt 04a Send forliWd Pamphlet, mailed. ma led, trea fc. SANDEN ELECTRIO CO., -ko. UaiMatret,FOBTIAJlA OB i Midwinter -F 02 'S ELEC BO WEN LESTER, - OfficQ upstairs over First National Bank. STRICTLY FIRST-CLASS WORK GUARANTEED CoryalHs Oregon. ; j a c vt? v Sir fY ri 'PP QTT? TYT i Aa V KOinui, ' - - ' . Rlarksmitnincr HnrRG&irfRirfl'. And Wagon-Making, ksiuht's old stasd, jcORVALLIX. - OREGON. . I All work ia the line doue promptly and ! satisfaction Knarantoed. ' ! The "Imperial" is the Most Popular, Best Constructed, Finest Finished, The Cheapest Bicycle Manufactured. .Will furnish you Illustrated GAZETTE NEWS AMY, Receives Subscriptions for all the Leading Periodicals at Publishers Prices. Circulating .-Library in Connection. (fozETTE Stationery $TorT) Keeps on Hand a Well-Selected Stock of PLAIN mo FANCY STATIONERY, PENS, , Pencils, School Supplies, Etc. Hard Times Prices. , The regular subscription price of THE CORYALLIS GAZETTE is $2.00 Per Year, THE REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION PRICE OF THE WEEKLY OREGONI AN ' is $1.50 Per Year. Anyone subscribing for THE GAZETTE? and paying one year in advance can get both THE GAZETTE and .' THE WEEKLY OREGONIAN ONE YEAE FOR $2.50. t nt ?l Cy ' t " ' ' " UlU OLID SC I I D 6 :r come a before placing you NOT BK UNDEKSOLD. We have the Best List of Varieties and an 'Stock to SeJeCt from. Write lor Catalogue fox us to price. Most Durable And at the some time Catalogue free on application. FayiaiT their subscription one year PS tivaM will U entitled to tbia offer. anil Oinamentel Usee us -"a h e a WILL i'7i77r0- lLi U 'lO Immense 5!' ' ind send lis! of "wnnls" """"--- BROWNELI & MASON, re Q-EOWEESi OB1 Fruit, Stodeo Rc Grapevines. He r a nei.enuino ch Peach and tho Corfu Tenrtan PRUNE ie-haJf juile west Growing Stock, j. d. All Steed! 05 and Vigorous, j SX Mendijip Purchasers ccd other intmstfdcreiiNitedto call at one-balf iwile west of Corvailis and Cifr' : Shoe KRAUSSE, BROS.? Ladies, Muses' and Children's Fine bhoes AWDrSLIPPERS. Leaders in Latest Styles and Lowst Price. W. WEIGHT, Manager, - Corrallis, Oregon. 5fod Jff all, Plain and $ancS OonfcfioncriG,7c rapi. uDmi. c:i ii IGIflVKZ 1J"tw Arthur," and a Come in when Hungry and get a TANGENT Founded W. H. SETTLEMIER, qiO . I those ws!,,,,g to plant frmt trees of any variety, I wooid call tpecial Shrnti 5 V- my JJr8e,?t0Sk f r,0itV Sha',e' Dd n.e..Ud Trees, FloKer" t ,11 it fi d V,uef'anle l elected ,-tocfe of Ewp.,, l'rnr.e treei vi Ul ho Fili al yi,,'k,,tl'nfe- ?pecial nurea ou Jare Our trees are it T7- resI)eet "n(1 ,"e free of insect ,.et8. HavinR heeU eug.ged aelect the best frnxt, adapted for this climate. Send for Catalogue Ld Prl L,8t to H. W. SETTLEMIRE, Talent, Lieu Co.,,Or. E. B. HOBMJMG'S GE0CEaY. UTTLE BARGAIN. HOUSE. AT THIS STORE YouTcan procure nt flimZ2SiZ!!.0Fm comPetion- nrJynHnetoM"ndiPUrChnSeG,WSWareVChiDft Fru!ts' Nut8' cverythls mi TEAS, Spices, C0PPEESi All Cround for Customers. Free of Charge. a..h:qdes,iF" LEADING DEALER e and Fancy Groceries. -A. NICE LINE OF Pipes, Tobaccos and Smokers' Articles. Hlehest Market Price for Country Produce, Store Albany. Orezon. wmm Health: porous. !RY CO.; won- !-$3- TH X Jvifirtfll-nrr Tr ir. ! .r Grounds examine of Corvailis CLRK, Mana - - ampion" "UeJmont," "General full line of Smnbre' A,-f;,-w Lunch any hour of the day. NURSERY. In JG57.- Pkcfkietob. all times Choice Groceries, freh tft 1 havejust received a fresh supply o rem eupply of Bpi IN ALL KINDS OF for Stationery. Store.
