VOL. XV. SALEM, OREGON, FRIDAY, DECEMBERfe, 1883. " NO. 46.
ill DrresuDnncncE. ,ML'U w.uu uuu"1- oome Kina OI ?ss ahmsviu.k. or., n.. 24. issn.
I T "
How to Trap the Skunk.
Su.km, Dec. 20, 1883.
Editor Willamette Farmer :
The right 'way to trap a skunk is an
easy way; but how many farmers know
how to do it properly? I have an idea
of my own', and although it bids fair to
bo a "hard winter," I'll not keep the idea.
It is as follows:
Now, how to manage. Take any kind
of a steel trap (Xewliouse Xo. 1 is best),
fasten it to the end of a pole, or narrow
strip of board about 8 or 10 feet lo:i.
something light, that can be handle
easy. Set the trap anywhere the in
truder will be most likely to get in, say
in the barn, or at the doorstep. Tie the
opposite end of pole from which trap i
fastened to something that will hold the
skunk, or, drive a stake, being careful
not to set the trap where ho will wind
itp, as among tools2 near a bush, or such
like. During the night he will be caught.
Look at your trap eaily so as to spring it
before chickens get in if you should fail
to catch your skunk. If you have, him,
then don't go too near, and don't allow a
dog around or anything that will
frighten him, for ,a skunk never dis
charges his offensive odor at being
caught in a steel trap. He does not like
it himself. He wants to . keep his coat
clean, and will only use his 'weapon in
defense. Unfasten your pole gently,
then begin to draw him out of his.trap ;
work carefully; do not let any 'thing
touch him. After you are started, say a
rod, by dragging him after you then
you may walk fast, or run ; he will not
discharge. Go to the nearest deep water
and drown him, by leading him down in
and rolling the chain round the pole so
as to draw him under, being careful not
to hit him. If managed right one will
seldom discharge. Let him be under
water fully live minutes after he ceases
to struggle, then take him out and bury
him. If you leave him in the sun he
may still come to life. If you wish to
save his skin or oil. I will tell you how.
Begin'to cut and skin around the tail,
being carefnl to cut only skin deep, as
the two glands or sacks which hold all
the perfumo which aie about the size of
a wild plum, lie each side, and a little
under the root of tail. If you cut
through them it will spoil your knife and
drive you oft". As snon as you skin far
enough, cut the sacks out ; don't be
saving of meat round them. Dig a
hole and bury them a foot deep, then
complete your work as carelessly as you
wish, and no one will ever know or sus
pect yon have been handling skunks,
and the whole neighborhood will not
howl "tilde' a skunk around."
AXTI-Slirh.
Evergreen Millet Crop Outlook, Etc.
Ar.Msvn.i.E, Dec. 20, ISS::.
Kditor Willamette Farmer:
Having trial tho nmeli-.'ulvertNed
"Evergreen Millet.'' or Johnson grass, it
may interest your readers to learn of my
success, or failure. Last winter I en
deavored to proem e some seed for ex
periment from Portland, but was in
formed that tho supply was exhausted.
I afterwards obtained a handful fiom a
neighbor, who had been more fortunate
(or unfortunate) than myself. This I
sowed carefullv in drills, in March last
soil A Xo. 1 red-hi!l land. About one
half the seed came up in May and grow
very slowly until the warm, growing
weather set iu, when it made xa more
rapid growth, and finally, attained an
average height of three feet. I must do
this grass, or millet, tlve justice to say
that tilts was during our extremely dry
summer just past, and it wa6 on dry
hill land, and it would no doitbtdo bet
ter in a more favorable season, and,
also, on lower and moUtcr ground. It
produced some feeed, but the tir-t white
frost killed it to the ground. That set
tles it as winter pasture grass. The
roots are yet alive in the ground, and it
romaini to be seen what a freeze .will do
for them. If the poor thing survives the
winter I shall note what it does next
spring and Rummer; but I conclude
from present experience that it will
make it appearance late in the spring,
to be early killed in the fall, proving a,
summer plant only. Of its value a a
hay plant, further exjteriment,! is neees
aary. If iU roots prove perennial, and
iU atimmu growth can successfully
compete with fern, (torrel, wild oats, etc.,
and it turai off good crop of hay, i(
may do us some good. But I am har
mssed with doubt. Some kind of grass
that will succeed as a hay, and winter
pasture gars, on the wheat lands of the
red hills, is the grass now wanted in this
section. Orchard grass is better for
pasture than timothy, but is not as good
for hay. Mesquite grass makes a heavy
growth on low land, but is not good for
hay, but is not so well relished by stock
as a pasture grass; ne: her will bear haul
freezing. We have a native Blue grass
which is becoming quite common in
theso hills, which makes a fair pasture,
but is unproductive for hay. It is high
ly relished by stock ; makes a strong sod;
bears drouth, freezing and close crop
ping well ; is tenacious of life, but we
don't take kindly to it. It is too small
a producer. But it grows all winter in
sunny days, and under snow, in season
and out of season, and once started in a
field of Johnson grass, would probably
gobble that evergreen! while it was
asleep in the ground.
Winter wheat looks well better .than
usual at this season. Fall plowing is
well advanced, although rain is needed
to make it plow well, but the farmers
may do us some good. But I am har- The firt Farmer' Club. I Commencement at Willamette Unlveraryf A Bidden Treasure A Scrap of Mining- Hli
are keeping at it, and more than tho
inual acreage of Febiuary and spring
grain will be sown.
Henry Keixe.
Letter from Illinois.
HAitT-m'Risic, 111., Dec. 28, 1883.
Editor Willamette Farmer :
As I have not seen anything in the
Farmer from our State. 1 thought I
would write a few lities and contribute a
few items. After a fine dry fall we are
having real winter weather, with about
four inches of snow. Fanners are haul
ing in their corn. prettyTivcly, and it is
only worth 30 cents here, on account' of
the bad condition- of corn' this-year,
caused by a cold, wet, backward spring.
There is hut little dry, sound com in
this country, and it seems to be a pretty
general thing throughout the States.
We had but little corn in Illinois lat
year that would grow, and I think then
will be less this year. The majority of
the corn that was shipjied in lieu- for
seed did not do well.
Our oat crop was good: w licit only
about half a crop ; grass good ; vegetables
fair, the potato crop being abundant ;
fruit scarce.
I like the discretion given of Oregon
and Washington through your most ex
cellent pappr; I think the best means
possible to learn all about a country is
to take and lead a good, reliable paper
fiom the same. I believe that Oregon
and Washington is destined to make a
fine country in the near future. You
seem to have all the resources that is
necessary to make it rich, and a pleasant
climate.
I will write again some time in the
.future. Your? fraternally,
IAto Sm:imoni.
CtANGE ELECTIONS.
Salem, Dec. 27, 1SS:J.
Kditor Willamette Farmer:
Marion County Pomona Grange has
elected officers for 1884 as follows :
D.m'l Claik. M.; K. H. Bellinger, O.;
.1. Yoorhee-, Lecturer; 1). II. Lafollett,
S.:W. M. Hilleary. A. S.; A. .Stephens,
Chap.; F. J!. Smith, Trea-. ; K. Stiong,
Sec; K. Kimsey, G. K. ; Martha A.
Minto, I'omona: Pherne .Strong, Flora;
Irene L. Hilleary, Ceres; .1. M. Kim-ey,
L. A. S.; who will be installed on the
3rd of January. ,
The Salem Grange has also elected
officers for 1J84, to nit : K. Strong. M.;
G. G. Glenn, O. ; Dan'l Clark, L. ; F. R.
Smith, S.; M. Halbert, A. S. ; .1. 1'. Kob
erton, Chap.; I., Johnson, T.; A.
Stephen, See,; S. G, .Tugli, (I. K.;
I'herne Strong, I'.; Mary J. Lousignont,
Flora; Martha .1." Miller. Ceres; Ellen
Bagley, L. A. S. The officers elect of
Salem Grange will be installed on the
fith of January. K. Sntov..
What Will Curt Want on Borate.
I'jEAut.M Hill, Or., Dee. -24, ISA'1.
Kditor Willamette Farmer;
I have, friend -one of your nb-crib
is who i detiroun to eee a chip for
wartc on hor-es. In tliifc case one is on
the hursea bie&ct, and the other on the
heath. Shouh you, or any of your
many reader, know a cure, please nuli
liih it in thf" Fa Kin.it and greatly oblige
A Simst'UiiiKB.
Xon:. We will endeavor to gie a
remedy for this case in our next issue.
The practical exjiericnce of any reader
will be ehcrfiilly puMiahcd. Kniroii.
Aumsviu.e, Or., Dc. 24, 1883.
Editor Willamette Farmer.
A Farmers' Club has been organized
here under favorable auspices. It holds
its regular meetings on tho first Satur
day of each month at one o'clock, 1. M.,
at Kiene's school house.
We have also a regular old-fashioried
debating club running at the same place
and meeting on Tuesday evening of
each week where all the boys both old
and young take a hand.
IIus'uy Kinxn.
Xotk. This is the first club we hoar
of as forming to carry out tho sugges
tions of Prof. Grim, of tho State Agri
cultural College, as published in the
Fakmkii. These Farmers' clubs are ac
complishing great good in tho Eastern
States and we feel sure they will be found
to be not only pleasant re-unions but
profitable as an interchange of experi
ences and experiments. Eon ok.
Tan Bark, Tannin;, and Tanneries.
The Curry county Post, says:
A correspondent writes to the Wil
lamette Fakmki; asking if there are any
trees in Oregon that will produce tan
bark. Of 001110, there is any quantity
of tlicm. There aie vast forests of
Sarchen Oak in Curry county that will
yield tan bark inferior to none in the
world. And further, a . large portion of
these forests are situated on vacant lands
that can lie had under the homestead
and pre-emption laws, and when cleared
of its timber, will make excellent farms
or pastures.
The Atorian not long since told of
the amount of hemlock and other trees
that were about the mouth of the Co
lumbia which- have -bak. necessary-for
this business. It has been a wonder to
us that while there has been such un
excess of cattle in times past, that there
has not been more tanning dono in this
country. We believe thcro aro fewer
tanneries in operation now than there
were twenty years ago. Of two sets of
vats we knew of in Salem that didn
nourishing business many years ago
none remain; they are now useless and
gone to decay. In those times California
used our leather and found it first-class
in every re-pect. Tanning in its vari
ous detail, neceary to the manufac
turer, is a very haul and diity bu-ines.,
but i- a good paying business, and
leather is necessary to civilization, and
always commands cash, it is an article
that is not dependent upon fashion,
therefore is without fluctuations, in mar
ket. Xewer ways of tanning may have
taken the place of the old, to some de
grees, and the process does not require
as gre.it a length of time, since ingredi
ents h.we been found that hasten th
curing of hides, yet nothing, wo believe,
has been found that will allow the dis.-u-e
of tan barks for perfect finishing.
The Bed Scale Bug.
A coi:iieI"ONiii:xt of the Oregon Sen
tinel, from Applegate, says :
"More fruit trees are being planted
this fall than ever before, and my opin
ion iB that most people that bought of
the California fruit trees .will yearlong
faces another year, for the fruit trees J
have seen from there are not to bo com
pared with those grown on Applegate,
both in roots; and beauty and smooth -netsof
stalk, and further how do they
know Imt what they have imported that
terrible pest, the 'Keel Scale Bug' and
pei haps other diseases that time will
never cfl'ace from our fair country. So
in the futuie patronize 'home industry'
and let their fruit agents alone."
Xot only will the Red SrHle Bug get
among our trees, but every other noxious
insect that is mentioned in that climate
aa favorable to in-ect life. We hae
teen the real codling moth, iu several
localities in the Willamette Talley, which
came from infected fruit that wae ship
ped to Portland from California gradu
ally this fearful pM has worked its way
,to Marion county. The Fah.mei: gae
warning of this year ago, and urged
that a bill should Ls.' passed in our Legis
lature to preent the introduction of
diseased fiuit and trees to Oregon.
Hcarlet fever and typhoid feer hac
disappeared from AMnrin. also from
rMiem.
An endeavor will be mnde to gt Dr.
F. S. Hoyt to deliver the BaccaJaurciUc
sermon at the close of the scJfool year.
Dr. Hoyt was connected wifli tho old
"Oregon Institute" as earlyhs 18o.'l, and
wast much beloved and reSJiected by the
students. We believe tbfc idea will meet
with hearty approbation, and will draw
together many of tharold scholars, thus
making it an event for a happy reunion
of pld timers. Wchavc no doubt but
Dr. Hoyt, will be glad to visit us, as wo
have heard that he retains a warm
memory of his early life in Oregon, and
hap regretted that ho did not remain
among us.
A Talking Dos How a Bad Boy cot away
with the Old Man's Money.
Away among the Waldo Hills lives a
family by the name of Smith. There is
nothing singular about the name,
though a single member qf that vast
family has succeeded in making it fain
ous. This is how ho did it. Theie was
a strong supply of juvenile Smiths, the
atmosphere of the I lill naturally tend
ing that way ; tho ' first parties " being
noways backward in coming forward.
The eldest son was Tommy a promis
ing boy of ten years. (We were going
to say summers, or spring, but he was
too "tough" for a spring chicken.) But
to get at the dog. One day Tommy
brought home a mangy looking canine,
whose, only recommendation to the con
sideration of superior humanity was
th'e eparsity of its coat and its extreme
youth. When Tommy brought that
dog Jioine the old man bucked like
thunder. Said be, "I gues we have
plenty of children to feed without
adopting pnrps." But Tommy had re
ceived a first-clas public school educi-i
tion, and had never failed to observe as
letrvoleL-JEIe knewjjisdaddy to a
bean. " Pnpai" said he, .you're apt to
get fooled on that dog; he don't lo 't
much, but he comes of a breed tlirf
talks." The word " talks," and in bis
mind's eye laid out a beautiful future
for that purp. Tommy, seeing his ad
vantage, lost no time in following up
the game. ' I hnow a man," said he,
"who lies near Sublimity, who says he
can train this dog to talk in six weeks.
However, he cliaiges like thunder for
Ieshons; but to tell you, Dad, talking
dogs N as scarce as Chrfstmas pre-ents
on tbo Fouith of July." This caught
the old man Iwtwen wind and water, and
at Tommy's advice he put up a cool $20
for the fust two weeks' liMoni-'. The ttvo
weeks passed, and Tommy came ainund
for the next assessment. The boy had
interviewed tho dog, and reported the
progress toward conversation to be good
enough to warrant tin- outlay of an
other "double eagle."
The old man put up the twenty with
a blank confidence seldom met with in
this degenerate age. J fe only ltmarked,
"Tommy, I guess that dog will lie fixed
for a side show ne.t w ek, eh '''' Toiinn.'
wasuot certain as to whether the educa
tion could be finished at such short no
tice, but said he would go and sin the
trainer, speak with the dog, and repuit
progress. He came back with the r.id
news that $30moie was requiied before
the brute could be turned out as pcrfict
Forty dollars had aheady liccn spent,
and it seemed a pity to let the thing go
by default for the extra SHI), so the old
man put up once nioie.
The six weeks passed, and the pater
dispatched Tommy to bring home the
now educated dog. Tommy started early
in the dn, and the whole of the Smith
family was naturally on the qui ive for
the result. The hands of the old Dutch
clock weie watched with an amount of
anxiety that they neerhad been befoie.
At lat the boy's footstep was heard on
the stoop, and Tommy cnternl. Alas'
there was no dog. The old man went
for him bald-headed. "Whar's, that
dog?" said 'he. But Tommy, with a
peculiar motion of his right linger and
no-e drew his father from the family
eiicle, and thus explained "I got the
dog, father, and was walking him along
the railroad track towards home, when
he pulled up and .said, just ft" natural
a life, "Well, how's thii.gs''' At fnt I
was. sort of atoninhrd. but whn I be
gan to think how he'd been trained, hi
talk seemed to come natural. 'How'
tlie old man?' ho said. At this fmiliar
us- of your identity I bristled up and
aked, 'Do j on mejii my ddv' Of
course I mean him. replied the canine,
'and doc ho still LU- that red-head d
servant girl like he ntd to do'1 Thi
was too much for me father, nd I up
with a plffewf an iion rail and knocked
his brain out." "You did quite right,
my son," said theoM man, as he quietly
slid a fnedollar piece into his ton's
hand. Iii future eon't liotbcr with
talking dogs; so ke-p muni on the sitls-
jOi't.'
As yet few people have an idea of
tho extonsiveness of tho new discoveries
in tho Cteur d'Alono mountains. From
what information wo can obtain, says
tho Walla Walla Union, of old minors
the mineral district is much more ox
tended than reports make it. The mines
arc located in the Cnuir d' Aleno moun
tains, but they aro outside of the Prit
chard district. Tho first assay thowed
$9.41 in silver and a trace of gold. The
second assay showed $t!3 in silver and
!fl.S4 in gold. The third .$183.01 silver
and $7.20 in gold. Tho rock is free mill
ing ore and the mines are 30 miles this
side of the " new diggings."
The Cn'Ur d'Aleno mines now known
as Fritchard and Kagle creek, were, dis
covered by a man named Mulligan over
five years ago. After discovering the
mines Mulligan enlisted with himself a
California miner named Irwin. Mulli
gan claimed to havo discovered a silver
mine of famous wealth, and nlso 100
acres of placer diggings that would pay
$2.1 per day to the man. Mulligan went
to Lewiston and had a district recorded
known as the Mulligan district. When
Mulligan came to this city ho indulged
in quite a spreo and suddenly doparted
for Wallula. He was lost track of then
and was not heard of again until ho
reiohcd Chicago, wnf'o ho tried to in
terest capital to come to his aid in de
veloping his discoveries. Ho suddenly
dropped from sight there and has novor
beeniieard of since. When Mr.McCoy
first went to the mines he remembered
Mulligan's description, which hojhnd
written in a book. Taking these along
he found them to tally exactly with the
topography of tho country and land
marks, even as to projecting boulders,
broken trees, stumps, etc. Mr. McCoy
and others intend going on a search for
the "Hidden Treasure Silvery Mine,"
of which they have a minute doscrip
tion as to location, etc. During Mr.
McCoy's last visit to the mines ho fol
lowed the directions as laid down by
Mulligan and as far as he went he found
them correct excepting that tho mine
was not theie, although (he surround
ings were minutely described. Mr.
McCoy left for tho mine yesterday and
during his present stay there ho will
further prosecute his search. It remains
to b -1 en whether Mulligan told half
a lie or not.
The N. P. Refrlgorator Car Co.
Weun deistmid the noees-siry arrange
ments have been made for the purchase
of sixty acres of land near the mouth of
Three Mile for the ejection of the works
of the Itefriecrator Car Co. which will
be ended in the early spring. So says
The Dalle" Mountaineer. These will
consist of sfoek pens, slaughter houses
and other buildings. It is expected
that about 200 men will be given con
stant employment, and as their base of
supplies will be The Dalles, it will add
materially to our growth. There will
be no necessity for any other slaughter
hoH-e- to be anywhere around th't city,
as the company epc1 to purchase all
the beef cattle in this section. Ily means
of a cold ciurentof air, the meat will be
kept in a nice state of pre- rvation, and
the dealer can procure his side or quar
ter of litef or mutton as he may have
occa-ion to u quire. Kven in the 110 .'est
days 0 summer, animal food is kept in
iich a cool atmiispheie in the refrigerat
ing cars that it can be eanied hundreds
of mile-, and appear as fif., as when
111 st put in The same can lie stated of
fish, poultry, and vegetables; and when
it is tal; 11 into consideration, the large
number of salmon which could be ship
ped to Ka-ttin niarke's fiom this -oion,
it will be understood what a great ad
vantage they, will Ik to this city.
Last County At rlcultural Society
Fiom the Kugene State
l'Mrn that this oixuety held
Journal we
a meeting
rwenllj dud iijipointed committees from
different localities to ascertain and re
port what inducements could I offered
in tli' way of providing the free use of
ground for track, pavilliou, camping
ground, tc for holding the Third
Annual County Fair. Following are
the committee Kugen S.H. Friend
l.. I.. D. Smith, John Stuart, F. M. Wil
kins and ItobtllaveM. Cottage Grove
J C WalU.e, K.WAVhipple and O. Knot.
Spnngrield A, D. Burton, M. If, Harlow
and II. F. l'owei. Cresswcll Boscoe
Knox, W.J.J. Scott and St ve Martin.
Junction J. X. Kdwardi. I. S. Swear
ingen and J.is, Milliron. Irving 1. D.
Gibron, J.C .lenningi and Sam Howard.
Siilaw .l.AJ. Crow, Geo. Lambeth and
W. I. Coleman. Pleasant Hill J. It.
Seller and .lo-iah f alli-ou.
Coxohrss l.s evidently studying the
all-important question how not to do itf
Thcro is a barrel full of bills on hand
and among tho thousands introduced it
will Ikj rather difficult to decido which
shall bo taken hold of and pushed
through. Tho political measures will all
bo handled with extreme caro and
touched lightly. Tho presidential elec
tion is too near for comfort. Elastic
consciences and slim purses at times ex
ist in Congress even. Tho ruling prin
ciplo will In) to do nothing that can react
and hurt tho party that dares to meddle
with it. Thero is tho tariff", but all havo
conservative views on tariffs just now
and will not meddlo with anything, ex
cept it be to comfort the wool growers a
little by restoring tho wool duty. Farm
ers have votes and it wont do to trifle with
the wool growers. Then thero aro the
National banks, and Congressmen own
moro or less bank stock. So it is dubi
ous if the banks suffer this winter. We
havo a superabundant revenue, also, and
how to cut it down is the difficulty.
Thero are so many sides to tho revenue
question that wiso as Congressmen aro
they cannot decide where to begin to
take off taxes. So wo go on collecting a
hundred millions moro rovenuo than wo
havo actual use for. Tho public land
question is of much actual importance, ;
especially as to reclaiming the land
grants that aro forfeited whero tho com
panies havo no intention of doing the
work. Thcro may bo some that pressnt
claims for continuance but those cases
nliould bo carefully examined to see if
the object of tho grant is still worth what
it will cost. It will be better to have
tho grants revert to tho govornment, of
course, but take the caso of tho Oregon
and California road, that is a public ne
cessity and very costly. That company
has issued bonds on the strength of tl.e
grant nnd so has got the credit to con
tinue the work. But there is more dan
ger that Congress, will continue grants
that are undeserving tlian they will re
voke any that are deserving. The nation
has not much faith in Congressional ac
tion in favor of public interests and there
aie lobbyists always on baud to place
ImhmIh and stocks "where they will do tho
most good" . to the corporations.
Now 'iiiA'rO'Dounell is dead and gone,
another "martyr to Irish liberty," wo
must concede that the best thing wo
know of him was that he died in a man
ful way. His career is not especially
noteworthy or praisow rthy. He claimod
American citizenship and it was inti
mated that ho had Ik en a I'nion soldier.
It waspiousl that he km traseliiig at
sea with a woman who pacd as Irs
wife, but who went off with another man
as soon as O'Donnell was in limbo. He
drank whiskey and was an Irish patriot,
whodiauk and talked Irish politics with
Carey, the informer, mid one day, when
whisky'iitnd patriotism were both in
excess, he accu-ed C.uey of licing the
mauhewas ami pretended not tobe, apd
shot him dead. It was not to O'Donnell's
credit that he filled the role wedescriltcd.
As U killing Carey, that is nothing
creditable either; although ho will go
down to posterity as an Irish martyr,
while in fact he was only 1111 Irish mur
derer, Carey infoimedas to tho niur
dercrs of IJurke and Ccumdisb, which
weie liouible n I lairs, rind always will Im
blots 011 the Irish character. So far Im
did good woik, but the world despises
an informer, and the Irish world, especi
ally, U sure to hale inch a one.
St r.-ciuiiHis will plea-e buy a postal
note or send by regi-teied letter to 11
direct. Don't pay it lo any one else but
remit to u. We will semi a receipt
bowing; exactly how their dates stand
on our books. We cannot pay agents,
for the price i as low as we can afford
to publish the Wii.lamktti: Fhmek.
Terms, one ymir f2 IX); K months,
1 2.V
The hm.-t candies of domestic man
iiiHCture at Amos Strong', Commercial
atrret, Salem. Oriiauieiitu for ChrUt
ma trees, toy candies, etc. " "