Basket-Willow Growing I INDUSTRY BEING FOSTERED BY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. : BY ELLIOTT MITCHELL. Secretary Wilson’s statement that there are no bad acres in the United States is again brought to light through the efforts of the Department of Agriculture tp induce more general attention to the culture of the basket willow. There are very many farms In tills country which contain some low land, and through which runs a small stream. This portion of the farm is too often allowed to run to waste, dense growths of weeds and scrub prospering in the rich, moist soil, and tlie locality rarely visited by the farmer except when in search of some stray cattle winch have come down to the brook for a drink. Although introkluced In this country as curly us 1810, willow growing in, America occurs only in restricted lo­ calities throughout a relatively small portion of the country. On account of the Isolation of these groups of growers with little or uo connection, and because the growers are not In touch with basket makers, there has been little chance for improvement. bundles of these puttings should then be kept In running water until small leaves or sprouts appear, when they will be ready to ped. Pretty White Willows. Willows thus peeled are of a fine white color, while those which un- dergo steaming or Isiiling for the re­ moval of the bark are of a dark color, being stained by coloring matter con­ tained in the bark; but experience has shown that the articles made of boiled willow are much more durable than those made from the white rods of spring peeling. The operation is so simple that old persons Incapable of arduous labor can make fair wages doing this sort of work. And yet, the farmer may ask, Is there a market for willow ware in this country? The United States con­ sumes the largest amount of will«« ware of any country in the world. From one district In Germany alone, as far back as 1893, In spite of the panic existing at that time, $230.000 Chemist Wiley on Pure Food. Dr. narvey W. Wiley, the chief of the Bureau of Chemistry of the De­ partment of Agriculture, lias just re­ turned from a tour of the British Isles, France and Germany, where he has been studying the preparation of food products—packing, shipping, and human consumption of foods. Dr. Wiley is a pure food man. He be­ lieves that we should all have pure food, or at least know what it is adulterated with, and he is one of the most active advocates in the country of national pure food legislation. "The question of pure food,” he said, “is one that should be better un- derstood, and more actively engaged in by people generally. We have se­ cured legislation enabling us to pre­ vent the Importation of impure aud harmful foods, but the people are ap­ parently careless in regard to domes­ tic manufacture. There is one feat­ ure of the pure food Investigation CONTROL OF CANAL MATTERS. NO OTHER Transfer to the State Department Under Secretary Root. In Perfect Adaptability Under all Conditions to It seems to be generally accepted that the control of all matters in con­ nection with the construction of the Panama canal Is to be transferred from the War Department to the State Department. Under the law the work is to lie performed under the di­ rection of the President, and lie origi­ nally intrusted it to Secretary Tart on ______ the r general ground that — all national eUgiIleering works were properly the business of tlie War Department, it is now realized that Secretary Taft has a great deal more than his pro- The Strong Old Hickory MANUFACTURED BY Kentucky Wagon Manufacturing Co louisville ; ky . From Washington Post. government portionate share of work and responsibility, and it is with a view of relieving him of a por­ tion of his official iiurdens that the President suggested the advisability of the transfer of the Panama Caual work to the State Department Secretary Hold's acceptance of the trust would enable Secretary Taft to devote more of his time to the con­ sideration of Important questions af­ fecting the government of the Philip­ pines and the business of the army generally. It is known that Secretary Taft has no personal ambitions in connection with the Panama canal work, and Is entirely willing, as a matter of general expediency, that its supervision should be transferred to Secretary Hoot as the head of the State Department. Secretary itoot, however, with all his ability for hard work, is under­ stood to have no hankering after the canal job. LARGEST PRODUCERS OF FARM WAGONS IN THE WORLD WILLOW IN THE PIT, SPROUTED, READY FOR PEELING. which appeals to me beyond all oth­ ers—the effect of impure fowls on In­ valids. People who are under tlie cure of a physician, and are com­ pelled to eat prepared foods should know at least what they are getting, if tlie foods which they buy as 'pure,’ are found upon analysis to contain ingredients which have proven harm­ ful to them, they should have some recourse at law to punish tlie maker of this fraudulent food. A simple in­ stance is sufficient to illustrate tlie point. There is at tills time a great demand for gluten flours. They are recommended for certain diseases, and there are various preparations on the market which are sold at high prices. Many of tlie so-called gluten flours contain but a small percentage of pure gluten; they are ‘filled’ with chalk and starchy substances, and are not at all what is claimed foi them. THE FLOOD OF NOAH. This Is one example; a hundred others could be named.” Geology Proves the Foundation ot American Baaketa Made in Richmond, Virginia. Kirk’s GIANT KANSAS CORN. Peeling Green Willow for Exciting Experiences of Boy Lost In Field of Growing Grain. Basket Work. worh of fine willow ware ported. Since that date, however, the value of willow imports has decreased, due, probably, to the increase of wil­ low growing in this country. Tile manufacture of willow Is what might be termed a ‘•house Industry,” in which the men. women and chil­ Willows Grow on Corn Land. dren are engage’d in peeling and split- The general Idea is that -willows ting the rods and weaving the bas- Will grow only on very Swampy kets uuder contract. ground, but experience shows that all serious attempts nia'de on well- drained soli, even though of poor qual­ Big Crops This Year. ity, have been successful. The ground Secretary Wilson has returned to is prepared Just the smile ns It would Washington n tour of the North­ l>e for corn or wheat. Willow plant­ west where from he was shown some ing generally is done in the autumn; should be in rows, the sets or cut­ great crop yields, lie expresses it as tings, according to older methods be­ Ids belief that the farmers have more ing placed about ten Indies In length money now than ever was theirs be­ and planted In the ground until about fore, ami that with such full treasure only an Inch and a half protrudes chests there is no danger of nil Indus­ above the ground. Almost without trial panic. The year’s crop of I wheat, corn aud oats will be latter, according to Mr. Wilson’s experienced Judgment, than were the big crops of last year, lie says that the area capa­ ble of raising durum or macaroni wheat Is now pushing well into the desert The yield of this wheat year, it is believed, will exceed 20.090.000 bushels, a wheat, by the way. which grows where other wheat will not grow and which six years ago was an unknown thing among American growers. Mr Wilson gives us the pleasing in­ formation that housekeepers will find the prices of meat, dairy products and r exception through the country wil­ lows an* planted from 9 Indies to a ft ward. and that when placed In the this mixture stand until the third day. ground each cutting should be j>er- then add three pounds of potatoes, fectl.v periamdlcular. When willows boiled and maslied. let It stand a day A report which seems to have come from the Portland Exposition states that a great object of curiosity there is a corn stalk of mammoth size reach­ ing almost up to the very roof of the agricultural building. The history of the stalk is perhaps as marvelous as the object itself. It appears that prior to the last hot wave which swept over the coun­ try, a farmer in Kansas sent his fif­ teen-year-old son out to take a look over tlie corn field and notify him of tlie prospects. In order to do this tlie son went to tile implement «lied which this wise farmer had provided and procured a ladder witli which he climbed one of the cornstalks. After surveying a fine growth of corn for miles around, tlie boy started to climb down, but in his excitement at tlie prospects of the golden liarvest which PEELED WILLOWS. A Q vierter öl . Centur AMERICAN CROWN of unfailing service SOAP is a green soap, consistency of paste, a perfect cleanser for automobile machinery and al^ vehicles; will not injure the most highly polished surface. Made from pure vegetable oils. If your dealer does not carry American Crown Soap in stock, send us his name and address and we will see that your wants are supplied. Put up in 12^g 25 and 50 lb pails. James S. Kirk& Company the Biblical Account. While tills is not true of the condi­ tions in western New York, the trade there demands only the cheapest grade of the steamed willow. Hut Stea Ill-peeled rods have ■ dark color, and hence cannot be used for fiue bas­ kets. WAGONS APPROACH CHICAGO, ILL. There are Biblical doubters who scoff at the idea that there ever was a great flood, yet the testimony of the geolo­ gists, to say nothing of Ignatius Don­ nelly’s theory of the submerged conti­ We have published some good ones spec­ nent of Atlantas, proves that at one ially suited for farmers. Books that will help time the entire earth’s surface was every farmer to make more out of his farm covered with water. Professor Wright Write for our catalogue. of Oberlin, who has made geology a | WEBB PUBLISHING CO., life study, brings us new light upon the subject. In writing on the subject of St. Paul Minn. the “Contributions of Geology to the Creditability of the Flood” lie states | that the level of the land changes con- , stantly. The highest mountains were i once below the sea-level, as is proven by the finding of sea-shells on tlie sum­ mits of the highest peaks. All of Cen­ Over 70 sizes and styles for drilling tral Asia was once covered by water and is now drying up. In fact the dry­ either deep or shallow wells in any kind ing out process has been going on for of soil or rock. Mounted on wheels or thousands of years. The Turkestan and sills. With engines , or horse powers. Siberian low-lands were once sub­ Strong, simple and durable. Any me­ merged, while evidence is shown that chanic can operate them easily. tlie Desert of Gobi was once a body SEND FOR CATALOGUE of water equal to the Mediterranean in WILLIAM BROS., Ithaca, N. Y. size and depth. The valley of the Jordan in ages back was covered with water to a depth of from 1.000 to 1.400 feet, while changes of level and climate in Asia seem to prove that the Deluge once passed over the entire country. BOOKS BOOKS Well Drilling Machines Uncle Sam’s “Conscience Fund.’’ The conscience fund of the Treas­ ury is not, as is popularly supposed, an idle fund which Is ndded to from tilin­ to time, lies dormant, and is never used. Contributions to this so-called fund are turned into the regular gov­ ernment receipts and on the books ap­ pear under tlie heading “To Account <’onsclenee.” This account was opened by the United States government in 1811. It would not be fair to infer from this fact that the American con­ science had Its awakening at so late a date in the country’s history, but that [ year witnessed tlie first return to the | government, as the result of the "still, small voice.” of money of which it had been defrauded some time before. President Madison found on his desk one morning an unsigned letter in which the writer confessed to defraud- I Ing the government of $2, for which | bis conscience had made him suffer sorely. This amount was enclosed with i the request that it be turned into the National Treasury, the writer express- | Ing tlie hope that this full restitution and repentance would restore a clear and easy conscience. Contributions have since been received varying in amounts from a 2-cent postage stamp to ten thousand dollars or more. Up to date the amount received from those who have defrauded the govern­ ment and become conscience-stricken is over $400,900. proves the ABSOLUTE RELIABILITY of the iRemingto T&PE, W'RITE'R WYCKOFF, SEAMANS A BENE 337 BROADWAY, NSW YORK Sandwic SELF FEED FULL CIRCLE TWO HAY PRES The Baler for speed. Bales 12 to tons a day. Has 40 inch feed Adapted to bank barn work. Stands to its work—no digging holes tor wb Self-feed Attachment increases acity, lessens labor, makes better and does not increase draft. Repeaters are the original solid top and side ejectors. This feature forms a solid shield of metal between the shooter’s head and the cartridge at all times, throws the empties away from him instead of into his face, prevents smoke and gases from entering his eyes and lungs, and keeps the line of sight unobstructed. The MARLIN action works easily and smoothly, making very little noise. Our new automatic recoil-oper­ ating locking device makes the Marlin the safest breech-loading gun ever built. 120- page catalogue, 300 il­ lustrations, cover in nine colors, mailed for three stamps. HORS Send for Catalogue SANDWICH MFG. CO 124 Main Street, Sandwich, SILOS Pine, Fir, Cypress and Yellow Pio& Write for Catalogue. Eagle Tank Co., 281 N. Green Chicago, Ill. IF YOU WANT A JAC his father would reap, he had failed Send for our Jack Catalogue. Sure to to notice the rapidity of the growth of tain the description of exactly what you' the stalk which he had ascended. As quickly ns lie stepped down, so much Hydraulic Jacks our Spec The Marlin Fire Arms Co. more rapidly the stalk seemed to grow, Watson-Stillman Co., New Haven, Conn. I anil lie was no nearer the bottom than 40 Dey St., N. X. City. when he started. His father, noting the absence of his son. saw that it would be useless for him to limit through the jungle of waving corn, so lie climbed to the top of bis windmill and his anxious eyes beheld his boy waving Ills red bandana in despair. Ilastily summoning Ids neighbor and his other two sturdy sons, they proceeded with axes to chop down the wicked stalk. Their axes, however, failed to find the same mark twice, so rapidly did the stalk shoot upward. _ .. . came _______ Night on _____ with­ Producers of Northern grown acclimated trees and the best out their accomplishing anything and the boy was left to what appeared to varieties for planting in Northern States. tie a terrible fate. Like most Kansas toys, however, he was awake to all his opportunities, and existed for a A Very Accurate Description. long time on the raw corn, having con­ sumed so much that he later notified Hon. George S. Legare, a member ot his parents by means of a message Congress from South Carolina and a I horoughly tested Apples, Pears, Plums, Cherries and Trees written on one of the dried corn leaves that he was getting so fat there was graduate of a Washington law school, Ornamental, Small Fruit Plants, Shrubs, danger of the stalk breaking with his has a sense of humor and enjoys a weight. He wrote that he believed a good Joke even at the expense of the Vines and Roses. more balanced ration wvuld relieve members of his profession. He does his fears, suggesting the planting of not uphold the “smart” lawyer and tells beans at the base of the cornstalk as of a ease in his native city of Charles­ an expedient. ton where a pettifogging attorney was However, before the beans could se­ an old negro witness cure enough growth, the drought cross-examining asking the old darkey a num­ came on and stopped the growth of ber After of catch questions in au endeavor the stalk and the boy was enabled confuse him. he finally asked the to climb down, thus saving his life. to ;■ A SPECIALTY OF As mementos of the occasion, the lad witness his occupation. ‘Tse a cahpentah, sah.” gathered up the corn cobs which he .."bat kind 11 carPcnter?” had thrown down from his lofty seat amounting to something over four ••WTintC h 18.“.? aJ"ck.-*eK cahpentah." Cut Flowers and Floral Designs. Also Vegetable Plants mi » hat a carpenter ?” bushels and a peek. and on these le Iles a cahpentah what ain’t a fust- has iMvn working, turning them into shipped by express. Catalogue and Price List Free. class cahpentah, sah! ” corn-cob pipes which he is exhibiting "Welk explain fully what you un- at the Truth Bureau ot the Portland Mail orders have prompt attention. SeX the lawye?’ C“rpen,er t0 be " Exposition. should lie kept out " .............. ''"’ll! "'"I fir'; ln'"" •’iirtl'ien veswl. in b botti« Oslers should lie cut the first rear. then ,le,‘ strain ! and ""1 « put ’ut ln 0»1«*" «"■> 11 Is ready The advat even if no valuable material can I*'!!?, rva'•' for . use. T "e advantage of obtained, for If tlifa fa delayed until; tn .yvMS’t a ferments spontan* the aecoml year, then* fa apt to l»e a KH|sb’ not requiring the aid of other ***■-* * so ** * I X* »•*»«-* and ... kept ... in „ a tendency to * branch, that less valu- a,t- if 1 well <'ooked ___ ____ able material can !>e cut. Tills cut- «»I 1‘laee, it will keep six months or Prior to 17S9 the Speaker of the ting should be done during the winter, more. It lias has been thoroughly trated tratet! House of Commons was paid a salary of \ 5 pou pounds arid a fee of 6 a? falu ,u ‘‘i,ik4"us iigbt jpound« ,,,f “d« • - day íñdTtL-vi • PUMBIDIV. LUC wir«U. pounds on on •▼•ry every privat« private bill bill posed passed Che iPissoula Kursen) Every Variety of Standard Fruit THE EVERBEARING STRAWBERRY J FLOWERING PLANTS AND SHRUBS "Boss. ‘deed Ah claih to goodness Ah dunuo how ter ’«plain any nio' bout a Jack-leg catqientah ceptin’ hit am Jes’ de same dlffunce as dey Is betwix’ an a tuat-claaa lawyab, sab! MISSOULA NURSERY CO. MISSOULA, MONTANA.