REPAIRING THE CAPITOL AND CORTLAND COUNTY FARMERS' CLUB

 

National Capitol, Washington, D. C.

The McGrawville Sentinel, Thursday, May 5, 1887.

PRESENT NEWS EVENTS ARE SCARCE AT THE CAPITAL.

This Month, However, Will Inaugurate Much Activity—Repairing the Capitol.

(Special to the McGRAWVILLE SENTINEL.)

   WASHINGTON, May 2.—Washington is dull, terribly dull just now, all the newspaper correspondents think. Second-term gossip has about died out, and the complicating situations to which it gave rise have been worked for all they were worth. Spring is here with such accessories as sun-shades, buttonhole bouquets, strawberry venders, street harpists and the woman with the hand organ and the baby, but society is comparatively quiet. Weddings are still in vogue, but the gay world was pretty well exhausted with the winter's rout and does not revert to its occupation with its ante-lenten zest.

   But April's torpor in Washington will be more than compensated for by activity in May. Everybody is talking about the national drill, and preparations are being carried forward as rapidly as possible. General Augur, who has been appointed commandant of the camp, is in appearance commanding, and the embodiment of soldierly qualities. He wears side whiskers and eye-glasses and is altogether a very fine looking officer. He lives with his family in an old fashioned brick house in Georgetown, and is on the retired list of the army, for which he remarked that he was glad, because he would have leisure to attend to his new duties, while if he were in active service he could not have accepted the position.

   But the drill is not the only event billed for May. Society always flocks to the jockey club races, and they will come off next week. Then Forepaugh's circus is coming, the national association of hotel-keepers is coming, there are to be reunions of one kind and another, and the unveiling of the Garfield statue and the meeting of the army of the Cumberland will also take place early in the month of flowers.

   It looked last week, before President Cleveland's views and wishes concerning a second term had been reported, as if nothing on earth could prevent his renomination. Now that the manifestation of alleged coyness and indifference concerning that possibility is alleged of him, it looks as if his renomination could not be prevented by anything on the earth beneath or in the heavens above. Above all things else the human heart desires the inaccessible, and if Mr. Cleveland should see fit to say definitely that he did not wish to be president for a second term, there would be a general clamor for him, coming even from those who are now his political enemies.

   The interstate commerce commission has been wrestling with the long and short haul across the continent. All the transcontinental railways have applied for the suspension of the short-haul clause, and have put forth as good if not better reasons why it should be done than those that were given and proved sufficient in the case of southern railways. It looks as if the commission will have to serve all alike, although [there] is a court authorized to decide different ways for each railroad. It can suspend in one case and refuse to do so in a precisely similar one.

   While our law-makers are away, conveniences and improvements at the capitol which they voted money for are gradually being made. Two new elevators are to be put in place—one at the senate end and one at the house end of the building. There will then be four elevators in the capitol—one at each of the four corners, which will add greatly to the convenience of visitors' as well as legislators. The contract for constructing the two new ones was awarded yesterday to a Chicago company at $6,345. The amount appropriated by congress for the whole work was $27,000.

   The landscape architect of the national capitol recently made the grave mistake of setting out evergreen trees on the new marble terrace around the north and west fronts of the capitol building. The dome has long been criticized as looking too large, or out of proportion to the rest of the structure, and the terrace was planned and built for the purpose of increasing the apparent height of the building.

   Of course these trees break the architectural continuity and destroy absurdly the very illusion of height which the terrace is intended to create.  Instead of seeming the base of the capitol facade the terrace now looks like a wall around the capitol, with trees planted on the lawn inside. The trees can be seen from a distance over the parapet of the terrace and the effect is that of an enclosed garden, from every standpoint. It is also argued by art critics that the vertical lines of the trees (they are Irish yews) are incongruous with the horizontal line in the classical architecture of the capitol, and the architect has decided to remove them.

 

Grip's Historical Souvenir of Cortland.

Cortland County Farmers' Club.

   Considerable interest was manifested in the subject for discussion, "Culture of corn and potatoes." Upon the table was a fine exhibit of different varieties of potatoes presented by Mr. Williams, who had given much attention to testing new varieties, and who opened the discussion.

   Mr. Williams: To test the quality of a potato cut it with a thin bladed knife and rub the parts together. If it is rich in starch this will be readily shown by a sticky coating. A coarse grained potato may be rich in starch and the amount of starch in a potato largely determines its quality. Pearl of Savoy, the No. 1 on table, is of fine quality for eating. Early Sunrise, No. 2, is similar to it. No. 3 was raised from seed. No. 4 is a white potato, the seed of which was brought from Salt Lake city. No. 5 is a sprout of late Beauty of Hebron, just as that was a sprout of the early Beauty of Hebron. The quality is same as others of Hebron class. No. 6, Empire State was sent out two years ago by Burpee of Philadelphia. It combines nearly all the requisite qualities for a good potato. I cannot see much difference between this and the next on the table, No. 7. No. 8, late Hebron, is familiar to you all. No. 9 is a yellowish white potato with a russet skin. It is not large but has many fair sized potatoes in a hill. Never saw any rot among them. The russet color is not objectionable in market. There is nothing prepossessing about No. 10. It will keep till spring without sprouting, even then the eyes are lacking in vigor unless they have the right exposure to light and warmth.

   For planting I cut down to two eyes in a piece and large ones down to one. I usually plant on sod ground and then prefer fall plowing. I think I get a smoother crop. I seldom put on any manure as I do not have much to put on. Horse manure I scatter on surface. Generally I use phosphate. I row only one way, putting early varieties one foot apart in row and later ones 15 to 20 inches apart. I furrow deep in dry soil, but on moist land keep seed nearer the surface. Cover two and one-half to three inches. Put one piece in a hill, making eight to nine bushels to the acre. We do not want too many stalks in a hill. Think we may get larger potatoes by check row system but for uniform crop prefer to thus have them in drills. I dig with horses, using hoe to throw them out. The labor is mainly in the picking. By going back over row and afterwards harrowing, nearly all are found and the soil is left in excellent condition. Begin to cultivate as soon or before we can see the rows. Begin very early if the soil is likely to be very weedy. Usually plant those large enough for market. Occasionally plant small ones. Apply Paris green mixed with plaster, one part to 50 or 100, according to the number of bugs. If planted in hills would put in two pieces, one eye each in hill. It spreads the hill better than one piece with two eyes. Last season we wet the seed after it was cut and applied a mixture of sulphur and plaster 1-20. The sulphur is said to prevent scab. I do not know as it does.

   Pres. Brodgett: What will prevent worms working in surface of potato? Salt is said to do it.

   Mr. Williams: I do not think salt will do it. I apply 200 to 250 pounds of phosphate per acre when we plant. Put it along continuously in the drill. Think it is a mistake to apply too closely to the seed. Those phosphates should be selected that are rich in phosphoric acid and potash, and weak in ammonia.

   Mr. Purvis: I continue same culture I have followed for several years. Prefer to plant on fall plowing as it will stand drouth better. Apply a good deal of manure of all kinds. Usually plow it under unless it is horse manure. Plant in hill three feet apart each way. Put seed down two to three inches below the surface. Do not generally apply plaster. Do not plant any marketable potatoes—only those about size of an egg, and the sunburned ones. Cut in chunked pieces of sufficient size that 8 to 10 bushels will plant an acre, putting one piece in a hill. Do not care to have more than three to five stalks in a hill.

   Pres. Blodgett: What do you think of method recommended to pull up the extra stalks?

   Mr. Purvis: I have tried it but did not detect much difference. Think it should be experimented upon. There is difference in soils regarding the number of stalks that should be left in hill I think. I plant Burbanks yet. Some in our section plant White Star. I tried seed from two sources and could not distinguish from Burbanks. We cultivate thoroughly till time to hill and use plow or horse hoe to throw up dirt. Hill up with hand hoe, giving a day's work or a little more to an acre. If very weedy go through later and tear them up. I do not think it hurts the crop to do this at any time and it may do much damage to future crop to permit the weeds to go to seed. For bugs we mix 1 pound of Paris green to 80 or 100 pounds of plaster. Mix it in a cask which does it quickly and thoroughly.

   Mr. Whorton: In some sections they hand-pick the bugs and use no Paris green.

   Mr. Williams: I have never seen any ill effects except in applying with water. It is impossible to keep it thoroughly stirred up and may be applied too strong.

   Mr. Purvis: Near New York they often apply 1000 pounds and more of phosphate to the acre with profitable results. I increased my crop 50 bushels per acre by using 300 pounds. I never use ashes on potatoes as I have none to use. It depends considerably upon the variety of potatoes as to the amount they will be injured by bugs. The Prince Albert was much liked by the bugs. Strong, vigorous plants on rich land are not injured as much. I get 200 to 250 bushels' per acre of marketable potatoes and might get more if I manured higher. The yield of early varieties is less. They are not good for general crop.

   Mr. Williams: On my soil the Burbank is of good quality only about one year out of three. My rule for digging is when the skins will not rub off under the finger. Vines should be dry and dead. Potatoes will grow some until they are.

   Mr. Purvis: By experiment I found that deep covering—6 inches—gave less yield than 3 inches. I make the hills flat on top.

   Mr. Pennock: Have you ever tested flat culture?

   Mr. Williams: My soil is not adapted to it. It is too moist.

   Mr. Pennock: In New Jersey there is little attention given to hilling. Thorough draining and pulverizing of the soil seem to be chief requisites for producing a good quality.

   Mr. Purvis: I think it better not to let the potato sprout too much.

   At the request of several members that a meeting be held just before haying, the club adjourned to meet Saturday, June 18, when the subject of harvesting hay and grain will be taken up.

   C. M. BEAN, Sec'y, Cortland, April 30.

 

EDITORS' EASY CHAIR.

   —Three cent prints at M. C. Bingham's.

   —James Wheeler and Alba Gross traded teams Monday.

   —Gents fine shoes in the latest styles at M. C. Bingham's.

   —S. B. Gee of Potter county, Pa., is visiting at L. F. Gee's.

   —The best ladies fine shoes for the money at M. C. Bingham's.

   —Mr. Oothoudt has commenced occupying his new house on Academy street.

   —Arthur Bean of Freetown Corners called on relatives in this place Sunday.

   —The ladies fine kid shoe at $1.09 is the biggest bargain yet at M. C. Bingham's.

   —Mrs. Fred Coffin of Cortland has been visiting friends in this place the past week.

   —C. S. Hoag was in town Tuesday evening installing officers in the Good Templars' lodge.

   —Arthur Edwards of Cincinnatus visited his former schoolmates, ye printers, last Monday,

   —You will save 60 cents on each pair of ladies kid shoes bought at $1.00 of M. C. Bingham.

   —George Case is extensively repairing his house and adding to its convenience and appearance.

   —Buy from one to five pounds of that 50 cent tea for 30 cents per pound, before it is gone, at M. C. Bingham's.

   —Fred Parker's new house on Elm street is nearing completion and will be ready for occupancy in a short time.

   —A. P. Barnes of Richford, Tioga county, N. Y., called on friends and relatives in this place the latter part of last week.

   —Carpenter work has begun on F. W. Eastman's house on North street. Cortland parties are the contractors.

   —A job lot of men's and boy's wool hats for one-half the regular price; a saving of 50 per cent to the purchaser at M. C. Bingham's.

   —A surprise party was given Mrs. Alice Garlick last Saturday evening by a number of her friends. A hanging lamp and a chair were presented to her.

   —A letter received from W. E. Yager last Saturday, says: "The firm of Peck & Yager are about to open a first-class meat market in your place in the Hammond market some time between this and the 8th of May."

   —L. Tice of Cortland was in town yesterday. He tells us that he moves to Dryden next week, but reluctant in leaving his acquaintances in this county he resolved to take the SENTINEL and bridge the loss of being away from former friends.

   —The many friends of Elisha Coburn prepared a surprise in the shape of a pound party for him and Friday evening they assembled and made him doubly glad with their presence and donations. Mr. Coburn wishes us to express his sincere thanks to the people for their kindness.

   —At the regular meeting of Centennial Lodge No. 320 I. O. of G. T. held Tuesday evening May 3, the following officers were installed for the ensuing quarter:

   C. T., Bert Braman.

   V. T., Ettie Carson.

   R. Sec'y, Egrie Morse.

   F. S., Fred Morse.

   T., Fred Fish.

   C., Rev. E. C. Smith.

   M., Flora Gee.

   I. G., Pearl Russell.

   Sent., Fred Johnson.

   P. C. T., F. G. McElheny.

   L. D., C. S. Hoag.

   —This week Burgess & Bingham, the enterprising clothiers of Cortland, open a clothing store in Vanderbilt square, Syracuse, which they will run in connection with their store in Cortland, and we bespeak for this enterprising firm a bright and prosperous future. They will be pleased to receive calls from the readers of the SENTINEL at either of their stores in Cortland or Syracuse, and assure them they will receive courteous attention whenever they call.

   —Joseph Watson, marble dealer of Homer, was in town yesterday and made the SENTINEL office a pleasant call. Nearly three years ago Mr. Watson went out of the marble business and was succeeded by his sons, but recently he has again become a member of the firm which is now styled Joseph Watson & Co. The members now are J. Watson, R. J. Watson, W. J. Watson and J. A. Watson. This firm has placed in our village cemetery some of the finest monuments it contains, including those for R. Shearer, Mary Phillips and N. H. Osborne and in every instance their work highly recommends itself.

   —Mr. and Mrs. Elwin Merrick, Homer, were in town Sunday.

   —Mrs. Thomas Moore and grandson are spending a few days with Mr. and Mrs. William Moore.

   —Rev. E. H. Dickinson is in Auburn this week attending an anniversary reunion of his college class.

   —Uncut newspapers, good for putting on shelves and thousands of other purposes, for sale at this office, package of ten papers 5 cents.

   —C. B. Warren, the past week, has been taking a census of the village of McGrawville and finds that there are 903 persons living in the corporation limits and immediate suburbs. At the last census there were about 600; then we see that there has been a growth of half within a few years. Our village never had brighter prospects, too, than at present.

   —Charles Alger and wife were driving to Cortland one day last week and when about a mile west of McGrawville, it commencing to rain, Mrs. Alger raised an umbrella. The team was a colt and an older horse and the colt became frightened at the umbrella and became unmanageable. Well Dibble was just ahead on the freight wagon but was so closely done up in wrappings that he was unable to get to the ground in time to catch the team. It dashed by him and in going through a ditch Mr. Alger was thrown from the wagon, and shortly afterward the wagon struck a telephone pole and Mrs. Alger was thrown out. The wagon was torn to splinters and the horses disappeared singly after leaving the front axle and one wheel at the second telephone pole. Mrs. Alger was severely hurt and was taken into Mr. Brown's house for the time being. The horses were finally secured and the pieces of the wagon picked up the next day.

 

CORTLAND NEWS.

   G. L. Barker is in Elmira taking treatment.

   Miss Lizzie Corey was in town Monday visiting Mrs. Charles Short.

   Mr. Healy of McGrawville will work in Cortland for two months at mason work.

   It is said that a catholic day school will soon be established in Cortland by the Archbishop Ludden.

   H. Wells is paying sixty cents for all the potatoes he can buy. Potatoes are potatoes at this time of the year.

   Pinafore is again upon the face of the earth. It will be given in all its beauty at the opera house on Friday evening.

   H. G. Harrington goes to New York Wednesday with ten horses. Among them is one for which he has refused $1,800.

   Last Friday work was begun on the large block to be put up on Railroad street. An immense number of teams are hauling dirt from the excavation.

   The temperance people of the place meet every Sunday afternoon at half past three in the Good Templars' hall for a prayer and conference meeting. Quite an interest is manifested.

   In place of the Erie express on the E. C. & N. railroad after May 1, is the National express company. The office is at the E. C. & N. depot, the agent, Ed Phillips, taking charge of the business.

   Colonel Frank Place has received $1,800 for the damage done to his house by the fire and about $550 on the household goods. He is now pushing repairs, utilizing the walls to a great extent.

   Henry Wallace, a brother of David Wallace, died on Thursday last of concealed hemorrhage of the stomach. Mr. Wallace worked in the framing room of the book-store, and had many friends.

   The turn-out that attract the most attention in the village is the cart and donkey driven by W. B. Stoppard's little boy. It was purchased out near Cayuga lake and makes the little fellow perfectly happy.

   Saturday night the fire bell rang and the department was soon at the clothing store of S. Silverman where Beaudry's cigar store used to be. The fire started under the stairs and came through the back of the store. It was at once subdued.

   In all the village papers last week was a notice from the village trustees that all the houses must be numbered previous to the free mail delivery in July. This was all right but the recommendation that these numbers be purchased of a certain man at twenty cents each and that many of the numbers must be changed is not received so kindly.

   Tuesday evening about eight o'clock the fire bell hurried the force and the street full of pedestrians down to South Main street. After a run just sufficient to start the sweat it was discovered that the alarm was caused by the burning of a brush heap over on the Virgil hills. Looking down the street it gave somebody the notion that Wickwire's shops were ablaze.

   Charles Etz, living on Railroad street, died last Saturday.

   The Ladies' Home Mission society of the Congregational church meets in the parlor and diningroom of the church Friday at 3 P. M. Gentlemen are invited to tea which will be served from 6 to 7 o'clock.

   The trustees of the village have settled the vexed water question for five years at least. More hydrants are to be put in to make the number up to 120. The same price is to be paid that was mentioned in the contract which the village voted down. Some concessions were obtained, however. Rates for private houses are a little less and free water is furnished public buildings. $4,000 per year covers the whole cost.

   The room on the corner of Main and Railroad streets, which has been fitted up for a free reading and lunch room, will be opened on Wednesday of this week. It will be a very pleasant place for anyone to step in and get a lunch, and the hard-working women of the W. C. T. U. have raised money enough to keep the desks filled with all kinds of periodicals. It is to be for the benefit of young men and is a praiseworthy enterprise.

   The second meeting of the Cortland Out Door amusement club was held on Monday evening. The membership committee are now securing the fifty members to which the organization is limited. Each member pays an initiation fee of ten dollars and is liable to an assessment of ten dollars in addition. About four acres of land near the Mammoth [roller skating] rink have been secured of Randolph Randall for which the modest rental of three hundred dollars a year is paid. It will be leveled and twelve tennis courts laid out and also a bicycle track. Its use is restricted to members and their friends.

   The Hatch library which has been standing unfinished all winter to excite the curiosity of passers-by, is now on the way to completion. The plans of the building included two fine granite columns for the front. These miscarried in the shipping last fall and when they finally reached here were found broken. The second ones reached here last week and the building will soon be finished. There was no provision in the Hatch will for the filling or use of the building, and it is uncertain what will be done with it. It is thought, however, that the circulating library now in the Mahan block, conducted by the ladies, will be invited to occupy it.

   On Tuesday morning last there appeared upon our streets as fine a looking team as we are often privileged to behold. Upon the snow-white curtains of a wagon (which by the way is a model of convenience, to say nothing of its neat and tasty appearance) were the words, "Cortland Creamery." Each day during the summer our genial friend, A. W. Delaney, will drive about town furnishing our towns-people with fresh buttermilk, sweet cream, and gilt-edged butter, thereby supplying a long-felt want, thus bringing down many blessings upon his head. The success which has attended the labors of Ephraim Price, as buttermaker, is a sufficient proof that the butter cannot fail to please the most delicate taste.

   The regular monthly meeting of the Therapeutic society of Cortland county met at the Dexter house on Tuesday afternoon. The meeting was called to order by the president, Dr. D. H. Stone. Dr. Reese read a very sound paper on Brights' disease of the kidneys which was thoroughly discussed by the members present, Drs. Tripp, Hunt, Higgins, Bradford Wood, Edson, Moore and Jewett. The outcome of the discussion seemed to be that some forms of Brights' disease recovered and that for all much could be done in various ways to prolong life. It was thought that more care should be exercised to detect by appropriate examinations. At the next meeting when the annual election of officers occurs, the members have a dinner at the hotel.