Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, December 22, 1915, Page 6

Scientific Farming A GIGANTIC WASTE. To Burn Dead Leaves Destroys Na- ture’s Blanket and Fertilizer. One of the misguided acts of man is fj removing the natural blanket that na- ture spreads over the earth in the fall— namely, the dead leaves. Not only are leaves protectors of roots, but they are nature’s great fertilizer, retainers of moisture and sources of humus, so es- sential to thrifty plant life. . More than a million pounds of excel- lent fertilizer are destroyed annually in New York state by the burning of au- || tumn leaves is the estimate of Profes- sor H. R. Irancis of the State College of Forestry at Syracuse, who has been making a study of thé manurial value of the leaves of trees and shrubs. Thoughtless destruction of millions of pounds of fertilizer which would come from the decaying leaves annually in this country should be cbecked at once, as their careful use would give far- reaching results not only in improving the fertility of agricultural lands, but IN THE FOREST. in the protection and improvement of trees and shrubs themselves and of the [ lawns. Nature has established in every bit of forest frowm the wood lot up to the great forests of the Adirondacks a well organized factory for the repro- duction of the organic material which is known in the forest as “duff” and which the farmer knows as the rich. loam which covers his fields. Ever the simple lesson of conservation which nature is teaching in our forests in the utilizing of the autumn leaves. Where a few shade or forest trees are throw- ing their foliage about the home grounds they should by no means be raked up and burned, because it is like burning so much valuable fertilizer, but they should be composted where that is possible or used as a mulch around flowering perennials, roses and often large trees. By wetting the feaves thoroughly and then weighting them down by sticks or soil they will be a splendid winter protection, and the weight and moisture of the win- ter’s snow will bring about rapid incor- moration of the mulch with the soil, Profits of Farm Implements. In farm work the machine that lasts the longest in years is generally the least [um able. s because it is ps covered per year, rather than years of life, which deter- mines the profitableness of an imple- ment. 5 Of ordinary farm implements the sulky plow bhas the shortest life in years. but ranks second only to the walking plow in total days of service rendered. Its life is a little over eight vears, while its total of days’ work is 119. as compared with eleven and one- half years and 224 days for the walk- ing plow. The cellar or storage house may meed ventilating during mild days, but be careful not to let the apples freeze. | Before deep snow comes look once ‘more for the little sawdust piles at the roots of your trees. They tell where the borer has been at work. Go after him with a knife and wire. This is a good time to cut scions for next, spring’s grafting. Take them from the tips of limbs that made a || good growth last summer. Bury them in sand or earth in the cellar, where they will be cool and moist, but not wet. If you must ship apples when severe weather threatens be sure to line the inside of barrel or box—top, bottom and :sides—with double layers of paper. Most folks do not fully realize the ex- <ellent nonconducting qualities of any || kind of paper. . Apples should be withdrawn from I «old storage while still firm and in this <ondition can be held on the market in satisfactory shape for several days or weeks.—Farm Journal. Pioneer want ads pay. hade tree owner should learn || | T For Mother This is really the store with a “Million Gifts.” We want to call your attention to some of the suitable gifts for mother and sister. A Universal Range makes a splen- did Christmas gift for mother or wife. Prices range from $40, $50, $55, $60, to $65. Wear Ever Aluminum ware are Christmas gifts that are gaining in popularity with our customers every day. Single pieces or sets are very much appreciated. Wé have already sold a big lot of this ware for gift giving purposes. Royal Rochester serving dishes and casseroles, $1.50, $2.50, $3.00 and $4.00. Royal Rochester Chafing dishes are popular gifts with girls. $6.50, $10.00, $12.50. Universal Bread Makers are suit- able for Christmas gifts. Price, 4-loaf, $2.00; 8-loaf, $2.50. Fish and steak plank with serving tray, $6.50. Coffee Percolators at $2.00, $2.75, $3.25, $5.00, $10.00 and $15.00. ‘We make up kitchen sets of house- hold cleaver, butcher knives, paring knives, bread knives, etc.,, at any price to suit. The family Christmas present for the family on a farm, What is more acceptable than a. De Laval Cream Separator? It will be a money mak- er all the year around. We have them in several sizes. Get our price and terms. A Big Three washing machine is another labor saving gift for mother or wife. Price $12.00. For F at*her An Atkins hand saw is a gift that any man will appre- ciate—be he a carpenter or a home man. These sell for $1.00, $1.50, $1.75. $2.00, $2.25, $4.00. And worth it. They come in a Christmas box. MAYDOLE and KEEN KUTTER hammers at 65¢ and $1.15. Levels . 50c, $1.00, $1.50 and $3.25 Stanley Planes ... Set of Team Harness .. Set of Buggy Harness .. Set of Bob Sleds . $26.50, $35.00, $42.50 Robeson and Keen Kutter Pocket Knives— 25¢, 50c, 85¢, $1.00, $1.25, $1.50, $2.00 to $5. 00 Schlmkat Safety Razor ... Ever Ready Safety Razor with 12 blades Auto Strap Safety Razor. Gillette Safety Razor .... Robeson old style guaranteed razors Razor gtrops Razor Hones Shot Guns and Rifles at $5 10 $21.60 An Ever Ready ‘flash light would be a fine thing for dad’s car . 75 cents to $3.00 Most men like to own a revolver. We have a complete line of IVER JOHNSON revolvers at $5.50 up. Clark foot warmers feel fine these cold mornings. price A Klaxon auto signal clears the road—pric Those Thermos bottle dinner pails are selling fast tor Christmas gifts . We lave dozens of other items that make good gifts for men, including LANTERXNS, MAIL BOXES, BUTCH ER KNIVES, GUN CASES, ETC. Boys! Why don’t you buy Dad an Erector set? The Real Gift Store That gift you want, and the one you want to buy is here for you. Shall we wrap it up? THEY ALL COME HERE Pocket Knives., We have a com- plete line of Robeson and Keen Kutter knives at 25¢, 50c, 65c, 85c¢, $1. 1.25, 1.50, $2 up to $5. Wolverine Sand Crane, about the cleverest automatic toy on the market today, price Railroad Trains and Track $1.00, 1.25, 2.00, 2.50, 2.75, 3.50. Steel Structural Builders, the toy that teaches the boy to be mechan- ical. Prices ....$1.00, 1.75, 2.00, 2.75, 3.00, 3.75 and 5.00. Tinker Toys— The Wonder builder, one set makesa thousand dif- ferent motion toys. In neat package ready to mail. Price Sandy Andy— another very clever automatic sand toy. Price 75c Panama Pile Driver. . An auto- matic toy that gives a good imitation of a 1000 pound plle driver at work. Price.. Air Rifles-at $1.00, 1.50 aand $3.00. 22 Rifles $1.50 to $11.00. Shot Guns $5.00 to $21.60. ens Hardware Co.