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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1925-1-21, Page 7FOR HOWIE AND., COUNTRY C0,4r,pperative Marketing—By Mra, W, N, Glenn, Henson. Oomperetive marketing moans the Show, Ontario received the gold medal. Oiling of re.1r products through a can-, for e boat Colonial Exhibit, The ,rel office that places them Ona con•; the County ,of Oxford took first prize for .suming ,market, when, where and as graded eggs, It is hardly possible to i required, and the storing of the sure estimate the oleo of having that ex -1 plus until such time as the consuming, hibit there and taking those prizes.. market 10 ready to take more at a This should encourage the rest of us reasonable price. to organize, 1 For some time we have been com- We believe that a great number of plaining bitterly, and With reason, persons do not yet know or understands about the low . prices wereceive for the great necessity there is for raising1 our ,products, but it is only lately that the standard of our products and•those' many.of us are beginning to see that that do know, who are doing their best' we are losing fur more on what we to raise the standard of their pro - have tose than on what we buy. Un- ducts, are not receiving what they . less a farmer is making extensive ha- should receive, as has been already' pavements en his farm, he win usual- pointed out. The manager of a co- lt sell twice as much as he buys, If operative marketing assoclation is l he is a Large farmer, he may sell ten paid to grade and grade properly, and times more than he buys, and come- everybody receives what their pro, quently suffers a heavy loss on his' duet entitles them to, products, Some time ago I read of a large Co-operative marketing has been in number of formers living near a large, successful operation in some Europaen city in the United States, that formed countries for many years and in the a co-operative meat association be - United States for several years. These cause they were frequently obliged to countries will never return to the old sell their animals below costof pro - way of dumping certain products on duction. They had a fine abattoir, the market, with one farmer compete : that was under Government inspection ing against another, Co-operative, and everything promised to go well marketing in Ontario is in its infancy with them, until the city butchers, yet. But results have been so success-! wholesale and retails, met and decided fu1 that we are convinced that all our' to boycott them. The Federated Wo - products should be marketed this way, men's Clubs hear of it, called a meet We believe that there is a beautiful. Ing and decided to notify the butchers new world on the other side of the that they considered the low prices -closed door. That door is successful the farmers were receiving for their co-operation. When we open it the products were, largely responsible for new world is ours. ! the financial depression which was Co-operative marketing has not ae..! being felt by all classes, and if they ways been a success, but that does not continued to refuse to buy from that prove that co-operative marketing is co operative meat market, they would wrong. It only proves that in this open butcher shops of their own. So successful were theses women in this particular case the management was wrong 'matter that they next seattheir rep- • May I remind you that the great resentatives to their grocers and ex- em -operative znarketing expert, Mr. plained that in the future they would Sapiro, told us last year how badly buy graded eggs and poultry only from the Californian fernier was victimized a co-operative poultry association. We year after year by speculators, until look forward to no distant day when they were stricken with poverty and Canada will have her Federated Wo - their rural town and villages stagnant mens Clubs also. Few of us realize and sufferingtalso from financial do- the 'greatpower we hold in our hands pression. The bankers and »leading and with it a responsibility which we business men met with leading agri must , face whether we are city or culturists and decided to try eo- country women, operative marketing. In the veryflrsti And if the Women's Institutes will year the raisin growers paid for their turd their attention to co-operative buildings and the machinery needed marketing, it will materially hasten to handle their products, and received the day when we will be marketing in. a fair price for their product. In short, no other ways It Is one of the planks production was greatly stimulated by of the United Farm Women' of Oa' the improvement in prices, and at the taNpta a'c't man said in our sante time they found the need of an hearing,- longgo,You a- ityrs think that it extensive advertising campaign. They, educated the public • into a greater use you can establish co-operative market- of the raisin and as a result the con- ing you can make the city people pay sumer has profited as well as the pro - b urat doandu impossible. for their food." yonehiswith Is duoer, To -day the California farmers money or credit cpn• buy or rent land, are economically sound. !They have and if we did set a very remunerative fine homes, electric light and plumbing systems. The once stagnant towns and price on our own products, a standing villages share in the farmers' pies- army of millions of men could not pre- perity. No state in the Union has so vent people from rushing into farm - many fine churches, schools'' and cot ing, The world can only eat a certain leges. How often we see in many publica- tions, advertisements, colored plates of various foods; and in large depart- ment stores and at large fairs we often see demonstrations, the prepar- ing and giving away or selling for a trifle, of new foods for the liurpose of introducing then' to the public and to expand their husiness. Individually , we are unable di do anything of the amount of food and the rest would be wasted. Co-operative marketing is a square deal to consumer as well es prod„icer. We must admit that there is some- thing very wrong with farming when so many fertile fields In Ontario are growing grass and weeds. And so many huge factories with their whirl- ing machines, stand idle because great warehouses- are packed with need but are kind, but as a coeoperative marketing nnotdableh eop to buy. theat p The shores of time organization we could advertise as are strewn with derelicts brought successfully as the California farmer. there, because of too much money and If we could have some of the delicious and nourishing food and beverages prepared from milk and eggs and sold at lstege gatherings and fairs, instead of what is called "hot dogs," and those cheep beverages, with little bottled bevera s e w e food value, we might g double our home consumption of milk and eggs. And If we undertake -to educate the public along these lines, we will also educate ourselves. We often suffer from ail- ments and teoubles that our parents been too long without. and grandparents knew little or no- ,. o thing about, and, if we are to believe The Grasshopper Hawk. what the doctors says, we should eat not enough work, and too much work and not enough money. Some say that work never "hurt" anybody—but if WO work our horses sixteen hours a day, we can't tell that story to the Hu- mane Society. Are humansnot made of flesh and blood as well as horses? Co-operative marketing will bring about a more even distribution of wealth and of work. It is a form of Christianity that the world has more of the plain, wholesome foods That small variety of the hawk that keep us healthy, and less of the tribe known as the Sparrow Hawk, more refined,' which we are prone to may have to undergo a change of be fond o£. name, Its diet of• small birds and Iniammals Is responsible for the name Co-operative marketing will elimin- by Wh ell it has been known up to the ate a great waste in .transportation We will ship in car lots instead of 1 -present time.. It is note discovered to he an aid to man in the struggle pounds with expensive expressrates. • against the grasshopper that has front Hew often we see, particularly in time to time taken such toll of crops summer, three or four --or perhaps in the Western Provinces. Examine- more—trucks or vehicles sent out by tions of the stomachs of many -speci- local dealers collecting eggs and cream mens that have been made by the Except for a month or two in summer, Department of Zoology at the Snskat- theso vehicles aro often not half load- thewan Universityand by other scion - ed and both producer and consumer tists during the past ten years in. pay for the upkeep of them, The local, various localities, including many of buyer of eggs often has to hold them a the States of, the American Union have day or two before the Iocai wholesaler roved that the grasshopper, gr peer, when collects them, Then he handles and available, constitutes a considerable candles them` and holds them a day portion .of the diet of the Sparrow or two, or ever longer, before he ships Hawk, the remains of as many eS them to the city wholesaler. 'He again,. forty grasshoppers having been die-. handles, candies, and holds themes day'.eovered in a single specimen, It is at least before they pass out of -his new reported by Mr. H. L. Seamans hands. Apart from the loss of labor, of the Entomological. Lnboiatory. rho eggs are losing their freshness. • maintained by the Dominion Depart - Nor does this cover all our losses. We melt of Agriculture at Lethbridge, may sell extra special eggs and firstAlberta, that a movement is on foot to class butter to the local storekeeper, I change the name of the bird from but he can seldom afford to pay what Sparrow hawk to Grasshopper Hawk, these products are worth because he .- a gets so many eggs and to much' butter Here's my way to keep cattle and that is not first-class, that he has to horses fromreaching over a gate; depend on the profits, usually from Take 'a strip of one -inch lumber as the good and first-class eggs and but- long as the gate end drive eighb-penny ter, to make up for the loss' he is nails through it. Then lay the strip bound to suffer on second or even on the top of the gate, with points of third-class stuff. lfowlong would a nails up, and nail the strip fast. Dob - local merchant lest who would dere bin and Bossy.will not Math over and to tell the .truth to some of his ens- bear down on the gate very often after touters? At the recent British Dairy`t'yoa put title guard rail on. --E. S. nn`\ it The now year calla for ai speeding Up of all poultry operations, Tho breeding flocks '.'must be efftelently elated, the breeders handled in a way to insure good egg' fertility and hatehability; the incubators must be put in elope for the hatching soon; the brooding equipment overhauled said the brooder houses put in shape for early brooding. i To»day the most profitable chic is of any breed are hatched in the late win tor. Eggs from the breeding lock should' run high in fertility, with germs that are strong and produce chicks that live well. Probably the most import-' ant factor 18 the inherent vigor and vitality of the Parents themselves. Birds that .are run dew, in health are not safe hatching -egg preducers. Breeders should e be fed a conaider- I able quantity of hard grain and a. minimum quantity of animal protein,! probably 10 per cent. of the latter in' the dry mash, They should be fedi their grain ration in deep litter aid compelled to exercise abundantly. They. should be provided with green food continually throughout the winter and the breeding season. Be sure that the breeders are free from body lice, and in clean, sanitary quarters. Probably the best suggestion to the average farm poultry raiser is to make a special mating each year, from which hatching eggs for the propaga- kion of his future pulletswill be pro - &weed. Such a pen need' not be come posed .of more than fifteen or twenty of his superior females. If only the best birds could be pick- ed icked out and put in a special breeding pen by themselves each winter, the quality of the pullets in succeeding generations would show material im- provement. Then to these few super- ior birds there should be mated the best male birds obtainable This special breeding flock should not be forced for heavy egg produc- tion, but should be allowed to range out-of-doors throughout the winter to keep the birds in good breeding condi, tion. Shovel away the snow if neces- sary to let them exercise. Direct sunlight is essential to the health of the birds. Studies show that sunlight coning in a poultry house through glass is robbed of much of its life-giving and invigorating powers. So in the case of early chicks and laying and breeding flocks, remove the windows or hinge them ao that they can be opened up during the day, thus admitting 'a flood of direct sun rays. -I- Moving Moving Trees. Moving big trees is a winter job. Do it when the ground is frozen. After deciding where the tree is to be set, this patch of ground (about ten feet in diameter) should be covered with twelve inches of fresh stable manurer which will thaw out the surface of the ground and make the digging easy. Trees up to eight inches in diameter can be moved without special equip- ment. If the tree is about this size a circular,_ straight -walled trench with! a radius of three feet should be dugI about it so as to make the, ball of earth include the majority of the small fibrous roots. After the trench is dug, let the exposed bald freeze solid while you dig the hole for the new location. This should have 'a depth equa•I to the height of the ball and should be slightly larger in diameter. Whin all is ready, the tree with its ball of frozen earth should be care- fully pried onto a stone boat and haul- ed up in an upright position to the hole,into which the tree canskid- ded. be Manure may be mixed with the dirt used to lilt in the hole, but be careful not to let it come in direct contact with the roots. '-Following the moving, the tree should be pruned to make the roots and top balance. Retting Flax Straw for Fibre. James Potter, foundry proprietor of Rotherham, England, says be can build houses at a cost of $1,000, made of steel plates, bolted together, with concrete on the outside, Be hopes to solve the housing shortage. THE NEED OF A FARM. ALARM a unday choo Les on JANUA RY 25 Jest") Comforts His,Riseiples, John 14: 1.31. Golden Text —I am the way, the truth and, the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me, --John 14: 6. ANnz,YetS, terminating his disciples' usefulness, I..DOUaANcrs PROM JESUS, 1-4. ,will make them stronger end more 11. nouns AND FEARS of TIir; nes- useful characters than ever before. j COLO, 5-11, They will go on doing the works of i III. Retss ee ASSURANCES FROM JESU9 'esus, and "greater works," becauee , Jesus will henceforth be with the 12-17. Father, 4 the seat of all power:" INvaonuOTloN—Left alone in the Vs, 18 14. The secret of this great - 1 p r ��PP er upper so the time in imparting. . aoss o -Jesus' nri mesa nllthestrengthgf what lat ons of faith. Evein ts final Jesus is they will ase thins undreamt hour of life he dos not think of him- of before, and the answer to these self, but only of what these leen have prayers will come. As often as they to suffer. His nctione and words at think about Jesus, they win Sind them - the Supper have made it plain that he selves praying for, great and holy must 1141,1±3"die, and the last shred of things. Thus Jesus death will open hope which the disciples had of an a new era of prayer on earth. e••"ill'•„ r.msvn and an earthly kingdom Va. 15-17. Finally, if they continue has become extinct in their breasts. in loving obedience to Jeans, the Asst 5 a:,, the thought of the future Father will send another Friend or —a future without Jesus by their side Helper --our English Version uses the —a pals them. How shall they get on word Comforter, but the meaning is without the one who has been the light Advocate or Helper — namely, the of life? Jesus now speaks to revive Spirit of Truth. This Spirit will guide their hope, and to revive it on the the disciples, and be forever with basis of his cross and resurrection. them, He will not be bestowed on He wishes net only to revive it, but to the world, but shall dwell in all dis- raise it to a height unknown before. ciples' hearts. The consolations which he gives cover Think how many consolations are the whose of their work and service in ' gives in this chapter, Try to count this world, and they apply also to the them up, and lay them to heart. world to ..come. It may be helpful to APPLICATION. 1 summarize those which belong to the The Sin of Worry—At the inaug- present lesson. oration of lits ministry, Jesus outlined (1) This world, in which the die- a program for human happiness. He ciples have been so happy with Jesus, specifically forbids the Cristian to Is not the only (tome of the spirit, or worry, Be not over-anxious about the only place of fellowship with our lives. Learn a •lesson from the Jesus In the Father's house, which lies• Watch their growth. God pea is the universe, there ,are many man - vides. Your heavenly Father knows cions, many resting -places, besides the things you need. Enough for each this world. day are its own troubles. Do not be (2) Jesus is going to prepare one over anxious, therefore about to - such "mansion" for his disciples, and morrow. he will return to take them to it. The Troubles of Others Few people, Meantime, they know the "way" which have any desire to hear about your i leads there. troubles, They wish to talk about their (3) If the disciples have been help- own. I once saw a motor mechanic' ed to do great things while Jesus was walk abruptly away in the very midst' with them, they will do still "greater of the victims detailed story of how it works when he is gone, because he all happened. He had heard similar will be with them in the power of. his tales of woe monotonously often. 'Prob. met and endless life. •ably it is better to unburden our secret (4) Prayer in Jesus' name will in- sorrows on some sympathetic friend augurate a new era of power and possibility, than to brood over them, and the con - • way may be a' wholesome cor-' • (5) The Father will send the Holy rective for ingrowing religions as well Spirit to abide with them for ever. as for things we ought not to have We may now consider the teaching done, but the way of Jesus is best of of the chapter. all. None but he would think of any I. nsauirANces FROM JEsus, 1-4. other than himself at such a time as V. 1, The disciples are not to he this, the eve of the black shadow of, troubled or agitated in mind at the dreadful death. He might well have thought of their' separation from apperiled to them for sympathy, but. Jesus. They must acquire calmnes by instead of that he revealed the Christ- ie God and the Master. The words of a higher exercise of faith, real faith like attitude. Most of us have so much to he thankful for, in comparison with the second half of the verse should be multitudes who are worse off than we; rendered: "Believe in God, and believe are, that the tender pity of yearning in me." Stoic philosophers taught that, compassion should shame us into be-„ ibut the only reason they could mon should not be troubled in heart lltt'ang our petty worries and passing give troubles. Unselfish help to those In was that inward disturbance signified weakness. Jesus gives his disciples a real trouble is a sure cure for thecommon and unlovely malady of self-`. ground for their serenity, namely, per- Pity feet confidence in the loving Father, 't' — 1 whom Jesus has revealed.Wood-lot Furnishes Winter V. 2. The disciples are utterly die- I The Stevens farmhouse was a ruin Fire had destroyed not only the house but the greater share of its contents. "If I had only had some quick way of getting the men here from the field, we could have saved it—put it out with a few buckets of water from the tank," lamented Mrs. Stevens. It was. the old story too often being repeated. Mrs. Stevens was alone in the house with her two small children, one two and one a mere baby. All. of a sudden she realized that smoke was pouring through the house from some where. The men had reached the far field. She begged the frightened two- year-old to let go her skirts as she hurried for water. She called frantic- ally, but her voice did not carry half so far away as the men were. Finally an across -the -road neighbor heard her.. Her men, too, were in the field. She called with the same effect. She 1 tree_ to maze toe trip almost to wnere ' the men were working before she could get their attention. Meanwhile the flumes had enveloped the Stevens home and were beyond control. "If we had had a farm alarm," said the now homeless Mrs. Stevens, "this could have been avoided." A VALUABLE HORSE INJURED. At another farm home the mother of the family was the only one at home when she heard a commotion at the barn. On hurrying to the scene she found a valuable horse down, un- able to got up. She loosened the hal- ter strap; she tried to quiet the startled animal even at the risk of getting too near the horse's feet, but she could do nothing. "II I had had some kind of a call - bell or whistle I could have had my neighbor or the hired man in from the hay -field," she said, "but when I was able to get some one the horse was lamed and made almost useless." It is a grievous oversight for the farmer not to provide sone kind of a bell' or whistle or siren to use in case of a fire or accident. NEIGHBOBHo0D ALARMS. j In one farm locality the entire neighborhood is provided with farm alarms. Some have bells, others whistles and one farmer has a horn. They' have a set of signals, one toot or whistle meaning for some one per- son to come; but if the sound goes on contiiuously it means for all mon to come to the house, and often the near; neighbors -will try to find out if their assistance is needed. "We have saved two of our homes from the flames by our 'farm alarm system," said one of the. farmers in this neighborhood, "and we rescued a child from drowning by getting to the spot ,in time and on another occasion we were in time getting to a roadside auto accident to save two of the peaple who were pinned • under the car. Enough evidence to show the merit of a quick -call service on the farm." True, the arm farms to -day are provided with telephones; but these do little good when it is a season when every Jesus is in the field, for it is not often that just womenfolk can handle such situations. ' Provide your -farm with a farm alarm. Teach your family a code of signals that will allow eon to under- stand the call and make the children eradicate/id that there ate to be no false calls because of their careless- ness in pulling the bell -rope or blow- ing the whistle when it is not neces- sary, There has been little change for many years in the system of retting flax and hemp for the production of fibre for manufacturing purposes. It has long been the custom to spread the hemp or flax straw on pasture fields for due rotting or submerging the crops in ponds. These two me- thods being slow and unsuitable whei•o large amounts of straw must be ret - ted, new methods of rotting are being studied. The Fibre Division of the Experimental Farms. has made a test of a new method called the Kayser process. In involves the addition of bacterial culture to the rotting water, which is kept at 77 degrees F. The work was doe during the winter months. The drying of the crop after the Vetting had been completed was done;ile a room kept at a temperature of approximately 44 degrees F. Ttiis induced sufficiently slow drying, to prevent injury'to the fibre. After drying Were completed. strength tests were mac, and the straw was broken and scutched in the usual manner, The fibre obtained by this method of rotting turned out very green in color and although. of good strength was of a harsher nature than is favored by spinners. Thera is no success in poultry out- side the beaten path of continued at- tentioie rind perseverance, Make it a rule each night to count all the fowls to see if any are missing. This may lead to ori investigation of the. cause of the disappearanee of missing ones and avoid further loss. Work. tress because Jesus is leaving tk2s My most profitable winter job is; world. He reminds them that the found in proper handling of the farm' possibilities of rest -and intercourse in wood -lot. With the aid of one helper God's whole world are endless. iofThis all, jam able to aecom• fah the following world, in which we live is, after arl only one of many "mansions" in the' work, in addition to keeping the chores' Father's house. Jesus has himself well dopa: said that he was going to prepare one There are twenty-six acres in the of these mansions are resting places,' farm wood -lot. It is the aim each where he and his loved ones will en- Iwinter to go over the entire acreage, joy together the life that knows no disposing of all trees which are dawn, partings t,r thpaations. He thus givee all trees which are dead, and a few them,, nest, the Christian. hope of the trees that have reached their prime home in glory. V. 3. Jesus will appear again towel- and are becoming less valuable coine his disciples to his eternal res The method of disposal of these P once. They must wait and look for; trees is important. All small down the signs of that appearing. But note trees, and all top limbs are drawn im that_ nothing is said here about his mediately to the buzzpile. About thirty appearing on clouds, or with physical cords of such firewood are obtained signs. It is the coming of Jesus in each winter. All small white oak! spirit that is intended. The clouds' are only a figurative image. trees which we find dead are cut into' V. 4. The disciples have also,the fence posts. White oak anchor posts{ consolation that the know now the lalso cut from the wood's. Small! Y "way" are y' f to where Jesus is going. black ash trees that are straight are II. Douses AND FEARS OF Tan DIS - They t0 one Of the nearby sawmills. metes, 5-11. They are taken to the sawmill if they Vs. 6-8. One of the disciples, Thom- are large enough to cut five gate as, who was always tempted to take boards, fourteen or sixteen feet long.! a sombre view of things, here' inter- In all of the different classes of trees' poses that they do not know where handled, all suitable material is taken Jesus is going, and how then can they to the sawmill. All other bigmaterial blow the "way"there? Death, he seems to say, is a great mystery. The is sawed up with the crosscut saw.; eye cannot' pierce the gloom. We cee From two to three thousand feet oft, not perceive the world beyond, nor' lumber are sawed from the woods.! anything that belongs to it. . Why,' This may vary so that some years we therefore, speak of the way being'' may omit entirely taking logs to mill. plain? Jesus answers simply that the This tombs, consists of sill, bass e; is himself. Thomas surely knows wood, oak, or maple, boards. There' what it is to be led by Jesus. Weil,;are also beach, ash, oak, elm and thea then, htoe ed bJesus, to trust titlike 2x4's cut. This material' is used is to have Jesus as the way; it is the . � true way, and it is a tilling way. Can- for building frame work, patching,' not Thomas go on trusting, holding to stick pens, forms for cement work,' esus all the time? Jesus has reveal- and the like. Per* fine work the lam- ed the Father. Let the disciple hold ler is taken to town and dressed. on to Jesus, and he cannot miss the' While furnishThg firewood for the tvay to God. •1 oar, the wood-lot.also cuts lumber Vs. 9, 10. For God is the goal of Y t life. dere however, another disciple, costs, for the farm considerably. A Philip, interjects with the remark that few. short cuts of hickory are made up ff they could only see God it would all into ax handles, when the supply rune be right. But God moves in so mys-, out. In the spring about 150 maple terms a way. On earth the disciples trees are tapped. haveus to cling to. Sous They ender- g e Winter employment in the woods stand Jesus, but how can it be said, has several antages in the farne that they see God? "Lord, he says,; plans It is not dependent upon the show us the I ether, and the ore can- weather. It provides wort for the tent. Jesus answers that one . who year hired man. It reviles work for has been so long with himself ought to • y P have known better than to argue in• two hours per day, or to hours. A such a strain. Hes not God been real'properly handled wood -lot adds to the to the disciples through Jesus? Have value and appearanceof the farm. -- they not seen God in Jesus' life and Lawrenco Ward, actions? :And 'is not that °noughl Jesus has plainly lived his life in come Beware of rags or cloths used in u' 1. =union with ,Gad.. I am in' the .oiling floors or cleaning or 'polishing Father and the Father in me•" Think, i tfuri stare, They" may ignite apon- too, of Jens words. Aire they not I twieously, Be ales to'burn them after from God? Think of his Warks, ,using or store in a metal container Ara they not inspired by trod? What out-of-doors, Leaving thein about for only sr few hours may mean a fire. The sane precaution should be observed regarding oily waste in the ganago. It is dangerous; either burn it, or keep dt in a closed metal can out-of-doore,l One'Slded Honors. "Well," said a farmer to an Irish lad who was employed en his fares, "I heard you had a little encounter with my bull yesterday. .Who came off beset". "Sure, you're honor," said Patsy, scratching lits head,. `It weea toss up!", A few drops f glycerine n joint of ,food•chopper or on pump where oil . may leave a disageeetible . taste, will prevent foreign taste or ,dor. more evidence of the reality and char- acter of God does Philip wish? III. BeeneWno ASSURANCES 0110e1 ;TESUS, 12-17. V. 12. Jesus, resuming his address, says that hie own death, so fax from • PASSING THE WINTE Winter. clays are not without thele pleasurable features, even fox those of us with the dryest skin and the hardiest arteries. They bring with them a certain freedom from farm cares, tasks end "worries, The tired ,serves that may have been put to severe strain, on account of risk of loss of valuable crops, have a shame to relax. The season's Drops are all safely garnered and stared nway in shock, stacks or crib, or 71114y - be turned into cash and spout. The farm animals are all securely shelter- ed and fortified` against discomfort, The wood house or Coal bin ie well supplied, There are hong evenings and many .afternoons that can be given over to pure enjoyment. Games with the young folks, neighborhood visitations, community dinners, good books and magazines, great, pans full of pop corn, and baslcets of Northern Spies, all lend their support in re- ducing the dread of winter days and filling them with comfort and happi- ness and cheer. They will not Past long. None too long, if we make the best use of them. We are reminded that when winter once comes in earnest, spring cannot be far behind. Almost before we know it, the young folks will have laid aside their skates, forgotten their snow balls, and will be digging ditches or sailing ships in back yard pools. Then we will be getting things in order, teams and tole and tractors, clean- ing seeds end buying fertilizers, pre- paratory to .carrying out with plow' and planter the farming program that we will have so carefully figured out these cold winter days. THE COMMUNITY BETTERMENT A practice familiar to pioneers who had pork to cure and preserve was to test the strength of the brine by chop- ping in an egg. If the egg floated the brine was considered of the pro- per mixture to keep the meat. This practice had one drawback. When the egg was old it would float, even in brine lacking the required amount of salt to preserve meat, So the value of the test depends upon the condition of the egg. It may be a bit far-fetched to go from brine to community critics; but that egg pretty well symbolizes the influence of those who criticize efforts to build up and improve our commun ities and the folks who live' therein. TA t1-. .....,.... a parson or good character who, by reason of that fact, is bound to criticize only for the sole purpose of making things better, his words and acts are quite certain to help in the preservation of the good things of the community, and in its improvement. But, should there be an attempt to follow the leadership of the person lacking hi character, then like the bad egg, it may lead us to depend upon a "solution" that Is too weak to make for betterment, with the result that conditions, even worse than those at first obtaining, may prevail. Growing Flax for Fibre. In glowing flax for the production of fibre it is important to allow the crop to advance to a certain' stage of maturity before harvesting begins. According to an experiment carried on by the Division of Economic Fibre Pro- duction of the. Experimental Farms, the flax crop harvested on August 21 not only gave a greater yield par acre of seed, fibre and tow, bat the. fibre was of better quality than that taken from the ,crop harvested one and two weeks earlier, respectively. The variety used was Riga Blue and at the time of latest pulling the seed had reached maturity. The quantity of fibre did not differ greatly from the three pulling's, the yields of scratched fibre per acre being 330.5 pounds for the first pulling, 179.9 pounds for the Second pulling, and 482 pounds for the third. The yield of seutched fibre perhundred pounds of dry weight was almost the same from the three Tailings, being 8.5 pounds for the first, and 9.1 pounds for each of the other two. The 'fibre from the first two pullings is reported by the Chief Officer of the Division MMS being ,of good quality in each of the three oases, but weak in the first two and strong in the more mature crop. All of the fibre, the report states, was graded No. 1. The greater weakness of the earlier cuttings is at- tributed to over-retting, as it is felt that the immaturity of the straw may have served to hasten the retting process. "edam Bright clover or alfalfa hay is the best roughage for colts. For grain, feed a mixture of oats, wheat, bran and oilmeal. Work horses should not stand idle in tho barn; give them exercise every day. The same goes for mares In foal. Out down the grain when • horses are idle. Growing colts should not be winter- ed on hard floors. Bos stifle with earth doors are best. Roadster colts need more room for exercise than draft colts, Horses sell better et farm sales if well mated; If you have ono good horse, buy another to mete hien' and sell the two together.