HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1951-09-21, Page 2GE TWO
THE 'HURON EXPOSITOR
Established1860
A. Y. McLean, Editor
Published at Seaforth, Ontario, ev-
ery Thursday afternoon by McLean
Biros,
Member of Canadian
Weekly Newspapers
Association.
Subscription rates, $2.50 a year in
advance; foreign $3.00 a year. Single
copies, 5 cents each.
Advertising rates on application.
PHONE 41
Authorized as Second Class Mail
Post Office Department, Ottawa
SEAFORTH, Friday, September 21
Fewer Horses
Anyone who has had anything to
do with farms or farmers during the
past ten years knows that each year
sees a fewer number of horses, and
that the horse seems to be gradually
disappearing from Canadian farms.
That the impressions concerning
the disappearance of the horse are
correct, is proved by the Bureau of
Statistics. The Bureau reports that
the horse population in Canada de-
clined by more than ten per cent in
the year ending June lst last. At
that time the Bureau estimated there
were 1,505,200 horses still on Cana-
dian farms, compared with 1,683,000
the previous year.
The survey of livestock on farms
showed a three per cent increase in
the number of cattle—estimated at
9,333,300 at the latest date, while
sheep declined slightly to 1,968100
compared with 2,015,000 at June Ia'st
year.
There are many reasons of course
for the decline of the horse, but the
prime reason is the greater availa-
bility of time -saving machinery, and
the ability of the farmer to buy it.
Horses, with the advent of the car
many years ago, ceased being a
means of transportation in all but a
few cases. They now are ceasing to
be a factor in farm work.
Many farmers, while they like to
have horses around, can't justify the
practise in view of the high cost of
feed and the necessity of obtaining
the largest possible return from farm
labor. They used to breed two or
three mares every year, now farm
after farm hasn't even got a mare
on the place. The result is that a
whole generation of farm boys is
growing up which has no knowledge
of handling or hitching horses.
While the horse population may
be declining, we doubt that the horse
will be eliminated entirely. There
are still many who like nothing bet-
ter than to watch a good horse, and
horses will continue to be bred for
show purposes. Then too, as a farm-
er told us the other day, "I just like
to have a couple around. There are
lots of jobs they can do."
•
Not Too Early
Determined that the district they
serve may be fully informed concern-
ing Christmas store hours, merch-
ants of Palmerston have started al-
ready to plan an information cam-
paign for the Christmas season.
The Palmerston Observer com-
ments about the plans in a recent
issue:
"Palmerston Board of Trade, or
at least the Retail Merchants' Com-
mittee of that body, have been auth-
orized to conduct an advertising
campaign in the weekly press of this
area, and over the air,, to advise
folks of the community when Palm-
erston shops will be open to serve the
public in the Christmas shopping
period. And if this seems to be look-
ing ahead, they have even reached
the decision to close on December 26
and observe 'Boxing Day'.
"The advertising campaign will be
worth something to every business
and service in the town, for bringing
the name of the town before thou-
sands of potential customers, it ab-
solutely must create some new busi-
ness. One operator of a business that
could not be classed as a retail out-
let, and certainly was not affected by
Christmas trade, stated that he
would go along with the estimated
- $4.00 per store expense, as he con-
sMered it of excellent value. With
this type of reception, the committee
should have no trouble financing its
campaign, and be encouraged to con-
tinue with other such devices design-
ed to improve the town's popularity
as a shopping centre."
Remembering the confusion that
has existed in Seaforth during re-
cent years over Christmas shopping
and the inconvenience that the buy-
ing public experienced, perhaps it is
not too early for the Seaforth Cham-
ber of Commerce to consider a simi-
lar plan.
•
Should Get Together
Certain departments of all govern-
ments are conscious of the needs of
conservation and are persistent in
their efforts to impress on tfie coun-
try the necessity of conserving our
natural resources. Yet, at the same
time' other departments in carrying
out their duties give no thought to
the advice given by their fellow de-
partments, and continue to ignore
the fundamentals of conservation.
Attention to the inconsistent sit-
uation that exists is drawn by the
Newmarket Era and Express, when
it says:
"The Globe and Mail tees off
against the Hydro Commission and
the Department of Highways as ag-
ents of deforestation in a recent edi-
torial. Says that paper: 'The On-
tario Hydro Commission and the De-
partment of Highways are between
them responsible for cutting down
an immense number of trees every
year. These agencies of deforesta-
tion are seldom given due recogni-
tion by conservationists, who are in-
clined to blame farmers and greedy
sawmill operators for the loss of
forest cover in Southern Ontario.'
"There are farmers in Whitchurch
Township who'll say a fervent 'amen'
to that. They'll remember t h e
swamp, a prime source of water,
which was drained by the Hydro
with no apparent concern for what
their actions would do to the water
table of the area. And then, in King
Township last year or the year be-
fore, there were those bush fires
which were blamed on the Hydro
crews.
"And it is not only the Provincial
Department of Highways which has
succeeded in rooting up so many
trees in thename of good roads.
Most district road crews are also
guilty. When grading hillsides or
cuts, roots are left bare and the trees
doomed. Another practice which
seems to be taking a toll of trees is
roadside spraying. All too frequent-
ly trees are sprayed high in their fol-
iage and it can't be doing them much
good.
"The Department of Highways
maintains two nurseries and in 1949
planted 91,593 trees so that at least
some effort is being made to repair
the damage of graders and 'dozers.
But none of the townships, nor the
county have nurseries and nothing is
done to replace the trees destroyed
in road building... -
"The Globe and Mail says that pri-
vate individuals should be encourag-
ed to plant roadside trees, but as long
as the process of widening and re-
grading district roads and highways
continues, there is not much likeli-
hood of such efforts in this vicinity.
All too often, those plantings are
doomed."
What Other Papers Say:
Cost Of Comfort
(Calgary Albertan)
We'll bet Chief Constable Jennings
of the Edmonton City Police is a
popular man with his force.
In the matter of shirts versus
tunes for summer wear, he says he
has "vivid memories of unpleasant
hot days spent in heavy serge tunics"
and would have welcomed the change
to shirts. He admits that shirts are
not quite as smart in appearance as
the tunics, but they are "decidedly
more comfortable" and for that rea-
son he is prepared to recommend
their adoption once more if the price
ever comes "within reason."
His men started wearing them
four years ago, when they cost $8.00
each. Now the price is something ov-
er $30 each, so they have been dis-
continued. Little wonder. Every
comfort has a price.
4 'r•
• THE HURON EXPOSITOR •
CROSSROADS
(By James Scott)
THE MACHINE AND I
Back in the 1890's an uncle of
mine was standing in the crowd
which had' gathered along Fifth
Avenue in New York to watch an
exhibition run of one of the new-
fangled automobiles. As it whizzed
by at the alarming rate of seven
miles an hour, he said:
"That Ganged machine will kill
somebody yet!"
He was not the type to under-'
estimate his powers, but I suspect
hat not even he had any idea how
completely his prophecy would be
fulfilled in the next half -century. coax her into starting- Finally my
He really wasn't a prophet at all next door neighbor came along,
but just a man who loved horses tinkered a bit, spoke sternly to
and naturally was against anything the machine and she behaved.
which seemed to threaten their, Well, more or less. She started
existence. like a charm and she never stop -
Maybe it is from him that I in- i ped, but she moved at such a clip
herit my complete incompatability that I developed into a first-rate
vith machines. Anyway, no matter, miler trying to keep up with her.
where it comes from, the fact re-; This went on until I decided either
mains that the machine and I wage I had to give up everything else
constant war. No matter in what and go into serious training for a
particular form it comes, the ma-! runner, or else give up the power
Chine is—and seems to recognize lawnmower, That was till the
at once that it is—my enemy. !fatal day.
Once I read a story about,. an That day she was going, it any -
engine -driver on the railroad 'Who thing, faster than ever, and then.
fell in love with his engine. May- l all of a sudden there was the most
be he could; maybe he did. But fearsome clangor, and before I
not me. I could stop her she was throwing
Whether I'm in the city or the nuts and bolts and pieces of ma -
country, I'm the kind of fellow who chinery all over the front lawn in
gets into trouble with any kind of the worst tantrum I've ever seen
machinery. Take just the other in a well -brought up machine.
day. The pieces are together again
The hotel where I stay has one now and once mere she's sup osed
of these new self-operating eteva- to be irr first-class order, bu I'm
tors. All you have to do is get in, right back to where I star ed—
push the button which has your that is, she won't start.
bought one, and I should have
known better. I'll admit that when
it's working it is a wonderful
labor -saver; but it is never work-
ing.
At the beginning of the year it
wouldn't start and three mechanics
looked at it and said there was
nothing wrong with it. They would
give it a whirl and away she's go
like a house afire until they 'were
out of sight, and then the darned
contraption would stop and I'd
spend another half day trying to
floor number on it, and up you go
automatically. As simple as that.
Except for me.
When I push the button for the
third floor the elevator goes up;
stops for a minute and before I
can get out, the doors snap shut
and I'm on my way to the fifth.
There, a big man, who always
seems to be smoking a cigar, gets
on, signals for .the ground floor
and down we go. He gets off and
I start all over again. Sometimes
I've been as long as three-quarters
of an hour trying to get to the
third floor. I could climb the stair
in about four minutes.
At home it is the same thing. I
have a big lawn, and some joking She lived to a ripe old age. and
character said a power mower as far as I've ever heard she was
would save me time and money as just as happy as anybody I know
well as the sweat of my- brow. I today.
Oh, I know all about the indus•
trial revolution and the wonderful
saving of labor which science and
the machine have brought. I know
all about shorter working hours
and greater convenience for the
housewife, and if that all makes
people happier and healthier, that's
fine, but it just won't work for me.
When my great grandmother was
married a friend of hers walked all
the way from Harpurhey to Galt to
be at the wedding, and she carried
her shoes the whole distance so
the journey wouldn't spoil them.
No cars, buses or trains in those
days.
Fertilizing Hay and Pastures in
the Fall
Fall applications of fertilizer
provide one means of improving
the growth of hay and pasture mea-
dows as well as extending the pas-
,ure season in the spring and fall.
This statement comes from the
Advisory Fertilizer Board for On-
tario, who also points out that the
imi;ortance of increasing the
growth of hay and pasture is ob-
vious since they provide our cheap-
est source of good livestock feed.
For improved fall pasture they
suggest a quick -acting nitrogen
l'ertilizer applied during the first
half of September. A good appli-
cation for this purpose would be
125 pounds of ammonium sulphate
or 75 pounds of ammonium nitrate
per acre.
On the other nand. if a quick
growth of pasture in the early
spring is desired, the Advisory Fer-
tilizer Board suggests the applica-
tion of 125 pounds' per acre of
ranular cyanamid in the late fall.
This fertilizer is slower acting and
while it will not effect the fall
growth materially, it will boost
the growth of the grass next
spring.
,,The Board goes on to point out
that grasses respond to phosphates
as well as nitrogen. Indeed, a
combination of the two, applied in
the fall will not only give the pas-
tures a good start in the fall but
will also promote early spring
growth. Ammonium phosphate 11-
48-0 applied this fall at the rate of
100 pound per acre would give
good results.
In addition to getting fairly
quick results from such special ap-
plications of fertilizer as those al-
ready suggested the Board goes
on to point out that grass and
legume crops respond best on soil
which is well supplied with plant
food. The best way to find out
what the soil needs is to have it
tested. However, where such a
soil teat has not been taken they
'hake some recommendations
which will serve as a rough guide.
For light soil where the sward is
mostly grasses. 250 to 300 pounds
of 4-12-12 or 0-16-9 would be a bet-
ter choice, used at the same rate.
For heavier soils. where grasses
predominate, 4-12-6 applied at 250
to 300 pounds per acre is consider-
ed a good general application. On
the legumes and mixtures there
are several alternatives for appli-
cations on heavier soils. They in-
clude 250 to 300 pounds of 0-16-8,
0-20-0, 3-18-9, or 4-12-6. Another al-
ternative would be 4-24-12 fertilizer
at the rate of 175 to 200 pounds
per acre. Best results from any
of these fertilizers will be obtain-
ed when they are applied in the
early fall.
mobile on the subject of treating
pastures, the Fertilizer Advisory
Board also points out that hay and
pasture' meadows provide one of
the most profitable places to apply
farmyard manure. A top dressing
of six to ten loads per acre applied
n the fall will strengthen the
plants and provide some winter
protection. At the same time the
all application of this manure will
discourage the animals from close
grazing a4 this time of the year,
thus leaving the plants in better
condition to withstand the rigours
of the winter season.
Finally the Board has a word to
say about applying lime to pas
tures. Where a soil test shows
lime is required they consider fall
is a good time to do he job, add-
ing that the limestone should be
secured from an approved source.
Information on the sources and on
the subsidies available on agricul-
tural limestone can be obtained
from the county agricultural re-
presentative.
Chemical Analysis of Feeds
The purpose of feed inspection
and analysis as carried out by the
plant Products Division is to set
'standards for feeds and to main-
tain these standards. This is done
to ensure that the farmer, poultry-
man or other user of the feeds ob-
tains a ration that is safe for feed-
ing and of a certain quality.
Chemical analysis gives results
for such values as protein, fat and
,fibre. Protein is very important in
the growth of animals and it is im-
portant to know how much crude
protein is contained in a ration.
Differences in animal growth have
been observed with a small differ-
ence in the protein content of
feeds. The analysis for crude pro-
tein gives a figure for all the pro-
tein and does not tell what differ-
ent proteins are present, It is,
however, a very important value
in judging feeds.
The analysis for crude fat and
fibre is carried out on the same
weighed sample. Fat is important
as a source of energy and of ma-
terial that makes an animal heal-
thy. Fibre is a measure of the
part of the feed which cannot be
digested readily. This figure for
crude fibre ,has often, been criticiz-
ed as not being specific enough but
it does give useful information in
evaluating feeds. Many other
methods have been studied and
talked about but the method used
by feed laboratories is the only
one which can be carried out
quickly and, relatively, cheaply.
In many feeds, it is important to
know something about the miner-
al content. If a samplW of feed is
heated so that the ash is Left, this
gives an indication of the miner-
als. But some of these minerals,
such as srlica and aluminum, are of
little use to the animals. The chem-
ist must analyse the feed and find
ont how much calcium, phosphorus
and salt are in the • ration. The
feeder and the nutritionist like to
talk of the ratio of calcium to phos
phorus and such values can be
obtained only by chemical analy-
sis. Some salt is necessary to
make a ration palatable but the
amount must be checked by chemi-
cal analysis. Sometimes it is im-
portant to know the amount of io-
dine, iron-, cobalt, copper in feeds.
These have an important place in
animal feeding but the amounts
needed are small. It is by chem-
ical analysis that these important
elements can be regulated. Chemi-
cal analysis of feeds has liruitd-
tione but despite this, it has been
the foundation df nett'itional stu-
dies and practice.
1J.
R • E'S UEALTH
Junior has receptive
ears
And if family feuds
he hears,
The atmosphere of
frequent strife
May influence
his adult life.
Dept of National Health sod Welfare
Years Agone
Interesting Items Picked From
The Huron Expositor of Twen-
ty-five and Fifty Years Ago.
From The 'Huron Expositor
September 24, 1926
The following is the standing of
the contestants in the pony con-
test which is creating a great deal
of interest in both town and coun-
try: Edwin Hawkins, C. Bateman,
Frank Grieve, S. Habkirk, Leo
Joynt, Frank Phillips, Mickey Arch-
ibald, Wilson Broadfoot, C. G. Sher-
wood, Clara Krauskopf, Geo. Crich,
Thos. Sills, D'Orleon Sills, Jean
Gemmell.
Many friends here will regret to
learn of the death of John Lamont
which occurred at his home in Ed-
inburgh, Scotland, on Sept. 6. He
was on the staff of the Dominion
Bank here for two years.
Former pupils of the Seaforth
Collegiate who are attending Strat-
ford Normal this year are: Miss
Annie McTaggart, Marg. Black,
Rena Simpson, Annie Brodie, Elva
Jefferson and Viola Morrison.
Rev. W. P. Lane, Murray Sav-
auge, W. Barber, R. Willis, Miss
Gladys Holland, Miss Grace Scar-
lett, Miss Jean Cluff and Miss Dor-
othy Robinson were in London on
Monday attending the Young Peo-
ple's Convention of the London
Conference.
Mr. George Stuernagle, of Man-
ley, purchased the three -acre lot
on the corner of lot 5, concession
8, with a fine stable, for the sum
of $310. •Mr. Keannie purchased
the old No. 8 schoolhouse and site
for $200, which was erected 62
years ago.
Mr. James S. Tapp, Hensall, left
this week to enter the University,
and being a fine student will no
doubt give a good account of him-
self.
Tuesday night, Sept. 14, will be
remembered by the residents of
Zurich and those that were there
that evening for many years. The
victory of Mr. T. McMillan, the
Liberal candidate of South Huron,
and return of the King Govern-
ment was celebrated in a way that
was a credit to the Liberals of the
riding. Mr. McMillan and party ar-
rived with the bagpipe band of
Clinton and a torchlight proces-
sion was held.
Mr. J. F. Daly, the local Ford
agent, on Thursday sold his one
hundredeth car this season. Of this
number, 65 were new cars. This
is the best season Mr. Daly has
had since he took the Ford agency
in 1910.
From The Huron Expositor
September 20, 1901
Fire did about $100 worth of
damage to McEWan's flax mill in
Hensall recently. The fire origin-
ated from burning stumps in an
adjoining field. A high wind was
blowing at the time and sparks
from the stumps lodged in the mill.
The barn on the farm of Albert
Penwarden, con. 4, Usborne. to-
gether with all its contents, v'as
destroyed by fire on Monday night
of last week. The fire was evident-
ly of incendiary origin as there
was no one living on the place.
The town flag was flying at half-
mast most of this week as a token
of respect for the late President
McKinley.
Messrs. Chas. Stewart. and Allie
Bethune, of New York, are here on
a visit to their parents and friends.
Mr. John L. Hogg, late mathe-
matical master in the Collegiate
here, left on Wednesday for Bos-
ton. He will spend the next col-
lege year taking up post -graduate
work at Harvard University.
Mr. John Dale, Jr., of the Huron
Road, at Alma, had five horses
killed by the train on Friday night.
The horses were pasturing in a
field near the track and had got
through a defective fence onto the
track and were struck by the late
express going west.
A. Yungblut, James Bonthron,
Cornelius Cook and Abner John-
son, Hensall, returned home Tues-
day from Buffalo, where they have
been httending the Pan-American.
The following were ticketed to
distant points by W. Somerville:
To the Pan-American, Buffalo, Jno.
Bolger, Andrew Jamieson, John
1VIcDermid, G. A. Aetie1 and moth-
er, Ray Dunlop, Wm. H. Jamieson,
A. S. Dickson, John McMillan, ex-
M.P., J. L. Killoran and Miss Jen-
nie Sproat; Lorne Porter to St.
Paul; Mayor Wilson to Toronto;
James E. Willis to Chicago; L. T.
DeLacey to Lockport, New York;
James Cowan to Durham; Miss
wangle, McKillop, and Miss Ella
Dickson to Detroit; Mr. and Mrs.
J. F. Hogg to Orangeville; Joseph
and Andrew Snell 'to Pan-Ameri-
can, Buifalo.
SEPTEMBER 21, 1951
Seen in the County Papers 1:
Band Concert Well Attended
Almost 300 persons attended the
concert by the Exeter ' Citizens
Band at the Community Park Sun-
day night. They parked in cars or
sat on the grandstand to hear a
splendid variety of numbers rang-
ing from marches to overtures.
Bandmaster Ted Waiper led the
musicians. — Exeter Times -Advo-
cate.
Presented With Bible
During the recent` congregation-
al picnic held by Knox Presbyter-
ian church, a beautiful Bible was
presented to R. R. Bailie by L.
Reaney on behalf of session and
managers, and thanks expressed
for his splendid work in the church
during his residence in town. The
usual big meal and races in charge
of Don Sinclair were features,
too, of a very fine afternoon at
Queen's Park, Stratford.---iMitcbell
Advocate.
Suffering From Polio
Edward Skinner, 9 -year-old son
of Mr. and Mrs. Delmar Skinner,
of Usborne, is critically ill in Vic-
toria Hospital, London, suffering
from a severe attack of polio. Ed-
ward was ill for several days with
what was thought to be flu. On
Saturday his condition became
worse and he was removed to hos-
pital. Latest reports state that in
some respects he is improved, but
that his condition is quite serious.
Mrs. E. Johns is a grandmother.—
Exeter Times -Advocate.
Farewell Party
Before she left to begin training
as a nurse in St. Joseph's Hospital,
London, Miss Gladys McLean was
the guest of honor at a party at
the home of Miss Viola Leitch,
South Street. In the course of a
pleasant evening she was made the
recipient of a folding alarm clock
and other gifts. Miss McLean left
last week to take up her new work.
Her many' friends wish her suc-
cess, and will follow her career
with interest. — Goderich Signal -
Star.
Wins Western Fair Prizes
Miss Dorothy Davis captured
four firsts, four seconds and four
third prizes in the handicraft
classes at Western Fair this week.
She was first for pieced quilt; sec-
ond for specimen of hemstitching,
modern; third for tablecloth, cro-
chet, not less than 54 inches; first
for tea cloth, cut work; third for
luncheon set, embroidered; second
for pair of pillow slips, embroider-
ed; third for bed set of sheet and
pillow slips; third for vanity set
of dresser scarf, embroidered;
second for boy's sweater; first for
ankle socks; first for three-piece
chesterfield or chair set, crocheted,
—Exeter Times -Advocate.
R.C.A.F. School Enrolls 260
Some 260 pupils walked into the'
brand new public, school at the
housing site of R.C.A.F. Station,
Centralia, on Wednesday for the
first day of studies. The opening
has been delayed because of the
shortage of supplies. Wing Coons
mender McKelsky, head of the air
echool's board of education, said'
no offcial opening would be held
for two or three months. He hop-
ed that landscaping around the -
school would be completed by then.
Nine teachers have been engaged
under Principal John Butler. En-
rolment is expected to increase as -
more houses are occupied in the
housing area.—E3eter Times -Advo-
cate.
Farewell To Honorary Padre
At the regular meeting of Blyth
Branch No. 420 Canadian Legion; ,
held on Thursday might, Rev. J. A:.
Roberts was the recipient of a
table lamp, as a memento of his
service as honorary padre of the
branch. The presentation was.
made ,by the secretary, Mr. George:
MoNaIl. Mr. Roberts replied sui-
ably, thanking the members and'
expressing his pleasure at his as-
sociations with Biynth Legion mem-
bers. It had been an honor toy'
serve as their honorary paidre, and -
he regretted severing his associa-
tions. He extended an invitation
to any of the members who should
be anywhere near his new parish
to call on him and ,his family, Al,
the conclusion of the regular meet-
ing, an entertainer from London
entertained for two or three 'lours
much to everyone's pleasure.--
lBlybh Standard.
Surprised on 35th Anniversary
Mr. and 'Mrs. Clifford Lobb were'
pleasantly surprised on the eve-
ning of Sept. 5, at the home of the.
former's sister, Mrs. Lorne Jervis,
where a number of relatives had:
gathered in their honor, it being.
the occasion of their 35th weddirie
anniversary. A good social time
was enjoyed and a short program.
Leslie Pearson and Mrs, Don Jer-
vis contributed solos. Mrs. Bert.
Lobb and Mrs. Pearson gave hum-
orous readings. The hostess was
responsible for a musical romance -
story with Mrs. George Hendersot
as pianist. The music in the star -
ranged from Brahm's Lullaby to
the wedding march, at which time.
Mrs. Lobb found herself with a
halo on her head and bouquet in
her hands. Mrs. Norman Snyder
read an address and Fred Lobb and
Mrs. Leslie Pearson made the
presentation of a coffee table tee
the bride and groom of 35 years s
ago. They received congratulations
anew, later all sat down to a de-
licious lunch. Shortly afterward
they took their leave, after thank-
ing one and all for the evening's
entertainment and gift of remem-
brance.—Clinton News -Record.
Bible First Book in ENW
Written Tongue
(From The Montor)
How a written language was in-
vented for a tribe in the interior
of Africa so that the Bible could
be translated into its tongue is
related in the Bible Society Re-
cord of the American Bible So•
ciety.
The task unfolded many per-
plexities, for natives living 600
miles from the &bast did not know
some of bhe words of the sea, and
various other Biblical terms also
proved unfamiliar.
But the missionaries clung with
devotion to their self-imposed as-
signment. They enlisted several
keen young Africans in producing
a written language. The work took
years. When their New Testament
was printed by the American Bible
Society, the natives welcomed it
with rejoicing. Some walked 60
miles to get a copy.
The society plans to supply 40,-
000 copies of. the new Bible to the
people of Kenya Colony in the next
five years.
This adventure in producing a
Bible for a tribe that could not
read is described by Mrs, Helen
K. Ford, the wife of one of the
missionaries. She writes:
"Forty-five years ago they had
no word for writing, no word for
book; now more than 100,000 have
completed the fifth grade in the
North Kavirondo Mission schools,
where for some years the enroll-
ment has been around 40,000.
These people live in the Kenya
highlands east and northeast of
Lake Victoria, in one of the most
thickly settled areas of Africa.
The Maragolis are more numerous
than any„ one of the other seven
or eight tribes who have learned
to read their dialect, This Bible
will serve them all.
"In 1906 Emory Rees a n d
family joined the four-year-old
Friends' Industrial 'Mission after
having spent a term in South
Africa among Bantu people. Hav-
ing learned the grammatical con-
struction of the Bantul languages,
Emory Rees proceeded to reduce
the Ragoli to writing and to work
out a, Ragoli grammar, which has
been most useful through the
years.
"After trying out several Afri-
cans in translation work he found
a young teacher, Joeli Litu, who
was patient and more intelligent
than many. With him he tested
out the meaning of words. A por-
tion of Scripture was translated
each week and used for the Sun-
day School lesson.
Eventually, in 1914, the Gospel
of Mark was printed. It became
important to have a shirt with a
pocket in which to carry the Book.1
"Finally, in 1928 the whole New
Testament was published by the
American Bible Society, Suo1r re-
joicing, as the news ran like -wild-
fire from one end of the field to'
the other!
"Some walked 60 miles 'ust to
buy a New Testament, fearful 11 e
supply might be gone before they
arrived. Crowds came daily."
"Mr. Rees did not return to Ken-
ya after 1927, and so Jefferson W.
Ford, with the aid of the same
Joeli Litu, began translating the
Old Testament. Week by weer: a
portion came off the little mission.
press and was used in the Sunday
Schools. Daniel, Jonah, Ruth a.d
Joel were printed in booklet form;
then the first four books of die
Pentateuch; and finally Psalms
and Provenbs . .
"Through 1929 to the end of
1938, Mr. Ford had the care of the
churches, which meant many all -
day meetings and •,personal confer-
ences; yet 'he found time to give•
whole clays to translation work,
and many early and late hours be-
fore and after meetings . . -
"Every session of translations
and proofreading wa'i begun with
prayer for guidap'Ce; and ,ot,
month by month, sometimes only
four or five days in a month;
then year by year, the translation
work progressed•. After a book
was completed in pencil, Joeli read
it through carefully to check ons
the clearness of thought and made
corrections when he felt he could;
improve the wording.
"Then the usual missionary
secretary—his wife --,made three'
double-spaced typewritten copies,.
After that she read the English,.
phrase by phrase, while two mis-
sionaries watched the typed cop-
ies to be sure every thought was
included and properly punctuate'.
It took another reading to check
uniformity in spelling. Many pages.
had to be retyped,
By March, 1939, the last manu=-
script was completed and the -
whole turned to iMr. Rees for
extra checking.
"It was the last day of 1946 tuat
the proofs of the Old Testament
began to 'arrive in Kenya by air:.
What deep rejoicing it caused.
"Joeli Litu again began spend-
ing his days with us as the proof
sheets came through. It was tax-
ing but thrilling work. Everyone•
wanted it to be as nearly perfect
as possible.
"The Bible Society manifested
patience •personified, in making
many corrections which were not
mistakes of their printers. Before
the proofreading was completed
Joel' could not always get away
from home duties 60 miles south,
so we tried out the teacher in the
Blrble Institute who is a member
of the same clan.
He, James Sangura, has the
same spirit. of thoroughness; is
younger and has an unusual mem-
ory as well as an analytical mind.
We found the freshness of his
thinking, plus`s' respect for Joe!l's
work, very helpful. The re.;ult
(dontlnued on Page 8)
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