420 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[October, 
Rearing and Training of Children. 
BT MRS. E. II. RELAND, AUTHOR OF “FARM HOMES, IN¬ 
DOORS AND OUT-DOORS.” 
Every mother should bear in mind that it is 
easier to keep children well than it is to cure them 
after they become ill. A few simple rules, faith¬ 
fully and unflinchingly observed, would banish 
nine-tenths of the sicknesses among children that 
too often lead to fatal results. 
Give them in the first place plenty of love—ex¬ 
pressions of love ! Oftentimes fathers and mothers 
deeply love their children, yet show such little 
evidence of affection that the children are apt to 
have a forlorn feeling that it doesn’t exist at all. 
An occasional word of praise, a caress, an expres¬ 
sion of sympathy—these are as necessary to healthy 
and happy child-life as summer showers to growing 
vines. Especially bear this in mind—they should 
never go to bed cold, or hungry, or unhappy. 
Let them have plenty of healthy and palatable 
food, at regular hours. Small children should have 
a slice of bread and butter, or an apple, or some 
simple “bite,” half way between meals, and nothing 
more in the way of lunches. It is the constant 
nibbling and “piecing” that does harm. Never 
force a child to eat anything he has a real dislike 
for. When plain food is declined because of the 
more tempting dessert ahead, it is a different affair; 
but I have seen little children compelled to eat 
things, when every mouthful would be swallowed 
with tremendous effort and genuine disgust. Some 
of us have an utter abhorrence of onions or toma¬ 
toes, or codfish, or some article of food that ought 
to be relished. How would we like to have some 
mighty giant put such food on our plates, and com¬ 
pel us to eat it amid wild flourishes of his knotted 
club ? Would we sweetly feel that the dear giant 
knew what was best for us, and proceed to swallow 
every mouthful ? or would we say to ourselves— 
“ We’ll eat it, because we must, but we hate it all 
the same, and we hate you, too ! ” Children have 
as much right to their likes and dislikes as we have 
to ours. 
Thorough, all-over baths should be given to the 
little people once a week, at least, and in summer 
oftener. They should be given in comfortable 
rooms, out of draughts, and the water should 
never be colder than new milk. Rub the skin 
thoroughly dry with coarse soft towels, and put ou 
the night-dresses or clothing immediately. Often 
severe colds and fever attacks can be broken up by 
giving the bath as warm as it can be borne, putting 
the child comfortably in bed, laying a handkerchief 
wrung from cold water on the forehead, or wherever 
the ache is, and giving him all the cold water and 
pounded ice that he wants. One mother writes that 
she has never had any serious sickness in her family 
of five children. At the first complaints of head¬ 
ache, thirst, weariness, and “toothache in the legs ” 
—as our little girl called it—she undresses and 
gently bathes the child, puts on a warm, comfort¬ 
able wrapper, and lays him in bed, rubbing the 
“ tootaclie ” with her hands for a few minutes, and 
perhaps staying to tell a pleasant story or to sing a 
lullaby, if the child is small. If she must attend 
to housework, she leaves the bedroom door open, 
so that while the patient is composed and quiet, he 
still has the feeling of not being left alone. In 
almost every instance a sweet, restful slumber fol¬ 
lows ; and by extra attention to diet and out-door 
wraps, the child is as well as ever in twenty-four 
hours. This modest mother does not lay any stress 
on her pleasant stories and lullabys, but no doubt 
her gentle and cheerful “way” with her children 
goes far to banish the demons of serious sickness. 
Children should always wear flannel vests—thin 
and light for summer, and of heavier quality, long- 
sleeved and high-necked, for winter, and always 
long enough to coyer the hips. Flannel over the 
bowels—especially for teething children—is very 
beneficial. It is no wonder that the “ second sum¬ 
mer ” is a trying one for the babies, since they are 
often clad in thin, short, cotton garments, in which 
they are exposed to all the variations of atmos¬ 
phere between sunrise and bedtime. 
Be sure that children have comfortable clothing— 
clothing that never pinches or scratches, or feels as 
if slipping off. It is not in human nature, young 
or old, to tranquilly endure irritable clothing, and 
boots or shoes that torture. Make the clothes, 
firstly, to be comfortable ; secondly, to be neat and 
becoming. Flannels should always be loose, and 
waists well fitting, but not in the least tight, and 
provided with buttons for drawers and skirts. The 
only garters fit to be worn are those of clastic that 
fasten to the waist and to the tops of the stockings. 
They cost fifteen or twenty cents, and by supply¬ 
ing fresh elastics now and then, will last through a 
whole childhood. It is said to be beneficial for 
children to go barefooted during the hot weather, 
but a good lookout must be maintained for the 
broken glass, nails, and the rubbish that sometimes 
abounds on uncivilized premises ; and no expedi¬ 
tion to field or woods should be entered upon with¬ 
out long stockings and stout boots or shoes. In win¬ 
ter some inside soles of felt, or even of thick paper, 
add much to the warmth and dryness of the feet; 
and ear-muffs and wristlets—though small enough 
in themselves — are big reinforcements against 
chills and frost-bites that otherwise will come. 
Nebraska’s Agricultural Outlook.—1881. 
BT HON. ROBERT W. FURNAS, BROWNVILLE, NEB. 
Agriculturally, the season of 1881,in Nebraska, has 
been peculiar in almost all respects. To preface: 
The autumn of 1880 was characterized by unusual 
rainfall; the soil went into winter quarters in fine 
condition ; snow was abundant during winter, and 
fell gently, and was free from usual drifting, melt¬ 
ing away gradually, thus imparting still greater ben¬ 
efits. The spring of 1881 was wet, cold, and back¬ 
ward. The streams were swollen, and the bottom 
lands generally inundated. The Missouri River 
Valley was almost entirely overflown, causing great 
destruction of railroad and farm property, stock,etc. 
Wet falls, and abundance of snow in winter, have 
been usually considered sure indications of good 
crops. For reasons above given, crops of all kindg 
were put in late, many acres of low lands were so 
wet they were not planted. The increase of new 
farms, new farmers, and more acres ready for use 
in spring, largely increased the general acreage, 
notwithstanding the drawbacks named. All-in-all, 
results are not to be complained of. The average 
Barley and Oat crop yield of the State was never 
better. The elements favored harvesting, and grain 
was cut and garnered in excellent condition. Wheat, 
for some unaccountable reason, both fall and spring, 
is short—very short, as to yield, the quality, how¬ 
ever, being good. There is but little complaint of 
chinch-bug—in fact, not enough depredations to 
warrant complaint. Grass-wheat, heretofore a 
stand-by, as it were, was more at fault than any 
other variety, as a rule. Corn has shown great 
variableness this season. Heretofore, the “ River 
Counties” — those bordering on the Missouri 
River, and the adjacent west —have been noted 
as reliable and good corn-producing regions, the 
western and middle portions of the State have never 
had such yields and conditions of crops. The Val¬ 
leys of the Platte and Republican show as good 
crops as the most ardent cultivator of the soil could 
wish. Even the high lands on the “divides ” be¬ 
tween, show excellent crops. 
Com is the great staple cereal product of the 
State. There has been much speculation as to the 
outcome for the year. Having taken pains to ob¬ 
tain correct information, I feel safe in asserting, 
that while on an average, perhaps the yield per acre 
will be light, the increase of acreage will bring the 
yield of the State up to about the usual maximum. 
Native grasses are fine—never better. Timothy, 
Blue Grass, and Red Clover, of late years quite ex¬ 
tensively planted, good. Alfalfa (Lucerne) is intro¬ 
duced to some extent; in our rich, loose soil, it 
takes hold and does well. Cut three and four 
times during the season, it makes good hay; per¬ 
mitted to grow too strong, it is coarse and not 
relished by stock. 
The Fruit crop is short, with exception of small 
fruits, which are fine. It is found that every part 
of the State is well adapted to successful apple 
growing. Thus far, they are free from the attacks 
of the codling moth. Potato yield, usually very fine, 
this year will te light; especially late varieties. 
The Mennonite Colonies, who have been coming 
into Nebraska for the past few years, are showing 
themselves to be an industrious, thriving, desirable 
class of people. They are giving attention to silk 
culture, which bids fair to become a factor in our 
industries. 
In common parlance, railroad building in Ne¬ 
braska is “ on a boom” the current year. Main lines 
are extending, and connecting linfts, in all direc¬ 
tions, almost. No State in this age ever enjoyed 
such transportation facilites. In fact, the same 
population nowhere else can boast so many such 
advantages. The increase of population has been, 
and continues, large, principally from the older 
States, and of men of means, who come to stay and 
improve the land. The fact that desirable unim¬ 
proved agricultural lands are rapidly passing out 
of the market, seems to be impressed upon the 
Eastern people. The late report of the United 
States Land Commission, show that at the rate 
public lands were taken for the year 1880, less than 
three years will exhaust all the best Nebraska lands. 
Bee Notes for October. 
BY I.. C. ROOT. 
The extreme drouth that has prevailed in most 
sections, will shorten the yield of honey to a great 
degree, particularly the supply from Buckwheat. 
It is well known that damp weather is required, in 
order that there may be an abundant flow of honey 
from Buckwheat. Unless there is soon a change, 
and rain falls, the fall crop of honey will he light. 
Especial preparation should be made during the 
present month for successful wintering. Weak 
stocks should be doubled, and each must be sup¬ 
plied with a laying queen, and a plenty of honey. 
Large Yield of Honey Reported Last Season. 
A correspondent from Texas says : “The amount 
of honey you report from three hives last season, 
is 69U lbs., and you say that in a more favorable 
season the amount might be doubled. I would like 
to ask you if it would be possible, under favorable 
circumstances, to obtain 1,382 lbs. of honey from 
three swarms.” In answer I would say, that if our 
correspondent will notice our report of the one 
hive, the product of which we are weighing the 
present season, lie will see that we have already 
secured from it 484 lbs. Three times this amount 
would be 1,452 lbs. What the possibilities are, as 
to the amount that may be secured from a single 
hive, is not yet generally comprehended. I desire 
the readers of these Notes to understand that the 
inexperienced, who are not willing to give our pur¬ 
suit very close attention and continued study, must 
not expect to secure such favorable results. It 
should also be remembered that such yields as we 
have recorded can not as yet be expected as an 
average of an entire apiary. They are only given 
to show what may be accomplished under extremely 
favorable circumstances. The colony, the gain of 
which has been given from time to time, was again 
extracted August 3d, and gave 42 ibs., and on Aug. 
27tli, and gave 27 lbs., making a total of 484 lbs. 
for the season. The smaller yield in August is 
largely due to the continued dry weather. 
Fashion and Fabrics. — The fact that a 
change in fashions may bring ruin to certain spe¬ 
cial manufactures, has found an illustration in the 
straw braiders of Tuscany. When straw bonnets 
were generally %vorn, the people of Tuscany found 
abundant employment in raising and braiding the 
straw used in their manufacture. Fashion dictated 
a change in feminine head gear, and the consequence 
has been that the straw business of Tuscany has 
been for many years in a distressingly low condition. 
Of late, according to the “Journal of the Society 
of Arts ” (London), there has been a revival in 
the business, plaited straw coming again into use. 
The material used for Tuscauy braid is wheat straw, 
which is grown expressly for the purpose. Three 
