A HOMESTEADER'S SAMPLER OF U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS

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IMPORTANT INSECTICIDESby C.L. Marlatt. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Farmer's Bulletin No. 19, Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1894. Long before modern chemistry gave us the deadly inorganic poisons that have caused so much damage to our environment, farmers were combating insect pests with relatively innocuous substances such as kerosene and sour milk. Many recipes of yesteryear are given in Important Insecticides, and offer alternatives for the homesteader who hopes to live in harmony with the ecosystem.

KILLING HOGS AND CURING PORKby F.G. Ashbrook an G.A. Anthony. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Farmer Bulletin No. 913. Washington, D.C.: Government Printh Office, 1917. This pamphlet covers everything to do with the butchering and curing of hogs and includes a list of tool, recipes for sausage and scrapple, and smoking instructior (with a bill of materials and construction diagrams for smokehouse).

MODERN CONVENIENCES FOR THE FARM HOMEby Elmina T. Wilson. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Farmer' Bulletin No. 270. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1906. Low-energy means of providing such conveniences as running water, plumbing, heating, and waste disposal are offered in this profusely illustrated publication. The text by a civil engineer, manages to be detailed enough to use asp practical guide, yet is not too technical for the layman Anyone who wants low-cost plans for homemade showers, earth closets, sewage disposal systems, or the like will find No 270 a good source.

POULTRY HOUSE CONSTRUCTIONby Alfred R. Lee.U,5 Department of Agriculture. Farmer's Bulletin No. 574 Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1914. Essential principles of poultry housing are included, along with plans, specifications, and nurnerous pictures and diagrams showing types of construction suitable for various parts of the U. S.

POULTRY MANAGEMENTby A.G. Bell. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Farmer's Bulletin No. 287. Washington, D.C. Government Printing Office, 1907. The emphasis here is on scientific management of poultry as practiced at the turn of the century, before modern "innovations" such as force feeding of artificial rations laced with antibiotics—made today's chicken semi-poisonous. Unexpected bonuses include information on preserving and marketing eggs.

PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR FARM BUILDINGSby George C. Hill. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Farmer's Bulletin No. 126. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1903. The passage of years has made this a fascinating bulletin: The $600 and $1,000 houses for which plans and bills of materials are given would easily cost $25,000 today. Nevertheless, No. 126 is a useful guide to the construction of the farm home, barn, outbuildings, etc. Form follows function in all the designs, and the discussion of chimney and foundation building is quite detailed.

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