Farm Journal

Directory includes an alphabetical listing of persons in the county with information about them including address, name of spouse (and whether widow), whether owner or tenant, retired or active, name of business, telephone, number of children, etc. Bold-faced print denotes a Farm Journal subscriber. Some pictures of residences, barns, schools, etc.

Also includes a Business Directory by type of business, with communities alphabetically listed under each business category, then following alphabetically the names of businesses or individuals in that community in that category.

Information at the beginning of the book includes some county statistical information, a listing of Dauphin County officials, a listing of available Farmers' Bulletins (sent free via U.S. Senators of Congressmen to any U.S. resident), a table of planting of fruits and vegetables (distance apart, yield, time to plant, etc.), some handy things to know (measurements, seed per acre, nail sizes, etc.), and an alphabetical listing of Dauphin County advertisers appearing in the book (with page number of advertisement).

The road map referenced in the title is missing from the Library copy.… (meer)

How To Do Things, published in 1919 by the Editors of The Farm Journal, overflows with rural wisdom and, as the title promises, "How To's" for life on the farm. Unlike contemporary DIY books, which often include detailed directions, recipes, etc., this book assumes a good bit of knowledge on the part of the reader. For example, one must know where to obtain "Paris green" and "Bordeaux" to mix up an effective fungicide for plants...probably helps also to know what these ingredients are! Also, in order to use many of the book's ideas, one would need help from one's blacksmith, one's seedsman, and one's milkman...among other obsolete professionals. However, the Editors' recommendations range across all aspects of farm life, including child-rearing, entertaining, cooking, home improvement, and on and on and on. The book offers a fascinating glimpse into agrarian life in America following World War I. And, despite the historical flavor of the text, I learned numerous useful skills: how to fit a cork into a bottle, how to make a twine holder out of a coconut, how to make cheese, how to make a charming kitchen apron, how to grow a woodbine fence, how to make a box kite, how to have a potato peeling contest, and how to make a newborn foal poop (which I may not have to practice any time soon). I love this book...my copy belonged to my father, and to his father before him. And both men definitely knew "How To Do Things."… (meer)