100 years ago: Scientifically-managed orchard produces apples even during drought

"With other orchards producing less than half a crop of small and shriveled apples the University experimental orchard under scientific management will have this fall a crop of apples equal to that of last year in quality and only slightly below normal in the amount produced, according to a statement made today by Prof. S. J. Hunter, state entomologist and in charge of the orchard.... A single glance will be sufficient to convince anyone of the advantage of scientific cultivation of orchards, according to Prof. Hunter. The apples are of fine quality, solid and perfectly normal in size, besides being entirely free from worms. The orchard was disced and harrowed once a week during the entire summer, in addition to being sprayed in the spring at the time of blossoming. Neither irrigation nor sprinkling was used in the care of the orchard, according to Prof. Hunter. 'There is no secret about the process,' he says, 'It is simply a matter of taking care of the trees, the same as we do of other crops.'"

"The fact that every inch of display space at the Douglas County Fair Grounds has been taken indicates that the fair of next week will not suffer any because of the hot, dry summer just ended in Kansas. The displays in the agricultural department at the fair next week promise to be the equal of any of years past and will certainly be a surprise to city folks who are not acquainted with Douglas county farms. Crops have suffered somewhat, to be sure, but there remains enough to give this county its usual big displays at the annual fair in the fall.... Today was a busy one at the fair grounds and already Woodland Park has assumed a very fair-like appearance. The work of arranging the displays and completing the details of the work on the grounds will be done on Monday so that all will be in readiness for the grand opening on Tuesday morning."

"That delay in the remodeling of the gymnasium in the manual school building is responsible for the failure to begin the work of physical education of the school children under then new teacher hired for that purpose by the board of education last spring was the statement made today by City Superintendent of Schools F. P. Smith. 'The work of giving gymnasium work to pupils above the sixth grade cannot begin until the completion of the work being done on the gymnasium in the manual school,' said Mr. Smith today.... 'This year the gymnasium work will be compulsory for all boys and girls below the second year of the high school,' said Mr. Smith. 'Later we hope to add to the course and equipment until it will extend clear through the high school course.'"

"Twenty passengers were injured, one probably fatally, when Rock Island passenger train Number 40, east bound, was derailed on a curve a mile west of Manhattan, Kansas, this morning. Eight coaches left the rails. The steel baggage and smoking car combined rolled down a twenty foot embankment turning over three times. The smoking compartment was full of passengers, most of whom were injured, but none seriously, save J. P. Baldy, of Herington, Kasnas, who was crushed by a falling trunk. He probably will die. The smoking compartment was inundated and the passengers bespattered by a flood of cream from a consignment in the baggage compartment.... A defective rail is believed to have been the cause. Steel coaches probably prevented a heavy death list. The track was torn up for a quarter of a mile, the ties cut and the rails twisted."