Oakfield High School - Oak Leaves Yearbook (Oakfield, WI)

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GINSENG. Ginseng, a member of the family of plants classified as Araliaceae, is a native of Asia, as well as of our own continent. Its demand is created in the Chinese Empire, the people of this country regarding it as possessing the magical power of dispelling all diseases. The demand for this drug is so great, that the native supply has to be supplemented by importation from North America. In 1905 this amounted to one hundred forty six thousand, five hundred two pounds, which was only a small part of the entire amount consumed by the common people. The nobility is supplied with the much • prized pink variety, grown, with the exception of one province to which it is native, in the royal gardens only. The American ginseng is a plant annually sending forth its stalk to a height of ten or twelve inches. A single stalk grows from the root until the plant is from eight to ten years old, when it acquires another stalk, or possibly two more, there being no fixed numberthat may be developed. It is a plant of very slow growth. If the seed be planted in the fall, it will not appear above ground until one year from the spring after planting. The first stalk has only one leaf of three leaflets upon it. When the plant is three years old, the stalk is crowned by two leaves of five leaflets and produces two or three berries. In its fourth year, the stalk has reached its maturity. The plant is then of a light or dark green color, according to its surroundings. The main or proper stalk reaches a height of six inches, from the top of which, three or five leaf-bearing stems shoot upward and outward. These leaves are composed of five leaflets, three of these leaflets which all spring from the same source, are large and point away from the center, while the two smaller leaflets point toward the center. The most important part of the plant, the root, is of a very peculiar shape, for it seems to grow without any definite plan, depending upon the soil for its curbing. It will very rarely penetrate into the clay subsoil, preferring to spread out above it. The root is correctly divided into two parts, the root proper and the stem. The stem is the connecting link between the stalk and the root proper, fulfilling its function by producing the stalk buds and supporting the stalk. The stalk, upon which the task of reproduction falls, begins preparations during the latter part of June, by sending up a small shoot from the junction of the leaf stems and the main stalk. The buds which this shoot bears at its top, develop into very small white flowers during the early part of July. In the early part of August, these develop into green berries which gradually redden. When they have become bright red, they drop off, to be disposed of, as nature thinks best. After disposing of its seeds, the plant begins to make preparations for the winter. With the first frost the color of the stalk fades, until in October it is of a pale yellow color, remaining thus until after all other plants of the forest are dead. This is the time for which the “seng” hunter eagerly waits, for the plant now being easily distinguished, it is the time for the harvest. MARSHALL MOSES.

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ALPHABET. A is for Alvin, so jolly and gay. B is for Blanche, who is happy all day. C is for Clara, a lover of fun. D is for Doc, his father’s elder son. E is for Edward who will argue forever. Who will give up all else, but from that he will not sever. F is for Flora, with “Hobby” so rare. G is for Grant, in the Senior Chair. H is for Hugh, who knows how to bluff. I is for Irish, and that is enough. J is for Jessie, who will have her own way. K is for Katie, whom w e met at a play. L is for Lillian, who can scarcely define ’Twixt honors and burdens, so faint is the line. M is for Moses,not as old as his name. Though actions and age don’t agree, so they claim. N is for Norma, who nobly doth try To pound German into dumbheads, oh, my! O is for Orvis, so pretty and trim. P is for Phoebe, though quiet, not prim. Q is for quarrels, that sometimes arise In senior class meetings, Oh, how the hair flies! R is for Ralph, with text book and quill. S is for Schoony. Did he ever sit still? T is for Tom who has left the charmed ring. U is for undergrads, who have not tried a wing. V is for victory, for which we all strive. And will win if we are alive. W is for Walter, whom you know well. X means unknown, so I will not tell. Y is you all we’ve not happened to name ; And so you’re all mentioned just the same. Z that last letter for Zaidee must stand, And well we know her and her free helping hand. WANTED—A keen man to search for somebody as bright as myself. HUGH WORTHING WANTED—A patent medicine for “mathematical discouragement. Must be warranted to cure said disease. PHOEBE CRUMB. WANTED—Latest book of “Smile Provokers” and Dr. Blank’s book entitled “Don’t Get Fat.” CLAUDE CRAGOE. WANTED—A long time alone with my special “Hobb(y).” FLORA MORGAN. WANTED—The strength of Sampson. GULI ORVIS. WANTED—The retention of my peace cf mind and an X-ray. P. S.: Not particular about the X MAGGIE SMITH.

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THE DECLAMATORY CONTEST. The annual local contest was held at Worthing’s Hall on March 29. The following contestants competed, as they supposed, for a place in the league contest to te held at Markesan, Clifford Schoonover, Jennie Pratt, Edward Cragoe, Grant Wells, Hugh Worthing, and Eva Paynter. Third place was awarded to “The New South” given by Edward Cragoe, second place to “The Execution of Sidney Carton” given by Jennie Pratt, and to “The South and Her Problems” delivered by Grant Wells, was given first place. The judges were Miss Josephine Henderson of Oshkosh, L. A. Williams of Fond du Lac, and Rev. Frank Miller of Horicon. The announcement was now made that Markesan had withdrawn from the season’s contest. As Brandon had withdrawn some time before, the winner of the local contest was also the winner of the league contest and would represent it at the district contest to be held at Oshkosh, April 26. The Oshkosh district contest was attended by a delegation of about a dozen students from Oakfield. The contest was held in the auditorium of the Oshkosh Normal School. The following contestants represented their respective leagues: Edgar Culnan, Marinette; Olga Rosenbaum, Appleton; Geo. Karopp, Almond; Haro’d Grove, Menasha; Harriet Mills, Berlin; Gladys Foote, New London; Grant Wells, Oakfield. Third place was given to “The Death of Bill Sykes” spoken by Harold Grove of Menasha, second place to “The Death of Paul Dombay” given by Gladys Foote of New London. First place was awarded to “The Spanish Gypsy” given by Olga Rosenbaum of Appleton. The judges were Prof. W. H. Cheever of Milwaukee, Prof. R. D. Lyman of Madison and Miss Belle Anthony of Oshkosh. THE FOOT BALL TEAM. .......................Left Half Back. .........................Full Back. .........................Right Half Back. .........................Quarter Back. .........................Left End. .........................Left Tackle. .........................Left Guard. .........................Center. .........................Right Guard. ....................-....Right Tackle. .........................Right End. THE BASKET BALL TEAMS. Girls. .......Right Forward..............................Flora Morgan .......Left Forward..............................Clarya Gordon ...........Center.......................Flora Worthing ..Right Guard............................... Lola Pratt ...Left Guard....................................Lilian Pratt .......................................Myrtle Reynolds Boys. Edward Cragoe....... Fred Gordon........ Edwin Hitt (Captain Allen Sampson...... Claude Cragoe....... Grant Wells......... Hugh Worthing. Edwin Hitt (Captain). . Lee Underwood ........ Fred Gordon .......... Hugh Worthin.......... Charles Underwcod .... Walter Bums .......... Allen Sampson......... Clifford Schoonover .... Marshall Moses........ Edward Cragoe......... Grant Wells (Manager).