Thanks to all the great public domain stuff out there on the Web, I recently read a wonderful booklet from the early 20th Century called "Farming with Dynamite". This fine publication of the Dupont corporation is a gold mine of information about how high explosives are the solution for just about every problem around the farm. (At least, genuine, accept no imitations, "Red Seal" brand dynamite is.)
Apparently you could buy the stuff with no licence or training and set about clearing your stumps, breaking up your subsoil, or whatever. Not even a warning about "to be used for bona fide agricultural pursuits only. No liability accepted for illegal fishing or settling scores with your neighbours."
What are some of the stranger publications you've read?