Abergavenny Chronicle

.f't i, ? -?  I ?  ir-?-pr GUI LC?O.? LSTTES. [From our Special Curre^ponaent.] There is not much breathing-space be. tween sessions nowadays. Parliament will reassemble for the sesssiou of 1918 only six days after the end of that of 1917. The old leisurely times, when Par!i.imeat rose early in August and did not meet again until February, will never come again. They had gone for good even before the war. In those days it seems to have been the aim of .Gwrernments to pass as little new legislation as possible, and, except for a few enthusiasts, members of the House of Commons had no objection to a system which gave them all the privileges of "the best club in London" all through the London season and let them off in August in time to kill grouse. Prob- ably the increasing strength of, the Labour Party had something to do with the change that and a growing habit of taking politics seriously. The House of Commons began to find its work too much for a session of ordi- nary length, and prolongations into the autumn have now been the rule for several years, with occasional extensions into the next year, as this time. The session of 1017 tasted twelve months less one day. The present Parliament, by the way, had a birthday last week, when it became seven years old. According to the Parliament Act, passed in 1911, it should have come to an end when it had lasted five years. But much has happened since 1911. There is a great deal of speculation a.-i to how long the Pari iament will live. Being more or le-ss the roaster of its fate, if not the captain of its soul, it has on various occasions been plea-sed to add a few mouths to its life, and by this means has reached to two years beyond the span originally allotted for it. Presumably ilk can, if it likes, prolong its existence in- definitely, or, at any rate, till the end of the war. It is, however, by no means certain that it will do so; not even as certain as it seemed a few months back. It used to be said that a general election in war-time was unthinkable—that was the word—but a good many politicians are now able to talk about the idea quite calmly. Mr. Henderson has been telling his flock that the election may .,i t the e'iect i cn Lit y come in July. With the new register in force, six million women electors, and soldiers and sailor6 voting, it should prove extremely interesting. ".Joints for all as a headline in Satur- day's papers turned out to be but a flatter- ing tale. Many a Sunday dinner-table in town and suburb was jointless. Queues were as numerous and as long as. ever, though Smithfield had received nearly twice as much meat as at the previous week- end. Large releases of beef and mutton were made by the Government, but there was still far from enough to go round. H:e closing of the retail market at Smithhckl had the good effect of preventing queue's there, and of enabling outlying districts to get better supplies. The system of distri- bution, however, does not appear to have been all that it ought to have been. for while some districts had a fair quantity of meat, in others the butcher;) had praetiee.Uy nothing to tell, and in some cases did net open at all for tho week-end shoppers. In restaurants and hotels the portions of meat supplied to customers grow small by degrees and beautifully Ie; For lunch, under the new Public Meals Order, we now have three ounces instead of five, and there is a risk, if the plate is fairly hidden with vegetables, of overlooking the meat alto- gether. The old music-hall joke about the nieat being hidden behind the, potato would now be more painful than funny. It would touch us on the raw. And we have to carry lumps of sugar in our waistcoat pockets to sweeten tea or coffea. In some quarters it was expected that the War Council held at ersailles would have decided upon a reasoned reply to the speeches of Counts Hertiiug and Czernin. Such an impression did certainly get about, but Mr Bonur Law dispelled it in an ans'.ver to a (jnestion iu the House of Commons. The War Council probably thought that nothing was to be gained by staling once more our war aims, v. L.vli in the speeches of Mr. Lloyd George and President Wilson are be- fore the world. The sijeeches of the two. Counts were in reply to those of the Allied statesmen, and it is likely that the War Council felt that the time for further conver- sation is not yet. They therefore, with tho remark that the utterances cf the enemy statesmen bear no approximation to the moderate conditions of the Allies, announce their intention to go on with the Immediate task, the prosecution of the war, with the utmost vigour and ia the closest and most effective co-operation. The War Counei' (ie- clares that the Allies are in compete agree- ment on all questions of military policy. Therefore the agitation for a generalissimo has, up to the present at any rate, been unsucce-sinl. There ought to be a career of usefulness before the C-U:\humcr", Council, which has been sot up by the Ministry of Food. It is composed of representatives of trade unions, co-operative, and women s industrial or- ganisations, and will be strengthened by the appointment of other persons compe- tent to act for the general public who are not covered bv these organisations. As its title implies, it wi!! look after the interests of the consumers, and. holding regular wit- tinas, will in an advisory capacity to Lord Rhondda. The council will deal with problems of rationing, transport, administr- tion, and all questions arising from the shortage of food. Although it will take no responsibility for the Order? issued, it will be able—at any rate it ought to lie able— to exercise considerable influence. A E. M.

LED BY A BIRD. When Lord Howe defeat i the French it the dbpBratc eng,lgement I, ich took piLc4 off Csnant, no Briti.,h vessel sustained irtici a terrific .attack as did the battleship Marl- borough, and at b",t she lay mastless rudderless, and helpless, with a coneent i-a, tion of the foe around her. The flag nailoc to her stump of mast had been shot awav all the superior officers were killed Lieutenant Monckton, and strong murmur: of surrender were being heard. "Death rather than surrender" bravely shouted Lieutenant Monckton. Immediately thes* words were uttered a small game-ccck, thai had been released from one or the shatterec deck-coop?, perched himself ?f the :"tn> o: the main n?t, and foil,)- d the officer J words with one triumphant crow.^ in. wholly unforeseen cccurer.ce brougat ny. men to work a gam with an enUiu.-ia^l :< cheer, and they never lost heart a gam. ih< bird was saved, and as may be imagine* was carefully fed aud petted "throughout it* life. The great Lord Dundonald had a well- known parrot that could imitate all tat boatswain's orders, and did so to the dis comtiture of officers and men. The frictior between Dundonald and Lord St. VrtK-en! first arose about this bird; for when a Lidj Telation of the latter was bein- hoisted or board the vessel of the former in a chaii "whipped" by the sailors, the evil bird gavt the order "Let go" in such a natural way t; the poor men that they promptly obeyed and the lady was soused in the water. The skin of this bird is now on exhibition a* Portsmouth.

A scheme for pooling surplus stores of ships .similar to those airea-dv established at London, Liverpool, and Cardiff, has been approved by the Glasgow shipowners. 4:1 solicitors have been killed on service; between 2i,000 and 25,000 solicitors' clerkj are serving. t

BOMBS AND MACHINE-GUN FIRE FROfc I HEIGHT OF 1,500 FEET. I I TRAINS FIRED AT. I The Secretary of the War OSice has issued the following further details of the air raid into Germany which was reported in the communique issued by General Headquar- ters (France) 011 January :2.);- On the evening of January 2-1 a squadron of night-flying bombing planes left theii aerodrome to bomb Treves Trier) B.uracl: and railway station and Thiouville steel works. 8S9ib. of bombs were dropped on Treves, very good bursts being observed iu the northern portion and in the centre of the town, and a large fire, which was ol>served Later by other pilots, was caused -in the north-eastern corner of the town. Machine- gun tire was directed at searchlights, trains, and buildings. 1,1201b. of bombs were dropped on Thion- ville steel works. All the bombs burst, and large explosions were observed. Here also .Itus were f, to d Lt rounds from machine-guns were fired at searchlights, trains, and moving lights in the roads. 28011). of bombs were dropped <fn the rail- way at Oberbillig, six miles south-south-west of Treves. Machine-gun fire was directed into villages in the Moselle Valley. 2801b. of bombs were dropped on the rail- way station and junction at Saarburg, ten miles south of Treves, causing large explo- sions in the town, and searchlights, trains, and lights in the town were fired at with machine-guns. On the same evening a few bombing aero- planes of a naval squadron attacked Mann- heim and ThionvilJe. 1 ,'3Jt-ilb. of bombs were dropped on the Badische Anilin and Soda Fabrik, the docks, and the town of Mann- heim. As a result of the bomb bursts in the factory dense clouds of smoke were seen to rise, after the explosion. 1,34-Alb. of bombs were dropped on Thion- ville town, railway junction, and factories. Altogether 5,2571b. of bombs were dropped at an average height of 1,500ft., while many rounds from machine-guns were fired with good effect, particularly on railway traffic in Treves. The evening started with bright, clear moonlight, with a heavy ground mist, but as time went on heavy banks of clouds eame up from the north, and the mist be- rame very thick, making flying very diffi- cult. c One pilot made four attempts before he reached and bombed his objective. The anti- aircraft fire was heavy but inaccurate. I BOMBS OX AERODROMES. I The Secretary of the Admiralty has issued the following — During January 31 a bombing raid was carried out bv naval aircraft on Engel aero- dron?e and dump. Direct hit were made and fires started. All machines returned safely. • A bombing raid on Oostcamp aerodrome was carried out by naval aircraft at noon on January 30. Many bombs were dropped on the three groups of sheds and hangars. A direct hit was observed on a hangar in the south group, from which a fire and a dense cloud of smoke arose. Two direct hits on the shed" north-west of Oostcamp village caused a lire in each case. Several engagements with enemy aircraft took place, ia which one was shot down out of control. In the course of the usual I' patrols one enemy machine was destroved and two were shot down out of control. One of our machines failed to return. I A MONTH'S WORK. l January was a, month of success for the British Air Service in France and Flanders. According to the figures supplied by Sir Douglas ilaig in his nightly bulletins, sixty- four German aeroplanes were shot down and thirty-five were driven down out of control. The number of British machines reported missing was twenty-six, two of them collid- ing- iu the air—one with a German plane over the enemy lines. In addition, the Naval Air Service has accounted for a number of I German machines.

I CHEMIST SENT TO PRISON. I At the Old Baiiev the trial of Frank Avig. j dor, forty-eight, chemist, charged with iuci- ting Stanley iicberge to steal a rugs and <I; the property of Edward's Harlene, Ltd was continued. Accused, who left the firm's em- ploy just, before Christmas, was alleged to have "asked Roberge, another employee, to steal salicylic ncid and otto of roa-es, the latter costing a tin. Accused, who denied the charge, said he liar, been dis- charged from the Army with zn exemplary character. Prisoner was found guilty, with a strong recommendat iou to mcrey. The Recorder said he recognised that the pri- soner had had a meritorious career in the Army, but his offence was a serious one, and he must go to prison for eight months in the second division. —————- -eo-

PRISON FOR EX-INSPECTOR. I Ex-Inspector John Syme, formerly of the Metropolitan Police, was sent to prison foi six months in the second division at Black- wood for making statements in a speech at Abertillery calculated to cause disaffection I among his Majesty's forces and among the ¡ forces of the United States.

I NEW M.P. FOR PRESTWICH. I Lieutenant Oswald Cawlcy 'has been I I I elected M.P. for 4-he Pre-stN%ic ii I ? of I Lanc:vhire, the inures b<-iM?:— Lieut. Oswald Cawley (Coalition) 8,520 I Mr. II. J. May (Co-operative) 2,832 Coalition majority 5.688 Lieutenant Cawlev is the son of Lord Cawley, who, until Tiis elevation to the peer- age at the New Year, was the sitting mem- ber. Lieutenant Cawley is at present in Palestine on active service. His defeated opponent is the first candidate run by tha co-operative societies. I

I KILLED WHILE HUNTING. I Mr. Richard Fort, joint Master of the Meynell Hunt, has been killed in the hunt- ing field near Derby. He was thrown in consequence of his horse coming in contact with wire. The animal rolled on him, and he was so severely in- jured that he died on reaching Colonel Win- terbottom's house, to which he was imme- diately taken. Mr. Fort, who was sixty-one vears of age, was formerly M.P. for Clitheroe.

I BABY-STEALER SENTENCED. I "You have been convicted of an out- rageous act, and vou had no regard what- ever for the feeiings of this unfortunate mother, who, during the time her baby was stolen, must have suffered intense agonies." With these, words Mr. Justice Coleridge sentenced Elizabeth Gill and Lilian Jenkins to nine months in the second division at the Old Bailey for steaHn? the baby of Mr?. Booth outside a Brixton shop. Booth otit?"ae a Lrixtoii s h op.

I AN OLD LADY'S HOARD. I At Southampton Police-court, Mary Houl- than, aged eighty, was summoned for food hoarding. It was stated that she had accumulated 651b. of food for her own consumption. She told the police she had in the War Loan, and attempted to bribe an officer with a Treasury note. The defendant was fined £ 4, including costs.

a4u D i=,4l,  V- Flowering Roots.—As soon as opportunity occurs examine the roots or bulbs of the fol. lowing plants in frost-proof shed or cellar dahlia, tigridia, salvia patens, marvel ol Peru, and gladiolus. Remove any showing signs of decay, and if any roots apoear too dry mix a little moist soil or sand with that at present in use. Bedding Lobelias.—Good strains of these popular bedding plants come so true from seeds that many growers do not bother to lift plants in autumn, or put in cuttings. Seedlings raised in a heated greenhouse now save valuable space in winter, and time and trouble. In preparing well-drained pots of sandy soil make the surface fine and smooth. Scatt-er the dust-like seeds thinly and evenlv over the surface, covering onlv with a little fine sand. Place a sheet of glass on the top of each pot until the seedlings appear. Lilv of < # cl,:ean i n g off Lily of the Valley.—After cleaning off weed; from the bed top-dress with a mixture of leaf-soil, road scrapings, and old potting soil; this will help in the production of much stronger flower spikes. The present ia a good time for making a new bed, planting or course only to be done if weather is mild. Single crowns one or two years old should be secured and planted in deeply worked, enriched soil, two inches apart. Insert the crowns so that their points are but slightly below surface. A border beneath a north or east wall or fence is an ideal place. < < Cono Flowers.—Rudbeckias are popular autumn flowers in many gardens. Thriving in most soils, and in sunny or partially shaded positions, they are showy in the border, and last well when cut. Four valu- able sorts are R. speciosa (svn. Newmanii), 2ft.; R. maxima, 4ft.; R. Golden Glow, double flowers, 6ft.; R. Herbstsonne, 6ft.; all have yellow blossoms. They are propa- gated by division of the clumps or roots, February being a good time for the work. Apricots.—In pruning these tyideavour to retain as much as possible of the young growth. Lay in young shoots and secure them to the wall 4iu. to 6in. apart. Allow the growths to extend as much as possible, and if pruning back must be done shorten to where a triple bud or a cluster of three buds occurs. Apricots are naturally free growing trees, and should have plenty of space. Removing Large Branches from Fruit Trees.—When dealing with neglected fruit trees it sometimes happens that a large branch has to be removed. Many sever it at a point an inch or so frm its base; the snag thus left is unsightly and offers an entrance for diseasa spore3. The correct method is to cut as close as possible to the older branch, then pare e cut surface with a sharp knife, and as a protection against frost, rain, and fungus spores apply a good coating of tar. Tho tissues will heal quickly, and in time the exposed wood will be covered. Bouvardia.—In most cases these plants will have done flowering by now. Straggling shoots should be shortened, the plants being placed in the warmest end of the green- house. New shoots will then appear, and as soon as these are about half an inch in length the plants should be repotted. If it is desired to increase the stock, the young shoots may be taken as cuttings and if treated as fuchsias will soon root. Parsnips.—Seeds of this important crop may 1).E- sown at any time now, providing the ground is in a fairly dry condition. Thin sowing is advisable, not only on account of the increased cost of seed, but owing to last year's partial failure of parsnips the chance of getting poor seeds is small. Allow not less than 12in. between the rows, a similar distance between each pair of seeds; remove the weakest seedling if both seeds germinate, as soon as these show the true leaf. The Week's Work.—To follow the spring and summer display of violas or tinted pansies, make a sowing of seed in a heated greenhouse. These will provide a succession of blossoms from July onwards ending only when frosts check them in late October or November. Pentstemons are extensively raised from seeds to-day in preference, or in addition, to the older practice of propaga- tion by cutting*. Sow the seeds in a warm greenhouse, and plant the seedlings out- side where they are to flower during May. Do not fail to lightly dig in the grass around the stem cf each fruit tree for at least six years after planting. Where this is neglected "the trees arc slow in starting into growth and are stunted in appearance, in- stead of growing freely. Lime is an essen- tial element in the successful cultivation of all stone fruits, and ajiples derive great benefit from an application. Fresh air- slaked lime can be applied, and is best put on the land iu small heaps fresh from the kiln. Tho lime soon powders, and is then ready for spreading. If the next leek crop is to be of extra large size, a little seed should now he sown thinly in boxes or pots ffiled with sandy soil. Spread the seeds over a perfectly level surface, placing them quite clear of each other. If such a box is kept in a greenhouse or large sunny window until May. the plants may be pl a i, ted straight into the open garden in rich soil. Those who have a few healthv cauliflower plants from a sowing made 'last August, must see that the soil is not allowed to be- come dust-dry or many plants will go "blind" just when hopes are running high of an early crop. Give what water iat re- quired early in the morning, and during a spell of bright sun admit air freelv to the plants by tilting the "light." Propagating the Vine.—It is an easy matter to raise young vines by means of evii or buds. Cut a well matured vine short into inch lengths each of which has a bud or eye. These should be placed singly in small pota and plunged in bottom-heat in a glass-house or in a hot-bed. Where sufficient warmth is not obtainable, the work should be deferred for a few weeks. Then young plants need to be grown in a warm moist atmosphere until midsummer. Another method- is to insert young growths in sandy loam in a cool house. These as the season advances will start into growth and become properly rooted. # Broad Beans.—Make a further sowing of these on a warm border, whenever possible, selecting a plot which has been previously well manured and deeply dug. A place ir the open is preferable to a position which, although just now well sheltered, will, in a few weeks, be shut out from all sun. Failing a manured plot, sow the hean; where the ground' has been deeply dug 01 trenched, sowing in rows a fcot apart. Seville, Bunyard's ExhioTiion, and Levia- than a;e good varieties.

The Dutch Foreign Office announces that the British Government has paid the Dzitcli Government X7,750 as com pensation for- the materia] damage done at Zierikzee o:i April 20 by bomo", dropped frcm a British aero- A Whetstone butcher discovered that his Sunday dinner had been stolen. On the pre- vious day he had portioned out his supply among his customers, and re;erved a fowl and a piece of pork for himself.

I 0 T H P-" R N; a MINDS, j ioU' ril.tJt IJ L1.Uh I If this war wakes us out of the trutality I still inherent in human nature, it will have I served a great purposo.-LORD HALDANB, STATE SOCIALISM. I I have modified my individualism, and now recognise that there is a right place for collectivism, or State Socialism.—MR. BIG- LAND, M.P. THE WHEELS OF PROGRESS. I It is astonishing how backward we are in lunacy reforms. Reforms that were urged seventv years ago are still being urged.— DR. ELLIOTT SmTH. HOW TO LIVE LONGER. If the nation made up its mind to cat more vegetables and less flesh, the average lifo would rise from forty-five years, as at present, to about seventy years, or even higher.-PnoFr,ssoit JAMES LONG. THE VOLUNTEERS. I We cannot expect Volunteers to reach the standard of regular soldiers. All we require of them is that they shall do their best.- LoRD FRENCH. ATTEMPTS THAT FAILED. I In the last few hundred years we have had many attempts at forming Leagues of Nations, but most of them came to grief. One was followed by a war which lasted for thirty years.—DR. ADDISON. "SO MANY NUMBERS." I Financially we are a cheque to be cashed; in society we are nothing but visiting cards to be exchanged; if wo are travellers we are tickets; and if we stay at the smartest hotels we are only so many numbers.— FATHER BERNARD VAUGHAN. NATIONAL SERVICE. I Thero are still hundreds of thousands of men engaged in work which is not of national importance, or not of imperative national importance. A very large number of these men should give up that work and offer themselves for essential war work.- SJCH HERBERT MORGAN. THE WAR DEBT. I Whatever the conclusion of the war, it is certain that the Empire will be burdened with a terrific debt, and no one who has the welfare of the country, the Empire, and even civilisation at heart, can fail to be impressed with the necessity of relieving those to come after us of the burden of debt which is bound to fall heaviest on the poorest of the community.LoRD DESUOROUGH. THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. I We must set our very soul into making sure we are not defeated in the next few months, because not to be defeated in the next few months means victory.-LoRD liAL- DAN2. THE WINNING QUALITY. I Victory lies not only on the battlefields, but in our own souls. British tenacity will in the long run carry us through.—EARL CURZON. THE QUESTION. I Will autocracy in a War Lord and a nation disciplined for war show greater en- durance and courage than a league of democracies trained for I)eace.P--SiH EDWAltD CARSON. A CLEAN PEACE. We desire, in the first place, a clean peace. A peace based on adequate repara- tion, and a peace that will give adequate security for the future, and with a desiie for the solution of any international difficul- ties that may be outstanding—to use Presi- dent Wilson's words-" in accordance with historically established lines of allegiance and nationality."—MARQUIS OF LANSDOVVNK. GERMANY'S AIMS. German colonial aims are really not! colonial, but are entirely dominated by far- reaching conceptions of world politics. Not colonies, but military power and strategic positions for exercising world-power in future are her real aims.—GENERAL, SMUTS. THE WORKER'S SHARE. It is necessary that working-men should not only have a living wage, but a fair sliai-e in the profits from extra production. Every workman ought to be encouraged to earn as much as possible.—MR. G. if. ROBERTS. THE FOUNDATION OF DEMOCRACY. Education is the very foundation of democracy; it is the only way to get rid of social inequalities. If we carry the educa- tion of democracy far enough we shall have solved nearly all our problems.-LoRD HAL- DANE. FOOD AND SHELLS. Every ton of food saved by frugality or produced in this country—every ton of food is a ton of shells fired and fireable at the enCray.UR. WINSTON CHURCHILL. COMMONS AND FOREIGN POLICY. When peace comes the House of Commons I will hold the reins a gwd deal tighter on foreign policy.—EARL LOHZUUBN. THE SPEAR AND THE DRIVING POWER. Wo at the Front feel that the Army is but the point of the spear, of which shipbuilding and the many other industries necessary for the successful prosecution of the war arc the shaft, the driving power being the determi- nation of the nation to drive the spear home.—GENERAL Sli A. G. HUNTER- WESTON, M.P. PLAYING WITH FIRE. There are to-day in our midst men of pro- minence who arc playing with the tires of revolution and pandering to passions. It is perfectly clear that they fail to perceive the first essential to real progress, and that is the elevation of the character of the whole People.-NIR. G. H. ROBERTS, M.P. THE PEACE PERIL. I There is no peace which could be obtained from the enemy at this moment which could be consistent with our honour and safety. If the people of this country made an incon- clusive peace they would hang the millstone of German militarism round their necks.- EARL CURZON. THE FOUNDATION OF PEACE. If you want to lay permanent foundations for peace, remember that justice, net the pain of punishment, must be your founda- tioil .-Loiti) HALDANE.

BREAD AND WATER. Three ounces of bread eaten very slowly, with much mastication, is equal to Eye ounces eaten quickly. Biscuits are the mosc concentrated form of bread. The name conies from the Latin bis ccctns, tuicv- cooked. Stale bread can be made as new by being steamed, or damped, and placed in ° a hot oven for a, few minutes. "Bread and water" diet is dietetically un- sound. The water should be taken at least two hours after the bread. The average woman requires a fifth less bread tnan a man, and a child of frcm five to ten half a man's allowance. All bread contains a small proportion (about 1 per cent.) of alx-olutely indigestible matter, c;¡]>:d "celluieóe. An advantage that whit-8 bread has over whole- meal bread is that the bedv absorbs a much greater proportion 01 the former.

IN THE POULTRY Y&39. | N t:i ,o(f A: ( ,t  iii? L..i .i. Xa?? I Ir By COCZCP.OW. I A BREED FOR BEGINNERS. I j C- At thia time of the year there are always now recruits to the poultry-keeping industry. This year the num ber of beginners will be considerably less than his been known for yea.rs past, but, nevertheless, there will be a number who take up the profitable hobby of keeping a few bird. The chief reason why fewer recruits will enter" tho field" this year is owing to the iuestiorl of food. The coat of keeping birds lias considerably increased since the war began, but, in spite of that, when all the paying out is done there is still quite a respectable margin of profit if the birds are kept properly. Now, new beginners are often m a quandary as to the most suitable breed for them to take up, and our notes this week are to be de- voted to a breed which i9 considered to meet their requirements. Their doubt will prob- ably 00 set at rest, and our notes, therefore, will not have been in vain. Without the slightest doubt one of the best breeds to adopt is the white wyandotte. For the beginner they THE WHITE they answer every practical WYANDOTTF. purpose. They are very hardy, and that is one of the chief things to take into considers tion. As winter layers they are considered ex- cellent, and you will admit that to get a full egg-basket during .the winter months much more profitable even than to get it full during the summer. They rank as wood mothers and do not require double mating. One of the greatest advantages they possess is having the rose-comb instead of the large single comb, which is liable to the ejects of frost during the cold weather. As a con- sequence, you are not quite so sure of a reduction in the number of eggs as you if you are the keeper of such breeds as white leghorns. All things considered, the white vvyandotte is one of the best breeds fcr a beginner to take up. Evidence of its popu- larity can be had by noting the number of experienced poultry-keepers who breed it. It is as well to know some of the points about this popular breed before you take POINTS ABoer WYANDOTTES. it UD. in the stanuam 01 the "White Wyandotte- Club the comb is described as follows: HRoge, firm and even on head; full of fine work low, square at front, medium in height and width, and tapering towards the spike which should follow the curve 01 the neck." A single c-ombeki wyandctte is by no means a. rarity. You should be most particu- lar to breed from such a bird. The head of the wyandotte is short and broad, and the face smooth. The ear-lolxjs and watt let; are of medium length and are fine in tex- ture. The eyes are very bright and the neck b well arched and of medium length, with full hackle. The breast is full and round, with the keel-bone straight. The back is broad and T Hz B I P, D'.S BODY. short. The saddle full and broad, rising with concave I sweep to tail. The wings are of medium size, and nicely folded to the side. The tail is well I developed and spread at the base. True tail I feathers are carried rather upright. The thighs and the legs arc of medium length, well covered with soft and webless feather.. Fluff is full and aWnidant. The shanks are of medium length and are very strong. The general shape and carriage should be grace- ful and well balanced, and somewhat re- semble a Brahma in general outline. The hen has all the characteristics of the male j bird; the back should be short and wide [ at the shoulder, and the tail well spread at the ba.-»e. Beg'nner,-?, when IHrchasing pullets, phc'?Id 1 not nHov/ tbem?ives to be persuade it,1 ( PURCHASING PULLETS. buying large bird.?. Such birds very often result in faHin? to fill the cg basket. I Th best sort to buy are those cf moderate size. One that is alert, fresh-looking and graceful in appearance. These may be a little more iii I)riev, ])-,it they more than repay the extra cost. It is bad policy to run ducks ana hens to- gether, even when they have plenty oi UFCKS AND I s s. room, and more particu- larly in a small enclosure, (says "Poultry"). The trouble arises at feeding I time, when it is very difficult to apportion the food satisfactorily. Ducks are big feeders, for which reason it is a great ad- vantage to give them unlimited range, since under these circumstances the food bill ma y be reduced by at least one-half. A scratch- ing-shed is no place for ducks, yet such ac- commodation is absolutely essential for lay- ing hens at this time of the year, even it they have free range. B-at, even if ducks and hens are fed together on soft food, it will be very difficult to give each the right quantities, and it must also be remembered that ducks are foul feeders, and requlIc their food mixed softer than hens. It would be well to bear in mind that ducks and hens, being of different natures, require dif- ferent treatment. Ducks, especially of the Indian Runner type, which are the most profitable to keep on a farm in present cir- cumstances, thrive best when allowed free range on the fields, winter and summer, for wet" weather will not hurt them, and only snow will check their acti vities. On the other hand, hens will yield far better results in winter if confined to more sheltered quar- ters, with a dry hovel or shed to serve as a scratching ran" when outdoor exercise is impossible. Very often disease is brought into a poultry-yard through the introduction of stock birds. A wise plan, INTRODUCING therefore, is to keep the NEW socx. new stock apart from the rest for a week or so, in order to make quite sure that they are in good health and condition. During thi- period dust them a few times with a good disinfectant powder. It should be remem- bered that many of the complaints from which fowls snffer arc infectious, and quickly spread to the other birds. Immedi- ately, therefore, you observe any signs of disease, remove the affected bird. If tin- precaution is taken it may mean the saving "f a great deal of expense, time, and worry, :is the disease will most probably be con- fined to just a few birds. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT. Amateur.—For thirteen birds yours is a poor average. From them you should secure at least eight or nine per day at the oresent time. The cross-breds do better than the Minorcas, because they are har- iicr. They stand the coki weather eonsider- 1 ibly better. Minorcas aie a good laying 3tr"in, but lay best warm season Df the vear. You should 11:1 H: borne that in mind when purchasing your birds. Your feeding arrangements call tor improvement and alteration. Stop giving grain in the I morning' and soft food at night, a?d revise j the order. The soft food digests too rupi?Iy, ind the birds need a food that will keep them satisfied and warm throughout the night. They need sustenance during the. ir.ug winter nights. Try this, and if the v.rranc gemerit does not work write me again. p}. chief point to remember is ti-, ii t Minorcas are not very hardy for wirdei i-'ving. i

The M;,rquis of Abergavenny is selling h:, Mouraouthsliire estate, which includes tw< mountains. I A. \!j;¡-;ry of Justice is su??ested by the Law '')CCIClY. Dr. W"kcr!c, the Hung'?ri?n Premier I whose Cabinet resigned, has reconstructed* his Ministry. A working woman, who sustained injury whilst engaged in cleaning duties in 1 I private house, was awarded £100 under the Workmen's Compensation Act at the Cievk- j enwell County-Court. As compensation for the death of a muni- tion worker named Holland, who was run over by his taxi, Mr. Marcus Pannel, of Shorediteh, in the London Sheriff's Court, agreed to pay the widow £175, and her daughter £ 25.

lOUR CHILDREN'S COFJEK I BY I UNCLE RALPH. t WAITING. ] They had been talking to Cousin Elsie in 1 the Park. She looked so pretty in her rid- i ing-dress, and it seemed so nice to be up on a horse that Mabel, as she vi-alicca away, felt rather sad, and wondered when sho would be able to wear dresses like that iiLd ride a big horse. ti "Do you suppose it will bo a very long time, Mother?" she said. "It doesn't seem to me as if I could wait moro than a week." "I think you will have to practise on Dob- bin," said Mother, when she understood what was the matter, "and do you think you would care to 600 what is upstairs in your ro,)m?" "If it isn't a pony," said Mabel, "I don't think I shall like it, but I may as well see." It wasn't a pony, it was a new silk dress for parties, and, somehow, when sho had looked at it for a little while Mabel didn't mind so much about the pony, and told her mother she thought she could wait per- I haps a little more than a week. i CLARENCE AXD KITTY. "Whatever she can see in a silly little thing like that, I don't knew," sa id. Clarence crossly. "I'm sure it can't swim and fetch sticks as I can, and I don't think it would be a bit of good if there were robbers." He was evidently very cross and sulky, and he would scarcely look at the beautiful bone that Cook had given him. (For you must know that Clarence was a dog —it is rather a funny name for a dog, isn't it, but Phyllis, his mistress, thought it was a beautiful name.) Presentlj Clarence heard Phyllis calling him, and off he ran, but aa soon as he caught sight of her he stopped, short and began to growl, for there was It on her shoulder. Phyllis smiled when she saw him stop like that and said, "Why" Clarence, what a foolish old clagg; you are! I do believe you are jealous of this dear little Kitty! Now, you must be great friends, you two, because, Clarence, I want you to look after Kitty and see that no one hjirts her, because sho is such a little thing, you know!" Of course, Clarence could only wag his tail at that and say wow and ever afterwards he and Kitty were the best oF friends. I THE MICE'S BALL. Hero we go round with a jig-a-jig, jig Oh, what a rare piece of fun. While the cat is away, then, the mica will play, And now have our revels begun. For puisy is off with a friend to the roof, Where a concert is going- to take place. So out of their holes all the little mice creep, And away to the pantry they race. They nibble the cakes and they eat up the cheese, Then they dance round and round in a. ring, While one keeps a watch lest the cat should return, All the rest dance and m-orr-ly sing. And round they go with a jig-a-jig, jig. Oh, what a rare piece of fun! 1 While the cat is away, then the mice will l! play And dance till the revela are dene. I ISAIAH, THE PROPHET. I A long time a.go there lived a very gocd man callea Isaian; he was a prophet-—chat is, a man who used to tell jxnjple what was going to happen. Sometimes he would tell them of very unpleasant things—how they would suffer if they did not alter their ways, but very oiten the people only laughed at him and said that he did not know what he was talking about. But at other times he would tell them of very pleasant things. Although ho lived a long time before Jesus was born, he told the people that He was coming, and said that they ought to make ready for Him. Then he said, too, that a time would come when. men should no longer be at war with each other, and when even all the an* imals should be friendly to each other-the wolf should not want to Cilt up the hi rib and the leopard should play 1 with the voung goat, and the calf and the lion ;óhou-!d bo quite friendly, and a little child should lead them all. He meant people to understand that when Jesus came He would teach everyone to lüvt) each ether and do what is right; and, of course, if everyone did that, there would not be any more fighting or war. because there would be nothing to fight about, but every- 0210 and everything would be at peace. But many people did not believe Isaiah at all. and even when Jesus did ccmc, a great many men refused to believe that He was the one that Isaiah had talked of. I MY PETS. Dinkie is the name of my deg, and he is such a rascal—he is never -"till lor a single minute the whole day long. Nurse say., that he is very like his master in that, but I do not know what she means. I have i kitten who is called Snowy because she is quite white, and it is great fun to watch her play with Dinkie. She wiil protend to fight- with him, and he rolls her over and over on the ground, for he is much bigger than she is, but he never hurts her, aiways lets her get up when she wants to; and then she will suddenly come up to him when he is not C'xlxüting it and give him a little pat on the nose with her paw, and then rush away to a place of safety—under the cabinet, or up to my back if I happen to be near, and Dinkie comes running after her, but she is generally too cimelc for him. They are very fond of each other, and both of them love me very much, I am glad to say, and I think it is because I love them. We have very fine games together out in the garden, and Nurse savs that..she really doesn't know which of us is the biggest pickle. DICX. THE BLACKDLRD. "Come and see him have his bath," saii I Peggy. "It is such fu-il" You may be quite sure that, Patty was very glad to come. She was so fond of Dick. and he certainly was a very fine blackbird. Peggy lifted down the great, big cao-e and Dick began to hop about and flutter Sis wings—he knew quite well what was com- ing. When he saw Peggy bring the soup- plate with the water, he got more excited than ever, and began to chirp and twitter 1,?- ) ir p ari d twitt?ex I and hop up and down ever -o fast. and h<)p he -Sy away, P<?;y? said Patty "No, indeed," said Pc."Y"?. know better than that, don't you, Dick?" Dick said, "Tweet." And then Peggy opened the door of the cage and out he hopped. Oh, how Patty did laugh to see him in his bath. He got right in anc flapped his wings and splashed the water all over the table, and all the time kept on making funny little noises to show how glad he was. When Peggy thought he had had enough, she said, "Come, Dick," and then he hopped on to her finger and put his head sideways as if to say, "Thank you, mistress!" and then in he went to his cage again.

A PENCIL OF WAX. A writing implement composed of a mix- ture of wax and finely-ground pumice- stone containing particles of ink has been invented. As the body of the new writing device is composed of a mixture of wax and pumice-stone, which is easily worn away when rubbed against a paper surface the inventor claims that the cells of ink inter- mixed with the wax and pumice-stone will also be liberated, giving a uniform supply of ink. The device is made by mixing the wax, pumice-stone, and ink together. When it is heated to the proper temperature it is suddenly immersed in cold water. This chills and solidifies the wax mixture, pro- ducing a body having a cellular structure. each cell being fi?l'li with ink.