Weekly Mail

I LOOK OUT | For tho "FOOTBALL EXPRESS" Y ♦ T A on Saturday. *> -4- + -4- + 6

INTERESTING INTERVIEW WITH DR. COWEN. Now that the festival of 1907 ia an event of the past one is able to weigh in the balance the standard value of the work achieved by chorus, orchestra, and officials, and there is a perfect unanimity of opinion that it has reached an infinitely higher plane than all its predecessors. The attendances oould show much improvement, but., even in Wales, the educative side of such a festival, which the main and almost so)e care of its promoters, must be a gradual growth; and, as Dr. Co wen remarked to a "Weekly Mail" representative, financial success also will assuredly be achieved with perseverance, for the festival has won its place in the van of musical art, and nothing ever succeeded like success. In the preliminary notices which have appeared in these columns full reckoning had been made of the spleuai^ services rendered, out of pure love of the art, by those officially connected with the festival, and now at the close the estimate then formed of the value of their labours has been, if possible, enhanced by the great artistic results achieved. The mass of detail that the festival entailed is hard'y conceivable by the general public, but the smoothness with which everything passed off will enable those who attended the concerts to appreciate to some extent the exacting task v, hic!} ail the committees and their officers had volun- tarily undertaken for the advancement of mllAic in its highest phases in the Princi- palLy. Mr. Robert Forrest as chairman of the council, Mr. E. W. M. Corbett and Mr. Gething Lewis as chairman and vice-chair- man of the executive, Mr. D. W. Evans as chairman of the music committee, Major- general Lee as hon. treasurer, and Mr. Illtyd J. David as hon. chorus secretary, displayed throughout the many months of preparation a sustained enthusiasm which reflects infinite credit upon them; whilst a special word of high commendation is due to Mr. W. A. Morgan, the secretin's', for the most admir- high commendation is due to Mr. W. A. Morgan, the for the most admir- able manner in which he fulfilled his multi- farious and exacting duties.

DR. COWEN DELIGHTED. UNSTINTED PRAISE FOR CHORUS AND ARTISTES. Dr. Co wen, after four full days of hard application of mind and body, was, naturally, fatigued when on Saturday even- ing he was "asked by a "Weekly Mail" representative to favour the public with his impressions of the value of the work done during the festival. The short interview, which was readily granted, took place during the ten minutes' interval after the chorus, His yoke is ea«y" in The Messiah," and the doctor was aglow with elation at the splendid performance whioh was in progress. Earlier in the day he had firmly, but courteously, declined to pass judgment upon the value of the new works presented during the week. It would be premature to do so," he said, and not in goad taste on my part just at present, as all the composers are oolleagues of mine. The doctor was, therefore, requested to give his general impressions, and this he con- sented to do. "My decided opinion," he said, "is that this has undoubtedly been, artistically speaking, the best festival ever 'held in Cardiff, and most certainly far and away the beet that I have conducted. The choir is superior in intelligence aed respon- siveness a.nd attack and general charm of singing to either of the other two choirs I have had; and the waY they have worked throughout the week and the all-round excel- lent performances that they have given have not only given me great satisfaction and pleasure, but have made the reputation of the Cardiff Festival secure throughout the whole kingdom." Dr. Cowen was evidently in happy mood. "Read the critics of London and elsewhere," he continued. It is to be hoped that the choir will continue, and, if possible, still further increase their standard of excellence at future festivals." Will YOU differentiate between the various, performances ?" "Well, if I may select any performance for special merit I should say that, undoubtedly, the Schubert Mass on Friday morning Was all round the finest that the oboir gave throughout the festival. It was, indeed, quite as excellent in every respect as you can obtain anywhere else, without exception. "The Kingdom" also seemed ibo me as worthy to be singled out for special reference amongst the many, which were All good, and Sir Edward Elgar has written to me only this morning to express his great satisfaction with the performance. Sir Edward asks me 10 convey his special thanks to the choir and ovc6mmtrm for their great effort. And what of the orchestra?" "It would be superfluous on my part to say much of that accomplished band of instrumentalists. They are absolutely such a perfect and thoroughly organised body that it is a great pleasure for a conductor to work with them. The performances they have given, to say nothing of their acoom- paniments throughout the choral worke, must have been a revelation to the people of Cardiff as to what orchestral playing can be made to be." You may add," he continued, that I was very pleased to see local talent fostered at the festival, and of this Miss Amy Evana is a striking instance. It is naturitlly a. matter of regret to me that the attendances have not been up to the mark during the week, but I feel that this is only a matter of per- severing, and, perhaps, also of endeavour- ing to meet the public with regard to reduc- tion in the prices of tickets, and in another year or two Wales will begin to recognise the educational value of the festival, and will come to it for the sake of the music iteelf, quite independently of any other con- sideration." Dr. Cowen was evidently referring to the competitive element in Welsh eisteddfodau, which is now. receiving so much attention. He concluded, I feel very great pride in be:ing associated with the festival, and I can express the hope that it may be my pleasure and i»ride to be again associated with such a fine body of musicians in the future." Will you say anything as to whether the AN INTERESTING TRIO AT THE FESTIVAL EOS DAB, MB. EVANS (MOUNTAIN ASH), AND MR. REES JONES. [Western Mail Photo.' committee have been justified in including so many novelties in the programme?" Well, it is possible that if we had bad fewer novelties and a few more really popular works the attendances might have been larger. On the other hand, I oannot blame the committee for their ambition and their desire to look solely on the artistic side of the festival by putting as many novelties as they could before the public. Please excuse me now, I must have a oup of tea," and the doctor vanished in search of his cup of tea before re-appearing on the platform in the final stage of the year's programme.

MUTUAL FELICITATIONS. RINGING CHEERS GIVEN FOR DR COWEN. Immediately after the performance of The Messiah" at the Cardiff Festival on Saturday night all officially connected witn the festival assembled at the Lesser Park-hall to I felicitate one another. There was a call for Dr. Cowen. and as the popular conductor I stood up to address his friends there was a ringing cheer, whioh was again and again repeated. Dr. Cowen said he hoped they had all experienced the same amount of pleasure in singing and playing as he had had in con- ducting, for the festival had far exceeded the preceding ones in every possible way. He was very pleased to find that the press was almost unanimous in its praise. Of course, there were one or two grumblers, but that was always to be expected. Their performanoea had been a pleasant surprise to everyone, and he was proud of them. Referring to Schubert's Mass, Dr. Cowen said he could not poa- sibly wish it to go better, and he did not think it could go better in any city in the United Kingdom. (Applause.) They had maintained their excellence throughout, although their task had been exceedingly arduous, and even that evening, at the close of the festival, they had wing like bricks, as if thej* had not sung at all during the week. (Ht: hear.) "I told you all that you couhi do it," continued the doctor; I told you I would make you do it, and you did it.' (•" Hear, hear," and laughter.) It was i with very great regret that he parted with them all. They had been friends for somo months, and he had learnt to know them all. He would really miss the work, and he could only hope that in another two years or so he might return to them again. (Applause.) He would never want a nicer set of ladies land gentlemen; he would never want a better-looking or younger set of ladies— ("Oh!" and laughter)—and he did not want a more responsive, all-round choir than they 1 ad been. (Hear, hear.) The company sang For he's a jolly good fellow as Dr. Cowen concluded his remarks, after which the doctor said he could not laave without thanking the chorus conductors j—Mr. Aylward, Mr. Deacon, and Madame Clara Novello Da vies—for the splendid work they had done. and he was deeply indebted t.j them. Mr. E. W. M. Corbett, chairman of the executive committee, said he wished to act I as the mouthpieoe of the executive aid to thank the oboir from the bottom of their hearts for the splendid success they had I made the festival. The committee had given them a lot to do, but the committee knew that they were only consulting the choir's AN INTERESTING PORTRAIT OF DR. COWEN (ON THE RIGHT) AND Mr. W. A. MORGAN, THE HON. SEC. OF TRE CARDIFF MUSICAL FESTIVAL. [Photo Wills, Cardiff. wishes in doing so, and they luvd been justi- fied in their estimate of the ohoir's desires. (llear, hear.) The members had attended at great sacrifice of their leasure time, and many -of them had come from considerable distances, entirely at their own expense, to attend the practices, and some of these were really the most regular in their attendance. (Hear, hear.) Their real reword must lie in their own satisfaction, for they oould not but feel that they had raided the musical reputation of the city in which they lived— aye, and of the country in general. (Heal. hear.) They had done their duty nobly and admira.bly, and he hoped that their example would be more and more fully followed and appreciated by the people of the city and country as the future festivals came along. (Hear, hear.) Mr. D. W. Evans, chairman of the music committee, referred to the splendid self- sacrificing work done by Mr. Illtyd J. David, the hon. chorus secretary, for whom enthu- siastic cheers were given, and the informal meeting concluded with a round of cheers for the London Symphony Orchestra, who had assisted so materially to the artistic success of the week.

.VETERAN WELSH PREACHER TESTIMONIAL TO REV. THOMAS LEVI, ABERYSTWYTH. An opportunity is now being given the ¡ people of Wales to recognise in a substantial manner the great services which the Rev. Thomas Le-vi, Aberystwyth, has rendered to the Principality, and especially to Welsh literature. It has been deoided to present Mr. Levi with a testimonial, and an influen- tial oommittee has been formed, under the auspices of the Oalvinisrtic Methodist General Assembly, to carry the proposal into effect. The committee consists of the Revs. William Evams, M.A., Moderator-elect of the General Assembly; Joihai WiHia.ms, chairman of the North Wales Association; W. E. Prytherch, chairman of the Sooth Wales Association; D. C. Roberts and John Owens, general trea- surers; D. E; Jenkins and Evan 'Era,ne, gene- ra.l secretariefe. An appeal for. support to the movement is made to the Churches, and it is confidently expected that the response will be ready and ample. Mr. Levi is well known throughout Wales, not only to the members of his own denomination, but to people of all creeds and politics. As editor of "Trysorfa'r Plant," the oonnexional monthly magazine for children, he has done good work, and the little periodical has even won wide popu- larity among the youth of other denomina- tions than that for which it is primarily intended. This, however, is only one direo- j tion in which Mr. Levi's services have been of value. He has written a number of books, and it was only a few weeks ago that a new edition of his "Hanes y Bibl Cymraeg" appeared. His connection with "Trysorfa'r Plant" dates back to 1862. when the maga- zine was founded. The committee who have the arrangements for the testimonial in hand propose to devote the larger amount of the sum that will be collected to found scholarships at the Aberystwyth and Bala Theological Colleges.

COAL RATE AT MERTHYR. A meeting of the Merthyr Tydfil Union Assessment Committee was held on Saturday, Mr. E. Edwards, J.P., presiding. A return of ratable coal in the parish of Merthyr Tydfil for the year ended June 30, 1907, was pre- sented by the aseeesment overseer, Mr. T. Gilbert Edwards. It showed 1,733,959 tons ot large, and 478,744 tons of smiall coal, repre- senting a decrease of 9,025 tons of large and 10,948 tons of small coal, compared with the year ended June, 1906. The coal worked in other parishes and brought to bank in the parish of Merthyr totalled 75,045 tons of large and 15,856 tons of small, or an increase of Z59 tons of large, and a decrease of 2,&05 tons of small coal compared with last year. The total figures showed a net decrease of 8,766 tons of large coal and 13,753 tons of small, compared with the year ended June,

jgg Get a tin of r« ft GLOBE. MiTM. I POLISH I lot of timegg J it saves. B figk PASTE IN TINS. |i Sllgr LIQUID IN CANS. 11| Raimea & Co.. Ltd., Tredegar jj £ J HSgSSS Road, Bow. London, E-, and [H Stocktoa-on-T ce*. S

EVERY MAN HIS OWN GARDENER. + QUESTIONS ASKED AND ANSWERED. By J. MUIR, 30, Bonverie-streiet, Fleet-street, Loirwfon. Name of Lily.—W. J. Watson—The Turk's cap Lily, M,a,rtagoo;n. Name of "-The gold an rod, Sa-1i-d:gO Names of FIOWKWS.—Pussi^. "—Two varieties of annual chrysanthemums—a most showy and pleasiing class of cummer flow ears. Fining Window Boxes for Winter.—J. M O-rijiick.—I will give full details on this matter in a week or two. I- ani o and Treatment of Plant.—" Reader." —A variety of monkshood. It always suc- ceeds as'a hardy border flower. Book on Pigs.—" R. H. C."—The book, "Pirs for Profit," will suit you admirably. It is published a.t 148, Aiuerwgate-street, London, E.C., prioe Is. 2d., post free. Keeping1 Wheat for Seed.—" F. W;"—The 8a.nipie of wheat you send is a first-iate one. It is in perfect order for seed, and you can safely put it in as youir autumn crop. Names of Plants.—"Slingo."—I regret that your plants •were smashed to pieces in coming through the post. It is always unsafe to pack in envelopes. Donee should be used. Ei-p^ing of Hare Orchid.—"Young Aus- tra-iian."—Call on Messrs. Kerr and Son, the well-known Liverpool nurserymen, and they will cive you an idea of its value, and. pro- bable, purchase it if it is very superior. When to Gather Filberts.—" A. G. S."— When the first betgin to drop ripeness is at hand, and all may be collected. They are best, gathered in. the husks, allowed to remain, in them for a time, aind then removed. All: nuts axe now ready to gather. A Peculiar Fruit.—" E. H."—The modJar, Mespilus gorrna-nica—Quite a common fruit. Gather and store about mid-October, biK do not eat till soft in November or Decembc-x. ew It may be useid as dessert, and fOrIDs an esquis.to jolly. Lanky Tomatoes—II. Hudson—Growing them too much in the shade and in too clue*; an a uuosphere axe the usual •causes of the Dlant.s being weak amd lanky. Reverse those conditions,, a.nd you are bound to have them robust. Growing them in too much manure is also apt to rush them uip void of sub- stantial condition. Clematis Not Succeeding.—" H. M."—About the end of October or in March next prune it. Take it all down from tht) wall, disentangle the intersected shoots, cut off all the email twig.-?, and re-train the strongea-t of the wood only, leaving the bewt oi this year's growths. Give it a good thinning. Purt. a layer of horse dropping? round the stem new, ard give it plenty of liquid manure next spriag. Oyster Shells for Fowls.—E. B. Evans — Oyster shells are not a substitute for m.),] or corn, but are useful as a kind of grit, which all law Is must have, and they aas'ifrit hi form- ing the egg: shells. Do not give them whole, as you have been told to do, as they cannot eat them in that form, but crush and place in runs or mix in the soft food. One or two shells pea* weeik per fowl will be enough. Inducing Ducks to Lay.—"A Cheshire Reader."—April-hatched Indian. Kininur ducks should lay in November ait the lateet and all through the winter. Feed twice a day. Use a mixture of half barley meal ■ and half middlings, with an ounce each of greaves for breakfast. Give in the form of a moderately ,hitù dough, and in the evening lit the-m have white oats or wheat. To feed wholly on Indian corn would never do. It is too fatten- ing and inappropria-te to egg-productiota. Books on General Farming.—" Liverpool Reader."—Messrs. H. and L. Gollingridige, 148 and 149, Alders gate-street, London, publish a lurulier of hand-books on farming which are highly instructive to beginners and others. They include "Dairy Govs and the Dairy "Ducks, Geese, and Turkeys," "Fowls for Profit," "The Horse," "Pigs for Profit," &.c. The price is Is. per volume, and they are a meet handy series, the instructions being easily understood and highly reliable. Taking Pink May Thorn to America.- 'JLexinfiton.'—You should take it over in November oar March, when it is quite at rest, and wheat it would be likoiy to arrive when the weather was not too .severe to plant. Should this occur, as -was the case with the last you took out, keep the tops exposed, but cover the roots and stem with moist manure till the frost tbawis. Asik one of the Liverpool nursorymejn to pack you a plant up properly to go the voyage unhurt. Washing Plant Leaves with Milk.—'Miss A. G. lieeeh.—There is no advantage in doing such a tiling, but nanm may be done. Plants delight in having their leaves absolutely free from all matter, but milk is apt to stick to them and clog up the pores of the loaves. This is very unhealthy for them; he-noe the objection to using milk in any form oai the leaves. Water with a little soft soap, will clean aJJ plants readily and do no harm. Alilk is not a plant food either on the loaves or at the roots. Cause of DeaJth of Parrot.—" Brazilian."— Two of your foods were very bad tOIr it. and hemn se«d Aire aJwaye objeotioar Bible- It is moon, bobber to feed on bread and nuilk. plenty of grit, and biscuits. The <jiaxrhcea yoar bird suffered from developed iniio typhoid fever, often a sequence of this • complaint. remedy is a ldttle finely- powdered chalk iu the drinking' water, one teaepoonful of castor cil, and a little aroma- tic oooifootion obtaaEable iixxa chermists. Names of Ffuit, Ijejwds.—Very %g]eu&. to hear tom you, and p^ecutad to iesurn A you are ardent am. fzxat, oui<uiro- I need VfaanUv ad-vise yw» to to it, as experi- ™Manw ttraJU The pear is Eeuiro » very rood sort. The email ooiaioail. ajxpJo Ja Olsaygate Peairmain, the flat ftpple D1unEdow B Needling, but rather email: ÐI-mn. Pond's Seedilikne. Your collectioai of apple trees include many Of the best The The pears aixj not 00 oomdete The loJiowiTig ■wouLd make a gvood addition to troe:—Glout Morceau, Winter Nehs, Olivier de SenTes, Josephine de Malices •waster Beurre, and Beurre llanoe. Please see note an William's peaire gpottine so much trhie year.

RURAL JOTTINGS. VALUABLE HINTS AND INFORMA- TION. HARVESTING SEEDS. The rocant sunny weather, which hasproved 610 highly beneficial to all vegetation, has ripcmed many seeds that had previously indi- cated a.n. abortive termination. In looiting over the vegetable ajid flowering pla-nte now it will be eoen that many ripe seed pods are to be found, and where the subjects are of decided merit all should be secured for next dear's culture, to save buying then. It is always economical to save one's own seeds, and if close attention ie giren to selection batter classes can be secured than are obtain- able from seedsmen, who sell mamy the quali- ■ ties of which they know nothing of. The -.progressive seeds are fchoise secured from robust plants that have produced eatahle material or bloesoans of extra eize amd quality. These will hare the largest- pods, as tlieir previous superior produce will assure and none but the best should be tain*7^^ Jor seed. TMn, stumpy pods. ootn- the best. seed. Do not mix them with be of^xwi?eT »«coeediEg crop will also to ^S.8' <UD<1 be lJidulgett m. XK> not gwther -nods or cvwiia that are .^Teen. These are unripe, a.nd if collected m that condition, they will shrink in drying and germinate badly, while thefrr produce will be weakly amd inferior. Hard Bun^ripened seeds .remaan plump, grow quickly, and produce robust, prolific plants, ajid the utmost dependa.nce ca.n always be put in carefully-selected and propefrly-bar- vested home-saved seeds. It may be they will not all be ripe at one time. In going over them gather those quite fit to-day a.nd Jet the atiheffB remain till qusaiulicKL Do not remove the eeods firoim the pods at once. Let them dry in the pods, wMfh is the nabnjial pTooesa, amd always a good one. When eathered place the .poda on tirnjB, and stand Out in the eon, in the diaytime, bat under at night. If tht^re is no sunshine place a wam room or Htohen. The more ■better 1)107 lare spread out when drying the will be ■OTild is allowed to occur they be kep-t a*rfol',1taly sfpoilcd, and eihouki never and dry Wbcin thoroughly hard pods. Here atST18 ,rn''a'7 taken o1^ th<: stick t,o the la^JLieaT° ou:t thc Bm,allGr and tins, attach the^" Pujt in P3^1" OT dry place. me' store in a cool, DRYING OPF FUCI^aT S Puohsias are such gre^house plants tha^thSr and « weir g<ood miaaiage-

Gardening for the Masses BY q PRACTICAL GARDENER. A Gardening Handbook, con- taining all the information required I for Amateur Gardeners. Price Sixpence Bound in Cloth, One Shilling Net. I' Postage 114. STATIONERY STORES, II WESTERN MAIL BUILDINGS, CARDIFF.

GLAMORGAN CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE. THE SMALL HOLDINGS ACT CRITICISED. There was a large and representative attendance at the quarterly meeting of the Glamorgan Chamber of Agriculture at Bridgend on Saturday. In the absence of Mr. Robert Forrest, Mr. J. M. Randall (Bridgendi was voted to the chair. Mr. W. Meyler Thomas (Llantrisant) gave a report on the proceedings of the Central Chamber of Agriculture, at which he, with Mr. Sweldon, represented the Glamorgan Chamber. The question of the prevalence of glanders in London and the suburbs, bt: ¡,aid. was discussed as an urgent matter, and it had been decided to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture to receive a depu- tation. They might be confronted with a grave crisis in relation to an outbreak of glanders in the ru-ral districts unless proper precautions were taken. I SMALL HOLDINGS BILL. Dealing with tiro Small Holdings Act, Mr. Thomas said there were diverse views as to the ultimate benefit of the Act, but he thought they were all in sympathy with its primary object, the staying, if possible, of the depopulation of the rural districts. (Hear, hear.) If the Act was going to be a success, they ought, in the same way, to attempt at what was called a trained peasantry," and t.his could only be achieved by beginning" in the elementary' schools, just as they were doing in the schools of the Continent. (Hear, hear.) It was gratifying tJiaj. the Govern- ment were at last awakening to a sense of the importance of this faot. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. The Chairman expressed his appreciation or the capable address of Mr. Thomas, and said he agreed with hiB views on the question of the Small Holdings Act. The question of agricultural education in the rural districts was one of considerable inir portance. The county council had only had an agricultural committee a short time, a^d. unfortunately, agriculture bad always had to take a back seat. Ho might inform them that a sub-committee had been appointed to inquire into the advisability of appoint- ing a horticultural lecturer for the comity. Mr. Edward Akera said one hardship of the Small Holdings Act was that the fanners had no voice in the matter. His experience of small holdings was that the holder wanted to borrow implements. (Laughter.) The next speaker was Mr. Morgan Howells (Colebrook), who did not think the Small Holdings Act would achieve the object of its promoters. Mr. Thomas was warmly thanked tor his report. POXTI/MR KXPKRT WANTED. Lengthy reports on the proceeding's of the National Poultry Conference at Sea-diner were presented by Miss Howella (Colebrook) and Mr R. T. Duncan CE-hooee). In moving a voW of thanks to the dele* gates, Mr. G. Iipeooanb (Margasm) said it was quite an advance to send representatives to a conference of this character, for more attention should be paid to poultry keeping. It would, he thought, be an excellent thing if a poultry expert oould be employed by the couniy council also. The vote was passed with acclamation. "DECLINE OF PIG-REARING." The Secretary (Mr. Hubert Alexander) read a letter from the Birmingham and District Butchers' Trade Association drawing atten- tion to the "almost unaccountable fact that pig-rearing and feeding is oil the downward grade." Mr. Akers said the butchers had the remedy in their own hands. If they gave a better price for pigs, people would imterest them- selves more in pig-breeding. (Hear, hear.) Mr. E. Bramley (Bridgend) said if the restrictions of the Board of Agriculture had not been carried out, there would have been swine fever all over the country. After further discussion it was decided to take no action.

CARDIFF STREET SCENE. PRIVATES OF THE WELSH REGI- MENT IN TROUBLE. There was an ugly tussle between police and military in Caroline-street on Friday night. Four privates of the Welsh Regiment, stationed at Cardiff Barracks, were walking abreast in that thoroughfare about eleven p.m., and were behaving in such an onruly manner that Inspector John liavics had to remonstrate with them. Albert Johnson, twenty, one of the soldiers, then struck the inspector on the head with his cane, and, taking off his belt, dealt the officer a heavy blow across the shoulder with it. He also dealt a blow in the stomach, which caused the inspector to stagger, and compelled him to release his hoLd of the prisoner. On Saturday Johnson was charged at Car- diff Police-court (before Aldermen D. Jones and Mildon) with assaulting the officer, and was sent to prison for one month without the option of a nne. A second private, named William Purvis, nineteen, was oharged with assaulting Polioe-oonsitable Phipps at the same time and place by striking hfan on the bead. twice with a cane. Prisoner also dealt him a blow on the right cheek-bone. The constable said he had to strike Purvis on the fa^e in self- defence and it was only with the help of civilians that prisoner could be arrested. Prisoner said that the first blow was struck by the constable; and as he did not use his belt the Bench fined him 10s. and costs, or fourteen days' imprisonment.

STEEL WORKERS' WAGES. ADVANCE OF 11 IN SOUTH WALES. A meeting of the joint committee of the Monmouthshire and South Wales Iron and Steel Workers, Mechanics, and Others' Sliding Scale was held at the Angel Hotel, Abergavenny, on Saturday, to receive the auditors' (Messrs. Kirk and Son and Mr. C. E. Parsons) joint award for the three months ended August 31 1907. The result is that vrages will bo advanced II Per cent.

THE COMING OF ARTHUR." MR. WILLIAM JOOTES, M.P., AS A CRITIC. Mr. WTHinni Jonee, M.P., was again present on Saturday, with Sir Alfred Thomas, M.P., and, being an accomplished musical, amateur, his opinion was asked upon The Coming of Arthur," the only new work by a Welsh- of Arthur," the only new work by a Welsh- I man presented at the festivaL Mr. Jones said:— "It Is a work of grea/t promise, with potentialities which it is yet too soon to fully realise. The whole conception is admirable; some of the accompaniments are most beautiful; and the way in whioh the oompoeer has developed his theme from the part which deals with the selfishness of pelf and greed to the section which elevates the patriot and love of country is exceedingly fine. I should like to see some alterations, and I intend writing at my leisure in detaii to Mr. David Evans, expressing my delight, amd adding my own little opinions critically* The way in whioh Mr. Evans handled the orchestra was most admirable, and I am proud of him as a fellow-countryman." Mr. J. T. Sees, Mus.Bac., when asked opinion upon Mr. David Evans's work, 6aid:—"It is a scholarly work, and, on the whole, was well given by the choir, and Mr. David Evans is to be highly complimented. The slow movement in the second soene, and whole, was well given by the choir, and Mr. David Evans is to be highly complimented. The slow movement in the second scene, and the chorus, "Dawn of Day," in the third, were beautiful and expressive. The sooring was very effective, and the work will enhance Mr. Evans's reputation and do credit to Hen Wlad y Gan.' It is to be regretted that the work was not given earlier in the week, when the voices would have been more fresh." Mr. Bees had already commented upon the work in the vernacular press, and referred to Mr. Evans as "a Welsh pioneer," owing to the entirely new lines upon which the work has been built. Mr. David Evans, the composer, inter- viewed, said:—"I was very pleased with the performance. The orchestra, of course, did excellently, and the chorus also did sur- prisingly well, considering that it was ren- dered on the last day of the festival. It was a much better performance than I had anti- cipated, and I feel grateful to the singers for having, interpreted my little work with so much entlsusiasm and intelligence." The general impression held by many of the leading Welsh musicians present was that "The Coming of Arthur" is an advance on the right lines. Some of them were dis- tinctly of opinion that it was decidedly the best work yet received from the hands of a Welsh composer.

"GREAT WELSH S0PRANO." MISS AMY EVANS CAPTURES THE CRITICS. Miss Amy Evans has captured the critics, and her future is assured. Here are a few excerpts from the.London press: — "One of a distinguished group of soloists." —"Standard." "In the difficult air 'Patron des Macht Wind,' Mies Amy Evans. who re-placed itisa Gleeeon. White at little more than a moment's notice, made an excellent impres- sion, whioh she confirmed by her singing yes- terday in Sohubert's Maes.—"Tribune." Miss Amy Evans, a young new- comer, for whom I am inclined to prophesy a great future. Sho has a natural, pure- toned soprano voice, and sings with an un- affeoted but quietly telling straightforward- ness.—"Daily Mail." Solos were excellently sung by Miss Amy Evans."—"Morning Leader." In an interview with the "Daily Chronicle" critio Miss Amy Evans said:- I was born in Glamorgan, where my father was an ordinary miner. He is now a fireman at the Naval Collieries at Penygraig. In our family there are four girls and three boys, and my eldest brother is a miner likej my father. We. are all intensely musical, my father often going miles to listen to a good oonoert. When I was about eight I used I to attend various local eisteddfodau and com- pete for the soprano prizes, and I am very proud to be able to relate that I carried off many first prizes. At last, when I was four- teen years old, I competed at the National Eisteddfod at Cardiff in the chief soprano class, the test pieoe being Hear ye Israel' from Elijah. There were 7S entries, and the prize was awarded to me. Mr. Ben Davies was the principal adjudicator, and said that as I had the making of a magnifi- c-ynt voice I ought to be sent away to have a good education, general and musical, and that afterwards if I was properly taken ca-re of I should become the greatest soprano Wales had erer produoed. All this was very nice, but the question arose as to where the money was to come from to make this dream at all possible or practical. Then Mr. Robert Forrest, who i-s Lord Plymouth's agent, most generously accepted the responsibility. All that has since happened is due to his good nature and boundless generosity. I have been educated, and now I am continuing my vocal studies in London under Signor Ran- degger, and whatever success I meet with in after life is due to my noble benefactor entirely. I am still young—only 23—and I am going to be married next month to a Lon- doner, and intend then to take up my per- manent residence in London." Will you then retire from the musical Will you then retire from the musical profession?" I a.sked. Oh, no," she replied, with a lauglj. I am going to do my best to realise the prophecy of Mr. Ben Davies." "The future oareer of Miss Evans certainly I looks very rosy. for not only does she sing well, but she has a good platform appear- ance. being tall and handsome. It is note- I worthy that Mr. Ben Davies, who originally suggested this young lady becoming a singer, I was himself a working mason, and has had an equally remarkable career."

NEW FESTIVAL WORK. I BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS OF MR. DAVID EVANS. Mr. David Evans ia the son of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan Evans, of Resolven, and was bcrn in 1874. He studied music at the Cardiff Univer- sity College, where he took his degree of '). bachelor of music in 1S95. He then went to London, where he studied privately for some years. He returned to South Wales, where he undertook private tuition for a. time. and I then, in 1899, was appointed organist and choirmaster at New Jewin Church. lie remained there until 1903, when he waa appointed to succeed the late Dr. Parry as professor of music at Cardiff University College, a position which he still holds. I This work, "The Coming of Arthur," is the I first whioh he has ever written for a festival. He is the oonrpoeepr of a large number of choral works and/ a few orchestral pieces, largely church mufeic, and of a great many songs. At last year's National Eisteddfod his cantata, Oh, Rejoice in the Lord," was produced, as well as a concert overture for orchestra. He has acted as an adjudicator at aH the leading edsteddfodau of Wales, and as a conductor at all the principal cymsuifboedd canu.

WAS THERE A CASTLE OF KIBBOR P AN EXPLORATION, AND A PAPER I BY MR. SEWARD. On the high land in the parish of Llan- edarn, some two miles west of Llanishen, is a vast irregular tumulue of palpably arti- ficial origin. This has at length come under the eye of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, who, fresh from their researches at Gelli- j.gaer and Oasteil-mor-graig, are still bent on j" now worlds to conquer." Led by Mr. Edwin Seward, R.C-A., a party comprising members of the society's archaeological sec- tion and one or two friends visited the tumulus on Saturday afternoon, and listened to a short paper thereon written by their guide. Mr. Seward in the course of his observa- tiona pointed out that the tumulus in the Castell field at Craig Llwyn is marked on the maps as a. "camp," and as such it ia generally regarded. The lines of its escarp- ment are well marked along its northern side, somewhat less clearly on the southern, while on the west they seem to have been interfered with by the farm buildings of Craig Llwyn. The strength of the "camp" as a military position was obvious, whilst the camp itself must have been a place of some magnitude, say 250ft. by 200ft. In Mr. Seward's opinion, if the place were a castle at all, it must have been an early one, so early, indeed, that there was no clear men. tion of it in any record. It was profcable thai the earliest British castles were con- I sfcructed largely of wood, amd this would account for the absence of masonry at the present site. If this were a castle, what was it, and what was its name? An answer might possibly be found in the name of the district in which they were standing—Cibwr or Kib- bor. There was no place from which that name oould be derived, excepting this oaetle. In a Oefn MaWy reoord occurs the entry that John a.p Henry Kemys of Began 1374- 1392. married Janet, daughter of Myla ap SitsyDt, lord of Kibbor. As lord of Kibbor in that castellated age where else than in Car- diff or Senghenydd (in neither of which does there appear amy record of such an indivi- dual) did he reside? Mr. Seward commended the whole matter to the attention of the archaeological section. ,on A careful inspection of the site having been made, the party repaired to Iisvane House, where they were entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Sewand, and greatly enjoyed a peep at tbe art treasures of the house and a stroll through the beautiful grounds. On the motion of Mr. Rodger, seconded by Mr. Murphy, and supported by Messrs. Lester Jomes a/nd Charles Morgan, B.A„ a hearty vote or thanks was aooorded to Mr. and Mrs. Sewwrd.

CHILDREN'S COUGHS BELIEVED AT ONCE BT VENO'S LIGHTNING roUGH CURE. Nothing oould be safer, surer, and speedier than Veno's Lightning Coroglh Crn-e. Mr. Henry J. Rolls, of The Grove Lodge, Malpas, Newport, MOlD., writes:—"I must tell you what a great blessing your (Xmgh Cure has been to our little boy. He suffered for years with bronchitis and a chronic cough, and I tried endless cough syrups, embroca- tions. and doctor's medicines in vain. "At last I tried your great remedy, and noticed an. improvement after two doees only and one large bottle effected a radical cure! I may mention that it also cured him of a bad whooping cough, and I am of the opinion that Veno's Lightning Cough Cure saved my boy's life." Veno's Lightning Cough Cure is the purest, safest, and most reliable remedy extant for coughs and colds, bronchitis, asthma, catarrh sore throat, hoarseness, old-age oonghs,' children's coughs, and all chest and lung troubles. Prioe 9*d„ Is. ljd., and. 2s. 9d„ of all chemists and drug stores everywhere. 7523

LORD TREDEGAR AND THE NEW ARMY SCHEME. The Newport detachment, comprising the men headquarter companies of the 4th V.B. South Wales Borderers, held a church parade to Bassaleg on Sunday, under the command of Lieutenaait-oolonel A. H. Lay bourne, V.D., and other officers. There was only a moderate muster. After a bright service, in which the battalion band accompanied the singing and the Rev. P. Rees officiated, the men were drahwn up in front of the church. where Viscount Tredegar presented a long-service medal to Private T. Coles. In doing so he said he hoped as many of those present as could possibly do so would show loyalty and join the new territorial force, which he, as lord. lieutenant of the county, would soon have to organise in Monmouthshire, in order to make it a success—Lieutenant-colonel Lay- bourne said it was impossible to say as yet what changes there would be with the new scheme or the number of men required. They would probably want more Yeomanry and Artillery in Wales.

PUBLIC REVENUE RISING. ♦ GOOD NEWS FOR CHANCELLOR OF EXCHEQUER. The return issued on Monday night by the Treasury of the total revenue of the United Kingdom for the first half of tho financial year ended on Monday shows a net increase of £ 983,490. The net increase for the second quarter, that from July 1 to September 70, was £ 213,551. The total receipts for the six months were £ 64,031,302, as compared wit" £ 63,147,812 in the corresponding period of the preceding financial year. Under only two of the twelve contributing heads of revenue is there shown a decrease in the half-year, namely. Customs (just over half a million sterling) and estate, &c.. duties, about a quarter of a million sterling. Not unfrequently the largest amount of revenue from these two sources is derived in the latter portion of the Exchequer -car. The following are the amounts contribut.ed undor the various heads of revenue, together with the increases or decreases for the half- year as compared with- the corresponding period of last year:- Revenue. Inc. Dec. £ £ £ > Customs 16,147,000 — 592,045 Excise 16,130,000 167,311 — Estate, &c., Duties 9.700,D00 — 258,353 Stamps 3,990,000 274,000 — Land Tax 50,000 — — House Duty 350,000 50,000 — Property and Income- tax 5 920,000 463,000 — Post Offioo 7,450,000 370.000 — Telegraph Service 2,300,030 120,000 — Crown Lands 230,000 10,000 — Suez Canal, Ac, Receipts .—— 698,500 6,817 — Miscellaneous 1,075,802 272,760 — Total revenues 64,031,302 1.733,888 850,398 Net increase. £ 883.390. The Chancellor of the Exchequer estimates the total revenue this year to be JE.152,835,000, and unless something very excep- tion.al interferes with the British sources of revenue, the returns to date favour a satis- factory realisation of the Chancellor's fore- cast As previously stated, it is the last quarters of the financial year that provide the bulk of the revenue, and t'his year under the head of property and income tax, a tax very largely gathered in the last quarter of the year, an exceptional yield is predicted. It is noteworthy that this tax has so far yielded an increase 0If nearly half-a-million sterling, and under the majority of heads of revenue the figures to hand are most favourable to the full realisation of the estimate. Under the head of miscellaneous the Chancellor of the Exchequer estimated the year's revenue to be £ 1,550,000. Of this sum it will be noticed that the six months' it will be noticed that the six months' revenue already amounts to £1,G75,aJ2.

UNDESIRABLE PARENTS. GUARDIANS AND INTERCHANG- ING OF CHILDREN. At Saturday's meeting of the Cardiff Guar- dians, Mr. O. H. Jones (chairman) presiding, Mr. J. R. Llewellyn (Barry), in pureuance of notioe, moved "That the board take into consideration the desirability of interchang- ing the children of undesirable parents in their charge for children from other unions." Although not a member of the children's homes committee, Mr Llewellyn said that as a private member he had had sufficient opportunity of knowing that there were times when it would be extremely prudent and very desirable that some children should be removed as far as possible from their parents. He was sure the committees con- cerned had many more reasons for knowing that the motion was one that should receive very careful and serious and, he hoped, favourable consideration. There were four girls belonging to one family, trained and brought up in the Cardiff Homes, obtaining their livelihood to-day on the streets of this city. These girls got under the aegis of vicious parents, and obtained their living as stated. If with care and judgment such chil- dren were exchanged—he did not mean indis- I criminately—for well-selected children from well-selected unions, the interchange would from every point of view be desirable. (Hear, hear.) The suggestion was not by any means new. The President of the Local Government Board regarded it with extreme favour, and it had, in faot, been adopted by more than one union in the country. Mr. W. C. Gilbert (Barry) seconded. The Rev. Canon Buckley (vioe-CSairman) did not think anybody would oppose the motion. It was, be thought, one of the aaddest reflec- tions that they should have to remove children beyond the reach of their parents but there were certain parents who were undesirable. He was not quite sure, however, whether this was the best method of dealing with the children. He rather preferred extending the practice, which had prevailed for a consider- able time, of sending children into voluntary homes or institutions, for the reason that they would be kept there longer. The oa^aren of un- desirable parents were themselves sometimes also undesirable, having formed habits that required very special treatment and train- ing. He suggested as an addendum to Mr. Uewellyn's motion that they further oon- sider the desirability of extending the present system of sending children to volun- tary homes and Institutions. Mr. J. J. Ames spoke in support, and the proposition, after unanimous adoption, was sent down for discussion to the children's homes committee.

insult is always a pleasure in innumerable' eatssts, and the ijuccessiul keeping of the plants through the winter is an accomplish- ment to be striven for. If the plants are quite green atKl soft in the wood at the beginning of winter they will decay greatly «3id f^il to 'btv jcue good plants in the spring, but if matured and put to rest securely from froet a.nd damp,, they will go on with renewed vigour. All at pres'tart should be out in the open air fully exposed to the sain. Ho not be tempted; to entourage them to grow amd flower now, as this will lead to sutre depre- oiation. Bc'gin at once and restrict the watar giveoi to ths roots. Gsna.d'aally withheld it during the next few weeks, and by the end of O'otoiber have the soil quite dry; then store III a cool, eaie place. HARVESTING ALL THE POTATOES, Weather canditiaus are now prohibitive of further improvement in potato ccpo^s. If the v;arm.th■ during the day'e-uitg thein, the c-hiils a^id. heavy dews of the night are d«teiic-m- tive, and, all points coiueidercd, nothing iur- tiier is- to be gained by letting thorn itmuin in the soil, while it ie poe&fcaie they may be troabletoihe and expensive to secure sliould bad weatiiar prevail. It i" a leam potato year, The timbers are below the average size, crops light, and disease more than usually exces- s ve. cil the whole, the re^uilts are not cnoouraging, but, for all that, no one thinks of giving up potato growing, as they are a large portion of our national food, and have thcan wo xniust. Do not wait &o>w for the .sbuiiis to wither, but diig and store wheaiever the weather will admit. It is unwise to doa.1 with them whefn it is raining or wheal the soil is sticky, but whan -iihces oonditioois are absent be most efnergct.'e in g'2,t:ê.ing them secured both in -held and gaxdeui. When stored dry it is a great assurance of good quality beiimig eetu-red, hut if muddy the .iwwe will be experisnced. CIll the farm the l>Qtato crop ia bctt ploughed u.p to expose the tubers, but in thy garden the handfork turnt, them out reactly. Cut the steone off a few inches above the surface. The tops left will be a g'uide as to where the roots are situated, Put the fork in under them eight inches or so from the stems, then the prongs will not run into the tabors. Many arc spoiled in this way, and it is somewhat odd that it is gene- rally the (inert that are injured. Throw ail the tubers on to the surface. Let thorn remain exposed for several hours before taking in, or, if the weather is dry, these dug to-day can be left out till to-jiiorrow. 'ihe exposure will laa'M them firmer, but be watchfUll th..è,t fToet does not touch them. This must always be guarded against. When a quantity has been dug and laid out go over them and pick up 2,11 the tubers more than half size. These are the c-ookers, fund should be handled as the meet valuable. Put thum in an airy place itrider <x>ver to dry thoroughly for a few days; then store in a dark, cool position, but be quite sure before doing so that no diseased OKS are amongst them. Th(C sound smaller ones should be gathered for Bleed. Do not mistake the&e. Little thimble- like tubers are useless for seed. Those aboait the size of a hen's egg are most suitable, and there is never a better chance of selecting tubers to set again than when all are exposed at harvesting time. The snaaii sound ones that are not worth retaining for the table should be pkkod up by themselves and Ðwrod, to 00 boiitd and g'ÍVCTI to the fowls in winter, and the diseased ones rigidly excluded from ail that are sound. They are only suitable for immediate pig-feediing, as they cannot be kept. Boiled and rni.wxi with ha.rleymeai pigs do well on them. If they oaiiittot be usod as food for pigs burn theaii and Full the other refuBe, as this is the best mode of preventing the disease grains being carried on. Never mix different varieties together in the stores, but keep each separate, when the samples will be better judged a-nd more appreciated on the table. THE BLOOMING OF BOSBS IN THE AUTD^IN Much is heard of the attractions of the queen of flowers when at the height of her brilliancy in June and July, but for perfect enjoyment of all the delights of the blooms aututmm is a moot appropriate time. In Sep- tember and October, too, the flowers are lege miaasive than in the height of summer, but their colours and hues are more brtight. They develop slower, wihen one can now the opening of the buds; they remain much longer fully opetn now than earlier, and their fragramce is much more ample and enjoy- able. Many varieties which have hardily any scent undor a mid-eunmuer sum. are quite sweet now, and in the morning and the even- ing the associations of autumn rceas are inexptreasibly delightfiil. A FINE AUTUMN HARDY FLOWER. The monttaretia is a bulbous plant from the Cape, of Good Hope. It succeeds adaniraWy in British gardens, aaid is a most oome-picu- ous flower in amid Ootobei'. It has u,pright.. brotwl green leaves, attains a height of tiwo or three feet, amd pxodUJCet3 long-last- ing sprays of orange se,amt tubular flowers on branching stems. The va.riety I write of is named Pottsii, which ia the best of the lot. It requires a vrell-dinaaiied soil amd sunny position. MEAT FOR FOWLS. All fowls are par ticularly fond of moat or fieab. lit is one of tiheir na,facral foods, as tbey eert. quam4.itåeB of insects whoem. aIt ¡.)¡bel"ty, and if sruibstatufccs are not. gi voem. willen kept :i;n oo1LÍiU'WIl>eil1,t they wre never a SUCC0eS8. Meat a.c.t.B so excellently in all eases that even fowls that are runming in the open are much benefited by receivmg some meat, espe- cially in winter, when insects, worms, <&cv are not available. Meat, too, has always a direct tendency to produce egige, and winter layers should receive a supply regularly. It shoulld be part of their daily food, when health and productiveness will be the reeudt. Bonee from, the table are often thrown to the fowls. They are excellent a« faT as they go, and every particle of meat will be picked off them, but the supply is often, irregular and not sufficient. It is, therefore, most desirable to provide more, and the rough, gritilike gristle obtainable from food dealers is capital material. Half tun ouoioe of this alLcxwed to each hen twice or three times a week will be highly bene- ficial. It should be mixed through the soft food in the morning. Greaves are equally- good, but more oaaree. They are cheap, and answer the puarpoee very well. They should be boiled and chopped up fine before adding to the meal. The liquid they are boiled in is a-leo acceptable to mix the meal. The meat part oa-nbe added to the food one day amd the gravy the next, amd botil someeror-y other day. If sheeps' amd bullocks' panches and other offals can be boutght from the local butcher at Id. or less per pound secure a euipply regularly, as no better material oan be given. All should be boiled and ohopped up, but a few little bits raw may be thrown, to them. SPOTS ON PEARS. Many pears are urwisnially much spotted this autumn. The favourite William's Bon Chretien is one of the worst. Complaints are reaching me about the dishguiromemt, and all want to know th«5 raasoh. The sipote are of a fungus nature. Scientists caJJ the diise-ace fusficladiuiM pyrimmi or oJodosporium den- triticurDX, but "pear sfpot" is exproRSive, exiplarijatory, and the plain English of it. It originates with the first development of the leaves and fruit, and is magnified as develop- ment goss oo. IA some cases spot oecurs from unsatisfactory root Bottom., but, as a TUlle, it is this fungnis that does the injury. It is by no IDOO.,ns. easily eulbdnied, but spray- ing with Bordeaux mixture is noiw much ean- ployed to keep it in check, a.nd it acts most acceptably. The trees should be sprayed ae soon, as the leaves faJil off at mid-winter, and a^aan imrnedi<ataly preceding the opening of the leaf and blosisotm. BORDEAUX MIXTURE. TTuB is a grand aasdstemt to all fraat S^w-ers, and ought to be a constant asso- 1 here give full parttoulaa-s of its con- an^ I would advise readers to clip Particulars of the for- muia. lake of pure sulphate of copper 61h„ fresh unslalied lime 41b., wiatei- 22 gallons. Place the sulphate in a pieoe of cloth, sus- ^ri T-l a't ^nk, add eighteen gallons of water. Slake the linie in a email quantity of waiter, a-n.d when, liquid add four g-a^ons of water. When, cool stir and ft train into tne sulpnate liquid. fetir thoro-u-hlv ^nd it is then ready for applying. It'wtiJl' not keep m amd should be put on the following day ait the latest. Be eure all the materials are fresh -The winter mixture may consist of the 22 gallons of water as sug- gested, but in summer and when leaves and fruit are on 50 gallons of water may be used to 41b. Off lime and 611>. ad: sulphate. EAKLT CABBAGE. The first planted are looking well and mceit premising. If plants from the late July BOW. ings they will not be too early or prema- ture, and should be helped as much as pos- sible. Fill up any blanks that may have occurred. Deeply hoe the surface between, the rows and quite oloee up to the stems, but do not earth them up for a few weeks longer, as'it will make thorn more hardy to leave the stems exposed. CLEARING OFF WEEDS. Weeds have been wnueually plentiful this season, a.nd they invariably prove a hin- drance to all crops. They will soon cease to grow now, a.nd many of them will shrink, but it is always most advantageous to clear them all off the surface in the autumn and have vacant grouind in winter. There may be little ones remaining- during the winter, and seed, too, that will germinate with the first breath of spring, but the bnlk, or as many as possible, should be cleared aw>ay. Winter is not the season when the best management of a garden can be noted, but all who clear them of weeds a.nd have them clean :wd tidy throughout the winter m.ay be relied on to eccure the best results, and their clean win- tor gardens afford so much more pleasure than those disfigured with weeds. The soil benefits immensely by being unrestrictedly exposed to the winter weather, and all winter crops are more hardy and capable than those smothered in werxls. which are always moire or J(":8 failimv-t. Where there are many big weeds these should hr removed by pulling them up with the hand ard carrying away to Airy and OOlron in the refuse fWitO. while all the small ones should be uprooted by hoe and raked off. BACON AND GREEN TOMATOES. Bacon and ripe tomatoes are very often, agreeably associated. They are a most agree- able breakfast dish, much appreciated by nearly all. The tomatoes are both a relish and a vegetable at breakfast, and this is the mOtt popular time of eating them, and cook- ÜJ-g tlwm, too. The cheapest and most infe- rior bacon and ham is made appetising when served .it h tomatoes cooked in the gravy. There is much disappointment this eeason that ripe tomatoes are so few, ard results are viewed a.s non-successful, but that is not so extreme as is thought. True, tomatoes vaire at their best when ripe, but those abso- lutely gmxi now, and when all their further development ceases, are still of much value for eating; and I rum most anxious to call attention to this, that a.Il with green toma- toes may uiiiiise every one. Oiie excel lent way of doing this is to gather t.he largest. Slice thorn neatly and fry with bacon. They retain their tomato flavour with a.n agree- able piquancy unattainable from the majo- rity of green vegetables. The green frnite can be left to remain on the plants so long as fiost dees not occur, and cut when required to cook, fund whoa they can be no longer left out out and etore in a dry place, and the supply may hoid out till Chribtmas or later, GERANIUM AND OTIIER CUTTINGS. These will hare formed roots nov, a.nd care m>»&t be 'taken to pv&temt frost reaehi'r.ig them. When frost-bitten all tender pjaai-ts bccome soft and spongy in the pa^-ts a.ffectcd. These decay at once, a £ id"oiKe this starts i'n winter it is not easily subdued or stopped; indeed, piants oaiisht with frost will be a great worry all winter, as they are so diffi- cult to keep, and the greatest care should be taken to prote. t tlietn before frost occurs. This may happen My time now, and it v.i'll be more safe to nous. all at once, or whenever frost is threatened. Pick off all daad leaves and every flower bud. If the cut- tin.gs are very erowcled remove the largest of the fresh leaves, too, as they will harbour moisture injuriously. Ram the soil down firmly on the surface, and t,f,e,n put into grrxinji.ous'r', frame, window, or room. Do not keep close in fine weather, but let them all have ample air and light.