Denbighshire Free Press

CORRESPONDENCE ) We do net necessarily agree with the opinions oxijre.iS.d iu thin column. 0 ir columns are open to all pei-sonn, no matter whit may be their religious aud po'itioal opinious, or w nit ,i,Ii thoy may take Oil ioo&l aud gtiueral t ;picn. Writq on one uldo of the paper ONLY. Kaal naa? aud address mnst accompany every communication to eccure iftneitton of the letter, Letterfl kILTS11 roach the Editor not latcrthQCl THURSDAY.

DENiBI311 AND RUTHIN MAIN k 110 ADS. To the Euiisjr of the FRlm PRESS. S it—lfc would he a great k'ndaess t) the availing public it the innntrerable hilss in the :a,fa('(B ot this r-jad 9hoQd be temp uatily filed up either with loi Eton* e or tar usaoacam, I am well aware that t: e coanty roul rineves(r is making pre^ araUons to have it macadamised frens end tJ ini ia faefr, fcbe eSoaaa rollsv h already at wOlke Bat i6 wiil take B !ome. mon h-i to complete th'3 wcrk. It tie uiea .titce the holes will increase in b 2 3, and betoue really 6at-garoas to vph c &3, fiuoh as ti:\ liayal mul (Nith ice heav í load). motor earii, and carriages, A coupl, ot ID'H1¡ wita Lorse and cait, could iii- meDfeJý Improve the road hurtace in a oc)upik- of days by filling up the toles as BUggl:'¡':oi. 1 have seea similar work being done io the boroughs b; one man, witi the aid (I a wheelbarrow ani tar tcaoadam, Pera?.pj the county road mrvejof wiii tBk:) ciiis faaggesticn in the kindly tpirlh it ia cfieied, and It he aots up n it he will meet tl e wisbea of nnuterouB people who u. e tse ioa?.—Y.u s truly, A SUFFERER.

LLANRHAIADR. DEATII AND FUNERiL OF Mil JOHN ROBERTS. We record d:h l:'e _ret the de:h of Mr Johu H tbzvt*, which sti-I event oaca?red on Thu?8Jsay, after a short i Intsii, at his reak'eeea at Drafechan, Lanrhaisdr. The decaased, who had reaoaed the age of 73, hacS KOijnC nearly the whole of his life in tho Viie o! Civyd, where ha had gained the bighoit tespeet and esteem of all who knew hrm, The deceased was for over 40 jeare the trusted tutle.,c to th) lata Col Hughes, of W-rad, and 111 this capa^ty was well known to nicfit of the leading people in the oounty. Ha was very high!y respected by the Y it rid family. The f ec.'ased wai interred at the L'an- rhaiadr Ci&archyard on Taasdaj, the ii-jc- tor of Lianjnys (tha Rv D William ) effioia log at the boasa and chcrob. The funeral was of a piiv&te character, and the onief moarners wereMra Rjberrs (widow), Mr Roberts, fctitiou maater, Den- bigh (eon); Mr and Mrtt Roberts, Chester Mr, ausi Mrs Roberts, Culwln Biy (sons and daughters in-law); and Mr Foolkea (mn-in-lft w). Miss Hagho^ and Mr Brovno were a'so piesent at the church. Wreaths were sent 63 follows :—1 111 lov- ing memory,' from Mother, Jack, and K ,tie. From Will, Mary and grcndchild- ren. Mca Lloyd Robarts, R'SUway Iaa, Mr BronDa and family. Ta y Ffos. kli- R J J m.at MincLester. Mr and Mrs War- ren, Worcester. Airs Williams and family, Feiiu ganol. Miss Nellie Williams, St Aaaoh Misses llagbeti, Yatrad issa. Narje Listler, Mrs Davtei, Connah's Q tay Vioirage. Mr and Mrø Gay Ptanois, Nr aDd Mrs Thomson,

ST ASAPH. OTHER ST ASAPH NEWS Will be found on page G. r TONTINE SOCIETY. On Moc.day laeij the members rf tb's So Aaaph Ten tine Society received th air annual dividend, amounting to 17J per. member. In our next issue we hope to publish a fall state- ment of the affairs of this well-managed work- i^gmea'a sick bomfiiJ club. CHRISTMAS SERVICES. The special s^ivices ab the Cathedral on Chr'stmas Day ere as follows —7 R.m., ce.,e-. bra.tion of Holy Communion 8 a.m., celebra- 'I tion of Holy Communion; It a.m., matins and ohcral celebration 6.15 p.m sbottoarol ee>-1 vice. Afc the avening serTice on Sutdiy cexb carols will be sung bv the Oatho<3ral choir. GRAMMAR SCHOOL. Ou (Satut'd^y Mrs Maiuw: gve the Grammar School hoys a Christmas tei. and after tea the boys gave an enbertainmaat, to whiih some of their friends cam- The committee consisted of Messjs W H Rvans (accompanist), J A Jonen, and F G eoper. The last named provided the great surprise of the evening, with his flight of hitid, Mits Phyilis Lloyd. Mrs L'oyd, and Mrs Andrew aseie&ed, and added greatly to tho Bucoeaa of the entartainmenb. A s:-py' I Great exoitemÐrlf. prevanad throughout the dis:rict) last weak ond owing to a rumour being circulated to the eil'aafc that a Garman f-py had been caught signalling from the hills above Be I Asaph. InvostigaUon proved the cause uf the trouble to be a faimer who carried a lantern en bia nightly rounds. The motion of tha f^rmer'a legs, intervening batwsen the lantern f",rmtit'ri legs, intervening batwsen the lantern and the observer, O-t-isi-.d the my tetiouJ flishes, which were iuterpreied iubo E;.eniptiirip.1 rue.ifiugep, and which, ateordieg to one authority wore responsibio for the German raid on the Yorkshire ooaeo. The faimer has decided to wear kilis In fuiiuro, )

Rowrid the St Asaph 1 Shops. J We have heard it said by many people recently, that Ohristaiaa this year will be. & very quiet and snbdned one, owing to the ww, To any who ere now of that opinion, we bugge-t a weuk through the 8treett of little City, and venture to say that their views will ba considerably amended thereby. The Cloto Bisine^.s M teems to have been adopted on sides, Mid il there is any deerease in the good old custom of presout-giving, or the equalfy fi;ood old oe.stoa» of Yule-fide feastJogt irr will not be for tho lack ut torapJaiiotfa displayed by the various providers cf presence and CbrissnGa? Sate. The patriotic spirit is in evidence in every window, siinitefiurc Uaion Jscks predoasisatc 8verywhero. 038 tradesman exhibit? one stuck in tho bteasfc ol a Turkey- This may b3 a oise at coxing events costing thfeis shadows bsfore. Messrs Rogers and Co, Chest^r'sfcreet, havo an excellent assortment of setscnabic delicacies in their windows, and these are 90 tastefully arranged as to attract the attention of the most casual by-passer. There is a large stock of fancy biscuits lere, and the assortment id J varied, that the of choosJng tha. nicest Enpat be diQloulc. The window of Mr J A Torakinaou Aiieli a two fold display, the upper poztion being occupied by greeting ca»d^, 3ud the lowor portion resembles a btuckers paradise; I Pipes, poachet, cigarette ca;-es, and all those things da to the smoker's heart, are here set out- in a most tulung malmer. ancS tho seleotion is snoa as u suit all oli31\J, tastes, and fancies. Mr J Simon, draper, has aa attractive display of very moflll presents, including blouses, glove*, dressing cases, At Henry Jonea premises, coibing rocsb- the eye but excellent meat, and foremost among the exhibits is the carcase of the prJza beast of St As ph, Saaithfield, which wast purefeated by fWn. Tnere is an ioometsi ttock of poultry at ,G:arfclwyd Dairy, av fov- j.t, ducks#, pheasants, in fact tbe wfcole cf the far and feather world are represented hero, I and to such an extent* thatt other premises uftve been brought iuto service to accom- modate the stock which must be second to nODe Li North Wales), A Do everything in he way cr fruit, aats, ctc; ia season or oat of season may bo had hose iu any q-aantttj. Messrs Boot Store, presents a very attractive r.ppran2a. The goods are tastefully arranged and decorated with hoHy. hi the centre is a Ufe»&iz9 realistic figure of Saata C!t&aB, which proves a great I- r attraction. Alt Klvaus, china atop, HAS ft fiao assort ment of Christmas and greeting cards. Also useful presents for stcokers. Taa fancy glass and china ware are particularly attractive. Miss Austin's window ia perpetually I betiagod by an army of javeuiias. Toys of asl desctiptionai, isueh as delight- tho hearts of the kiddies, are here ia ab .md^nc3# and parents will be viell adviaad to shop early to avoid the rush. Mr Thomas. Comptoa hoase, has a very attractive and original display. The gent's window contains a model of the Tower Bridge, Landon, with shipping passing beneath. The whole haa been constructed out o! banc kerchiefs in the most ingenious manner, and a reasonable toaeb is given by the representation of fallen snow. Tfce ladies' window coataias a moiel of the Australian cruiser "Sydney," complete with arajamenta. This alio is ingeniously > maeo up of handkerchiefs, There is aa excellent display of useful aud seasonable 'gilts, tnd prospective buyers cannot do better then py this estsbJishnsent a visit. _Meesrs Pearce & Jone I present a high class assortment of greeting cards and calendars of original designs. It their fanoy gcoda department they have some very attractive novelties which are sure to mske most pleasing present?. Their stpec-ialibs i^ an autograph greeting station- ary, which h entirely locally made, even to the bcxea. A gltince at the windows of Messrs E B Jones will seiva to show that they are: malotailing their reputation of being second to none as providers of Christmas fare, E7crs thing necessary for the festive board is tuafid bere. Idaido the shop nuxerou3 ataude have been erected, and the;e contain a large assortment of novelties. Thediiplay of crackers and stockings is moat attractive, in fact H the ingredients of a merry Caribtisas may bo had at the City Stores. Mr Jones, lower shop, hu n very attrac- tive window. Ties ;.u1 haudkerohlsfs are arranged in a most artistic manner. These are interfered with preent8 of all dee- oriptioES from a doll to a dressing-case, and the whole presents a most charming appearance. The Roo PostcfBje is specialising in Christmas Cirds, and ithe window is very castefuliy arracged, the cards being of a high-class order. The ladies who -vihit Min Price's mill- inery rooms are sure to be modit delightfully cittired in very pretty bats when next-we see them. Hero there are hats which will unit our young ladles and, well-onr lamias. Here, too, are to be seen, it you do not leave jour visit until too late, some most pretty and useful garments for the little oces. Mr J T Pagh, draper, has arranged most artistically a woat choice selection of gent's wea lug apparrol, and from collar down to socks has everything that will please the Boat ex&ct'ng tastes of the city Knots," and to the hotii feolde-ia he abotamtu p(eiidng stock cf- -Kic- iiev< ryihiag a drape) does fe&il. At Mr Biting'* boot t tares cne is n-ei with a iory vide ff. ngtt o' attractive foot wear neatly dhpaJed. Heavy boots tot the irciement weather, sua shat I^xcrou? clippers for foot (hie dusing these long winter <wen!rgv At Cb ester House, The Roe. may seer such a slock of good f-hfngs that it will bh a*s fff-.Tl, fur the iesiic'er.itfe in this part v: the City to be tempted to the gfooeti estab iahmcsts across tho Elwy. Meet s J and R Hughes are evidently not Cc- iisg to suffer from the competition ¡.\if the grccer in close groxltnity, for herE, i too we firtd many choice aud uaost templia^ specialities. From this Heha>er.t be procured aU those goot) things toe which it has a great local fame The baia brith—what happy mlmoties we have aud this is not falL Me c3tB T Price ond Sou, Cicy bakery, coiitifiUft to raaiBfchin their usual high Qfdlt oi good thh'gsr, the display of confectionery should sat?s?y any demands that way be made. rii J E Prica end Co, have made ample endeavours to cope with U mere businetr; than usual," and carry a heavj stock of Ciiriatmas specialities get out in & most tempting manner{ and giving the luspreeiioa cf the expenditure of a consider able a-jiOftat of care and. skul in tie arranging, Iusiie the shop of Mr M WhUorore is to be foqnd Urge quantities of nll that 'rlO have grown &ccusta<r.e-d to associate with Yale- tide, r;rt.'< frorn shls "ore can be putchaied many pot-'i talngs to a^orn tbe tables »•* the c'.ty fiuiii breakfast ttoi'oogh the day, M? S D TLiomm, at Ye OBa Ch;n Sbopa bag £ <iece«fifal)y to is that overy thing Eeqnh-ad in chins i4 to be procure-, a- his establishffietfc. Daring tb5 pat-t yeay f-xt«Es;oaa havo heD made to the premises and row tho vi-.iiors have the stock splendidly f.;rane«d, so tht nothing ca. escape the Vay useful gifta may be had h-:re. We balieve J.t ia u?oai to ooneludfe th< roct.iti of the sh us by a reference to Mr J E-r.rys Joxios. No cosbt of MS on oar visit to Me Jones, la J"8 succeeding Christ-jjases of th?> put when we have discovered to our rogrots that wo do cot appear able to indulge tlve good things with the g'rixne&j of oar fcoli:r>? da btW wondered hy we ha i eoiiehisedb=ford Mr Jc-ses siictalas th* tr&di( O.B of thv- Icsg established empoiiucc, and his a v.id; raoga of perfumes, and other pmt ats which are sure to please tha recipients.

.r HEHLLAN. i'II/It-. CHRI-TMAS DAY.The services on this great fsstiviil will be as follows :-Holy CommuoioD (English) at 8 a ill. Holy Comiaunion (W, Ish) at 10 1 j a ta. Morning Prayer and Holy Com- munion at 11 15 .a.m. WaUh service at 6 p.m.

HUTHIN. •CXHBR RUTHIN HEWS will bs found on page P £ ND8EF PREACHIKG MEEIIMG. The annual prttachicg meotings will ba held in Pond! bl Congregational Chaps', on ChrisimE6ts ds.y. Tbo epfecial preacher will be the Rev Peter Pi ice, M. 4., D.D., of lihos, Ruabon. NEW YEAR'S RVE. Iasteud ot the usual cotlae eupper, a Tea and Social will bo held at the Batliafarn Weslejan Chapol cm New Year's Eve, oocimencing ai 8 n'clùok. This will be followed by a Watch Night Service commecciog at 10 30 p.m. TBIMTY COLLEGE OF MUSIC LONDON. At thu Cinistmas examiaaticn held at the Royal Institution, Liverpool, Ethel Batnen Jcnes (Uuthin), paseed very auccesjfully in the Senior Division in piancfocte plajing. Pupil of Miss Minnie Eat;en, Denbigh. I FORESTERS FRIENDLY SOCIETY. Messrs WiMiam David Morris, M-<vrog-B reab, and Edward Williams, Town Hill, were on Saturday last, cleettd auditors of the accounts of the Foresters Friendly Society for the present year. MARKET PRICES. The fallowing were iba prices at the m\rkifc oa Mcnd-jy i Fowls, 4s to 5 j per couple duckr, 53 to 0 per couple j^tutkeyi, Oid to 10j per H-, goeae, 7J. to 71 pax lb eggg, 8 for Is; fresh butiev, 1^ 31 par lb &m>U nib3. 1^ Jd pu- lb fat pigs 3d por lb rabbits, Is 5d par co sple. CHRISTMAS MAEKET. The Christmis market ou Monday was oue of the largest thab has been held ia Ruthin, and waa atleaded by many dealers from other towue. The p- ultry wad of csoeptiioaaily fiae (I IP*lily, and tho business WAD SO brisk tha) &U i) ;e huge stock was disposed of and oleared awry early in the afternoon. INVALIDED HOME. Piivate Edward Edward, of Mwrog-ebreet, who served in France with th") D Gompary Royal Welsh Fujilierp, haa been invalided home, and arrived in Rushin this wEek after uader- going an ogetatio i in Plymouth hospital. He is recave.-iog, "nd ia anxious to go back to the front to do his bit cf fighting. BELGIAN'S CHilISTBIAS TREE. By tho kindness of Miss Touzal, tha Belgians ab Pjaenewy id, were provided wibh a Christmas tree, the presents from which were diettibuted amongat them on Tuesday. The Girl Guides rendered valuab'e assistance in the arrange ments, and Mea Springmann aiso touk parb in the dla ribution. The presents consisted oil toys fjr the children, and useful artioks, inoiudinsr Rpparel, for those growa up, and all were g.eaUy appreoiated by the recipients. B T-LGIAN REFUGEES. Two more B jlgian refugees arrived in Rutbin on Saturday last" and a-e under the care of the Refugees Cjmmittee. They -came from Brugsele, and wore ia that city for six weeks during which io was occupied by tho Garman soldiere. Tbey state thab the Germans rcquieiiionei the whole of the milk supply, and what they were unable to consume tney give to their horaej. No milk was procurable by the civil population,

i ——— Rathin County School Prize Day. The proceeding in connection vith the Priza Djy of the County School tcr Girlil onder the able headmistress Miss Rowlan is, B.A were very aucsessful, on Friday last. All reports in connection therewith pointed to continued progress in the school, and success in the various examinations. Unfortunately our full report reached us too late to be dealt with in detail. The nriza winners were: — Form II: Enid Edward*. Form II (Labin): Enid M Wiiliam Gwyneth RobertF, Susie Evans, L ale Lane, Megnon B Griffith, Gladwyn Evaa", Eleanor Davies. Form III: Lgsa Roberts, Gladys WyanÐ, Mary B Davies, Mary Omer), Enid Wiliiams, Form IV Gladwyn Davies, Maud Drury, Gladys Evans, Qoeenie Grist, Doris HemaD, Nellie Jones, Doria Jones, Ecnily Jonea Roberts, Dilyi Roberts, Winifred 8earoll, Winifred Vaughau, Coraline Warbrick. Form V Gertrude Pearce, Vera Price. Form VX-. Caridweu Jones, D.lys Edwara, Myfanwy Jones, Eaiily Green. Music—Diviulon 1; Mary Lovegrove, Dorothy Aldricb.—Division 2 Gwladya Jone Drawing Mary Lovegrove, Gwladys Jones. Cookery Doris Homan. Conduob (by vote of th3 Sohooi): Enid M Williams.

Mayors Christma.s Presents to Ruthin Soldiers, The Mayors Christmaii presents to the Ruthir) Soldiers now on acbive duty in this ccunbrj wtre despatched this waek in time for deliver) before Christmas day. The number of Eo'dier- wbo have reoeived them is 120; asd the number sent to those serving abroad, as reported ia our columns on bhe 12th ia3tant, was 53, Thr psroels fentJ this week consisted of a cake value Is box of sardines teffee choco,te eigarettcm tobaoco a pipe and a box of figs, icgether with a neat card wishing the men a merry Christmas, and the best of luck aud jaccesH in the ilOW year. Valuable assistance in packing the parcels was given by Mess-s Hugbes ifrom Mr H E Aldrich); Jones Pritchard, Borthyn Stores; Jones, Railway Stores and Robertp, Liverpool Houss, The Mayor wishes to acknowledge the kindness oi Mr Tom Hugbes, Stationer, in procuring the name and addresses of the soldiers. Without ¡Ii!! assistance in this direction it would have bren almost impossible to compile a complete list. The work of Mr Rice-Jones in finally dispatching the parcels was also much appreciated.

AGRICULTURE IN 1914. BY A PRACTICAL FARMER. THE WHEAT SUPPLY. It is a matter for the greatest satisfaction that the war—if it had to occur at all-sl'OuJ.d: have begun in a year of over average crops harvested in favourable weather. A bad farm- ing year would not in any way have weakened' our Navy as a means of defence, but it would have made the burdens of the war heavier to bear from the first. Farmers are second to none as a patriotic class, and probably no in- dustry is better represented in our magnifi- cent fighting foroes than agriculture. And those who for a variety of reasons have had to st-sy behind to discharge the important duty of carrying oqi business as usual" are not the sort of men to turn a time of suffering to their own ends. Prices, generally speak- ing, have been and are in the growers' favour; but that does not in any sense of the word imply holding up supplies -so as to in- flate prices artificially. Indeed, measures were taken early in the course of the war to prevent any attempt to force up prices to un- fair levels; but it is significant that so far nothing has been heard anywhere of tho authorities finding it necessary to utilise their powers to buy at a price fixed by arbitra- tion. So far, indeed, from any attempt at cornering having been the ease, the sales of British wheat are recorded to have been some 25 per cent. more than last -season. Wheat imports are above the average, and, if any-i thing, the markets have been rather over* supplied on account of the desire to rush iu and make sure of the profit represented by the higher level of priccs. In the second week of August the price of wheat averaged just over 40s, per quarkr for the whole country, and since, after fluctuating some- what widely about 37s., has gone to a still higher level. Considering the enormous numbers of men engaged in the war, it is inevitable that the world's production of wheat must be very short in 1915, and it is the possibility of next year's average price being somewhere about 40s.—the highest, that is to say, since 1883.. in whiA year it was 41s. 7d. -that has induced Jwirmers to put more land under wheat. It is, of course, im- possible as yet to speak for the country as a whole, but it is .not unlikely that the wheat overage may prove to be a larger one than it has been for thirty years, or about 2,500,000 acres, which would be nearly twice what it was in the years 1895 and 19^04. It is, how- ever, one thing for people to tell us to grow more wheat and quite another to break up in-t ferior pasture and get it at once into a proper condition to bear a, fair crop. Besides, the re-i quiremonts of the stock have to be met, while the fact has not escaped notice that theft* islands will be dependent on their own rff4 sources for the supply of potatoes. THE PAST SEASON'S CROPS. In the cereal harvest of the past season wheat was the great feature. Its quality has proved to be good, and its yield wa.s about a bushel per acre more than the average of the past ten years. Thus nearly 700,000 more bushels were produced this year than last, an increase of over 10 per cent. As I anticipated last year would be the case, the barley aver- a"o was somewhat reduced. As a conse- quence there were nearly 150,000 quarters fewer to benefit from the recent improvement in price. The market in malting barley is at the time of writing much restrained by uncer- tainty as to the effect of the new Beer Tax, aud maltsters are buying very cautiously. Spring oats did not do so -well, generally speaking, as winter oats, but the crop was a. much better one than last year's, and, although some 45,000 acres fewer were sown with this cereal, over 200,000 more quarters are calculated to have been harvested. In Scotland it was the crop of the year, and accounted for an excess of 117,000qr, over the crop harvested last year from a larger ( aci'eage. „ Oats have been fetching 7s. or 8s. more than they were in December of last year, and the prospect of [I, fair level should be enough to maintain the oat area at somewhere about 2,000,000 acres. For, as has been pointed out, oats in time of war may be of even more value to a nation than wheat. In rec. years some growers have rather overdone oat pro- duction, and there is not a little land that has become oat sick and infested with insects, which seriously damage the crop. On isucn land, with the prospect of selling wheat art 40s there is little difficulty of choice in its favour, and this might occasion a diminished production of oats to some extent. THE ROOT CROPS. These have varied a good deal in different parts of the country. On the eastern side the drought affected them severely, the autumn rains coming too late but elsewhere they appear to have been generally above the average. Potatoes were planted on a, largel area, and the total production is a good deal more than last year, though not by any means enough to compensate for the heavy shortage which seems inevitable in other European countries. It is doubtful if even growers who dispose of large quantities of the tubers realise their industrial importance and numerous uses. It is in Germany that the great possibilities of the potato have been most realised, and millions of capital have been invested in factories for tlrying potatoes, for converting the extracted starch) into various food products, and for the dis- tillation of potato spirit. One of the secrets of Germany's success in raising potatoes le even on poor reclaimed land is her natural wealth in and liberal use of potash salts, l Except in the form of liquid manure, so l much of which is, unfortunately, allowed to run to waste, and in the seaweed, which is scarcely of practical use to farmers situated any distance inland, we have no stores of this valuable fertiliser other than those in insoluble form in the soil, and only slowly set free by lime. It is, however, interesting to observe that limited suppties of kainit have continued to reach us, and are still coming from Holland. As regards other root crop?, turnips and swedes, though to a large extent not of very good quality, are far more abund- ant than they were last year, and, including mangolds, are nearly 1,000,000 tons greater than in 1913. There is, therefore, no fear of shortage of winter keep, unless it be in the south-eastern counties. The heaviest crop of the season was that ol hops, which were only just short of twice last liar's Dtodyosv Yields rep one a iroru an wie nop-growing conustftrs, particularly Ea-t Kent. Hop-growers are, however, by no means easy as to the future of their industry, and fear'that the reduced consumption of beer, which is generally anticipated as a result of the increased taxa- tion, will cause them permanent injury. HORSES AND THE WAR. One of the disappointments of the season was the pea crop, and the total production was the smallest since any official records have been kept. Beans, however, were a con- siderably better crop than last year, and on a slightly extended acreage show a large wel- come increase to well over l.OOO.OOOqr. An- other hay crop like that harvested last year could not be expected, and we have a lessened production by nearly 2.000,000 tons to met what can only be described as the very uncer- tain requirements of the future. The war js causiag terrible slaughter of horses on all (le, atid will undoubtedly create a perma- nent reduction in the horse population of Europe, thus greatly stimulating the demand for mechanical power. The usual ceiisus of live stock made at mid- summer revealed a much more satisfactory state of affairs than was the ease last yeas, when an all-round falling off in numbers had to be reported. So much has happened since June that figures relating to horses then are now as obsolete as those ten years old, and next year's returns will exhibit a striking change. The commandeering of horses was an unpleasant duty, and there were cases where some districts had to contribute much more heavily than others, while m manj instances considerable difficulty has been ex- perienced in performing harvest and autumn work. But these are only the minor incon- veniences of warfare, and have to be borne with as much fortitude and patriotism as possible. It is safe to say that never have flteam and oil power been so much employed on the land before as fhis autumn, and many new enthusiasts have been made by the excel- lent work of some of the improved tractors. By a happy coincidence, the Royal Agricul- tural Society had- decided to make arrange- ments to hold extensive trials of these machines next year. There is every likeli- hood, I think, that they will be n-all sup- ported by manufacturers, and it is safe to 6ay that they will be followed with the greatest interest, and the successful machines will receive a highly valuable advertisement. Much practical experience has been gained since similar trials were last held, and the re- sults cannot fail to be more satisfactory. INCREASING STOCK NUMBERS. The numbers of cattle, sheep, and pigs all show a substantial increase over those of last year, which, it will be remembered, revealed a serious decline. The warnings as to excessive slaughter of calves have not gone unheeded, and the lessons afforded by various demons strations in profitable calf-rearing on milk substitutes have been turned to account, and as a result we see a. large increase in the numbers of calves, as well as happily a still larger one of cows. The enormous reduc- tion of the sheep stock has at last been checked, but there is still much headway to make up, considering that the previous two years brought a reduction of no less than 2,500,000 head. It would have been of great advantage at the present time to have had our flocks up to their maximum from the point of view both of wool and of mutton. Much soil, too, can hardly be turned to profit without the fertility imparted by sheep, and the problem of utilising all available land in food produc- tion has now become more urgent than it ever was before. Pig meats made good prices until the Danes (started to slaughter swine in excessive numbers, on account of the higher prices of wheat offals and other foods. But this will soon ten in favour of the home-grown pig, as the supply cf suitable foodstuffs has been good and comparatively cheap. It is satis- factory, therefore, that a large increase in the number of breeding sows could be recorded, though they are still 011 the short side. The Board of Agriculture has been iirgiii .eot- tagers to keep pigs and, while there is every- thing to be said in favour of them doing so, they have been so much discouraged in recent years by hampering restrictions that they may be excused for not taking the advice with alacrity. An interesting event during the year was the formation of a new pig breed society, one of the results of the Live Stock Improvement scheme by means of which pedi- gree boars are being provided in many dis- tricts for use at low fees. The new pig is a very old one—the Gloucestershire Spotted pig. It is a useful animal, far too good to rank with mongrels, and its supporters have been well advised to give it a new status. The society has registered a large number of pigs in various parts of the country, of course after inspection, and is now iu a strongly- established-position. THE SUGAR-BEET QUESTION, The fact that the Government was obliged to buy an enormous amount of sugar to pre- vent inflated prices emphasises in a striking manner all that the advocates of a British sugar-beet industry have contended. The war finds us with only one factory where we might have had a dozen, or even twenty, if all the schemes that have been talked of locally had been realised. A very good case has been made out for the establishment of a number of State factories of a. co-operative character. We have been dependent on Continental beet sugar for 80 per cent. of our total sugar supply, and of this source of supply the greater part is stopped by the war, while we have in our refugees from Belgium and North-East France who are skilled in sugar- beet growing and beet-sugar manufacture. The average farmer is undoubtedly willing to undertake beet-growing if a factory is erected in his neighbourhood. He realises that he might reasonably expect to increase the yield of his cereal crops through the medium of beet culture while lie is attracted by the idea of raising a crop which, unlike mangolds, is saleable for cash, and yet which does not im- poverish his land when the tops and leaves have been ploughed in and the returned slices have been fed to the cattle an4 lime had free from the factory for the carting. A Govern- ment factory would experience no difficulty in commanding a sufficient supply of beets. It remains for farmers to use their influence to get this new rural industry established while the time is ripe for it. DUTCH LIVE STOCK IMPORTED. A daring ,-top taken by the Board of Agri- culture tlcscrves some mention. This was the importation, which they authorised, of some seventy Holstein cattle—young bulls and heifers. There was no doubt whatever about the fact that British Holstein herds in this country greatly needed the introduction of fresh blood, and w ill be much benefited as a result of the importation, which, indeed, should in a few years' time give the breed a much better standing in the eyes of Colonial and foreign buyers. The importation was conducted with the utmost care, the animals only reaching this eountrj- a few days before the outbreak of war. The sale, under close restrictions, brought record prices, and bene- fited only the British Holstein Cattle Society, .leaving it, with no loss than Y.10,000 clear profit, and making its position unusually strong. It was argued by some stockbreeders that the Board's action was scarcely justified, considering the great risks run and when the question was referred to in the House of Commons, the danger was pointed out of re- introducing pleuro pneumonia, which, it will be remembered, was only stamped out years ago with great effort, and expense. Methods of quarantine have, however, been greatly im- proved in recent veal's, and veterinary opinions no doubt felt that the risk was not one too great to be taken. THE TOLL OF DISEASE. There is nothing very satisfactory to report as to the progress of the various notifiable diseases. Foot-and-mouth disease has been | o^rticularlv troubJesoQie, t^jjtj-'our out- OreatH 7iaring occurred in urrcax rrmam mivc ) seventy-six in Ireland, involving altogether nearly 1,100 animals. Experiments were con- ducted in India with a view to throwing some light on the various mysterious features of the disease, but they proved to be of little practi- cal value, and it is felt that little progrell3 will be made in. the eradication of thia very troublesome disease until it is attacked on an international scale-ft, eomewhat impractical ideal at the present time Swine fever outbreaks have been nearly twice as numerous as last year, and have in- volved the slaughter of a large number of pigs. The possibilities of serum treatment attracted much notice in the early part of the year, and though scientific opinion does not seem to be very enthusiastic about it, it is being given a trial, which one cordially hopes may have the desired effect. Sheep scab has now been reduced to remarkably small dimen- sions, and reprosentative sheep-breeders have asked for still more vigorous steps to stamp aut the disease altogether. The tuberculosis and parasitic mange orders were suspended early in August. Up to that time about 4,000 animals had been notified for slaughter as tuberculous; and it is satisfactory to notiep that considerably fewer animals were re- ported as attacked with parasitic mange than in the previous year. But in one way and another disease atoll takes far too heavy toll of our lire stock, and i veterinary science has still much hard work before it. Too much reliance should not be placed on Stat-e measures by means of orders and restrictions for suppressing disease. Thofm ?an facilitate veterinary work, but not take its place. A great International Veterinary Con- gre^s was to have been held in London ia Amgust. but the war upset all arrangements, and a magnfficent opportunity for exchanging opinion and eliciting fresh knowledge and aw? methods had to be lost.

Tate Advertisement. LOST, three 8SEEP wi h black mark on J rump, and old mark red. Information to A. M. & R. H. Williams, Bul chers, Ru! hin. 1129uo

WORDS OF WISDOM. Perseverance brings perfection. Honesty in little things is not little. Compapy in sorrow makes sorrow light. Rule the appetite and temper and tongue. t To lose self-control is to lose the key to any situation. Covetousness is the hunger which comes from eating. The hardest wounds to heal are those made by ill deeds. If you would be of use in the World, fchinlt of yourself fast. To have suffered much is like knowing many languages. A moment's insight is sometimes worth A life's experience. The error of one moment becomes the Bor- row of a lifetime. ;What an easy and delightful thing it ft to make others happy. Many men collect their thoughts—from the thinking others have done. A house is never a home unless the man and woman are comrades. Many by being thought to be better than they were are made better. If you would hit the mark you must aim II little above it.-LONCFFLLOW, Face all tnings even adversity is polite to man's face.—JOSH BILLIKGB. Light purifies. The sun burns up evil; Let in the light.—ARNOLD TOYNBEE. Cost is the father and compensation is th mother of progress.—J. G. HOLLAND. ,> ftf all evil-speaking he who listens is the accomplice of the one who speaks ill. Many people do not know how much they must know to know how little they know. He who reigns within himself, and rules pas- sions, desires, and fears, is more than a king. Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control, Those three alone lead life to sovereignpower. —TENNYSON. Advice is cheap, but if we could all sell it at half price the wolf would be kept far from the door. The greatest mistake you can make in this life is to be continually fearing you will make one. Love of reading enables a scan to exchange the weary hours which come to everyone for hours of delight. Men of the noblest dispositions think them* selves happiest when others shaie their happi- ness with them.—JEREMY TAYLOR. What is worth doing is worth doing wall; and with a little more trouble at first much trouble afterwards may be avoided. One powerful aid in exorcising the demon of worry from our minds is strenuously to avoid, as much as possible, using even the The true past departs not. No truth or goodness realised by man ever dies, or can die; but all is still here, and, recognised or not, lives and works through endless changes, —CARLYLE. A man's true wealth hereafter is the good he has done in the world to his fellow-men; when he d leq. people will ask, what property has lie left behind him? But the angels will ask, what good deeds has he sent before him! -KORAN. DON'T EXAGGERATE. Watch exaggeration. It is one of the small things that, given rein, can dash what- ever it is attached to at the moment to dire destruction. The individual who does not quickly stem the tendency to exaggeration soon finds that the stream has so quickly in- creased that no power can close the flood- gates against it. It is so insidious in its power that the habit of exaggeration should be held very firmly in check, so that it cannot run riot. A clever touch of it may make an absurd matter ludicrously funny, but too much of it becomes caricature. Let exaggeration become unconscious, let it not be recognised as exaggeration and it becomea dangerous, for then serious matters as well as the fun of the hour may become touched with it, and real things become distorted, THII FATEFUL MINUTE. Every minute, every minute Has the whole of living in it. Someone's crying someone's bow, Someone's dying, old and worn. Someone's laughing, someone's fed Someone's chaffing, someone's dead. Someone's hearing love confessed, Someone's jeering someone's jest. Someone's orr someone's glad, Someone's worry drives him mad9 Every minute, every minute Has the whole of living io it. .8