The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

SPORTS AND PASTIMES. IN athletic sports the keen cd-npetition between Civil Service men vie in interest if not in excellence with even those of Oxford and 'Cambridge. The annual contests began on Friday, at Beaufort-house, Walham-greenilld were brought .to .a conclusion on Saturday evening. As ts always the case, on both days great interest was evinced, and the ground was crowded. It is not necessary to say .inuch. of.what took place on Friday, for only one or two unimportant events were finally decided on that occasion. Saturday was the great day, as it was that which gave the palm of victory ultimately to one or other among the many who had been placed in the heats of the previous day. As a general rule, however, it may be said that this plan of spreading the sports over two days dimi- nishes rather materially their attraction,, especially on the first. The sports were resumed on Saturday, as we have said, under circumstances so favourable as to con- stitute a success hitherto unequalled in the history of these competitions. All-the-available positions from which a view of the course cortld be obtained were occu- pied, the stand in ,tl-ie enclosure waa: thronged, and the whole space between that str ucture and Beaufort-house was so thickly crowded with vehicles- that it was difficult for those on foot to make way from the entrance gates to the racing ground. The weather was glorious, so that the lady visitors had an opportunity of making a prominent display of. the varied colours of summer dress flags of all sizes and designs were placed at frequent intervals along the course, the band of the Middlesex Rifles played on the green, so that no feature was. wanted to make the scene aiiiintted, as, well as picturesque. Shortly after one o'clock the first event of the day was called..This was the final heat for the. flat race of 100 yards, the previous trials having taken place on Friday. Four competitors started, and aftef",a spirited contest, Mr. M. E. Jobling came in, st, closely followed by Mr. T. D. Pigott, who obtained second place. Mr. W. J. Maitland threw the cricket ball 92 "yards" 2 feet, for which he received the prize awarded for that performance, Mr. R. D. Awdry being next in the order of merit. The hurdle race of ,200 yards, over 12 flights, excited a good deal of interest, and was one of the most exciting incidents of the day. Mr. C. G. Emery gave his three rivals six yards' start, but notwithstanding this substraction from that gentleman's chance of success, he won magnificently by about ten feet, having cleared all the obstacles before him in splendid style. Mr. R. Babington was awarded second place. Messrs. E. J. Colbeck and E. A. Hoare made a spirited contest for the Strangers' race of 600 yards, the former winning by 10 or 12 feet. The honour of second place was most pertinaciously com- peted for, and it was only at the last stride that Mr. Hoare got his foot- in front of the third com- I petitor. Mr. F. W. Smith and Mr. C. Guy Pym both cleared. 5 feet 4 inches for the high jump but as the latter gentleman "owed one inch" the first prize was awarded to Mr. Smith. Then came the event of the day, .the three miles walking race. Last year it was won by Mr. R. M. Williams (Ecclesiastical Com- ihission) after a magnificent struggle with Mr. W. G. Herbert (War-office), Mr. Herbert's; name; appeared in the programme on Saturday, but he did not appear, so that the anticipations of many were disappointed who wished to see these two gentlemen in rivalry again. Mr. Williams gave all the others who entered 45 seconds start, and did hot leave the post till they had traversed half of the first lap of the course. Mr. Beauford took the.lead, shortly after the competitors were dismissed, and maintained it well until the last quarter of a mile. At the end of the first lap Mr. Williams gradually "gained on the last batch of the walkers; and 'in the second overhauled the* hindmost two. From that point he began to gain on all those preceding him, having overhauled four when two laps and a half had been gone over. Mr. Beauford still, kept the lead, with great power and spirit, Mi'. Williams, too, improving in every- stride. In the seventh lap there was but a very short interval between the two, between whom it was now evident the struggle for victory would lie, and still the leader never flagged. Mr. Williams now put OIT -A vigorous spurt, and the .distance 'between him and the leader was manifestly diminishing. At the hist rouild Mr. Williams • caught Mr: Beauford and passed him, but the latter made a magnificent effort to regain his lead and once more took the foremost place. He held it, however, only for a moment, and Mr. Wil- liams passed him for the second time amid enthusiastic cheering. Mr. Beauford still held out, and Was never more than a few yards behind. Excitement when the two gentlemen came into, the straight was at its highest pitch, and not all the. exertions and entreaties of the stewards and police could prevent crowds from passing the ropes and rushing across the course. Each of the competitors was as usual, loudly encouraged by his friends, and the second as well as-the first answered their calls with wonderful pluck; and spirit Mr. Williams ultimately reached the post in front of his rival, having, traversed the distance in 23 minutes 37 seconds; Mr. Beauford's time being 30 or 40 seconds longer. In the 220 yards, for a challenge cup, Mr., Emery beat Mr. T. D. Piggott and Mr. II. Tomlinson, who were placed as their names stand above, the time occupied being 24 seconds and a half. Mr. M. E. Jobling ran with great judgment and ,strength I in the one-mile race, and won it by several yards, Mr. C. L. Williams and Mr. Bethune being placed respectively second and third. First prize for the quarter mile final heat was awarded to Mr. Sydenham Dixon, who beat Mr. R. A. Lamb and another. The three-legged race, created a .good deal of merriment, and was won by Messrs, King and Aitchison, whose locomotive powers seemed to be as sympathetic as those of the Siamese twins. Messrs. C,L-. Williams and J. A. Allanson straggled hard for first.place; in the 300 yards handicap, and the former having rushed up to his rival in 'the last few yards, the judge, declared the event undecided. In the final heat, however, Williams became the winner with considerable ease. Mr. Brewty. won the Consolation Stakes for unsuccessful competitors, the contest for which brought the sports to a termina- tion. The prizes were then distributed by Miss Palmer from a raised seat on. the stand, and shortly.afte? the company began to disperse, It was estimated that there were between 6,000 and 7,000 visitors on. the ground on Saturday, and the number oLcarriages cannot have fallen far short of 200. Mr. C. Guy Pym officiated as judge, and Mr. T. Gwyn as starter.

DEATH OF MADAME PERSIANI. I It is with sincere regret that we announce the sudden I death by apoplexy, at the. age of forty-nine, of that dis- tinguished- artiste; Madame Persiani. We use the teira in its; fullest sense, for though her grace and elegance, taste and execution, rendered her a popular fayourite, Madame Persiani's perfect musical knowledge and extra- ordinary genius were only appreciated by connoisseurs. Madame Persiani was one of an ancient Florentine family, that of'Tacchi-Nardi,,and-it was on her-fathers, second marriage, in 18-32, whefi about seventeen, that she' appeared in public, making her debut at Livorno, where her refined style and commanding talent were at once recognised. "During twelve years," says a French contemporary, "she was the charm and the grace of the Italian stage, while LaJ Grisi was its passion," and whithersoever she went—in Madrid, in, in Italy, recognised. "During twelve years," says a French contemporary, she was the charm and the grace of the Italian stage,1 while LaJ Grisi was its passion," and whithersoever she went—in Madrid, in,; Paris, in Italy, in London—but more especially, perhaps, in St. Petersburg—she fascinated her audiences by her melo- Petersburg—she fascinated her audiences by her melo- dious warbling, captivating the hearts of monarchs, and commanding the admiration of the musical world. Her career was a brilliant one, and her private character untarnished even by the breath of slander. She had realised a considerable fortune, when the unfortunate failure of, Mi -Persiani's efforts to give the public a second Opera House in Covent-garden Theatre occasioned a serious reverse. Madame Persiani withdrew into private life still wearing the laurels she had honourably won, and lived on the remnant of her property, to which she added the income arising from lessons she gave in Paris, and which were eagerly sought after. Notwith- standing her misfortunes, Madame Persiani led a peaceful, happy, and contented life in the midst of her family, giving up to works of charity and benevolence (in con- nection with the Catholic church, of which she was a faithful member) all the time she could spare from her duties to her own attached domestic circle.— Westminster Gazette.

DEAR JOHN PIPER. A VIOLENT LOVER. John Piper, a seaman, aged forty, was brought before Mr. Partridge, at Thames-street, on Tuesday, on a warrant granted by Mr. Paget, charged with threatening to shoot Miss Jessy Woodroffe, a young lady about twenty-one years of age, and putting her in bodily fear. Mr. Charles Young, solicitor, conducted the prose- cution, and stated that some four years ago the defendant, who was quite a stranger, commenced annoying the young lady with his attentions, and de- clared himself violently in love with her. He had called at her residence at all hours, followed her along the streets when she was out, declared the most unalterable love and constancy towards her, and said he would die if she did not marry him. He frequently remained in the street, opposite the shop of Mr. and Mrs. Mills, from eleven o'clock in the day until one or two the next morning, and occasionally going into the shop, and alternately making use of fond and endearing lan- guage, and declaring there was no happiness on earth without her, or threatening to shoot her if she did not marry him, or to shoot any one else she might marry. Mr. Mills' workpeople had frequently removed him, and officers of that court had remonstrated with him. His threats of violence and bad language towards Miss Wood- roffe had become so continuous and alarming, that the young lady was obliged to take out a warrant. He should call a witness to prove that the prisoner was a married man, and the father of one child, and his intentions must therefore be of a dishonourable char- acter. Miss Jessy Woodroffe confirmed the statement of her solicitor. The prisoner, who spoke with a strong northern accent, said he dearly loved the young lady, and the very ground she stood upon. He saw her for the first time four years ago, and her father said to him, "I wish you to be my son-in-law." The young lady had sent him letters declaring her affection for him. Miss Woodroffe Never! Send letters to you, in- deed The prisoner then produced a letter, signed Rosetta Mills," in which the writer declared that "John Piper- her dear piper," could alone make her happy. Miss Woodroffe was directed to look at the letter, and she said that it was not in her handwriting. Mr. Partridge asked the prisoner, why he threatened to shoot the young lady. The Prisoner: To prevent her having anybody else. I know she loves me. She is always inquiring after me. If she will send me a letter stating that she don't love me I will give her up. I could have married a rich fanner's daughter but for her. Let her tell me by letter she will not have me, and I'll go clear away. Other evidence having been given, Mr. Partridge expressed his doubts as to the prisoner being in a sane state of mind. The letter produced was a forgery, and prisoner was labouring under some extra- ordinary delusion. The young lady and her family must be protected from these annoyances—persecution it had been justly called. He ordered the prisoner to find bail to be of good behaviour and keep the peace towards all her Majesty's subjects, and especially towards Miss Woodroffe, prisoner's personal recognisance in £ 100, and two sureties of £50 each, and remanded him until Saturday next. In the interval a surgeon would inquire into the state of the prisoner's mind.

RIGHT-LEFT. A gentleman in Charleston, who entertained a good deal of company at dinner, had a black as an attendant, who was a native of Africa, and never could be taught to hand things invariably to the left hand of the guests at table. At length, his master thought of an infallible expedient to direct him, and as the coats were then worn in Charleston single-breasted, in the present Quaker fashion, he told him always to hand the plate to the button-hole side. Unfortunately, however, for the poor fellow, on the day after he had received this ingenious lesson, there was amongst the guests at dinner a foreign gentleman, ,with a double- breasted coat, and he was for awhile completely at a stand. He looked first at one side of the gentleman s coat, then at the other, and finally, quite confounded at the outlandish make of the stranger's garment, he cast a despairing look at his master, and exclaiming in a loud voice, Buttons on both sides, massa," handed the plate right over the gentleman's head.

FACTS AND F ACETIÆ. LINGER not in dilatory preparation tiU the. poor of opportunity be shut. '•WHY, Tom, my dear fellow, liow old you look! "Dare say, Bob for the fact is, I never tas ,.J so old before in my life." AN empty bottle must certainly be a very dan- gerous thing, if we may judge from the fact that many a, man has been found dead with one at his side. A FRENCHMAN, wishing to speak of the cream of the English poets, forgot the word, and said, "De butter of poets." A TUTOR at, Cambridge bad been examining some lads in Latin; but in a little while excused him- self, and said he must speak English, for his mouth was very sore.- OVER 14,000 sandwiches are cut and eaten eve'ry week in the Paris Exhibition. It is proposed to import some Sandwich Island inhabitants to do the business. A GENTLEMAN who was determined to outdo the horticulturist who raised chickens from egg-plants, has succeeded in producing a colt from a horse-chestnut, and a calf from a cow-ard. NEAT AND CANDID.—When somebody once taunted a very stiy man with his silence, the bashful one replied, Talking is all very well when you have any- thing to say, but I have nothing." MAXIM BY A MISANTHROPE.—The last place in which I should look for the milk of human kindness is, the pale of civilisation. THERE is a man in town so knowing, that people who don't know their own minds come to him for infor- mation on the subject. THE singing of a kettle in one respect resembles the singing of a stage singer. An attempt to overdo it will be followed by a hiss. THERE is a man in New York in possession of a powerful memory. He is employed by the Humane Society to "remember the poor." I THERE is a man in Totnes so witty, that his wife manufactures all the butter that the family use from the cream of his jokes. A GENTLEMAN who had been spending the even- ing with a few friends, looking at his watch just after midnight, said, It is to-morrow morning! I must bid you good night, gentlemen." WHAT are you thinking of, my man?" said Lord Hill to a soldier, leaning in a gloomy mood upon his firelock after the battle of Salamanca. "I was thinking, my lord," said the man, how many widows and orphans I have this day made for one shilling." He had fired 690 rounds of ball that day. Two countrymen went into a hatter's to buy a hat. They were delighted with one, inside of which was a looking-glass. What's that glass for ?" said one of the men. The other, impatient at such a display of rural ignorance, exclaimed-" What for? For the man who buys the hat to see how it fits him, stupid." A HORTICULTURIST advertised that he would supply all sort of fruit trees and plants, especially pie- plants of all kinds. A gentleman thereupon sent him an order for one package of custard pie seed, and a dozen mince-pie plants. The gentleman promptly filled the order by sending him four goose eggs and a small dog. A CONTEMPORARY thus chronicles a scene in a church on an occasion of a marriage The bride en- tered the church leaning on the arm of her father. She was accompanied by lace and white satin, a veil of Brussels net, and a vrreath of four brides-maids." We only hope that all's well that ends well. IT used to be said of the pre-eminently beauti- ful Misses Gunning, who made such a prodigious sensa- tion in the fashionable world about the middle of last century, and one of whom (Maria) became Countess of Coventry, that they were toasted in every assembly of men, and roasted in every assembly of women. AN old clergyman, one Sunday, at the close of the sermon, gave notice to the congregation that, in the course of the week, he expected to go on a mission to the heathen. One of his parishioners, in great agitation, exclaimed, "Why, my dear sir, you have never told us one word of this before; what shall we do?"—"Oh, brother said the minister, 1 don't expect to go out of town." HARD LINES FOR THE POSTMAN. The Quebec Chronicle says :—Travellers by steamer up the river Ottawa will have observed on the north shore of the Lake of Two Mountains a small village situate on a cliff, showing a face to the lake of bright yellow sand, and they have been told that they see an Indian village. The community here resident have just petitioned for the establishment among them of a post-office. The memorial has the signatures of Irroquois and Algonquin chiefs—Saoatis-kurai-iarakoen-kanegatake, Jakomisakie, L. Satexasenoten, Sosekatsien Haienton, B. Kekatewaje, and others. It is proposed to give the village the name of Oka. f THE LATEST SENSATIONAL ADVERTISE- MENT.—My ever most precious one, your letter was indeed a bright gleam in a long night, and I thank God for it, and more, that it was written in the old way, as only my treasure could write. I am well now, dear, and need not say how I have and do long to write and hear. If I still care Oh, could you know all, you would not have said "if." But you do, you must know your Willie is ever the same, and always prays for your happiness. Write when you are able. If you hear of me visiting you will know it is to hear of you, dear. God bless you, mv darling.—Ever your own Willie. WHO WILL ADOPT A FATHER AND HIS CHILDREN ? The following advertisement recently appeared in the favoured columns of a contemporary To those who are rich but lonely and desolate.—The advertiser, who has suffered the loss of fortune, and who has to struggle hard for the simplest fare, feels assured that in some nook and corner of our land there are some who, though comfortably rich, yet have no relatives, and perhaps scarcely a friend, who might be willing to adopt him as a son. The advertiser is a gentleman by birth, education, and profession, is married, and has seven children. He would gladly take the name of his bene- factor, and endeavour to show his gratitude by every means in his power." Who would be without grand- children when he may have seven at a sweep, by the simple expedient of adopting their interesting father ECCENTRICITIES OF AUTHORS.— Bulwer rit "Night and Mornin." What he did the rest ov the day is not staited. Collins rit "After Dark." Praps he coodn't rite so well bi day. Le Fanu, he rit All in the Dark." I don't see how he did it without a lite. How cood he dot the i's or kross the t's ? Sum orthor rote Bound tu the Wheel." What an unkumfortable possislimi tu rite in bound tu a wheel! Thunder! Carpenter rit Six Months at the White House." I spose that was as long as he stade there, his time bein out. Gilmor rote 11 Four Years in the Saddle," so tis sed. He must hev lied a quiet horse." Sum orthor rote "All for the Best," That must hev ben Seward. That's him klean throo. Miss Mulock rote "Nothin New." This cood be sed ov menny others with grate propriety. Harrington rit "Inside." I take it for granted that most peeple du. It woodn't be kumfortable ritein on the sidewalk in rainy wether. Sum orthor, hoo didn't give us his name, rote "Alto- gether Wrong." A good menny hez copied from his stile, but hev hed the effruntry tu give us thair names, bein' lost tu shame. Mr. Sala rote "Quite Alone." This is more than menny novelists kin say. Mrs. Mackenzie Daniel rote" After Long Years." Sensible woman If sum ov the rest of em wood wait till tha git too the age of diskretion, it wood be better for awl konserned.—Josh Billings.

AGRICULTURE. j ON PRICKLY COMFREY AS A CATTLE-FOOD PLANT. It is curious to note how some plants are from time to time recommended to the cultivator as new and deserv- ing of attention—a distinction which few plants have enjoyed to a greater extent than 'the one which heads this notice. Now, as such recommendation is too often given without any practical experience or acquaintance with the growth, habits, or use of the plant, we propose to give a short account of some experiments with that in (1 uetil)n. The prickly comfrey was introduced to our English gardens by Loddige as early as 1811, its bright blue bell flowers rendering it very conspicuous as an ornamental ilower. About the year 1850 it was recommended for farm use as a green soiling plant capable of yielding enormous crops. At this ..time we commenced experi- menting with it; and having-procured some sets then in tne niarKet, we planted about a square perch, which was next year augmented by division of the roots into a quarter of an acre. Early in May we had a fine crop of tall stems armed with large leaves, and yielding a great weight ot highly succulent matter, the flavour of. which v u tne niarKet, we planted about a square perch, which was next year augmented by division of the roots into a quarter of an acre. Early in May we had a fine crop of tall stems armed with large leaves, and yielding a great weight ot highly succulent matter, the flavour of. which was not unlike that of the cucumber. Cattle were very fond of it, and milch cows especially, would partake of it daily with the utmost relish. Our crop was cut three times in the year, and must have yielded quite 50 tons per acre of green soiling food. So pleased, indeed, was Professor Vcelcker with it, that he analysed some of this very crop, which was found io.yidd the-following i—■ CONSTITUENTS OF PRICKLY COMFREY. Leavegin Stemtn" natural state. natural state- Water 88/400 .94*74 Flesh-forming substances 2*712 *69 Non-Nitrogenous: Heat and fat producing matters 6*893 3*81 Ash T990 -76 Upon this analysis the learned Professor remarks that in its fresh state comfrey contains still more water than white mustard, but, notwithstanding this large proportion of water, the amount of ffesh-fbri-iiing substances is considerable. The juice of this plant con- tains much gum and mucilage, and, but little sugar." A great-advantage of comfrey is that it will grow well in shady places and even in wet clay land—Corners of fields and. moist wastes would be well adapted for it. It is perennial, and easily increased by division, and'we found the" crop greatly augmented' by mulching with rotten manure between the sets. Our rows were "18 nches apart, and the plants 12 inches apart in the rows. We have stated that this plant was introduced1; it was brought, we believe, from the .Caucasus, but a careful comparison of its structure with that of our common English Symphytum officinale^espeGially .the purple- flowered variety—tended to the opinion that at least our. common comfrey would be equally valuable. In order, then, to test this, some plants were procured from the nearest waterside, and these, upon being grown in a' plot by the side of the S. asperrimuni, became so nearly identical as to be considered only as a'variety, if not the same species. As food it was equally relished, and there can be, we think, little doubt as to its.being of, equal Z, value. Indeed, from the- fact that it can be. made. to grow well away from its', watery habitat, we may con-, elude that it would, as we found in practice, become a much larger and less watery plant in cultivation. We consider, then, that both the exotic and the native forms are worthy the attention of the experimental farmer, and that a small. space of ground would not-be unworthily occupied in the, of coh-ifrey. Tlte Field. THE AGRICULTURAL SHOW IN SWITZERLAND. The British Consul at Geneva gives a report of an agricultural exhibition held there, and states that the land is being everywhere drained, and improved farm machinery patronised and purchased. Less corn is being grown, the land in many parts being turned into vineyards. The exhibition was under the auspices of the Sociéte de la Suisse Romande, in different branches of agriculture and horticulture comprising, lstly, horses 2ndly, cattle; 3rdly, sheep 4thly, pigs; 5thly, poultry 6thly, agricultural implements 7thly, flowers. and vegetables. The Sum of 25,000 francs—equal to £ 1,000, was distributed by the society to the different candidates. The most interesting part of this Swiss show was the cattle, which., numbered 600 cows, and bulls, chosen from among the finest races of, the country those of Schweitz and the Simmenthal were the most worthy of notice. "The horse show comprised about 70 animals, of which 30 only were pure Swiss the others were .mostly cross-bred, in which the English blood* predominated, with Norman, Percheron, and Mecklenburg. There were drawing and trotting matches and, if my opinion is given upon the relative mefrits of the horses of different countries, the honours belong to the breeds" of English horses, which won the-first prizes; then, 2ndlyi to the Swiss race of Erlenbach, Bern, and the Normande, which won six prizes. "There was really nothing remarkable to mention in the show of sheep, pigs, or poultry. "In the agricultural implement department there were some ploughs of native manufacture, which were considered quite equal to -any foreign ones, and which did their work in d, remarkabiy satisfactory manner. There Was also a good display of reaping and threshing machines, &c. but these two last descriptions were all either English or American. The principal Swiss productions on show were the white and red wines of this eanton, and of Yaud,. Yalais, and Neufchatel. There was a large show of Swiss cheeses from the cantons of Bern, Fribourg, Vaud, and 9 Geneva. The various minor articles of Swiss production do not call for remark. "The expenses of this show, which amounted to £ 2,600, were chieHy met by voluntary .contributions,, and. the remainder- by. payments at. the entrance of the show. "The meeting was considered very successful, and most encouraging-for the future jahd it is proposed.to hold similar expositions—one in every two years—in each of the five cantons of 'La Suisse Romande' alternately."

HINTS UPCXN" GARDENING. Of < .1 HARDY FRUIT GARDEN.—Keep a seaivhirrg eye UP:O:I¡ Reaches, nectarines, and cherries, for, as previously gtir-, lui.sed, I fear that aphis pests" are too abundant 'every- where constantly syringe the trees with the proper so- lutions, as frequently as any insects are ^seen to remain alive, and u,se every effort to thoroughly destroy them, Rearing.in mind the fact that a high state of culture can- aot "possibly be attained contemporaneously with broods of aphides.- Gooseberries should, also be constantly looked over, to see if any symptoms of. the gooseberry caterpillar exist. Looked carefully after at this date, they may often be detected under leaves'which have been "^lightly punctured in. one' or more places, where a whole ■ broodmight often be secured by'pinching off the single "leaf contain'iqg(ithem, while if left a few days, and until they become diffused throughout the bush, it would cost hours of labour to destroy them, if, indeed, a loss of Crops and premature destruction of the bush itself did not result- HARDY FLOWER GARDEN.—Out-door roses, in what- ever stage of growth, should be carefully gone4 over in search of rose maggots, which, in common with many other garden pests, are very numerous this season. These are to be found enveloped ip: the younger leaves, which are found to be more or less deformed^ or other- wise deranged in growth. Do not crush them up be- tween the growing' parts' of the plants, a too common practice, but remove the parts infested entirely, ol- what is better, remove the maggot: itself from* Its strongliold. Continue the potting off of all annuals and other plantain general, which will be required for planting out in open quarters about the end of the month.. Harden off 411 j which hive already established themselves in single pots, or other store pots which it is not intended to divide until planting out begins. These include pelargoniums, heliotropes, lobelias, calceolarias, as previously advised verbenas/and others similar in habit. Look well after, edgings of cerastium, violas, &c., making good all blanks ) which might occur through the ill success of any pre- vious plantings. KITCHEN GARDEN.—Continue- planting out of frames or: other nursery quarters spring-sown lettuces, cauli- flowers, endive, cabbages, &c. A second batch of celery may also be pricked out in a favourable position, as previously advised for a similar earlier lot. Pot off also vegetable marrows into moderate-sized pots. Ridge cucumbers, gherkins, &c., in positions where a. ridge can be formed of a sufficiency of fermenting materials to insure a slight warmth." This, when it has commenced heating should have a layer of fine rich soil spread all over it and seeds of either of those enumerated above sown therein. Put half a dozen seeds in a place, and place a handlight; over. them, until they have become strcin<T plants. Sow scarlet runners in an open situation:, for an early row. It is better to defer sowing the main crop, however, for another fortnight. Keep the hoe constantly at work amongst early lettuces, cabbages, cauliflowers, &c., for the. purposes of destroying seedling cauliflowers, &c., for the. purposes of destroying seedling weeds and Ot admitting the air freely into the soil around the roots. Make another sowing of peas as soon as those previously sown have vegetated. FoiicmG.IIoiJSES, PITS, &C.—Melon plants will now heed soiling over in a general way for the. last time previous to fruiting. This will be the case when they have fairly started into growth, and are making some progress towards filling the allotted space intended for them. Good stiff yellow loam alone is suitable for tliem at. this age. In .placing it over the roots, a space of some 3 feet in diameter at least, should be soiled over to the depth of 3 or 4 inches though,, as in the case of frames, ordinary-sized pits, &c., it is best to soil all internal spaces well over. Do not bury the crowns too deeply, and thoroughly ram the soil down in layers as it is put in, making it as firm as possible in the operation finish the whole surface off as level as possible, with the view of assisting fature waterings, to drain down evenly throughout the whole. Cucumbers, at a similar stage, will also require earthing up. The soil most suit- able for them, however, will be a good open loam, with a moderate quantity of well rotted manure intermixed; press it down with moderate freedom only, and in so doing bury any portions of the old vines which are likely, by emitting fresh roots, to aid the parent plants in their efforts to furnish a continuous supply of good sound fruit. Givel)oth an abundant supply of water at this stage, watering them, and. shutting them down closely at half-past three p.m. daily upon sunny after- noons the real quantity of water to be given them upon respective days to be judged by the fact as to whether the roots are so dryas tonecessjtate more than such a sprinkling only as will engender a nice moist warm atmosphere, in which they are to remain during the night, &c." Continue pinching back all grosser shoots, tendrils, and the like, and to stop each shoot bearing a fruit at one leaf beyond the joint where it is l'placed.—Gardener''s Chronicle.,

GEE A T 3IETR OP O LIT AN HORSE SHOW. The preparations for the forthcoming Metropolitan Horse Show at the Agriculthral-hall, the inauguration of which was appointed to take place on Saturday the 25th inst., commenced on Monday, and without doubt the present arrangements are a vast improvement upon any which have previously taken place, not only affording, as they do, a greater amount of space for the animals, but also a larger arena or ring, and others for the con- venience and comfort of the public. Some idea may be formed of the popularity which the Metropolitan Horse Show enjoys amongst those classes more immediately interested in the breed of horses, from the fact that the number of animals offered for entry exceeds by about 150 more than the hall, spacious as it is, could possibly accommodate. This compelled Mr. Sidney, the manager and secretary, to send out a circular to those whose entries were re- jected, intorming them that their entry fees would be returned. The selections made for exhibition are of the highest possible character, and the classes of hunters alone number 125 of the finest horses of that character in the kingdom. The harness and park classes are also considered as very fine, and amongst them is possibly the finest stepper in the world, which will compete in the arena as a park hack, and also in single harness. The aristocracy and principal masters of hounds have largely contributed to the show of this year, amongst others the Marquis and Marchioness of Hastings, the Earl of Harewood, the Earl of Rosslyn, Lord Giffard, &c. Lord Southwell sends a war pony, ridden by him in northern Texas, in chase of the buffalo last autumn an officer of the Guards an Arab of the purest blood. The stallion hall is well filled, and con- tains a considerable number of the famous Norfolk trotters, concerning which the Emperor of the French and Master of the Horse (General Fleury) are so soli- citous. The thoroughbreds are also more numerous than on former occasions, and far more so than might be expected at this time of the year. The leaping aud trotting entries for the last day of the show have filled well, and will, it is believed, so amuse the public that the exhibitors from Yorkshire and far distant counties will be enabled to remove their horses and take them home at an earlier period than usual. Amongst other improve- ments effected by the secretary is that of the telegraph, and the introduction of an entirely new system, by which there will be no difficulty in the public seeing the number of every horse in the ring. The reception of the horses commenced on Wednesday. The judges were to commence their labours as early as nine o'clock on Saturday morning, and the press, the exhibitors, and the public were to be admitted (the latter on payment of an entrance fee of 5s.) to the galleries during the judging and awarding of the prizes, and at its conclusion to the show-yard. The arcade and galleries are tastefully fitted up for the exhibition of carriages, saddlery, agricultural produce, various descriptions of park-fencing, and other articles connected with field sports and domestic use, and prove equally interesting with the horse show itself.

A SLIGHT MISTAKE. The Science and Art Department at South Kensington has just given another proof of its wisdom. Its ways and works were explained and defended on Monday evening by Lord Robert Montagu, a champion exactly suited to such a cause. Having resolved to publish a complete catalogue of works relating to art, whether or not those works happened to be in the possession of the department, the authorities contracted for a series of whole-page advertisements in the Times at a reduced price. Our contemporary agreed to publish the cata- logue, and to take the trouble of furnishing the depart- ment with proof-sheets. On all this we have nothing to say. It was, we suppose, a matter of business. But Lord Robert Montagu, flushed with the ardotir of office, and crammed" even to plethora by his subor- dinates, was anxious to prove'too much. The total expense of publication in the Times, he said, would be about X5,000, spread over three years, "but of this amount 12,400 would be returned to the public, because that would be the amount of advertisement duty." The very sound naturally called up Mr. Gladstone, who, "following out the calculation of the noble lord," asked, what is the present amount of stamp duty upon ad- vertisements." Why, as everybody knows, except Lord Robert Montagu and the departmental chiefs especially concerned, the stamp duty on advertisements has been abolished for years. This, however, is not all; this by itself would not serve to illustrate the profundity of Lord Robert's ignorance; When the duty was in force, it amounted only to eighteenpence on each advertisement, no matter what its length. The "Plain Cook Wanted" would cost as much as the "Fine Art Catalogue and the duty on the whole transaction, taking the most liberal view of the calculation, would have amounted, not to X2,400, but to £5 12s. 6d. Thus, Lord Robert Montagu quietly proceeds on the assumption that he shall get back half the money in virtue of a stamp duty that has. been repealed for years and, reasoning absurdly on fallacious premises, he makes the little slip between £ 0 12s. 6d. and £ 2,400,—Daily Telegraph.

ROSE CROP. Mr. Blunt, the British Vice-Consul at Adrianople, in his report to the Foreign-office this year, gives an account of the rose fields of the vilayet of Adrianople, extending over 12,000 or 14,000 acres, and supplying by far the most important source of wealth in the dis- trict. This is the season for picking the roses—from the latter part of April to the early part of June and at sunrise the plains look like a vast garden full of life and fragrance, with hundreds of Bulgarian boys and girls gathering the flowers into baskets and sacks, the air impregnated with the delicious scent, and the scene enlivened by songs, dancing, and music. It is estimated that the rose districts of Adrianople produced in the season of 1866 about 700,000 miscals of attar of roses (the miscal being 1 drachm), the price ave- raging rather more than 3s. per niiscal. If the weather is cool in spring, and there are copious falls of dew and occasional showers, the crops prosper, and an abundant yield of oil is secured. The season in 1866 was so favourable that 8 okes of petals (less than 231b.), and in some cases 7 okes, yielded a miscal of oil. If the weather is very hot and dry it takes double that quantity of petals. The culture of the rose does not entail much trouble or expense. Land is cheap and moderately taxed. In a favourable season a donum (40 paces square) well cultivated will produce 1,000 okes of petals, or 100 miscals of oil, valued at 1,500 piastres the expenses would be about 540 piastres- management of the land, 55 tithe, 150; picking, 75 extraction, 260-leaving a net profit of 960 piastres, or about £8 lis. An average crop generally gives about £5 per donum clear of all expenses. The oil is extracted from the petals by the ordinary process of distillation. The attar is bought up for foreign markets, to which it passes through Constantinople and Smyrna, where it is generally dispatched to undergo the process of adul- teration with sandal-wood and other oils. It is said that in London the Adrianople attar finds a readier sale when it is adulterated than when it is genuine.