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(iarkrtirtg. ,r" If any reader who is in difficulty with reference to his garden, will write direct to the ad- dress given beneath, his queries will be an. swered, free of charge, and by return of post. —EDITOR] Some correspondents omit to add their names, or merely end with initials. In these cases it is obviously impossible to reply.—E.K.T. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN IN MARCH. PARSNIPS. For this crop very deep sandy loams in open situtations are best. Parsnips do not require rich soil, though an autumn dressing of part ially decayed dung, which is free from straw, IS beneficial if large roots are desired. Sow as early as weather permits in shallow drills from 14 to 18 inches apart, one ounce of seed to a row of 100 feet; and cover with about an inch of fine soil. Commence systematic weeding as soon as the plants are visible in the rows; and when the seedlings are about two inches high thin them out to six inches apart. Finally, single out the roots from 10 to 12, or even 15 inches asunder and keep the hoe busy until the crops die down in autumn. PEAS. Sow for the main crop, using a quart of seed to a row of 60 feet in drills two inches deep, allowing sufficient space between the rows to admit of growing early potatoes, cauliflowers, spinach, celery, etc. Directly the seedlings are visible, dust them over lightly with Hme and soot mixed, as a protection from slugs; and tin them to about two inches apart when they are two or three inches high. It is well to support the plants with brushwood wlwn they are three or four inches high. As the 8eedlings appear under glass, air must be given whenever possible, to promote a sturdy growth and it will, of coarse, be necessary to water occasionally. Towards the end of March, or In early April plant them out with as little dis- turbance of the roots as possible. Earth up the stems of the main and late crops slightly; and support them with sticks in good time. Daring periods of drought, water must be liberally supplied either in shallow drills drawn about nine inches distant from the rows, or in the trough made by earthing up. Pinch out the top of robust-growing kinds when they are producing flowers freely. A mulching of leaves, short grass or half-decayed manure is of the greatest benefit during hot weather. POTATOES. It is now permissible to get in the main crops of potatoes, though, perhaps, it is safer to wait till-early April. Select tubers of moderate Bize, weighing two or three ounces each, or, failing these, divide. larger ones into pieces. When planting, rub off all the shoots excepting one or two short and stout ones. The rows Should be about 15 or 20 inches apart for very •early kinds, and about 24 to 30 for more robust growing varieties, while the sets must be placed in the trenches at from 8 to 10 inches apart for ,early, and from 14 to 16 for later crops. The sets can either be dibbled in some six or seven inches deep, or may be placed in trenches or furrows of like depth, the earth being closed in on them. If whole tubers are employed, it is well to cut a small piece off the bottom of each to expedite its decay after growth is fairly started. Hoe between the rows directly the shaws are visible, and cover them lightly With fine soil if frost appear imminent. Earth- ing up should be done when the tops are about six inches high, the ridge of soil drawn up to the stems of the plants, being four or five inches in height. The two fungi, peronospora infestans and fuBisporium solani, annually work much injury, the former being responsible for the dreaded potato disease which causes dis- coloured and decomposing tubers. Though the planting of sound seed in dry, warm beds in open sunny situations is beneficial, nothing is an effectual remedy save Bordeaux Mixture. This invaluable fungicide is prepared by slak- ing 4lbs. of quicklime (61bs. of air-slaked) in a vessel containing a small quantity of water, and by dissolving in another receptacle 61bs. of sulphate of copper in four or more gallons of water. When the former solution is quite cool, pour it into the copper mixture, and keep the fluids mixed by constant stirring, while adding enough water to make 40 gallons of prepara- tion. Stir well before applying in the form of the fine spray to foliage, preferably with knapsack sprayer, directly the first symptoms of the leaf spot appear. Further applications must be made at intervals of from 10 to 12 days. SEA-KALE. To raise plants from seeds, sow in drills 18 inches apart and cover the seeds with 2 inches of soil. Thin out the seedlings early to 10 inches asunder in the lines; keep the beds scrupulously free from weed; treat liberally, giving water, liquid manure, and an occasional light dressing of salt in summer and when the foliage has decayed in autumn, lift the roots carefully, and trim off side shoots. Lay in the main stems with the dormant crowns attached; and cover with litter to protect them from frosts until required for planting. To form a new bed with plants, put out the roots from mid-March to mid-April, in trenches 2 feet asunder, and tread the ground firmly down. Cut off any flower stems that may rise, and supply abundant water and liquid manure, with an occasional light dressing of salt, during the summer. Surface-rooting crops, such as lettuce spinach, etc., can be grown between the rows the first season. Hoe out any weeds. SORREL. In many households sorrel is justly valued as a wholesome and palatable addition to soups and such boiled vegetables as spinach. Sow any time in spring in drills eight inches apart in deep, moist soil, and thin out the seedlings to six inches asunder in the rows. No gather ing can be expected this summer. Hoeing and weeding are essential to keep the plantation clean. SPINACH. Deeply worked, good loams are best, but excellent crops can be secured on retentive soils and clays that have been well tilled. Moist, rich ground is essential for summer crops. Make liberal sowings now, using an ounce of seed to a bed of five square yards. Thin out the plants early to six, and finally to 12 inches apart in the rows, hoeing lightly between the rows to keep down weeds. It may be necessary to shade summer crops from the heat of the mid day. Take two or three of the largest leaves at a time from each plant directly they are big enough for use. At the first appearance of flower stems, cut the heads right on. When properly grown and cooked, spinach is one of the most wholesome and pleasing of vegetables. New Zealand spinach is an exceedingly valuable variety in hot sum- mers. The seed is sown in March or early April under glass, or on the open border in May, the seedlings being put out three feet apart in light sunny beds. STRAWBERRIES. Admirable crops of this fine fruit can be grown in any well-trenched, rich and sandy loam. A liberal layer of good manure ought to be placed between the spits when trenching and a light top dressing may be given in winter between the rows. Plant out fresh, wellrooted runners any time now 18 inches apart in rows two feet asunder, making the ground very firm. Mulch the surface, and supply abundant Water during dry whether. Remove the run- ners as fast as they appear. It is sometimes well to stir the surface soil very lightly to Prevent the rain from running off it. During July root the first runners in pots of rich soil, Plunged in the ground, the later once being Pegged down to the bed to root in the usual manner. When sufficiently rooted, sever the stems joining the young and parent plants, and shade those in pota for a few days. TOMATOES. Good crops may be secured from plants grown in the open from May onwards; and to provide these a sowing should be made now under glass in rather sandy soil. Maintain a temperature of 60 to 65 at night and 75 by day; and prick out the seedlings singly into small pots directly they have made two leaves. Keep the young plants short and stout by placing them on shelves near the glass; and mfrve them to larger pots as required. Fruit the plants in 8 in 10 inch pots, which are specially well drained, or in beds IS inches wide and 6 or 7 deep. Place the plants from IS inches to 2 feet apart; and train the mainstem of each up a stake or wire a foot from the glass. Systema- tically pinch out all side shoots; and it may occasionally be well to remove part of a very large leaf to admit more light to ripening fruit. Though the roots must on no account be allowed to want for water, the atmosphere should always be kept dry, as much air being admitted night and day as may be consistent with safety; and especial cire must be taken not to water too freely, especially on dull days. In damp weather fire-heat will be necessary, even in summer. Tomato flowers must always be hand pollinated or fertilized, as the fruit seems to be increased in size by a liberal application of pollen. The best plan is to collect the pollen in a spoon or ladle at mid- day, when the sun is bright and the house dry, and to touch the end of the stigma with the dust. Sturdy plants are hardened off, and planted out in May into deeply worked soil. With the exception that artificial fertilization is not needful, out-door treatment differs in no material respect from house culture. TURNIPS. In sowings of turnip seeds, a fine tilth must be regarded as absolutely essential. Lime, in some form, is necessary, and dressings of bore meal, basig slag, superphosphate, old morter and plaster, are most beneficial, in conjunc- tion with ordinary manure, in preparing the ground. Sow now for summer and early autumn use, on a very fine seed-bed, in shallow drills, from 12 to 15 inches apart, according to the size of the variety selected, one ounce of seed to four square yards, and cover with about half an inch of fine soil. The Turnip Fly, a voracious little beetle, occasionally destroys the plant almost as soon as it is visible. The cotyledon, or seed leaf stage, is that of special danger, and the surest preventive is to promote a regular and rapid growth by obtaining a fine tilth, and by sowing in drills in which a couple of inches of decayed manure, or of a mixture of guano, ashes and soil, is covered with a light layer of earth, to prevent the seed coming into actual contact with the fertilizer. As remedial measures, dressings of lime, soot, and ashes, are valuable, if applied in early morning, while the foliage is still wet with dew. The culture of turnips is the most simple. Thin with a hoe directly the rough leaves appear, and, finally, single out the seedlings by hand, until they are from four to nine inches apart, according to the vigour of the kind. If this process of singling be effected at two operations, the thinnings may be utilised in the kitchen. Give an occasional heavy watering during very dry weather; and keep the beds free from weeds. A very serious disease of these, and allied plants, is that known as Clubroot, Anbury, or Finger-and-toe. Infested roots become swollen and malformed; and eventu- ally loathsome decay sets in, and myriads of fungus spores are released, to in turn germin- ate, and attack such cruciferous plants as may be at hand. Constant rotation and clean cul tivation, involving the destruction of all weeds, which might serve as hosts for the fungus, will be found the best preventives. A very heavy dressing of lime often proves an effectual remedy in attacks, but no cabbages, turnips, or radishes, should be grown for several years on infested lind. WATER CRESS. Sow now in shady, moist trenches, which must be kept thoroughly damp by watering. MUSHROOM CULTURE. Cover the bed immediately after spawning with a six-inch layer of clean litter, and in a week's time remove this covering to see that the lumps of spawn are not blacker than when inserted. If the hyphae, or white threads of mycellium, appear to be spreading, cover the beds with two inches of good and moist turfy loam, pressing the surface down with a spade, and replacing the litter with as little delay as possible. On the appearance of the mushrooms which are due in six or seven weeks, the litter may be removed if the bed be in a warm and perfectly dark shed or cellar, sheets of brown paper being substituted. The bed must never be allowed to become dry, tepid water, prefer- ably at about 90 degrees, being given as required, the litter being removed before, and replaced instantly after watering. Cold draughts must be avoided, and the temperature should be kept as uniform as possible, while the bed must never be permitted to become sodden with moisture. The walls and floor of the mushroom home should frequently be syringed. E. KEMP TOOGOOD, F.R.H.S., pro Toogood and Sons, The Royal Seed Establishment, Southampton.
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■■ II I Sailors make the best fire-brigade men.
THE PEACE CRUSADE.
THE PEACE CRUSADE. A AA ional convention in connection with this movement was held on Tuesday afternoon in St. Martin's Town Hall, in London. Lord Aberdeen presided, and resolutions in favour of the object of the crusade were spoken to by Sir H. Bemrose, M.P., Sir Wilfrid Lawson, M.P., the Archdeacon of London, Mr. Whiteley, M.P., Lady Frederick Cavendish, and others, and carried. An evening meeting took place in the Queen's Hall, the Bishop of London presiding. A letter was read from Mr. John Morley, M.P., who. was unable to be present, and among the speakers were Mr. Courtney, M.P., Mr. P. Stanhope, M.P., Mr. S. Woods, M.P., the Rev. Dr. MacEwan, president of the London Free Church Council, and Mr. W. T. Stead.
EXPLOSION AT A WORKHOUSE.
EXPLOSION AT A WORKHOUSE. Nurse Barker, who was seriously injured in the extraordinary explosion of ether which occurred last week in the surgery of Rochdale Union Workhouse, at Dearnley, died on Tuesday afternoon. This makes the second fatality, as Superintendent Nurse Evans was killed almost immediately. During her illness Nurse Barker occasionally recovered con- sciousness, and was able to give Dr. Pinch some par- ticulars as to how the explosion occurred. It is expected that her statement will be made public at the adjourned inquest next week. Nurse Barker was a native of Bradford, and 35 years of age.
RAILWAY ACCIDENT NEAR LICHFIELD.
RAILWAY ACCIDENT NEAR LICHFIELD. A collision occurred at midnight on Monday on the London and North-Western Railway at a place called Elmhurst, between Lichfield and Armitage, between two goods trains, one travelling from Manchester to Southampton, and the other from Phillips-park, Manchester, to London. The South- ampton train consisted of 42 waggons laden with merchandise and drawn by two engines, and preceded the London train from Stafford at about eleven o'clock. Armitage was reached about midnight, and immediately after pass- ing that station the draw-bar of one of the waggons gave way, and 36 waggons and a brake in the rear became detached from the two engines and six waggons in front. At Elmhurst the signalman on duty signalled the line clear, not noticing the acci- dent and detached waggons behind. The Phillips Park train was thus allowed to come on at ordinary speed. It dashed into the detached waggons of the preceding train which vere piled one on the other and scattered in Jill directions. The slackening of the speed allowed the brakesman of the Southampton waggons to alight, aud he escaped unhurt. The driver and stoker of the Phillips Park train stuck to their engine, and encountered the full force of the collision. The driver, whose name is R. Mewis, of Rugby, received a severe scalp wound and other injuries, but the fireman was buried underneath the waggons and killed on the spot. His body was dis- covered at daybreak on Tuesday. When the acci- dent was discovered one of the Southampton engines returned to the scene of the disaster, and brought the driver to Lichfield, where his wounds were dressed, and he was then sent on to Nuneaton Infirmary.
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A PARIS telegram states that Sir Edmund Monson's health continues to improve. He is still, however, confined to his room, absolute rest being prescribed by his medical advisers. COLONEL THE EARJ. OF STRAFFORD, Senior Equerry to the Queen, who was recently seized with grave ill- ness while on duty at Windsor Castle, has now en- tirely recovered. He is staying at his London house, and is able to take daily horse exercise. MR. JOSEPH WALTON, Q.C., has been appointed chairman of the General Council of the Bar in the place of Mr. Justice Cozens-Hardy. Mr. WARRINGTON, Q.C., has been appointed to fill the vacancy upon the General Council of the Bar caused by Mr. Justice Cozens-Hardy's elevation to the Bench. ACCORDING to a Paris message, Lord Salisbury at the conclusion of his impending visit to the Riviera will havq an interview withM. Delcasse, French Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Advertising
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REVIEW OF BOOKS. '-"--"
REVIEW OF BOOKS. TOOGOOD'S FARM SEED BOOK. The 85th annual edition of Toogood's Farm Seed Book, published by Toogood and Sons, the Royal Seedsmen for half-a-century, South- ampton, who claim to be the largest seed growers in the South and West of England, is a large, copiously illustrated and very handy reference work for farmers. It is prefaced with a history of this eminent house, its ex- perimental department, enquiry bureau, seed- control offices, &c., and with pictures of some of the firm's immense premises. The Messrs. Toogood and Sons have recently acquired for seed cleaning purposes what is believed to be the largest seed warehouse in the world, and amongst other interesting inventions and im- provements in their plant are mentioned ma- chines to remove the pieces of stick from man- gel seeds, barley from oats, practically all cockle from corn samples,, and the great part of plantain or rib-grass from shelled clovers. Upwards of 20 pages of matter are devoted to pastures and pasture plants, a subject of the greatest moment to farmers at present, special stress being laid upon the facts that exorbitant prices are never a test of quality, that the choicest seeds of the season, all new, most care- fully re cleaned, and of guaranteed germina- tion and genuineness, should and can be ob. tained at moderate prices, and that the firm's pasture seeds are sold under the official guaran- tees of Dr. Stebler and their own staff botanists. In order to protect agriculturists from fraudu- lent dealers, 'the Messrs. Toogood have pub- lished their treatise on Seed-buyingand Testing at Home, which is sent post free to every ap- plicant, and which shows how every farmer can prevent loss of labour, time and money by testing the seeds he buys with such simple appliances as a couple of plates and a piece o flannel, &c. For very many years past this house has made it its boast to have spared neither time nor expense in the production of exhibition Btrains of agricultural roots, and to this end a member of the firm invariably selects each variety season after season, so that customers may confidently rely on the heaviest possible crops and yet have the utmost advantage in competition at the great root shows. Further than this, they claim to have persistently and unvaryingly sold their produce at moderate prices, and to have probably done more than any firm in existence to compel other traders to do the same. As an instance we notice that Toogood's Giant Yellow Globe, with which Sir Stuart Macnaghtenl grew over 61 tons per acre on poor Hampshire land is offered at 8d. per lb., all other root seeds being in proportion. The culture of all other forage and fodder crops is given in detail, and we do not think farmers can do better than write for this useful book, which will be sent free of charge.
IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS.—MARCH 20. MAJOR MACDONALD'S EXPEDITION. The Earl of Camperdown asked, with reference to recent events in Uganda, whether Major Macdonald's expedition had finally terminated, and whether his report would be presented to Parliament when received. So far as the official papers relating to the expedition were concerned they terminated the history with the revolt of the Soudanese, and he desired to know if the Government had further information as to the progress that was subsequently made with the object of the expedition. The Marquis of Salisbury replied that the main object of the expedition was to ascertain the frontier that had been agreed upon some time ago as to the Italian sphere of influence and our own. They thought it important that they should know how far the British sphere of influence extended. That was not the only object. There were rumours at the time of designs upon the Upper Nile which appear- ances did not altogether falsify, and which made the Government anxious to establish our military power upon some of the stations of the Upper Nile. Unfor- tunately that branch of the expedition came to an untimely end by the mutiny of the Soudanese. It had been thought that the mutiny involved special blame to Major Macdonald, but if the noble lord had studied what had gone on in the neighbour- ing Congo Free State, he would see how difficult it was to avoid mutiny among coloured troops. The knowledge of successful mutiny there incited our Soudanese to rise in their turn. The mutiny so diminished Major Macdonald's force that it was thought wise not to prosecute the original enterprise to its full extent. A con- siderable portion of Major Macdonald's troops, with other troops under Major Martyr, made an expedition from the highest quarters of the Nile down the river bank, but the expedition was not wholly successful. He pushed forward, and as his discretion was of course very wide the Government did not know exactly whether he would return at once or not. The information they had was of a very imperfect character, owing to the want of direct communication, but when they received the papers they would have great pleasure in laying them upon the table of the House. The Partridge Shooting (Ireland) Bill was- read a third time, and the House adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS. NEW WRIT FOR HARROW. On the motion of Sir W. Walrond, a new writ was ordered to be issued for the election of a member to serve for the Harrow Division of the county of Mid- dlesex, in the room of Mr. William Ambrose, who has accepted a Mastership in Lunacy. SOUTHERN RAILWAYS AMALGAMATION. On the motion of Sir W. Walrond, Mr. Banbury, Mr. Griffith Boscawen, Mr. Channing, Lord E. Fitzmaurice, and Lord Stanley were nominated members of the Hybrid Committee on the South- Eastern and London, Chatham, and Dover Railway Companies Bill, with four to be added by the Com- mittee of Selection. ROBBERIES IN LONDON. Mr. Jesse Collings, replying to Sir H. Vincent, stated that the value of the property stolen in the City of London in the year 1897 was E186,270 12s. 10d., of which £ 33,155 6s. 3d. was recovered. In 1898 the figures were Y.15,020 and £ 2259. Sir H. Vincent gave notice that he would at the earliest opportunity call attention to the small pro- portion of property recovered to that stolen. THE PEACE CONFERENCE. Mr. P. Stanhope asked the Under Foreign Secre- tary whether he could make any announcement as to the names of the British representatives at the approaching Peace Conference at the Hague, and whether her Majesty's Government would take the intiative of laying before the Peace Conference a scheme for establishing a permanent system of inter- national arbitration. Mr. Brodrick said that no announcement could be made as to the choice of British Pleni- potentiaries until the formal meeting of the con- ference and the date had been settled. It would be inconvenient to give any undertaking as to the proposals to be brought forward at the Conference on behalf of the British Government but the Government would be ready to use their best efforts to promote the principle of recourse to arbitration and mediation for the prevention of war. ITALIAN DEMANDS ON CHINA. Mr. Broderick, in reply to Mr. Yerburgh, said the Government had not yet received the text of the Italian demands on China, but they understood that they did not include the islands of Chusan, which were subject to treaty engagements between England and China. They were limited to the eastern slope of the province towards the sea, which in no way came within the Yang-tse Valley. Mr. Dillon asked the Under Foreign Secretary whether, before making a demand for a coaling station and sphere of influence in China, the Italian Government consulted the British Government; and if they did, what advice they received from the British Government. Mr. Brodrick said that the Italian Government intimated to her Majesty's Government a desire to obtain a coaling station and sphere of influence in China previous to making their demands on the Chinese Government. The advice tendered by her Majesty's Government was that the matter should be treated diplomatically, and there should be no em- ployment of force. Mr. Dillon asked the Under Foreign Secretary whether the British Minister at Pekin was pressing the claims of Italy on the Chinese Government. Mr. Brodrick said that her Majesty's Minister at Pekin was instructed on the 25th of February to support, the demands of Italy. The Italian Govern- ment had within the last few days withdrawn their Minister and requested the British Minister to represent them. There had been no action taken since that time. Sir E. Ashmead-Bartlett asked the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he could give the House any information as to the agreement between the Powers regarding China. Mr. Brodrick said he was not in a position to make any statement on the subject. No general agreement between the Powers interested in China was in contemplation. LONDON GOVERNMENT BILL. Mr. A Balfour, in moving that on Wednesday Government business have precedence, said if the second reading of the London Government Bill was not to be thrust too near to the Easter holidays, it was necessary that they should begin the discussion on the second reading on Wednesday. Mr. Buchanan, in opposing the motion, declared there was no reason for taking another private members' night. Mr. Lough urged that more time should be given for the consideration of the London Government Bill. The House divided, and the motion .was carried by 196 against 96. The House then went into Committee of Supply with Mr. J. W. Lowther in the chair. On the vote of £ 14,781,000. Sir E. A. Bartlett initiated a discussion on the grievances of Non-Boer or Uitlander population of the Transvaal. Mr. Chamberlain, in replying, said, granting that every word Sir A. Bartlett said was true, did he want the Government to present an ultimatum and to go to war with the Transvaal? If so, whom did he represent ? He regretted that the grievances of the Uitlanders had been increased rather than diminished, and the last promises of President Kruger appeared to him entirely illusory. He saw no advance towards a remedy. -He believed that a Municipality given to the people of Johannesburg would be a real reform, and would remove nine out of ten of the grievances of the Uitlander population. He doubted whether this was the proper time to, make a friendly sugges- tion to the Transvaal Government, although the con- dition of things there constituted a real danger. The Government were watching things keenly. THE OPEN DOOR IN CHINA. Mr. Joseph Walton drew attention to the recent Blue Book on affairs in China. He contended that the open door in China was closed. He believed that behind the Belgian Syndicate, which got the Pekin and Hankow railway concession, were the Governments of Russia and France, and that con- stituted a most serious danger to our interest in the great Yangtse Valley in the future. He reminded the House that England was the pioneer in opening up China to trade, and now other Powers got prefe- rential rights, and even the Yangtse Valley was being invaded to our disadvantage. He asked her Majesty's Government to make up their minds to a consistent policy to be pursued. He moved to reduce the Foreign Office vote by £ 100. Sir Charles Dilke desired to ask a question about the spheres of influence mentioned in the Blue Book. What he wanted to know was whether there had been any negotiations with France with regard to the division of the province of Yunan, or whether that province was included in our Yangtse Valley sphere. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. Mr. Brodrick, in reply, said he was struck with the unanimity of the house in favour of an ultra- forward policy in China. Every extreme of progress had been suggested. As to the Pekin Hankow Railway concession which Mr. Walton said ought to be cancelled, he said it was impossible in China to carry on affairs in the way Mr. Walton suggested. We must not show too much jealousy of foreign Powers. Why was it assumed that pledges given to foreign Powers respecting spheres of influence were valid, while the pledges given to England about the ^anetst Valley were not valid ? The Chinese Government pledged themselves not to alienate Yunan. What we ought to know was that what was given to one Power could not be given to the exclusion of privi- leges at any future time. With whom where we to deal so long as there was an established Government in China? The policy of at- tacking every Government and refusing everything to every other Government was absolutely un- tenable. Her Majesty's Government had not faltered in a single instance in any proposal they had made. There was considerable reason to believe that the railways conceded would be made if British investors were willing to advance the money. In our negotiations with Russia her Majesty's Government were not without hope that an understanding might be come to. In the mean- time her Majesty's Government stood by their declared policy maintaining our sphere and opening up China to general trade., Our policy would be advantageous to China, would respect the rights of other nations, and would entitle the Government to gratitud lhr. J. Walton withdraw his reduction. Mr. A. Balfour appealed to the House to bring the debate to a close soon. Mr. H. Lewis rose to complain of a child's treat- ment at the Flint school, when Mr. A. Balfour moved the closure. The House divided For the closure 136; against 33. The Committee next divided with the following re- sult: For the vote 136; against 32. Progress was then reported. HOUSE OF LORDS.—MARCH 21. BILLS ADVANCED. The Supreme Co--rt (Appeals) Bill, which enables appeals and appeal motions to be heard by consent before two judges, in place of three, as at present, was read a second time. The Parish Churches (Scotland) Bill passed througb Committee, and the House adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS. LONDON WATER BILLS. On the motion for the second reading of this bill, Mr. J. Stuart, in opposing it, said it affected one and a-half million of money for taking water from the Lea for the purpose of supplying the inhabitants of East London with water at some distant date when the reservoirs proposed were completed. He complained that the bill did not contain the sinking fund clause and he contended that the water of the wells and of the River Lea was not a satisfactory source of supply from which to secure a future in- crease for London. He desired to move his motion that the bill be read a second time on the 23rd inst., but he really wished this bill and the London Water (Welsh Reservoirs) Bill to be referred to a com- petent committee on the subject. It had nothing to do with the question of purchase. Col. Lockwood said the object of the bill was to provide the East-end with sufficient water to prevent a recurrence of the state of things which took place in 1898. It was provided that land should be bought to construct two large reservoirs with the incidental works. These two reservoirs were to complete the instalments of the water scheme laid before Lord Balfour's commission, and authorised in 1894 and 1897. He asked the House to pass the second reading and send it to a committee. If it were rejected it would be a serious thing for the East-end, and the responsibility of any water famine in the future would rest on the House. Mr. L. Sinclair pointed out that the East London Water Company's mains were bad, and he regretted that it was not proposed to remedy them in the bill. W Mr. Buxton said he did not desire to stand in the way of any proposal which was made to increase the water supply; but he thought that when another proposal was made by the London County Council both sehemes ought to go before the same committee, so that the question might be dealt with as a whole and not in a piecemeal way. Mr. H. Samuel explained that the absolute need of East London was a supply of water, and that no East London member dare go into the lobby against the second reading. Mr. Chaplin was glad that the members who had spoken did not intend to oppose the second reading. They would be taking upon themselves a great re- sponsibility if they took that course. The Water Commission had considered this bill, and as it was a measure of security they considered it would not pre- judice the question of purchase in any way. Mr. J. Stuart withdrew his amendment, and the second reading was agreed to. AN INSTRUCTION. Mr. Paulton moved an instruction to the com- mittee on the bill to insert provisions that would insure the acquisition by the local authority of a suitable area of (pen space in substitution for the the comrfion rightl proposed to be extinguished under the bill, the extent and situation of such area of open space to be determined by the committee. This was agreed to and after some discussion the second reading of the East London Water (Tempor- ary Supply) Bill, the Metropolitan Water Companies Bill, and the West Middlesex Water Bill was also agreed to, Mr. Chaplin stating that his object was to get them passed as rapidly as possible. WELSH RESERVOIRS BILL. On the motion for the second reading of the London Water (Welsh Reservoirs and Works) Bill, Mr. J. Stuart said the object of the bill was to provide for the future water supply of London. It was not intended to supersede the present supply, but to supplement it. In the opinion of many persons the quantity of water now being obtained from the Thames and Lea and the wells in the neighbourhood was as great as it ought to be, and there ought to be some other distant source of supply. The London County Council had carefully considered the matter, and had decided on a complete scheme, the first part of which, under the bill, was now before the House- to secure the land and authorise the making of re- servoirs. There was no ground whatever for post- poning the bill until the Royal Commission had re- ported, and he, therefore, asked the House to read it a second time. Mr. Whitmore moved that it was inexpe- dient that the bill be read a second time before the Royal Commission on London Water Supply has presented its report. It might be a good scheme, but it might not be the best; but surely it would be a difficulty for the Water Commission if it had to take over a source of supply that after con- sideration it thought not the best. He desired to put that point before the House on the ground that it would be futile and vague for a committee of the House to pass an opinion upon the Welsh source of supply. Mr. Chaplin said he had come to the conclusion that the present bill would prejudice one of the questions now before the Royal Commission. The Government had no alternative, therefore, but to oppose the second reading of the bill. The amendment of Mr. Whitmore was carried by 206 against 130, the bill being thus rejected. QUESTIONS ANSWERED. Lord George Hamilton, replying to Sir M. Bhownaggre, said that in the contemplated transfer of a part of the Imperial Institute to another body, measures had been adopted to reserve those portions for which money grants had been made by the Government of India to the special purposes for which they were originally intended. Mr. Brodrick, answering Mr. Scott, said he would lay upon the table to-night reports from Lord Cromer and Lord Kitchener on the subject of the reported slaying of the wounded dervishes at the battle of Omdurman, and the alleged dismemberment of the Mahdi's body. Mr. Balfour, answering Mr. O'Kelly, said he was not aware that there wasany bounty-fed bu'ter coming into this country. Mr. Balfonr, answering Sir H. Campbell-Banner- 'man, agreed to take the Scotch Private Procedure Bill on Monday, and to put nothing down for Tues- day but the motion for the adjournment. He hoped the Budget would be introduced on the' Thursday after the holidays. LONDON GOVERNMENT BILL. Mr. Balfour formally moved the second reading of the London Government Bill. Mr. Herbert Gladstone moved as an amendment That no bill dealing with the local government of the metropolis would be satisfactory which, while dis- turbine 'the, existing system; failed to simolifv and complete it, and which at the same time rendered more difficult the attainment of the unity of London." The present bill, he said. proposed to set up pro- bably 20 municipal authorities, and it did interfere with the central authority. The Opposition believed that the Government's main object was to weaken and discredit the central authority in London. His main objections to the bill were four. First, it set up in an imperfect manner municipalities only in name secondly, it seriously impaired the central governing authority of London thirdly, it proceeded upon faulty and mischievous principles by throwing responsibilities upon the Privy Council and the Local Government Board; and, fourthly, in defiance of the Royal Commission of 1894, and the decisive opinion expressed by London in March. 1898, it reversed the policy of the Government set forth in 1888, and must compromise the whole municipal life of the metropolis. He advocated a Central Audit Board for London. There should be one uniform system of assessment in London, but there was no attempt to achieve this in the bill. Mr. Haldane thought the bill made the work of the reformer in the future almost an impossibility with regard to the city, which the bill preserved as an unreformed Corporation. The Opposition de- sired to preserve the unity of the County of London, while the Government proposed to chop it into blocks for administrative purposes. The bill would prevent a more proper equalisation of rates. The bill introduced municipalities that were no munici- palities, and weakened and belittled the London County Council. He praised the work of the London County Council and expressed a hope that the Government would not press this bill, which went too far. Earl Percy supported the bill. His one objection to it was that the process of simplification was not carried far enough. It contained the germ of a valuable change in the future. It would prevent the London County Council from overstepping its pro- vince and starving local life. He spoke of the Aldermanic element in the new Councils. Mr. Buxton said if the bill would cure local apathy he would support it. He admitted there were some good points in the bill as it stood, and the question was whether some of its provisions should not bt amended. By the bill there would be some diminu- tion of the position of the London County Council. and for that reason he intended to vote for the amendment. Sir Blundell-Maple was speaking at twelve o'clock, when the debate stood adjourned. On the report of the vote on account Mr. Haveloek Wilson drew attention to the administration of the Merchant Shipping Act and the employment of Lascar seamen. He asked for a Select Committee to inquire into the subiect. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-MAWZ 22. SLAVERY AT ZANZIBAR. On the second reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill a debate was raised upon the alleged recognition of slavery on the mainland at Zanzibar. In reply, the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs stated that the declaration by which the British Govern- ment undertook the protectorate of Zanzibar abso- lutely prevented them from abolishing the status of slavery there without compensation. Further, a few days before leaving office in 1895, Lord Kimberley gave a distinct pledge that the law of Islam should be maintained. The difficulties in this matter, Mr. Brodrick said, were great, and pro- gress was necessarily slow. Her Majesty's Govern- ment were anxious to proceed as far as they could, and Lord Salisbury had recently given general in- structions that no British official should assist in sending back slaves; but in the local court, where the slave was claimed by the master, the Sultan's. law could not be annulled. OLD AGE PENSIONS. Much interest was evinced in the Old Age Pen- sions Bill, the second reading of which was moved by Mr. Lionel Holland. The opportunity was. taken by Mr. Chamberlain, who has been identified with this movement from the out- set, to explain the position of her Majesty's Government on the question. They welcomed, the Colonial Secretary stated, the preparation of this measure, and would gladly have supported its second reading, on the understanding that it should go to a Select Committee. They could hardly expect a second reading to be accorded at that sitting, but they would not allow their intentions to be frus- trated. Therefore, immediately after Easter, they would propose the appointment of a Select Committee, to which the question of Old Age Pensions should be referred. The Government would not rest satisfied until they had done something to render the condi- tion of the aged poor more satisfactory than it was. at present. The bill was subsequently talked out" by Mr. Logan.