Abergavenny Chronicle

WATCHING THE WEATHER. I In order to assist airmen when journeying between this country and the Continent, there has just been completed a new weather office. This now weather office will forecast wha-t the weather will be like not only, say, at London and Rome for a pilot who is flying between those two places, but all along the route, near the ground and high up. It will tell pilots when they may expect to run into a storm, how fast the wind will blow, and in what direction, and warn them against fogs or low-lying clouds which may p.rove dangerous. Whatever direction a pilot may want to go he will be given the very latest information about the weather, not only at the moment he starts, but what it is likely to be for the next day in case he *ets delayed.

THE WINDMILL. To the younger generation at least, Hoi* land is the only place where windmills still exist. It is, however, stated that a revival in windmilling is noticeable in this country, and that windmills still exist in working order in North Lancashire, in the district between the Ribble and the Lune, which ia known locally as Windmill Land. Few people nowadays realise the im- portant part played by windmills in Eng- land a century ago. Every convenient height was crowned by one or more, and Windmill Hills abound everywhere through- out the countryside. Many cities and towns, too, possess a Windmill Street, including London, which also has its Windmill Road, in Wandsworth. While, as for old gongs and ballads about mills and millers and millers' daughters, their name is legion. And now a revival is imminent.

[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] THE LABOUR MOVEMENT. I By FRED MADDISON. I Whatever may have been the reason fof the decision of the Croydon Labour Party, the result of the election has fully justified it, so far as opposition to the Coalition is concerned. Had it been backed up more completely at the poll, the defeat of the Government, candidate would have been assured. It is a pity that the Labour Party did not finish the job. As it wae, the Government got a severe shaking, their representative dropping over 6,000 votes, whilst the Liberal's vote was 2,567 more than that of the Labour candidate at the General Election. To reduce the Coalition majority by no less than 8,603 will not be misunderstood by Mr. Lloyd George, who will see in it part of the notice to quit which is manifesting itself at the by-elec- tions. With the Croydon example followed in many other constituencies, but carried out to its logical conclusion, the fate of the Coalition would be sealed at the nent General Election. THE N.D.P. DEFEAT. In the interest of the square deal' In politics, the overwhelming defeat of the N.D.P. candidate at Chester-le-Street is to be welcomed. The group to which he belongs has little in common with Labour. At Ply- mouth, for ins- nee, these "democrats" were busy helping a Conservative peeress against a sound Liberal and a reputable Labour man. Such a body of politicians can have no independent future, and they will probably pass away at the next General Election. Mr. Clement Edwards and his col- leagues make a stand against the Govern- ment, but that wiU not impress many. It may even be that in the end they get so disgusted with the reactionary and stupid ways of the Government that they throw them over, but that is not likely to ha,ppen —at any rate, not until the Coalition 6hip is hopelessly waterlogged. THE PLYMOUTH RESULT. Lady Astor's return was a real disappoint- ment for the Labour candidate and his party, and the size of her majority especi- ally surprised them. There is no doubt that they had convinced themselves of their suc- cess, or, at any rate, that their candidate had got within a few votes of the Ccnserva- tive. So, too, the Labour estimate of the Liberal vote was much higher than tne actual result. It was admitted that Mr. Foot was a very popular man, and they ex- pected him to nearly double the vote of the Liberal at the General Election. The pity is that this very natural anticipation was as far from being realised as it was. It must be confessed that the cause is not far to seek. The change in the policy of the co- operators had most to do with it, as it has in many other constituencies. There is no denying that the success of the Labour Party in getting the official support of the co-operators is proving a great asset to it in these elections, made all the ea.ier by the apathy of Liberals in the soci ?ties. I THE CASE FOR IS-QUIRY. Though the Government easily got its way in the division lobby in the coal debate, it was not because of the weight of argu- ment in the discussion. There Ministers were hopelessly beaten. When Sir Auckland Geddes used the cheaper coal supplied to the miners as an excuse for discriminating between coal for domestic consumption and for manufacturing purposes, he touched bottom in feebleness. If ever a case for an inquiry was made out, it was over this bewildering business. Mr. Brace and his mining colleagues, splendidly reinforced by the telling speech of Mr. Stanley Holmes from the Liberal benches, left the Govern- ment case in rags. Hut they did more. They offered to helip in any way, and under any system, to bring production up to the highest possible level, but this invaluable assistance was thrown away. Mr. Brace ad- mitted that if nationalisation meant such blundering bureaucracy as was now in control of the mines he would have none of it. But is there any guarantee that it would not? I THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CHAIRMANSHIP. I Somehow or other, one had got Mr. George N. Barnes, M.P., fitted into the post of head of the International Labour Office under the League of Nations, and he has certainly done well at Was hington. It turns out, however, that this has fallen to M. Thomas, the well-known French Socialist leader. He is to be, it seems, the first Director-General, and the chairmanship of the Governing Body has gone to M. Arthur Fontaine, with headquarters nominally in London. M. Thomas is a man it experience in public affairs who acted as Minister of Munitions during the ,latter part of the war. He lost touch with the main body of the French Socialists, being far too little a slave to economic dogma to suit them. Doubtless, he will make a competent administrator, but France is scarcely suffi- ciently industrial to suggest that one of her sons should be the chief of the International Labour Organisation. Still, after the en- couraging start made at Washington this decision of the Conference deserves to have the loyal support of all the States con- cerned, aud this it ia sure to have. A WAR ON CO-PARTNERSHIP. I Apart from the merely personal aspect of the case, which is not now for comment, the action of the Amalgamated Society of Car- penters and Joiners agai It the co-partner- ship scheme of Lever Br others is a serious matter. Members are to be expelled if they participate in it, and this means in the re- sult that the firm in the end will be de- clared a non-union one. This is neither more nor less than a declaration of war on co-partnership, (Waged in such a way as to cause a maximum of difficulty to both trade unionists and employers. It is not sug- gested that Lever Brothers seek to interfere with the combination of the workers, which is in no way connected with the co-partner- ship scheme. It stands on its own footing, and is not compulsory. Lord Leverhulme has proved his sincerity as an employer who has striven to do more than merely pay wages, and he will not give up the co-partnersliip plan unless the men in the works refuse the advantages it gives them. I THE LICENSING PROBLEM. I Some time ago reference was made in this column to Mr. Arthur Henderson and the State Purchase policy which had apparently been adopted by the Labour Party. It now appears that the organisation which is actively engaged in promoting public owner- ship of the drink trade has no official con- nection with the iparty, and no authority to express its views. So says Mr. Philip Snowden, and he ought to know. Certainly an outsider could hardly come to any other conclusion than that the campaign for State Purchase conducted by leading mem- bers of the Labour Party had its sanction. There must be something rather lax which allows this false impression to be left on the public mind. But in the end public owner- ship, coupled with local option, is almost sure to become the official policy. I

Mr. Harry List, clerk to Croydon Board of Guardians since 1891, has died. He had been connected with Poor Law work since 1873. Captain Robert A. Grosvenor, M.C., son of Lord and Lady Arthur Grosvenor, of Broxton Lower Hall, has undergone an operation for appendicitis. The Lord Chancellor lias appointed Mi. Arthur Rhys Roberts to be official solicitor to the Supreme Court, in the place of Sir William Winterbotham, retired. A new method of cinematography, en- abling the operator to obtain in one record 50,000 pictures of a moving projectile, was shown before the French Academy of Science by MM. Abraham and Bloch.

R THIS WEEK. IIIN, THE GARDEN. S! m In Nature's infinite book of secrecy Aj (M A little I can read.—ZRntony $ ??opoyrc. thk c Z =?, Deutzia Gracilis.—A hardy shrub is Deutzia gracilis, the white flowers of which are even more valued in the cool and cold greenhouse. The best results ensue when the plants are grown in pots from year to year. Clean the little bushes now, scrub the pots, and give a top-dressing of rich soil The Scarlet Sage.—As soon as Salvia splendens passes cut of bloom, cut it down to create the issue of young growths from the base and provide cuttings for next year's plants. If early propagation is re- quired it should be retted about a week 01 80 after cutting it down: then introduced into slight warmth and cuttings taken when it is a few inches long. Excellent results accrue if it is afforded the same treatment throughout as Chrysanthemums. It is more susceptible to frost than the Chrysanthe- mum. Ghent Azalea.—Among hardy shrubs used for greenhouse decorations in early spring, Azalea mollis is one of the most valufed. Purchase a few plants from a florist, or lift plants from your own garden now. Water after potting, and plunge the pots, in leaves until taking the first batch into the green house during the early days of January. 1111. The Rock Garden.—During Xovember is a favourable time to go through the rock garden carefully. A few groups or clumps may require replanting; others which have outgrown their allotted space may not need replanting, but the growths can be reduced readily. For the majority, a top-dressing of rich soil will be -ifflcient. -A few plants in most rock gardens, with very woolly foliage, require protection from excescive rains in winter. An effective arrangement is to fix large sheets of glass over the clumps. Ferno.Cut off one or two of the oldest fronds of the Parsley Fern, Asplenium bul- biferum, with young plants attached. Fill a shallow box or one or two pans (half-pots) with sandy soil. Lay the fronds on these, and hold them in position with small pegs of wood or stones. Shake a little fine soil over portions of the leaves. When placed in a frame or handlight, a little colony of young plants will be ready to pot off singly in the New Year. Wood Ashes for Fruit Trees-All the prunings and litter from fruit quarters should be raked together and burnt with other combustible rubbish from the garden. The ashes resulting from such fires are of great benefit for all trees and bushes, especi- ally if they can be applied in a dry state. They should b" spread over the surface soil as far as the roots extend and lightly dug in. This is the most economical method of supplying potash now. Pruning Gooseberries.—In some districts it is wise to defer the pruning of goose- i berries until the spring owing to the depre- dations of birds. Where this trouble is not serious the .work should be done as early as possible. Pruning may be done to an out- side bud when the varieties grow upright, but when they are of pendulous habit it is better to cut to an upper bud. All growths growing downwards should be shortened back and kept well clear of the soil, as the berries on these are apt to be dirty and not of much value. Also when the shoots are allowed to reach the coil it is not possible to keep the ground clean beneath the bushes. Green Manuring.—Where seed of mustard or turnip was sovi-n early in the autumn, to be dug into the soil as "green manure," the digging should be done before the end of the year in order that this may decay by the time planting begins again. Root Pruning Trees.—The root pruning of established trees, to produce fruitfulness and check gross growth is important. Per- formed properly it produces the desired re- sult. An occurrence that seldom happens ?was that of a fair-sized apple tree that made gross growth being singled out for root pruning; one-half was done in the usual manner. A gale was eXi" need shortly after, coming from the same q as that in which the roots had been p and the tree was partly blown over. If ree is root pruned, and in an exposed position, drive a peg in the ground some distance away, and stretch a strand of wire between the peg and the tree. Calcium Carbide for Vegetable Plots.-In many districts this is regarded as worthless, but on light soils a dressing early in the season on vacant ground, using Sib. or 101b. to the square rod, has proved useful in killing pests; also of benefit to whatever crop is grown the following season. Brussels Sprouts.—At this season many plants will be carrying a large number of yellow leaves which, in addition to making the plot unsightly, will, in a damp foggy period, throw off an offensive smell If these are removed and buried with other vegetable refuse thev quickly decay and form a valuable manure, while plants rid of these will develop their sprouts much more rapidly. Cauliflowers.-After this date there will be risk of serious loss among the autumn varieties of cauliflower. A good plan to adopt with those not fully developed is to cover each curd with a bunch of shavings or soft paper. This is much better than the more popular method of breaking one of the outer leaves over the head, or even tying all these outer leaves together. Better than either of these methods is to lift each with a good ball of soil, and replant in a cold frame. Lancifolium Lilies.—New bulbs should not be planted until the spring, but it is desir- able to replant crowded groups in the borders now. Rooting freely on the stems above the bulbs, Lilium speciosuni roots should be planted at least 6in. deep. Work in leaf-soil around the stations and place the bulbs in saud. Mark the positions with stakes when planting the bulbs to ensure the ground above them not being disturbed. Collecting Leaves.—Leaf-mould is such an indispensa-ble soil for many purposes in the garden that a good heap of leaves should be collected each year. Oak and beech are the best, but practically all the leaves of deciduous trees rot down into valuable material for the garden, either to dig into the ground or spread over the surface, as a mulch. The leaf heap should be turned over several times during the year; if dry, turu the garden hose on it for a few hours. < Pruning Fruit Trees.—It is essential that this work should be pushed on whenever possible. Prune all side shoots back to two or three buds. Crossed branches, which usually obstruct air and light, should be en- tirely removed. Shorten to about n third of their growth strong leading shoots, cut- ting back those of moderate strength rather lower. These remarks apply chiefly to apples, pears, and plums. Lawns.—Applications of some form of manure to a lawn every few years are de- sirable. Old decayed manure, spread thinty over the ground, ia a beneficial stimulant. If apphed now and brushed about several times during the winter, it will practically all disappear by the spring. Old potting soil run through a fine-meshed sieve is fre- quently applied to lawns in late autumn with good results. Carrots.—The sooner the latest-sown crop of carrots are pulled and put into winter quarters the better it will be for the roots and the grower. If this is much longer delayed many of the finest specimens may be expected to split badly, while the majority of the smaller roots may be worth- less. The White Trumpet Lily.—Bulbs of this are now coming into the market for sale from Japan. Use a compost of fibrous loam, adding a little leaf-mould and coarse sand. At present, only half-fill the pots with drainage and soil. covering not more than two-thirds of the bulb until growth is well advanced. Place one bulb in a 6in. pot, or a very large bulb in a 7in. wide pot, and three bulbs in 9in. and lOin. wide pots. # Pot Strawberries.—If these have not already been placed in shelter no time should be lost in putting them under cover. The practice of packing them on their sides in stacks in the open is not to be com- mended. They should be placed in a cold frame, and the pots plunged in a bed of ashes or tree leaves; placed thickly together in the frame, quite a number will go into a small space. Epiphyllums.—Belonging to the Cactus or family of succulent plants, the Epiphyllums flower regularly each year in a cool green- house. The growth is somewhat drooping, but the plants are equally beautiful in hanging baskets and pots. Use a porous soil. one-third of which may be old mortar rubble and broken bricks.

INSTINCT, THE UNTUTORED. The idiosyneracies of children are too 6ewildering to be easily explained. For in- stance, how is it that a child will stretch out its little arms, or confidingly nestle up to the most unlikely-looking person? The obvious answer is because its instinct has recognised a child-lover. The story it; told that a lady was once much annoyed because her little girl would not make friends with a visitor whom the mother was particularly desirous of pleas- ing. It became quite understandable later, when the visitor exclaimed frankly, "I do detest children!" I'm sorry to disappoint you, mother"; said a girl, "but I will not marry him! I admit he is, as you argue, desirable in every way, but when his hand touches mine in greeting, something I cannot explain tells me that he is not the man to make me happy." The mother lived to rejoice at her daughter's decision. Another case:—"So you have engaged that girl in spite of what her late empler said of her?" asked the friend. "I have; my instinct made me trust her more than I did the lady." She proved my good help until her own marriage. And thus is that peculiar tradt called instinct exemplified.

TIPS WE MIGHT LEARN. I There can be little doubt but that we have yet much to learir from many of our Con- tinental neighbours. For instance, in many European houses the door-handles are not knobs, but levers. Thie makes them much easier to open, especially when the hands are full. In Munich post-offices there is a dial-scale for the use of the public, to weigh letters and parcels (which saves time), and an autom-atic arrangement for registering lettere. European windows, like old English win- dows, move in and out, not up and down. This quite does away with the bother of window-cords, and the windows give more air when open. They close quite tightly if properly fitted. In Bavaria there are several sorts of kindly little celebrations and other things which make life friendlier and more plea- sant. For instance, if an employee has remained in the same place for five, seven, ten years, etc., his employer frequently gives him a sort of little jubilee celebration. Nor did the employees forget the chief's birthday or "name-day." Nothing expensive a glass or two of wine, a cake, or some tuch little remembrance.

CHANCE INVENTIONS. I Many a chance shot, so to speak, has brought about a revolution in many things. As an example, we may recall that a. little rust on a soldier's rifle was, incidentally, the thing that led to the discovery of engra- ving called mezzotints. Prince Rupert one morning in 1643 observed a private rubbing rust from the barrel of his rifle, and imme- diately conceived the idea of engraving, Covering a plate of copper with little holes, he inked them in, and, laying the plate on paper, a black impression was produced. By scraping away parts of the surface, the paper remained white wherever there were no holes. Then, inventing a species of steel roller, covered with points, he used them against the copper plate, indenting it in the manner he wished, and thus produced any gradation of aha-pc desired. The invention of the ordinary balloon is said to have originated through Stephen Montgolfier noticing as the warm air rose under a shirt hanging before the fire it took the garment with it. Quite a simple inci- dent, which led to a remarkable invention.

M. Yenizelos has given a sitting at Rome to the eminent sculptor, Signor Rutelli, who is modelling a statue of the Greek Premier which his compatriots are erecting at Salonica. There are clergy in and near the city, eays the Vicar of Leeds, who do not get, and whose families do not get, enough to enable them to do their work efficiently.

THE POULTRY YARD (flj Helpful Hints for 61 Backyar-dem" By "COCKCROW." (()] At this period cf the year it is very neces- sary that the At-atchi-ig-slied should be carefully looked to if trouble is not to ac- crue. The floor space for laying stock should not be under Eiy, square feet per bird. Allow each bird at least lOin. of roosting space and so prevent overcrowding- Stock kept for the production of early chickens should get all the outdoor exercise possible during dry weather. Another im- portant matter is to see that not only must the roof be absolutely waterproof, but the front should. be so protected as to prevent driving • rain from beating in. Along the front of the shed at ice top there should run a weather-board of decent width, and 2t a suitable angle, while the v-ire-?etted front should also be properly protected, allowing, of course, sufficient space for veiitilation. Needless to say, if the litter is allowed to get damp the conditions are not conducive to health, and the atmosphere of the house will soon become tainted WINTER DIET. It is well to bear in mind that maize, being a heat-generating food, is essential in the dieting of bircls running at large during periods of coLd. weather. A little tincture or sulphate of iron added to the drinking water two or three times a week will do good during the present season Shell-less and other abnormal eggs gener ally result from internal fatness, and idle- ness accounts for the latter. Therefore, don't retain for breeding purposes any birds that have been doctored for ailments of a serious nature. The cockerel that does not crow lustily and frequently generally makes a poor show in the breeding pen. And other equally obvious natural signs trill be carefully uot-0d by the keen fancier. VALUE OF ANIMAL FOOD. It can saSely be estimated that a duck iu full lay lays an egg every day. To attain this result it is well to include in the rations a liberal amount cf animal matter, without which a duck is but an indifferent layer. Far too little animal food is generally given to ducks, and that is why such birds are not favourably regarded as winter egg Fro- dueers. The 10 per cent. of animal flatter allowable for laying hens is not sufficient to maintain ducks in f (11 lay outside the teasoiis when insect food on the range is abundant. Fifteen per cent. of the 60ft) food fed to ducks should consist of meat and, in addition to this. the other items in the mash should be nutritious. One part biscuit meal, 1 part clover meal, 1 part sharps, and a 15 per cent- addition of meat or fish meal makes a good mash, and tiie meals should be scalded and allowed to stand until cool before being given to the birds. ASSURING GOOD STOCK. It is to be borne in mind that however many hens are running with a male bird the latter may be said to be half the breed- ing-pen. If more poultry-keepers would bear the fact in mind when buying stock cockerels not only would stronger chickens be bred, but such would, when reared, score over their parents in the matter of egg production. Those providing for next year's laying stock should see that such eggs are fertilised by cockerels emanating from bred-to-lay stock, a.s it is through the male bird that high fecundity is trans- mitted to the progeny. Deal only with a person who specialises in the breeding of high-class laying stock when buying a cockerel; and should the bird be sent on approval, see that he has well-developed thighs well set apart, and that the chest is prominent. Avoid the big. ugly, coarse- combed bird, and choose the one whose comb is &rm, medium in size, anù cf nice texture. A CHEAP NEST-BOX. It is ako worth remembering that. henw, when laying, like to bury themselves well into the nesting material, and in endeavour- ing to get settled are apt to scratch the litter from the bottom of the nest-box, causing egg breakages. The use of chafi or peat moss as the bottom covering- .will pre- vent this. Breakages often lead to egg-eat- ing, and must be avoided at all costs. A three-sectioned orange-box turned cn its side, with the openings to the front, makes an excellent range of nests. Each front should have its lauged wooden door, and the whole stand on leg, two feet off the ground. Just below the entrances a perch ehould bo fitted for the whole length, so that the heD: can fly up to it before entering to lay. Thj1 is quite a good and inexpensive idea. I GIVE REGULAR MEALS. As with human beings, so with birds— regularity in meal times must be esta»b- lished. It is a true saying that you will not get eggs if you give a late breakfast, thereby causing the to stand alcijt and mope with empty crops on a cold morn- ing. If a late riser, bury the grain in the litter after dark overnight; the birds can then get to work in the morning whiJe the owner slumbers. At midday, place raw green food before the birds in a string bag hung from the roof by a cord to witbin a foot or so of the floor. The hens are thus compelled to jump up for the greenery obtaining both exercise and occupation. A warm, wet mash in which should be included all the table scraps available should be given as a last meal. This should be placed before the birds in a proper trough, and not thrown on the fio-or of the run. In other words, send the birds to "bed" with nice full crops so that they can be making1 eggs during the long night. I How TO KILL. I have been asked to give a. line regarding the best method of killing birds. iNeedlese to say, there are various ways of killing fowls, but the most humane and best is the dislocation of the neck. This death is pain- less, for as soon as the vertebra becomes severed the ability to feel pain is removed.. After dislocation takes placa there wiil be severe convulsions of the bird's body; bist as the means by which sensations are car- ried to the brain have been snapped asunder, there need be no fear that the bird endures any sensation. These convulsions, the flapping of wings, twitching of the body, and the like, are simply the result of continued nerve action, which speedily ceases, however. I TABLE POULTRY. Now that the holiday season is at hand, it should be remembered that all table fowls should be fasted quite 24 hours be- fore they are killed. Absolutely no f (,,od of any kind should be given during that time, but the birds should have water in plenty. The withholding of all food ensures t-Lat the crop and intestines are quite emptied of their contents; while the water assists in cleansing the organs. When these simple precautions are taken it will be found that the fowls will keep well, and will not (as there is no sour food in them) go green a.bout the crop. This is a very good point to bear in mind, especially when one con- siders what a variable climate England ie endowed with.

Raising the pensions of London s ex- I policemen to the pre&ent rate, it is esti- mated, 'will cost. ?,00?000..

Damage amounting to several thousand pounds was caused by fire at Messrs. E. Brooksbank and Company's oil mills at Traf- ford Park, Manchester. Some London and North Western Railway coaches dashed into a dead end at the Lon- don Road Station, Manchester, one being telescoped and several damaged. No one was injured.