Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
7 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
FIELD AND FARM. .
FIELD AND FARM. A FAVOURABLE HARVEST. Another week of generally satisfactory weatfter for hurve-Aiag (eays the "Agricultural Gazette") bus been experienced, and the fields of corn tthrougfaofut a great part of England are nearly cleared, while considerable progress has been made. in Scotland and Ireland. Tfais :e not an uncommon state of affairs so far as the Eastern andSoutnern counties are concerned, as in those parle of the country it i-s usually a su>b j ect for remark when standing corn, beyond a piece of beans here and there, is to be seen on the let of 'September, when partridge shooting begins. But further north and west and in the Midlands, ih arresting is much mODe n-early aibreast of that of the early districts than it usually iis, so that arwytjher geu-eratly -fine week would see the bulk of the English com -crops safely in the stack. Up fu the present time there has been a minimum •q £ loss of shed grain, and none has been materi- ally damaged by wet weather. Whatever has (been produced, therefore, has been much more newi-r au aecu-red thian iit usually is. More- over, the straw, generally sound and healthily ana/tared, has been stacked in such excellent con- ditronthwt ,its feeding well as its selling value wilt be above the average. AGRICULTURAL RETURNS. The preliminary statement of the Agricultural Returns for 1905, issued by the Board of Agri- culture, show an increase of 421,701 acres, or 30.7 per cent., under wheat, the total being 1,796,985 acres. Barley has decreased by 127,020 acres, and oats by 201,586 acres, or 6.9 end 6.2 per cent, respectively. Potatoes haue increased by 38.262 acres, or 6.7 per cent. There is a decrease of 193,975 acres in clover and rota- tion grasses, and an in of 102,438 acres of permienent pasture. Horses have increased by 12,197, catitle by 128,668, and sheep by 50,018, but pigs have decrooædby 436,725. AUTUMN CULTIVATION. This valuable work has been begun on a ccn- siderab-le scale in the earliest districts, and under very favourable conditions. There have been showers enough in most places to soften the stubbles sufficiently for the ploughs, while the sunshine has quickly killed weeds brought to the surface by further cultivation. Land may .now be ploughed to advantage for rye and early •tares, while trifodium can bo drilled in stubbles after a shower. There is also a capital oppor- tuni,ty. of sowing mustard in fields cleared of se- cond-early potatoes, a plan not as commonly pursued as it might well be. As wheat loves a stole furrow, ploughing for that cereal may be pursued with advantage where the land is in a condition to allow of neat work being done. GRASS LAND EXPERIMENTS, Trials of various manures in grass land for the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, are re- ponfced for the eigh-teen-th season in the "Agricul- tural Students' Gazette." The greatest yield this season was 41-towt. of hay per acre, or 25cwt. 2 more than the produce of the unmanured plot. This was produced with the help of 5cwt. per aero each, of superphosphate and kainit, and 2jewt. of nitrate of sOOia. The yield was only lowfc. less wdier4a 2cwt. of sulphate of ammonia replaced the nitra.t&. When used alone, the sul- phate of ammonia gave 8$cwt. more bay than tbhe nitrate alone. With basic elag, lOcwt. per acre, the yield in the season's experiment noticed was only a little over 2cwtt. more tihan that of the unmanured plot. Twelve tons of farmyard manure gave a fraction over 33rcwt. of hay. It is a pity that the average re&ults of the period of the experiment are not given, as ,they would be much jmore insrtrucliive than the results of a single Aseawlio I TEMPERATURE AND THE WHEAT CROP. I Mr. R. H. Curtis contributtes to "Sym one's Meteorological Magazine" an article on "The Amounit of Heaffc required for the Growth and Ripening of Wheat." He refers to attempts anade by Boussiingault, Dr. Gilbert, and others «to ascertain the thermal consibants for various <plantfcs, and especially for the ripening of wheat. A. method of determining the accumulated amount A. method of determining the accumulated a.mouint of temperature Tequired during the growing period was adopted, and Dr. Gilbert chose 42 deg. Fah. as his minimum for growing processes tto become active. No definite results of the in- quiries are mentioned by Mr. Curtis, and it is •doubtful whether any can be shown. Thaib "wheat requires plenty of heat aifiter its ears have flbegun to form is well known but there is no TelaeOn to infer that extra healt for the whole period of growth, from sowing to reaping, in- creases the yield for, if that were the case, the yield in hot countries, would .be greater than it tts in mild countries, which, speaking generally, is the converse of the truith. It is mainly the stowness of development in our own and a few Other ecuntvies which makes the yield much greater than it is where the temperature of the •whole growing period is high, or the summer is anuch hotter than it is in England, shortening 4he time between sowing and reaping. FERRET ON THE FARM. I Except in bulk by no means the least useful and interesting member of the farm staff is the tferrett, with the additional advantage that his wor^ combines aft once utility and sport, beside -whi,e,h he is a. most aittraeti-ve little creature ,whooo pluck and skill in tackling and bolting the cat from his own stronghold at once wins for trim the admiration of the rising generation. The little animal responds readily to any c-are and ariitenton bestowed upon him, and if his dwel- ling is not always as fragrant and agreeable as one could desire, the fact should be looked upon as a tMsfortune rather than the fault of the tferret, and be laid to the blame of Ms attendant, who, in too many cases, gives the poor beastie mo possible chance of keeping himself clean by allowing the hutch to get into a most neglected and unsanitary condition. With ordinary care and attention there is no reason why the ferneifc court or hutcih should not fbe as sanitary and wholesome as that of any dler member of the agricultural live stock. F TOMATOES IN THE OPEN AIR. I During wet, sunless summers tomatoes in the open are almost destroyed by the too well- known potato disease, writes Mr. H. Thackeray an the Gardening Ulusitraited." As far as open-air plants" are concerned, we are entirely at 4he mercy of the weather. In a. summer as Jthat of 1893 there was no disease worth speaking of. and exceptionally heavy crops were grown. In some aeasons a. consideralble number of fruit qn various stages- of growth has developed black epote, principally at the crown of 'the fruit, the decay rapidly -spreading. Nothing definite is known as to the cause of this disease, and no certain cure or preventive can be given. Some ■auftehorities have expressed the belief that im- perfect fertilisation is to blame, and a hollow- raess at the affected parts to a certain extent corroborates this view. I am of opinion it i6 the j-eisulit of injury to the delicate pistils of the flower either by insects or more proba-bly from causes. decay, slow and sure, being the inevitable result. The ordinary Bouiillie Bordelaise that has been largely used of late as a preventive of disease among potatoes has proved equally efficacious ingain,st this disease in Tomatoes. One of the eiDlJplegt methods of mixing and applying this ie -as follows: Dissolve half a pound of copper sulphate in two gallons of cold waiter. Next clake, by jura daxaging, a quarter of a pound oi .quicklime, and then well stir it into half a gallon of water. Pour this milk of lime, keeping it con- etantly sttrred, into the copper solution, all be- ing stirred up together and then allowed to ertand for at least six hours. It ought to be mixed sin a wooden vessel and be used within twenty- •four hours of mixing. This mixture ought to tJoe well, stirred prior to using, aatfc' only very aighitsly sprayed over the foliage ait the- end of July and again three weeks later. I find thai fAbe black spot ia more prevalent towards the end of Septemrl, whoen the nights are cold, and, a& very .,hagpens the wea/thei ^breaks up excessive rains' come. At th« <etid of September it ig advisable to cut th« anearly ripe fruit not required for immediaita use ania nang in a cool room. Fruits that are tfull grown, but quite green, ought to be curt Lwith a portion of the etean attached and hung jvp in a warm rooua to ri-pen.
IGARDEN GOSSIP. -.Ob-
I GARDEN GOSSIP. .Ob- I (From the Gardener.") Lilium C&ndidum.-These will now be taking ,thei.r usual short; rest, the stems having died down some little time ago. This is the best sea- son of aill others for dividing, transplanting, and potting up these bulbs. '1 "hey make beautiful objects for the greenhouse, and by careful treat- ment may be gently forced into bloom consider- ably in advance of those outside. • it Michaelmas Daisies.—These are usually kept rather closely tied until they approach the flower- ing period. It is now desirable to looren ail ties. removing them entirely if the plants will retain some semblance of a smart appearance. It should not be overlooked that these plants can be lifted and potted now for flowering in the conservatory, if that structuro is short of oc- cupants. < w Flower Beds and Borders.—If these are to re- mtain in the best of condition some time and labour must of necessity be ISlpent upon them at this season. Plants in beds will need the de- caying flowers and leaves removed, and much ttrimming and pinching must be expended upon carpet beds if the designs are to remain clear, ,as at this time of year vcgefbation grows rapidly, and the neatest of subjects is liatble to become ragged. Border plants lliIUSlt be kept tied and trimmed up as they need attention, decaying flowers should be removed, and old growths ought to be cut away where this is not likely to be detrimental to the welfare of the plants. < Pot Strawberries.—These must be allowed an open position, with ample space between the plants. Give water with care, not watering those already sufficiently moist, nor allowing the plants to become dusit dry. Piheu off all runners as soon as they are perceived, not allowing the energies of the plants to be absorbed by these the main object now to be aimed at is the build- ing up of strong, well ripened crowns. < » Peaches on Walls.—Endeavour to obtain fruita of fine colour by exposing them as much as pos- sible to the action of sunlight. By the removal of a few leaves here and there, and by care in arranging the shoots, a much better appearance may be given to the frai'ts when ripe. Apples.—As the early varieties come into use gather and use direct from the trees; this nTore particularly applies to the dessert sorts. Cord Grosvenor, Lord Suffield, and others may have half the crop removed with advantage where the lattter is heavy, and the remaining fruits will be much benefited thereby. Chryr,a,Titliema,m,.g.-Sid,e. Shoots.It is really astonishing how persistent some varieties are in producing small side growMis, even after every care has been taken to pinch out all seen. These secondary shoots grow from the axils of the leaves, and prove that the plants are in robust health. But if they are allowed to remain for a considerable time, the swelling buds and main stems are robbed of much strength. Gently raise up the large leaves and search for all side growths. Also examine the stems lower down, as fr-equently a number of shoots are to be found there, in many instances several inches long. Such shoots I have often observed growing on plants which were well looked after near the top of the stem. Show and Regal Pelargoniums.—As fast as these ripen their growth they may be pruned back to about three leaves from the base of each young shoot. The earliest plants should be treated at once, later ones receiving attention as they ripen. Care will still be needed for some time in watering, too much water having a bad effect until the roots have recommenced action. < Cu,cumbers.-Plants for late autumn and winter fruiting should be shortly raised from seeds, not by any means forcing on the young plants, but, on the contrary, taking advantage of fine autumn days to grow them on slowly and sturdily. Plants in. full bearing must be kept in good condition by the removal of worn out growths and the production of young ones. # Grapes.—These are now thoroughly ripe, and should be of good colour. Admit all the fresh air possible to the structure, and in syringing other occupants guard strenuously against any water reaching the bunches, or their good appearance will be much marred. Muscats Ripening.—To assist these in finish- ing off a good colour, fire heat must be afforded to maintain a night temperature of 90 degs. Keep all secondary growths pinched out, so that the bunches may have all the available light and give water freely to the roots. < Zonal Geraniums.—These will need to be placed under protection before long, especially those required for flowering in a short time. If the plants are to be kept sturdy and of a bushy habit, the point of each shoot must be removed just beyond the showing trusses. < Celery.—Earth up more of this according to requirements, but do not be in a hurry to mould up the later batches. Leave these exposed as long a3 possible; growth will be freerer and healthier. Tomatoes.—Do not allow these to extend farther, but take out the top of each plant. It will also be advisable to remove all foliage that, by shading the fruit, may delay the ripen- ing process. Do not denude the plants of foliage as is sometimes done, but merely remove those leaves which are likely to intercept the rays of the sun. J » » Lettuces.—A large planting of a good Cos variety should be put out at the present time. Lettuce does, best in soil that is well pulverised on the surface, in which some nice, thoroughly decayed manure has been incorporated. Small plants should be chosen, as they are superior to Sarger plants. A small sowing may be made at this time to stand the winter. Hicks' Hardy, if true, represents one of the very beet strains, turning in, as it does, without attention. o Turnips.—There ought now to be plenty of vacant space, and some of it may well be filled by -sowing these rather plentifully, as small sweet roots are always welcome. They must be thinned when large enough to handle. » « Chelmsford Gardeners' Association..—About fifty members and friends of the above society recentlv paid a. visit, to the Elms. Broomfield- road. by invitation of Mr. C. E. Ridley. The party were entertained to- tea on. one of the lawns, and afterwards conducted round the gar- dens by the head gardener, Mr. H. Simmons. Rochdale New PaTk.-Throngh the generosity of Alderman Samuel Turner, the inhabitants of Rochdale have now a fine park right in the heart of the town. Consisting of about 20 acres, the value of the gift represents some £ 20,000. About £ 12,000 has been spent in laying out, towards which Mr. Turner further contributed £ 3000. The opening ceremony was made the occasion of much public rejoicing. An Atitra-ctive Garden.—The old parsonage garden at Didsbury, near Manchester, has been a never failing source of attraction for a num- ber of years- In addition to the charming man- ner in which it is laid out, it seems each year to have a special feature of its own. This time it is a fine clump of Yucca recurvifolia in bloom, the showy yet curious ivory-like bells proving highly attractive. An Arum that was presented to the garden in 1839 has flowered annually for sixty-six years,. Kent Fruit Crops.—The Kent fruit crops this year, taken on the whole, are considerably be- low the average. The apple crop is very dis- appointing, in many districts being as much as 75 per cent, below the average. Pears vary con- sidei*a.My in different districts, but in nearly all cases the crop is below the average. Nuts in a few favoured localities show signs"of a good re- turn.
--I OUR SHORT STORY.
I OUR SHORT STORY. I THE MAN IN THE ULSTER. Some little time ago, business called me to that most fashionable of watering places, Slushy town -on-the-Oo ze. It had been my intention to travel by a mid- day train, but, owing to unforeseen circum- stances, my departure was delayed until late in the afternoon. I arrived at Wimple Station-that most be- wildering of stations, where dirt and bustle reign triumphant—with rather more than a quarter of an hour to spare: very fortunate this, where officials and porters hurry about, taking no heed of your frantic efforts to find out when and from which platform your train starts, but leave you to wander about, until, nearly mad, you at last arrive at the right one. To pass away the time, I strolled up to a bookstall, supplied myself with one or two papers, and was inquiring of the boy in charge which was the last novel out, when a heavy hand was brought down suddenly and sharply upon my back, causing me to turn quickly round face to face with a tall burly man clad in a rough-looking ulster and sealskin cap, with huge flaps to cover the ears. As I stepped back a. pace or two, a beaming smile spread over the peony-tinted features of the individual, and a deep, harsh voice was heard above the clamour and bustle of the station. Holloa! old man, who would have thought of seeing you here?" Not recognising an acquaintance in the fellow thus addressing me, I was on the point of telling him that he was making a mistake when he con- tinued:-— Where are you off toT I say, that was a nasty piece of business you were mixed up with two years ago. I thought you would be sent on a nice little excursion over the water very much against your will, and with your hair cut. How did you like the Central Criminal Court? Nice place, isn't it? Not that I have been there I merely judge from hearsay. Well, I-——" Really, sir, you must excuse- me," I broke in; you are labouring under a mistake. I have not the pleasure of knowing vou." You mean to tell me," he said, "that you don't remember me? not Dicky, as I was always called in the good old days, before I went abroad?" I tell you, sir, I never saw you before, to my knowledge. I don't know you from Adam, and, turning my back on him, I resumed my dis- cussion with the boy at the stall as to which novel I should select. My pseudo-friend was not to be got rid of so easilv, however. Do you really mean I am not talking to my old chum, Robert Graham ?" he persisted. I have not been in England for two years, yet surelv I can't be mistaken I should know you anywhere." U I tell you, you are, undoubtedly. That is not mv name," I replied testily, for his perti- nacity was beginning to ahncy me exceedingly. How long he would have gone on I cannot say, but at this moment a porter carrying a huge bag hurried up and addressed him with- What class, sir? Have the bag in with you, sir?" He was answered with a growl, resembling that of a tiger disappointed of its Sunday dinner. "First, get me a corner fleat, back to the engine, in a smoking carriage." Then, turning to me, said abruptly, Beg pardon," and fol- lowed the porter. By this time I had selected a book-one to which I had been attracted by the elaborate picture, in the most vivid colours, of a young lady being thrown over a cliff by a decidedly masher-like old gentleman—and paid for it, when I suddenly discovered that it wanted but one minute to starting time. Off I dashed. A guard called out. Where for, sir? Slushytown- on-the-Ooze? Here you are, sir!" seized my Gladstone bag, opened the door of a carriage. threw my luggage in, touched his cap, and shoved me panting into the compartment. The whistle sounded. We were off. On looking round the carriage, I perceived there was only one passenger besides myself— THE MAN IN THE ULSTER » « It was an awful evening. The wind howled fiercely, and drove the rain against the carriage windows, much after the style of a page-boy with a syringe. It was just the night for a terrible deed. Until it was dusk, the lunatic—for such I considered my fellow-traveller—smoked a very bad cigar, while I perused my papers and novel. The latter proved rather interesting. It was the old. old story of a young and beautiful girl forced by a beggarly old father into a hateful marriage with an antiquated baronet half a century her senior, in spite of her earnest en- treaties to wed the hero of her choice-a penni- less young artist. The troubles and trials that the heroine went through in the course of a few chapters were astounding. No human being could have sur- vived them. Novels differ in this particular from the reality of life. The fictitious charac- ters to which they give birth are made to endure the most awful torments, physically as well as mentally, and yet are brought through all their difficulties; whereas men and women in actual life suffer and die. Heroes and heroines in fiction know so well that if they are killed the work must end im- mediately, therefore they are perfectly reckless what they do. They feel sure that if they tumble into a river someone will be fishing close by ready to save them or if thev are blown up in an explosion on the Metropolitan, they will be saved, although everybody else in the train is smashed or torn into minute particles. I was deeply interested in the fate of poor Clementiria-that was the name of the heroine. Her trials touched me to the core. First, she was nearly poisoned by her wicked 3pouse as soon as he had obtained possession of her little fortune; then she was run away with in Rotten Row as soon as she had recovered from the shock, her amiable better-half had her accused ofa crime which, it is needless to say. was not committed by her. What further misfortunes befell her I cannot say, as it became too dark to read, and my eyes were heavy with sleep, so throwing the book on the opposite seat, I coiled myself up in a corner of the carriage and prepared to take forty winks. Giving a glance in the direction of my com- panion I saw he was already indulging in a snooze. The train hurried on towards its destination. It flew through countless stations, both small and great. The wind howled fiercer and fiercer, like some lost spirit "in eternal woe," and the rain, although it had long since cleaned the windows, continued to beat against them with terrific force. A slight vibration caused me to open my eyes. My fellow-traveller was moving. As I gazed at him, I saw that he unbottoned his ulster and drew a long steel object from his pocket which glittered in the sun—no, I don't mean that; I ought to say in the light of the lamp: really, these two luminaries are so much alike that one is very apt to confuse them-then he produced a magazine from his coat and commenced cutting the leaves. By the time he had accomplished his task elumber had overtaken me. Another movement disturbed me. I wag terrified to see that my companion was looking fixedly at me, as if to ascertain whether I were really sleeping, at the same time drawing his finsrer across the blue, cold, gleaming'steel. Was he going to murder me? My blood froze within me at the very idea. Perhaps he intended to stab me, rifle my pockets, and then throw me out on to the line. Such things do often happen. I was unarmed, save with a latch-key and tooth- pick, weapons of little use against a determined villain. What was I to do? How could I cope with him under such circumstances? Should I call for aid? No; not a soul could hear me amid the rattling of the train and the noise of the elements as they waged war against each other. Should I make a dash to seize the cord of communication with the guard? Alas, it was not on my aide of the carriage. Te only thing to be done was to sham Bleep, but really to keen my weather eye open and be on the to resist a sudden attack. The dingy ug"t favour-ed this scheme.. Minutes passed hih. seemed hours to My foe remained quietly in the corner, ever &nd anon glancing in my direction. I began to think it was all fancy on my part,. I beean to look upon the man BR a harmless sort of being—a? a peaceable traveller like myself. What a foot I had been to be.sd frightened at a man simply because he had addressed me on the platform', and carried a steel paper-cutter about with him. What more natural than one man mistaking another to be a friend? Of course, having a periodical. it was by no means astonishing that he should wish to cut the leaves. 1 J I grew calmer. I breathed more freely, and my heart cea&od to beat at a headlong rH te. buaueuiy the thought hashed aerosa my mind, why should the man try the blade? It was for some more deadly purpose—probably to cut my throat. Again a deadly horror seized me. A sickness crept upon my heart, and dizzy swam my head; I could not stir-I could not cry-I felt be- numbed and dead; Black icy horror struck me dumb, and froze ,,i my senses o'er; I closed my eyes in utter fear, and strove to think no more." Just then the train slackened its pace, be- guiling me into the idea that it was going to etop at some station. I would alight and seek another compartment. To my disgust it was only a false alarm; the train soon resumed its original speed. Suddenly, through the gloom, I saw the man slowlv rise from his seat and creep gently towards me. Now, thought I, the time has come for a fearful struggle for life. It was no fancy after all. My fellow-traveller was a murderer. As he silently approached, I noticed that he clutched a dagger in his hand. Should I spring forward, or wait until he was close upon me? I determined to keep quiet, and spring on him the moment he was at my side, and try"to wrest the weapon from his hand. There was little chance for me. The odds were terribly in his favour, for he was a man twice my build, and very powerful. Life was worth a struggle, so I made up my mind not to resign it without a desperate tussle. At last he stood over me. I felt his breath in my face. The light of the carriage was ob- scured by his gigantic figure. He was uncon- scious that I was awake, and biding a favourable opportunity to cope with him. He raised the murderous weapon. Up I sprang, dashed aside his arm, and dealt him a blow between the eyes, which fairly astonished and staggered him for a few seconds. Before the advantage thus gained could be. followed up. he renewed his attack. It was his life or mine. All depended upon which of us was the stronger, and which could hold out the longer. All my efforts to obtain possession of the dagger were fruitless; but for a long time I succeeded in preventing him from ueing it. When he found that he had a somewhat obsti- nate opponent to deal with, he fought with the fury of a wild beast. Huge drops of perspiration slowly coursed down my cheeks as the struggle for life waxed more furious. Several times the dagger was within an inch of my heart, but by some means. or other it was warded off. All at once a sharp stinging pain in my right arm proclaimed to me that I was wounded. The shock spurred me on to fresh exertions. It seemed to give me additional..strength, With a formidable blow I dashed my foe to the other side of the compartment. For some seconds we glared at each other. panting and nearly exhausted with our fearful P, combat. My opponent's fur cap had fallen off in the struggle, disclosing a shock of red hair, and a face on which were painted rage, hate, and madness. Once more we grappled in a deadly embrace. Now he had the best of it, now vice versa. Soon, to, my horror, I felt that my senses were leaving me. My wound was causing a faint- ness to steal over me. The thought that, if I yielded to it, it was all I up with me, was too horrible. I should be en- tirety in the power of the brute. Oh heaven, what an awful position to be in Not a FOUI to help me I should be murdered in, cold blood. In the next day's papers the world would readMURDER IN THE SLUSHYTOWN Ex- PRESS. AWFUL STRUGGLE!" Just as I was on the point of becoming uncon- scious, the madman's arm went crash through one of the windows. The cold damp air revived me. and I renewed my frantic endeavours to master my enemy. Curse it!" growled the man. "Hold your jaw, will you!for I shouted at the top of my voice through the aperture in the glass. No one heard. The train continued to dash prist hill and d21e. over bridges and through tunnels. Suddenly I slipped up and fell on the floor of the compartment, dragging down the villain with me. Slowly, but surely, he was getting the better of me. What was he about to do? I wn.s being drawn along towards the door. Oh, merciful powers He was going to open it, and throw me out on to the line. His hand was on my throat. My eye-balls were starting from their sockets. One minute more and all would be over with me. Once more the train slackens speed. Help is at hand. I am saved I send up a prayer in my thankfulness. No !—another false alarm. The train still dashes onward. <c Ah! you thought the train was about to stop, did you? Curse you!" and the grasp on my throat was tightened. The door yields. I just remember my pockets being rifled of their contents,—a aeneation of falling somewhere, and then all was blank. We are nearing our destination, sir For some seconds I was dazed. Where was I? Why on the floor, with my Gladstone bag lying across my chest. Looking round to see if the murderer had escaped, I saw him quietly seated in his corner, laughing at my extremely undignified and un: comic rtable position. Well!" he said, it strikes me you have had an unpleasant dream." So I had.
[No title]
Mrs. Bings (shaking her sleeping husband) Wake up, quick Something is wrong I'm afraid the house is on fire!" Mr. Bings: Eh? What?" Mrs. Bings: "Something is wrong. It's only six o'clock, and the girl is up, and downstairs." Mr. De Rich "What? Another new ct-p-t dress? Where is the last one you got?" Mrs. De Rich: "I have worn it out." It a week since you got it." tr I wore it out last Thursday." FLOWERS AS FOOD.—The flower best suited to the Chinese palate and the one which is served with almost- 'every elaborate Chinese dinner is the chrysanthemum. The flower has a peculiar flavour and requires' a teste educated by many trials before it can be fully approb- ated buifc Chinese epicures and a few New Yorkers who enjoy Chinese foods frequently pay fancy prices for chrysanthemums, which they take to the Chinese chefs to have- prepared for them. The old-fashioned nasturtium, the rose and the violet seem to please the American taste, however. For a luncheon an element of interest is always added by introducing the chafing dish at table. The flower desserts are, particularly adapted for luncheons because of the bloss-uns' beauty and fragrance as well as. the novelty of pre- paring them for food. To make the dessert, or the "blossom delight," as some enthusiasts c-h 11 it, first stir a thin batter of eggs and flour. This should be brought in from the kitchen already prepared. The flowers, thoroughly washed, should be arranged in a glass yase on the -side- board. Have the chafing dish ready, half filled with oil, smoking hot. Pluck the petals from the flowers-, stir briskly into the batter, then dip out in small portion and drop into the oil. The fritters puff up immediaitely and if taken out quickly Ithey retain the colour of the flower from which they are made. When removed from 6110 oil they should be placed on paper htfore being dusted with powdered sugar nifd passed to tlie waiting guests, who are more than anxious to sample the new idea. The tiny wafers, which are crisp and dainty, are good sub^iitute-s for the inevitable champagne wa'erg u serving ices of any kind.
- I GREATER BRITAIN. j
I GREATER BRITAIN. j THE TRADB OF SYDNKY. The Premier of New South Wales, resenting the assertions of Mr. R. J. Jeffray, the British Board of Tra,de Commissioner, to the effect that Melibournois "fthe business centre of Australia," has caused a number of statistics to be, prepared, showing the incorrectness of Mr. Jeffray's state- ments. Among ouier things (sa-vs "Commercial Intelligence") it is mentioned that the trade of Sydney, and oversea, during 1904, was worth about £ 48,000,000, that of Melbourne aibout £ 38,000,000. The oversea trade alone was valued at £ 34,.500,000 in Sydney, and £ 28,000,000 in Melbourne. There can be no question that Mr. Jeffray has considerably imperilled the suc- cess of his mission by his incautious statements, and will find it difficaltto free himself from the imputation of partisanship. WHEAT GROWING LAND IN AUSTRALIA. According to the report of the Royal Commis- sion on Immigration, which was appointed by the Government of Western Australia "to hi- quire as to the boot means of encouraging im- migration to Weatern Australia with a view to increasing land settlements in that State," there are 148,000,000 acres in Western Australia available for wTTea-t growing. This is almost double the area of the United Kingdom, and within 23 millions of the most sanguine esti- mate of the wheat-growing area of the Canadian North-West. Not all this land, of course, is immediately available for settlement, immense tracts being remote from railway communication but even so the tvaila-ble area is capable of pro- ducing enough wheat to supply the whole of this country's wants. JOHANNESBURG'S BUILDING TRADE. Complaints of the slackness of Transvaal trade do not extend to the Johannesburg building trade, which continues remarkably active. Plans of buildings estimated to cost £ 690,402 were ap- proved by the Johannesburg municipal authori- ties last quarter (April-June). For the first half of this year buildings estimated to cost £ 1,313,967 were approved. Thus, on the half- yeariy ri-gures now buildings are being proposed at the rate of £ 2,627,934 per annum, which figure compares with Y.2,057,229 in respect of 1904. The improvement thus shown is considerable; and it is still greater if the figure of the last half year ( £ 1,313,967) be compared with that of the first hailf of 1904 ( £ 871,708). CEYLON'S MONO-RAIL CONDEMNED. The suggested mono-mil tramway between the port of Kilkuda and Battiacola, a distance of 21 miles, has been condemned by the Provincial Engineer of the Eastern Province. In his re- port to the Director of Public Works, the engi- neer guys "I am of opinion that a tramway is not required, and in this the Government Agent agrees wih me. The port of Kalkuda is used for barley five months of the year, November to March, during which months the output of copra is at i'ts lowest. Though a tramway would doubtless prove a convenience to the owners of the half-dozen oocoanfuit estates along the road, iie actual necessity for it is by no means ap- parent. INDIAN TEA COMMITTEE. At the recent half-yearly meeting of the Indian Tea Committee, held at the Bengal Chamber of Commerce, Mr. H. S. Ashton, the chairman, informed the committee that for the year ending March 31, 1908, a sum of Rs. 102,000 remained unallotted. Of this sum the Committee decided to empower the Executive Committee to expend a sum not exceeding F.3,000 in adver- tising and pushing Indian Tea on the Continent of Europe, and to select the particular country or countries. It was further decided to make a grant of £ 2,000 to the Anti-Tea Duty League and to empower the Executive Committee to expend a sum of £ 1,000 supplementary to the £5,000 allotted at the January meeting for in- dependent action in the United States. The sum of Rs. 6,000 voted at the January meeting for promoting the tea trade with Tibet was increased to Ps. 8,000. And the Executive Com- mittee were empowered to disburse to the extent of 9 pice per lb. of tea exported to Afghanistan and Tibet during the current season up to a total quantity of 250,0001b. A NEW BURMA CANAL. The Secretary of State has sanctioned an estimate of Rs. 3,521,000 ( £ 234,666), including indirect charges, for constructing the Ye-u Canal to lead off from the right bank of the Mu River opposite the head works of the Shwebo Canal in. Burma. The tract of country to be irrigated is situated in Ye-u Civil Sub- division of Shwebo District on the east side of Mu River. The canal will be 35 miles long, after which it will continue as a distributor? channel for about llir miles; and there will also be a branch canal named the Mayaga Branch for 13 miles. The area commanded by the canal will be 168.000 acres, of which a half will be irrigated annually. The net revenue anticipated is Rs. 189,000 per annum, equiva- lent to 5 per clent. on the total outlay. TRANSCONTINENTAL SCHEME REJECTED. The Federal Senate rejected the Transconti- nental Railway Survey Bill, which Western Australia, has been trying to get adopted for years past. The proposed line is necessary to being the complete isolation of the State to an end, and only a lamentable disregard of their pledges on the part of other State politicians has prevented the line from being constructed. There is intense indignation in Western Aus- tralia at the rejection of the Bill, to which South Australia seems, from the voting, to have assented. CANADA AND THE NAVY. Mr. Urquhart, the mayor, speaking at the civic banquet to Prince Louis of Battenberg, at Toronto, predicted that Canada would yet contribute men and chips to the Empire and the Navy. The declaration was greeted with loud applause. Prince Louis, in replying, expressed the belief that in ten years' time Canada would be able to feed the forty million inhabitant of Great Britain, while the Navy would be aole to safeguard the transport of Canadian. foocl- stuffs across the Atlantic. Sailors' drill by men from the Second Cruiser Squadron was most enthusiastically applauded by the public at the Exhibition. PARTITION OF BSBNGAL. The feeling against the partition of Bengal and in favour of a boycott of British goods is growing. At a meeting, which was attended by 10,000 people at Dacca, the capital of the -P proposed new province, a. petition was agreed to, .praying the Secretary of State that an English statesman should be appointed Governor of Bengal. A similar meeting, attended by 3,000 people, was held at Howrah, one of the suburbs of Calcutta. Indian and Anglo-Indian opinion is un.animous in demanding a Governor for Bengal. CHINESE ON THE RAND. General Bothrf and members of the head com- mittee of Het Volk formed a deputation whica waited unon Lord S-etborne, with a view to bringing to the, official notice of the Govern- ment the uneasiness caused by wandering Chinese. Lord Selborne, in reply, said he expected the mines to take all possible steps to .prevent desertions, and farmers to report the presence of Chinese on their farms, and to apprehend them when possible. Any white, in the absence of constabulary, would have power to arrest Chinese, and permits would be granted to all whites residing near the Witwatersrand to possess arms except magazine rifles. In conclusion, Lord Selborne impressed upon the deputation the fact that the vast majority oi the Chinese were orderly.
[No title]
At Douglas, Isle of Man, the Rev. Someree" S. McTaggart was fined 40s., with the alterna- tive of twenty-one da.ys' imprisonment, for preaching on the seashore within twenty yards of the promenade. rt James Mullie, an elderly man, f band's Bosworth, near Market Har^bo i from injuries received through being > from his bicycle.
1 FUN AND FANCY.'
1 FUN AND FANCY. A wit, whose reputation is more than Jooat. is tlhe hero of a rather natatory. He wlamtedl some legal advice. He applied to a local soli- citor. and after getting a surfeit of that gentttc- man's sapience, puit down a. threepenny piece.. The lawyer eyed the coin for a moment, audi then said "What is this for?" "Oh, that is; your fee," explained the wit. "I hope It is all right?" "Excuse me, but it ien'rt," said the lawyer. "My fee is, of course, six and eigfhV pence." "Exactly," replied the wit. "Andf now let me explain. Six and ei-gh-tpence are fourteenpence, fonrteenpenee are one and two- pnce, one and twopence are three pence, amd, there you are!" And there he was. A man, while wandering in ihe ville-,e ceme- tery, saw a monuimeait and read with surprise the inscription on it: "A Lawyer and an Honesib Man." The man scratched his head and looked at the monument again. He read the inscription over and over. Then he walked round the monu- ment and examined the grave closely. Another man in the ceme,teryapproa.ched and asked him "Have you found the grave of an old friend?" "No," said the first man; "ibut I was wonder-' ing how they catine to bury those two fellows in one grave." In the Highland town of A- there lived a- retired navaJI officer who possessed the odious- habit of asking people all sorts of inquisitive' questions. One day, when out for a stroll, he met Dun-can -the village '^character," and the following colloquy took place "Well, Dun- can, you've dressed brawly to-day; where are, you going? "Jim to the castle, captin," proudly replied Duncan, as he touched his cap by way of salutation. "And what have you. got in that basket?" further queries the captain. "Faith, sir, I had na the impidence to ask," coolly re- turned the wit. A cabbage was hurled at a speaker in a politi- cal meeting in the West of England. He looked up promptly and said: "I have been told more than once by too flattering friends that I am a powerful spea.ker, but never until now have I had evidence that a memlber of my audience could actually lose his head over me. The late Bishop Wilberforce was once asked to "speak up." He retorted, "I am speaking TOP I always speak up, and I refuse to speak down to the level of the ill-mannered person* in the gallery." Corwen delivered himself of this scathing re- buke when invited to speak "louder" at a public meeting: "At the last days when heaven and carta shall pass away like a seroil, when the Ancient of Days shall sit on His great white throne, thousands and ten thousands of that heavenly host ranged on His right hand and on his left, when the archangel blows the trump that shall rend the tomlbs and awake the dead, some idiot from Buffalo will be heard shoutiri" "Louder, louder Dr. Winter Hamilton, on lea,vinga hall where,, he had been speaking at a Catholic Emancipation meeting, at which feelings had been roused to a. pitcLi. of great excitement, accosted one of the most bitter of his opponents, who turned round fiercely on him with the words "I don't, know you, sir." "I am not surprised;" gravely answered the minister, "You seem to have for- gotten yourself." A millbary candlidaitc. in addressing a meeting of voters in a country district in favour of flog- ging in the Army, said "There is no necessary disgrace attached to being flogged. Why, I was once flogged myself, and it was for telling the. truith." "And it cured 'ee, naw doubt," came the stinging rejoinder from a rustic elector to, an accompaniment of shrieks of laughter. "You may send me only half the usual quantity of meat until further notice," said the customer who keeps a boarding-house. "What'a the matter, mum; some of your boarders leav- ing?" asked the butcher, sympathetically. "Oh,, no," was the reply, "but three of my gentle- men lodgers are in love." A certain doctor who lived in a hilly district in the. United Statee was very fond of shoot- ing, and at the same time very slow in answer- ing the calls of his patients. One morning he was roused by the servant of a certain patient who lived at a. t 'distance, and asked) to come at once. The doctor began to prepare, but was, as I usual, very slow. After he went out to the trap be turned to go back into the house. He thought he would be able- to do some shooting on the way back after he had seen the case. Reaching the door he turned and asked the nervous servant: "Do you think I had better take mv gun along?" "Gun, sir? No!" w:a.s the reply. "Master'll be dead enough at this rate before you get there." Two little fellows were bragging of their respective possessions. At last one said "Our hea, laid the biggest egg you ever saw. "That's nothing," said the other lad. "My grandpa laid a foundation-stone on Monday! Mr. Freshman: "I am told that the wind? blows: quite strongly here at. times." Prominent Citizen: "Well, yes; that is so. I've knowed it to blow for twelve days and nights on a stretch, an' hold a sheep up against the side of a barn, 14ft. from the ground all that time, ,an' never once let him fall. And another time it blew so hard that the crows in Farmer Tatercrop's cornfield couldn't fly back to the rookery, but they had to walk home. And another time it blew so hard that when young Spoonamore was crossed in love and tried to kill himself by jumping over a precipice, the wind! blew him back again every time. I assure vou, stranger, the wind can blow in these parts." A good story is being told at the expense of a certain local theatre, whose "Standing Rooms Only" notice is no longer needed. One night, after the curtain was rung up, a small boy- was discovered sobbing in front of the box- office. The manager of the theatre went to ths, lad, and kindly asked him what the trouble was. "I want my money back," sobbed the boy in answer to the query. In surprise, the manager asked his reason for -such a. request. -because I'm afraid to sit up in the gallery all alone!" he wailed. His money was returned. The most startling rebuke that was evey- administered to an interrupter was that attri- buted to a Nova Scotia, clergyman. Just as he was on the point of commencing his sermon, a half-intoxicated soldier in his eoxioregation shouted1: Cock-a-doodle-do." "Just crow iagain, my friend," calmly asked the parson. Again the cock crew; and "Now," said the preacher, "if you crow again, I'll just fix your beak to the of ness, and I'll beat out your brains with- the sledge-hammer of the wrath, of God. Now, crow again if you dare." He dare. Mr. diaries Burleigh, the A once found, when in the midst of an anti-slavery speech, how sometimes interruptions assume, an unpleasantly striking form. lie was struck in, the face by a rotten egg. He produced Handkerchief, and calmly proceeded1 to wipe his face as he remarked "There's a. proof of what I have always maintained, that pro-slavery arguments are very unsound." Dr. Macnam-ara. M.P., tells some amusing stories, often at his own expense, of his plat- form experiences. Once he was addressing a political meeting in North Devon, and wiae being assailed by the usual battery of ques- tions. Evidently ,5 Tn"errogators was not very popular with the audience, and his rising was a or ^complimentary epithets, such as a"ss"" "There seems to be a good many silly asses at this meeting, Tn Dr. Macnamara humorously interjected!; hear one at the time. One of the immediately^ rose and, porn ting to ifm remarked: WeU, y<m can go on," to ten* tmense a-museiment of the audience. On ffiv* other occasion the doctor took tho IBJI; ,a meeting in a Dissenting chapel, where one of deacons reduced him to a, becoming mood of modesty by praying: "Oh? Lord' we bless Thee for our chairman. Thou canst, 0 Lord, bring even him to the seat of grace." Mr. a wi-tty barrister, was oné night addressing a meeting in Victoria. After he had spoken, questions were invited, and ai (member of the audience rose and asked: «TifP*n-all' ak roakes your face so red?"' Blushing at your impudence, sir," cam prompt reply,