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THE FARMERS' COLUMN.
THE FARMERS' COLUMN. CROPS AND LTVK Srhe mild weather which -continued throughout last week cannot (says the Tiow) be regarded as seasonable. The atmospheric conditions are^ indeed, suggestive ratherof April than of the end of January. To stock-feeders, hard pressed to IjncLfodder,;the warm days are no doubt welcome, and the circumstance that they have carried their sheep and cattle so far without any serious mishap is to them a matter of satisfaction. In the weeks that must elapse before we reach the vernal equinox there will be ample opportunity for the repetition of such Arctic weather as ushered in the new year, and its return would be less injurious at an earlier than at a later date. Already complaints are being heard of precocious vegetation and of the premature swelling of buds; and night frosts would at least have a salutary effect in checking such untimely tendencies. The rains which followed the break-up of the frost did useful work upon wheat lands in beating the disrupted soil firmly around the young plants. Had the thaw been succeeded by briak, drying winds much of the crop might have been dislodged; as it is, the young wheats are, as a rule, looking little or none the worse for their week beneath the snow. Rye and winter barley, trifolium, and vetches are making a healthy recovery from the check which they received, and so far as they are con- cerned there is no need for alarm as to the certainty of our prospective supplies of green fodder. Cabbage has emerged from the frost and snow less success- fully, for the snow was not deep enough to cover the plants, nor are the latter close enough together to afford mutual protection. It is this risk of winter killing which causes many farmers to fight shy of a crop the sterling merits of which for stock-feeding are universally admitted. Reports vary considerably as to-bow field turnips have come out of the frosts, but it is well to remember that the destruction of these roots by decay is a somewhat slow process, which, though it is originated by frost, is really accelerated by tilt- milder temperature and inoister condi- tions which may follow. The stored turnips in North Britain do not appear to have suffered, but they are not at the outside worth more than 15s. a ton, nor with such a glut as there exists of cheap potatoes is the price of turnips likely to advance. On the lighter soils the plough resumed work last week, but many of the heavier lands are atiUfar too wet to permit of operations. After the frost and rain country roads and lanes have broken up badly, so that even carting is at present slow and sorry work. Much discomfort is being experienced in the lambing pens, and there is a regrettable run upon .,r straw for litter which, with drier weather, might have been avoided. Nevertheless, shepherds have been afforded some compensation by the absence of the chilling blasts which, blowing from the east, often carry death to tender young lambs. We are not yet justified in supposing that we have seen the worst of the winter, but a grazing farmer of long ex- perience writes to us from the North Midlands "A look of spring pervades the air. Farmers no longer dread the winter. Store stock are hardening in value; they will be dear at buying-in time, and everybody will be rearing as many calves as possible." With reference to the coming grazing season it has to be noted that at a meeting, held in Glas- gow last week, of persons interested in the Scot- tish Canadian cattle trade, it was resolved to take steps to ascertain whether it is proposed to remove the restrictions imposed by the Board of Agriculture, and, in the event of an unfavourable answer, to approach the Government respecting the matter. It will be remembered that, owing to the exclusion of Canadian cattle, Scotch graziers last autumn purchased stores on rather an extensive scale in various parts of England. The return of milder weather has had generally a depressing effect upon both meat and corn markets. As regards our pro- spective supplies of foreign corn, it may be mentioned that the harvest is about completed in Argentina, and that the new wheat is being poured into Buenos Ayros at a selling price of from 70 dols. to 80 dols. currency per ton, or about 18s. per imperial quarter. This is regarded ItS an answer to the ques- tion often asked in England Can Argentina profit- ably grow wheat at 20s. per quarter ? It is estimated that this year's wheat area in the Argentine is about 6,000,000 acres, and that the crop will average 12 bushels per acre, or a yield equivalent to that of the United States of America. THB CHESTER ROYAL Snow.-A meeting of the general local committee appointed to carry out the arrangements for the holding of the Royal Agri- cultural Society's show at Chester last year has been held in the council chamber of the Chester Town Hall, to receive the statements of accounts from the executive committee and to complete the business in connection with the show. The Duke of West- minster presided. The hon. treasurer (Mr. Thomas) read the statements of accounts, which showed the receipts to be E8152 16s. 4d., and the expenditure £ 6870 12s. 10d., leaving a balance of £ 1282 3s. 6d. The.meeting resolved to present an honorarium of 9200 to Mr. George Dickson, J.P., in recognition of his services as honorary secretary of the Chester committee, and plate to the value of jE50 to the Hon. Cecil T. Parker as an acknowledg- ment of the debt of gratitude the committee owed him- as chairman of the executive committee. The Duke of Westminster suggested that the remaining surplus of 4:1000 should be ear marked," with a view to its being utilised in assisting in the establish- ment or working of an agricultural college. The Hon, Cecil Parker seconded the proposal, which was carried. The Duke of Westminster was then pre- sented with an address in the form of an album, in which he was warmly thanked for his services in in- ducing the Royal Agricultural Society to hold their show at Chester and in securing the honour of a visit to the show and city of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and in honouring the local committee by acting as chairman. Votes of thanks to the owners and occupiers of the land on which the show was held and to the Duke of Westminster for presiding concluded the proceedings. THE LAMBING SEASON.—The first special reports of the lambing season, given in the Live Stock Journal, refer:—as usual, in the first instance—solely to the homed flocks of Somersetshire and Dorsetshire. So far as they go, the testimony seems to point to a small crop Of lambs—at all events, in the Dorsetshire flocks—owing to the general scarcity of twins, and the-unusual number of late-lambing ewes, of which many may prove to be barren. This is reasonably accounted for by the great scarcity of grass caused by an exceptionally dry and arid summer, which left this early-lambing breed of sheep in too low condition when the season commenced and, further, the- almost total absence of hay to counteract the unavoidable excessive use of roots before lambing led to abortion and weakly lambs. But there can be no doubt as to the general soundness of the ewe flocks this season, and the losses in the lambing pen have been small, both in respect of ewes and of lambs. In Somerset matters seem to have been better, and from the rich lands of the north-western part of the county come very satisfactory reports. The Hamp- shire "Down ram-breeding flocks begin to lamb with the new year. A few stragglers even struggle into 19 the world between Christmas and New Year's Eve, but such are "accidents," and the intention is to secure January lambs. By the end of the second week of this month the lambing enclosure begins to exhibit a good deal of life. The College of Agricul- ture flock of this breed at Downton is now fairly well through the thick of lambing, as the ewes came on very quickly during the first half of the month. This was due to the number of rams employed, and the ewes being in high condition at the time of seasoning. Professor Wrightson informs us that he has had ex- ceptional luck with his ewes, and a good proportion of twins. The Limbs have fallen healthy and bright, and the milk supply is fair now that the weather is milder. Toe losses ewes up to date have been trifling, Hnd only one ewe has slipped lamb. RIPEMMI C'A\(.A method of ripening cream for churning in winter is given by Mr. Tim Bevington in the ovem number of th^XewRra. Mr.Bevington .-wiys that the -d has never failed with him, and from his own pc /')t' he would strongly recommend readers to tr, which is as follows The day before you wish <J rlt" 1 your cream fill a quart white earth- u.re jam-pnr rjarwith sweet separated o* skim ;.Ik, the former for choice, as it is nearh- ir from cream and quite sweet stand the pot of milk in hot water up to 190 deg. Fihr., not orer. till the milk is up to 90 or 95 aeg. Fahr.; take it oat. wipe the jar quite dry, and stand it in tlw kitchen "r other warm room, and cover it immediately with an ordinary tea-cosy, pressing down the .josv inqtl round the edges to keep it air-tight. Don't touch it or remove the cosy for 24 hours by that time the mV will be just of the right sourness or ripeness for I; It is best to remove about half an inch of the -Ip, as any cream which may have risen will be bitter and not fit to use. Rub the remainder, which should be in a thick or clabbered state, like a junket, though a clean tammy sieve into a basin. For every eight quarts ,of cream to be ripened you must add one gill (quarter pint) of the soured milk. The bucket or crock containing the cream should be stood in hot water of 100 deg. Fahr., till the cream registers 65 to 70 deg. Fahr. While it is warming well stir in the soured milk, which must be thoroughly well mixed. Remove the bucket or crock, well wipe and stand it II in the kitchen or warm room, and cover it well up with a cluin blanket (one should be kept on purpose); leave undisturbed for 24 hours, when it will be just fit to chum. Pour carefully into the churn, taking I care to leave the curdled milk at the bottom of the bucket or crock. The above process is thereby an I improvement on the Danish system, where a starter' of this sort is always used. Something very similar, but with elaborate machinery, has been patented by an American.
■■W————————:Tr>>: GARDEN NOTES.",,…
■■W————————:Tr>>: GARDEN NOTES. (From Cottage Gardening") FLOWER GARDEN.—It is late, of course, to plant spring flowers, but, on the principle of Better late than never," all sorts of things may be planted now if the weather is suitable. There are pretty things among daisies, but for massing, a good white and a t good red are sufficient for the requirements of those who only want a gay garden. Among the cheap things which are useful for filling up backgrounds are i the Canterbury bells. I once (observes a writer in I Cottage Gardening) saw the shrubbery of a new place filled in with a lot of these bright cheap things i n Febru- ary, and it was wonderfully effective. A lot can be done ) with seedling pansies, Brompton stocks, wallflowers, I foxgloves and the common evening primrose makes a capital display upon a bank among the shrubs. Many pockets are lighter than usual this year, and something cheap and bright must be had. Those who can wait may do a good deal with annuals, especially if there is a very slight hotbed to raise the half-hardy things. The cheapest family to make a great summer show are the nasturtiums. It is too soon yet to sow anything, but we may begin our discussion of ways and means, and make the necessary arrangements for the coming campaign. Fashion does not change so speedily in the middle class as it does higher in the social scale; but everywhere are signs that the demand for hardy plants is on the increase. There are beautiful things among pseonies, both in the herbaceous section, and also in the case of the shrubby or Moutan type. Groups anywhere—on the lawn or in the garden are always attractive; the only drawback is that at present they are rather expensive. But all things come to those who wait; and in a few years pteonies will be cheap enough and plentiful enough for all to have them in their gardens. But to do them well the ground must be deep and well worked. FRUIT GARDEN.—All things in time wear out, and though there is a good deal of latent conservatism among us in gardening matters, it is a mistake to cling to old trees when their work is done. Straw- berries are often kept on the same ground I too long, frequently because making a new bed involves labour and trouble, and so the old bed remains and the new one is not made. The same spirit, when once encouraged tver so little, grows upon us, and we drift on from year to year with I old fruit-trees and bushes, and old strawberry beds which are past their best. Though strawberries will not do much this season planted now, unless the plants are very strong, still, if the ground is ready, strawberries may be planted any time in open weather. The roots should be carefully spread out, and the soil made firm, and the surface mulched. In a general way, raspberries made rather poor growth last year; the season was too dry, except on the best soil, for raspberries, and something should be done to strengthen and stimulate them a little, and there is nothing better now than a dressing of manure, which shculd be several inches thick, spread all round the bushes as far as the roots extend. This manurial I top-dressing will be very useful this season to all bush- fruits, especially where the bushes are old and have not made much growth last season. This is another weak point in many gardens. Young bushes are not planted till the old ones are at the point of death. VEGETABLE GARDEIV.-The work now about must be fitted to the weather. When frosty, mix and wheel manure on to the land. Open and clean out drains, or make new drains if necessary. Trenching can sometimes be done in frosty weather, but it is not wise to bury snow or frozen soil far from the surface, as it remains frozen a long time after the surface has thawed; and if snow is buried beneath the surface it makes the land damp and unfit for cropping for a long time. All vacant plots should I be turned up roughly to let in the air, and in mild open weather stir the soil among spinach, lettuces, cabbages, &c. A little soil may be drawn up along the rows of cabbages. The cabbage plants set out early will soon be turning in. Sow mustard and cress in shallow boxes, and place where there is a little warmth. The seeds will be better without covering. Water with warm water. These small salad plants are often raised in a very primitive way: they are sometimes grown on flannel wrapped round bottles filled with warm water. The flannel- covered bottles are rolled over the seeds, enough being picked tip to yield a crop. Other simple ways of growing these desirable salad plants indoor may be easily improvised. GREENHOUSE.—If not already done, the vines should be pruned, cleaned, and trained. It is not generally necessary to paint vines unless they are infested with insects or mildew, but a wash with a strong solution of soap and water is always desirable. When the vines are pruned and cleaned, give the house a good clean also. Wash the paint with soap and water, and the walls with hot lime-wash. There is a wonderful cleansing power in hot lime. Anything over 40degs. will do for night temperature, but where there are vines in, the house it is as well to keep fires down as much as is safe. WINDOW GARDEN.—Keep cactuses and mescmbry- I anthemums dry now. The plants will flower all the better for this ripening treatment. Bulbs coming on must have plenty of water. Other things should be kept on the side of dryness, especially if the weather should be frosty. Keep the soil in the pots free from moss by stirring it up occasionally. Pelargoniums are now making growth, and the long shoots should have the terminal buds rubbed out to induce a bushy habit. THYME.—There are two varieties of thyme com- monly grown for culinary purposes—viz., the com- mon green and the lemon the former can be obtained from seeds sown in spring, and transplanted when large enough, or cuttings may be inserted in March or April and kept moist. Division of the roots will, in, most cases, answer all requirements, the lemon thyme especially yielding to this mode of propagation. Thyme may either be planted in beds, or it may be used as a bordering to any other plant. It is very hardy, bnt sometimes in severe and in cold, wet wipters old plants die off; therefore, it is always best not to trust too much to old beds. Select a warm site, with light, rich soil, mulch with old leaf-mould or manure, and there will always be plenty of thyme. It will seed as it grows, and plenty of plants can be raised in that way, without any other trouble, and thuse may be lifted and planted in a new bed to form a succession in spring. SLUGS AND LIME.-In some gardens slugs are very niynerous and voracious, and gardeners are at their wits ends to know how to keep their young seedling crops from being eaten up by them all sorts of expedients, such as laying cabbage leaves and other traps, and collecting the slugs in the morning, are resorted to, but in gardens of any extent, nothing that I (11 Ifants remarks) have tried equals fresh I slaked lime. The beat time to apply it is late in the evening on a still, dewy night, when the slugs will be out on the surface of the soil seeking for food. Having a good supply of lime in readiness, proceed to. dust the garden over regularly, spreading the lime as thinly and evenly 8s possible, as a very little, if freshly slaked, will destroy every slug "it touches, and by making a clean sweep of all that are out feeding at one time, a much better effect will be observed than by only dusting any given space or crop, for the slugs from other portions of the garden soon find out any young crop that they are fond of, and replace those that are destroyed so fast, that one doubts if it is possible to ex- terminate them. But if the plan suggested is fol- lowed out at intervals of a week or 10 days, the stock of these troublesome garden pests will soon be reduced to more manageable numbers, for I doubt r' (continues 01 Hdnts ") if anythingwill entirety destroy ,them. Asia preventive I find coal ashes spread over young crops very serviceable, and the young crops are-, really benefited by its application, as they are of a warm, dry nature. For early peas, beans, and similar crops, they may be spread half an, inch thick over the rows as soon. as sowing ie completed, with, .the beat results.
•AMERICA. FUN. -N
AMERICA. FUN. -N AN American contemporary has analysed the masher as follows Bicarbonate of cheek, 990*230 essence of gall, 2'500 nitrate of stare, 2*500 tine-, ture of conceit, 3-500; oxalate of cuffs, -270; protox- ide of collar, '230; acetate of toothpick, '267; sul- phide of smirk, "500; chloride of coat-tail, '002; cyanide of brain, doubtful, '001 total, 1000. AT a late, duel in Kentucky, the parties discharged their pistols without effect; whereupon one of the seconds interrupted, and proposed that the comba- tants should shake hands. To this the other second; objected as unnecessary. "For," said he, "their hands have been shaking this half-hour." IN the course of a recent address in Iowa the Hon. D. C. Beaman said: I am the friend of the dog-the good dog, I mean—pardon me if I enter a plea in his defence. Blot out the dog, and you destroy the only infallible indicator of the rising of the moon. Break up this asylum and you turn out upon a defenceless people myriads of homeless, ra-fenons fleas, and break* up the district school system, the summer camp meeting, and the picnic. You make more miserable the lot of that class of citizens who have never aspired' to the luxury of a cow, being perfectly satisfied if, with the aid of three large dogs and a litter of pups, they can keep the gaunt wolf of; starvation from the door. The susceptible maiden, deprived of the privi- lege of kissing the cold nose of her terrier, might be compelled to resort to the masher, much to the disad- vantage of the girl. TUB following model statement of a professional appears on the walls of a Montreal hotel: W. Hill, tonsorial artist, physiognomical hair dresser, facial operator, cranial manipulator, and capillary abridger. Hair cutting and shaving with ambidexterous facility." JOAQUIN MILLER has gained 361bs. since he quit writing poetry, cut his hair, and married a' woman of sense. Two young ladies entered a Chicago cigar store and one of them said, timidly, Have you any choice cigars, sir? I want them for a present." Oh, yes, Miss," replied the tobacconist, we have any choice you want, from a cent apiece up." I think I will take some of the one-cent ones, then, if they are choice. I had no idea that choice cigars were so cheap. Won't Charlie be delighted?" she said to her companion as they left the store. Poor boy! He is so fond of a choice cigar, and they will taste all the better," she added, with a little blush, for having come from me." THE only safe umbrella-holder we know of, says an American journal, is the hand, and it must grasp the umbrella with a firm grip, and hold on or the article will get away. Most people know this by experience. We fear that no umbrella-holder will ever he invented that will hold so tenaciously to the umbrella as the one in universal use, viz., the friend who borrows the umbrella. A FASCINATING woman is employed by the secret police to get at the secrets of a foreign diplomatist. The following correspondence is exchanged by tele- graph between the Minister of Foreign Affairs and his emissary. Your report is vague. Obtain further particulars?" "Am having a lover's quarrel with him. Shall be reconciled to-morrow; will send details." Siiim smote him with a shingle Till she made him thrill and tingle" Because he did not mind his baby brother, But he soon forgot his pain And went singing down the lane; "A boy's best friend is his mother." "DID you advertise for a man to do clipping?" asked a rural-looking individual who had invaded thd editor's sanctum. H'm," said the Archimedes of the printing office; you don't look like a clipper. What have you been working at ?" The intruder toyed with the office shears and replied I've been shearing sheep." The editor turned to his yellow paper again and murmured You can get a chance at the broker's office down in State-street: 12 dols. 50 a clip." A TOLEDO man is undecided whether to marry a Boston girl or write a book. Bless your vacillating soul, man, marry the Boston girl, by all means. What's one critic to 500 ? And, then, you see, she could write a better book for you. ten times over, than you can, and you come out winner on all sides. HE had an old horse hitched to a country pung," and there was snow on his hat and a snowball in each ear as he reined the animal up alongside the curb and shouted to a policeman: "Is this the nineteenth century? Feels like it," said the officer. "Andisafree-bom American citizen to have his life put in peril to gratify the humour of a mob of boys ? What has happened ?" This he yelled, as he picked the snowball out of his left ear, and this he yelled still louder as he took one out of his right. I've had to run a gauntlet for three miles I've been popped and slugged and para- lysed and pulverised! This 'ere hoss has been popped and pelted and pounded till he can't rest ? I demand that protection guaranteed to every citizen by the great American Constitution!" "'You shall have it, sir. Just consider the mantel of pro- tection thrown around you and your hoss." The old man drove off, growling and muttering, bnt he Mdn't progressed a block before a snowball carried his hat away, and another lifted the old horse otf his feet. "That's too much, that is!" said the diver, as he rolled off his pung sideways. If they haven't got any better mantle than this in Detroit, I must take keer o' my own liberties And he rushed to the sidewalk, "grabbed a boy who was going home with a quart of molasses, and tanned his jacket in the good old-fashioned effective style. THEY sat in lover-like proximity at, the starboard end of the sofa twittering sweet nothings that were carried up to the throne of love on platters of price- less pearl by Cupids with irridescent wings that gleamed in the golden smile of Venus with drops of ambrosial dew. That's a beautiful morceau, isn't it ? she murmured, with boarding-school ecstacy, as he quoted some gem of poetry. "Ah, yes," he answered "more so than anything I've seen for some time." Then a great horse-blanket of infinite silence fell upon them. ICEMAN No, my dear, we can't go to Europe next summer as we intended." Loving Wife "Well, no matter; I dreaded the sea voyage anyhow, and Sara- toga will do as well. By the way, that diamond neck- lace you promised me——" Don't speak of it. I can't buy it; we can't go to Saratoga or anywhere else, and we must leave this house and get a cheaper one." "Mercy on me! Has the ice crop failed ? No; that's just the trouble. It hasn't failed." A GOOD story comes from Wrightsville, S. C., and is thus told by the Recorder: A lady, while engaged in the pursuit of her domestic duties, encountered a mouse in the flour barrel. Now most ladies, under similar circumstances, would have uttered a few genuine shrieks and then sought safety in the garret; but this one possessed more than the ordinary degree of genuine courage. She summoned the man-servant and told him to get the gun, call the dog, and station himself at a convenient distance. Then she clambered upstairs, and commenced to punch the our barrel with a pole. Presently the mouse made its appear- ance and started across the floor. The dog started at once in pursuit. The man fired, and the dog dropped dead. The lady fainted, fell down the stairs, and the man, thinking she was killed, and fearing that he would be arrested for murder, disappeared, and has not been seen since. The mouse escaped." PHISIKAL and moral courage are not alwuss found together, but to separate them weakens both. A YQUNG lady was discharged from one of the largest vinegar houses in an American city one day last week. She was so sweet that the vinegar was kept from fermenting. IT was in an Illinois court: Have you," asked the judge of a recently convicted man, anything to offer the court before sentence is passed ? No, your honour," replied the prisoner, my lawyer took my last cent." A STRANGER walked up to the clerk's desk at the Mansion House one day last week and arranged for a commodious room. He registered his name W. n. Durand and Toronto," and laid down the pen. The clerk looked at the entry a moment, and said politely, Will you not register your lady also ?" The man hesitated, and then said, I'll register in an hour." All right, air," said the clerk. The guest and his lady left the hotel. An hour later they came back he went up to the registry and added one word wife." They had been married in the interval. t • I;
[No title]
THE statement that poets are born, not made, is par- ticularly true as regards this office (says a Yankee paper). They are borne downstairs on a shutter. THERE is no disgrace in being poor," we are told. And we're howling glad of it, for there are enough other disadvantages about it without that one.
[No title]
WHY is divinity the easiest of the three learned professions ?—Because it is easier to preach than to practise.
■THE WOIMAN'S. WORLD.
■ THE WOIMAN'S. WORLD. YHLVBTEE* ia being used (avers Lady A," in the Weekly Sun) more than anything else just now. A really pretty drees, quite within the reach of mode- rate means, came under my notice the other day. It head been made for a very smart woman who was asked to a wedding. The gown had an underskirt of apple-green velveteen, edged with skunk, which is not a dear kind of fur. The draperies above this were of black Velveteen, with an applique of lace over green silk. The bodice was of white satin covered with the lace, the upper halves of the sleeves being of the green velveteen, and the lower parts of satin covered with lace. The waistband was of folded black satin, and the smart little cape or toque which: finished this stylish costume was built up of the green velveteen edged with the fur. FUR capes without coats extending to the krieea are nowadays provided with close-fitting vests of the fur —an innovation which effectually shuts out the keen- est blast, and forms an impenetrable chest protector. Quite the latest extravagance for brides is to have real lace inserted over the instep of their white silk stockings. The silk of which they are made is most beautifully fine, and the lace handiwork exquisite. The number of handsome black costumes being worn everywhere is just at the present moment most noticeable. These are, as a rule, not at all sombre in effect, being mostly made of a very rich material, and they are generally enlivened by a certain amount of colour, introduced either into the bodice or the cloak. At receptions particularly the black velveteen cos- tumes are quite the rage, and often the only relief consists of the pinkish mauve brocade with which the inevitable cloak is lined. IT is well known that the Queen finds no terror in frost and snow-in fact, a low temperature always suits her best-and Osborne is probably never so delightful to her as when its normally relaxing atmosphere changes its character under a spell of sharp wintry weather that assimilates it more or less to the strong air of her beloved Highlands. But the fact that the Queen, at her advanced age, should have been able to drive out daily in the face of such Arctic weather as has lately been experienced in all parts of the country surely supplies the best prac- tical answer (says Miranda," in the Lady's Pictorial) to the baseless rumours of her alleged failure of health which have recently been again "going the rounds." 0 ALL being well, the Queen, assisted by one of her daughters, will hold the two February Drawing Rooms, but no arrangements have yet been made for those to be held later on in the season. The first two functions, which are mostly attended by members of the corps diplomatique and shivering debu- tantes," are, owing to the greater freshness of the atmosphere, less trying to the Queen than the crowded May Drawing Rooms, when the heated and heavily-perfumed air becomes almost unbearable even to those in attendance on our gracious Sovereign, who, in spite of the ennui occasioned by a continuous stream of people passing before her, specially recog- nises anyone in whom she is interested, and by her sympathetic and kindly smile she gives courage to many a timid girl dreading her presentation curtesy. A CONTRIBUTOR to Scribner directs attention to the curious fact that what he calls "the question of the chaperone" is just now attracting much attention on both sides of the Atlantic, with this important difference, that the Americans are discussing the adoption and the English the abolition of that functionary, and on each side the example of the other is gravely cited in support of the change. The courageous young Englishwomen who advance the proposition that they are perfectly able to take care of themselves, point to the liberty enjoyed by American girls, with apparent safety; but, this American writer declares that it is coming tp be recognised by his countrymen that there are very good arguments for restricting the liberty, formerly so general and so extended, of young unmarried women. "That liberty," he con- tinues, "was natural and safe when our cities were small, when the leisured class hardly existed, when the character of associates was well known or easily ascertained, and when social occupation was relatively simple; but those conditions have greatly changed, and though the change has been inevitable, it has not been altogether for the better." MAUVE is the newest colour for table decorations, and it .can be carried out (observes the Special Com- missioner of the Sunday Times) without a super- abundance of flowers. Mauve satin shades adorn the silver lamps and candlesticks, and the table-centre may be of the same material edged with delicate lace. An old-fashioned silver wine-cooler makes an effec- tive centre-piece, and this should be filled with mauve orphids (if. funds permit), or with mauve hyacinths, violets, maiden-hair fern, and sprays of lily-of-the- valley. Specimen-glasses in plain white glass covered in fillagree silver should be p aced all down the table, and filled with flowers to match the centre, whilst all the little silver dishes obtainable should' be dotted about the centre-piece, filled with crystallised Neapolitan violets, and mauve almonds. A bunch of Parma violets placed in each finger-bowl makes a pretty finish to the table. NOVELTY is not visible in the shops at present, and we only see new fashions at weddings. The coming modes must remain uncertain till the buyers return from Paris, but wedding dresses represent the latest ideas which have come to light. Some bridesmaids' gowns (seen at a famous London shop) were very novel, being furnished with the loose bishop's sleeves, which are quite the latest thing. The material was in white bengaline, trimmed with pale turquoise velvet and beaver. The bodices were made with a curved yoke of the velvet (back and front), edged with the fur the bishop's sleeves were gathered into a cuff made of the two materials, and the plain skirts were bordered to correspond. The hats were in white satin lined with pale blue velvet, and trimmed with plumes of shaded feathers. The bridal gown was in white satin, with a long court train, the front of the skirt draped with white chiffon bordered with orange-blossom, the yoke to match, The going-away dress was in green box-cloth with bishop's sleeves of dark green velvet, with the cuffs edged with mink the coat was fastened with large handsome buttons of shaded pearl; the skirt was edged with fur. The trousseau included 18 gowns in different styles, the sight of which would almost tempt one to get married at any price. There is nothing to hinder us having a few new gowns at any period of our lives, but we cannot otherwise get 18 or 20 all at once without being accused of extravagance. My Readers (says the shop-vis.ting correspondent) will not expect ijitj to recapitulate the details of all the is. kowns, but those which made the möøt-impressio1'1 on my mind were a rose-and-green foulard trimmed with black lisse, and finished off with a black moire sash, and a tussore silk trimmed with bands of pale blue moire veiled with white, guipure. A brown cloth dress trimmed with bronze and old rose-shaded velvet, was not without its charms, whilst a dark blue cheviot trimmed with black moire and lined with rose silk was a useful dress for everyday wear. I left the establishment feeling envious of the bride, and wondering if one might order a trousseau and announce that one's wedding was broken off. PRETTY feet have now some chance of being seen and appreciated, remarks Madge in 7Vuth. Neat boots are no longer hidden away under more or less muddy or dusty skirts, and it is no longer a work of supererogation to study one's chaussure as carefully for the street as one does for the ball or dinner. How perfectly sweet are some of the newest evening stock- ings. Fancy a pair of pale green silk stockings em- broidered up the front. with sprays of tiny pink roses and fairy-like green leaves. These are for wearing with a pink or green dress. THE Watteau plait is occasionally seen in handsome costumes. It must be most carefully arranged and adapted, or it is quite too wrapper-like to be desirable. In spite of the mania for stripes, bands, ruffles, ruchings, and the like, one occasionally sees a plain skirt, but of very rich and elegant material. The square neck, with outline of embroidery in gold or mixed metal threads, is one of the fancies of the moment. A new fancy in bracelets is the heavy rope twist of Roman gold. Waved hair, done in door-knob knot, is a popular fashion.
....-'.. ITHE HOUSEHOLD. »,
I THE HOUSEHOLD. » Tiiii two greatest safeguards against infection are a strong vitality and carefully selected hygienic sur- roundings. The perfected human organism, con- stantly and properly nourished, and with plenty of fresh air, is almost invincible against the invasion of disease. It is simply a question of the survival of the superior. Disease, which is the weaker, is put to rout by good health, just as darkness vanishes at the approach of light. NOTHING wears out the mental and physical powers so much as irritation and temper. Things that irri- tate, the mind are like blisters and sore places on the skin there is no rest for them, and they diminish the advantages of the qualities that are most precious. They introduce into the mind thoughts, fancies, speculations, and resolves that carry it away from the immediate objects and acts of competition they act either as stimulants or depressants, or both in turn, to the circulation, and they disturb and weaken effort. --Dr. Richardson. HAM FOR BREAKFAST.—Cut and trim three rashers of ham, and divide each into two. From a fillet of veal cut six thin slices. Lay the veal on the ham and spread minced parsley, mushrooms, shalots, and picked leaves of thyme over it. Season with pepper and salt, roll them up and fasten with a fine skewer. Dip each roll into beaten egg and fry in boiling lard. Take them up, drain them, and lay them on squares of buttered toast. Squeeze over the rolls the juice of a lemon which has been daubed with cayenne. SPINACH CREAM.—-Spinach, in France, is always made into a cream as follows: Wash the spinach J leaves, plunge them into boiling salt water—a great deal Of water—-let them boil' as usual; drain them, pressing out every bit of the water with a wooden spoon; when they are absolutely free from moisture hash them fine; put them into a saucepan with some melted butter let them sauter, tossing them about with a fork; add two teaspoonfuls of bechamel sauce, or a little bouillon, or a little flour, or nothing at all-as you please; take them. off the fire add a little fresh butter. This should be at the end a deli- cioiis cream, and to be very good it should have no end of butter in it. To BE REMEMBERED.—It is generally supposed that fruits, although pleasantly refreshing to the palate, are devoid of nutritive value; but this is not so, for many of them are of very decided service as food, and those that are not, on acconnt of the quantity of water they contain, are of use in another way, inasmuch as they supply salts that are necessary to keep the blood in a healthy condition. Rice is deficient in natural fat; therefore to make it a useful article of diet it should be cooked with articles of food that will supply the deficiency, such as butter, milk, meat, &c. It is a mistake to boil rice in water, as, it loses valu- able compounds during the process of cooking. Unless boiled in milk or soup it should be steamed. Cheese contains a very fair amount of nutritive and bone- forming material, but as it is not very rich in heat- giving matter it should be used with other foods that are, such as a macaroni, rice, or bread, &c. TUB SECRET OF OLD AGE.—The Lancet brings out some interesting facts as to the personal character- istics of persons who attain a healthy old age. In most aged persons, it seems, the yital functions, continue in active exercise under normal conditions," this being, of course, the result of regularity and moderation all through life. According to our con- temporary there is little to choose between temperance and total abstinence in the matter of alcohol. More interesting perhaps is the statement that "if in any direction it is allowable for competitors in the race of life to dispense with self-control it would appear that they may to a great extent use this liberty with respect to physical and mental exertion." We must not, in short, eat too much or drink too much, but hard study and exercise may be indulged in not only without harm but with the best results. PRUNES.—The acid of this dried fruit makes it superior to the date for various culinary purposes. As a rule, prunes are cooked too hurriedly. Like all dried fruits, they should be cooked slowly in earthen- ware. When they are stewed in this way for at least two or three hours, sweetened about a quarter of an hour before they are taken up, they are quite another dish, from the hard prune served in a watery fluid so commonly seen on carelessly kept tables. These primes are especially nice with a little whipped cream. A delicious way to serve them is in a form, To a quart of stewed prunes add a quarter of a box of gelatine. Soak the gelatine for two hours and stir it in the prunes while they are hot. Pour them into a mould and serve them surrounded by whipped cream. A prune pudding calls for a quarter of a pound of prunes, stewed till tender, drained and chopped fine; the whites of six eggs beaten to a stiff froth, with six tablespoonfuls of powdered sugar, a half teaspoon- ful of cream of tartar and a pinch of salt. After beating the whites of the eggs with the sugar, ^.dd the cream of tartar and salt. Reserve a cupful of this mixture. Stir the prunes in the remainder, and spread the reserved meringue over the pudding in an earthen dish, which has been slightly greased. Bake the pudding for 25 njinntes in a moderate oven. Serve it hot, with cold custard sauce, made from the regular recipe for boiled custard. PREVENTION OF DISEASE AMONG CHILDREN.—The curious facts recently discovered bearing on the rela- tionship between certain diseases and the microscopic plants known as bacteria have been in many in- stances of signal help in the prevention of those dis- eases. Thus it is known that the onset of a bacterial disease is not passively tolerated by the human system. The human body contains within itself a power of resistance capable of doing, battle successfully with disease germs, and when the bodily condition is normally active, the chances are all in favour of the' human organism. In childhood, however, when the processes of nutrition and development are in a state of super- activity, the system is especially sensitive to infection, and a derangement of all the organs is especially likely to occur. One of the most important things to be borne in mind by those who' have children is the necessity of maintaining a healthful condition of the nutrition. This constitutes nature's own means of preventing disease. It includes attention to the quality and quantity of food, proper attention to light and air, and the avoidance of all unsanitary influences of every character. Habits of outdoor exercise should be formed at an early age. Isolation from the com- munity at large of persons suffering from disease is one of the methods most universally employed, as it is also one of the most useful. In private households this is usually done by setting apart the sick in that part of the dwelling which admits of the least com- munication with the other parts, while every means for the conveyance of the infectious materials from the sick room is carefully guarded against. Disin- fection, if properly carried out, is an extremely useful means of preventing the spread of contagious diseases. Fumigation by sulphur is entirely in- efficient. The walls, ceilings, floors* furniture of the rooms treated must be subjected to the actual con- tact of the carbolic solution, or to whatever suitable disinfecting agent may be employed. MASHED,CARROTS.—Boil, and mash with a little milk and butter or cream. Some boiled potatoes and pepper and salt may be added. Mashed carrots may be pressed into a mould and served in the centre of mashed potatoes or boiled rice. CARROT SOUP.—Put in a saucepari of water chopped carrots, potatoes, and onions a little celery, salt and pepper to taste. Boil well, sift in a little cold boiled rice, or barley, or wholemeal, and just before serving add a spoonful of olive oil. CARROT IILK Sour.-Chop the carrots very fine, and boil in a little water till soft, then add a pint of new iftilk and boil. This soup may be strained before the milk is added, when desired. CARROTS A LA MAITUE D'HOTEL.—Cut your carrots into little marbles boil in water with a little salt till they are nearly done, put into a saucepan some butter, chopped parsley, salt, pepper, and a little white sauce (or a spoonful of flour stirred up in a little nil)-; put into this your boiled c&rrots, shake hem well up, and serve. A POT-PIE.—Buy two pounds of beef-steak. First fry the vegetables, two onions, two carrots, two par- snips, and one head of celery, nicely cleaned, in a fry- ing-pan with a little dripping; as you fry them put them into a saucepan. Fry the steak on both sides just to brown it, and lay it on the vegetables then cover only the vegetables with boiling water, put on the lid, and let it simmer one hour. By that time have ready a pudding made with half a pound of flour and two ounces of beef suet (or good dripping will do), chopped with the flour; mix with cold water, and shape the pudding as near as possible to the size of the saucepan; lay in the pudding, and let the sajucepan boil gently for three-quarters of an hour longer. Turn all out carefully on a hot dish. Season with pepper and salt. Serve aa hot as possible. :i: ;(!-
j ' LITERATURE AND ART, •"
j LITERATURE AND ART, •" AT no "time (says M. H. S. in the Westminster Gazttte) could Mr. Frederic Harrison's doctrine of the Duty of Midas receive such ready acceptance as the present. Never in recent times has Art—poor starved Art—faced a gloomier outlook. Bad trade, the wants of the unemployed, the needs of the navy, and the rest, with a sinking Budget and rising taxa- tiok-all this reduces the chances of Art; and the i worst of it is that no one can complain. Meanwhile. the accepted designs for the building of South Ken- sington Museum, which have been suspended, cannot be proceeded with; the National Gallery must go without its urgently-needed enlargement; and the Dublin National Gallery must stay just as it is, in spite of the demands of its rulers and its obvious necessities. What time, then, could be more propitious for the Rich Man to show his Use in the State, whether the effectiveness of his help or the gratitude of the public be his aim ? The State is admittedly powerless, and the opportunity is here- Will the rich man arise ? Had such a one been avail- able, the National Gallery might have been richly benefited at the Leys sale, when a superb masterpiece by the elder Breughel was snapped up by the Louvre to everybody's astonishment (and the Louvre's too) for £ 720—a mere fraction of its worth. Paris only possessed an unimportant example of the master hitherto; London none at all; and here we have allowed our rivals to secure the famous Chaine des Avengles"—for nothing," as they themselves declare —without an effort. The only Breughel we have is a Jan, and that, fine as it is, is not characteristic. THB resources of literature are sensibly curtailed by the superannuation and retirement of Mr. Harry L. Dolhglas Ward, who, in accordance with the age regulation which recently enforced the retirement of Mr. S. Le Page Renouf from the Keepership of the Oriental Antiquities in the British Museum, has vacated the office and position of Senior Assistant in the Manuscript Department of the same national institution. During his many years of service Mr. Ward has been renowned, not only in his own depart- ment but throughout the Museum generally, for the urbanity of his manner and the geniality of his disposition. Mr. Ward's tenure of office has been signalised by the preparation of his elaborate Cata- logue of Romances in the Department of Manuscripts in the British Museum," printed by order of the Trustees, the first, volume of which, issued in 1883, comprised no less than 975 large octavo pages. THE finest private library in Scotland will shortly, it is expected, owing to the death of its owner, Mr. J. Wylie Guild, of Glasgow, pass into the market. Mr. Guild, who held a high official positioa in Glasgow, had amassed 12,000 volumes, and, as his taste in books was catholic, his library represents almost all depart- ments of bibliophilism. It is, however, in the Mary Stuart section that the library is strongest, for Mr. Guild belonged to that band of enthusiasts who have been a stock figure in Scottish literature for two centuries. His Stuart collection numbered fully 500 works in many languages. The chief treasure of the collection is a volume which once belonged to the Queen herself. It is entitled Confessione del la Fede Christiana," by Beza. The imprint is Appresso Fabio Jodescio, 1560." It has "Maria R. Scotorum" in capital letters stamped in gold on each side of the cover. MR. WALTER CRANE has designed a cover for a new pdition of Hawthorne's "Blithedale Romance," which Mr. Walter Scott is bringing out at once. Social tnovements have in recent years more than once drawn The Blithedale Romance into notice..This, of course, is because it relates to the famous Brook Farm experiment undertaken in America half a cen- tury ago. Hawthorne was one of the enthusiastic young men who sympathised with the venture, and Charles A. Dana, the veteran and brilliant editor of the New York n, was another. Hawthorne explained clearly, that while he drew his inspiration from Brook Farm, he did not closely follow its story. THE late Sir. Gerald Portal wrote but one book, which treats of his diplomatic visit to King John of Abyssinia in 1887. The volume is entitled "Mv I Mission to Abyssinia." It contains several maps and illustrations, and was published in London by Mr. E. Arnold about two years ago. About 1870 Pierre Paul Frederick de Portal brought out the history of the I famous ancient French family of De Portal, of which the Portals of Laverstoke, Sir Gerald's forefathers, hflve been the representatives in England since a I period succeeding the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Then a De Portal fell a victim to religious intolerance, and his son escaped to England, and founded the Hampshire house of Portal THE Musee Galliera in Pari B has outrun the Tate Gallery in London, and, though it has hardly been talked of longer, the gift of the Duchesso de Galliera is practically out of the donor's hands, while the plans of Mr. Tate's building have hardly received the final approval. Unlike the Millbank scheme, the Galliera Museum, which the duchess is presenting to the city of Paris, is to receive net painting and sculpture only, but all those objects of fine and applied art which the Municipality annually acquires. Of the building itself, it need only be said that it is highly original, and of great beauty and ingenuity, and if the Millbank erection succeeds but half as well we should have every reason to be satisfied. Of this there, is good PROMISE- I SCULPTORS must be having a busy time abroad at the present time. In France memorials of various theatrical celebrities are in process of preparation, statues of Mdme. de Sevigne and Mdme. de Stael are projected, and a second representation of J. F. Millet is to be placed in the village where he W3 born. The arrangements for the Gounod memorial have advanced a step M. Mercie has been commissioned to execute the work, and a site has been selected in the Pare Monceau. The amount subscribed is over £ 4000. In Germany the suggested monument to the Emperor William I., which is to cost more than £ 50,.000, is being made the subject of vigorous protests by a large section of the German nation, which objects to certain details of the design. MORITZ JOKIA has a rtecirtedly novel method ot working. Archduke Joseph, the only member of the Austrian Imperial family residing in Hungary, ex- plains it in a letter just published in Vienna. It" seems that while "Moritz Jokai was staying at the ■" Archduke's house the latter remarked that hisguesl; was in the habit of constantly jotting down notes on separate slips of paper, whether at home, out walking, talking, watching the dancers; or in the vineyard, in short everywhere. This excited the curiosity of his host, who was not a little surprised Co hear in reply to his inquiry that all these fragments were part of a novel he was thon writing and were sent off direct to the Press. Archduke Joseph says that he read this work with special interest, looking attentively for any indications of the mamter in which it had been com- posed but could not find the slightest trace of dis- continuity. .I TnE proposed limitation of pictures to be sent by I R.A.'s or A.R.A.'s to the May show to six was not, brought before the recent assembly, and therefore (as the Echo points out) remains inoperative tins year. There is a woeful amount of red-tape to be gone through before a reform can be effected in the Royal Academv; but. this one was "such a little one" that its delay really does not matter. By-the-bye, a critic was asking the other day why the R.A. did not elect a new batch of foreign honorary mem- bers. Herr Knaus and M- Geronie are, now that Jleissonier is dead, the solitary survivors of a once ¡ fairlv numerous little coterie. It is a compliment which would cost nothing, and which might give a. great deal of pleasure. M. Bougeureau was invited to send to the R.A., and did send a work which in its to send to the R.A., and did send a work which in its year faced the equally academic picture of our own president, on the understanding that this courtesy was to follow. But nothing was done. From France we might select MM. Bouguereau, Bonnat (President in the Champ9 Elysees), M. Puvis de (President in the Champs Elysees), M. Puvis do Chauvannes (President in the Champs de Mars), and, of course, M. Dagnan-Bouveret, Professor von Uhde, or Herr Lenbach, anybody, in short, but Professor I von Angeli, might represent Germany; Muncaksy, Austria; M. Emile Wauters, Belgium; and MM. Mesda", Israels, and the Brothers Maris, Holland. Then, perhaps, they would exhibit over here. Where I the pinch comes in is that they might also sell. In matters of exhibition, the R.A. is cosmopolitan enough but when it comes to selling its patriotism wakes up.