Abergavenny Chronicle

To economise paper publication of the Kew Gardens Bulletin" has been sus- pended by the Stationery Office. Mr. Edward William Milner-Jones, Re- corder of Carmarthen, has been appointed Recorder of Merthyr Tydvil in place of Mr. Albert Parsons, K.C., now a county-court judge.

NEW ORDER THAT WILL STOP PROFITEERING. The Food Controller has t&iufn action with ) a, view to stop profiteering in meat. The Meat (Sales) Order will eliminate gambling by dealers and salesmen. Part 1. of the Order provides that a dealer who has bought any fat cattle shall only sell them to a person who undertakes to slaughter them. The permitted buyer is bound to give and comply with a written undertaking that the beasts shall be slaughtered within fourteen days. The term "cattle includes rams, ewes, wethers, lambs, and swine. This part of the Order will come into operation on June 11. Part II. of the Order, which is now in force, is directed towards securing the elimination of jobbing transactions in sales of dead meat, and, in addition, lays down certain rules regarding the profit which may be taken by a salesman. It is provided that any salesman (a person who has bought dead meat) may sell the meat only to a retail butcher or to a con- sumer. A salesman selling a carcase, side, I or quarter may charge only 3d. a stone above the price at which he bought, but he I may charge a further ld. a stone if he cuts the carcase, side or q Ilarter into smaller joints. Meat importers can charge only Id. a stone more for carcases cut into joints than the price charged by them for car- cases sold whole. Meat imported by the Board of Trade and retail sales of meat are excepted from the Order. Market authorities are required to ex- hibit copies of the Order in their markets. The Board of Trade announce that they will withdraw supplies of meat controlled by the Board in the case of any person seeking to evade the provisions of the Order. RETAIL PRICES TO BE FIXED. I A statement issued by the Press ttureau states that it is intended that the Meat (Sales) Order shall be supplemented imme- diately by a further order fixing maximum prices, but the detailed examination of the whole subject which has been made by the Ministry of Food has revealed great techni- cal difficulties in compiling a schedule of retail prices applicable to the varying condi- tions and trade practices of different parts of the country. It will probably be found necessary to take the dressed carcase as sold in the wholesale market as a basis of price control. Maximum prices per cwt. live weight will be fixed for such animals as may be pur- chased for Armv requirements, and the effect of these 'prices, together with the fixing of carcase prices in the wholesale markets, would be to regulate the prices paid to the farmer by dealers or butchers, under the conditions of the Meat (Sales) Order. It is proposed that the regulation of retail prices should be secured by a system of licenses, which may be extended from time to time to any foodstuffs in regard to which it may be found necessary to exercise con- trol. —————

I DROWNED BY HORSES. I Pte. Lowes, A.S.C., was drowned on Saturday in the Gloucester Canal whilst en- gaged with another soldier in shunting rail- way trucks with two horses near a local timber yard. The horses, chained together, were endeavouring to turn round in a nar- row space between the railway and the edge of the canal, when the rear horse slipped into the water, dragging Lowes and the front horse with it, Lowes and both the horaes being drowned.

CAPTAIN BALL KILLED. I I Information has been received in Notting- ham from the War Office that Captain Albert Ball, D.S.O., was killed and buried on May 17, at Annoeullin. Captain Ball had won a great reputation as an accomplished airman, having brought down over forty enemy machines. Coincident with the news of Captain Ball's death, news "has been received that the French Government has conferred upon him the Cross of Ohevalier of the Legion of Honour. .————— e —————.

TWO OFFICERS DROWNED. J Second Lieutenant W. L. Liveeey, of Urmiston, near Manchester, and Second Lieutenant A. G. Symonds, of Conglesbury, Somerset, were drowned on Saturday at Lough Ree, in the River Shannon, through a boat in. which they were sailing capsizing. Lieutenant Pittiway, a native of Belfast, who was one of the party, was washed ashore on an island after three hours in the water. ————— ———.—-

I FOLKESTONE'S TRUST. I "In this corner of England," said the Archbishop of Canterbury at Folkestone Parish Church at a memorial service for those who lost their lives in the air raid over the town, "they had the trust of being the bit of England nearest to the enemy, and they meant to be worthy of it. "War brought peril, and they were pre- pared to face that peril bravely."

[ CHILD'S FALL FROM WINDOW. I A man walking through Mansfield-road, Hampstead, on Saturday night, was startled to see a little girl, Ivy Clark, aged three and a half years, hanging from a second- lfoor window by one ha11d. He rushed across the road, but before he could get to the house the child lost her hold and fell a dit- tanco of 25ft., fracturing her skull. -0

16 CHEAPER DANISH BACON. I ? The Ministry of Food calls attention to the fact that Danish bacon is plentiful. At the present moment stocks are accumulat- ing, hence Danish baoon should be obtain- able at a considerable modification of prices recently prevailing. It is possible that after the present excess stocks have been consumed supplies may ber come smaller, with dearer prices. ————— ——.

I NEW MASTER OF MINT. I Mr. John Westerman Cawston, Assistant Comptroller and Auditor, has been ap- pointed Deputy Master and Comptroller of the Royal Mint in succession to Sir Thomas Henry Elliott, who is retiring from that offioe. Sir Sydney Olivier is to be Assistant Comptroller and Auditor.

I THE STEAM SHAFT. I I The simple mechanism of the old water- mill by which our forefathers ground their daily bread suggested many things. Among these were the paddles of steamers and the steam shaft. The power of steam has taken the place of water. A wheel is fitted with teeth and fixed to a shaft or spindle. The whole is entirely encased, except for a small valve through which eteam is forced at high pressure, causing the wheel and the shaft to revolve. At the other end of the shaft there is another fixed wheel, which is connected with the flywheel of a set of machinery by a j leather band.

Irish Turf Club stewards have sanctioned the holding of the Curragh June race meet- ing. Two thousand eggs have been given for the military V.A.D. hospital and the Wycombe Hospital by the inhabitants of Chalfont St. Gales and Seer Green. In spite of the advanoe in prices of food and drugs, the average cost of in-patients of of the Central London Ophthalmic Hospital, St. Pancras, has risen only 1a. Id. per week..

I AIR RAID WARNING. —<-— PEOPLE OF ESSEX TO BE NOTIFIED BY SIREN. The Chief Constable of Essex has issued an official notice stating that:- As there is always the possibility of an Essex town being the object of a hostile air raid by day, it has been arranged to notify the in/iabitants iu the principal centres of the approach of aircraft. The warning will consist of three thort blasts of a siren, fol-' lowed by conuE-uous blasts for <if teen. seconds, and this will be kept up for three minutes. All inhabitants are urged, for their own safety, to seek the nearest pos- sible shelter as soon a-s the siren is sounded, and under no circumstances to congregate in the streets.

I TfAVAL AIR RAID. BOMBS ON OSTEND, ZEEBRUGGE AND BRUGES. Admiralty, Friday, June 1. Several raids were carried out by naval aircraft from Dunkirk in the course of last night, May 31-June 1, the objectives being Ostend, Zeebrugge, and Bruges. Many tons of bombs were dropped on the objectives with good results. In every case all our machines returned safely.

SIR R. BURBIDGE DEAD. Sir Richard Burbidge, the managing director of Harrod's Stores, London, S. W has died at his fiat at Hans Mansions, Chel- sea. The cause of death was heart trouble. He was at business a few hours before he died. Born at South Wraxall, Wilts, in March, 1847, 16ir Richard was the fourth son of Mr. George Bishop Burbidge. lie came to London as an apprentice at the age of thirteen. For some years he was manager at White- ley's. Finally he became managing director of Harrod's Stores. In January, I'JIG, he received a baronetcy in recognition of his services to the Ministry of Munitions and to other Government de- partments in the war. He is succeeded in the baronetcy by his son, Richard Woodman Burbidge, born in 1872.

HURLED OVER PRECIPICE. j At Castleknock, Dublin, a verdict of "Wilful murder" was returned against Laurence O'Brien, who threw his wife and five-months-old baby over a precipice, with the result that the infant was killed. The mother said that while out for a walk with her husband he invited her to rest, and under the pretence of examining her shoes, hurled her over a precipice, with the baby in her arms. She added that she had no quarrel with her husband, and that he was sober.

A TEETOTAL POTMAN. A verdict of "Found drowned" was re- turned at a City of London inquest on Thomas Soper, aged fifty-two, potman at the Princess Charlotte, Princess-street, Han- over-square, London, W., who was dis- covered dead in the river at Blackfriars. It was stated that Soper, who suffered from rheumatism, was a well-educated man, was fond of reading classical works, and was a teetotaller.

I FARMER'S PROFFERED BRIBE. At Norfolk Assizes, Frederick Cammack, < Aged thirty, a farmer, was fined £ 25 for attempting to bribe Lieutenant Costello, the military representative at the Norfolk Appeal Tribunal, to 'delay calling. him up for military service till October. Defendant offered the licutenint Xl. Mr. Justice Hor- ridge, in imposing the fine, said he would not prevent defendant going to the Front, as that was the proper place for him. v

44 YEARS IN PRISON. I At Ls^nbeth Police-court Arthur Dakin, seventy-!iine, who, it was stated, had since 1867 been forty-four years in prison, was sentenced to three mouths' hard labour for obtaining sixpence by fraud.

TRAGIC REVOLVER FATALITY. I A tragic accident has occurred at Bootle Docks. Mr. R. G. Harvey, chief officer of a steam- ship, was in his cabin explaining to his son how a revolver, which he thought was un- loaded, worked, when it went off, the bullet passing through his head, killing him in- stantly in the presence of his wife and child.

I DROWNED WHILE FISHING. I Police-constable Gauld, of High Legh, Cheshire, went to a pit with his two child- ren to fish. His boy's line became tangled, and while trying to free it the police-con- stable overbalanced, fell in, and was I drowned before the eyes of the two child- ren. ———.— 0- ————

I SHOES FORBIDDEN. I "The wearing of shoes by officers is for- bidden for a special reason," said Captain E. H. Clifton, assistant provost-marshal, when prosecuting Herbert Jesse Lucas, a munition "bond officer," who was fined £ 25 at Marylebone Police-court for wearing the I uniform of a captain without authority.

I A BOY'S MISTAKE. J Picking up a bottle containing cyanide of potassium, used for killing butterflies and moths for collection, a little boy named Alfred John Wills, of Bath, drank some of the contents, and died almost instantane- I ously. gfr I —

I TWO AIRMEN KILLED. I It was stated at an inquest held at Warren Farm, Hurst, near Reading on Lieut. N. C. Clark, R.F.C., and W. Fogard, first-class air mechanic, that the pilot came down and asked the direction, and then ex- pressed some uncertainty about the rudder rope and the air speed indicator. The rudder rope was tested and found to be all right. The machine then re-asoended, and after circling round two or three fields came down nose downwards towards the ground. Fogard was found dead under the machine, and Lieut. Clark died almost immediately. —————

I PRISON FOR BABY FARMERS. I At Carmarthen Assizes, Mr. Justice Sankey passed sentence of five years' penal servitude on Walter and Lvdia Elms, hus- band and wife, for the manslaughter of an unknown female child. The charge was originally one of murder, it being suggested that they wilfully neglected the child, whose body was found in a river near Pembrcy, wrapped in a cloth, and weighted with a heavy stone. The woman prisoner was said to have told an inspector of the N.S.P.C.C. that she and her husband had taken five illegitimate children to nurse for different periods, and generally received Xio for each child. Mr. Justice Sankey said that the prisoners ap- peared to have carried on a system of Jjaby farming for some time.

I It is announced in the "London Gazette" that by the King's commands Companions of the Orders of the Bath, the Star of India, St. Michael and St. George, and the Indian Empire will in future wear their badges on a ribbon round the neck, instead of on the left breast as at present.

I IN LIGHTER VEIN I I BY THOMAS JAY. I ILLUSTRATED BY J. H. LUNN. I I I In normal years the present time of year usually finds many of us spending our week- ends tramping the estates of such of our friends as keep bee-runs and trout-warr-ens. But this year most of our men spend their Saturdays making munitions which are destined to shap e the ends of the enemy rough hew them how they may. I gather from the newspapers that summer has arrived, and it is really remarkable how well informed the papers are on these points. Incidentally, a contemporary breathlessly announces that owing to the heat of the past few days a cow at Huntingdon made a terrific dash through the streets, only missing the proverbial china shop owing to the fact that, as far as I am aware, there was no such shop in the vicinity. The fol- lowing unrecorded events of the recent heat are to hand: Brom Moreton in the Marsh a boastful fellow writes to say that he has not heard the cuckoo, while a Manchester man who was taken ill the other day actually con- fessed that he had not been eating rhubarb THE GRATEFUL TRAMP. tops. in burrey a tramp, upon being given six- pence by a pedes- trian, b? urst into tears, and actu- ally thanked the donor. At Slither- ton a bricklayer was so overcome by the heat that he laid three hundred bricks in ten hours. A con- ecientions objec- tor, having in- advertently re- moved his hat at a meeting, was understood to say that the behaviour of the military and the Government was all that could be desired, and that he contemplated joining the Army on condition that he did not have to leave England, except in case of invasion. At Margate, overcome by the heat, a troupe of burnt-cork nigger minstrels dashed into the sea and were not recognised afterwards. During the great heat on Wednesday a hotel waiter returned a sovereign which a short-sighted diner had accidentally given him for a shilling. Mr. Andrew Carnegie was so overcome by the fact that he had potatoes for dinner last week that he sent for his greengrocer and presented him with a free library. At the Zoological Gardens the polar bear was so overcome by the heat that it took off its coat and told the atten- dant to bring a large iceberg. I am not surprised to learn that a well- known author satirically suggests that writers should pay to have their articles in- serted in the magazines. This tempts one to throw out a few suggestions to beginners. In the first place, some men write for money, others do it on purpose. I once knew a man at school who used to get quite a lot of money by writing home to his father. The first thing to remember is to write on side of the nib only. Obtain a ream of paper, curl the left leg round the table, protrude the tongue about one inch, and write. Then send what you have written to an editor. All you have to do after that is to sit down and wait for him te return it with his regret. Editors are, strange to say, human beings, and if caught young make useful pets. They ought really to be- (Thank you. That is quite enough.—Ed.). However—which is one way of starting again—drama writing is very easy, though it is often a. mean and 6curvy trick played on the audience. All you have to do is to obtain a plot, a che-ild, a villain, a hero, a railway station, and some snoW. It's quite simple. The daughter of the house marries the gardener, and they elope, des- pite the fact that the father dodges round the wings to stop them. They go away and live happy ever after. Of course, they don't really go away, because they have got to do it all over again at the ?secon d house. BEHIND THE SCEKBS. I When the hero kills the villain, gets mar- ried, and goes away to live, he doesn't take the first train at all-he simply goes behind the scenes and quaffs a lime juice with seve- I ral other actors sitting round a piece of cheese. I In fiction there are many things to re- i member. One is that it is quite possible for a man and woman to exchange remarks in a train without bothering about marry- ing and living happy ever after. It is non- sense to talk about their previous lives having been a blank without one another when they have only just met. It is well to remember, too, that every villain need not commit two murders and jump on a fast motor-car. It might be the first time he has been in a motor-car. Therefore, how can you expect him to drive it at breakneck speed? It is also well to remember that because a man quarrels with his wife, it is not always necessary for her to say "Good- bye for ever, Cecil," and catch the boat train. Awkward situations need careful handling. It is all very well to say that a man was riveted to the spot. But then you declare that he crossed the room in two bounds and made his exit. He has either to file away the rivet or take the spot with him. And who wants to be bothered with a spot like that? An illusionist and sleight-of-hand per- former, it was stated before the House of Commons Tribunal, had tried to obtain work with a firm of accountants. We under- stand that the following are also open for a little business: Having retired from my public appoint- ment, I am prepared to accept private en- gagements. No order too small. Personal attention and promptness guaranteed. No waiting. Wire Muie, late public Execu- tioner to the Emperor of Austria. Emperor Wilhelm has vacancy for pupil. Wars arranged on the shortest notice. Large tract of country available, with strong head of women and children. Can or write. Better bring own navy. Chelsea artist of minor importance offen to paint Old Masters. Reduction if colouzo found. No more doubtful Romneys. Try my latest line in Rubens. Even Rubena himself would admit that he had seen 110- thing like it.

ABOUT UMBRELLAS. I The umbrella, as we know it, is a portable protection against sun or rain, and is made of silk or cotton stretched upon a collapsible frame of steel, which is mounted on a stick. We do not know who originated the idea, but umbrellas are mentioned in the chronicles of the East of the eleventh cen- tury. In China and elsewhere they have from time immemorial figured in ceremonial processions, and to-day are emblematic of rank. They are often elaborate and costly, and not exactly suitable for the purposes for which they are ueed in Western coun- tries.

A woman has been appointed as park- keeper at Tottenham. London compositors have been granted s further war bonus of 4s. weekly, commenc- ing in June. In lieu of coco-nutfl "potato" shies,, seven throws for sixpenoe, furnished one of the side attractions at the Surbitaa Invitation Lawn Tennis Tournament.

BIRTHDAY HONOURS. ——- α- 5 NEW PEERS, 25 BARONETS, 46 KNIGHTS. The King's Birthday Honours have been issued. There are three new viscounts, in- cluding Lord Devonport, the retiring Food Controller. Fin; new peerages are created, including Sir W. H. Lever, of Sunlight Soap fame. There arc eight new privy council- lors, two Irish privy councillors, twenty-five baronets, and forty-six knights. Viscount French receives the high honour of Knight of St. Patrick. The following is the list of new viscounts:— Lord Astor, who is the father of Major Waldorf Astor, M.P. He was American Waldorf A-st?or, Minister to Italy from 1882 to 1885, but cettled in this country and became natura- lised. Lord Devonport, who was Food Controller from January to May. Lord Farquhar, Lord Steward to the King and Master of the Household to King Edward VII. FIVE NEW BARONS. I The new barons are: Colonel Richard G. W. Chaloner. Major-General Sir Ivor Herbert Bart., M.P. for Monmouth since 1906. Sir William H. Lever, Bart., who is chair- man of Lever Bros., Limited. Lieutenant-Colonel Mark Lockwood, M.P. for EppHis since 1906. Chairman of Com- mons Kitchen Committee. Sir Frederick Smith, Bart., an india- rubber and cotton manufacturer and director of collieries. PRIVY COUNCILLORS. I The new Privy Councillors are j Mr. Thomas Aahton, secretary Miners' Federation. Mr. Evelyn Cecil, M.P. for Aston Manor. Mr. Henry William Forster, M.P. for Sevenoaks. Financial Secretary to War Offioe. Lord Claud Hamilton, M.P. for South Kensington. Chairman of the Great Eastern Railway. Mr. Herbert Pike Pease, M.P. for Dar- lington. Assistant Postmaster-General from 1915. Captain Ernest George Pretyman, M.P. for Woodbridge. Civil Lord of Admiralty. Hon. Neil Primrose, M.P. Son of Lord Roeebery. Patronage Secretary, Treasury, 1916-1917. Mr. James Henry Thomas, M.P. Organis- ing secretary, Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. I NEW BARONETS. I Included in the list of new Baronets are I the following:— Sir William Dunn, Lord Mayor of London. Sir Edward Hiidred Carlile, M.P. for St. Al bans. Sir Thomas war. Managing director of Dewar's and chairman of A. F. Pears, Ltd. Sir Philip Magnus, M.P. for London University. Sir John Gordon Nairne. Chief cashier of the Bank of England. Mr. James Farquharson Remnant, M.P. for Finsburv. Mr. Thomas Wallace Russell, P.C. Vice- President of the Department 01 Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland. Captain Beville Stanier, M.P. for North Salop. Agricultural expert. Mr. Arthur Herbert Drummond Ramsay Steel-Maitland, M.P. for East Birmingham. Chairman of the Unionist Party Organisa- tion from 1911 to 1916. Colonel Alan Sykes, M.P. for Knutsford. Dr. Frederick Taylor, who is president of the Royal College of Physicians. Mr. Richard Vassar Vassar-Smith, J.P. Chairman of the Committee of Clearing House Bankers. Colonel H. Merton Jesse!, M.P. for St. Pancras. I NEW KNIGHTS. I Among the new Knights are the follow- J I ing Mr. John Aird. General manager of the l' Canadian Bank of Commerce. Mr. G. Burn, general manager of the Bank of Ottawa. Mr. George Bury. Vice-president of Cana- dian Pacific Railway. Mr. W. H. Cowan, M.P., who has re- peatedly visited the Colonies Mr. Ilenry Da vies, C.B. Controller of the Post Office Savings Bank. Mr. John Foster Fraser, the well-known traveller and journalist. Mr. E. Marsahll Hall, K.C., M.P., famous advocate. Mr. H. H. Hambling. General manager of the London and South-Western Bank. Mr. Grimwood Mears, who is secretary of the Dardanelles Commission. Mr. Ebenezer Parkes, M.P. for Birming- ham Central. Ironmaster. Mr. A. F. Robbins. London correspondent of the "Birmingham Post since 1888. Mr. Samuel Roberts, M.P. Director of Messrs. Cammell, Laird and Co. Mr. D. Stewart Smith, K.C. During 1915 assisted Mr. Barnes at Board of Trade. Alderman C. W. Starmer. Director of Nopth of England Newspaper Company. Mr. W. H. Thornycroft, R.A., the famous sculptor. Mr. II. Furnival Waterhouse, M.D., F.R.C.S., lecturer on surgery, Charing Cross Hospital. Mr. W. Watson, the well-known poet.

"ORDER OF THE ALL HIGHEST." I At Norwich Assizes on Saturday, Frances Trenerry was found guilty of sending a threatening letter demanding money to Miss Callis, headmistress of Lonsdale House Private School at Norwich, and was sen- tenced to eighteen months' imprisonment. The letter, an extraordinary document, said the Kaiser had issued the order that all civilians were to be attacked ii they failed to meet his demands for money. Unless Miss -Callis paid £ 25 her own life and her pupils' lives would be sacrificed. The money war, to be tied up in a parcel and hung up in the corner of the garden. If Miss Calis or any other person left the house for any other purpose they risked being shot So ran the "order of the All-Highest. MisB Callis telephoned to the police, and the accused was found near the school with a large atone in her hand. 0

FATAL AERODROME EXPLOSION. I An inquest has been held on the bodies of Lieutenant Percy Armstrong, R.N.V .R., and Leading Mechanic Charles Harris, R.N.A.S., who died from injuries received in an explosion at an aerodrome in Kent. Two other men were injured. An officer of the Royal Navy, a wing com- mander, said that a fire broke out at the top of a gas-holder, gas burning from a leak at the top. Gas was discharged until there was only a few -thousand feet in the holder, and the gas was allowed to burn out through the leak. Lieutenant Armstrong, who was the gas officer at the station, ex- amined the holder. Twenty minutes later there was an explosion, and the bodies were picked up near by. A spark might have come from one of the chimneys of the station. A verdict of "Accidental death" was re- turned.

PRISONERS IN FIRING LINE. I Press Bureau, Sunday. Arrangements have been concluded with the German Government for the with- drawal of all British prisoners of war twenty miles from the firing line, both on the Eastern and Western Fronts. Information has been received from the German Government that 2,000 British prisoners of war have already been with- drawn, and they are being pressed to state at the earliest possible date when the with- drawal is eomplete.

A man named Isaac Caseby, aged fifty- eight, charged at Hampetead. Police-court with housebreaking at Hampstead, was stated to have been known to the police for thirty-three years, of which Zll had been spent in priaosk

I VEGETABLES. The sowing of the remainder of late or maincrop peas should be made as early a8 possible, and in no -case beyond the middle of June (says "Farm Life"). When sown in warm weather they make very slow pro- gress, and are always weak in the stem by comparison with plants &own between March and May. Cool, moist weather is best for peas. Dwarf beans soon grow to fruiting size if sown now, and where large supplies of green pods are required the seeds may be sown at frequent intervals for suc- cession. For drying purposes they should not be sown after this time, as the weather is often uncertain for drying them in the autumn. They should be w«ll ripened and fairly dried on the plants. Make an effort to prevent the ravages of carrot-fly by dust- ing the ground with eoot just after rain, 'or early in the morning while everything is wet with dew. During showery weather the operation should be frequently repeated, say twice a week, as rain soon destroys its effeo- tiveness. When repeating it so often a slight dusting should be given. To follow early potatoes or early peas a sowing of some cruill cabbage should be made at this time. Little Pixie and Hardy Green Cele- worts are suitable, and soon grow to a usable size. Sow them thinly, so that the plants will be short-jointed and stocky. AiR potatoes are dug their place may be taken immediately by the necessary number of cabbages. THE FRUIT GARDEN Red and white currants are liable to be attacked by the same saw-fly that infest*- gooseberries, and means should be taken to reduce the pest. Aphides or greellfl) are also troublesome at times, and if neglected now will cause a deal of harm later on, es- pecially if the summer should prove to be a dry one. Spraying the bushes with two ounces of soft soap to a gallon of water will hold them in check. Young currant bushea planted during the autumn or winter WJJ1 derive much benefit if the ground over the roots is well mulched with manure, read- sweepings, or even lawn mowings. In the event of dry weather give a good watering occasionally (says "Farm Life"). Fre- quently stir the soil with the hoe amongst old-established plants, to keep down weeds and retain the moisture. Growth is late fchis year, but whenever the scions oommenoc to grow freely it is a sign that they require more room for the shoots to swell. Care- fully remove the clay, and then cut the ties. If the union is not particularly strong it is a good plan to insert a short stak e to each scion, and tie it rather loosely to prevent wind from breaking it awav, or even such an accident aa may occur when one is walk- ing amongst the plants hoeing or otherwise attending to them. In some cases it may be sufficient to tie the scion afresh, though not too tightly, in order that it may have room to swell. All shoots not belonging to the scion should be promptly removed, so that all the energies of the roots of the stock may be devoted to strengthening it. I HINTS FOR PIG-KEEPERS. Every breeder who keeps any considerable number of pigs should mark the animals. Failure fco do so often leads to much oon- fusion (says "The Smallholder"). The method of marking which we like best is aa follows:—The animals are caught one by one and notches made in different parts of the ear with a punch or marker. One notch in the lower or outer edge of the right ear means one; two notches in the lower or outer edge of the right ear means two; one notch in the lower or outer edge of the left ear means three; one notch in the upper or inner edge of the right ear means ten; ore Kotch in the upper or inner edge of the left ear means thirty. With these as a basis the litters can be marked up to ninety-nine. I HOW TO MARK PIGS. For example, each pig of the first litter ia marked with a notch in the lower edge cf the right ear, making it litter No. 1; litter No. 2 is marked with two notches in the same ear; litter No. 3 is marked with one notch in the lower edge. of the left car; litter No. 4 is marked with one notch in the lower edge of the left ear, and one notch in the lower edge of the right ear; litter No. 7 is marked with two notches in the lower edge of the left ear and one notch in tho upper edge of the right ear; litter No. 12 is marked with one notch in the upper edge of the right ear and two notches in the lower edge of the right ear, and so cn. Another thing which sometimes puzzles pig- keepers is to know how to lzrz zlei; pig- some pig. Here is the best way. Take a strong cord about six yards long and make a fast noose, in one end just big e-nough t-o 6lip over the pig's head. Then pass the cord along the animal's shoulders, and hold it (the cord) tightly in the left hand; with the other hand pass the end round the pig just behind the forelegs, bringing it on to the back again. Tie it in that position, and the most obstinate pig can be driven where you want him to go. t CATTLE AND WARBLE FLY. 6 To combat the ravages of the warble fly, and incidentally to restrict the operations of other winged pests, it is advisable that cattle now in the field should be smeared from time to time (says "Farm, Field, and Fireside"). There are many effective smears upon the market, but, if preferred, as effec- tive a smear as any may be made at home and without the expenditure of much trouble. Take 4oz. flowers of sulphur, 4-oz. spirits of tar, and one quart train oil, mix fhoroughly together, and a reliable smear will result. The way to apply is to take a brush and anoint the whole lengths of the spine upon either side. This should be done about twice a week, and all horned stock out in the pasture should be so treated right throughout the summer. The smearing is worth very much more than its cost, inclu- ding the trouble of applying, in the relief afforded the cattle, and the animals thrive all the better for such protection. Cowe can readily be smeared when housed for milk- ing, and other stock, when handily situated, may be easily brought into the fold for smearing. Calves may be smeared at feed- ing-time, and fattening stock whilst cake or other concentrated food is being eaten. In very many cases, however, cattle perma- nently out in the fields can be approached and smeared easily at any time, particu- larly when emearing has been done a time or two upon them. —— a CONTENTED BEASTS. Smeared cattle rest contentedly in the field, whilst in the case of unsmeared animals everyone knows how liable they are when galloping about in terror of the fly to go over or through anything ia the shape of a fence, and when once bounds are broken there is grave danger of their get- bug into serious mischief, particularly when t the grain is swelling in the ears of the corn. Smearing is now more frequently followed jj than was the case but a few years ago, but some have not yet fallen into line in the matter. Every ?attle-owner should, however, i > I do his full part in the matter, for then thHe t I is a chance of the By being eradicated, or '? ncarlv so. I ¡

DANGER SIGNALS. I Do you know that red is the most eon- spicuous colour? That is why billar-boxes,, mail-vans, fire-engines, and ifre-alarms are painted that colour. A red light such as that used on our railways and at sea as » j danger signal has a range of over three I miles, and cannot be mistaken for any other j colour. All other colours—except green— are liable to be confusing from a distance, and in any case their range rarely exceeds ? j i  Ii

Colonel (temp. Brigadier-General) E. W. M C. Chaytor, is gazetted temp. major- 13 enera1. j Mr. Rockefeller has purchased another XI,000,000 worth of war bonds, making his Ii total holding £ 3,000,000.