County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

FIELD AND FARM. I (From The Agricultural Gazette.") I AS INTERESTING QUESTION. I Land sown with corn in autumn and winter (says TProfessor Wrightson^ is easily tilled, when there is less pressure on the teams than in the root-sowing season. If, on the other hand, an undue proportion is tilled for roots, the pressure of work is excessive during the summer iiiontlis and hoeingalso becomes a serious expense. I therefore prefer a good corn arpa, simply because it gets rid of a great deal of expensive tillage in summer. There is, in fact, a difficulty in paying sufficient attention to a great area of roots, and the consequence is often deficient crops. It may be objected that this is not what the advocate of a short corn area has in his mind. He may be in favour of allowing seeds to lie for two or more years, and thus escape from the worry of root cultivation. His idea may be to adopt the system of temporaty pastures and save labour, as well as seed and tillage. He hopes by this system to increase his balance or profit, if he even decreases his gross returns. This is not onlv a practical idea, but it is one largely adopted. Neither is itn new notion. for it has been acted upon, to my own knowledge, for at least 40 years by successful farmers, and that long before it was recognised by a special term. As to temporary pastures, they seem best adapted for northern, western, and moist dis- tricts, as also for t.he more retentive classes of soils. On thin chalk soils seeds often lose plant after the first year, and the ground fills with twitch, soft- broom. and various weeds. Another feature is that the ground becomes impoverished, which must be regarded as contrary to what ought to be. Still I have always maintained that thin chalk soils lose productive power when allowed to lie more than two years in seeds. They will grow one good crop of clover hay, and should then, while well stocked with clover root, be got up and put into wheat. In dis- tricts where this back-sliding tendency is not exhi- bited there is no reason why seeds should not lie longer but the wireworm is often found most preva- lent after old seeds. Let everyone be fully per- suaded in his own mind, and let us beware of generalising too much. SAINFOIN. I This is not only a relief from regular rotations, but it often fulfils the object of those who are in favour of grazing amble land. Sainfoin is well suited for those calcareous soils such as are found in oolitic and chalk districts. If the seed is well chosen and the land is clean, it will last some years, and make a good temporary pasture. But old sainfoin is nevertheless often a mass of mixed weeds with a few plants of sainfoin interspersed. It favours the I development of wireworm, and, in my opinion, ought not to be allowed to lie too long. CORN AS A PURIFIER. I There is an important use in corn crops, indi- cated by the heading. Corn removes the stain of sheep, and the land comes out fresh for the support of lambs and older sheep. Repeated foldings no doubt foul the land for sheep, and hence it is salu- tury to rotate corn with root crops. CORN AS A SOURCE OF REVENUE. I Bad as the prices of corn have been, there has always been a demand for good barley. Oats, too, have compared well with wheat, and have not suffered "to the same degree in value. Wheat has been the great sinner in the long period of depres- sion, but there is some speculation left even here. I suppose (argues Professor Wrightson) that those extensive districts where wheat is scarcely known as a crop-in Ireland and Scotland and Wales- can hardly have felt the worst of the late bad times. Corn is a principal source of income. In Southern England root crops are, and certainly lately have beea, very light, and scarcely worth more than El 10s. to 1:2 per acre for feeding. In this district such feed can be got for sheep at very low prices; and low prices are accepted because of the succeeding corn crop, which benefits so much from the sheep fold. The roots are grown for corn and not for themselves. If cake is fed by the pur- chaser of the keep he may have the roots for a mere trifle. Roots certainly in this ease throw in very little ready money. If a farmer values his own root crop, it must either be Vy judging what they would fetch for feeding, or by simply valuing the tillages expended. They cannot rival corn as a source of money, and hence the area of corn must be kept up if the farm is to pay. THE BEST MILK-PRODUCING PASTURES. I A valuable collection of evidence on this subject appears in the current number of the Journal of the British Farmers' Association, in the shape of replies to questions which were addressed to gentlemen in various parts of the country, whose experience in milk-production and cheese-making is well known. It appears from these replies that, in the first place, there is a consensus of opinion to the effect that herbage or condition of pasture land greatly in- fluences both the quantity and the quantity of the milk produced. Some of the replies, coming, as all do, from practical and experienced dairy farmers, are very interesting. Thus: "The richer the herbage the richer the milk, but quantity of milk is regulated by the succulent nature of the grass." One correspondent thinks that most milk and the richest in quality is attained from cows grazed in deep fertile soils." Cows fed on equal amounts cf clovers and grasses grown on poorer lands will not produce the same results. Others write that the con- dition or:the land has very material influence on the quantity, but not so much on the quality." A general preference is shown for a "short bite of grass" for milking cows, but the pasture should be good. Full pastures are not so essential now as formerly, as feeding stuffs are so cheap, but this correspondent adds that he prefers a fairly good bite, with an accumulation of grass by September." Again, some prefer a medium pasture, but never allowed to go to seed." Nearly all correspondents prefer old-established pastures to newly-laid-down land for the production of milk and cheese, some preferring old turf for cheese- making and new for milk selling, as a greater yield of milk per cow is obtainable from the latter." There is strong belief in the operation of draining, as calculated to improve the herbage and add to the productiveness of the land, and, consequently, to the yield of milk obtained, as it enables a greater head of stock to be kept. It, moreover, enables owners to turn out their cows earlier in the spring and allow them to remain to a later date on the pastures in the autumn, thus in- creasing the summer season, as it were, and reducing that of the winter. In reply to the inquiry as to what manures are best for pastures, the greatest pre- ference is for bones; basic slag and superphosphate coming next. Yet one gentleman writes that he does not find the results from these latter to be so satisfac- tory as to encourage him to continue them. He relies more upon farm general manure and the improve- ment effected by feeding cattle with cake. Another correspondent uses bones on old turf, and super- phosphate on new, and limes any portion where bones fail to give a good result. THE COMING TABLE POULTRY SHOW. I The prize list is issued of the sixth annual Table Poultry Show (Dead Poultry), to be held at the Royal Agricultural Hall, London, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, December 5, 6, and 7, in connection with the meeting of the Srnithfield Club. The show is organised by a committee consisting of Sir Walter Gilbey, Bart. (chairman), Messrs. C. E. Brooke, W. B. Tegetmeier, Edward Brown, and W. Bellamy. The judges of the dead poultry will be Messrs. Percy Percival, G. Hudson, Herbert Reeves, and Frank Benison, and of the trussing competition Messrs. A J. Hodges and C. Langley. Entries close on Tuesday, November 21, with the secretary, Mr. A. B. Charlton, 12, Han- over-square, London, W. There are 41 classes, with prizes of £ 3, £ 1 10s., 15s. and 5s.: and JE3, £1 108., and 5s., these being for fowls (pure breeds, cross breeds, and farmyard fotfls), ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowls, pigeons, and rabbits. The fore-gn section comprises French, Belgian, and Russian. No fewer than 16 silver cups with medals are offered. Sir Walter Gilbey offers five premiums of El and a diploma to the five competitors showing the best methods of trussing poultry under the following conditions: Each competitor to truss: (1) One fowl (to roast) with string merrythought removed; (2) one fowl (to roast) with skewer, merrythought not removed, liver and gizzard in wing; (3) one fowl (to boil) with string, merrythought removed (4) one fowl (to boil) with skewer, merrythought not removed. The objects of the show are (1) To encourage amongst farmers and others the production of an increased supply of table poultry; (2) to encourage improvement in the breeds of table poultry; (3) to stimulate the adoption of the best methods of fatten- ing for the preparation of high-class table poultry: (4) to give practical instruction in the best methods of trussing and preparing poultry for the market and table use. The five shows already held have been an unqualified success, from whatever point of view they are regarded, the public by their excellent at- tendance evincing their deep interest in the display of birds and in the demonstrations given by members of the committee. while the good prices obtained at the auction (the aggregate sales increas- ing from S176 to £ 386) have attracted a large and re- presentative British entry in every section of the schedule. The value of the show, from a technical point of view and as an educational medium, has been greatly enhanced by the introduction of classes for foreign fowls, giving British breeders and raisers the opportunity of seeing the successful results of the methods adopted by the French and Belgian breeders.

GARDENING GOSSIP. (From Gardening Illustrated.") CONSERVATORY, To keep a conservatory gay with blossoms all through the winter, there must be a good supply of material suitable for forcing. A good deal may be done with bulbs, and the earliest of these will now be potted and making roots plunged in cocoa-fibre or ashes or burnt earth. Paper-white Narcissi and Roman Hyacinths are progressing, and with a little gentle forcing will soon be in bloom. Double DatIs. force easily, and if started in time may be had early in the year. But lovely though bulbs and Lilies of the Valley are for a large house, something of larger growth is required, and it is here where such things as Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Lilacs, Deutzias, Wei- gelas, Spiraeas, and other hardy flowering shrubsprove so useful. They must have had some previous pi eparation, and be well-budded, and for the present may be plunged outside. Standard Roses are not often grown in pots, but they are exceedingly useful when well bloomed to stand among dwarfer things, when most of the stems can be hidden. In many gardens a few standard Roses are budded annually, and if a dozen or two are potted up, and after- wards plunged outside in a bed of leaves where there is just a little fermentation, root action will begin at once, and by Christmas they may be forced gently into bloom, and as the buds expand they may be taken to the conservatory. Hoses already in pots should have what pruning is required, and be repotted or top-dressed as may be neces- < sary, if not already done, and placed in a cold house ready for forcing later. Up till Christmas there will be plenty of Chrysanthemums, and it is then that there will be a dearth of blossoms, unless the materials for forcing are got together now. Solomon's Seal, Dielytra spectabilis, and herbaceous Spirteas are forced now in large numbers for flowering from March onwards, and these, of course, should be potted and sheltered in some way till required for forcing. The remainder of the summer-flowering climbers should be pruned to let in all the light pos- sible. A night temperature of SOdegs. with a crack of air on the ridge will be suitable now. STOVE. This house should be very bright now with both foliage and flowers. Among thi latter Poinsettias, Euphorbias, Begonias, Eucharis Lilies, and Gar- denias will be prominent. There may yet be a few stray blooms on Allamandas trained under the roof, but these summer-lfo-vering things should be en- couraged to go to rest by giving less water. Jas- minum gracillimum is nearly always in flower and is very useful for cutting when something sweet and choice is wanted. Euphorbia jacquiniteflora is a splendid thing when planted out in a light position and encouraged to grow freely during the summer. It is often a poor straggling thing in a pot, but planted out it is a mass of long scarlet wreaths. Less water will be required now, and no shade will be wanted till the days lengthen next year, except y 11 it may be cuttings of newly-potted-off stuff, and a sheet or two of paper will suffice. Night tempera- ture 65deg. to 68deg., or a few degrees higher on very cold nights. Very hot pipes are always injurious. PINES. < If plunging-beds have not been renewed, no time should be lost now in turning them over and adding fresh materials. No one altogether depends upon tan beds now; the bottom-heat is usually supplied by hot-waterpipes, as this keeps the roots in an equable temperature, and the growth is steady. The Biack Jamaica is one of the best winter Pines. The fruiting-house will require a night temperature of 65de. to 70deg. The syringe should be laid aside when the plants are in flower, and also when the fruits are ripening, and the watering must be done by a careful hand, liquid-manure being given to plants swelling fruit. Successions may be kept in a slightly lower temperature. Pines requiro less venti- lation than other fruits in winter forcing, but on hot sunny days, even in winter, a little air should be given when the thermometer rises above 80deg., but a dewing over with the syringe and early closing is necessary. FRUIT GARDEN. I It requires a good deal of resolution to sacrifice old trees, especially those which have done good work in the past; but there comes a time when the old must give place to the new, especially if profit is aimed at, and as all planting should, if possible, be done before Christmas, get the old trees cleartid away at once, and the sites prepared for the young trees. Where fruit growing is carried on, even on a moderate sctile, there should be a moderate patch somewhere, and young trees in training to fill vacancies. Many trees are left longer than they would be, because a blank on wall or fruit border is objectionable, but if young trees were always coming onthe blank would soon be filled, and there would be very little loss of crop. Those who have failed to plant their usual annual breadth of Strawberries may get the land manured aud prepared during winter and set out the plants in March. The manure may be fresh from the yard if it is used before Christmas. There is always a certain amount of waste when manure is allowed to become decomposed and exposed to the weather. I have heard of several kinda of Straw- berries failing during the past very dry season, but Sir Paxton has acquitted itself well. VEGETABLE GARDEN. I Carrots and Beet should be taken up and tatored now. Parsnips and Salsafy will keep best in the ground for the present. We may soon have frost severe enough to injure Cauliflowers turning in. For the present they may be saved by tying the surround- ing leaves close over the hearts. If there are pits or frames at liberty, a part of the stock should be lifted with balls and planted therein. Lettuces which are full grown or nearly so, if exposed to sharp frost, soon decay; but if the plants are tied up when the leaves are dry they can be easily protected, and there is no better protection than dry Oak- leaves, with a mat over them to keep the leaves from blowing about. There will, of course, now be a supply of Lettuces and Endive under glass to provide for emergencies. It is quite possible to have forced Asparagus by the end of November, and I remember having a dish some years ago on Lord Mayor's Day. It is only a question of having a good stock of strong roots four years old which have never been cut from. Young shoots, if strong and the stems cut down early, start much sooner than older ones. Vacant land should be trenched. FERNS UNDER GLASS. Fern-spores may be sown any time when they can be obtained, and though they will keep some time, they are better sown as soon as ripe. The pots should be well drained and then filled to within half inch of the top with yellow loam and peat. They require something substantial and firm. Give the pots when filled a good soak of water, and sow on the damp surface. Stand the pots in saucers containing a little water and cover the top of the pot with glass. There should be no watering on the surface, as that would carry the spores down too deep. The necessary moisture will be obtained from the saucers in which the pots stand. When the seedlings are large enough to handle prick off in small patches in boxes, and afterwards transfer to small pots. Under ordinary circumstances spores lIown now will make good-sized plants in 5-inch pots by the end of next summer. The Fern grower has no special season for potting; the plants are shifted on as they require more space.

DR. HENRY WOODWARD, Keeper of the Geological Department at the Natural History Museum, reaches the retiring age this month. He has, however, been granted a two years' extension by special Treasury minute, in order that the rearrangement of the geological galleries now in progress may be com- pleted. Dr. Woodward is a native of Norwich, and was educated at the graaimar school there. He entered t he British Museum ratlier than 40 years ago, and has been keeper of the Geological Section since 1880. He has been president of several scientific societies, and edited the GeologicalMagazint lor 33 years.

I A TALE OF TWENTY-SIX THOUSAND. Albert Manners looked quite the tramp as he left the train i* the familiar station, and pulled himself together. He had a bundle, and he was the colour of a withered beech leaf. The lines on his face might have come from reflection while he broke stones in provincial workhouse yards, and lamented to no pur- pose a misspent past. He smiled dismally as one of Hurwick's solicitor's, a spruce person, inquired angrily what he meant by rubbing his filthy coat sleeve against his solicitor- ship's garments. He could not recall the solicitor's name, but he knew that in the old days ho had played cards with him at the club. Very old days they seemed And yet it was only four years since he had left Hurwick for the East Indies. But three years or more among savages, cut iff from the world as he knew it, had served their turn upon him. And here he was, back in his native place by the merest chance, with no more idea of its vicissitudes in the meantime than' if he had slept from 1891 to 1894. He shuffled along until he came to Dr. Witton's door. Then he stopped, and breathed excitedly. The brass plate was still on the wall—" Witton and Graves, Surgeons." Was Kitty Witton yet alive ? Then he dared everything. He could not help it; beast though he was to look at, he must see Kitty before he sought his own father. But he had trouble with the neat little house-maid with the upturned nose, who started off with, We've nothing for you." Just oblige me by telling her that Albert Manners is here," he insisted, when he had persuaded the damsel to say if Miss Kitty was alive. Even this trifle would have been denied him if Kitty herself had not heard and rushed, pallid and white-eyed, from the drawing-room. A young man followed her—Captain Parker, as he was termed in honour of a Volunteer dignity. It is Albert!" the girl cried, and both her hands sprang forward to greet him, though even in the act Manners saw the germ of repugnance. He took her hands reverently. I've been lost, Kitty, in the Indian Ocean. Thank God, you are alive I" he stammered. Then. object though he was, Captain Parker seemed sorry for him. He said, By J'ove I" at intervals while Manners gave the outline of his adventures, varying it with an Oh, Kitty, yon know when the exile returned opened his shirt, and showed a tattooed head on his breast. It was a rude resemblance to Kitty's own head. I made them do it on me," said Manners, from a sketch I drew on the sand with a stick." Kitty's eyes had grown sadder and sadder through- out this narrative. Tears were in them, too, at last. She looked at Captain Parker when Manners ended. You have had a time I" said Parker gaily, and no mistake 1" Tell him!" then whispered Kitty to the captain. Er-you may as well be informed," Parker began promptly, that in your absence-poot beggar, such awful hard lines you've had!-Miss Witton has-er-transferred her affec-. But she stopped him, white-faced again. Itwas not that I meant," she said. Your father is-oh, I am so sorry Manners winked his eyes rapidly as he glanced from Kitty to Captain Parker, and then back again. He quite understood. I am afraid," he said, I am schooled to expect any bad news. Is he dead ?" Yes," said Parker; and that's not the worst. He came a frightful cropper before he popped off. The ten shillings in the pound he arranged for have worked out at fourteen pence precisely." Kitty shot a look at Parker that he lost. Then she turned to Manners, who was feeling his forehead wearily. It's the old story!" said Manners, with a smile that made the girl quiver. I came home in doubt, and I must go away in despair." But No, no criedKitty rising. Hurwick is not so brutal as that, Albert. Why you, Raymond (addressing Parker) could take him into your office for the time." Manners' month smiled on, but not his eyes, as he glanced at Parker. Oh, yes, might manage that to set you on your legs," Captain Parker said, after a pause. 'There I" exclaimed Kitty. But her eyes sank before those of Manners. We shall see you again," she murmured, as he offered him her hand, blushing. Then he and Parker exchanged a few words, the upshot of which was that he went to the house of a friend-a true friend, moreover, who put his ward- robe, bath-room, and whole house at his disposal. Washed and clothed respectably, and to some extent with a calm mind now, Albert Manners reviewed his situation. He bad, it seemed, lost everything father, pro- spects, and the girl, who had promised But, some- how, he did not blame Kitty. Even life among the savages had not cleared out his common civilised sense. It was as plain as the indelible outline on his breast that he was no partner for Kitty Witton now. Perhaps, indeed, he ought to have felt happy that Kitty's disappointment was not of the acute kind, and that she had just passed herself on to someone else. Nevertheless, remembering her eyes that morning, the occasional tremor in her voice, the timid pressure of his hand by her dear fingers, and the blush on her cheeks, he could not thus altogether play the Spartan. Oh, Kitty! Kitty!" he sighed that night in bed, and he shed hot tears like any schoolgirl. ? But as a clerk at £1 weekly in the office of Messrs. Parker and Smith, Manners had, of course, no right to remember the past in so far as he and Kitty were concerned in it. That, in fact, was an item of Captain Parker's agreement with him. Awfully sorry to have to say so, Manners," said Parker, but circumstances alter cases, you know. We are to be married in October or so." Manners presumed to ask one question ere promis- ing to give up even thoughts of Kitty. Did she consent to the engagement with you easily ?" he inquired. But Captain Parker was angry at these words. That's my business," he said. However, from his friend Benson, Manners learnt something of the truth. Parker had had to put up with rejections for a year at least, ere, under the persuasion of her father, Kitty consented to say Yes to him. The dreary round and very common tasks that were now his lot had both a deadening and a reviving effect upon Manners. They improved his health, but they made him hopeless about his life's happiness. He could not help seeing Kitty, but he studiously avoided her. She had written to him asking his forgiveness, and he had replied that he had nothing to forgive her. But, of course, he was not wanted at Dr. Witton's by Dr. Witton. A good deal of sympathy was extended to him, but it was not very serviceable. Besides, there were so many men in Hurwick with an acqte recollection of that fourteen-penny bankruptcy, the thought of which was as knives to the, sensitive pride of Albert Manners. He had that also to atone for ere he could hope to hold his head erect as the heads of his old schoolfellows and friends. Things were thus with him, had been for five weeks, when Captain Parker sent for him into the private office. Look' here, Manners," said Parker, I'll ask you to take yonr month's money, and go to London or somewhere." What have I done ?" Manners asked. Parker looked both angry and ashamed, Excuse me," he answered, "if I dot1; vound to reply to that." He pushed a cheqr.v, the desk. Is it," said Manners slowly, when he hoo taken the cheque, because of my old engagement to- Oblige me by leaving this office," exclaimed Parker suddenly with a red face. Very well, but I do not undertake to leave this town," said Manners; nor did he wait when Parker called after him. That afternoon he heard the news. Kitty had broken with Captain Parker. She was in disgrace with her father, but she didn't seem to mind. » The next day, when Manners came home to his humble lodging for dinner, he learnt that Captain Parker had called, and even waited several minutes for him. Almost immediately afterwards Parker re- appeared, and shut the parlour door gravely. "This he said, "is a serious business, Manners. Why in the world did you do it ?" I Manners stared. Do what ?" he asked. I must be plain," said the other: a diamond tiara was missed this morning from the strong room. Circumstantial evidence forces us to concur that you When Captain Parker picked himself up he was both damaged and furious. One moment, my friend," he said quickly. That blow shall cost you much." I'll risk that," said Manners, furious also. But Captain Parker returned with a constable and a search warrant. And then, sure enough, in a drawer of the sideboard the tiara and case were found. I give him in charge—the theft is obvious!" said Parker. Now, then, Mr. Manners, we will see who laughs longest." That is your plotting," cried Manners. y I Do your duty, officer," said Parker. Nothing could be plainer." That, at any rate, was so; plain to simplicity, thought the constable. And Manners' landlady her- self said a reproachful, Oh, Mr. Manners, to dis- grace my house the like o' this!" when she was summoned to be told that he would probably not sleep there that night. Then to the police station they marched. Manners laughing at Fate's tricks, for ho was sick of groaning at them. But on the way they met Kitty, who stopped them, pale and anxious. What is the matter ?" she asked. And he answered, the constable notwithstanding, Captain Parker charges me with theft I" "Theft!" she cried in derision. Her hand went out to him again, and he was able to press it as if it were his anchor of salvation ero his companion urged him on. By his friend Benson's intervention, bail was allowed, in spite of the seriousness of the charge, when the case was inquired into in the morning. Benson had reason to suspect Parker of much, and he bad a clue in this matter also. Later in that day Manners was gloating over these words from Kitty: Courage all will be well!" when a visitor was announced, and in a moment courage came to him. The visitor was one Anderson, whom he (Manners) had thought fathoms deep in the China seas. "Got here at last; deuce of a time hunting you down said Mr. Anderson, who had an opulent, air. And then; after some preliminaries, he congratulated Manners on having so honest a chum as Jack Anderson. "There's twenty-six thousand nine hundred and eighteen pounds due to you on that trading deal," he L, said. Manners covered his face, and recalled things. He had thought the thousand pounds he had invested in Andprson's venture had gone the way of all his other good fortune. Twenty-six thousand I" he gasped. Anderson left him, as h6 said, to get his balance. Ere he could get it, however, Benson appeared. "It is all right, Manners," he said; "one of Parker's clerks is prepared to swear he saw that par- ticular case of diamonds in the safe the evening of the day of your—ahem—discharge. He happened to jot down its number. Parker's visit here yesterday morning explains the rest." Good heavens!" cried Manners in rapture. Poor fellow I" he added, to stoop to that!" Of course, he did it," went on Benson, because it is common knowledge in Witton's set that Miss Witton's love for you is unchanged." Manners put his hand to his head. You think that, too, Benson ?" he asked. I really do," wns the reply. Then, excusing himself, Manners took his hat and went straight to the doctor's. To Dr. Witton he explained his altered circumstances and the tiara matter. Go to her at once, my dear fellow," said the man of medicine amiably. Kitty was not, however, half enthusiastic enough about the twenty-six thousand. I was ready, after consideration, Albert," she said, to face the future with you without that. But a girl cannot easily play the heroine in that way with- out some help from someone else."

I SOUTH AFRICAN RAILWAYS. I It may be well at this time (says the Standard) t, give a short account of the railways which connect the interior of South Africa with the coast. Of the six main lines which penetrate into the interior, five start in British territory; one only is entirely foreign, the Delagoa Railway, which, starting from Lorenco Marques, on the Indian Ocean, runs to Pretoria; through the dominions of Portugal and of the Transvaal. The most western of these railways is that running from Capetown to De Aar, Hope- town, and Kimberley, and thence past Vryburg and Mafeking to the far north. Though unfortunately, from Hopetown northwards this line skirts the enemy's frontiers, and is almost entirely in their hands, it runs entirely on the British side of the border. Between Capetown and Algoa Bay, a distance of four hundred and twenty- eight miles to the east of Capetown, there are no railways, but at Port Elizabeth, in Algoa Bay, and at Port Alfred (near Grahamstown), about 70 miles further to the east, two parallel lines lead up country, connecting at Middleburg station, which is within a few miles of Rosmead Junction. From Middleburg the railway passes Naauwpoort, another junction described below, and Colesberg, crosses the Buffalo River at Norvalspont, and thence, traversing I the Orange Free State by Springfontein and Bloem- fontein, reaches the capital of the Transvaal. The table land of South Africa is next tapped from East London, 131 miles further up the coast, by a railway which follows a course roughly parallel with the two lines to its immediate west, and after passing Storm- berg and Albert junction, merges into the Orange Free State system at Springfontein. The next rail- way starts from Durban, about 250 miles from East London; it crosses Natal from south to north, rnnning through places which, during the last few days, have become well known to us-Pietermaritz- burg, Ladysmith, Glencoe, Newcastle, Charlestown, and on through the Transvaal to Pretoria. Three hundred miles further up the coast is Lorenco Mar- ques, the terminus of the Delagoa Bay-Pretoria Rail- way. The Itolagoa Bay and the Natal lines are at present unconnected with any other railways, though a branch from Ladysmith runs into the Orange Free State as far as Harrismith. The points at which the other systems tap each other have become of great strategic importance. The Capetown Kim- berley, and Rhodesia line is linked with the Port Elizabeth and Port Alfred Railways by a branch running from De Aar Junction on the former line to Naauwpoort on the latter. Less than twenty miles south of Naauwpoort on the Port Elizabeth line is the junction of Rosmead, which a branch line connects with the East London Railway at Storm- berg Junction and a few miles further towards the sea is Middleburg, which, as already has been mentioned, is the junction of the Port Elizabeth and Port Alfred Railways. It is obvious, therefore, that three junctions, De Aar, the Middleburg-Rosmead- Naauwpoort group, and Stormberg, are very impor- tant. places. Not merely are they links in our lines of communication with the sea, but they afford oppor- tunities for striking at the flank of a hostile advance towards Capetown, if any temporary success should embolden the enemy to venture upon so hazardous a course.

YORKSHIRE CRICKETER AT MAFEKING. Mr. Frank W. Milligan, the well-known Yorkshire County cricketer, and son of Col. Milligan, of Cauld- well Hall. Burton-on-Trent, is one of the defenders of Mafeking. Mr. Milligan was evidently desirous to make close acquaintance with the Boers. He went out with Lord Hawke's team, and, anticipating Boer trouble, he stayed at the Cape. Col. Milligan received a letter the other morning from his son, who mentions that he had obtained a commission in the Bechuanaland Frontier Force, and joined Col. Baden- Powell.

THE Good Service Pension of E150 1r year, vacant by the retirement of Captain Harry F. Hughes Hallet, has been awarded to Captain A. C. Bromlev, R.N. AN irade of the Sultan of Turkey instructs the Ad- miralty to order from England two new warships and one Imperial yacht; also to refit ten old warships and two yachts. THE Pan-American Railway from New York to Buenos Ayres will, according to an article in Feilden's Magazine, have, when completed, a length of 10,228 miles. Of this 4772 miles are already built, leaving 5546 to be constructed. The 2094 miles from New York to the Mexican border are in active operation. So are the 1183 miles thence to Oaxaca, Mexico. These make a total of 3277 miles, or about two-thirds of the grand total of road already existing.

I MAJOR GIBBON'S EXPEDITION. 1 A correspondent, of a London News Agency with Major Gibbon's Expedition sends the following despatch: Lialui (Barotsiland), August 5. The sad news, which probably arrived in England some time ago, of the death of Mr. Muller from dysentery, and the campulsory return home of Mr, Welter through ill-health, has just reached Major Gibbons and party in Barotsiland. It was en these two gentlemen who, during the early part of the Expedition, had proved themselves pre- eminently qualified for the task entrusted to them that the Major relied tolproceed with the steamers and main supplies up the Kapukee River, so that by the time the exploring party had completed the work they had undertaken in this country, and rejoined the steamers the whole Expedition would be free to proceed overland to the Laupula, and thence by the Great Lakes to the Nile. The consequent abandon- ment of this route home, which becomes a necessity, is a great disappointment to the members of the ex- pedition who remain in Africa, more especially since the land transport over the 70 miles of rugged broken country fringing the Kebrabasa Rapids, and the passage of the Constance up the Zambesi, an ascent of 2500ft., as far as Wankies, towards the close of last year, went to prove the remaining part of the northern route not only to be quite feasible, but probably comparatively easy, as the currentless waters of the lakes and the favourable stream of the Nile would have substituted for the stiff head stream of the Zambesi. Mr. Weller, before his departure for England, succeeded in sending forward fresh supplies, so that the members of the Expedition will not have to finish their work on native rations, as at one time seemed probable. In the meantime, owing to the old friend- ship between King Sewanika and Major Gibbons, and the keen and active interest evinced by Major Coryndon, the British Resident here, in the work of the Expedition, much has already been done in a comparatively short space of time. Major Gibbons has explored the Okavango from 18deg. 55min. south latitude to the Kwito, followed the latter river to where 19deg. east longitude cuts 15deg. 6min. south latitude, and thence taking a north-easterly route across the Kwando, and returned to Lailui. Captain Quicke, after ascending the Zambesi with canoes as far as Lailui, journeyed to the confluence of the Kubangui with the Kwando, followed the latter river to its source, thence in a northerly direction to the Lungwebungu, which he followed to the Zambesi, and thence by land back to Lailui. Captain Stevenson Hamilton has just arrived here after following the Kwando from its southern extremity for some dis- tance; he left the river and journeyed along the eastern watershed to 14deg. 33min. south latitude, and thence to Lialui. He has been subjected to con- siderable delay through the desertion of his porters, but fortunately his head men remained loyal, and on one of them bearing a letter tojLewanika, the King at once took steps for his release. The three travellers are in excellent health, and their routes in the aggre- gate already cover a distance of 3500 miles, mostly through unknown or unexplored districts, since quitting the steamer early in January. Briefly, the plans for the future are these At the end of this month Captains Quicke and Hamilton will travel east to the Kafukwe, while Major Gibbons will make a journey up the Zambesi, with canoes to Nanakandundu, returning by river as far as the Kabompo confluence, whence he will make a line to the Kapukwe. Captain Hamilton will then travel down that river to its confluence with the Zambesi, where an aluminium boat awaits him, in which he will descend the river to Zumbo, and return home via the East Coast. Major Gibbons, with Captain Quicke, will travel up the Kafukwe, and, after following the Zambesi from its source to Nanakandundu, will make for St. Paul de Loanda on the West Coast. All three hope to reach the Coast in December by their re- spective routes."

THE AMEER AND HIS TROOPS. I It is said that the Ameer intends bringing to I Cabul, probably for training, all the regiments which have been stationed for long periods at outlying place. The regiments at Matun, in Khost, have, 'says a Simla correspondent, been there for 13 years without moving. No musketry training is attempted in these distant cantonments, and regiments which have been in them long cannot possibly be efficient. The troops brought in from the provinces will b. relieved by fresh troops from Cabul.

THE COST OF THE WAR. I A memorandum showing the principal heads of expenditure provided for in the Army Supplementary Estimate, in consequence of the Military situation in South Africa, has been officially issued. From this it appears that the total expenditure, calculated to March 31, 1900, is as follows: Expenditure to increase the efficiency and mobility of the force in South Africa on July 1 last, with the addition of two battalions of infantry for the protection of Natal, and the raising of local bodies of mounted infantry for the protection of Rhodesia, £ 553,000; expenditure on the despatch of reinforcements from home, the Mediterranean, and India (three cavalry regiments, two Brigade Divisions, field artillery, eight battalions of infantry, with proportion of Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, &c.),, the raising of a volunteer force in Natal, and the provi- sion of special clothing and hospital supplies for the force in South Africa, £ 1,441,000; expenditure on the despatch of a cavalry division, an army corps, and lines of communication, including the calling up of a portion of the Army Reserve, and the replace- ment, of stores and clothing including also the em- bodiment of a portion of the Militia, and the raising of seven cavalry regiments, and 19 batteries of horse and field artillery to the higher establishment at home, the raising of an irregular force in South Africa, and the despatch of contingents from Aus- tralia and Canada, £ 8,006,000. Total, £ 10,000,000. The sum of E10,000,000 is made up of prime charges k- 6,975,000; continuing charges to March 31, £ 3,025.000. The original Army Estimate for the current year was £ 20,617,200, which is now increased by nearly half as much again. The additional number of men provided for is 35,000, a number which repre- sents the probable maximum excess beyond the establishments fixed for the year 1899—1900, in con- sequence of the Proclamation calling up a portion of the Army Reserve and the transfer, temporarily, of a number of troops from the Indian to the British establishment. — 1

THE FIRST SAFETY BICYCLE. I A perennial source of dispute amongst cyclists is 1 the question as rothe identity of the real inventor of the present type of safety bicycle. Up to now two 5>eople have made fairly good claims. Mr. Harry J. ]>awson and Dr. J. Bate, and now an old machine has been discovered at Gloucester which seems un- doubtedly to anticipate both of these. It was made in 1876 by Mr. George Sherdold, who invented and built the machine himself. When first made it had iron tyres. The front wheel is 27in. in diameter, the steering head and forks are very much like those now in use, but, like the first patterns of the Rover, it has bridle steering. The rear wheel is 31in. in diameter, and'the gear is 45in. The action is rotary, the pedals are of the rat-trap pattern, the weight is a little under 801b., and the width of the tread is lOin. To have discovered such a machine 23 years old bearing such a strong likeness to the present type of safety bicycle is remarkable, and from the evidence put forward there does not seem to be the slightest doubt as to its genuineness.

JIGGS: "I tell you what it is, it takes a baby to brighten up a house." Newpop That's right. Our first arrived three months ago, and we've been burn- ing gas at all hours of the night ever since." DURING the lifetime of the Duchess of Cambridge, her Royal Highness's apartments in St. James's Palace, which is now occupied by the Duke and Duchess of York, was the meeting-place of the whole Royal Family; and between five and six o'clock almost every evening some member or other of our Royal House was sure to be found there. The late Duchess of Teck, her daughter, the Duke of Cam- bridge, and the Prince of Wales, were among her most constant visitors. The Duchess of Cambridge was extremely fond of music, and one of her great pleasures were the visits of Tosti, the charming writer and singer of songs. He was as often as not to be found at the piano in the great drawing-room in St. James's Palace when the lights were lit and the curtains drawn, and this interesting coterie, so little known to the outside world, gathered round the sofa of the "JDuchees of Cambridge and listened to the sweet strains of the I^liap singer.

RECRUITING FOR THE ZOO. Mr. P. L. Sclater, F.R.S., the secretary of the Zoological Society of London, is just now at Cape Town, where his son:is director of the South Africa. Museum. Mr. Sclater is (says the Chronicle) anxioue to bring back examples of the gemsbok antelope, which is not represented in the Regent's-park gardens. The species is found in Naniaqualand and Bechuanaland, but is rare. Mr. Rhodes has a pair at Groot Schuur, and if Mr. Sclater, now that hunt- ing in Bechuanaland has become more than usnally dangerous, cannot buy them, there is a young hon in Mr. Rhode's keeping-the rejected of Pretoria- which bhould not be difficult to secure.

THE PURSUIT OF THE KHALIFA. The expedition in pursuit of the Khalifa will (says the Cairo correspondent of the Morning Post) pro- bably leave Kalca early in November. On September 26 the Camel Corps and artillery left Omdurman foe Guz Abu Goma by land, and on the 28th the cavalry followed them. On September 29 two Soudanese battalions left for the same destination by river. Other Soudanese battalions will follow in case of necessity. These Soudanese battalions will be divided int<> two brigades, and will be accompanied by one of two ptian battalions. The infantry will go by river, and all the troops will be concentrated at Ran. on the White Nile, 300 miles south of Omdurman. Maxwell Bey and Lewis Bey will probably each coulw mand one of these brigades.

AN ARTIST'S ROMANTIC CAREER. Giovanni Segantini, the celebrated landscape painter, whose death was recently announced, was engaged on a panorama of the Alps, a colossal work, for the Paris Exhibition. His early life was singu- larly romantic. He was born in 1858, at Arco, in the Tyrol, on a slope of the Alps overlooking Italy* His mother died when Giovanni was five years ola, and his father handed him over to the charge of a sister at Milan. He ran away when he was seven years of age, and set out on a long tramp to Paris. One evening he was found exhausted by fatigue and hunger, and was taken compassion on by some farm people, and set to look after the pigs. He delighted in this pastoral life, and like Giotto he began draw* ing his humble companions on pieces of stone end elate. This was the beginning of his career as an artist.

NEW THAMES LOCK. Since the Hammersmith Vestry resolved to con* tribute its quota of £ 29,995 to the building of a new Thames lock at Battersea, other authorities have considered the matter. The most serious step taken is by the Thames Conservators, who refuse to con- tribute. The Chiswick District Council is favour* able. Brentford has declined. Heston-Islewortfr has agreed to contribute. Barnes and Mortlake ex* press grave fears that the holding up of the water ia the river might interfere with their surface drainage, and have deterred the matter to get an opinion froia an expert engineer.

FITZ: What does R.S.V.P.' stand for ?" Mac: "Well, to judge by the conduct of some society people, I should say it meant, 'Rush in, Shake. hands, Vitual up, and Proceed home. BOOKKEEPER: Can you let me off this afternoon,, sir? My grandmother is dying." Employer: She will have to wait a day or two, Mr. Legers. I am going to the football match myself this afternoon." YOUNG AUTHORESS (reading aloud): But perhaps I weary you?" Enthusiastic Friend: No: I long to hear the end of your story." "THEN you mean to tell me I have told a lie?" "Well, no; I don't wish to be quite so rude as that, but I will say this—you'd make a verv ftood weather Drophet." A REMARKABLE demonstration of the success of in- oculation against the plague is to be found in the statement recently made to the Indian Imperial Research Laboratory by Dr. Chinoy, the medicel officer of the Southern Mahratta Railway at Kûbli. In Hubli itself 4961 persons were inoculated once, 7840 persons twice, and 1346 persons thrice (these having been twice inoculated last year), or a grand total of 14,147. In the district 184S persons were, inoculated oum, and 1967 twice, or altogether in Hubli and the district a total of 17,963 persons. In the words of Dr. Chinoy: "There are about 1000' people living in the railway chawl, Hubli, which wae seriously infected last year. All of them are inocu- lated, and I am glad to be able to state that not a single case of plague has occurred amongst them since plague broke out in the town, although they freely move about and mix with people fa thi tOWtA. hA" nlasrue is increasing aaume