Weekly Mail

1 RURAL JOTTINGS. ^LUABLE HINTS AND INFORMA- TION. SPAWNING THE MUSHROOM BED. ♦his is a very important operation, but one th no way difficult to do. Of all things. ,1 spawn must—yes, must—be good. All r^Pends on that. Use bad or spent spawn, fcri? you never eee a mushroom. Have it 0r°d, and the mushrooms will almost grow in e hands. Do not deal with any second- jtan-d stuff. Get it from a reliable seedsman, th sk°Tild be quite alive. This is indicated by lit? 111 atprial being netted all through with fp,tle white threads. It is sold in bricks. may be about four by nine inches and j/>0W two inches thick. They are hard, and k" broken with a hammer or other tool ^to bits the size of a pigeon's egg, then holes all over the surface of the bed <}* inches apart and three inches deep, 0 °t> a bit of spawn into each, and cover a ?r *ith the manure. Careful growers insert tfee hmt between SOdeg. and 90dsg. If the bed is up about ICOdeg. or more, the spawn is apt to be injured or burned, while if the temperature is down at 50deg. or 60deg. the heat is insuffi- cient to make the spawn run or work, and the crop will be patchy and rather uncertain. OENAMENTAL CRABS. There are being much planted in pleasure gardens where showy and choice trees are wanted. They are a,11 cra,hhy-;ilŒ in leaf and. habit, but the fruit which sotno of them bear surpasses ail that produced by the orna- mental berry-bearing trees. It is of larger size, comes in graceful clusters, a.nd rivals the rose in richness of colour. In September. ¡ October, and November, too. the trees are rare pictures, and invariably attract the attention of all. Apart from the ornamenta- tion of these crabs, the fruit when it falls may be made into an exquisite jelly, and there is an unsatisfied demand for them in the market for this purpose. The best varieties are Paul's Imperial, Siberian Crab, Transcendent, The Fairy, Hislops, a.nd Siberian Yellow. They should be planted in the same way as apple trees. Tall standard trees are the most appropriate. BASIC SLAG. The virtues of this manure aro now well known. It is especially capable of bringing up clover plants in deficient lawns or pastures and improving the snrfaceo alto- gether by creating a superior class of plants. It is a fine ash-like material, and very weighty. Hardly any other artificial manure goes in to such small bulk. Since it is known to be so efficient, the price it stopped at long has gone up, but it is still well worth all that is asked for it. It is not a general manure to be advantageously applied to all plants. Lawns and pastures are tho most partial to it. It may be sown at the rate of 4cwt. per acre. Put it on when it is still, as the wind will carry it far. It should be applied at once, as the winter season is needed to make it act, and if put on in the spring it will make no, or only a very small, response. PLANTING RASPBERRIES. Garden owners have an exceeding par- tiality to the raspberry. I am constantly being asked about it. It is a delicious fruit. and the plants are very accommodating. I would never think of putting them in the best part of the garden, but give them a back corner or a. partially shaded place, and they will be quite at home. If you have a spot where nothing eeems to grow in, try rasp- berries there. My first recollection of the raspberry was not in a garden, but in the woods as a wild fruit. This was on a duke's estate in Scotland, where great plantations abound, and the "rasps," as they are briefly named, covered hundreds of acres of the under-surface. It would be impossible to calculate the hundreds of thousands of tons of th0 fruit that must have rotted on these plants, as the quantity gathered by anyone who chose was a mere handful from the crop. Individually, the fruit was not so large as those on the garden plants, but, although much in the shade, it was a very rich colour, and the flavour was perfect. I can always remember the latter, M. although it is years and years ago, I do not think I have since tasted such delicious "rasps," raw or pre- served; and yet they were grown without cultivation iu any form. I state these facts that all may understand how easily-managed and satisfied they are. Indeed, anyone with small plantations or covers could not do better than plant his raspberries in them, and let them take their chance. I know they would succeed. The plants are very cheap, a hundred being obtainable for a very few shillings, and a batch of this extent would make a nice little plantation. They love moisture at the roots, and a cool soil suits them best. In preparing the soil, give a good dressing of manure. The deeper tho ground is dug the better, especially if the soil is light. Planting may be done when the plants are quite at rest. They may be inserted in rows at a distance of one foot apart, and the growths tied to a light fence, or they may be planted in little groups about four feet apart, and a stake put in the middle of each lot to tie them round. The varieties Lord Beacons- field and Superlative are two excellent ones as reds, and the white Antwerp and yellow Globe are fine in those colours. LATE CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN THE OPEN. Why, oh! why, are not the pot kinds of chrysanthemums not more grown in the open ground by amateurs, to bloom in October and November? Here and there I see a quantity of them in a garden, but, as a rule and gene- rally, none are grown. They make such a very fine display that it is a matter of great wonder that everybody does not take to them. The individual flowers are not so large by a long way as those specially treated in pots, but they are neat and bright, and come in such great masses that all are delighted and admire them eagerly. To-day many of theso chrysanthemums are still as perfect as if in the most genial circumstances. The plants grow eo freely, are eo little trouble, and blossom at a time when desolation is eo pro- nounced amongst flowers that their good qualities are most assertive. These plants require putting out in the early summer, a.nd may be the surplus of those grown in pots. WATERING WINTER HEATHS. Winter flowering heaths are charming flowers, a.nd they remain gay and attractive for months if carefully treated. They are not difficult to manage, as they do not like high temperatures or artificial warmth, but much prefer a cool temperature. This is a great aid in maintaining their health, a-ml another that is quite -as necessary is keeping them uniformly moist, at the roots. They are all grown in a peruty soil. Once this stuff gets dry it is a most difficult matter to moisten it again, arnd the plants suffer much in consequence. The ehoote droop, and the flowers become limp. This is a check which they never overcome, and very many heaths are spoiled for further use from being allowed to become over-dry. Once is quite enough to ruin them, and great caje should be taken to avoid this overdryness. Too much water is almost as great a mistake, as that, too, upsets them greatly, and extra care is needed to keep the soil all through just moist, but no more. On the slightest appearance of drooping from over-dryness, steep the pot (111 to the rim in a bracket of water for a- night, then little water will be needed for some time, but the extreme dryness in the centre of the soil will be relieved, and ng ordinary style of watering would do this. To avoid dryness, some place the plants in saucers of water always, but this is not a good way, as in a little while it stops the drainage, and then the soil and roots become sickly. Over- watering will be indicated by the plants becoming yellow in the foliage, a very bad sign. COVERED POULTRY RUNS. I have often asked that poultry-houses should have thoroughly waterproof roofs in winter, especially if the fowls are to remain in health and be productive. I go further now, a.nd suggest that where the runs can be roofed over the benefits will be etill greater, and the returns will be in propor- tion. It is wet that brings on the greatest and most ailments which fowls suffer from. Roup, the worst of them all, is almost always produced by damp, and, although the roost- ing houses may be dry, the runs attached are often soaking with pools of water standing in them after every downfall of rain. Fowls at liberty would not remain, on such a surface. They would quickly find more comfortaible quarters. Their natural 'instinct leads them to do this, as they know what is good and bad for them, but the poor beggars that are shut in have no choice. They are never dis- posed to remain all day in the roosting-houise. They would rather be in the wetJPor part of the time at least, and an overhead cover- ing worald suit them splendidly. It would keep the surface of the run dry, enable them to remain out in the air when raining with- out getting wet, and their dry condition in all Ways would keep them in perfect health and encourage them to lay to the utmost. The protection is all in favour of this, and in giving it remember it is only necessary to cover the roof, and not shut up the sides. Fowls delight in fresh air; they must have it. If the run is exposed 'and much caught in high winds or cold draughts, protect it on that side, but let all the others remain quite unscreened, and make no attempt to shut the sunshine out, as it is invaluable in winter, but a canopy overhead need keep none of it away, neither will it exclude too much air. It may be formed of boards, felt, zinc sheets, 0" such like. A light covering eeeurely put on will answer the purpose perfectly. CHRISTMAS ROSES. Thia is the pretty name given to the Helle- bores, a class of dwarf hardy plants which bloom at mid-winter. The inference is that they blossom at Christmas, a time when choice flowers are doubly welcome and trebly dear, but many of them linger in the bud, and do not develop till later, in January or February some times. They are very valuable then., too, but decidedly more so at Christmas, and efforts should be made to have them in blossom then. They do not force well. If lifted and potted now and put illlto heat, they would refuse to budge, remain dormant till the spring, and flower indifferently than, if at all; but if left where they are and coaxed a little, they may be had at the time they are most needed and desired. At the present time ram the soil very firmly round the plants, then loosen the surface a little to the depth of one or two inches. Water the roots with cow or horse manure; water thoroughly, and put a layer of sand over the surface after- wards. Water again later, if needed. If hand lights are available, put one of these over each plant. Take the top off in the day time when fine, but put it on at night If you have no hand-lights, make a little square frame with boards. Let it be from nine inches to one foot in depth. Put this over the plants, and cover the top with glass. This 1 will help the flowers very much, a.nd keep t thorn uio& fko4 oleaA,

THE KING'S SHIPS. .0. INTERESTING PILOTAGE CASE AT CARDIFF. A pilotage ease of considerable interest came before the deputy-stipendiary at Cardiff on Friday when H. Baker, a Cardiff pilot, summoned Henry Symonds, master of his Majesty's collier Kharki, for the non-payment I of 14 4s. pilotage dues. Mr. John Sankey, who was instructed by Messrs. Stephens, David, and Co., appeared for the complainant, and the defendant was represented by Mr. and the defendant was represented by Mr. C. Reginald Harrison, upon instructions from the Treasury solicitor. The point at issue was whether the boat was a King's ship within the meaning of the Merchant Ship- ping Act, which exempts King's ships from the payment of dues. Mr. Sankey, in opening, said he believed all the facts would be admitted, and the solo question for decision was whether his Majesty's ships were liable to pay the Cardiff I pilotage rates made under the Bristol Chan- nel Pilot Act of 1861. The charges under that Act were based upon a tonnage rate. The Lords of the Admiralty claimed, however, that they did not come within the jurisdic- tion cither of the Act or of that court, and also that they should only be required to pay on the draught of the ship, the charge on this scale being much less than that made on the tonjjage of the vessel. The Pilotage Board, J however, contended that the King's ships, as well as ordinary ships, came within their Act. The Deputy-stipendiary: Is the ship owned by the Admiralty? Mr. Sankey: She is a collier coming back and forward to Cardiff for coal for the Admi- ralty. She is described as "his Majesty's collier." Mr. Harrison said he relied on a section of the Merchant Shipping Act, which i-tated: — "This Act shall not, except where specially provided, apply to ships belonging to his Majesty." Mr. Sankey argued that the Act did not exempt her master from liability. The object of exempting the King's ships was to prevent them being arrested at the suit of a private individual as ordinary vessels might be. This did not apply to the captains and officers, who might be proceeded against. In this case the captain was sued. Mr. Harrison replied that the captain was a servant of the Crown, and that the public revenue could not be reached by an action against its officer. Mr. Sankey: I don't want to reach the public revenue. The Court: Then your case is that the Admiralty can engage a pilot and pay him anything they like or nothing. Mr. Harrison: The pilot might be able to recover in some court for some services. The Court: The British Government cannot afford to pay its pilots as well as anyone else. j £ r. Sankey, after referring to a previous decision, submitted that the collier was employed for commercial purposes, and was I not under the special control of his Majesty. Judgment was deferred for a week.

_-0- I 30 YEARS UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS AS the UNIVERSAL REMEDY for ^0% Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, BS Asthma, Whooping-Cough, 1|2||, JpEif Influenza, Hoarseness, &c. HAS PROVED aw my ulig on-tc If I||^ TO BE AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY TO EVERYBODY, t|||PTP The enormous Success of Owbridge's Lung Tonic could not have been won, and continue to increase after 30 Years, apart from its great intrinsic merit as the most efficacious remedy ever known. >l||plk Beware of Substitutes ask for OWBRIDGE when A buying Lung Tonic and TAKE NO OTHEB. by W. T. OWBRIDGE, Ltd., Chemists, Hull. Sold everywhere in bottles, at II, lid., 28. 9d., 48. 6d., and 118.

NEW VICAR OF BARGOED. PROMOTION FOR A CARDIFF CURATE. The Rev. Thomas Richards, B.A., until recently eirr-ate of All Saints' and Eglwye Dewi Sant, Cardiff, was inducted to the living of Bargoed, in the Diocese of Llandaff, on Friday. The Lord Bishop attended in person, and there was a. large gathering of the neigh- I TOE REV. T. BICHAKDS, jjew Vicar of Bargwed. bouring clergy and laity, including the Itev. T. Jesse Jones, M.A.. rector of Gellygaer; the Rev. A. E. H. Hyslop, the curates of Gelly- gaer, the churchwardens of Bargoed, and others. His Lordship delivered an instruc- tive address on the occasion, in which he I' explained the nature and object of the ser- vice. Being the first service of the kind hold at Bargoed the parishioners took an unusual amount of interest in it, and were deeply impressed by the feeling address delivered by the bishop. Mr. Richards enters upon his duties in his new charge under the most auspicious circumstances, and the prospects of the Church in this populous and flourish- ing district are exceedingly bright and encouraging. At the annual conversazione held at All Saints' Schoolroom. Cardiff, on Thursday night the Rev. T. Richa.rds and Mrs. Richards were the reeiptents of tokens of goodwill on the part of the parishioners. On their behalf the vicar (the Rev. A. E. H. Hyslop) presented Mr. Richards with a handsome chiming clock, and Churchwarden Thomas Hughes presented Mrs. Richards with a valuable lady's dreeging- case. t

MANAGER & GIRL. I EXTRAORDINARY PATERNITY CASE AT PONTARDAWE. An extraordinary affiliation case was heard at pontardawe Police-court on Friday. The complainant was a young girl of fifteen years named Margaret Jones, and the defendant was a married colliery manager named Edward Powell .44), both of Gwauu-cae- gurwen. Mr. R. T. Leyson (Swansea) appeared for the complainant, and Mr. "Villiers Meager defended. Complainant said she was fifteen years of age last month and lived with her aunt and uncle at Gwaun-cae-gurwen. She was delivered of a child-a boy—on October 6, and defendant Powell was the father. Intimacy I took place in October, 1903. and several times subsequently until the beginning of the present yaar. Defendant gave her a gold bangle last Christmas. When defendant admitted to her uncle that if anything hap- pened it could be put right, her uncle put his hand on a gun and said that was what defendant and all his sort ought to have. Cross-examined: She had never been out with any boys at Gwaun-cae-gurwen. For the defence Mr. Meager said there was no dispute about there having been mic- behaviour, and he further mentioned that there was an action for seduction pending against his client in connection with the case, and it would come on for hearing at the next assizes. Defendant was called, and he admitted t-hat intimacy took place about the er.d of Septem- ber, 1903, but Dot since. He did buy a bangle for complainant for running on errands for him and his wife. When he denied to the complainant's uncle that he had had anything to do with her the uncle picked up a gun. and, holding it to his face, said, "Now, if you deny I'll do for you." Mr. Leyson: Have you had many of thess episodes ? Defendant: Not to my knowledge. Why! do you do better things without your knowledge?—No, sir. Can you suggest who is the father of the child?—No, sir. You've never seen boys after her?-No, sir. Mr. Williams got the truth out of yon. when he pointed the gun at you?—No answer. You told him that you knew nothing about it?—Yes. But when he pointed the gun at you yon admitted that intimacy had taken place?— Yes. Why did you say otherwise when you knew it was not true?—I don't know. Defendant said nothing when asked if he knew there was another gun—a legal one- levelled at his face; "a thousand-pounder," as it was put. The Chairman said it was perfectly clear that the case was proved, and an order for 5s. a week was made, with costs. Advocate's fee was also allowed.

PRIZE FIGHT SEQUEL. MAESTEG COMBATANTS AND SECONDS BOUND OVER. The proceedings at Bridgend Police-court on Saturday formed the sequel to a prize light which took place recently at Bettws, near Maesteg. The combatants, Sydney Daviea, collier, Garth, Haeeteg, and John Price, a. ooWi-or, of Pontycymmer, were charged with a. breadth of the peace, and David Sweet and Frank Morris, colliers. Garth, and Thomas Jones and William Griffiths, colliers, Ponty- oymmer, were charged with aiding and abetting. Inspector Sa.nsom, Maesteg, said that last Monday evening he went to see Sydney Davies and charged him with having taken paft in a prize fight for P,2 aside in a field near Bettws, on the previous Sunday morn- ing. The defendant replied thart he knew nothing at aJl about it, but his mother urged him to tell witness the truth, and he said, VeTy well, it is the result of a row I bad at 1rhe football match at Maesteg a. fortnight ago. Price challenged me to I fight, but it did not oome off until Sun- day morning. There was no money down, however, and only one rewind was fought, and I got the best of it. Dai Sweet was one of my seconds, and Morris the other. Witness also saw some of the other defen- r dants, and they admitted they were present at the match. Morris said that it was a con- test for £ 2 aside, and that they had been to Pontycymmor that day to fetch the stakes. Superintendent Davies said this kind of thing should be at once stopped. The defendants pleaded guilty and were ordered to pay the costs, and bound over in the sum of £10 to be of good behaviour during the next six months.

HEAVY BETTING LOSSES. CARDIFF AUCTIONEER AmllTS LOSING £ 400. Remarkable disclosures were made in Preston Bankruptcy-court on Friday, when Simon H. Brooks, jewellers' auctioneer, Black- pool and Cardiff, was publicly examined. Debtor returned his liabilities at £4,078, and the assets nil, and attributed his failure to bad trade, law expenses, and loss of j65,000 sustained through a fire at his Cardiff pre- mises. Debtor had shops in Cardiff, Brad- ford, Leeds, London, and Glasgow, and had a turnover of £ 12,000. Debtor admitted having betted heavily, and estimated his losses on horse-racing during the last six years at £400. Betting was my misfortune," he added. Debtor also admitted pawning goods amount- ing to £2,500. The Official Receiver characterised the case as most unsatisfactory. There was nothing to show where the large turnover had gone to. The Registrar said that further investi- gation was necessary, and adjourned the examination, and ordered debtor to furnish a oaah account.

STRANGE TALE. SEQUEL TO A WALK WITH A YOUNG MAN, At Bridgend Police-court on Saturday (before Messrs. R. W. Llewellyn, chairman, and other magistrates) Margaret Hindes, described on tho charge-sheet as a loose woman, was brought up in custody charged with stealing £ 9 apti. a gold ring from the person of Richard Chattert-On Williams, of Somerset House, Tondu, on November 3, and John. Prinee, no fixed abode, was charged with "receiving the goods, well knowing them to be stolen." Inspector Ben. Evans said that he received information from Richard C. Williams on Friday that the night before he had been robbed while walking between Bridgend and Aberkenfig, and he at once make inquiries. About 4.50 on Friday afternoon, in company with Police-sergeant George, lie arretted the female prisoner at 29. Chapel-street, Bridgend. He found her in bed and under the influence of drink. About six o'clock the same evening he arrested the male prisoner, Who was then wearing a ring which had since been identi- fied as that stolen from Williams. He charged the female prisoner with the theft, but she made no reply. Inspector Evans then formally applied that the prisoners should be rema-nded for a week, eo that further inquiries could be made, and the Bench granted the application. The story told originally by Mr. Chatterton, who is a well-known. Tondu wheelwright, was that on leaving the Ship Hotel, Bridgend, about half-past ten he started to walk to his home at Tondu, but before he had left the town a strange young woman, who was nicely attired in a three-quarter jacket and a motor-cap, came up to him. She asked him if he was going to Tondu, and he replied in the affirmative. She asked if she might walk with him, and he consented. After having some refreshment at the Mason's Arms they commenoed the three miles walk to Tondu. When they were near the Mill- lane he lost consciousness, and when he recovered his senses, at about six o'clock the next morning, he found that L9 in gold which he had had in his pocket was miss- ing, and also a gold keeper ring. He was of opinion that he had been drugged.

TRAVELLING IN THE RACK. Some extraordinary evidence as to the overcrowding of workmen's trains on the London, Tilbury, and Southend Railway and the Whitecluirpel and Bow Railway was given at a Board of Trade inquiry. One man stated that he had seen eighteen to twenty in a compartment; another that once fourteen wero actually standing. A third witness stated that in addition to this number standing, he hrvd seen twelve sitting. Mr. Wills, of Plaistow, declared that the I carriages were sometimes so full that small boys were placed in the racks. (Laughter.)

NEW VICAR OF COWBRIDGE. PROMOTION TO THE CURATE OF LLANDAFF. The living of Cowbridge, with its historic church, has been offered by the Bishop of Llandaff to the Rev. Isaiah Roberta, M.A., curate of Llandaff, by whom it has been accepted. Mr. Roberts is an old Dowlais boy, and in THE REV. ISAIAH ROBERTS. I the early part of his life was apprenticed in the engineering department of the Dowlais Ironworks. He has been engaged in Church work since he was ten years of age. He was voluntary organist in the pa.rish of Dowlais for seven years, and before taking Holy Orders was a licensed lay reader in the parish of Ynyshdr. He received his early training under the influence of Dean Roberts, of Bangor, who was then rector of Dowlais. In 1892 Mr. Roberts pro- ceeded to St. Catherine's College, Cam- bridge, graduating B.A. in 1895, and taking his M.A. degree in 1899. Mr. Roberts's first ouracy was St. Catherine's, Cardiff, where he worked for two ajid a half years with the Rev. J. R. Baker. From Cardiff Mr. Roberts went to a West End parish in London—St. Philip's, Kensington. When in London Mr. Roberts had two offers simultaneously. One was to the curacy of the historic Church of St. Anne, Sobo. During his stay at Llandaff Mr. Roberts bag been very successful, and bas accomplished a. large amount of good and useful work, especially amongst the working mea.

Questions ASKED AND ANSWERED. By J. IilUlii, Booverie-street, Fleet-street, London. of Large Apple.—"S. 0."—Dr. Harvey, of Apple.—"Amateur" (Me of Man).— >7l'ru> a cooking variety, and a good ^ational Allotment Association. — "A On*61-- —Write to Mr. Green, "Rural World" ce, Strand, London. !ia.llJe of Plant.—"W. F. H."—Your green ta^f ye^°w spotted plant is called Tussilago *'ara variegata, or soma term it tho varie- coltsfoot. of Late Roee.—Brecknock."—It is tho vi^Wloif de Dijon. It is the first and last to and an invaluable climbing rose in localities. Ra ie''?r,(l<l Potato.—"S. T. writing from jJ^ksland, say?:—"I planted a load of Ever- Potato last spring, but find them a **Uure." i ^araes of Fea,rs.—J. Baker.—No. 1. the well- stewing pear Cat iliac—it is never fit for jjT^&rt; No. 2, British Queen; No. 3, Chau- j^^l, a fine pear on walls; No. 4, Comte de fofr* with Worms.—Tom Walker.—Got the jJi°wing emulsion:—Oil of male fern, \<n.; lo~'9 JTlj-oerine, loz.; powdered gum acacia, olf-; water, 8oz. Give a dessertspoonful every "Wier morning. ^APricot Tree for Lincolnshire.—"W. F. G."— tliT variety Moor Park is the hardiest of all apricots, and is less liable to die oft than of the others. I advise you to plant this «*etm variety. Morello Oherry.—"Uncertain."—This is (] culinary cherry, and is not at all fit for *?«ert. It is too sour for that, but for pre- is bottling, and tarts it is capital. It ^a free, hardy grower on all aspects, and a cropper. jv^aterglass Preserved Eggs Cracking "When jh»Ued—"Eggs" (Cheshire).—Some of the egga in waterglass do crack when boiled. Js their only fault, and not a great one, J* Jt can very easily be prevented by making hois in the shell with a pin before put- in to boil. Do this. jb?+e Self-clinging Virginian Creeper.—W. W. Anf small-leaved one, called ^^Pelopsis Veitchii, that clings as it grows, |55f needs no tying up. It spreads and ascends tli ?• At Blackheath a plant has gone up j church steeple to a height of fifty or sixty and this is the highest I have seen. It l*.ii,ci->ng to wood, stone, or brick, and to the Qst smooth surface. :N'a:zne of Potato.—"W. W."—The sample you v,. is Up-to-Date. The one over lib. in jJ^ght is a fine root. The variety has been ^wn for a good many years now, and has jja \ed the public admirably; but in many j-^5u<5 it is deteriorating now, hence the call kinds. But with such a crop as tOllrs you can hardly wish for any better, th ? judicious change of seed I do not think at up-to-Date is played out yet. Cats in Garden.—"E. R." (Plymouth).—It is — easy matter keeping cats out of the e rden, and in towns they often have, as you their meetings there. I can only suggest juS'}. the garden be surrounded with wire ratting three feet high, and that a string of |5rbed wire be put along the top. They dis- R*e this, as it penetrates their feet and /'ratches as freely as themselves. If you fix 1 properly, it will remain useful for years. Food f°r Fowls.—"Canvas."—Fowls in f.^U'ement cannot have too much green You may give them more than they but they will not eat more than is good Y0them, and the matter is self-regulating. }f may change the green food occasionally t>aJ0a can eo; not> ffo on with the cab- y as it answers the purpose quite well, manner of feeding and general treat- -Qt are quite satisfactory. 2 Growing Vegetables for Show.—J. T. Ellis.— pleased you won three prizes at your show this year, and now that you have Perienced the pleasures of prize-winning 1 to ('u.1^e understand yo~r desire to improve, fcot* vn.^ ^nc^. a ,notice of a new book in my in this issue. You could secure it ^nn??06, contains instructions which grn 0Ilce qualify you as a well-learned t}a+Wier- The little book you suggest is out of "T6 and too limited and unreal. elf-elinging Wall Plant.—Barvdon."—As leaf A^pelopeis Veitehii is too small in the v, P^ase you, the variety A. Muralis is larger in the le>af, and has all the other w** habits of the small one. I believe this <;lin p^ease you. Most of the ivies are self- given a rough surface and i^j^raged to root into the wall by moisten- JJo9isurface often, or every evening early ^"ttnrmer, to give them a start, and the ivies the advantage of being evergreen. with Sores Under Collar.—Aeron "—This ie rather a. common complaint, „'t. is very often caused by -fitting harness, and not keeping the and skin clean. Give more i^tioq to both. Be very particular ^0l^-Pying the coat when you bring the in heated. Dry with a cloth or wisp of a.nd do not wash: 'then dress all the or sore parte with the following: — tiJ> composed of solution of sulphate of loz.; solution of sub-acetate of lead, glycerine, 3oz.; water. one pint and a d^igsnl Tomato Chutney.—"F. Mo. N." A recommends the as the best of all ways of utilising tomatoes:—Take three pints beet qua.rts green tomatoes; let W? a<!d sarHc boiled ami poamled ioL Krcrand ginger, 41b. raisins woned and chopped fine, lit), coarse sugar, Jib gi.lt, loz. cayenne pepper, §H>. naustard seed, ■•tode: Boil the tomatoes in the vinegar till the consistency of paste. Stir with a silver ?&oon. Stew till quite tender, then empty jjtto^iais, cover ower, ajid store in a cool, dry 'ace. T Treos for Allotment.—"G. g." (Notts).— aoS? bear you wish to plant veiV rm tre8S m your allotment. I hope man^ of Eear neighibonrs will W7 yoH^^srood example, when in a year or w 3,11 he congratulating each other rmhJ?*e- enjoyment of pienty of fine fruit. 18 nothing like it. Two good keeping apples are Lane's Prince Albert and of two ditto dessert, King Vin? Pippins and Court of Wick; four pears, of +V5* BP'n Obretien, Pitmaston, Duchess -^erri^? Qutnoe, Beurre Diel, and Easter pta, Traneparent Gage, Victoria* s, and Ooe's Golden Drop. If you trees two or three years old, they may 6;<w,?°'m<3 next, year, and certainly a con- ^rabl^ quantity in 1906. Potatoes.—S. Taylor.—When potatoes ^"Qie exposed in the rows and are visible, tisp, « situated become green. They are of no He,/°r the table, as they are quite bitter in *>r> fault is in not earthing them Vhi sufficiently to keep them all covered, is the right way. If you mis the green thp ^th the others and offer them for sale, will spoil your sample and lower the considerably. You should pick all the ones out, and store them away for ij • They are excellent for this purpose, and to t e most profitable use they can be put g • It ig unusual for potatoes to split in the cha nd* al,d it may have been a sudden th»+n?e the weather and condition of soil have caused it. Suffering from Leg Weakness—J. a.f,Your housing arrangements are good, *"eai Jr<>ttr feeding correct. There seems little why they should suffer from leg weak- but I fear they may be weak from in- l^rfdiiig. This very often occurs when the thZ^ln £ is related, and the owners of >Jr<. Pro??*>ny are puzzled, like you. Hea,vy Vpai that grow fast often suffer from leg ■jj^'Rness, too. but not to any extent when w^ured. Put some old lime rubbish in the and mix a little bone meal in with the food. Give each a pill daily of the fol- jjT'ng made up by a chemist:—Sulphate of one grain; strychnine, 1-16 grain: phos- (Tr^te of lime, five grains; sulphate of half a grain; one tablespoon fal of ofl'r'ishes' Chemical Food added to one pint v ^ater, and given them to drink, i6 highly ^cficial. You should continue it till cured. vJ^Ta,rrow Border in Garden; Plants in Lawn; v'°rms in Soil, Ac.—From your plan I notice wr "vv"aU faces north. This limits its useful- Ir7^- Its height, too, prevents fruit trees being introduced, as it is too low. I f^yise you to plant it with gooseberries and ryf/1 currants. Both succeed in the shade and w.3* low wall. Get young bushes trained for tiiVi Plant from two to three feet apart, and rji11 them upwards. They will yield heavily. q.^?ton Green. Champion, Whitesmith, Broom 1 > Early Sulphur, and Leader are suitable and so is Versailles red currant. the aspect been more sunny, tomatoes pP^ld have done well on such a wall. You a n Plant herbs along the border—parsley or y compact crop. It would suit ea-lad plants L summer. You should dig out any big- objectionable weeds from your lawn, >.j[; mow it occasionally with a scythe, which h:1 cut off any grasses that lie do'wn with machine going over. The turf must be Ij'^v.-hat coarse, and you would refine the and bring up a better class of grass if J u dressed it with basic slag. Apply .one g^Duredweight at once. When there is little £ °Tamoda.tion to save lawn cuttings and i 0r matter for manure it is better to burn {J1 out of the way, and keep the ashes as jjP-iUire. They are excellent for lawns and ^1; v^- Yon should give your soil either a v^ht dressing of gas lime or a somewhat dressing of fresh lime now. Let it u ^ain on the surface a few days, then dig !n and well through the soil. You have foundation of a very good garden, and I aJ11 be glad to get you over your difficulty u ftny time.

A MISERABLE HOME PAINFUL CAERAU SEPARA- TION CASE. Stanley G. Jacob, mechanical engineer, 70, Hermon-street, Ca/erau, applied before the Bridgend magistrates on Saturday for an order of separation from his wife on aecount of her drunken habits'. Mr. Trevor Hunter appeared for the applicant, and Mr. E, E. Danes for the defendant. Mr. Davies said he frtuikly admitted that the woman was addicted to drink. She had, however, made up her mind to give up th-e drink, and he asked the husband to give her ajiother chance. Mr. Hunter, in reply, sa.id he was instructed to press the case. Proceeding to address the court, Mr. Hunter said this was a most pain- ful caee. The husband was a respectable man. and thcre W0ï:'e fh." children. During the last few years the wife had mlfortum1.tely given way to drink, and the home wa.s a perfect hell. Food was not provided: the home and the children WBre dirty; and the wife was sometimes dangerous, having thrown knives, fork?, plates, and other things a.t her husba.nd. The result of her habits was that a separation took placo by mutual consent some months ago, and after living apart for three months the husband, owfag to his wife's entreaties and promises of reformation, took her back. Shortly after- wards, however, she gave way again to drink, and became as bad as before. She had been fined twice a.t that court for drlllllœrme-ss. A fortnight ago she took the baby to bed with her when drunk, and the child was suffocated. The police found a bottle and a glass by the I side of her bed. The inquest was held, and the medical evidence was that the child. died from asphyxia. It was very painful to iJe compelled to bring the woman before the magistrates and expose the skeleton in the family cupboard. The man earned £6 10s. a fortnight. At the previous separation he allowed his wife 10s. a week, and he sug- gested that this would meet the present case. The man gave evidence bearing out the solicitor's statement, and the bench made an order for 10s. a week. the husband to ha.v.e the custody of the children.

NEWPORT CABMEN'S SOCIETY LORD TREDEGAR AND THE NEW- PORT MAYORALTY. The twenty-fourth annual festival dinner of the Newport Cabmen's Sick Benefit Society was held on Saturday night at the New- bridge Hotel. Colonel Clifford Phillips, the mayor, who is the hon. secretary of the society, presided, and was supported by Lord Tredegar, the Mayor of Abergavenny (Mr. James Straker), the Rev. A. A. Matthews (vicar of St. Paul's), Mr. E. E. Micholls, the Conservative candidate for the Monmouth Boroughs, and many other prominent sup. porters of the society. Lord Tredegar, in proposing the success of the society, remarked that it gave him much pleasure to read a few lines from the report of the head-oonstable, who said, 1 think you should be informed that the police have not during the last twelve months had one complaint against the cabmen, and not one was brought before the watch com- mittee." His lordship eaid it was satisfac- tory to know that the society had now £ 212 in reserve. These were great daya for anniversaries, but the Newport Cabmen's Society had not yet been able to keep up their fiftieth anniversary or their centenary, and as things were going so fast nowadays he did not think they ever would be able to do so. If things went much faster it would not be long before the last cabman would be stuffed and sent up to Madame Tussaud's Exhibition in London-(laughter)-and they would see the Mayor of Newport going up in a balloon to see what a cabman looked like. (Loud laughter.) His lord-hip went on to say that his principal connection with cabmen was morÐ in London than in Newport, a.s, perhaps, the cabmen of Newport might have noticed. Years ago it used to be found that the han- som cabmen of London were either decayed peers or bankrupt captains of the Britith Army. (Laughter.) He did not suppose thffi the cabmen of Newport aspired quite so high as that. Perhaps they comprised ex-mayors, or something of that sort. (Laughter.) Still, with the record which he had just read from the head-constable he was sure that an ex- mayor need not be ashamed to be a cabman. (Hear, hea.r.) No doubt they would hoar eome- thing in the course of the evening from the town councillors as to the expenses of the town. He believed the latest thing which the town was going to expend its money on were stop-watches for the policemen in order to test the cabmen and &00 that they did not exceed the limit speed of three miles ar hour in taking their fares through the streets. (Laughter.) The Mayor of Abergavenny (Councillor Straker) in very eulogistic terms proposed the health of the president, Lord Tredegar. The toast was received with musical honours. His Lordship, in response, said he felt that there was always something behind a speech like that of the Mayor of Aber- gavenny. Perhaps his worship wished him (the Speaker), as lord-lieutenant, to get the King and Queen to visit Aber- gavenny instead of Newport. (Laughter.) Abergavenny was a very strong rival of New- port for the presence of the King and Queen. There was not a dock there to open, it was true, but he supposed that they had a poor- house or a ga-oi which wanted looking up. (Laughter.) The proposer of the toast htid alluded to the amount of work which he (the speaker) had to do. Yes, he was a fairly busy man. Perhaps they might have read recently that he had been asked to be the Mayor of Newport in sitccession to the present mayor (Colonel Phillips). He declined the offer, although he very cordially appre- ciated the honour which had been done him in offering him the position. He would tell the cabmen of Newport as a secret., because ho knew cabmen w-ould keep a secret- daughter)—the reason why he declined. It was because the corporation did not offer him salary enough. (Loud laughter.) A little nonsense now and then was welcomed by the wisest men. (Hear, hear.) Mr. E. E. Mioholls, the Conservative can- didate for the Monmouth Boroughs, in giving the toast of the mayor and corpora- tion and trade of Newport, expressed the hope that SOIn9 modus vivendi would œ arrived at on the education question, so a.s to allay all sectarian differences, in order that the authorities might think only of the welfare of the little ones. (Hear, hear.) Amongst other things which Mr. Micholls alluded to was the love of sport in the town. and he was willing- to take slight odds that he was a me-m ber of even more football clubs than Lord Tredegar himself. The Mayor. Alderman Greenland, and Councillor Moxon responded.

A PORTHCAWL GUARDIAN. FINED FOR DRUNKEN AND DIS- ORDERLY CONDUCT. At Bridgend on Saturday (before Mr. R. W. Llewellyn and other magistrates) John Preece, licensee of the Brogden Hotel, Porth- cawl, who ie a member of the Bridgend and Cowbridge Board of Guardians and of the Penybont Rural District Council, was charged with being drunk and disorderly at Portheawl on October 29. Alderman T. J. Hughes defended. Police-sergeant Thomas Jenkins said that about 11.15 p.m. on Saturday week he saw the defendant drunk in John-street, Porth- caw!. He was staggering about the road, cursing and swearing. Cross-examined by Mr. nughes, witness said that the defendant was walking up the street with another man named Jenkins, but they were not quarrelling. Witness did not know what defendant was cursing and swearing about. Mr. Hughes said that if the defendant haxi been charged with drunkenness simply he would have had nothing at all to say, but ho considered the police were straining the Act of Parliament in charging Preece with disorderly behaviour whilst in a drunken state. Cursing and swearing indicate that there was some disturbance but Sr-rgeant Jenkins had admitted that defendant was I walking up the street with another ma.n, and that they were not quarrelling. The Chairman sa.id the magistrates were quite satisfied that Preece was drunk and disorderly, and he would be fined 15s., inclu- ding costs.

DIPHTHERIA AT KENFIG. Mr. J. I. D. Nicholl presided at a meeting of the Penybont District Council on Saturday. —The quarterly report of the medical officer, of health (Dr. Wyndham Randall) stated that the death-rate equalled 9.30 per 1,000 per annum, as against 13.24 in the corresponding < quarter of 1903. The infantile death-rate was • at the rate of 92.30, as against 66.17 in the same quarter last year, and the birth-rate 32.69, as against 36.02,—Tho sanitary inspector reported, an outbreak of diphtheria at Kenfig Hill, thirteen cases having occurred, one proving fa.tal. Fivo cases of scarlet fever had been notified at Penprisk, near Pencoed, and, one at Laleston, and another at Cornelly.— A draft of the proposed bye-laws for the government of the Portheawl Rifle Range was submitted from the Royal Engineers' ■ Office, Pembroke Dock, with a request for the views of the council. The bye-laws were con- sidered satisfactory, with the exception of a clause enabling the authorities to confiscate 1 1 any animal or vehicle found within the "danger area." <

MINISTER'S DAUGHTER rtr NEGLECT HER CHILDREN AT RAnUY. At Barry Police-court on Friday (before Mr. J. C. Meg-gift and Captain F. Murrell) a parti* cnlarly painful and heartless ca^e of parental neglect was heard. Thomas Ashtcn, an ex- schoolmaster. now a shoemaker, of 17, Henry- street, The Moors, Cadoxton-Barry, and hit wife, Ann Ashton, a minister's daughter, were charged with cruelty to their children. Mr. A. Jackson, solicitor, Barry, appeared to prosecute on behalf of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and slated that the charge was one of neglect with respect to defendants' seven children. Inspector William New said he had known the defendants since May last. The children were Maria (fourteen Thomas (eleven), Richard (nine), Peter (eight), William (seven), Harold (five), and Albert (two). There were two otlJer children, one over seventeen and the other a baby. The first visit to the defendants' house was paid on May 14. Defeit- dants were then living in Ba.rry-road. Cadox- ton. The inspectar saw the seycn children, all of whom were poorly nourished, and in a very ragged and filthy state. The house was also in a very dirty state. On this occasion tho male defendant said his average wagas were 30s. per week. Witness described further visits, which he paid on May 20, June 27, July 12, August 16, and September 24, when 118 found the house and children in much the same condition. He repeatedly warned the defendants, and they promised to reform. The inspector also strongly advised them to go to the workhouse when they pleaded poverty. On October 21 he paid a visit to the defendants' house, and all the food ho found there consisted of a few dry crusts of bread. The four youngest children were half- naked and in a filthy condition. The children were in a similar state on the 27th of Octo- ber, but there was not a morsel of food ia the house. In the front-roam downstairs were a bed, one sheet, and a few old coats, which were black and slimy with filth, and full of vermin. There was also a heavy stench in the room. At the doctor's reou^st the children were conveyed to Cardiff Work- house. The children told the inspector that they were hungry, and he gave them food. Dr. E. Treharue, J.P., Cadoxton, stated that he went to the house on October 27. In the middle room upstairs were two dirty mat- tresses on the floor in a filthy state, on which six children were lying, with pieces of filthy old coats and rags over them. llo did not think the children had been washed for days. Tho mother told witness that she had no eoap in the house, and no money to buy it. In the front bed- room Maria and two other children were lying on mattresses, which were aliva with vermin. The doctor described the con- dition cf the children as very sad, and added that by their state he thought the neglect had been continual. Polioe-sergf>a.ut Ben Davies gave corrobo- rative evidence as to the state of the chil- dren, and said the defendants had been ia the district more than eight months. Mr. W. Williams, school attendance officer, said he had known defendants since Feb- ruary last, during which tirr.e the children had been much neglected. Since August tha children had not been to school, not having boots to put on. John Thomas. inspector of the Nalional Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Chil- dren, Pontypridd, knew the parties einoa January, 1900, when they were living at 16, Cross-street, Ynysboed. Witness stated tha.t the male defendant had been a postman, rail- wayman, and labourer, but he did not stop at anything long. The male defendant, who was tidily dress=yl ami well-spol;.el1. said the cauge of the neglect was entirely owing to misfortune. Ho had dono his best. and never spent any money on himself. He had always been a sober man, and could produce references as to moral character and otherwise. "I have done my best," ooncluded defendant, "and if the magistrates will do their be.2t I will endea- vour to reform. What I need most M wOlk." The female defendant also remarked that she had not the means of providing for hap little ones, who were very dear to her. The Bench found defendants guilty, and, considering the woman's weak state, bound her over in the sum of £10 to come up for judgment within six months if called upon. The male defendant was sent to gaol for a month, with hard labour.

CHANGED HIS MIND. SEQUEL TO A NASH PUBLIC-HOUSE INCIDENT. At Newport County Police-court on Saturday a respectably-dressed man, named John hug- gott, a ma-son of Goldcliff, was summoned for being in a. drunken condition on the Waterloo Inn licensed premises, rtt Nash, on October 31, and refusing to leave when requested. The charge was carefully read over to him by the clerk, and defendant pleaded guilty. Mrs. Sarah Jones (an elderly woman), the licensee of the house, gave evidence to the effect tha.t as soon a.s phe saw defendant in. her house she noticed that he was under the influence of drink, and ordered him to leave. He had previously to that ha.d a bottle of lemonade. A constable came up afterwards. This was all the evidence against the dcfcTi- daut, but Superintendent Porter stated that the constable was in court, and would give evidence if the bench desired it. As a. matter of fact, the police had not heard anything about the defendant being requested to leave tho house until the summons was taken out against him. On tho report of the polio man the chief-constable had ordered a prose- cut-ion of the man for being drunk on the premises, and of the landlady for permitting it. The Clerk (Mr. J. C. Llewellin) said that the case of the landlady was not before the eouri, and could not then be gone into. The presiding magistrate (Alderman Mark Mordey) sa,id the policeman's evidence did not eeem to be necessary, as defendant had admitted that he was drunk. Defendant said he did not admit that hf was drunk. What he pleaded guilty to was to not leaving the house for twenty minutes. The Clerk went over the whole history of tho case main, and explained how the case of a man in a drunken condition bore ditfo- rontly from the case of a. man in a sober condition when requested by the lawful authority to leave a licensed house. "Now. then." asked the presiding magis- trate of tho defendant, "do you plead guilty to the charge, the charge of being drunk ia the bouse and of refusing to quit." "Ob. well, I'll plead guilty to that rather than stop here all day," was the reply of the defendant, which provoked much laughter ia court. Tho Presiding Magistrate: You are dis- charged; but as you have run some risk of being punished, you will ba.ve to pay tha costs. -h-

IMPORTANT LEGAL POINT. BARRY LICENSING PROSECUTION FAILS. At Barry on Monday the magistrates gave their decision in a case heard a. fort- night previously, in which Messrs. Alban Richards and Elias T. Davies, trustees of the Windsor Hotel, Barry Dock, were summoned for selling intoxicating drink during pro- hibited hours. The point on which the deci- sion of the bench was reserved was whether a. seafaring man, whose vessel arrived in port the same morning aiter travelling by sea. overnight could be termed a bona fid.8. traveller. Addressing the Bench, Mr. Richards, solici- tor. who appeared for the defendants, sub- mitted that the manager of the hotel honestly believed the men to be bona fide travellers. Mr. Richards also mads the following legal quotation on the matter:- "A person shall not be deemed to be a bona fide traveller unless the place where he lodged the preceding night is at least three miles distant. 'from the place whera he demands to be supplied with liquor. Mr. Richards's contention was tha.t the word "place" did not refer to a ship. .Mr. J. Lowdon said the bench had care- fully considered the evidence, and had come to the conclusion that there was hardly any or no evidence to show that the men COil, tinued to live on the vessel After their arrivaj in port or in any way to makG it their homa The case would be dismissed.