The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser

[ALL RIGHTS RESEBVED.] PRACTICAL AGRICULTURE BY PRIMROSE McCONNELL, B.Sc., F.G.S (Author of A Notebook of Agricultural Facts ani Figures," "Elmnents of Farming," etc.). MILK CATTLE. A large .body of farmers have not yet realised tbe great development of the milk business and t/10 consequent importance of the milking power among tlit' different cattle breeds. For generations many have been breeding for beef only, and most of the animals exported in the foreign trade have been this class. Indeed a heavy milking power was »''eat drawback m the case of fatting animals for those who wanted beef only. The fact that a inilk. Ink cow in fulfilling the natural constitutional powers of her body is healthier than a breeding cow which is not used for breeding purposes at all is not realised, and the beef cow has lowered the "atitral functions for developing these in the proper order. Nowadays, however, we are beginning to realise more and more the value of the milking her- edity. Milk records have done a good deal al- ready in this line and have led the way, and the owners of the leading Shorthorns are realising the fact that the Shorthorn is one of the best of our milking animals, and that it is worth while to bring back once more this power, which fwd almost been lost in some strains. DUAL PURPOSE ANIMALS. As Shorthorns arc not all good milkers because of the beef development, these animals which have this tendency are now being sought after and boomed, but we have not yet had enough of tlii«. It is possible to have both qualities in the one ani- mal, and that is what most of our breeders are now aiming at. The Shorthorn is specified because it I is one of the best in this direction, but there are others which are worth taking- into account, such a.s the South Devon and the Red Poll, and it is satis- factory to note that the owners of all our milking strain* are now paying more attention to this de- partment and the demand of dairy fariiiei-, will be satisfied as time goes on. SOLUBILITY OF MANURES. Are manures washed off the soil or down into the lower layers too much? This is a question which must present itself to every farmer, because very often after a dressing of artificials is put on. an ex- cessive amount of rain may fall, and the farmer unturally wonders if his manures has been swept off the land or if it is still in the soil for the benefit of the crops Take the case of a mixture of basic lng and potash manures put on meadows, which Is It common dressing in the autumn, and is often followed. of course, by a wet winter; do the excess of wet do any harm.f It may be said at once that 'n the case of slag practically no harm is done, be- cause this is not soluble in water, -and being a very heavy material. It will lie on the surface and not be swept off unless there is an actual current of water. In the case of a potash salt, however, there is prob. ably a good deal of wast-e,as this is a soluble body. Ouce potash gets actually into the soil, and other chemical bodies form. probably of the nature of zeolites, as we call them, the potash becomes more or less insoltible for the time being, but that can only happen when the manure is really in the soil, whereas with slag it rests on the top, and is liable to solution. Soils and plants have great retentive powers, but manures spread 011 the surface are not exactly in contact with the soil or the roots of the plants until they are actually incorporated with the soil. Another case Is that of top-dressing of FARMYARD MANURE: I it is absolutely certain that a great deal of this is wasted, and one has often seen a brown liquid flow- ing off a top-dresed field into the nearest ditch— this brown liquid being really the essence of the liquid manure. This is one of the sort of tilings we have to put up with, and certainly after a dress- ing of any kind of manure it is desirable not to have an excess of wet. The very least moisture is just enough to wash the ingredients into the soil, and that is all that is required. The writer has always advised the sumrtier application of manurial dress- ings on the surface; those that are being incorpora- ted with the soil straight away can be put on at any time, but where tiie material is to rest on the sur- face it would be much better to put it 011 during the summer time or at any rate late in the spring, so that l tt there is not the likelihood of floods washing it off. T11 this way the ordinary effect of the roots of the plants near the surface, and the wahing-in influence of the.showers will be quite sufficient to incorpor- ate it with the soil as time goes on. and thus ob- viate any chance of actual flooding off. GRADING STOCK. Do we properly grade our livestock, cattle, sheep or pigs when sending them to market? The writer thinks that we very seldom do, as the result ot watching sales in many different districts. The .question is prompted by seeing during th-9 week several lots of animals of very unequal and irregular appearance exposed for sale in a local market. The sellers seem to have thougnt that the presence of a few good ones in a lot helpe to -sell th" rest, but equally the argument would be true with the pres- ence of several bad animals, which would reduce the price of the rest Even one small beast stand- ing in a row at market between two good ones looks worse than it really is. and where a lot are put to- gether, such as store cattle or young pigs, it would be very much better to draught them out and put the poorest on in one lot, and the best ones in another. AN UNCONSCIOUS INFLUENCE. The fact that the poorest lot is sold by itfelf is all Ill. its favour, because the good ones are not there with which to make the comparison, and each lot stands on its own merits as it were, without having I H". unconscious influence against them from the hPlghbourhood of others. This principle of grading has been brought to great perfection among fruit growers. egg producers and other people-more Particularly on the Continent and in America, but we seem not to have risen to the occasion yet in this country and certainly the want of grading in a unch of livestock exposed at a market is very often apparent. TUBERCULOSIS VALUE. f ^*ow that the Tuberculosis Order has been in force a?F a* ,'east six months one is able to say something f.( ° and there is a conoensus of opinion among that the compensation awarded for the the*? 6r "ted animals is not enough, and that hxing of the prices by valuation practically only 1 means 30s. per head in the long run. The animal ought to have a value just as it stands, and the re- compense should be based on this. The writer has had one or two cases in his OWJi herd, and this is what happened in one: the suspected case was re- port, d, an ofifcial valuer placed her price at £ 14 10s., which was very fair in the owner's idea; she was tested, re-acted, killed afterwards, and found to be badly infected. The valuer had to declare a "di- sease" value, and simply guessed at £ 5; the owner gets a quarter of this or 30s., whichever of the two is the highest sum. The writer thus received 30s. for an animal which could have been sold the pre- vious week in the open market at some JB14 to L15. A FAIR FIOURE. If even a quarter of the declared value were given it would be something better, but even that is not enough. There is no inducement to farmers to sacri- fice doubtful cattle for the public benefit when all they can get is 30. while the animal in the open market may bring anything from 10 to 15 pounds. It would only be fair for the owner to sacrifice some- thing, as on the other hand the public might say that they were not entitled to compensate the far- mer for keeping diseased stele fIt all. but tis the (sacrifice is made for the public benefit the owner ought to have a considerably greater proportion than i of the "knacker's" prices, and £ at least or$of the value as it stands would only be fair, and would be an inducement to farmers to watch their stock, and to waylay and report every suspicious case- an inducement which does not at present exist ANSWERS TO CORRESJINDENTS. Pig Staggers: Reader.—Whatever you have been giving them to eat, have a change for a time. Give also a dose of "pig powedera" you will get at the chemist's. Diseased Foot: W.II.—Description agrees with d sease known as "quittor." If so then little can be done for it: you require to poultice and inject corrisive sublimate solution, and if horse is of any value you would be wise to call in help of vet. Timber Shed Posts: M.O.V.—If the ends of these are bedded in concrete—with a flagstone or some con- crete below the ends-they will last an indefinitely long time The concrete keeps the rot out, while it is a disinfectant in itself. Unexhausted Claim: Oxfordshire.—You do not give enough particulars to enable me t formulate your claim. Wet brewers' grains are not allowed for on any scale known to me: "*meiil': may mean anything, but assuming it is mixed dairy-meal worth about £7 per ton, then compensation is 30s.. per ton for first year and 15s. for second. Dried "grains" arc reckoned at 24s. and 12s. ly-r ton respectively. P.S. -The author will be pleased to answer through this column such queries with regard to matters of Agriculture, etc.. as are likelv to be of general in- terest to renders. Letters should be addressed to Primrose McConriell. 69, Higligate, Kendal.

MARKETS CATTLE. NEWPORT, Wed., Feb. 18.—Cuttle, sheep, and pigs were plentiful here to-day. There were a few calves. Sales were brisk at the following prices:— Rest beef 7gd to 8d per lb., seconds 7d to 7,Jd. ow 6d to 6-Jd: wether matron :.iid to lGJd. light wether lid. ewe 3d to 3d: calves 8d to 10d: pig- — porkers 13s, baconers lis 6d, and sows 8s per score. HEREFORD. Wed.. Feb. 18.-Firm trade at late rates for ;i moderate supply, best quality beef making up to 8d; good show of stores, which sold dear. 1 rade brisk for fair supply of sheep—ewe mutton up to 8d, ano wether mutton 9d. Pork and bacon pips plentiful, and met a good demand—porkers 6d to 7<1 per lb., and 62d for the best quality, and 5ri for others. Calves dear as usual. LKICESI JvR, I' eb. 21.—There was a better supply than for many weeks past. including a plentiful show of milking "beasts. These sold well, best quality newly-calved and down cilving cows realizing £ 24, and second qualities £ 13 to E20. Owing to the embargo on Irish cattle from foot-and-mouth disease the supply of store cattle was rather restricted, those on offer being chiefly home-bred, although there were » few Welsh runts; 2), to three-year-old heif. rs and steers made up to £ 16. g. to two year olds £)2 10s. and yearlings n.lxuit 27. Rearing calves sold well at 25s to 55s. There were a. sheep on offer. hoggs making 42s 6d and in-lamb Masham ewes tip to 55s each. PROVISIONS. LLANDILO, Sat., Feb. 21.-Tiie market was a very brisk one. Both the supply and demand were very good. Quotations:—Fresh butter Is 3d, Aus- tralian Is 3d per lb. eggs Id each; cheese—Welsh bid. oream and Caerphilly 8d, Cheddar 9d per lb.; honey Is per lb.; rabbits 8d and 9d each; poultry— trus*»ed chickens Is per lb., ditto alive 5s to 5s 6d per couple, ti uased ducks 1» Id per lb., ditto alive 3s 3d each, trussed fowls lO^d per lb. fliiiiiel-white Is Id, shirting 1.. Id and Is 2d, serge (coloured) Is 6d to Is 9d. apron flannel Is 9d to 2s, blouse flannel Is 2d and Ls 3d piT yard, rwidy-made shirts—small size 5s, men's full size os 6d each; wool-white in the grease 2s 4d, brown 2s 8d, black 2s lOd, ge.st black fine 3s 8d. German fingering (mixed colours) 4s per lb.; plants 4d per bundle. (J ARM A RT HE N, Sat., F b. 21.-Depite the un- favourable weather there, a good attendance at the weekly market held here to-day. Qtiotat loll", Hotter fit ea.iks Is 3d. in pats Is 3d and Is 4d per lb., eggs 10 f,-r is. chickens Is per lb., fowls Ss 3d to 2s 3d each, ducks Is per lb., cheese 43 per cwt. BUTTER. CORK. Sat., Feb. 21.—Firsts 120s. fiesh butter from 110* per cwt. LLANDILO FEBRUARY FAIR.-The Februaiy Fair was held at Llandilo on Friday, when there was a fair supply of cattle and good demand, but the supply of horses was limited. Prices'—Cows and calves, from B16 to £ 18; two-year-old store cattle, j68 to £12: <ii,.rv horses, £ 35 to £ 38. and a few in- ferior carters sold at from £ 28 to B35.

The itghteet Bread, Cakea, Paatry, ftc* are made by uatnc BOR WICKS Iddommik..

THE SHIRE V. THE STRONG-BONED WELSH COB OR ROADSTER At the request of a young promising agriculturalist who has lately taken unto himself a wife who excels in aU branches of the dairy, and who hope to embark upon the tossing ocean of agricultural life with their combined energies about next Michaelmas. I intro- duce this subject. He has been commissioned by his parents to decide which breed of horses he is going to choose1 for himself and knowing .that the subject at issue is of great general importance to all farmers, he seeks for exchange of opinions concerning the merits and demerits of the above breeds, which he hopes will be freely given by those who are interested in the welfare of a brother farmer, v those well qualified to do justice to the sub- The vital question is winch is to be the farmer's horse in the near future-the shir- or the strong-boned Welsh cob cr roaster, not under 15 hands The cross-breeds shall not be notice* for such ItS these are reckoned to have greatly ruined the tock of the two sister counties-, ar- marthen and Cardigan. c 4 „ 1 Vi^win^ the situation from all points of -vantacro, 1 si see the hurrv-seurry and bustle of lifthe devil take the hindmost, as it were, and I feel that- one has t„ be actively movuig in order to keep abreast with the times, and avoid being run over and crushed by insolvency. Good farm hands are difficult, to be found, and wages are increasing; land required to be tilled, potatoes and green crops called to be set, hav and orn demanded to be cut: and pos«tb>y during very chequered seasons. The question now arises how are the above requirements to be most efficiently and vet most remuneratively done for the emplover? For the wage. paid to the ploughman and price of food consumed by the respective horses, is it the shires that will give the best returns to ii farmer at the end of the day. week, month or yelJ. Can the shires cut thirty a.cres of corn more economi- cally than the nimble-tooted strong roausters. (;,11 the shires hold their own in a thirty-acres hayv,. against the active roadsters? Can one shire do 'to work of two strong roadsters? Can one shire < I- sume equal quantity of food to two strong roadster* If not, how much less apprOJomatdy In the laee 01 the present-day additional cost of outlay to produce home-grown food and fodder, the more, expensive is the upkeep of man and beast, and the farmer to meet these higher demands, and to get the two ends to meet, justlv require, good returns for all these expensive leakages incidental to farming, and so far a,s the horse is concerned, has the farmer in all his keenness stocked the right breed to best meet ins requirements? Figuratively speaking, I presume no one would buy a 20 horse power oil engine to turn a fariner- size grindstone when 1 horse power engine would be truly more than sufficient. The reason is obvious. because the high-powered engine woald consume a much larger quantity of combustion oil. M say nothing of the heavy expense for lubricating oil that would be required, than would the 1 horse power engine. In lact the oils for the latter wou.o be infinitesimal in comparison with the consumption 01 tiie big engine. Th,, is just what has been done in connection tai-iiiiiig in these two counuvs. For instance, in a single ordinary-sized plough we find two huge slow-moving hordes vhougn very majestic to look at- I admit. Again we find the same class of horse in till' harrow, in the scuffler, in the mowing and reaping machines, in a ton-cart," and moreover, one is frequently seen in the Illarkd- carriage if the shafts happen to be sufficiently iar apart to admit the giant. W ould not the power of the strong roadsters be more than sufficient ill the implements above mentioned to say nothing oi their quicker locomotion over the ground': Now, what about the combustion oii in the way of food that is required to feed these big heavy shires in order to keep them even in fair condition, and the lubricating oil in the way of washables to kivp their legs and feet lean and healthy, to say nothing of their pre- disposition to s.idebone? The bushy feathers on tlP legs of the shire demand many hours every week of careful attention in order to keep them airy utui sweet of odour. These hours, mind you. with wage's so high, amount to ugiy figures which farmers are often not too ready to realize. In conclusion is it not fair to claim that the farmer can get me oh more work done by the roadster in question than by the shire? It is admitted that the shire is called to work at a rather earlier age than the cob cr road- ster. but. this is hardly worth consideration. We must however give tlw shire its due. for it is an important asset in one's stk. and can usually demand a hic-h price in the market, generally fetch- ing about £ 60: the roadster, shall I sav, about .704f),, Let us now survey the huge bulky proportions of the shire and consider the value of the food it will have of necessity to consume to produce the market con- dition it must be in; sny at four years old, after having taken all into consideration is it not reason- able to conclude that the margin of profit is so small in comparison to that of the strong roadster? Am T justified, friends, in this conclusion? Your views will be greatly appreeiated. Since I have undertaken to write this letter. I have availed myself of all possible opportunities to ascertain the views of all famwrs whom I come in touch with regarding these horses now under review. and T admit as the result of my gleanings that my tendency is daily growing in favour of the Welsh breed, such as those known as The Fiver," The Britons and the highly regarded breed known as The Cardigan Comets." I think it would be of yreat interest, possibly of value, to the horse breeder if the" genealogical tables of these breeds were preserved on record. Since writinsr the foresroing letter the appended extract from "Farm and Home for .January 14th. 1914. canie to hand and by the kind permission of the Editor I am privileged to quote it here verbatim to partly substantiate my growing favour of the roadster. AGRICULTURAL HORSES IN WALES. "As a regular reader of your valuable paper, I should like to know which is the best agricultural horse for a hilly country like Wales. The types in question are the roadsters and the shires.—J.J." The lightish roadster stamp represents the origi- nal type of agricultural horse indigenous in Wales, the fashion which led to the coming into vogue of the heavy shire in the Principality having originated only in comparatively modern times in response to the demand for more weight. Undeniably this light type is peculiarly well adapted to the locail conditions, and regarded from a purely tgriculttiral point of vjell it possesses certain well-defined advan- tages over the shire for a country like Wales. Its chief merits, as compared with the latter breed, consist in its being eminently active, nimble of stride, and free moving; these being qualities which are to be specially sought for in an agricultural horse for a hilly district, where the very big and pon- derous shire horse, with its more cumbersome gait and slower, less active disposition, is placed at a disadvantage in performing farm work, despite its superior collar weight and consequent great draught powers. This is well recognised elsewhere, for in practically all hilly parts in England we find that a lightish class of agricultural cart horse chiefly pre- vails, and that a very heavy type of shire, as bred in more level districts, is not usually favoured by the majority of farmers. Devonshire may be cited, in which county a highly active and relatively light stamp of farm horse, resembling in certain respects the light native Welsh farm breed, is widely bred. this type continuing to hold its own well here in face of the strong rivalry of the heavy shire, which during recent years has been increasingly intro- duced into the' c01Jnty. Resides its special suita- bility for farm work in a hilly district, there is fur- ther to be said in favour of the roadsters that being of smaller and less massive build and type, they consume less food and are altogether more frugal i" their requirements than big shires. The foals bred from this type, too. are for this reason more cheaply raised and better adapted for rearing on hill pas- tures having a lightish clasps of soil than heavy framed, powerful colts of shire breed, which do not thrive so w'jl in these circumstances. Finally, it may .be urged that the roadster type is a sounder breed, as regards the feet, not being so liable to suffer from side-bones, a complaint to which the shite is not infrequently predisposed. The favour wh:: h the shire has gained in Wales is primarily due to the desire to breed weighty cart horses in order to meet the demand for heavy draught horses suitable for town and other industrial work, and it was probably in the main for this reason rather than for the purpose of breeding a heavy type of horse for purely agricultural work that the introduction of the shire breed into the Principality was orig.inaliy brought about. ARGUA." (To be continued).

4ALFAm" CREAM i.—. If you are milking two or ■ I more cows and arc not using II I a New Model M I Cream Separator, you are I wa,tin; Loth and quality of cream eve'^j H yre.ter your loss without an M Alfa-l:avaL" The" Alfa- Layaln S:l\'e eï()t1h over jwlR setting-pans to pay lor itself Jl|tt\ other Separators in 12 w t ^00,000. Try a New Model Alfa-Laval" in your own dairy. It is the best iuvest- merit you can possibly make. Skims cleanest, turns ea>iest. L,st!c tgeq ;,f Ù costs least for Tepan. AGF.NTS—MB"" Wm. Thomas ft Son, Hall Street. Carmarthen, S T. M. Williams, Ironmonger, l landno n _JS J,.

WAGES OF AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS [BY S. TUDOR HAXKS.] Mr. Ellis Griffith. K.C.. M.P,. speaking at New- castle-Emlyn, said "that they intended to give vo the agricultural labourer a minimum wage which would be the. greatest inducement to people to remain upon the land. Let us consider the matter. I confidently assert that everyone is agreed that the wagM of the agricultural labourer are far too low to give him that degree of comfort which every citizen has a right to demand. But before we investigate the proposals of the land bursters in this direction may we be allowed to make a comparison between the agricultural labourer and the town labourer. The average wage of the former is 16s. 6d. per week i-ii cash, the average of the latter is very little more than this all told. The former in the main has security of employment, the latter is always liable to receive two hours' notice to terminate his em- ployment. The actual test of a wage must necessarily be its purcha.sing power; therefore we shall come to the conclusion that after the differences in the cot of housing rates and food stuffs are taken into con- sideration, the agricultural labourer is far better off than his industrial colleague. Let us now turn t-o the actual result of legislation demanding a minimum wage for agricultural labourers. If Parliament could enact that each labourer shal: receive JE52 per annum it would be a great advantagi to him. But Parliament CAII only enact that the minimum rate of pay shall be 3, 4d. for each day that the laborucr is actually employed. It cannot order that he shall receive ki per week or that he shall be employed any number of days per week. It can forbid a man from working except at a given rate if he LS employed at all. but it cannot provide him with employment for a single day much less a week or a year. Therefore the labourer who is employed at a cash wage of j31 but i" only employed six or seven months in the year is far worse oft annually than the man at present employed con tinuously at a wage of 16. per week. It is obvious that farmers wherever it is possible to do so, would oease to employ men continuously but would resort to casual labour, and the moment the farm labourer became like his industrial col- league in this respect you will have your town labourer blacklegged bv his counterpart from th. country who is forced by hunger to seek what em- ployment ho can have in the towns. If agriculture is to be subjected to a minimum wage clause, one of three things will happen—either there will be a ruthless weeding out of the Jess fit and all old men, or the industry must be worked on a piece-work basis, which basis will necessarily be fixed on the work over a given period of time that can be accomplished by a really first-class man, or lastly, the cver-decreasing area of arable land will be even more reduced therefore the increased wage paid to indiliduals will mean a greatly reduced wage paid per acre. Another undesirable result of the minimum wage will be to decide the age at which the compulsory payment of the minimum wage shall cease, and then you have a very difficult task in making the adjustment- such that it will not have the effect of the wholesale employment of men over the age limit or '"vice versa." If the wage Is paid on a basis of piece-work your land court official will have a daily occupation in fixing the various rate to give the minimum you cannot possibly have a flat rate for which in one distr ct would give a wage of JS1 weekJy would elsewhere and possibly upon the next farm bring in a wage of 10s weekly. An Act of Parliament fixing the wage of agricul- tural labourers must be so framed that the actual admin.stration of the Act will be left to the land court officials who, in all probability, will have no knowledge of the industry, and, therefore, instead of creating a contented and well-paid community, you w-11 be faced by a crowd of individuals each suspicious and discontended. We dosire to see the lot of the agricultural labourer materially benefited, but the way of the Minmum Wage Bill is too thorny and rought to be the proper way.

LLANSADWRN NOTES We are given to understand that the Rev. W. Thomas, pastor of Libanus, Waunclyndaf, and So:i Llandyfan. has accepted a can from Salem, Blaenau Ffestinog, North Wales. During his stay in our midst he has made himself highly popular, and the churches will suffer a loss after him. Mr. Tho" will commence duties in the new place in about t wo months time. We understand that Mrs. Davies. Da.nvgral, kLio has been for 23 years the local postman b(Aw, Llansadwrn and Llanwrda. intends retiring iiex- September. She had a daily journey of nearly ti n miles, and though braving all weather, winter ftt. summer, she was hardly a day absent from her poi. After completing such a long service, she deserves a well-earned rest. Also, the inhabitants of the two parishes ought to convene a meeting to present her with a handsome testimonial, which she nobly de- serves..

t HMMMOHOMnumntMBtUMMM'M'mHt't'Mnn llfll 1 •BPITISHKAQJLIASP pimiiniHiiiiimHn^^ | ^jjiiuinig fM if I IS THE MACHINE I all IJL i THAT ENGLISH 3 ithdapig) g FARMERS ARE a 1 Jejfefr a NOW BUYING. 1 9 I j" Tens of thousands g In use. ■ 1 4 Also makers of 8 ■ I II High-clau Chans, S j I a Butter-Worker*, S J Jb 3^ Refrigerators, ë and other C j Dairy Appliances. S 5L V. ■ fica I?ost Frft on app"tion n- "Wthe soic makers ioj R.A.LISTElk&Co. i DURSLEY, C-LOS

LAMPETER Mr. J. C. Harford presided over a meeting of the Lampetcr Board of Guardians on Friday. THE NEW MASTER. d The new Master (Mr. Thomas Lewis) reported having taken charge of the Workhouse on the 14th instant. The Master suggested that the inhabitants of the town be asked to hand over their newspapers for the use of the inmates of the Workhouse. He also suggested that an inmate be placed in a room near the entrance to the Workhouse to act as porter. The latter suggestion was referred to the House Committee. ASSISTANT RELIEVING OFFICER. The new Master was appointed assistant relieving officer in the place of Mr James Evans. AN APPLICATION. The application of Inspector Jones for £ 2 reward for the apprehension of Thomas Lewis was left in abeyance. FORMER MATRON. Miss Lloyd, former matron at the Workhouse, applied for the return of her contributions to the superannuation funds. On the proposition of Mr. WTatkin Davies, it was decided to refund the amount. LLANYBYTHER RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL. At a meeting of the above, held at Lampeter on Friday, Mr. W. Edwards occupied the chair. ALLEGED ENCROACHMENT. The matter of the alleged encroachment by the Great Western Railway Company at Llanybyther was, after a discussion, further adjourned A NEW BRIDGE. The Surveyor was directed to prepare plans for the erection of a new bridge at Abergorlech. LLANYBYTHER WATER SUPPLY. A long discussion took place on the proposed Llanybyther Water Supply, and the Inspector was instructed to prepare the necessary plans. REPAIR "OF BLAENCEILIOG BRIDGE. A report was submitted on Blaenceiliog Bridge, and, alter a discussion, it was resolved to proceed with the work of repairing it. MEDC1AL OFFICER'S ANNUAL REPORT. Dr. E. Cambria Thomas, M.D., D.Ph., presented his annual report to the Llanybyther Rural Distric, Council, as follows:- 1. Population.—Census 1911 was 3,599 and esti- mated to the middle of 1913 was 3,571. showing a decrease of 28. The number of un-jorrected births 71, being 8 more than in 1912. Number of inhabit, d iiouses in the district at census 1911 was 964, and average number per house, 4. Area of district in acres, 35,300. Deaths.—The causes of death were .-—Whooping cough, 1; diphtheria, 1; erysipelas, 1; pulmonary tuberculosis, 5; cancer, 8; organic heart disease, 12: bronchitis, 5; pneumonia, 4; other diseases of re- spiratory organs. 1; diarrhcea and enteritis, 3; neph- ritis and Bright's disease, 5; other accidents and diseases of pregnancy and parturition, 2; congenital debility, &c.. 7; other defined disease, 9; diseases ill- 91: di, defined, 1. Water Supply.—The sufficiency and quality of tiie water in the di-trret generally is still unsatisfactory being exactly in the same state as when reported upon last year. Llanybyther Village.—The upper part of the vil- lage has no supply with the exception of a few householders who have pumps of their own, but some steps have been tilken which I hope will result in a year or two in the provision of a sufficient supply. Drainage and Sewerage.—The drainage is till in the same state as described in my last year's repo t, and there can hardly be any improvement until we get a water supply. The sewage is used as garden manure, and the pumps when provided are u.-ualiy sunk in the gardens. Milk Supply.—There are six dairies in the district, all in a fairly satisfactory state of cleanliness. Workshops and Work Pl^res.—Seven in the dis- trict. all kept clean, well-ventilated and no over- crowding. Workmen's Cottages. —As long as tiie building of workmen's cottages is solely dependent on private enterprise, I fear that much improvement in this respect cannot be expected, as most workmen, especially on the hind, do not '^arn more than 15s. to 18s. a week, which hardly suffices to keep the familv in food and clothing, to say nothing of rent. It is to be hoped th,.t in the near future something will be done by the State to remedy these defects. Communion Cups.—In concluding, I beg to point out one cau-P of the snresd of tuberculosis which i- to be feared is not sufficiently realized, and that is the custom of using the same cup by several of the consrresrntion when mrtaking of Communion. I" many plnces the individual nun system is adonted find if that bpenT^p rnore universal, undoubtedlv manv cnces of infection by this dire disease might be prevented.

LLANDOVERY The fortnightly meeting of this Board was held on Friday, when there were present: Mr D. Davies, J.P. (chairman), Ald. T. Wntkins (vice-chairman), and Messrs. E. P. Lloyd. W. Evans. T. Evans (Aberna nt). Rees Lewis, T. W lliams, W. R Lewis. Thomas Davies. N. Nicholas. E. Harries, W. Thomas, Phillin Davie*. Morgans iGwynfe). Daniel I-ewia. Thomas Jones, L. Roderick, and Dr. Morgan, medical officer to the Board; together with the officials. OUTDOOR RELIEF. Mr. E. Willinm*. relieving officer, reported that the number in receipt of outdoor relief for the week ending F-bruarv 12th was 126. cost C99 4,. QI. corresponding week last year 123, cost £ 22 6s. 8d. For the week endinsr February 19th 1?4. cost 9s. 6d.; corresponding week last year 123, cost JS19 4s. 6d. AT THE HOUSE. The Master's report showed that the number of vagrants relieved for the fortnight was 92 against 148 the same period last year. Inmates 25. against 33. On the 8th no service was held at the House. The Master said it was the turn of the Church of England The Vicar was to have preached, but he was unable to attend as he had to conduct a service at the Church on account of the Rev. J. Titus having to officiate at Llangadock, of which Church he was vicar designate. The Vice-Chairman sa;d that as a rule all the denominations attended regularly. The Chairman asked the Master under such cir- cumstances to try to get someone else to minister to them. The Master—They tak" it unon turns. Mrs. Vaughan Watkins, Tycerrig. had sent a parcel of newspapers and magazines to the House. On the 15th divine service had been conducted at the House by the Rev. J. Thomllll. Morriston. On the 16th inst. Mr. Thomas Williams. Cwmllynfe, and Ald. Watkins. bdth members of the Board. were shown over the House. They found the place clean as usual and the inmates comfortable. A further re- nort ran ag follows:—"Feb. 20th. We visited Tunybryn to-day and found everything in excellent order. We visited every room and examined the provisions. We were fully satisfied with the quality of the same which was srood. We went through the dietary table with the Master, and wish to say that the inmates could wish for nothing better. The inmates were pleased and contented with their lot. No on" eamnlfiined of nnvthine. and the Institution is d'sciplined and looked after in a very methodical way.—Thomas M. Morgan, Phillip Davies. Evan Hai-ries. Poor Law Guardians Mr. Tlom ._lot Williams said that when he and the vice-chairman went over the House they found that the w-flter was working under the foundation by the front d<->or. Thev recommended thnt n n-rRti(! be placed there. Further they found that the pigstve was too close to the boiler, a wall only separating tli@in. Consequentlv the p'ace was too hot and in- jurious to the health of the animals. The boiler should be removed. One pig had died on account of th'"5 sometime nco. AH Watkins endorsed all that had been said by Mr. W lliams. whom he said was a farrier and an exnert- in these matters. Some of the members nbo asked, -init(I laughter, if the p'gs were not being overcrowded, and whether it would not be best to have a report from the medical officer on the subject Mr. W. R. Lewis- Wae the animal that died the celebrated "Mochyn Du" (laughter). It was decided that having regard to the fact that the present pigs had been in the same tempera- ture up to now that it would be dangerous to re- move the boiler at present, and that the matter be attended to after the present pigs had been slaughtered. THE CILYCWM COLLECTORSHIP. With reference to the vacant collectorship at Ciiv- cwm, the Local Government Board wrote sanction- illlg the appointment of an assistant overseer by the Parish of Cilycwm instead of a collector as at present. Mr. Daniel Lewis was of opinion that ass:st.ant overseers should be appointed tor all tne pansi HANDCUFFS AND STAFF FOR THE MASTER. At a previous meeting the question of providing the Master with handcuffs and a -staff to enable him to deal w.t-h violent tramps pending the arrival of the police was discussed. The Assistant- Clerk now said that the Master had the same power in the matter as a police constable Aid. Watkins said that handcuffs were allowed in other workhouses, and in the interests of the rate- payers it was only right that they should be allowed here to be used ..n extreme cases, such as in the case of the two or three vagrants they had trouble with the other day. On that oocasion one of them a verv strong, powerful fellüw barricaded the door by turning the bedstead over against it, and effectu ally blocked the ingress of the Master He then got on top of it and kicked a lot of slates out of the roof doing damage to the extent of 10s or ■kxpense, was also incurred in repairing the door. In the course of the year they lost several pounds in th.s way. Even the look of the handcuffs would frignten them. Why could they not be pro- gressive here like other boards. He had much plea- sure in moving that the handcuffs be allowed. Messrs. T. Williams and L Roderick seconded simultaneously. The Chairman-I think we better have more than one pair. But I hope the Master will only use them in extreme cases. I don't see why we should n°Mr W h^-a-cioze^I,airs if they are'necessary. Mr. W. Thomas—The handcuffs, apart from the -tafli, are not much good. Both should be provided lhis was agreed to.

Rural District Council A special meeting of the Rural District Council wac held afterwards, Mr. Wm. Evans, J.P., Cross Inn, th^ chairman, presiding. of^ron'M "I"0' "r dkScussion was the diversion a 1?h 'ng tv,lh,1V1,'W bnd^ ovt'r Tow, at Rhandirmw/n. Mr. Drummond wrote to sav that he was prepared to advise the trustees of the Cawdor Estate to agree to the diversion of the road on con- dition that the present roadway was surrendered bv Jr,OUnci1 and fenoed in- and the necessary step's Quarter SE ™ <*un15 Quarter Mr. RodC'rick said that whatever the cost would J would mOlIPY wpl] expended. J L,;WIS sa)d he haPP*ned to be in town O.i Monday and was approached by many of a atepavers who asked him to trv and get Mr p evaded upon to undertake to advise the trustees in their favour jn the matter. He thought rW ful to Mr. Drummond. Mr. Morgan Gwynfe-I think in the first place that we ought to get an estimate of the cost of d.vertng the road. In Llangadock. as farmer we woU]d do the work oar.eives so far as the cartm/ etc.. was concerned. carting, n,wr'roI,l d^bt b"t U"t than the old rod. 1y experience is that it would not cost more. .in^Thov h.d V.TF"" WOUld °°" lIN+on wth the Ordnance Survey. He did not £ £ 2 r <*>: 'Y.-T, fi L closing. I hey should fall shorf *"■ d'd d"„°' n,ozid' s coll ditioiis. is h.i^r;0 to the diversion of th A^C'Sf0ns Wlth inference it it, .imp for ^his vrari "°Uld 1 -Alr. Daniel LeA--i., and Mr. Rod,-r-ek said that ro..a w.is a dangerous one. and bv rl,i "•2* If.' would be Mr. Da-wpp. Rhyblid, said he had oroof t ln ^porting the moron of Messrs MnJ 1 WlTtv Pr0i;ded the haUlmg done bT neighbourhood YN consideration ^17 TH^B^0™ tlm rhey had expended on the bridge. 8m°Unt The Chairman said he were unanimously in favour of the new To^ The'' wanted to be clear nn x- » road. I hey L'OTI Of PXpengk'. Much hanlin" and the rZ r^ farmor!! domg the and the Council s workmen the levelling. toIVsne5rdenCk <Hd not think be necoesarv rt,,y .hou, it ,h0 ,he fa™m «*" » ,f"Lco"ld Jo "o,hi"s The reply was in the negative Mr. Roderick said that those living in the ?acrine/ T** wt f°r ,T Tnp They would do their part On the moton of Mr. Thomas Evans, Abernant •■»«** memb-r, for I.l.nf»,r.ar.v.brvn should ,h(, farnl<!rs ro ha|i|i;n" and report that day fortnight.

ABERAYRON Ihe fortnightly meeting of the above Board was held on .February 18th, when there were present: Mr. David Jones, Bryn. Cribyri (cliali-iijaii); Messrs. D. T. Evans, Dihewid; T M Va 'dlllrn Edward Pont" .<11, J. M Jones, Ciloennin; K. R. Evans. Llan badarn, f refeglwys; Capt. Rees, New Quay: Mr,. Jones, Roland. Llansantffraed; Mr. Griffiths Aberayron Messr, Stephen James, Mydroilyn Evan Davies Llanddewi-Aberarth; Jenkin Jenkins, Glan- r- T Llansantffra^d John Jones. Dewi illu Henfynvw; Evan Davies, Llanddewi Lpper; John Evans, Nantygwrdu: J. E. Jones, Llandyssihogogo; together with the clerk (Mr. B. C. Jonosi and Dr. W. J. Davies (medical officer).— POACHING CHARGE FALLS THROUGH. Mr. HughM, Pennant, appeared before the Board in answer to a charge against him of being out late at night poach- ing. He denied the charge, and said that he never had a gun licence in his life nor traps, nor wiares. In answer to Mr. E. R Evans, Llanbadarn, he said I that he was never out after 10 o'clock at night in pursuit of game, &c. It was untrue that he was seen going out for rabbits when he was going to a wv]nos,YIr. Evan Richards, relieving officer, fished him if he was selling rabbits for other persons, and he replied yes, that people were bringing I I rabbits for his son to go and sell them. Mr. James. Llwvnfedw. proposed, and Mrs. Jones. Lianon. styonded that they should leave the mntter drop, and for him to take this as a warning.

Rural District Council The meeting of the above Council was held after the Board. Capt. B. P. Thomas (chairman) pre- siding. MYDROTLYN WEIGHING MACHINE. The Clerk read a letter from the so retary of the above committee, asking permission to build about three or four yards of wall so that the river mifht not damage the road. The Surveyor said it wonli! be a great help. He

■ FT THE SUPERIOR I ■ CONSTRUCTION! AND THE S,MPL c ITY. EFFICIENCY I BGLIRV AND DURABILITY! I OFTHE MELOTTE I ■ JMJJI 9 HAVE SECURED I FO" IT THE LARGEST SALE BRtTtSH A MELOTTE S<.>parator "il! paT' itself in a few months in increased f'" yield of and Butter SEn: GRAn PRIX ous other Awards. I ous other A wards. Write for Cat:í1'>u. Testimonials and name of H nearest Aiio:;t to the H Melotte -Separator Sales Co. Ltd. I BRISTOL. El I IL

NEWCASTLE-EMLYN The fortnLghtiy meeting of the above Board was held on Friday. Present: Mrs. Evans. Esger Messrs. J. Lewis, Metros Hall (chairman); J. o. James J. Davies. Aoereuion, Enoch Jones. Mock Rees Evans. Crosshands; D. L. Jones, Gwarllvn- eidos; Ben. Rees, Alltwaiis; J. Davies. PenlanJ. Morgans. Hendy: T. Davies, Ciiwaunyddfawr: T. Bo wen Llandre; J. Thomas, 'Steddfa; S. James, Artha:h; D. Jones, Blaenllan; J. W. Lewis- N Davies. Penbank; J. Thomas, Hendrewilym: J. Rees, Plas; J. D. Owen, Waunfawr,; J. L. Davies Pantseirifach: Jas. Jones. Rhydlewis; Dr. Jenkins* Hen llan J. navies, Pontgarreg H. Davies, Pantyr- hebog; W. Jones. Ogof DI. Lewis, Brondeg; J. C. Jones, veterinary surgeon: J. Hughes, Pengwern J. Phillips, Glanrhyd; D. Phillips. Rhosddu; T. Williams. Morfar Dr". Lloyd and Powell (medical rp *1 h:lrt')- J- E' M" (deputv-clerkt, and iF. W. Probert (assistant clerk). MASTER'S REPORT. The Master reported that 12 vagrants were re- lieved at the house as compared with 95 tor the corresponding period of last year. Inmates 21: last year, 19. Children in the house, 3. STATISTICS. During the past fortnight the following sums were paid in outdoor relief-Miss Thomas (deputy relieving officer). £ 46 13s. 4d. to 105 paupers; Mr. Ree. JE59 8s. M.. to 152 paupers. CONDOLENCE. The Chairman stated he bad a very unpleasant task to perforrn,-that of proposing a vote of isv I- pathy with the family of the late Mr. John Thomas relieving officer). Mr. Thomas had been an officer for a very long time, and a good one. He proved a great help to him as chairman jn view of hi» ion" experience. No matter how much they differed in opinion Mr. Thomas always had a smile on his fac>e He always showed the greatest kindness to paupers and was a most happy intermediary between the paupers and the ratepayers. Mr. Evans seconded the motion. Mr. T. Bowen said that during the 16 years he had been guardian he had always found Mr. Thomas all that could be desired. He always walked the. middle of the road. He remembered the time when Mr. Thomas was canvassing for the post. His (Mr Bowen'si mother then said that she would like the bachgen o G(,narth to get it, for he appeared to be a straightforward boy. That had proved strictly correct. The motion was passed in silence. With regard to the appointment of a successor it wa-s dc-cided to await a reply from the Loca; Government Board upon the matter so as to learn the necessary qualifications required.

Cured Her ECZEMA. *^|FTEI wMhiaf SWIM MW eurtalai, little irimplM BEpewwi •« my arms," says Mrs. A. E. Bachrach, of 130a, St. Thomas' Road, Fiasbary Park, London, N. "The skin then broke into nasty sores which corered my armsfrom wrists to elbows. "The itchta £ was so bad I couldn't sleap day or might. I tried doctor'* and ordinary ointments, but they were all disappointing "A friend then advised Zam-Buk, 80 1 boofht a box from the chemist. "Zam-Buk toothed the terTibLe irritmtitn, ad the sore places healed up with new akin. I am now quite cured, thanks entirely to this wonderful Zam-Buk."

calculated that six or seven yards of wall would be a great advantage. Mr. James, Llwynfedw. agreed. It was unanimously agreed that they should do so. f WATER SUPPLY. The Clerk said that it was their duty as Council to aaopt a water scheme. The Locai Government Board wrote to say that they considered that the average rateable value was not sufficient So justify them getting their water from Cikcnnin. so they were now in the dark on the question. The Clerk said that he had received a letter from the clerk of the New Quay Council regarding the matter. Mrs. Jones, Lianon, proposed that the Clerk should write to the Parish Council of Llansantffraed ex- plaining to them that they must take some steps in the matter. INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The Inspector said he had inspected a house in the parish oi Ystrad called -Pencilwc, which was not fit for human habitation. A aiosing order was made. I He also submitt-eu a plan of a house at Tai^arreg which he produced for inspection, and whuh was approved. ROADMEN'S WAGES. The Surveyor brought in his report about the workmen, and said mat he considered they were entitled to a rise, with the exception of two or three, who were in advanced age. Mr. Evan Lewis, Llainiwchaiarn, proposed 3d. a day increase, and llCi. a day to the old workmen, making 2s. 9d. and 2.. 7d., instead of 2s. 6d. Mr. J. M. Cilcvnnin, proposed 2s. 8d. per day to every workman, and Mr. John Evans. Nantv- gwrdi, seconded. This was carried by a good majority, viz.. that 0 they should get Zs. 8d. per day, to start from the ht of April. A deputation headed by Mr. Dl. Rees. Panty- cerdin, Cribyn. from the Parish Council, appeared asking the Council to ta.kt. over the rotid 1 1 n from Rhydybennau Farm to Cambrian Stores, as they had no proper road leading to the houses m the vicinity. The Surveyor was instructed to go and visit the place and to bring in a report in three months' time. Mr. B. C. Jones, clerk, was appointed to repre- sent the Board at the committee of the Light Rail- way at Lampeter on Saturday, the 28th inst.