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..-t I'ARMLYG NOTES.
t I'ARMLYG NOTES. ( i lIe Agricultural Gazette.9) ROTATION'S-. It ( ■■.«> to bo ('observes Professor Wrightson) the Tate or sr -;ul'ure to be always in a state of restricted rotation. If is the order of the agricultural l'resa and of ctrii'ulturiil discussions. It is a rotation which run* Its atio-ted time, clicks, and goes round the oflii-r way like a meat-jack. It takes no heed of the pft-t. but" clicks and turns, turns and clicks, until the experienced onlooker becomes rather wearied with the .Monotony of the thing. The very idea of a rota'uin forbids all idea of progress it is a circle, v,,i,).is or otherwise, and repeats itself-a gin-horse circuit, which knows neither beginning nor end. The farmer who is wedded to a rotation is a henp<vked husbandman-the slave of an espoused cause—the victim of a system from which there wenis to be no escape. The farmer who has made many rotations naturally feels as sick as the land. The first ve:ir of his rotation troots) promises profit in the fin ere the second year of his rotation gives him barley at. from 13s. to 24s. per quarter: the third gives him, perchance, a rick of spoiled hay; and the fourth gives him a seven-sack crop of wheat, worth something less than it cost to produce. He is then perhaps favoured with a glorious time for clean- ing his dirt), tields, and hope once more arises in his breast, to be dashed by an unremunerat ive crop of roots. Nav, we hear from au eminent Norfolk farmer that a good crop of roots is pimply ruinous, and an Essex authority declares that roots are an expensive and profitless crop, of which the less we see the better. Boots to make corn, and corn to lose money; roots to make more corn, and corn to lose money ajain. This is what we have come to after 50 ) ears of science, Rot-hamsted, education, and book-writing on farming—after 50 years of research and experiment. There is no progress, but the re- verse- bucksl idin. We look in vain for any general solution. The old recommendations rise up again and again, and are paraded as if tbey were new but, like the fashions in dress, they are mere repetitions. Grass instead of corn, oats instead of wheat, barley instead of oats, new crops (generally extremely un- satisfactory ) instead of old. Thus we go on perform- ing rotat ions of ideas as well as of crops—very stale te people over 50. The curious thing is that no one ever (or hardly ever) refers to any previous writing on the subject. It is all "new," although in reality it is all old. What is the actual state of the case? It seems to me that utrrictilture is too vast a subject to be brought under any rule or any recipe, or any new system. Every parish and every farm is blessed or cursed with its own soil, climate, and circum- stances, and perhaps the best thing any farmer can do is to bre ak loose from all rotations, mental or agriculturrtl. Successful faritiingis carried on now by a certain class of men who keep quiet, say little. and write less. If they have found a good thing they do not write to the papers, and if they do. the Lord hdp them Like that delightful and secluded resort on the coast so free from the tripper and the minstrel, it soon ceases to be, when once the enthusiastic public get hold of its whereabluts. It is positively dangerous to say any- thing above a whisper, for, on the least breathing of profit or prosperity, in rush competing multitudes who swamp themselves and those whose advice they follow. The wise man, therefore, takes a line of his own, and does not take the world into his confidence Especially are these remarks true of the smaller ngri- cultural indnst ries, such as fruit, butter, poultry, bees, jam, veger ibles, each and all of which have been well- nigh ruined hy invited competition. Tips are dangerous, especially when made public; and again we say that the wise man keeps his particular means of making both ends meet to himself or his friends. That there ire farmers who make money there can be no doubt, but they are scarcely to be found among those who follow the beaten track of four-course rotations. Especially are they not found among those who, sat urn ted with prejudices of the past, view stock as a means of growing corn, and corn as a thing to be grumbled over. Why keep cattle to produce a profitless article ? Tho" portable dung cart"- the po^-r innocent sheep with such a name as this tacsea to liis tan—can scarcely w> (jiuuiamv, can the bullock, bought at a ruinous store price to produce beef at o.^d. or 6d. a pound. Why is a full crop of roots a cause of dismay to Norfolh farmers when it ought to be a blessing? Simply because it puts up the price of stores. Why should the high price of stores, one of the greatest bless- ings to farmers, be regarded as a misfortune? Because the graziur is too short-sighted to produce them himself? Why should the high prices of store sheep prove a staggerer to an Eastern counties fafrmer ? -Because he declines to keep a flock of ewes. One thing in all this hubbub of conflicting advice is certain-that he who wishes to make farm- ing pay must breed his own stock. I lately m^* a man who told me chat a relative of his b'^ eP his head above water in that unfortu^-e county Of Norfolk by selling no corn for aiany years, and converting the whole of hip- produce into meat. The story only wanted oj- other particular to make it a good one, that thisiforuinate agriculturist bred hi- .fTt mi8ht' indefd' be amplified "I'P>7^d b-v Cltj°g » man who' haying f "d that were caPa,)le of PaJinS >>et u- -,red his corn area in order to produce crops vtèr adapted for feeding purposes than corn. It is scarcely dangerous, in the true interest of fanners, to publish afar thai. sheep can be made to pay. There are astute men who know when and how to buy lean sheep, and such men may sometimes do better than if they bred them. They are, however, liable to be bitten, and the wisest course is to breed a good article and pocket the profits of b<» £ j> breeder anc grazier. But to return to rotations. I read much of temporary pastures, and keep in mind the recent advice of Lord Leicester. I would, however, urge that on light lands, easy to till, more stock can be kept on arable than on grass land. It is impossiblt to achieve the highest success in sheep farming upor grass. Ewes as well as lambs want change, but lauibs cannot be brought to perfection without tillage. Thej require vetches and rape, cabbage and kale, clovei heads and turnips, mangel and swedes, grass and green rye and a poor spectacle would they soor present if turned out into a barren pasture in July and August. It is by the skilful use of artificial foods, coupled with plenty of change of green victuals, that, lambs of nine months old can be brought to 12st. car-case weight. Surely this must pay. That it can be done I can prove by my own experience, but I doubt if temporary pasture alont would accomplish such a result. We must havestraM and.roots, hay, and succulent cabbage, and all the other fruits of ploughing, Let the proportion of grass be increased by all means, but do not let us forget thai the maximum flock and the most perfect develop- ment of lambs cannot be achieved without a very con- siderable breadLh of arable land under suitable crops I hold that, for sheep-feeding a good piece of mangel is much better than a pasture. It does not, indeed seem to be appreciated that a large class of land deteriorates under grass. It by no means follows that all land improves under pasturage, but, on the contrary, much light land only keeps up in condition if constantly under crop. Laying down a field to grass does not sensibly diminish the number of horses required, and taking up a field does not necessitate the purchase of a horso or increase the annual labour bill. The rule so true of all men applies to farmers, carters, and labourers, that the less they have to do, the less they will do; and I am convinced, by practice, that if a few more acree of corn or roots are to bo got in in good time, the work will be done by the ordinary staff of the farm. Con- versely, if a smaller area is to be tilled, the farmer,, his men, and his horses, will make the work fill up their time. Everyone is not blessed with the energy to keep men moving and horses up to the collar, and hence the 20, 30, or 50 acres laid down to grass is found not to result in the laying-down of a team or the discharge of men. Certainly for *beep farming on the best system it is requisite to PU-h on work all the year round, and to secure a succession of fodder and root crops-turnips fit to eat in July mangCi to last until the new crop is a most fit to pull, rape and kale for epring and summer, trifolium an{j vetches, winter rye, barley, ..oat8' with fresh-springing clover-heads, The L0",18 a, see°ndary matter. It is the corn crop ic s ould be mulct. The hunger for a barley ?r.wheat should be satisfied by 100 fat tega selling at 60s. each, instead of by 100 sacks of corn selling at 10s. each. It ie by such means that land w. 11 be bright into condi* tion to grow really paying crops of com at preSent prices but the sheep should pay their own way and the land manured for nothing.
[No title]
MABBL: How pale the moon iSI" Josepbns: Ye. i jt J, beea out late for several nights*
GARDENING GOSSIP. -
GARDENING GOSSIP. (From Gardening Illustrated.") COHBWTVATORY Tea and Noisette Roses will soon be plentiful. Safrano planted out in a light position is useful for J cutting in the bud state. It is a free-growing Rose, and free growth is necessary to obtain abundance of flowers. There are several old Roses, such as Elisa Sauvage, Lamarque, and Moiret, that we used to grow under glass years ago, that will still be found useful for filling a lofty house. Moiret we have specially fine at this season. Under glass in water t lie flowers are white, but later on there will be a pink tinge in the petals, and in the open air there will st ill be more colour. When allowed to go freely, this Rose will fill a large space, and is rarely without blossoms for cutting. Where Luculias are grown as bushes in the border they should be pruned back rather hard now. When grown as wall plants so much pruning will not be necessary, as the young shoots may be tied in so long as there is wall space to be covered. All plants will require more water now, and liquid-manure should be given to those things coming into bloom. Cinerarias, if well-grown. Mill be useful now, but there is always some trouble in keeping these free from green-fly, and to be eflective it is necessary to do this. We find it better and cheaper to dip these plants in a solution of good soap, having a bath of soap and water and another bath of clean water close, so that as the plant is taken from the soapy water it is im- mediately dipped in the clean water. This dipping should be done for the last time just before the (lowers begin to expand. Passion-flowers and other climbers will soon begin to grow now, and it will better as soon as the voung shoots are an inch or two long to disbud all the weak shoots. Forced flowers will be coming on rapidly now. Standard Roses established in pots are very useful in a large house. as the long stems can be hidden among other things. This is a good way of utilising Standard Teas. STOVB. Vaporise occasionally to keep out insects; this is better and more economical than waiting till the insects are numerous before using the remedy. It will soon be time now to repot Allamandas, Clerodendrons, and other deciduous climbers. Bottom-heat will be useful after repotting to get the roots quickly into action. Not much water will be required for a time after repotting. This applies to all plants recently potted, especially at this season. Dendrobiums and other Orchids coming into bloom must be kept moist at the root. Those plants making or commencing to make growth will also require more water as the days lengthen, and the atmospheric moisture should also be increased. Water for svringmg must be pure and of the same temperature as the atmosphere of the house. Cuttings of all subjects likely to be useful should be taken now and plunged in bottom heat. CNHEATED GREENHOUSE. Up to the present there has been no frost sharp enough to hurt anything under a glass roof, and bulbs that were potted early will now be coming into flower. If frost comes these should be protected at night with paper covers, and if very severe a part of the roof might be covered with mats or canvas. Tree lVonies will soon be moving. India and other Rhododendrons will be swelling their buds. ThesfI are all charming things for the cold house. Lapa gerias and Camellias will do very well planted out in a cold house. Watering must be done if required on 11 the mornings of fine days, when the lights can be opened to let out the damp; but no water will be required during frosty weather. Top-dress Auriculas, and either dip the plants or dust with Tobacco- powder should there be any appearance of green-fly. Give air freely in mild weather. EARLY VINERY. Stopping at the first or second leaf must have prompt attention. It is better to allow two leaves to remain as it can be done without crowding. The laterals must be tied regularly so as to fill up all the space between the rods with healthy foliage. The tying-down must be done gradually and with care. If a shoot splinters off a blank will be left that will be difficult to fill up. The Vines should be trained not less than 18 inches from the glass; especially is this important in modem houses where the roof is nearly bunches anTdeveloping, should not be less than from GOdeg to 65deg. If the roots are inside, see that they are in a moist condition. Take the chill off an water used. Commence to thin the berries as soon as it can be seen which are taking the lead. wumow GABDBN. There e-re plenty of flowerw low in bulbs— Cyclamen*. Primulas, Cinerarias, &c. The other day I saw f group of Cypripediums in the window of a towr. house bright and fresh. The common C. signe is not difficult to grow and keep in health. Foli^e must be kept clean by sponging. The best Palms for rooms are Kentias, and these are fairly cheap now. OUTDOOR GARDBW. Prepare lieds in shady corners for hardy Ferns. It is not always convenient to obtain stones or vitrifiod bricks. These add to the picturesque appearance of the group. Old retorts from the gasworks when broken up are very suitable for making rockeries for Ferns and alpines, and if washed over with cement the effect is much better. The same course may be taken when clinkers or vitrified bricks are used. It is too soon to plant hardy Ferns yet. April will be timo enough, or just before the Ferns begin to grow. Alpine plants will move successfully about the same time; but the positions may bo made now to allow for settling. Most of our native Ferns will grow in good ordinary soil. Any- thing small or delicate may have a little leaf- mould and sand, or a little crushed stone. The Primula family and hardy Cyclamens should be grouped on the shady side. Beds for Rhododendrons should be prepared now for planting in April. The beds may be edged with hardy Heaths, &nd Lilium auratum and other Lilies may be planted in open spots among the shrubs. The Lilies may be started in pots plunged in a cold-pit till required. The season has been remarkably open and mild, and planting has been going on all the season, enabling nurserymen to clear off a good deal of otock. Many think that if the planting cannot be done by the end of November it will be better to wait till another season. This is a mistake. Well-prepared trees and shrubs never need be lost by transplanting tf properly cared for. But for spring planting I should obtain the shrubs as near home as possible. FRUIT GARDHH. The birds will soon be busy amonl e buds unless precautions are taken. The remedy is to dust with lime, or to syringe with a mixture of soft-soap and lime or soot. Where the Gooseberry-caterpillar has been troublesome, remove three inches of soil from under the bushes, and bury it in some deep hole or trench, where the insects cannot work through, and fill up under the bushes with soil from a freeh spot. Mix a little lime with the soil, and if necessary add a mulch of good manure. Gooseberries and Currants bear heavy crops, and should be well nourished. Apple- trees infested with American-blight or the Cotton- aphis should be thoroughly cleansed with good soap, well washed into the vrevices. The insects descend into the earth and feed upon the roots in winter therefore, one or even two dressings will cot get rid of the pests in bad cam. It will soon be necessary to get the Peaches pruned and trained. It is a mistake to cut young treea so hard back as ie frequently done. Remove the soft points, and bring the shoots as near the horizontal aa is consistent with the proper furnishing of the wall. In all cases the centre of young trees should be kept open in training, and room should be left for laying in the side-shoots. VEGETABLE GARDBN. Ir. the outdoor department we must be guided by the weather. There is not much gained by being in a hurry to aow seeds if the ground is wet and cold. But in every garden there should be a raised early border of sufficient size to raise a few early things, and generally at this Beason, if the weather is open. Peas, Beans, Carrots. Radishes, Lettuces, Spinach, Parsley if required, Oaions and Leeks may be sown in small quantities. Early potatoes may also be planted for the first crop, and the old-fashioned plan of sheltering the seed-beds with straw may be adopted with advantage. We have had a mild winter so far, but we may yet have severe frost. Those who have room to spare in the greenhouse may grow a few early Potatoes in lOin. pots, three sets in each pot; the sets should have been started two or three weeks ago. This adds much to the earliness of the crop. If there is frame or pit room to spare, dwarf Peas, such as Chekea Gem, may be p»nted in rows across the pit. If them is a warm-pit with a tempera- ture of GOdeg. or so, French Beans may be planted, and Lettuces may be sown or planted in in which Asparagus JPWB forced. Jfwifl turn# ia very quickly.
AMERICAN HUMOUR.
AMERICAN HUMOUR. HB must be worth at least a hundred thousand dollars, mamma." How do you know?" He told me his fortune ended in five ciphers." 11 Bm. Maybo it begins with one, too." HB woke, his sleep with trouble fmulfit, And heard an awful sound. He tlought The day of judgment come Then he remembered be had bought His little boy a drum. HARRY: What girl was that you had is tow last evening?" Willy (indignantly): "What you ari pleased to call tow is usually spoken of by people oi culture as blonde tresses." I LOVE to flirt with the college bojl Because they are so nice And when they kiss me once I knew They're going to kiss me twice. BOBBIE: "Father will be down inamonent. Have a cigar?" Von Bluiner: "Are you sure thee are the kind he gives to his friends?" Bobbie: 'Yes, sir. They are some that mother gave him." Miss BEEKON "I wonder why Managr B has so much trouble with his leading lady ? He never used to have." Miss Hubb Why, don't you know ? The idiot married her at the eld of last season." MHS. BACON The man upstairs is all the time missing money. His wife takes it out of lis pocket while he's asleep." Mrs. Egbert: Doein he sus- pect her?" "Oh, no; he's a professioial mind- reader." MOTHER: When the boy in the other hcuse threw stones at you why didn't you come and tell me?" Bobby: "Because, mamma, I can throw tiem back better than you. He's more likely to get kit." MR. KEEP CASH Did you write that nan who advertises to show people how to make desserts with- out milk and have tbem richer?" Mrs. Cash; Yes, and sent him the dollar." "What did hi reply?" Use cream." PAPA," inquired a small girl at the dinner-table the other evening. what's a millionaire ? Dorothy Smith said to me to-day 'Your father's a millionaire. What did you say?" asked the small girl's father. Oh, I jus' said, So's yours: SiiE was bloomingly lovely and charmingly young, And coquettishly stood where the mistletoe hung I was fondly intent upon kissing the miss, But I only succeeded in missing the kiss. 11 A LL I demand for my client," shouted the attorney, in the voice of a man who was paid tor it, is justice! "I'm very sorry I can't acconimooate you," replied the judge, but the law won't allow me to give him more than 14 years." WLitE you ever in the south on the occasion of a county fair, a circus or any demonstration that attracts a large gathering of people. If so, you are familiar with the negro snack stand. In the north, perhaps, they would be called refreshment counters, but in the south they are snack stands, deriving their name, perhaps, from the fact that the stock in trade consists of snacks of corn-pone, snacks of roast barbecue, snacks of gingerbread that resemble paving blocks, but snacks withal; while occasionally a well-to-do negro will have the carcase of a chicken to ornament his stand, providing, of course, that the fowls are not roosting too high. It is not, however, with the snack stand that this anecdote has to do, but with an old Uncle Remus who dispensed corn-pone and gingerbread from behind one of these stands on circus day in a small Georgia town. Sauntering along the street, banked on either side by these snacks, I saluted this particular negro with a Good morning, uncle how are you getting along to-day ?" Mornin', white folks, mornin'. 1's jess doin' tol'able, jess tol'able." II What's the trouble, uncle-businest; bad?" "Not zactly, not zactly, but dey is conditions. Y' see when I liyad dat de caicus was comin' to town, Mandv and me 'lowed as how we ought to have » snack, but we didn't hab no money to buy de stuff. But d,b grocer 'lowed as how he could let us hab de stuff and den pay for it after we got sold out. So hyars our st-md. NN, o was ketchin up fust class till dw a'gg% i*a.r"nr.d uySi Jrgim IU OUL prices jess ae same, i^ow its ci-s way. If I *11 Uo •tuff got to go to de guadbouse, and if I do sell all my scuff I won't, at dese cut prices, hab enough money to pay de grocer ajid I'll hab to go to de Kuadhnuse anyhow. Jf jess doin' tol'able, white folks jess doin* tol able.' WHEN asked why she rejected me, Her reasons were most frank; She weighed me in the balance—and I had none at the bank. MRS. WAGGLES Doesn't your husl and suffer dreadfully with rheumatism ?" Mrs. Wiggles: "Yes, but it's nothing to what the rest of us-have to en- dure." BROWN is weak financially, isn't he?" He hasn't much money, but he gives employment to a great many men." "Who are they?" "Other people's bill collectors." "How do you sell this music paper? asked the customer at the stationery store. I'm not certain &bout it," said the new clerk, but I think we sell it by the choir." FUDDY "Hello, there's Boojum over there. I Wonder if that is his wife him." Duddv: course not. Don't you see that he is carrying all the parcels ?" UNCLE BOB: ""What you going to be when you become a man, Tommy?' Tommy: "I'm going to be a soldier, 'cos then I can fight all I want to with- become a man, Tommy?' Tommy: "I'm going to be a soldier, 'cos then I can fight all I want to with- out being spanked for it." „ SHE: I think I will do the cooking myself awhile." He H'm That was what you wanted me to take out more life insurance for was it r WUAT is a kiss r' her lover sighed. Grammatically defined Tis a conjuction,' she replied, And cannot be declined." MAUDE You wouldn't know my beau now if you met him." Nell: Why, has he changed so much aa that ?" Maude: That isn't it, exactly. I've changed him." ZIGSBY I have put a friend of mine on his feet three times in the last two years." Perkøby:" That's nothing. I put a friend of mine on his feet 14 times last night." HAVE you seen that portrait of Miss Dawkins t^. Marulous Boran ? It looks just like an old master. Do you think so ? I thought it looked more like an old maid." HK When you are asked to sing and don t wish to, you always have such a convenient cold. Where do you get them?" She: "Oh, they're kept 'on draught' all over town." POETICUS Have you read Shakespeares Loves Labour Lost?'" Cynicus: "No; but I've taken a girl to the theatre, and heard her tali to the man next her all through the show." "TJIE kind of men I want to hire," said a news- paper publisher the other day, while talking to a friend, "are seldom to be had. No matter what their lines of businesa, 'MOM' (a word that rhymes with scissors) are never oat ot work, and always get good money. I want some Risers. '"Isers/ exclaimed his companion. What <n earth are 'Mera?'" "To explain what they are, replied the publisher, "let me tell you a atory of a want ad.' Once a man wished to employ for his circus an acrobat who could throw triple somersaults. So he put a 'want ad.' in the paper. In reply to the advertisement hereceived 50 letters. Together with a friend he read them over. Some of the letters he put in a pile by themselves; they were the ones that read something like this Dear air: You advertise for a man who can throw a triple somersault. I ueed to throw triple somersaults, and think that after a little practice I could do it again. I'd like a trial.' The other letters were put in another pile, and ran something like this. Dear Sir: I am a good acrobat, but while I never have thrown triple somersault*, I think with a U"ie practice I oouid do it. Td like to have a trial. Well," said the eiwus man, aa be shook his bead, 8dIr, there they are—50 letten from 50 acrobats. Twenty-five of them are has beens,' 26 are going-to- bes,' but there ain't an iser' in the whole lot! Now, I want' isers,' aad so does every other business man; but they are all employed." "No, no thanks; no sausages for me," said Bob Mitchell, the comedian. He was taking supper at a Ban Jose restaurant after a recent minstrel, perform- anoe. Don't you care for sausage ?" asked Oathcart. Not since my friend, the butcher, told me how he, made it- I bought some sausage of him the ether day I took it home and ate it. and I never tasted any finer sausage in my life. The next- time I saw himl asked: • Where did you get that sausage' Made it; said be. 'It was the fineet I ever ate. How dici you make it f 'A fiiend ffave me a poinur"
THE WOMAN'S WORLD. -
THE WOMAN'S WORLD. BLACK and white striped ribbons have now, in con- sequence of the Court mourning, little sprigs of white or black over and in between the stripes; pearls and diamonds are worn even in the deepest mourning, and nothing is worn in the hair save aigrettes of black or white. MRS. ARIA writes in the Daily Chronicle To be or not to be? that is the question, as some famous person once observed in reference to some other less important matter: the small sleeve or the large sleeve. Persons will continue to discuss this, even though the eminent authorities have said that the sleeve of the immediate future is to have a short puff on the top, and thence be tight to tbe wrist, pre- serving what is known as the Tudor outline, but dif- ferring in detail according to individual fancy. ANOTHER new occupation has been found for women—or rather by tbem—they have taken to the road as commercial travellers, and, judging by the success of those who have already ventured, it ap- pears to be a rather attractive and successful calling. There are so many articles sold by large firms that are peculiarly in a woman's province—music, jewellery, light haberdashery, fancy good of all kinds, silk and lace, to mention a few-that it is only a wonder women were not employed to sell wholesale years before. It seems quite reasonable that men should work, and women should—" sell the products of their labour. There is no doubt about their fitness for such work. Their pertinacity is proverbial, while their natural intuition and quickness of perception must tell in their favour. I take stock of the neighbourhood as I go through, and when I arrive at a house of busi- ness, I tell them what songs and music I think they want. I have invariably had my judgment con- firmed by further orders," said a bright young lady commercial to whom a writer in Household Words was lately speaking on the subject. She travels for a London firm of music publishers. She was educated as a teacher of music, but found the calling distaste- ful, and infinitely prefers her present one. "There is an endless variety in it, although, of course, there are drawbacks. This girl and her sister share a tiny London flat, and are hardly ever at home. One is a singer, and is often absent with touring nonipanies, while the other, the travelling lady, takes a three months' round at a time, collecting orders, and selling new goods in all parts of England. A robust consti- tution, excellent health, any amount of patience, and an endless stock of good temper are required. The fatigue of constant travelling is very great. There is something, too, as to the question of chivalry in the matter. A man does not like to be as abrupt and rude to a woman as he would be, if the occasion allowed, to one of his own sex. Just a word, in finishing, to girls who would like to try this mode of earning a livelihood. Do not expect an easy time you will soon be discouraged, unless you are prepared for rebuffs and disappointments, and deter- mined to disregard them. Be as concise as possible, consistent with a careful and exact statement of your business aims and views. Dress well, but neatly. Do not make the mistake of over-dressing, or of wear- ing expensive jewellery; it is not businesslike, and sensible people will distrust you. Do not persist, in seeking an interview with the principal, if you find a subordinate willing to entertain you gain his ear first, and you will have a friend at court. Do not, try to crowd too much work into a short period your health and strength are the best part of your capital, and you cannot afford to be prodigal of either in the keen struggle for a livelihood which we all experience nowadays." BLACK silk is too useful a fabric (says a writer on Mourning Modes," in the Morning Advertiser) to ever go out of fashion, but this year a strong revival in its favour was predicted before the unfortrmal e necessity for a universal donning of black garb was contemplated. The newest of these silks are more lustrous than those of a season ago, but, after all, it is a mere matter of taste, and can scarcely be ac- counted as a canon of Madame La Mode's. Jet or black sequinsare sometimes used byway of an elabora- y.'jj-. me design on a brocaded ground, and a variety is lent to this by a mingling of brilliants or steel paillettes with the sequins, while jet is sometimes seen on a dull black surface. The recent 1 _„.i, .•«_■ -~k»OCWJO, m view oi »uc urwa^Fy^SPWeal'Ing'clinging materials. Your.2 ladies are provided with a perfectly charming evening dress in a white cashmere trimmed with a Byzantine garniture of jet or a mixture of jet and crystal beads. For house or tea gowns nothing can be more charming than a cashmere de 1'Inde or a soft French merino. It adapts itself readily to the draping art, and there is a certain suppleness about it which is rarely attainable in other cloths. A stylish reception gown shown by a leading West-enc1 house was of black cashmere mounted on dove- coloured silk, the seams of the skirt being covered with a narrow, but none the less effective, trimming of grey and black. The neat little basqued bodice was lined with the dove silk, and in lieu of a vest or yoke, the quite plain fronts were ornamented with motifs of grey silk guipure, picked out with jet cabouehons. Equally smart was a costume of black toile de soie, this being shown up by a doublure oi white gt".grain. The Louis XVI. coat had a vest and jabot of crimped lisse, studded with diamonds, and at the back some handsome buttons of diamonds, with jet centres. The necessities for greys, mauves, and the paler shades in these will doubtless be productive of many new variants in them. The mohairs in these are likely to enjoy an extraordinary vogue, and they are also most effective in black. One thing is to be avoided in the fashioning of the latter, and that is the pleating of the skirts right up to the waist, a style which is very heavy in many fabrics, and un- endurable in those of a wiry nature. The Priestley fabrics are amongst those which all wearers of com- plimentary or, half-mourning should resort to. They are not too dull, and amongst the soft greys there are many tones so becoming that the dismissal of brighter nues from the wardrobe would not be regretted. The flounce from tbe knees has again made its appearance, but it requires much dis- crimination in its use; only certain figures can stand it, and then it must be very carefully hung. The old-world mode of having ruches of tulle or tarlatan on an evening dress is de rigueur once more. They only look well, however, when quite fresh, and as their existence is ephemeral, they are an ex- travagance. Many of the newest evening dresses have the skirt seams outlined with flowers set on in full ruchings; the effect is most charm- ing. A lovely dress of white tulle was thus ornamented with white jasmine and foliage; another of black ga-ze de Chambery had the outlining of pale mauve crocuses, whilst a silver-grey satin was rendered exquisite by bunches of white violets. The -tulle ball-gowns for young ladies have frequently a front apron-shaped panel entirely covered with flowers and a film of the tulle laid over them. The I idea is charming if carried out in white with violets, I either Neapolitan or Parmfc, or in black, with the white version of the lovely-scented flower. These I white violets, about which so many legends have been woven, are immensely popular, both as a dress trim- ming and in millinery. Width appears to be the chief consideration in regard to hats. A fluffy fur collar gives the outlines of the fa,e a softer look. Jewelled trimming is used for everything, but especially for evening toilets. White- satin is extensively employed in dress trim mings. Big buttons and big plaids make a little woman appear even smaller than she really is. Brocadeo, figured goods. and fancy velvets are ex- tremely popular. The short cape is a favourite wrap on account of the ease with which it goes over the big sleeves. Alaska sable, Persian lamb, seal, fox, chinchills, and mink are tbe most fashionable furs this season. Wide gauntlet cuffs, deeply slashed and heavily buttoned, are popular, and they give a military aspect to the garment. Acconnmo to the latest fashion, the veil is obli- gatory only for widows, though a woman who has lost her parents or a child may wear one; but good taste has denuded her gown entirely of all the ugly bombazine or crape trimmings, and many materials have been added to the mourning list that 10 years ago were not permitted in the wardrobe. Very high flaring collars are worn this winter, framing the face and head, and protecting them to an unusual extent. Veils are worn upon any and all occasions, but discreet women eschew the heavily dotted ones for wear in the evening, as the shadows cast on the face are most unbecoming.
HOME HINTS. .
HOME HINTS. How TO DHSTROY ANTS.—slake a strong solution of camphor in spirits of "Ioe and water, and pour it into the holes from wbich they come; or use tobacco- water, or carbolic twid, or petroleum, in the same way. All or any of these are effectual on one condi- tion, and that ia repeated use. It is no good doing it for a dn.v or two; the remedy chosen should be applied steadily for three or four nights, then again after an interval of three or four days, and so until they cease to reappear. The same rule applies to ants as to black-beetles and other creatures of the same kind. You must, if you really wish to exter- minate them, not only destroy the present swarms, but also those which hatch off later, otherwise you will have no peace. W ASTH IN COOKING.—Four lbs. of beef, in boiling or stewing loses about lib. of its substance; butyou have it all in the broth or gravy, if you have kept the pot closely covered. In baking, l^lb. will be almost en- tirely lost, unless you have plenty of vegetable in the dripping-pan to absorb and preserve it. In roasting before the fire you lose nearly Hlbs. Do not think you save the waste in the shape of dripping. It is poor enconomy to buy fat at the price of meat merely for the pleasure of drying it. out.. To Ci.AITIFY DRIPPING.—Put. the dripping that you wish to clarify into a saucepan; pour boiling water over it; let it boil for 20 minutes with the cover otf, that the moisture may be carried away as steam; then pour it alllinto a basin. The fat, which is lighter than water, will rise to the top. When the dripping is cold, you can take it off as a solid cake scrape the under side of the dripping, to take away the bits that will have settled there. Never waste any fat save all that is left on the top of stock or broth, and clarify it. Take car" of all pieces of fat that are not likely to be eaten if a piece of meat is very fat, cut some of the fat neatly off before it is cooked, and render it in the following manner Cut it into small pieces, put it into a pan, cover it with cold water (do not put on the lid), and bring it very slowly to the boiling point; take off all the scum as it rises draw the saucepan to the side of the fire, and let it. simmer tv few minutes after it has cooled a little, strain it into a basin. FISH IIOI.LS.—Break up any cold fish, fresh or salt, in small pieces, carefully removing the bones and skin put the fish on a plate, with half a teacup- ful of bread-crumbs, pepper, salt, a little finely- chopped parsley, a grate of nutmeg, and half an egg, well beaten; mix well and form into little rolls like sausages. Dip each one in the half egg, then in fine bread-crumbs fry a nice brown in quite boiling fat in a fri iiig-pan. Dish on a mound of nicely-mashed potatoes. ITUDK PLIDDINc,Butter a pie-dish and clumble into it three rusks make a custard with a pint of milk and three eggs, a little sugar, and grated nut- meg; beat the eggs well with a fork in a basin, and pour in, a little at a time, the hot milk-it must only be hot, not boiling. When well mixed, pour over the rusks let this soak for half an hour, then bake in a hot oven 20 minutes. VEGETABLE SOUP.—Scrape and well wash foui carrots, cutting away all dark specks; cut these in quarters. Melt a generous lump of butter or nice beef dripping in a saucepan put in the carrots, and let them fry well with four onions, three turnips, and two heads of celery, all cut in quarters. Cover the saucepan and let the vegetables simmer, without colouring too much, for three-quarters of an hour. Pour ever the vegetables three pints of hot water, boil for half an hour mix a tablespoonful of flour with enough milk to make a smooth batter, pour into the aaucepan with the vegetables, well season with pepper and salt; let it boil quickly for ten minutes, and serve with fried sippets of bread. CALF'S HElART ROASTED. — Wash the heart thoroughly in cold water, to remove the blood, and cut out the veins and arteries. Make a stuffing with one tablespoonful of bread-crumbs, one tablespoonful of chopped onions, onesaltspoonful of powdered sage, one lu4f a saltspoonful of salt, and a tiny bit of pepper. This you may moisten with milk or water. After it is prepared put it into the cavity caused by the removal of the arteries, and sew the edges together. Slice an onion and brown it in atablespoonful of clari- fied dripping; skim out the pieces of onion, reserving them for use, brown the heart in the seasoned fat, then put it with the qnW i» dish, and ha mver vitK1-5 r' Bake in a hot om- nour, basting every ten minutes add more water if necessary. When the heart is done, you may make a gravy by thickening the water that is left in the dish with a little tlour wet in cold water. You will find this a very nice occasional dish for dinner, and a very inexpensive one. TEA BISCUITS — Put lb. of flour in a basin, and with tho hands work in loz. of butter or dripping, two tablespoonfuls of sugar, a teaspoonful of baking- powder, half a teaspoonful of ground cinnamon, end one whole egg, adding a little milk, to mix it to a nice soft dough. When well mixed, turn it on a well- floured board, roll it lightly and evenly until it is not more than three-quarters of an inch in thickness; cut it in rounds with the top of a tumbler, prick them and bake in a hot oven for 25 minutes. RISSOLES OF RICE AND COLD MEAT.—Boil half a teacupful of rice in boiling water for ten minutes; let this drain for quite twenty minutes. Chop fine any cold beef, mutton, rabbit, or game, removing care- fully all little bits of gristle and fat. Make a little boil. Mix smooth a teaspoonful of flour with a sauce, with half a teacupful of milk; set on the stove to little cold milk stir this into the boiling milk let the cold chopped meat; turn this on a plate to cool. it boil for five minutes. Stir in the drained rice and Then mix in thoroughly one whole egg, a little finely- chopped onion, parsley, pepper and salt to your taste. Beat up an egg on a plate, and have ready in a clean piece of paper a nice quantity of fine bread- crumbs. Make up the mixture into round balls, or shape them like small sausages; dip each one into the beaten egg, then into the crumbs, and fry a nice brown on both sides in quite boiling fat. Dish in a hot vege- table dish on'd mound of nicely-mashed potato. SCOTCH SIIORTUKBAD.—Put -gib. of butter in a basin and well mix in a tlo. of sugar. Stir in lb. of flour. Work this well with the hands. Take out, a small piece at a time, and with the hands, on a lightly- floured board, make into round or oval-shaped cakes, ftbout 2 in. or |in. thick. Cut round the edges with a knife put on nice clean, dry baking-tins, and bake a pale brown in not too hot an oven. STEWED PEAls.-Peel the pears, as many as you will want for a good dish, quite thinly, cut them in halves and carefully remove the core, scooping it only just to leave as small a place as possible, not to spoil the shape of the pear; put the pears in a very clean saucepan with the cut sides uppermost; just cover them with quite boiling water, the thinly-cut rind of a lemon, four tablespoonfuls of sugar, and a piece of stick cinnamon. Cover the saucepan close and let them stew gently six hours. They should be a pretty pink colour if kept boiling gently. Take them out with a gpoon on a plate and boil the juice until it is aByrup pour it over the pears and serve cold with a jug of cream or custard and a dish of nicely-boiled rice. HOT WATKR.- -The soothing effects of hot water are not fully appreciated, said a physician the other day. I recommend it to a large number of my patients who suffer from sleeplessness produced by nervous irrita- tion of the stomach, and also for certain forms of indigestion. Many of them object to it at first, but soon come to like it, and are generally much benefited by it. A glass of hot water now and then will work no appreciable good, but a steady habit of hot water drinking once formed; and sustained regularly for a few months, works wonders with certain constitutions. I generally recommend its use just before going to bed. It is a great soother. SICK C III is often a good sign for a child who is seriously ill to suddenly become cross. It is then he begins to feel his weakness, and to give vent to his feelings. Children are almost always cross when recovering from an illness, however patient they may have been during its severest moments, and the phenomenon is not by any means confined to children. A sick child must, not be stuffed with muoh food a a time. He will take either a teaspoonful ot new mi or a tablespoonful of chicken broth eve.r^. *f. "r with greater advantage than a teacupful o ei er ie one or the other every four hours, a quantity which would very probably be by w• s mach. MKNDING TADLE-CLOTIIS.-—Table-clo hs (unless the holes are very small), should be patched when holes appear. First baste a square of the same material under the hole next cut the edges of the hole even, I turn under and hem down to the patch as neatly as possible. Then turn over the cloth and hem the patch to the other oloth m the same manner. This adds a neat finish to both sides, and will lie flat when ironed. Always patch or dam before washing, or you cannot do it so well afterward, as the washing and ironing stiffen the edges. If the linen is figured or striped, be sure to match the pattern. Calico and gingham should be mended in like manner.
ART AND LITERATURE.1
ART AND LITERATURE. 1 IT is hardly possible as yet to realise (rightly eaya. the Globe) how grievous a loss art has in this country sustained by the death of Lord Leighton. Although it has been known for the last year that the serious complaint with which he was afflicted might at any moment develop acute and imme- diately dangerous symptoms, everyone went, on hoping, really against hope, that some fortunate- method of treatment or some uew experiment ia remedies might restore him at least par- tiullv to his former state of health. Cnhnppil^ all these hopes have been brought to an end by hia comparatively sudden death on the 25th ult. and there is now nothing left but to try and understand the extent and nature of the services which lie ha» rendered to British art, and to make an effort to carry on his work in the way that would have. best commended itself to him. In many ways he was an ideal art leader, as he was unquestionably pn ideal President of the Royal Academy. He was one of the few m-?n prominent in art politics who had secured the respect and liking of artists of all grades, and who had succeeded in establishing an unquestioned reputation for absolute impartiality and unvarying kindliness. He was popular with everyone who had at any time, felt his personal charm, and this popularity was never diminished or affected by the fact that he was by his official position necessarily restricted in his intimacy with other artists. His rule of the Academy was marked throughout by a strong sense of the dignity of the position which he held as head of the body which for good or ill directs the policy of British art, and he did more than any previous President to bring Burlington House into line with modern movements. It is characteristic of hie: that almost to the last his mind should have dwelt, npon the Academy and his friends within its ranks. He had for nearly half his life been associated with that in- stitution, and had for more than 17 years filled the office of President, so that it was natural enough that he should find his thoughts most occupied with Academic interests, and that his farewell words should have been a message to the avtistie brethren who had there been in contact with him, They, above all others, will miss the executive ability, the extraordinary powers of management, and-the notable capacity for combining opposing and die- cordant elements, which marked his official life and which helped so much to lighten the labour of select- ing and putting into shape the too ample material for the annual Academy exhibition. This side of hia character was by the public comparatively little known but it was one that everyone who understood it very strongly appreciated and admired. TIIE founding of the British Empire League is but one more indication of the intense patriotic emotion excited throughout the country by the course of re- cent events. It may be doubted whether there is any sounder way of promoting a widespread interest, amongst the people at large than the issue of a popular work telling of the glorious exploits of the army and navy and published at such a price as places it within reach of the million. This is being done with marked success by Messrs. Cassell and Company in publications such as "British Battles on Land and Sea," and "The Story of the Sea," which are meeting with an immense circulation. Only a week ago a penny weekly issue of British Battles on Land and Sea" was commenced, and already 200,000 copies of the first number have been prepared, whilst the demand continues unabated. There appears, indeed, every probability that this is but the commencement of a sale which will grow into large figures. An equal success seems likely to attend the cheap weekly issue of the People's Edition of Cassell's Illustrated History of England." The First Part was issued on the 29th ult., and notwithstanding, the publi.-hera have already been obliged to go to press with a second Edition. M-Ixs EDHA LYALL, who has taken to publishing lately a ooitple of very short tales-one for children -has formed her nom-de-guerre by a rather involved transposition of her real name, Ada Ellen Bayly. The author of Donovan" comes of a clerical and legal family. Her grandfather was a Bencher and Treasurer of Gray's-inn, while her brother, like her father before him, is a Bencher of the Inner Temple. Hence the legal accuracy of some of this lady's historical novels. This brother, the Rev. Robert Bayly, is rector of a parish in Here- fordshire, while the novelist's brother-in-law—with whom and her sister Edna Lyall" makes her home, is a curate at Eastbourne. A cousin on her mot hers side was also a clergyman, while one of Miss Bayly • forefathers was the well-known divine, Thomas Brad- bury, who won the name of Bold Bradbury" by reason of the frankness with which he criticised the A I couruers 01 yueen Anne s time. DR. ANDHBSON, Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has written a paper on the treatment of professional criminals for Blackwood. The difficulties connected with this subject, and the fact that while general crime is being satisfactorily suppressed the check of professional thieves has hitherto been most unsuccessful, have lately been occupying the spscisl attention of the Home Office with the view of devising remedies for this blot upon our administration. Dr. Andersen deals with the character of professional criminals as distinguished from casual offenders, and, regarding their improve- ment as hopeless, makes some suggestions for putting an end altogether to the increase of the olass. MR. J. C. KENWORTHY, the Croydon Socialist, has been on a visit to Tolstoi, and is bringing back to England with him the manuscript of a new book, Essays is the Art of Living." This, with another Tolstoi book, The Four Gospels Harmonised," will be published in England almost immediately. NEWS of Nansen and the Fram is confidently ex- pected during this year by the Danish explorers friends, and preparations for this summer's SwedisD Balloon Expedition to the Pole under Herr Andree are already far advanced. Under these circum- stances, the editor of Cassell's Mngazine has been taking the opinion of experts in travel and explorar tion upon this Raoe for the Pole," and in his Feb- ruary number will be found letters from Mr. H. Iff- Stanley, M.P., Sir Martin Conway, the President of the Royal Geographical Society, Admiral Sir Le0- pold McClintock, K.C.B., and Mr. Henry CoxweU, in answer to the question," Can Nansen or Andrew reach the Pole ? THE rumour that Sir Walter Besant intends to withdraw from the Society of Authors because of the 'uproar over the address from English to American authors about peace is wrong. Yet, for some time it has been an open secret that the Knight of Frognal • position in the society is by no means an easy one. It is mainly owing to Sir Walter Besanes unceasing work that the Society of Authors wag started and has been kept on its feet; for years he had devoted a largo amount of time to it, editing it* magazine, and, up to some months ago, acting chairman of the committee. A few have been jealou# of bis prominent place, and have tried to remof* him. But be retains, as he deserves, the respect and goodwill of eight-tenths of the members. BESIDES publishing works at his own press—the renowned Kelmscott Press-Mr. William Morris prepared a volume of translations of 13th century prose romances, which Mr. George Allen, of Ruskin House, has nearly ready for issue. This volume is to contain an introduction by Mr. Jacobs, one of the most indefatigable of living explorer* in the byways of bookland. From his own press Mr. Morris is about to issue a volume of selections from Herrick, one of the most delightful. and neglected, of English poets. The edition is to be a small one, consisting only of 250 copies (exclusive jf several vellum copies). The Morris editions of poets and romancers are usually bought up before publication. It would be hard to overrate Morris's services as a reviver of the fine art of Pn**4" ing and book decoration. The Kelmscott Pres« Chaucer and Spenser are triumphs of the printer* and the illustrator's arts. m THE remaining portion of the "Queen's London has been prepared in advance of the serial pub ica- tion, and the complete volume containing nearly Iw illustrations is now obtainable at all booksellers. A LIFE of Sergius Stepniak is in prep»r*tJon -p1* widow, Mdme. Stepniak. We understand (says bret Russia) that Kropotkin will edit the Rec,^1°° of the book, and that several eminent English writer* will contribute chapters on stapnisk in relation to his work in art and literature.
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IN Saxony no one is permitted to shoe h unless be has passed a public examination, and it properly qualified. Dresden ha* students from world studying farriery." This includes not only shoeing boroei6 but their care and treatment—a provision that saves a great deal of money for farmers and others owning horses.