Flintshire Observer Mining Journal and General Advertiser for the Counties of Flint Denbigh

-.# THE citizens of Dijon, France, recently voted a tax for putting a railing round a tree which stands within the city limits. The tree bears a label which informs the sightseer that it is the oldest poplar in France. The Town Council has a record tracing the history of the tree since the year 722 A.D. It is 122ft. in height and 4oft. in circumference at the base. IN the manufacture of perfumery great changes have been recently made in Europe. It is now done largely in the laboratory by chemists, who produce much iiiore,cle,!i 'IitfLil and lasting odours than were distilled by the old processes. Some of the swmts are made expressly for Royal personages and those attached to tlie different Courts, and aro very expen- sive.

SWEET WILLIAM: A STOBY OF NORTH AltD SOUTH. The fragrant breath of the, coffee-tree WfWI ft the air, masses of tropical bloom flashed forth here an there beyond the adjacent cacti hedges, attracting the eye until the soft outlines of distant dusky moun- tains held the gaze. The Cadezo hacienda, slumber- ous in the midst of rich-leaved -foliage.. slept at their base. The villa, with its broad low piazzas, inviting repose, its deliciously-arranged baths, was one of the oldest in Nicaragua, "And one of the loveliest," Willie Sweet had said to himself, as—approaching it on his long ride from the mines with a view to find- ing a hospitable sojourn within its precincts, to which his introductory letter invited him as well as the reputation so long and deservedly maintained by the proprietor—he felt his senses yielding to the soothing spell of approaching twilight. He had not been disappointed in his anticipations, for his visit, which he had expected would be limited to twenty-four hours, had been prolonged to a week, during which time his host had proved all and more than could have been expected from the proprietor of a domain in a lonely country. His attentions had been unremitting, as indeed had the devoted kindness of the child-like mistress, The sole, fair daughter of the house for Senor Cadeco's wife was dead, and he had but two children-a son and a daughter. Between the latter and the young visitor, indeed, had sprung up a too warm affection for the peace and happiness of the young couple. It had been love at first sight; but the senor had planned a marriage for his daughter with a Chilian, one of pure Castilian blood and of his own faith. He would never consent to any union of his daughter with a Northerner and a Protestant. This Lola knew, yet she was deeply and purely in love with the fair stranger. She was so very young too- barely fifteen-and should her infatuation be dis- covered she would be sent back immediately to the convent which she had but just left, an arrangement to which she now was averse. Too honourable to take advantage of the situation, although he would have been delighted to make the dear little senora his wife, the young man bid her adieu without longer delay. Your father has been a kind host to me, dear little girl. I can neither be treacherous, nor thwart him in his plans. Farewell. You will learn to for- get me." But Lola wept, and refused to be comforted. It was the night before his departure. He had resolved to depart early in the morning, before she arose. Overhead hung the great southern moon. Around them the still air was spicy with a thousand fine odours. It was hard to hold to a resolution of this sort, with a girl brilliantly beautiful, weeping tears of regret over their enforced separation, by his side. He was possessed of sufficient Northern grit to do it, however. How exquisite was the small face leaning languidly against the vine-wreathed piazza pillar in this last stolen interview f Fine, delicate features, creamrlike skin, languishing, dreamy eyes gazing half passion- ately, half reproachfully into his. It was hard, but William held firm, and the following morning he grasped his host's hand in farewell with a clear con- science and rode away. Yes, He loved and rode away," while Lola watched him through her lattice window. A week later, to her father's surprise, Lola begged to be sent back to her co nvent. Believing her to be homesick, he consented. Having no mother, he con- cluded she longed to be with the sisters again, and he sent her thither to remain until such time as she wished to return home for a permanent sojourn. A fortnight after Lola's return to the school a men- dicant stood at the outer gate of the St. Con- vent-a little old woman bent double. She had come out of the servitors' refectory just as twilight was merging into dusk. Sister Magda- lene, one of the servitors, let her out, and returned to her work. How fresh and warm and comfortable looked pretty Mrs. Pollie Pinkerton That hardworking young bachelor, William Sweet, coming in from the bleak outdoors, mumed up like a veritable Esquimaux, appreciated the fact as no one else could. The wind howled without with that inexorably prophetic wail of which a bona-fide early winter wind, whirling into his domain with the all-conquer- ing majesty of indisputable sovereignty, alone is capable. Mrs. Pollie had sat lost in that comfortable dreami- ness which is the result of a secure knowledge of shelter from the painful elements and as she rested her small, silken blonde head upon her hand, she gazed into the roseate depths of a soft, settled grate fire, hearing the dull, intermittent boom of the wind in the chimney, but so far lost in agreeable retro- spection as not to be depressed by it. From between the lace window curtains her canary bird, Dick, kept np a persistent interrogative tweet," a note which had a weak little shake in it, like a child's voice after it has been grieving. lIe even had the bravado to essay a little roulade when- ever his mistress rattled her newspaper or poked at her grate fire. The truth was, Dick always felt neglected in the evening, and being a night bird, with a decided preference, like his owner, for even- ing sociability, he took her obliviousness to his little appeals veiy much to heart.. Well, Sweety WUHana," she said, looking up, a shyly audacious sparkle in her eyes qualifying this familiar use of her own special reversion of, his name do you really find it cold ?" with a teasing, upward glance at such portion of his frost-nipped countenance as remained visible. Mrs. Berry came in a few minutes since and inquired whether I had seen you. You see, between the solicitude of your landlady and that of your old friend and counsellor, Mrs. Pinkerton, you are not so much neglected as many another poor fellow." I went to dinner with Cadezo," replied the gentle- man thus appealed to, drawing up a chair on the opposite side of the cheery fire. "You see, he's in san awful state of mind-worried himself sick, in fact, and only fit to be in bed from an awful cold he has taken." "What is the cause of his anxiety?" asked Mrs. Pollie, her sympathies on the alert. "Why, if the truth must be told,'I'm at the bottom of the mess myself. Hs's up North looking for his sister; got all the detectives in town on the quest. She escaped from the convent school and ran away. They are sure that ehecame to this city, thinking she would find me," and William related the story of their little love affair. And, you see, she thought New York was like thoSe Southern towns—about as big as San Jose. How she escaped no one can ima- gine. Her father is about desperate, and they are spending money like water to find her. She knows nothing of the world, poor child; and I knew she was ready to defy her father and marrv me, had I given her the least encouragement, which I really could not do, you know, under the circumstances." Why, it is terrible exclaimed Mrs. Pollie. No one can tell what will become of the child. What can she do ?., She could not have had much money, and will try to earn some." She had the remainder of an allowance her father, had given her when at hornet,but it must have taken all of it for the cost of her journey. As to her ability to earn money, I cannot imagine wherein it. lies. She sings songs to the guitar, of course-her countrywomen all do-and she sketches passably." t Ah, there you have it!" cried Mrs. Pollie. She will meet other girls, and they will get her into some sort of art work-probably painting fancy cards or, photographs. Better set yourselves to watching thi various art classes in town." I" By Jove I that is a good idea, exclaimed Willie, starting to his feet. | At this moment a ring at the door-bell resounded through the house. i" There's Miguel now 1" cried the young man. J told him to come over from the hotel, and I might secure him a room here. I must see Mrs. Berry at opce and William hurried from the room. A few minutes later, Mrs. Berry came in, lament- ing. "Dear me! Mrs. Pinkerton, Mr. Sweet wants a room for his friend, and I shall not have one fit to ote:r him for a day or two." The little widow, knowing the condition of the young Southerner's health,.made an unpremeditated suggestion. "If you can let me sleep for the present in the little room opening from yours, Mrs. Berry, you may give him mine until you have one ready." Mrs. Pinkerton occupied, indeed, the cozy back parlour, and it was no small sacrifice for her to sur- render such fire-lighted, comfortable quarters on such a cold night. Tweet!" called out her little canary in his most pleading and expostulatory voice-" tweet t" Well, I could not have asked such a thing," said Mrs, Berry; but since you are so very good as to suggest it, jwhy, I'll keep up a warm aire < ia my fire-place, and you can be made comfortable for the time." So presently Mrs. Pinkerton wetat into the recep- tion-room, and was introduced to Senor Cadezo, while a whispered word to "Sweet William" made all satisfactory. Welcome indeed to the chilled young Southerner was the genial atmosphere of Mrs. Pollie's sitting- room, and she insisted upon making with her own fair hands a certain exoellent hot drink for him before they parted for the ntght. Leaving young Cadezo to these tender administra- tions, his friend hurried from the house, bent upon giving the detectives the clue, Mrs. Pinkerton had suggested.. The following day found the young Southerner too ill to leave his room, and Mrs. Pollie devoted herself to him as a sister might. He took her into his confidence, and she revived hope in his heart by renewing her views to him of Lolo's situation in the city. Your sister can speak English, and she has qoubtless found many young girls like herself,, who Will aid such a plucky little girl as ilhe seems to be to employment. You will hear from her befpre long, I predict.t' Willie Sweet had been personally indefatigable in his efforts. The following evening he placed himself to watch a certain young ladies' institution where he knew Various musical and art classes were wont to congre- gate for free instruction. He hovered in the shadow near the principal exit. About nine o'clock the streets began to echo with the sound of girlish voices, as the students came forth in merry coteries. The last of these had disappeared, and he was about to turn away in disappointment, when a low, sweet voice behind him made him start and turn. Wait, Rose, dear^-I've left my music-book." And a slight, dark figure hastened back into the building. When she reappearedand joined her cem- rade, William followed the two girls. Some familiar tone in the speaker's voice had arrested his attention. He could not see her face in the dim light, but the gait of the young girl and her manner filled him with hope. He could no longer hear her voice at the distance he was obliged to main- tain in order to escape their notice. At last the chums parted at a street corner, and the girl who resembled Lola sped onward to the middle of the block of houses. Young Sweet hurried after her, and as she passed the electric lights he could see her face. It surely must be the young creature he sought. He overtook her, and as she paused to turn up the stoop of one of the dwellings, he spoke. Pardon me, but is not this Miss Lois Cadezo ?" The young girl turned with a startled exclamation. Then, as her eyes encountered the face and form of the young man, she uttered a cry—a joyful cry of recognition. She sprung toward him. At last!" she sobbed-" at last I Oh, I know I should find you some time-my heart told me I should!" He placed his arm about her, for she was trem- bling from head to foot. Oh, Lola I my dear, sweet, naughty little sweet- heart, what thing is this you have done ?" Would you reproach me ? Yes—yes! I have done this daring thing for love of you! I could not live without you. Yes, I made my father send me back to the convent. But there it was just as bad. You —always you—were before my eyes. My heart was so heavy! I could no Ipnger bear it. So one day I made up my mind. I resolved to go to you-to find you. We are a wilful family. What we say we will do, we do. But your towns are so great, so big 1 I have looked my eyes out, but nowhere in the great crowds could I see you." "But Lola, dearest, how did you succeed in making your escape ? Do you not know that you have driven your father crazy from, terror for you, his only daughter ?" Oh, well, I meant to write to him-after awhile, if I could not find you. But he must consent to our marriage,-or I will never return. I left the convent in disguise. An old beggar woman used to come every day. Sister Anna or Sister Magdalene let her in and out. One day t gave her money, and told her to bring me an old shawl and hood, and then to stay away the next day. She did this, and when they saw me in the refectory they supposed it was she, and paid no heed. Oh, I walked out and escaped the town at night. Nothing easier." William then explained the terrible anxiety of her brother, who was there seeking her, and she said she would see him on the following day. Miguel will make our father consent-for he can. I will never return if my father refuses his consent to your marriage with me." Taking her address, William hurried away to stop the detective, and to acquaint young Cadezo with the good news; and Mrs. Pinkerton came and brought the young truant to her brother on the following morning. Miguel Cadezo and Willie had become warm friends. The former honoured the young Northerner for the position he had maintained with regard to his sister, and he resolved to promote the lover's cause. He yielded to Lola's passionate pleading, and went home to place the case before his father. Perhaps he agreed to do this the more readily inasmuch as a fair Northener had won his own heart. The same mail that brought Senor Cadezo's, con- sent to Lola's plea brought to pretty Mrs. Pollie a letter from Miguel Cadezo begging for her heartland hand, And thus it came about that the lovely hacienda had a beautiful and suitable mistress to reign over it within the year, qnd her Sweet William a charm- ing little tropical bird in his Northern nest to show his many friends during the next season. Southern girls may be plucky as well as Northern ones, you see, sir," said the little truant bride shyly to her husband. V Tweet 1 tweet!" said Mrs. Polbe s Dick, which had found a new home in the bridalHsest upon his old mistress's departure.

THE PAYMENT OF M.P.'S. Here are a few interesting statistics (supplied by a writer in the Morning Leader) as to the year's pay of a member of Parliament in the various countries bf( the world where such institutions as Parliament are thought worth the trouble and expense of support- ing. The British Parliament, the mother of them all, is the only one among them that does its work, ip the words of the formula, free gratis, and for nothing." French deputies and senators draw £ 1 a day. In Belgium deputies receive £ 160, and g um In Portugal £61: a. year, in the latter country the payment also extending to peers." In Denmark representatives in the Landsting draw 15s. a day. I In Sweden the deputies are paid by the session, or £ 64 for four months, with a proviso which peoples j less shrewd have missed. The hard-headed Swede; fines his M.P. half a guinea for every day of absten- tion from duty. That is the sort of deVice, ror bringing a Moderate County Councillor up to his duty. Norway pays the members of the Storthing 13s. 6d. -per day of the session, which lasts six months. j In. Switzesland, also, like the practical industrial country it is, the legislators do their work by the day, and take their own time about their" jobs." The rate I lis half a guinea for the Federal Council and from •6s. 4d. to half a guinea for the Cantonal Diets. Congressmen and Senators of the United. States draw £ 208 a year, with lOd. a mile for travelling expenses between Washington and their, places of 'f' residence. In Greece the pay is £ 20 a month for senators and £10 for deputies. In Austria, Parliamentary remuneration, as in France, is £ 1 a day, and in the various Diets of Germany about 9s. 2d. a day. The two countries where; as in Britain, no direct payment obtains are, curiously enough, Italy and Spain; but in both these countries the legislator enjoys privileges and immunities which have a sub- stantial money value-amongst others, gratuitous travelling over all railways.

CHUOSSB doctors are very particular about the dis- tinction between physicians and surgeons. A Chinese gentleman was struck by an arrow, which remained fast in his body. A surgeon was sent for, and broke off the protruding bit of the arrow, leaving the point embedded. He refused to extract it, because the case was clearly one for a physician, the arrow being iftaide the body.

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GIUATKR BRITAIN. As the result of a bacteriological examination, Dr. Haffkine has reported that the recent sudden out- break in Calcutta was due to true bubonic plague. A long and defiled statement of the facts referring to the outbreak, and the measures taken by the Govern- ment of Bengal to prevent its spread, is given in the Pioneer Mail of May 6. As a preventative measure, inoculation with the prophylactive virus prepared by Dr. Haffkine is recommended. It has been found that inoculation by this material prevents from 80 to 90 per cent. of deaths from plague, and reduces the plague from an epidemic form to the position of a sporadic disease. Surgeon- General Harvey was deputed by the Government of India last month to Bombay specially to examine the results of Dr. Uaffkine's methods, and his report is stated to be generally favourable to the system of inoculation. The Government of Bengal have there- fore decided to exempt from liability to segregation all families which have been entirely inoculated prior to the occurrence of any case of plague among tnem. Inoculation is not to be forced on the people, but if a member of a completely inoculated family is attacked by the plague, neither he nor his family will be liable to removal to a segregation camp. IT is expected that before long Canada will be able to sell annually 10 million pounds' worth of butter and cheese to -Great Britain. TUE construction of the line which is to be made by the Great Western Railway of Tasmania, con- necting Hobart with the Mount Lyell mines, has been begun. THIll Mining Warden of the Kalgoorlie district in Western Australia reports the discovery of asbestos in what appears to be paying quantity near Feysville. The deposit is to be developed. THE great gold mine located under the town of Ballarat, Australia, reputed to be the richest in the world, has yielded £ 30,000,000 worth of gold since it was opened 30 years ago. ONE of the bestiknown vessels on an Australian coasting-line, while on a voyage from Eden to Sydney, struck on a rock about 150 yards from shore it a point known as Pedro Reef. The rescue of the passengers was largely due to a herd of pigs aboard the ship. These useful little animals swam ashore, when thrown overboard, with signal halyards aittathed to their hind legs. TUE Cmost tnteresting newspaper is the New Zealand Pleiades, or Seven Stars, which enjoys the distinc- tionf having a King for an editor. His Royal High- nessf'Tawhiao 'is not, it is true, an independent sovireigh, but when he descends from the Royal ihrdne to the editorial chair, then, indeed, he is monarch of all he surveys. The Pleiades is a small 3ight-page paper, three columns to a page, printed in both tne English and the native tongue. A TAPER on tin, read by Mr. Skertchley at a recent meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, states that the me tal is the most sparsely distributed of any in common use. Gold itself is known to occur ih fields whose combined area, without reckoning in those of the Klondike, exceeds 1,500,000 square miles, whilst the known tin fields altogether only total 12,500 square miles..Cornish tin ntines contributes 8000 tons yearly, and the remaining tin'districts of Europe, numbering but six, only add another 300 tons. China has a lich tin mine in Hunan, from which it is computed that from 10,000 tp 20,000 tons are got yearly, although official tQ 20,000 tons are got yearly, although official (Chinese) give the yield as 2500 tons. The richest tin mines in the world are in the Straits Settlements C" from these 58,000 tons are obtained yearly. Africa h^s no tin mines. North America has none that are payable. 1 South America produces 4000 tons yearly, fitom one area that extends into Bolivia'" and Fern. Australasia contributes 6000 tons a year. Excepting those of Australasia, no new tin mine has been dis- covered for 1000 years. TULI.IMI.KAII is one of the most thriving dairy farms in Now South Wales. It is owned and worked by the son of a Surrey farmer, who left England a quarter of. a century ago. The owner of Tullimlear has been assisted for many years by his wife, who managed a dairy years ago, and gained experience when the work was more arduous than it is in these (ays O5 factory labour. Their joint success is tvidenUy due to their thorough system and strict adherence to cleanliness, which has always scored in dairy fanning. They have reared a large family on their 87 acres, and three stalwart sons are doin^ well for themeelves in the world, whije there are sti)l enough at home to have the 30 cows milked at a very early hour in the morning showing what an ener- getic and preserving man. aided by his ypife and family, can achieve in the Britain of the South. THE action recently taken by the authorities in Sydney in condemning large quantities of Tasmanian apples and Queensland bananas is, remarks the Mel- bourne Argus, fraught with interest, not only to our own local fruit-growers and fruit-dealors, shipowners, &c., but to the public generally. Some large fruit importers are amazed at the wholesale condemnation of fruit, and t,hink-that unnecessarily severe mea- sures have been taken in New South Wales, and they wonder what would become of their trade should our Government prohibit the landing on our wharves of all fruit except thai which is absolutely free from disease. Large quantities of oranges and lemons are imported from the northern colonies, and it is well known that fully 70 per cent, to 80 per cent, is more or less affected with scale. Sometimes oranges completely covered with this disease are founa, and tne disease may be observed yards away, but samples apparently clean may on close inspection but samples apparently clean may on close inspection be found with a few scales upon them. Tasmanian apples are ^affected with the black spot or mussel scale, diseases which are rampant in the island colony, but to condemn all such fruit would be most unreasonable. Inspectors should be allowed to exer- cise some discretion. Let the badly infested fruit be destroyed or prohibited from being landed, but! fruit only slightly affected with any disease which is already 11 y common in local orchards might be permitted to-go into consumption. But any fruit found to be infested with any new pest, such as the San Jose scale" or fruit fly," should be either cleansed, destroyed, or sent back to the place it came from. The rejection of badly diseased fruit is not on the grounds-of health at all. The scale on the rind of an orange or the spot on an apple could not affect injuriously the person who partook of the fruit, but fruit is distributed from, Melbourne to all parts of the colony, and so the insect or fungoid pest may reach a clean locality, and quickly spread to trees in every direction.- So ME fruit-growers object to the State compelling them to take steps to keep their orchards clean of insect pests unless it also insists upon imported frnit being clean, and there is some ground for the conten- tion. A happy medium is what is needed. A thorough supervision over all orchards and imported fruits is necessary. The dirty, lazy fruit-grower should be compelled to keep his trees clean, and all badly in- fested fruit found at our wharves should be promptly dealt with. When orchardists discovered that their produce was, if not clean and wholesome, liable to be condemned, they would, in their own inferests, very' soon take the necessary precautions to keep their trees free from disease. MOST of the insect and fungoid pests found in one colony are prevalent in the others, therefore it does seem a little inconsistent to condemn at the frontier of a colony fruit from an adjoining colony only. slightly affected with a disease which is common in the country to which it is sent. The warm climate is particularly favourable to the increase of all in- sect life, and some pests which in colder climes are content with propagating their species only once a year, in Australia produce two and thrM generations in the same time. The West Australian fruit fly is pronounced by fruit-growers and entomologists as a- terribly destructive insect. For some years past it has been committing ravages in the western colony upon all kinds of fruits, and during the current season it was detected, by a keen-eyed observer, upon some peaches exposed for sale- in a Melbourne shop, and which were part of a consignment from Sydney. The Tephritea, or Queensland fruit fly, is the pest which has attacked the Queensland bananas. There are nearly 40,000 acres of fruit trees in Victoria, which, in round numbers, may be valued at nearly a million of money, and this valuable asset in the national estate must not be further jeopardised by the importation of any fresh pests. The codlin moth, scale, borers, &c., have already inflicted severe losses-* on the colony. Let the provisions of the Vegetation Diseases Act be put into force in a discreet- and moderate manner and great savings -will-be tJteroby- effected.

Ms. CURPis BmNrml the marylebone police 'magistrate, is one of the youngest and brightest of the London sti pendiaries: His 11 years' familiarity with the seamy side of London life has bred in hiina: cynicism which even a good-natured smile cannot mask. It is, however, mingled with an amused 'tolerance, which is pleasant if no^ •juite judicial. This bright-faced, curly-haired magistrate, with a lisp suggestive of affectation, is. a sound lawyer and a popular man, and fully rnepta the description of< "a "nice gentleman to come before. ■. THE Queen has approved the appointment of Sir Philip Perceval Hutchins, K.C.S.I., secretary in tha d Judicial and Public Departinent-of the India Office^ to be a member of the Council of India in succession to Sir Alexander Arbuthnot, whose term-cf-office ex- pired in November last. Sir Philip was born in 1838. He was educated at Haileybury College, and entered the Madras Civil Service in 1867. He was called to the Bar (Inner Temple) in 1875, but he had previ- ously in 1872 become district judge of Madura, a post which he held for ten years. In 1883 he became Judge of the High Court of Madras, in: 1887 a member of the Council, and in 1888 a member of the Viceroy's Council. Since 1893 Sir Philip pas been Judicial Secretary to the India Office. Sir Charles Lyall, who succeeds Sir Philip Sntchens as Judicial Secretary at the India Office, at present holds the post of Chief Commissioner of the Central Provinces of India. He was born in 1845, and after taking his degree at Balliol College, Oxford, he entered the Indian Civil Service in 18o7, has been in turn secretary to the Government of India in the Home Department and Chief Commissioner to the Central Provinces. He is a Fellow of Calcutta University, and an honorary LL.D. of Edinburgh.

GARDENING GOSSIP. NT (From" Gardening Illustrated:") CONSERVATORY". Only plants which are capable of rendering some effect of either Bowers or foliage should (advises Mr E. Hobday; be retained in this house now. Palms iud Tree-Ferns, when in health, are always effective. If there are sheltered spots about the grounds some of the hardiest Palms may be plunged outside at the end of the month when the weather is warm and settled. Orange-trees also will be as well outside if not exposed to strong winds. And if there are shady, picturesque glades anywhere in the, hardy fernery, some of the New Zealand Tree-Ferns may be plunged out tiH September. This will give room in the con- servatory for a few specimen stove .plants to be in- troduced, and so things will benefit all round. But, before we make these changes, we want to be quite sure the summer has come. Fires may be discontinued now, and it wilt be as well if the water is run out from the heating apparatus. Every boiler should have draw-off plugs on each side so that all sedimen- tary deposits may come off with the water. Every heating apparatus should be thoroughly cleaned out once a year to insure perfect working and guard against premature wearing out. Good-sized bnshes of Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora are useful in summer in the conservatory. This shrub is perfectly hardy and should be pruned back rather hard every autumn, as the young shoots wkich break from the base of well-ripened summer's growth will produce flowers. The whole of the Hydrangea family are effective pot plants, as they will flower in any sized pots. We have small plants in 3m. pots from tops rooted last August carrying good-sized trusses of bloom and large plants in 9in. pots carrying many heads of bloom, and though net so popular as they were with persons of refined taste, as they are lacking in elegance and grace, they are useful in a big house where much colour is wanted. The earliest batch of Cyclamens from last August sowing will now, or soon be, ready for shifting into 5-in. pots. The best fibry loam, lightened and enriched with leaf-mould and peat, and made fairly porous with 3and, will be a satisfactory compost. Liquid-manure may be given when the flowering season arrives, but it will not be necessary before if the compost is all right. The place for these plants for the summer is a cold-frame, with the back turned to the north. Primuhis and Cinerarias will do in a similar position. Calceolarias for early spring blooming may be sown now in a cool frame, covered with a square of glass. The plants, to insure perfect health, should be grown cool from the first. Shift on Zonal" Geraniums" for winter flowering, using good loam pot firmly. STOVB. Winter-flowering Begonias are very useful, and cuttings should be rooted annually early in spring and grown on freely, pitching occasionally to make them bushy, till the middle of July, and then move to a pit or frame where they can be near the glass to ripen the growth, ventilating freely and keeping them well supplied with water, moving to a warm green- house towards the end of September. Some of the hardiest stove plants may be moved to another hou.ge now to give more room to the really good things which require a little extra warmth and shade. Now that many of the greenhouse plants may go outside, a small house may be given up to Gloxinias, Achimenes, Streptocarpus, &c., and ventilation, temperature, and shade arranged so as to suit them. A low, warm pit will suit Crotons and Dracaenas till they have Tai-tt on colour. There is always a certain amount of potting to be done. Young plants want shifting on, and rooted cuttings potted off. This is a good time to cut down old Dracaenas and use the old stems to make cut- tings every joint will make a cutting and soon roqt if plunged in a warm propagating-bed. Cuttings of Indiarubber plants will soon strike now if plunged in a warm bed of moist Cocoanut fibre. Tempera- ture now for the warm stove 70deg. at night. ORCHARD-HOUSE. Any tree that is not carrying a crop of fruit may be plunged in a sheltered place outside. It is neces- sary sometimes to do this when the nights get warm to prt vent overcrowding. Top-dress with rich com- post all trees in pots carrying a crop, and permit nothii- to suffer for want of water. Where there is no room for top-dressing, liquid manure must be given freely, but it is always wise when potting to leave I little space at the top for top-dressing when the fl uits are swelling. A well-nourished tree is not so likely to suffer from overcrowding. Keep the young growth fairly thin. Pinch Plums at the fifth leaf, but do net pinch Peaches so close, or the back buds may start prematurely into useless growth. Use the syringe freely twice a day, and there will not be much trouble with insects if the ventilation is right. Open early in the morning on bright days, and c;ose and syringe or damp down not later than four o'clock. LATE GRAPES. Inside borders must be kept moist. If the drain- age is right, there will be no fear of inside borders getting too much water now; and some kind of stimulant should be given often where the hose is used. Sprinkle whatever manure is used on the bor- ders and water it in. A change of food is desirable occasionally. Keep a little warmth in the pipes Thin Alicantes with care, cutting out all the small berries which are not likely to swell to full size Never permit the sub-laterals to grow beyond 2in. or 3in. before stopping them. Give a little air early in. the morning. WINDOW GARDENING. Keep the foliage clean by sponging with clean, water. If necessary a little soap may be used in the water. Keep the plants moist at the roots, and do not overcrowd. Shift on young stuff. VEGETABLE GARDEN. Stake young Asparagus plants in windy districts, and mulch and water. Keep beds in bearing free from weeds, and cut all grass, large and small, till the end of June. Weakly beds should not be cut from after the 20th of June, and encourage growth by giving liquid manure or a dressing of nitrate of soda during showery weather. The Ojiion maggot will soon make its appearance if' no attempt has been made to check it. Dusting with soot at intervals when the Onion fly is about by making the Onions distasteful is a gojod remedy, and a sprinkling of nitrate of soda will ueh the Onions past the period when they are liable fo,attack. Three of the most useful Winter Greens, exclusive of Brussels Sprouts, which everybody grows, are Chou de Burghley, Tom Thumb Savoy, a Veitch's Self-protecting Broccoli. Prepare Celery trenches for main crop, and plant the ridges with Lettuces or Endives. Useful Celery may be grown on the bed system, especially where much Celery is used in the kitchen for stewing, &c. If there are likely to be more Globe Artichokes than can be used at one time, if a few of the plants are cut over now, a successional crop of heads will appear that will be exceedingly useful. Any spare liquid-manure will be useful to the crops now, or during summei. To keep up a good succession of salading requires frequent sowing in small quantities. Continuity is a good Lettuce to sow now.

THE CLIMATE OF KLlOJN V Y KJii. General Greely has coUected particulars as to the climate of Dawson, Klondyke. In the winter of 1895 from December 1 to February 1, 1896, the tempera-, ture fell below zero every day. On 28 days it was rodeg, below zero, on 14 days it was 50deg.v and on nine days it was 60deg. Bright weather is the rule in.wintfr, and snow fell only one day in seven from October to May. In June,. July, and August, 1896, the temperature rose abovo- 70deg. on 29 days, and over 80deg. in three days, July was the only month in which the minimum temperature did not, sn i below freezing point., In, June it raided on 12 days, i At Fort Reliapqe, near Dawson, in the winter of 1880-81 the mean temperature for December, January, and February were 31deg., 7deg., and 29deg. below zero. On 35 days it was between 40deg. and, 66deg. below zero. Snow fell on one day in February and 25 days were perfectly clear.