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FIELD AND FARM. 1 -!
FIELD AND FARM. 1 (From The Agricultural Gazette.") POOH LAM). There ought (remarks Professor John Wrightson) to be no mistake as to what is meant by poor land. There are several descriptions of poor land, but all have one common character with regard to produc- tion, namely, comparative natural barrenness. There Are millions of acres of poor land throughout the country, much lying in unbroken heath, moss, poor pasture, or down. By common consent, such soils are not considered to be worth cultivation. They are, to borrow a phrase from the economists, below the margin of cultivation, i.e., unprofitable at present Erices, but would or might be profitable in times of igher prices. There are millions of acres of poor land which are decidedly better than the class just named, which hover on the margin of profitable cultivation, and these soils have been sadly tried fluring the last 20 years. At one time they com- manded a rent, but with lower prices prevailing they ceased to command one. When land ceases to do this it is very liable to go out of Cultivation. As long as land commands a rent it may be presumed to be profitable, but if Dot, it is because no one thinks it worth holding at any rent. Poor land deteriorates in bad times both in selling and letting value much more than good land. If, for example, the net produce of land falls XI per acre there is likely to be a fall of El per acre in rents. This evidently swallows the whole rent of land over let at £ 1 per acre, and leave it tenantless 'or on the landlotd's hands. Arable land once let at 10s. per acre would need under such circumstances a bonus of 10s. per acre (o induce anyone to take it. Poor land of this nature would not be worth Cultivating. The case is put precisely, or arithmeti- cally, but in actual farming this view would not be always tenable, because land once let at El per acre, might be cheaply let, in which case it could still pay a small rent, of say 5s. per acre. This is why we hear of land having deteriorated 75 per cent. in letting value. It is easy to understand. If, however, we glance at good land once worth E2 per acre, and now worth only 91, it has deteriorated only 50 per cent. Again, in the case of land once let at JE3 per acre, and now let at E2, it has deteriorated 33 per cent.; but if once let at £ 5, and now let at £ 4, it has only deteriorated 20 per cent. Thus all general state- ments as to land having deteriorated by a stated per- centage, are absolutely worthless. No one can say that land has deteriorated in a fixed proportion, or percentage. CLASSES OF LAND. The late John Bravender regarded the compara- tive fertility of land in its natural condition under four classes. (1) Barren or infertile land, in- capable of producing 20 bushels of wheat or 30 bushels of oats per acre in natural condition; (2) Fertile land, capable of growing 20 to 30 bushels of wheat and other crops in proportion without forcing; (3) more fertile land, capable of producing 30 to 40 bushels of wheat; (4) the most fertile land, capable of producing from 40 to 60 bushels of wheat without forcing. INDUCED FERTILITY. I The quality of land should always be judged by its power of production without forcing. It is gauged by what it will produce under ordinary management, and manuring from its own straw and turnips, without the aid of extraneous manures or im- ported feeding stuffs. If land naturally capable of growing 18 to 20 bushels of wheat or 15cwt. to one ton of hay, is induced by liberal management to pro- duce double these quantities, it is still poor land, and by no sound reasoning can it be called good land. it certainly ought not to be called bad land in the strict sense of the word. It is only poor, and to be poor is not to be bad, although the late laureate stated in one of his vernacular poems that the poor, as a lump, is bad." In ordinary description poor and bad are often indiscriminately used in de- scribing land, and it savours of pedantry to object. Still, as the question was raised, I am ready to admit a difference between poor a^d bad land. Poor, chalk soils have many points of excellence. They are grateful* sound, free-working, and hold out wall in drought. They are not like poor sands or hungry gravels, which are wasteful, less grateful, and more capricious in their yield. Poor clay soils-XLXO had tillage lands, and are better under grass. They are among the worst descriptions of soil and many of them are not worth troubling about. There are also soils which are sour and unwholesome, which in some cases may be improved by drainage. These are bad in the condition in which we find them, but capable of alteration. It is an error to say that land which, under liberal management, may be made to produce heavy crops, is good land. It id poor land, and ought not to be rented beyond its natural capability, or according to the crops it may carry. Poor land in high condition may grow, as I have previously stated, as heavy crops as much better land under less liberal management, but it is readily let back into its natural state, and needs always keeping up by annual expenditure. The reason why, on the whole, clay lands or heavy land is looked upon as good land, while very light lands are looked upon as poor, is easy to explain. Clay lands almost always contain a great store of plant food, but it is locked up. Light lands are not too rich, but the crop is better able to search for its food within the mass of soil. They are more grate- ful for small mercies. Clay lands require more ex- penditure in order to develop them, and the improve- ment lasts much longer. Hence poor clay soils are capable of almost permanent improvement, and will, under a long course of good farming, improve in actual value. They may even be converted into ?;ood land. Light land is never able to preserve its ertility for long after it falls into bad hands, and hence there is a great difference between heavy and light lands with reference to permanent improve- ment, and is less likely to stand an increased rent even when in high condition. Lastly, there are men who would give a high rent for light land in high condition in order to rob it, and leave it after a few years' pillage. This is alone a sufficient reason to en- courage good farmers to continue their liberal management without raising their rents, or even re- minding them that their farms might let for a higher rent. This they would undoubtedly do, but, only to their detriment, and the eventual injury of the land- lord. BUCKWHEAT AS A POULTRY POOD. The value of buckwheat for all kinds of poultry, though fully recognised by leading poultry authori- ties, has never been sufficiently appreciated by the great majority of breeders and fatteners. Yet as a food it is excellent and suitable, not only for chickens and adult stock, but also for fattening fowls and ducks. A few breeders use the grain aa a change food, and a small amount of buckwheat moal, ground husk and all, goes to the composition of aome duck meals sold, and there its use in this country ends. In Franee it is far different, a large quantity is grown, and consumed by poultry, some fatteners using no other food in getting their birds fit for table. Fowls relish the grain, once they ure accustomed to its queer grey-blue colour, and good sound buckwheat goes a long way. Unfortunately it is not always procurable, and the inferior samples, pinched in appearance, are of little value for feeding poultry. The grains should be plump and clean look- ing, and weigh over 501b. to the bushel. There is no Other grain which is so equally suitable for young growing chickens, stock fowls, and the bigger chickens which it is intended to fatten for market. The meal again may be used mixed with sharps for all kinds of stock. If poultry owners would tell their corn merchants that they require a good sample of buckwheat, and keep on asking for it, it will gene- rally be procurable, and at a moderate price. SCOUR IN CHICKENS. Scour is a species of diarrhoea affecting young chickens. The excrements, instead of dropping, adherd to the fluff below the vent, and becoming bulkier, finally harden and check the passage. A chicken, if suffering from scours, becomes a mere skeleton, and even if cured is never thte bird it might have been. It is caused entirely from \he chicks drink- ing too much water, or else the water being sun- heated and stale. It is unadvisable to let young chickens have as much water as they can drink. Their soft food should be mixed fairly moist, and one drink a day alone allowed in ordinary weather, for they can gather a certain quantity of moisture from the grass and herbage. Rearer chickens are specially liable to scours they leave the brooder hot, and drink more standing water than is good for them; water, therefore, should never be left in the rearer over night. Treat the chicks if scoured as though -tor diarrhoea, taking away the water trough and bathing" the hard pellet of esrerement with warm water till it can be removed. One experienced', breeder. J .Jknow tsays a Sussex correspondent) of, who gives his yonng chickens no water on ordinary occasions, on very hot days brews some kind of herb tea or nettle leaves boiled, giving the chicks the watej to drink when cold. My own j)lan is to mako a thi* paste of oatmeal and water. This is cooling, satisfy" ing, and they do not drink so much ag in the case of plain water.
GARDENING GOSSIP.
GARDENING GOSSIP. (From" Gardening Illustrated.") CONSERVATORY. A group or two of cool Orchids mixed with Ferns in a shady part of the house will have a charming offect now. Some of the Odontoglots, Cypripediums, and Dendrobiuais, such as D. nobile, &c., will last a long time. I have had (writes Mr. E. Hobday) large specimens of Phaius grandiflorus last a long time in the conservatory, and these are comparatively easy to grow. As a rule, the conservatory is easy of access from the dwelling-house, but the plant-houses are often some distance away, and not often visited by the family; and at this season, when flowers are scarce, many things that would other- wise be left to flower where they are grown will now be moved to the conservatory. This refers to such things as Eucharis, Lilies, Poinsettias, and other things from warm- houses. Now that the Chrysanthemums are all over the temperature of the conservatory should not be permitted to fall below 50deg.; and pretty well all flowering plants will do iu that temperature whilst in flower; and when flowering is over the plants can be moved back to the warm-house again. We have very often had to make the most of things in this way. The same remarks apply to Amaryllises, which will shortly be throwing up flower-spikes. A group of these produce a striking effect mixed with Ferns or small Kentia Palms. Maiden-hair, Nephrolepis exaltata, Pteris major, P. tremula, P. umbrosa, and other Ferns may be freely used as foils for the plants in blossom. No one has too many Narcissus in bloom just now, as there is such a large demand for cut-flowers. Cyclamens in a setting of their own foliage are charming for low vases and the long-stalked Violet Prince" of Wales is always useful in the drawing-room. Single Narcissi are more in demand than the double for cutting, though the latter are bright and showv planted t hickly in large pots. The miniature French Hyacinths, white and blue, planted thickly in 7-in. pots, are pretty, and useful for cutting. The double Cinerarias seem to have disappeared, but good speci- mens were bright and showy, and the flowers were much more lasting than the single ones. But double flowers are not popular just now. FORCING GRAPES. This is a good season to begin forcing whore there are only two vineries-an early and a late Jurase. If the borders or any large proportion thereof are out- side they should have been protected with leaves and litter as soon as the leaves could be obtained early in November. The depth of the covering need not be sufficient to cause much warmth to arise, at though this warmth does stimulate root-laction and may cause some temporary improvement in the Grapes, yet very otten the advantage is not permanent. The warmth draws the roots out of the border into the fermenting material and later on these roots are susceptible of injury. I believe all good gardeners cover their outside borders more with the view of retaining the summer's warmth in the border and keeping the roots comfortable than stimulating them into very early action. Vines started at the beginning of February will produce ripe Grapes sometimes in June, according to the structural arrangements of the house and the temperature kept up. The night temperature now may begin at 50deg., to be raised to 55deg. when the buds burst, and raised again to 60deg. when the leaves are unfolding, to be further advanced to 65deg. when the Vines are in blossom. The day temperature will advance a like proportion, keeping about lOdeg. above the night maximum, at which point a little air should be given along the ridge. Always avoid cold draughts, and for this reason front air will not be required till the outside temperature is warm and genial. WINDOW GARDENING. It is no use repotting anything till there are signs of growth. Even if the plants are pot-pound they had better wait a bit. Keep Cactuses, Aloes, and other succulents dry for the present. The foliage of Palms, India-rubber plants, and Aspidistras should be sponged. OUTDOOR GARDEN. Montbretias are very beautiful when in flower towards the end of the summer. They look best planted in clumps, a dozen or so in a clump. We find them do best in a sunny spot, and special sites should be prepared for them, unless the soil is very good. They are charming things to grow in pots for the cold conservatory. For the latter purpose they may be potted, and the pots plunged in ashes or Cocoa-nut-fibre in a cold-frame. The bulbs are very cheap, and every Wbdy should plant them. The hybrid Sweet Briar .Rose make a charming division-line in the garden. There is much variety in colour, and the flowers are good for cutting in sprays. Amy Robsart, Lady Penzance, Jeannie Deans, F. Mclvor, and Meg Merrtiies are among the best varieties. Clumps of half-a-dozen or so in the wilderness will have a charming effect. Prepare the site as for Roses. The frost of the past week has been beneficial in keeping things back, and will help to pulverise the land, but has not been sharp enough to injure anything. Late-planted Carnations and other recently-planted herbaceous plants should be looked over and pressed into the ground after th- frost disappears. A mulch of some light material is a great help to newly-planted things. Crimson Rambler makes a charming pole Rose, and may be planted now. < FRUIT GARDEN. Though autumn is the best season to plant fruit- trees, as the roots have a longer time to get estab- lished before any demand is made upon them, still many Pears are planted as late as March with good results. In rearranging the ground in large nurse- ries a good deal of planting is done late in the season. I am not saying this with the view of en- couraging late planting, but merely to show that trees may be planted in March if it has not been possible to get the planting done before. Stress should be laid upon the necessity for a thorough preparation of the ground for fruit culture, so far as breaking it up and improving it goes, but do not trench up bad subsoil to the top, as that would be likely to send the roots down —a thing we want to avoid. Filberts and Cob-nuts may be planted now, but the pruning may wait till the pollen has been scattered, especially if there is any scarcity of the male catkins. It is not likely there will be any frost severe enough to injure Figs against warm walls, but I should not do the prun- ing yet, March will be time enough. Figs may be transplanted in March, but a special site should be prepared for them if they are to succeed. Old mortar, mixed with bits, of brick worked into the foundation of the border, and rammed firm, will moderate the growth and lead to a better ripened con- dition. VEGETABLE GARDEN. The early varieties of Rhubarb will not require much heat to start them into growth now. Paragon, Prince Albert, and Victoria will follow each other in succession, if covered with pots or tubs, surrounded with a few leaves and some stable-manure to hold the leaves together. All the stools need not be surrounded with litter if tubs or large pots are used; the shelter they afford will be sufficient. The Rhubarb only slightly forced or merely sheltered is usually of better flavour than when brought on in stronger heat, especially where hot stable-manure is employed. If not already done, sow a few Cauliflower seeds to raise a few plants to come on after those sown in Autumn. Very often during mild weather these early-sown plants bolt prematurely, and then we have to depend upon the plants raised in heat in February. We find it best to raise the plants in pans or boxes, end then prick off singly in small pots, and when established on shelves near the glass in the warm-house, move to a cooler place to harden off, and plant out either under handlights or in trenches -early in April. Potatoes will do well in frames now, and a moderate hot bed of leaves and stable- manure. They do well after Asparagus, some good loam being mixed with the lighter soil that was used for the Asparagus. Sow Brussels Sprouts in the orchard-house in a box or boxes for the early crop, and if very large Onions or Leeks are required sow a feW seeds of a good variety in gentle heat now, and harden off and prick out wnen ready. In making up Mushroom-beds for spring bearing in unheated buildings, first make a~»ubstantial foundation of the or litter, and then build the bed on th« top of thii.
REJECTED i"
REJECTED i" Willie Bushell had come upon Rita in the grassv glade by the new copse. She was at that eterla1 Sasel of hers, though there was a fierce tooth in the east wind and snow lay on the high lands. But she looked warm in her sealskins, and the sanguine fires of hot hope burned in her dark eyes. I feel like letting the cat out of the bag, Rita," eaid Willie in desperation, when he had set hiagun against the hedge. Oh," said she ysu never mean that you have been cat-hunting, Wiltio?" But she did not glance up, or even smile; she just painted on. "You know what I mean, Miss Rita," said Willie. Anyway, if you don't, you soon shall. Come, now haven't we been first-iate comrades about fifteen' years 1" Don't, Willie," said Rita. He noticed that she spoiled a pine-tree while she spoke. Don't what ?" It's just because we've seen such a lot of each other that we aren't a bit suited-to marry. It would be like—reading a book over again." Well, don't you ever do that? The times I've gone through 4 Oliver Twist' and The Innocents Abroad ? But, I say, Rita, you're not serious ?" Indeed I am But I am so sorry if I pain you." She put down her brush and faced him with those raaiant eyes of hers. I'm going to tell you a secret, Willie. Grandmamma has agreed at last, and I'm going to my Uncle Mayne's next week. I mean to be in the Academy this year." Willie Bushell made a grimace. Going to live in town ? he asked. Yes, until the summer. I'm going to be devoted to Art. It's the sort of thing that one must serve body and soul, you know, Willie, if you are to do anything with it ? 44 Why do you want to do anything with it ? he asked moodily. Because I feel it is my vocation," she answered. "Oh, hang!" muttered Willie. "But I want you, Rita. I'm sick of moping round. And we could have the Tower House, the governor says: and with about six hundred a year we could scrape along if only-" "Barkis was willing. Just so, Willie; but Barkis isn't willing. Dear me, it's cold. I think I've had enough painting. Would you carry some of my things for me ? "Who on earth," he inquired angrily, "will look after you in London ?" "You seem to forget that I have an uncle and an aunt, both well acquainted with fhe metropolis." "Then you don't love me, Rita?" he said. There I I knew I should upset the box!" she ex- claimed, as her little porcelain paint-reservoirs dropped tc the ground. You must help, please. Willie iushell went on to his knee to the paints so did Rita herself. Somehow they got dangerously near to each other, and Rita's face looked dangerously beautiful. The temptation came to Willie. And, then, before he knew quite what he was doing, he had taken her in his arms and kissed her on the lips. They were both on their feet the next instant. I suppose I've done for myself," said Willie, in utter dejection. I couldn't help it." Rita was aflame with indignation. "That," she said drily, is the first time I have been insulted in my life. I shall be safer in London than at Kirtley, I can see." You'll be no such thing," he retorted, maddened to think that he was losing her. Oh, but I shall; you have convinced me. 1 don't think I need trouble you to burden yourself with that easel, Mr. Bushell." He, however, declined to let it go. Mr. Bushell indeed! They said little on their way to old Mrs. Gowan's —Rita's grandmother. You know perfectly why I kissed you," Willie remarked. I have not that privilege," said she. It was because I want you, Rita-want you fright- fully," he continued. Thanks," said she. That was about all. At the Willows Rita held out her hand. Good-bye—for at least four months," she said, actually with a malicious little smile about the lips he had kissed. Four months!" said he, as he tried to hold her tuwnd. But Rita vanished indoors. Then Willie Bushell went home to the Manor House, and raved every yard of the way. Afterwards, however, he grew calmer, and when dinner ended, he had a talk with his old father, the squire (as he was still called); and the old man gave his son some sage advice. But it's not a bit of good, sir," said Willie in re- tort. "I'm too hard hit." Then go your own way," said the squire. » < Uncle and Aunt Mayne lived at No. 23, Mountjoy- road, Bayswater, and Rita found them so humdrum that she was quite glad that her classes and studio work excused her from seeing very much of them. 1 She had a studio at Chelsea, looking on to the river. Her old school friend, Florence Swayne, also an artist, said the studio was a sine qua non. Sometimes she walked to the studio. Often, how- ever, she took a hansom. There was one hansom in particular that she favoured, driven by a nice-look- ing man with whiskers. She got quite to expect to see his hansom in the Mountjoy-road, close to No. 23, when she started of a morning. A very superior grey horse was a part of the turn-out. In the evening also, as often as not, the same hansom was to be found near Carlyle-walk, the site of the studio. Florence Swayne, who was giddy, now and then chaffed the cabman; but the driver seemed a steady, reserved kind of man, and did not look with favour upon Miss Swayne. He had very serious eyes— though they were at times rather more than serious as he smoked a cigar just after he had driven these two. He was never vexatious in the matter of fares with Rita; though once, when he had charge of Miss Swayne by herself, he enraged that girl by demand- ing a shilling more than the tariff. He soon found out that these girls were both engaged on immortal works for the Academy. How's the pictur', miss?" he asked now and then, when Rita would come forth pale and determined from her tussles with Art. Rita's answers varied from Pretty well, thank yon, John" (that was the driver's name), to "I haven't been able to do a stroke," and she looked haDTJV or depressed accordingly, Once John was audacious enough to whisper to Rita something in contempt of Miss Swayne. 44 That girl's too flighty for the likes 0 you, miss," he said. But Rita only laughed. She had not, like the driver, seen Miss Swayne of art evening in certain West-end music-halls, under male estort. One day, however, Rita said to the man, I sha'n't want you this evening, so go and try your luck some- where else." Nevertheless, he hung about the neighbourhood, and saw her when, in company with Miss Swayne and a brace of young men with long hair, she left the buildings for the Metropolitan Railway. Five hours afterwards he rang the bell at 23, Mountjoy-road, and left a handkerchief which Rita had, days ago, forgotten in his cab. "She ain't come 'ome yet, I reckon?" he asked, and, having received the answer No," he withdrew to his fine grey horse, The cabman received other shocks in the course of the next few days. He was hired, for example, to drive Rita and Mr. Caverstoke—one of the long- haired men-to a certain very dingy studio, where, he gathered, the long-haired one was about to paint Rita's portrait. Three days running this happened. Then a chance came for him. Mr. Caverstoke, instead of working, suggested that they might drive together to Kew, and John was retained for the pur- pose. They were half way thither, when the long-haired young man uttered an appalling shriek. The fact is," John had struck a fusee and dropped it unerringly, so that it fell, flaming, between the collar and neck of Mr. Caveratoke. Let me get out!—oh I oh I" The long-haired youth cried even worse things as he clasped his back- bone. As if this were not enough, John managed to atart the grey horse again, just when Mr. Caverstoke was jumping out. There was much mud in the road, and Mr. Caverstoke fell flat into it. Then, disegardingall Rita's gesticulations, John stolidly drove her home to her uncle's house. It's for your own good, miss," he said, when she alighted in a towering rage nor did he wait to hear in detail what she had to say to him. From that day forward Rita saw the cabman no more, nor yet the cab. Still, this Caverstoke incident disturbed her very much. She had not really cared for the young man, but her pride was tickled at the idea of so talented an artist painting her face and, perhaps, exhibiting it. The sequel disturbed her even more. Mr. Caverstoke became suddenly very distant towards her. So did Florence Swayne, aqd tht others of that gay, careless community. And, simultaneously, Mr. and Mrs. Mayne in Mountjoy-road developed extraordinary strictness in their control of her movements. Her old uncle, foi instance, insisted on accompanying her to her stndic and staying there a good deal while she worked And her aunt also popped in at all hours. Further, she was given to understand that she had been guiltj of notorious levity of conduct. Mr. Caverstoke's name was mentioned so that Rita could only con- clude that he himself had had the meanness and impudence to commnnicate with her relatives. A certain Mr. Mason, of the private detective firm of Moses and Aaron, was really the active agent ot all these changes. Rita now devoted herself to her Academy picture, sorely wounded in spirit. London was disappointing her. But she meant Art to be her great consoler. If now and then she thought of the budding lanes at Kirtley, and the larks over the fields, with Willie's face in the Manor House parb and elsewhere, she tried quickly to drive the thought away. Besides, her grandmother had told her that Willie was abroad. She grew pale and low-spirited as the picture waxed perfect. It was horrible to be so much alone. She even longed for that naughty cabman, John.' Until that escapade he had been, quite like a friend tc her. Also, she owed him for that last Curious drive. At length the picture was finished. "You must go home now, my dear, and I shall travel with you," said Uncle Mayne. May I not wait to hear if I ana rejected ?" she asked. 44 No, no," said the uncle. The shock would kill you in this London air." And so to Kirtley she returned, with no sense of triumph in her. Nevertheless, she was glad to be amonc the trees and birds and spring flowers. The great blow came a fortnight later. Oh, grandmamma I have failed!" she gasped, as she let the cold, formal missive fall among the buttered toast. "I am good for nothing at all! It was absurd to see how the news crushed her. All that day she was like a girl with an irreparable sorrow upon her. But in the evening who should call but Willie Bushell. He caught her brooding under the lilacs, and looked so brown and bright and well. "Hullo, Rita," said he, cheerfully. "So glad to see you before I'm off again. Made bold to bring a little bit of Paris as a present." This was a gold locket, with the word "Fidelis" done in diamonds across it. Off again murmured Rita. Why ?" Oh, you know, I can't stand Kirtley without- somebody. A rejected man, you know, must-" Then Rita broke out into an hysterical laugh. And I am a rejected woman, Willie she said. How! what! They've never had the impertinence to refuse your-" Oh, but they have; and quite right, too. I—I was very foolish to—to—:—" She broke down-fairly cried. Not for her picture, either. The sight of Willie had done her so much good, and now he was going away again. But Willie, on his part, was unnerved bpr the tears —or, perhaps, nerved. He snatched Rita s hand. Don't, darling!" he exclaimed. Then, as she made no resistance, he drew her to him again, until they were almost lip to lip. Let me console you, Rita," he whispered. May I ?" That night he gave away the cabman's clothes that had served him so well in town and, over some fine aid port, his father complimented him on what he sailed his "histrionic gifts."
BOARD OF TRADE RETURNS.
BOARD OF TRADE RETURNS. IMPROVED IMPORTS AND EXPORTS. The Board of Trade returns for January are (as the Daily Chronicle remarks), on the whole, satis- factory. As in January of this year there were the same number of working days as in January, 1698, the comparison is an equable adjustment. The iinports for the month are returned at the estimated value of £ 41,216,606, and show an increase of £ 1,287,315. This increase is due to the large receipts under the tabulated headings of articles of food and drink, free of duty, of tobacco, metals, the raw materials for textile manufactures, and of general manufactures. In articles of food there were large additions in the entries of wheat, wheat-meal, barley, oats, Indian corn, and meal. Also in the returns of bacon, fresh beef and mutton, bams, pork, butter, cheese, and fruits. The in- crease in metals amounts to £ 363,633 on a total of £ 2,142,330. Last month's imports of raw cotton amounted to 3,342,486cwt,, of the value of 0,825,328, being an increase of l,181,277cwt. in quantity, and of £ 1,837,284 in value. Of the raw cotton imported, 3,000,000cwt. came. from the United States, the rest being entered from Egypt and India. General manufactures give an increase of £ 152,732. There was a large reduction in the entries of cattle from the United States and Canada, and a consider- able falling off in the imports of cocoa, coffee, cur- rants, tea, brandy and rum. In raw materials for sundry industries the decrease is given at £ 456,518. The exports for the month are given at the declared value of £ 20,347,234, and present an increase of £ 1,11,5,830. This increase is abnormally swollen by the inclusion for the first time in these returns of the value of the new ships, not registered as British. If the total for these, given at 9546,190, be deducted from the gross increase, the net addition, as com- pared with the corresponding return of January, 1898, is actually £ 670,640. The principal increases shown are those of £ 356,496 and £ 259,325 under the headings of machinery and raw materials. Apparel gives an addition of £ 59,205. Under yarns and textile fabrics there was a considerable decrease in the quantities of cotton yarns, linen piece goods, woollen yarns and tissues shipped to Russia, Denmark, Holland, Italy, Japan, Belgium, and India. In cotton and jute piece goods there wert substantial increases. The quantity of coal shipped last menth is returned at 3,032,343 tons, being an increase of 122,534 tons. The exports of foreign and colonial merchandise amounted to £ 5,120,260, and show an increase of 437,599..
A BIG MAN'S FUNERAL.
A BIG MAN'S FUNERAL. The funeral has just taken place at Guilden Morden, Cambridgeshire, of a young man named John Sanderson, who was probably what was claimed for him, viz., "the biggest man in England." Sanderson, who was 39 years of age, weighed 30 stone. He was 5ft. llin. in height, and of extra- ordinary breadth across the shoulders and chest- nearly 3ft. He was a familiar figure in his carrier's cart, which he drove to and from Royston, and was frequently seen attending his stall at village feasts. Some time ago he visited a show where a man of girth, "the fattest man in England," was being exhibited, and to the amusement uf the spec- tators showed unmistakably that he was bigger than the fat man of the display. A few days ago he was removed to Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, where he died, and when the coffin and the corpse were taken to Guilden Morden for burial, it was found necessary to take out the window of the house before the coffin could be removed.
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IN deciding to return the sums of money which they have received from Mr. Hooley, Lord Albemarle and Lord De La Warr have acted (the Globe observes) in a manner which will commend itself to all honour- able men. For the moment it is not particularly easy to determine to whom the sums in question should be paid, and that must, of course, be agreed upon before they can hand them over. Otherwise they might conceivably find themselves in the awkward position of having to pav twice fnz other day, as two friends were talking together in lie street, a donkey began to bray and wheeze and cough in a distressing manner. What a cold that donkey has said one of the men. And, by the way, that puts me in mind—how is your cough ?' To CLRAN CARPKTS.—To a pail of cold soft water add three gills of ox-gall. Rub into the carpet (which has iust been well brushed or shaken, if possible) with a soft brush, This will raise a good lather, which must be washed off with clean soft water. Rub dry with a clean cloth. This will actually revive the colours as well as removing dirt. Weak solutions of alum and soda improve some colours. And a lather made with a bran bag can be used instead of the ox-gall.
POISON PROTECTIONS.i
POISON PROTECTIONS. IFZW BIGULATION3 APPROVED BY TUB PJtIVY COUNCIL. Some very important regulations as to the keeping, dispensing, and selling of poisons were adopted at a recent meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society, and, having now received the formal approval of the Privy Council, have (so the Pharmaceutical Journal informs us) become obligatory on all chemists. Up till now chemists were allowed to keep poisons in any manner they pleased, and the requirements as to selling were, under the Pharmacy Act of 1868, simply that each bottle containing poison should bear a label to that effect, stating its nature, and also bear the name and address of the chemist. The more stringent require- ments which have now come into force are set out as follows: "1. That in the keeping of poisons, each bottle, vessel, box, or package containing a poison be labelled with the name of the article, and also with some distinctive mark indicating that it contains poison. 0 .2.. Also that in the keeping of poisons, each poison be kept on one or other of the follow- ing system (a) In a bottle or vessel tied over, capped, locked, or otherwise secured in a manner different fr<m that in which bottles or vessels containing ordinary articles are secured in the same warehouse, shop, or dispensary; or 44 (b) In a bottle or vessel rendered dis- tinguishable by touch from the bottles or vessels in which ordinary articles are kept in the same warehouse, shop, or dispensary or (c) In a bottle, vessel, box, or package kept in a room or cupboard set apart for dangerous articles. *8. That in the dispensing and selling of poisons, all liniments, embrocations, and lotions, containing poison be sent out in bottles rendered distinguishable by touch from ordinary medicine bottles, and that there also be affixed to each such bottle (in addition to the name of the]article, and to any particular instructions for its use) a label giving notice that the contents of the bottle are not to be taken internally.
A GREAT BAZAAR.
A GREAT BAZAAR. With the meeting of Parliament the London season has fairly begun, and with preliminary foresight, hearty devotion to a worthy cause, and enthusiasm on the part of some of our greatest social leaders to be relied upon, the great bazaar to be held on behalf of the Charing-cross Hospital will assuredly take rank among its most notable events. Although so seem- ingly early to talk about a fixture which will not take place until June 21 or 22, the scale upon which it is planned is so vast and so brilliant that there will be no more than time to carry its adequate organisation into effect, or to enlist that widespread sympathy and collaboration which will be necessary if the noble institution is to benefit as substantially as its energetic promoters desire. It will be remem- bered that the scheme itself was first formulated on December 17 at Stafford House, before an extremely representative assemblage of ladies, when the Duchess of Sutherland explained the great needs of the hospital and her readiness to join with others to bring it to a successful issue. On that occasion the Countess of Chesterfield accepted the presidency of the Bazaar Committee, while the honorary secre- taryship was undertaken by Mrs. Arthur Paget, who has already shown the utmost energy in advancing her plans, though she is still open to welcome offers of assistance,whether of personal service or of gifts, for the stalls. Meantime, it has just been decided that Niagara is to be the scene of the great fete, though at gresent it cannot be announced, on account of the ourt mourning, which of the members of the Royal family will perform the opening ceremony. The pro- ject enjoys the complete approval of all the Royal nouse, and will have a special distinction in the per- sonal patronage, already promised, of the Queen herself. This honour her Majesty only accords to a bazaar under most exceptional circumstances, these in this instance being found in the fact that the Charing-cross Hospital was the very first institution upon which the Queen in her girlhood bestowed the distinction of patron, and that its present wants are also very great. It is some three year? since the financial position of the hospital became so serious as to call for imme- diate effort. Looking thoroughly into all its requirements, it then became evident that a sum of £ 100,000 was imperative to discharge debts, under- take essential improvements, and put the future upon a surer basis. Of that large sum about £ 40,000 has been secured, and the remaining £ 60,000 has yet to be found. There is now accommodation for 175 beds, and the returns for 1897—the latest at present available-show that no fewer than 25,668 in and out patients were treated through it. The average number actually within the walls during the past 10 years has been, annually, 2180. Accidents and emergency cases are exceptionally numerously brought here, and on this account, if for no other, it has especial claims upon those whose daily "vocations expote them to the dangers of the streets. Of those who have already definitely associated themselves with the project, a few names may be Xiven. Flowerland will occupy the centre of the hall, and here Mrs. Arthur Paget will be assisted by the Duchess of- Marlborough, the Countess of Craven, Countess de Grey, the Countess of Mar and Kellie, Princess Hatzfeldt, and Mrs. H. J. King, of South African popularity, who has induced many other of the important ladies of the Land of Gold to support the undertaking. Not the lsast attrac- tive, either, of the stalls will be that of the South African colonies, where Mrs. Julius Wernher, with Lady Sarah Wilson and Lady Colebrooke, will £ reside. Canada is to be the Animal Land," and Irs. Hwfa Williams and Lady Hartopp are col- lecting promises of pets of the fashionable strains to sell. Lady Farquhar and Lady Lurgan will hold a stall, entitled Italy Russia will be represented by Princess Demidoff, Princess Radziwill, Mdlle. de Staal, and Countess Torby; France will have Lady Bassoon and the Duchess of Roxburghe and for the German stall, Princess Henry of Pless, with Lady Henry Bentinek, has already ordered a most valuable collectionof Royal Saxony china and porcelain. Music, Drama and Literature will have their special stalls, and Lady Randolph Churchill, in addition to under- taking the direction of the musical entertainments, willfhold the first-named with the collaboration of the stars of the Royal Opera. As to the dramatic section, the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Beerbohm Tree cannot be overstated. In the first place, Mr. Tree has placed offices at her Majesty's Theatre, the assist- ance of his literary secretary, Mr. Lionel Hart, and a clerical staff entirely at the committee's disposal, while lie will himself arrange the dramatic Eirformances. Mrs. Tree will manage the Stage- nd" stall with Mrs. ^Kendal, Miss Julia Neilson, and Mrs. George Alexander. In Bookland" the Duchess of Leeds hopes to preside, and in any case there will be here the Countess of Jersey, the Countess of Bective, Lady Jeune, Lady Helen Craven, and Mrs. Craigie. At the Scottish stall the Duchess of Sutherland will direct; at the Irish the Duchess of Abercorn and the Marchioness of Londonderry and the American Mrs. Mackay, Mrs. Clarence Mackay, Mrs. Bradley Martin, and Mrs. Ronalds. Refreshments will be dispensed by the Duchess of Somerset and the Counteus of Chesterfield, and the most bountiful promises of cakes, sweets, wines, fruits, and other delicacios have been promised by leading West-end firms for this most remarkable fete.
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AT a meeting of the Women's Auxiliary in -—— it was agreed that every member should contribute a sum, not less than Idol., which she had earned espe- cially for the purpose. The money was to be handed in at the next meeting of the auxiliary. The time came, and the contributions were duly turned over to the treasurer. Some members brought 2dol. or 3dol., and the total amount was really handsome and encouraging. Then, of course, the good women fell to relating their experiences in earning the money. One had done this and another that, but Mrs. Allen said nothing. Finally her next neighbour asked How did you earn your contribution, Mrs. Allen ?" I got Mr. Allen to give it to me." Oh! oh I" cried several voices at once, and young Mrs. Smith said: 1, Why, that wasnt according to the agree- ment! We were to earn the money ourselves. I shouldn't call it earning it if I got my husband to give it to me." Perhaps you wouldn't," said Mrs. Allen. Ahd then again perhaps you would if your hu*band was like some folks." Nothing more was said. Mr. Allen's reputation was pretty well known, Mid it was tacitly agreed that Mrs. Allen had lived op to the spirit of her promise.
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THE LIBELLER'S IMPUNITY. Btr. J. P. Wallis, editor of the State Trials Reports IA hts interesting article in the Nineteenth Century on Liberty of the Press in France," answers one or two questions which most readers of the newspapers aiuat have been asking themselves recently. How is it that French journals can attack the Cour de &ssati on as they do ? The reason is that in France contempt of court is a matter for a jury, and not the judge himself, and French juries have a way of (Sitting offenders off. It has often been asked of late (■ays Mr. Wallis) why neither the Court of Cassation nor the Government on their behalf take any steps when M. Rochefort in his paper denounces them as traitors sold to the Jews, and suggests cutting off their eyelids and letting spiders eat out their eyes. The answer is an easy one: the Penal Code punishes outrages addressed to the court itself in the exercise of its functions, but press insults and outrages must be prosecuted as "diffamation" or "injure" under the law of 1881. This requires that the court itself should request a prosecution to be instituted, and should then go before the jury in the sorry attitude of a prosecutor already described. That is not a position in which the highest court could be expected to place itself. In England, M. Rochefort would have met; the fate of Mr. Whalley and Mr. Guildford Onslow during the Tichborne trial, and have been summarily fined and imprisoned until he made sub- mission. This is another instance of the superiority of our Judge-made law over foreign codes constructed on the most approved notions of abstract justice. While the French courts are shackled at every turn, her Majesty's Judges have never hesitated to draw on their inherent powers for the due assertion of the supremacy of the law. At a time when so much is beard of suggested conflicts between civil and military justice, and of the unwillingness of the latter to acknowledge an error, it may be well to re- call the submission and apology exacted by Chief Justice Willes in 1846 from a court-martial, com- prising some of the first officers in the Navy, who had been misled into passing censure on his judicial conduct and repudiating the authority of his court. Signed by all the members of the court-martial, this submission was received and read in open court, and published the next day in the Gazette, and was entered on the records of the court "as a memorial," said the Chief Justice, to the present and future ages that whosoever sets themselves up in opposition to the law, or think themselves above the law, will in the end find themselves mistaken for we may with great propriety say of the law as of truth, magna est ft prcevalebit"—sentiments which may be com- mended to our neighbours across the Channel.
"WESTWARD HO!"-
"WESTWARD HO!" Canada continues to cry Come. Once more the season has arrived when the eyes of many in these islands weary of the stress and struggle which our crowded population entails, are looking if per- chance they might find a home under more favour able conditions, in lands beyond the sea. To such- Lord Strathcona again details the advantages which the Dominion offers. The great need of Canada is population, and there is room for many millions more. The latter fact is strikingly illustrated by this: With a territory nearly as large as Europe, its inhabitants are not more numerous than those of London." Farms are still to be had for the asking, mineral wealth of the country is practically unlimited, and immigrants are promised a cordial welcome not by an alien race but their own kith and kin. Who, then, says "Westward ho I"
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION.
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION. The National Rifle Association has made a new departure. To fill the vacancy caused by the retire- ment of Col. W. C. Makinnon (since deceased), the Council of the association propose to appoint as secretary an officer who will reside permanently at Bisley, and give the whole of his time to the business 8f the association. Capt. M. C. Matthews, 2nd Volunteer Battalion Royal West Kent, has been appointed assistant-secretary (a new post), with charge of the London office and supervision of the association's finance.
CURIOUS SECT IN RUSSIA.
CURIOUS SECT IN RUSSIA. A curious sect is reported to have sprung up in the Government of Astrakhan. The members call themselves Enochites. All tokens of the Imperial Government are unrecognised by them, as being the works of Anti-Christ, whose seal, namely, the Russian Eagle, they find on all official papers and the cur- rent coin of the land. As is the custom in such cases, says the Standard's Moscow correspondent, the police have laid hands on all the members of the sect that they could, and some 70 persons are now lying in prison, and will in the ordinary course be sent off to residence for life in Siberia.
NEW COUNSEL TO THE TREASURY.
NEW COUNSEL TO THE TREASURY. Mr. Richard David 'Muir, who has been appointed one of the four Counsel to the Treasury at the Old Bailey, has been a member of the Middle Temple aince 1884, and began his professional career by devilling for Sir Forrest Fulton. The son of a Greenock 0 shipowner, Mr. Muir was educated at King's College, London. He is a member of the South-Eastern Circuit, and has appeared in many important cases at the County of London and Middle- sex Sessions. Some few months ago he was appointed to the position of Counsel to the Treasury at the North London Sessions, which now becomes vacant. Mr. Muir has the appearance of a learned Chancery lawyer rather than of a keen criminal advocate. No salary is attached to the position, the payment being by fees. It is, however, very lucrative.
A ROMAN ARISTOCRAT.
A ROMAN ARISTOCRAT. The death is announced at Rome of Prince Lorenzo Altieri, aged 70, who has suffered a long and painful illness. He was one of the most rigid representatives of that portion of the Roman aristocracy which has remained faithful to the Vatican. The house of Altieri dates back to the year 1000, when the name was Albertoni. The change took place in 1676, on the death of Pope Clement X., the last male member of the original Altieri family, whose name, being of higher nobility, was assumed by the Albertoni, one of whom had married Laura Altieri, niece of the Pope. Prince Lorenzo occupied very prominent positions under the Pontificate of Pius IX., ahd was Colonel- Commandant of the Palatine Guard when on September 20, 1870, the Italians occupied Rome. With the fall of the Temporal Power ne retired to one of his estates near Lucca. His elder brother, Prince Emilio, is the commandant of the Papel Noble Guard, which is entirely composed of members of the black (clerical) aristocracy. The position is very important, being hereditary in the Altieri family. There are only five other patrician families which enjoy like hereditary honours at the Papal Court. The heads of the princely Houses of Orsini and Colorina are Assistants to the Papal Throne, that of the Chigi is Marshal of the Conclave, that of the Ruspoli Master of the Sacred Hospice, and the Patrizi-Montoro a standard Bearer of the Holy Church.
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IT is useful to know what kind of trees are most likely to be struck by lightning, because trees afford shelter in thunderstorms, though a dangerous refuge, and they often grow near buildings. According to Mr. Alexander M'Adie, the eminent American meteorologist, the order of liability to be struck is represented by the following figures Oak, 54; trees collectively, that is in a clump, 40; tall pine trees, 15 and beech, 1. The oak is therefore the worst and the beech the best shelter. After rain trees are not ■o apt to split with the stroke as before it. MB. JOHN FOSTER, who has recently resigned his appointment of vicar-choral at Westminster Abbey, bad been conncted with the Abbey ohoir for42years. He started as a chorister over 60 years ago in St. George's Chapel, Windsor. For upwards of nin years he was organist of St. Andrew s, Wellg-st., and an a composer he has enriched Church music with a number of chants, while his anthem, "Like as tb4! hart," is widely known and liked. Mr. Foster is in \i. 72nd year. Intimacys are aliwus dangerous; the wust wrangles we ever see spring from them. I hav seen folks who had too mutch witdum to be ▼ery happy; a certain amount ov ignorance makes things slip eazy. I hate ceremonys az much as eow boddy duz; and yet I find the uncerimonious to M the biggest bores in the world.