The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

AGRICULTURAL NOTES. Within three weeks of midsummer, as we now are, the agricultural outlook is less encouraging than at any previous period of the year. In many directions, indeed, it is no exaggeration to say that the prospects are decidedly disheartening. The indications of a possible termination to see the drought which appears to manifest themselves at about the end of the third week of May came to nothing, and in the closing week of the month not only was the drought intensified, but for the greater part of it harsh winds continued to prevail. The result on the farm has not been merely a cessation of plant growth, but in inaLV cases a visible retrogression. The increasing scarcity of water is causing much anxiety, and it has become a public not less than a private dnty upon every one who possesses the power, to conserve as closely as possible all sources of water supply. The hottest three months of the year are immediately in front of us, and until such time as repletion of the under. ground reservoirs shall take place, all available supplies of water need to be carefully husbanded. In many districts ponds that have not been dry since the drought of 1893 have now lost all their water, and, as instances of local aberration, cases are here and there reported where ponds have lately run dry for the firot time within memory. The carting of water to stock, particularly to sheep is a heavy one, and it lis now increasing daily. Country roads are in a rotten condition, the continuous drought having caused the surfaces to break up into a kind of shingle. On arable lands tield work is as close up as it is possible to bring it, and many farmers have continued drilling upon dusty seed beds in the hope that an entire change in the weather may speedily clothe the sur- face with a vigorous green braird. Mangel and swede sowing, however, is practically at an end, and whatever else may be done in the direction of root cultivation must mainly be confined to turnips, which are capable of being profitably sown over a much longer period. The mangel clamps that are now being opened are revealing their contents in the primest condition, and is is doubtful if mangel ever came more successfully through the winter. With pastures prematurely giving out, these roots, to those who are fortunate enough to possess them, are now af the highest value, especially where sheep or milch kine are carried. This season, indeed, the mangel wurzel is proving itself literally, as its name implies, the root of scarcity." The direst effects of the drought have yet, however, to make themselves felt. With vetches, trifolium, rye, winter barley, rape, sainfoin, and other forage crops that have come so grandly through the winter, fioekmasters have not so far been put to any great straits. But the problem that is beginning to trouble them—and it grows more pressing every day-is what they shall provide as food for their stock six weeks or two months hence. Whilst the green forage at present available is steadily disap- pearing in the face of current needs, little or no progress is being made in the growth of crops which should normally be available for late summer feed. Such of the spring-sown seed crops as have struggled into braird are pining beneath the priva- tions of drought on the one hand and insect pests on the other, whilst the extent of land sown to seeds that show no sign of germination becomes greater week by week—in some gardens, even, potatoes planted a month or more have as yet shown no sign. The contrast between the appear- ance of the wheat crop and of the other cereals onlv becomes more marked as the drought continues, and the later-sown barley and oats are in some districts well-nigh despaired of. In many English counties haymaking was in progress last week, and ears of wheat will be seen this week. Hay has been easily made and quickly carried, for the crop is of the most meagre bulk. Is the weather of last week turned out, this snatching of such hay as could be got was the right thing to do, for heavy rains, if they come, would stimulate a good aftermath. Old sayings are still honoured in farmhouses, but that a dripping June sets all things in tune" was never meant to apply to such a season as the present. No amount of drip," even if we should get it, jan restore the lost hay harvest or make good to the late-sown corn crops the start which they never got, or cover the belated mangel fields with a uniform braird. The cruciferous root crops and green crops gener- ally might benefit, and meadows and pastures would respond to a generous drenching, but it is hardly possible that any kind of change in the weather, however favourable, could keep 1896 out of the category of bad years." This is a sorry statement to have to make so early as the beginning of Juue, but a prolonged spring drought, especially when following upon an accumulated deficiency in rainfall, leaves behind it marks which are inefface- able. The best thing farmers can do is to begin at ouoe to practice I t-t uioat rigid economy in con- nexion with everj thing tiiat can possibiy be requisitioned as food for stock, to begin to repeat now, on the early side of midsummer, those methods and operations which they were forced to adopt when, at the close of the terrible drought of 13^3, they found themselves face to lace with a winter for which they had been able to make scarcely any provision. The following extract from a letter from an agriculturist of very long experience, who has recently been travelling about the country, will be read with interest In my journeyintrH I found very little to cheer me. Wheat will no doubt be the crop of the year. Early sown barley and oats may pull through fairly well if rain should come in earnest, not merely a few dustlaying showers. Mangei, except in isolated cases, promises a patchy crop, and a large breadth will come to nothing. Land is too hard and dry to go on for turnips, &c. Grass is going, and 1 cannot see where the hay is to come from. A large farmer in Shropshire drove me through a brook close to his home and farmstead which he said had dried up on May 20 for the first time since he had been living there—19 years and as he ties up 80 or 90 beasts he was dismayed at the prospect of the water supply. A week before, in Romney Marsh, another large farmer complained to me of the scarcity of grass and water. I do not think the world is by I any means yet awake to the state of ruin that has befallen agriculture. Unless some change be made in the direction of protection it does not need the foresight of a prophet to say that the foreigner will entirely supersede the British producer. So I shall give up." And, accordingly, be has arranged to quit his farm in a little more than a year's time, on the expiration of his lease. A BREEDING QUESTION. Experience has proved that close in-breeding is certain to result in deterioration of stock. There have been many raisers of superior animals who have to their cost, discovered the, mistake of acting in this manner, and the jrdicioug man is always on the look out to find animals of ebitable character to introduce into his stock, herd, or flock, in order to improve it-to add some quality which his own do not possess in the required degree. SHEEP, AND WOOL GARMENTS. The past lambing season has been a good one, and it is generally expected that the addition to the ovine stock of the country will be greater than it was last year. Many people attribute thi fact to the mildness of the winter, but it is very curious that flockmasters as a rule do not agree in that conclusion. Over and over again we have been told they prefer a moderately cold winter, and that as a rule the lambs do better than they do when the season is mild. This opens up two questions. We hear in sharp winters, of fatality to ewes a d lambs, and in mild winters and springs like the past we are not told of so many. These statements may be exactly true, but there is a greater fatality in the cold than in the warmer weather; but the question which comes uppermost is Is the mild- ness of the weather the sole cauSe ? It may be advanced that in a great measure the fatalities in cold winters and springs arise from more or less neglect on the part of shepherds. They are un- willing to turn out so frequently as tb(?y ought to assist the ewes at the moment they want help, and thus both ewes and lambs are lost. In the better and milder weather the shepherds are more regularly amongst their flocks, and thus able to be with the ewes when their services are most needful. Then comes another question How can this be avoided ? It might be surmounted by the farmer acting as his own shepherd, and looking after his flock himself, being prepared to withstand all weather and inconveniences. It might be sur- mounted also if it were possible to obtain shepherds who are prepared to sacrifice their own comfort and convenience-and certainly many of them will do it-for the benefit of their employer and the credit of the flock. All men are not alike in this way, and farmers perhaps are not always quite so considerate to their shepherds as they might be. If the latter were provided with a suitable travelling house, where he could have a fire, make himself some tea, lie down, and be otherwise comfortable during the night, there would, we have no doubt, be far fewer cases of casualties at lambing time than there are now. The obviOU8 advantage of the shepherd being amongst his sheep at all times during tho night does not need argument, and fioekmasters who have hitherto no £ „iven this little consideration to their shepherds might well take a new departure in this direction for their own interest. Whilst referring to sheep it may be mentioned that over 700,000,000 of wool were imported into this country in I894 and of this about 346,000,0001b. were re-exp0rted leaving a balance of nearly 360,000,0001b. for consumption in this country. A suggestion has been made that our leaders of fashon in this country should be urged to wear dresses of woollen materials, and adopt trimmings of sheep skins with Wand short wools, instead of furs, next winter. The ijeais put forward with a view to help the British farmer. If a good demand was set up for this class of goods, it might make a little difference in the price of wool, and if it should result in the increass of our flocks, to an extent that would materially affect the enormous imports, it would be a decided advan- tage. It is true that the bulk of the imported wool comes from British possessions, but with the supply from these quarters there are still over 86 000,0001b. which reach us from foreign countries. Home industries have been fostered by the fashion of wearing certain articles of manufacture by leading personages in the land, and we should be glad if anything more could be done in the way of promoting home industry in the production and making-up of wooi as suggested above. AGRICULTURAL RETURNS FOR WALES. The agricultural returns for 1895 which have just been issued, show, as regards' Wales, that while there has been a decrease in the total' acre- age of corn crops, green crops, and permanent pasture, and in the number of sheep, there has been a substantial increase in the number of horses, cattle, and pigs, and in the acreage of qmall fruit, clover, sainfoin, and grasses under rotation. The total area of Wales (land and water) is returned at 4,774,000 acres. Of this area 182,000 acres are under woods and plantations, 1,099,000 mountain and heath land used for grazing, 1,979,000 per- manent pasture, and 860,000 arable land. Taking first the acreage of corn crops we fin a decrease of 21,248 acres, the total for 1895 being 402,240, against 423,488 in 1894. The acreage of wheat has gone down from 56,470 to 44,036, of oats from 250,866 to 242,198, of rye from 1,785 to 1,288, and of beans from 1,529 to 1,433. Tne acreage of barley, however, has gone up from 111,572 to 111,886, and that of peas from 1,266 to 1,399. The decline of corn growing is common to the four divisions of the kingdom. Wheat-growing, for instance, is reported to have decreased in every i county in England and Wales except Carnarvon, where there is a trivial increase of 13 acres. Green crops, again, im-lnding potatoes, turnips, Ac., sliow a uecoeajMi of 2,099 acres, the total being 118,069 acres, against 120,668 in 1894. The acreage of closer, sianfuin, and grasses under rotaiou rose from 321,043 to 329,047, au increase of 7,999 acres. The acreage of pormaaent- pasture fell from 1,532,804 to 1,973.457, while that of small fruit rose from 1.076 to 1,175. The number of horses rose from 147,506 to 153,158. an increase of 5,652 the number of cattie from 695,000 to 703,824. an increase of 8.824 and the number of pigs 227,6b8 to 260,091, an increase of 32,423. The number of sheep, however, fell from 3.078,641 to 3,CC0,841, a serious decrease of 77,800. We give below the detailed statistics for 1895 for each of the Welsh counties in which the County Time., cir- culates, the figures for 1894 being added in parentheses for the purpose of comparison :— CARDIGAN.—Total acreage under all kinds or crops, 269,746 (270,029). Corn crops-whoat 5,140 (6.272), ba-lev 16,371 (16.362), oats 30,79C (32,229), rye 155 (259), beans 42 (7), peas 4S2 (388), total 52,981 (55,518). Green crops- potatoes 5,895 (6,142), turnips and swedes 5,311 (5,221), mangolds 1,155 (1,107), cabb;.ge, &c. 238 (276), other green crops 39 (48). total 12,812 (13,015). Clover, gra jRos, ar.d sainfoin under rotation 42.238 (43,370). Permanent pasture 160,85S (157,328). Small fruit 34 (21). Bare fallow or uncropped arable land 823 (777). Ilorses —agricultural 8,129 (7,771), unbroken 6,345 (5,820), breedingjmares 1,579 (1,466), total 16,053 (15,057). Cattle—cows and heifers in milk or in calf 25,565 (25.313), other cattle, two years and abcve 6.978 (9,516), one year and under two 15,118 (14,443), under one year 17,675 (15,436), total 65,336 (64,708;. Sheep—breeding ewes 96,218 (94.129), other sheep, one year and above 63,247 (65,703), under one year 65,068 (79,423), total 231,533 (236,260). Pi.s- breeding sows 3,418 (3,116), other pigs 20,890 (18,602), total 24,308 (21,718). MERIOXKTH.—Total acreage under all kinds of crops 154,065 (154,034). Corn crops-wheat 638 (786), barley 4,375 (4,427), oats, 9,857 (10,510), rye 58 (65), beans 8 (8), peas 1 (6), total 14,937 (15,802). Green crops—potatoes 1,952 (2,010), turnips and swedes 1,604 (1,591), mangold 156 (172), cabbage, &c. 11 (41), vetches 12 (IS), other green crops 33 (37), total 3,768 (3,869). Clover sainfuin, and grasses under rotation 13,897 (14,285). Permanent pasture 121,341 (119,993). Small fruit 27 (16). Bare fallow or uncropped arable land 95 (69). Horses—agricultural 2,941 (2,906), unbroken 1,895 (1,776), breeding mares 430 (444), total 5,266 (5,126). Cattle—cows and heifers in milk or in calf 13,998 (13,957), other cattle, two years and above 5,486 (6,164), one year and under two 8,702 (8,584), under one year 9,816 (9,134), total 38,002 (37,839). Sheep—breeding ewes 134,286 (134,492), other sheep, one year and above 153,809 (164,282), under one year 88,758 (116,137), total 376,843 (414,911). Pigs- breeding sows 1,428 (1,439), other pigs 8,133 (7,609), total 9,561 (9,048). MONTGOMERY.—Total acreage under all kinds of crops 270,783 (277,375). Corn crops-wheat 9,245 (11,548), barley 9,484 (9,466), oats 23,709 (24,276), rye 95 (66), beans 153 (80), peas 414 (368), total 43,100 (45,804). Green crops— potatoes 2,097 (2,169), turnips and swedes 8,026 (8,188), mangold 247 (280), cabbage &c. 14 (22), vetches 143 (192), other green crops 24 (26), total 10,551 (10,877). Clover, sainfoin, and grasses under rotation 29,706 (28,531). Permanent pasture 185,787 (190,692). Small fruit 131 (100). Bare fallow or uncropped arable land 1,507 (1,370). Horses—agricultural 7,314 (7,314), unbroken 6,935 (6,642), breeding mares 1,544 (1,451), total 15,793 (15,407). Cattle —cows and heifers in milk or in calf 22,562 (22,397), other cattle, two years and above 12,902 (14,737), one year and under two 16,742 (16,498), under one year 17,744 (16,651), total 69,950 (70,283). Sheep—-breeding ewes 136,586 (138,658), uther sheep, one year and above 112,612 (117,536), onder one year 118,658 (125,845), total 367,856 (382,039). Pigs-breeding sows 4,262 (3,986), other pigs 22,879 (18,128), total 27,141 (22,114).

-+- MARKETS. FARMING AND THE CORN TRADE. Messrs. W. L. Browne and Co. report:—Wheat has been difficult to move, and with an increased supply values have declined 2d per bushel. Oats have sold slowly at unchanged rates. Peas and beans have been steady. Flour has continued quiet, and business has been done on easier terms. Offals have experienced a less active demand, but quota- tions have remained unaltered.—The growing crops —especially the spring corn-and pastures ape sadly in want of rain. Owing to the continued drought the prospects in some districts have assumed a most serious aspect. ——— SIIKAWSBURT CORN MARKET, SATURDAY.—Quo- tations: White wheat 4s Od to 4s 2i, new ditto Os Od to Os Od per 751bs; red wheat 3s lOd to 4s Od, new ditto Os Od to Os Od per 751bs barley Os Cd to Os Od per 701bs old oats 14s 6d to 16s 6d, new ditto lis 6d to 13s Od per 2251bs; peas, lis 5d to 12s 6d per 2251bs new beans, 13s 6d to 14s 6d and old ditto 16s to 17s per 240lbs. WELSHPOOL, Monday.—Butter 6d to 8d per lb; eggs 18 to 20 for Is fowls 3s 6d to 4s 6d per couple chickens. 3s 6d to 6s Od ducks, 4s 6d to 5s 6d per couple; geese, Os Od to Os Od each turkeys, Os Od to Os Od each rabbits Os Od to Os Od per couple; potatoes, Os Od per cwt. NEWTOWN GENERAL, TUESDAY. — Eggs, 20 to for Is; butter, 7d to 8d per lb; fowls, 3s Od to 4s Od per couple; ducks, 4s Od to 5s Od per J couple; chickens 3s Od to 5s 6d per couple. LIVERPOOL CORN, TUESDAY.—Wheat quiet trade, ld under Friday's—1, Californian, 5s 3d to 5s 4d; 2 Winter, 5s 6d to 5s 6¥i; Spring, Os Od to Os Od; Beans — Saidi, 21s 9d to 22s Od. Smyrna, 00s Od to 00s Od. Peas, 4s 7jd. Oats unchanged —white 2s ld to 2s 3d; yellow Is lid to 2s Od. Maize moderate demand, steady prices new Mixed, 2s 114d to 3s Od old, 3s bid. Flour, un- changed. m LONDON HAY AND STRAW, TUESDAY. Fair supplies, and a dull trade, at the following prices:-Good to prime hay, 60s. to 85s Od; inferior to fair, 36s to 55s; good to prime clover, 65s to 87s 6d new ditto Os to Os; inferior to fair ditto, 38s Od to 60s mixture and sainfoin, 50s Od to 85s Od new ditto, OOs to OOs; straw, 20s to 40s per load. BIRMINGHAM CATTLE, TUESDAY. Fine weather. There was a good supply of stock throughout, but trade was slow. The quotations were as follows Beef, 4^d to 6jd mutton, 5d to 7 £ d per lb lamb, 8id to9*d per lb. 8id to9*d per lb. SALFORD CATTLE, TUESDAY.—At market, I,HC J cattle, 18,645 sheep and lambs, and 257 calves. The following' were the best prices obtained Cattle, 5d to 6Jd sheep, 5d to 8d calves, 5d to 6d per lb.; lambs, 9d to 10d. There was a slow trade for cattle; whilst there was a fair demand for lambs. The trade for calves was much worse. LIVERPOOL, CATTLE, MONDAY.—The supply of stock was larger than last, week, showing an in- crease of 135 beasts, and an increase of 4,918 sheep, which met a fair demand for all classes at late rates. Prices —Best beasts 6!d, second 5jd, third 41d per lb best Scotch sheep, 7!d to 6d other sorts, 7d to 5d per Ib; lamb, 9d to 10d per lb. Numbers: Beasts, 488; sheep and lambs, 11,195. CORK BUTTER, TUESDAY.—Primest, 78s; prime, 7^« • first 78s seconds, 73s thirds, 70s; fourths, 00s' Kegs: Firsts, 76s seconds, 70s; thirds, 00s. Mild Cured: Choicest, 76s; choice, 73; superfine, 76s • fine mild, 73s mild, 68s; choicest boxes, 78 choice, 74s. In market: 462 firkin, o34 mild, and 39WHI?CHURCH, FRIDAY. Wheat, 3S lOd to 4s Od per 75 lbs; barley 3s Od to 3s 6d per 701bs oats, 2s 6d to 3s 3d per 50 lbs eggs, 15 to 16 for Is; butter, 9d to Os lid per 16 ozs; fowls, 3s 6d to 4s Od per couple; ducks, 5s 6d to 6s 6d per couple; geese, Os Od to Os Od per lb; turkeys, Os Od to Os Od per lb; potatoes (per measure), Os Od to 0s Od • new, 0s 4d to 0s Od per lb; beef, 6d to 8d per'lb • mutton, 7d to 9d; lamb, lOd to 0s Od per lb. veal 6d to 8d per lb.; pork, 5d to 7d. OSWESTRY CORN MARKET, WEDNESDAY.—White wheat, 4s 2d to 4s 4d per 75 lbs red wheat, 4s Od to 4s 2d per 751bs; oats (old), 10s 6d to 13s Od; per 235 lbs malting barley, 14s to 17s Od per 280 lbs. beans, Os to Os per 240lbs; peas, Os Od to 12s 6d per. 2251bs. OSWKSTRY GENERAL MARKET, \VEDNESPAY. Butter, 9d to lOd per. lb eggs, 17 to 18 for Is notatoes 2s 6d to 2s 9d per cwt.; beef, 6d to 8d per lb mutton 7d to 9d; veal, 7d to 8d; lamb, lOd to lid oe'r lb • pork, 6d to 8d per lb; fowls, 5s Od to 5s 6d l 'T COup]e; ducks, 0s Od to 0s Od per couple; geese, 0s Od to 0s each; turkeys, 0s to 0s each rabbits 2s 4d to 2s 6d per couple; carrots, 3s Od to 3s 6d PeOswE8TRY WEEKLY CATTLE FAIR.-The above fair was well attended and there was a good show •^iww.rtments. Cattle were m good condition, in all departments ,_Beef from 6d to 7d per Pri'ppfl ruled as ioilows. i>cc\ prices ruie veal, 7 £ d to 8 £ d lamb, lb; mutton, £ a to oa > r- fi-, 9d Co lOd per lb; pork pigs 7s Od to /s 6d, and bacon pigs 6s Od to 7s Od per score lbs.

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ITEMS FOR LADIES. It is net oiten tint marriage* t.ike piace in St. Paul's Cathedral. In a few weeks, however, Lady JhiUJ Duudas, second uaughter of the Marchioness of Zetland, will be married in the cathedral. It is a big piace to be married in, but it will be the novelty of there be;n; a marriage at all in that magnificent church that will make Lady Maud Dundas's nuptials remarkable. Two charming huts which J saw the other day in a est-end milliner's 1 .ivid describe for the benefit of any reader whose skilful fingers may wish to copy them. The first was a truly summer creation. It was of drawn tulle, a mixture of green and mauve, a layer of one being laid over the other. At the back were large upstanding bows of black and white gauze ribbon, and an aigrette of ri. h violet and mauve pansies. A few pansies lay lightly also across the broad brim. The second hat had the brim covered with light green leaves, shaped like the sloe, large green silk roses in two shades surrounded the crown, and at the back standing out were several biack wiug.?. I also saw the newest tiling in bonncts-a diminutive straw poke, with tulle at the edge, and plenty of roses at the back. The upper portion was of drawn silk, the rest a sort of crinoline mixture with large loops, and an tiigrette studded with was on the left side. One of the newest bats from Paris was an enormous bow of ribbon, sometimes tartan, above the forehead, the loops extending horizontally on either side, and the centre surmounted by a pair of dug's ears." in similar ribbon. The brim is made of pleated lace or silk muslin, supported on fine wires, which can be bent to any angle. Another new hat has a wide brim in open fancy straw, turned up sharply over the left temple, and there held in position by a rosette of ribbon in any p colour preferred, the rest of the trimming con- sisting of a garland of flowers rising in an aigrette just above the rosette. The river season began long before Whitsuntide this year on account of the stretch of brilliant weather that preceded We took bo;?t one lovely afternoon about a fortnight since, and found much activity going on in the various houseboats and camping out tents that fringe the shores between Teddington and Kingston. Sym- pathetically we observed ladies draping afresh the windows of their boats or bungalows, diligently beating and "plumping up" the cushions and measuring them for fresh frocks of silk or cretonne; and otherwise freshening up the details of their aquatic houses during many a long and sunny summer's day to come. Amateur carpentry was going on in many of the camping-out tents. Is a man ever so happy as when he takes a day off from business, and does a little carpentering up the river ? He only needs to know it to be per- fectly happy, but lie often does not realise it at the time. As to river dress, it is again skirt and blouse this year, as it has been for so many and the straight- brimmed sailor hat has taken a fresh lease of life, and is quite as much worn as ever. It seems per- fectly indispensable to the wardrobe, not only of the river girl but of every other girl, and of many who are not exactly girls. Though innovations in the way of trimming it have been tried over and over again, the only really orthodox fashion consists of the plain band of ribbon round the crown. Some people can manage a veil fairly well with a sailor had, but others only bungle it, and make a very untidy effect with a quantity of bulging net at the back. Men are all wearing the high-crowned straw hat with a dent in the centre of the crown. It is cooler than the low-crowned ones, and, no doubt, our own &ex will soon find this out and adopt it too. We have for years been in the habit of immediately appropriating anything we chance to particularly fancy from among the habiliments of our male relatives. The English river girl is decorative enough when she chooses to be ornamentally attired. An excel- lent specimen of her was seen on a launch up-river, clad in snowy serge that fitted to the shape, though flowing out a little towards the hem. It was bordered with three narrow rows of tan- coloured serge, which exactly matched the tint of the shoes, gloves, hat and ribbon, belt, necktie, and sunshade. With her was a companion, whose attire was a replica of her own, with the startling exception that all the white was in this case black. • « —_

NONCONFORMISTS AND HOME RULE. Some of the comments of the leaders of Noncon- formists and other Radicals, on the effect of the Irish vote on the Education Bill, in relation to Home Rule, are well worth reading. The Daily Chroniclc, of May 22nd, says We can admit that the old strict alliance between the two parties (the Irish and English Radicals) is over, for the simple reason that the circumstances that caused it have passed away." It deprecates, how- ever, the too hostile attitude of the Nonconformists. The editor of Word and Work suggests that the Catholic Irishman has no conscience" (Daily Chronicle, May 22nd). The British Weekly declares that Home Rule is dead. The Methodist Times, of Thursday, May 21st, in an article under the heading The death of Glad- stonian Home Rule," published in the Times of the same date, states that when Mr Dillon sat down, after speaking on Lhe Education Bill, "Gladstonian Home Rule uttered its last sigh and died." So ends one of the most heroic, tragic and distressing chapters in the history of England." The article finally makes the following overtures to the Liberal Unionists: The only question we need consider now is whether, under these circumstances, some practical step cannot be taken to heal that breach in the party of Progress and Protestanism. May we not stand shoulder to shoulder in oppposition to principles which degraded Spain, and in defence of the principles which have made England ?" Mr Gladstone's opinion on the present position has naturally been asked. The editor of the Daily Chronicle sent him the following telegram:— Prominent Nonconformist papers, like the Metho- dist Time* and the British Weekly, declare tht Home Rule is dead, and we are receiving many Noncon- formist letters in this sense, based on the Irish vote on the Education Bill. Our opinion is strong that the argument for Home Rule, based on British honour and imperial interests, is absolutely un- affected. Will you confirm this ?" Mr Gladstone replied :— Cannot appear in the matter but agree with editor. Blame Irish a little, Nonconformists more, Parnellites by far the I most."

+ Back numbers of the COUXTY TIMES can be obtained at the office.-Price 2d. each. A few copies of everv number in stock. At the Merionethshire Assizes, at Dolgelley, on Tuesday, Mr Justice Vaughan Williams, addressing the gentlemen of the Grand Jury, said, he might say that no doubt they had seen in the public press and heard otherwise, that just at the present time the defendant for judicial statistics has issued certain summonses with regard to crime in the United Kingdom. And certainly as far as Wales was concerned-excepting the counties of Glamor- gan and Monmouth, in which they knew there were a great many who were not Welshmen-the returns were very satisfactory, and kept up the good character which Wales held amongst Celtic nations in respect to crime. But, it had been suggested that these returns being based upon convictions, some part of the credit was taken away from Wales by reason of the large number of acquittals in the number of cases tried. A paper had just been handed to him that morning in which it appeared that out of 19 committed to trial in 1894, 1895, and 1896, in this county-and that was not a large number, in fact it was a very small total- they found that nine had been acquitted. It was said that that was too large a proportion of acquittals, and it was suggested that the kindliness of the Welsh people towards their neighbours ex- ceeded their love of justice. He did not know much about that but he certainly saw that the per- centage of acquittals was enormously above the average for the United Kingdom. He hoped this was only an accident and that the proportion of prisoners acquitted were really innocent. It might be that in Wales people were very suspicious, and possibly some were sent for trial on charges that could net be sustained, but he seriously hoped that it did not mean that there was any disposition on the part of petty jurors to let people off who were really guilty. That would be very shocking. Here in this county as in the rest of England one found that the sense of justice was generally extremely strong, a fact which he, per- sonally, attributed to the administration of justice by the people through a body of magistrates for the people. Just now above all was the time that England ought to be showing that love of justice was the predominant feeling in the country, and that no sense of what might be gained by a different policy should ever persuade the nation to depart from the love of justice.

JUDICIOUS ADVERTISING creates many a new business, enlarges many an old business, and seeures success in every properly managed business; and advertising in the COUNTY TIMES is certainly the surest way of obtaining this result in this district. ¡1"{Jt,'k1rrP lÁ 'l {¡f.0';it&t¡}'(- Aol::I\e'(. •" •• •••• • •••••••••• • I CJ 8 MYSlIllll !f_ AI ggggggg IMC! g, aillOTp r r »Paid I r r 4 i •' rr.HE owner of a single Horse or ow 11a* no excuse now for n<- tprovicUn?as:ruT,Pt 0»s»- ^< sudden Korse or Cow Ailments, wfae'a he can ■{ f.r the small sum of 10s. 6d. sscare a little -1 t'hesst. containing Mecbriiies of 50 years' i s-tandinsr and notoriously the best av.d f¡, fitted for Horses ->nly, e'ows only, or both ■"3. containing also that most successful ,;f all ■' popular books 0:1 Animal disease, Davs' Everyday Farriery," 220 pa^es, literally w Vi crammed with information and instruction, io a handy, p'.aic, and easy form. TV hen -n ? «-••• pav the Ch jSt contains Pays' I>ai:k Driv.li and Red Drink, Days' Oil. ic., there will be no difficulty in at once seeing the great > a', value of Days' Special Chest, (; T,Y -T71 N ')Ii ONLY GENUINE I'ROM t, 3. DAY i>; SONS, CREWE Su| AWABDEB OYER 50 PRIZE MEDALS. ^l|j E^TAKLlsnK, 1240. BLACK DRINK Cures Colic or Oripes.!iE3 sudden Chi;is in Horses and Cattle, S -'Hoven or Blov-n Catt'e and SVep, Scour in \i ««i»i Cfclvee, &e. 5f. per J dozen sample, or !{*. per £ Sjl{ ™ dozen liAtlez. Carriage />aid. Q 47|j DAYS' RED PEINE Cures Bad Cleans- :">3*j ing and Prevents Milk FeTer. For Stoppage,Lufis j! Cud, and Cold? ]2r. j .gjyi per dozen packets. Carriage paid. The Ewe Drench tor Sheep, Si. 6d. y.er dozen Packets. ;5y*DAY8' PURIFIED DRIFFIELD OILS. ') '4 -'Days' IB I nek Oils," or "Days' Oils. He&j Kicks, Cuts, Stake WoundB, Broken Kce68, Ac., -V| :in Horses and C*ttl«. Safely Heal all Wound-, .0, ffy, ia all AninitUs. y-'dy ONLY GENUINE FROM J || 3DAY & SONS, GREWf.il :/?. £ ,} Manufacturers of ovary Veterinary |' £ Sequitite for Farm, Stable, and Kerne:. A ESPJDESIT GRANITE !■! C: -3, 4'i-OP.J £ 5, carriage paid. Inserts* <*«■. i- tiiui. i'ians A; j>nc«9_i'i-uiu_J[. W. Li ;0, _• n. LADIES' BEST FRIEND. HARRIED or fTJTG-I/S! LiKHE *hr>Tjld dfr.fl fMP T.ATUK-' HANDY iU 1 A y.D UV'j .Wf twm Stamps; nvaluable and ren. 7 c!i *r «ge» lariu.'< f' or h. — 'a- -j MALiA-MK B. LILLY, CQj^i'UX S t.T, = .-n, 118 0 $0od!ll|| S S S {tg ;& I' 4 E XT. R A c 0 F.-HEREZ-fg& • The most tMret-qnenchlng, re- • J freshing,acini) Lin■ t drink produceable g ■ For every C > 1-i-AT.H: '.Y03KES and ail m employed in Shops. Mills. Manalactories & Minea 9 IMITATED BUT NOT EQUALLED. Agents Wanted, g m One 6d. bottle mates S gralions. Of all Chemists and Rfcar«fi» SAMPLE BOTTLE FREE 9 STAMPS, 2 FOR 15 STAMPS. 9 = JJEWBALL & MASON, NOTTINGRAN. = .10. MONEY! MOSEY 1! IMPORTANT TO BORROWERS ■"1 £10 to £500 may be obtained on Loan immediately. If You Want to Start in Business, If YOIl Want to Increase your Stock If You Want to furnish your Homes, If You Want to Pay your Rent, If You Waflt to Pay your Debts, If You Want to Pay Out an Execution, or any matter, however urgent or pressing those demands may be, you can be accommodated without delay bv apply- ing at this old-established Private Loan Office, where busi- ness is done in a thoroughly genuine manner, viz. Money Lent on Borrower's own Security, and a guarantee of the Strictest Secrecy given if required. Money Lent to Householders (Male or Female), Farmers and Cowkeeperf, Innkeepers, Tradesmen, Working Men, and all classes residing withinlOO Miles of Shrewsbury in Sums varyillg from tM. 912, £ 15, £ 20, £ 30, to JESOf). Office Hours till 7 o'clock p.m. Letters by Post immediately replied to, and No Enclosed Stamp necessary for reply. No Delay. MR. S. BERNSTEIN, ACCOUNTANT, 26, CHESTER STREET, SHREWSBURY; AND 16, BENNETT'S HILL, BIRMINGHAM. • ^r" t.e'n thinks it necessary to Caution Intend- lng Borrowers against unscrupulous persons who pTetend to advance money, when in many cases they are even in a worse position than the person who applies for the Loan. Mr. B. has Dow b en established at ths above address for ^d. Borrowers can depend upon it that if a Loan at this office it cannot be got anywhere. tLv W^ nn i ?eflS1St 1D, tradmE with people of no standing they have only themselves to blame if treated unfairlv. A PRI"\ ATE CAPITALIST, Member of a well- wea-lthy Firm, having a considerable sum Ol Uninvested Money, .sprepared to ADVANCE the same, in sums of not less than zOlO to E5,000, to Persons of undoubted respectability in town or country (distance no object), on their own Promis- sory Note, without asking for sureties or security, or preliminary charges or fees whatever, at a low and Reasonable Rate of Interest, for short or long periods. Strictly private and confidential. As this advertisement is not connected with any Loan Society, it is requested that Habitual Borrowers will not apply. For full particulars, apply personally or by letter, direct to the Lender. W. SPENCER, ESQ., 1, WELLINGTON BUILDINGS (SOUTH) 2, LITHERLAND ALLEY, SOUTH CASTLE STREET, LIVERPOOL. THE OLDEST ADVANCE OFFICE IN SHREWSBURY. ADVANCES made privately and confidentially -A- in sums of X10 up to X500 UPON PROMISSORY NOTE 1 ONLY, At much lower interest than usually charged. Repayments arranged to suit borrowers' require- ments. Genuine and extensive business done foi 25 years pcst. NO BILLS OF SALE TAKEN. Apply personally or write for terms to GEORGE PAYNE, ACCOUNTANT 5, TOWN WALLS, SHREWSBURY. OSWESTRY BRANCH -1. C unit an Buili.ngs Oswald Road (next to Cambrian Railway Station)! MONEY. MONEY. MONEY. ESTABLISHED 1869. CASH IMMEDIATELY ADVANCED, FROM C,5 AND UPWARDS. To Farmers, Gardeners Carriers, Cowkeepers, shopkeepers, Dairymen, Tradesmen. Clerks Clergy- men, Lodging-house Keepers, Private Householders and others, without Bondsmen, ON THEIR OWN SECURITY, On Note of Hand alone, repayable by easy instal- ments, or arranged to suit Borrower's own con- venience. All communications are received and kept in strict confidence. No genuine application ever refused, and honourable aud straightforward transactions guaranteed. NO ENQUIRY FEE. Intended Borrowers are invited, before apnlvine elsewhere, to applv to the actual Lender 1 J. A. RENNiK, 25, CHESTER STREET, SHREWSBURY WEDNESDAYS—AT 14,KING STKEET.OSWfWP v Town or Country distance nr t- Letters immediately attended to. object NERVOUS DEBILITY A CHRISTIAN gentleman will send inv «■ on receipt of .tamped Zl envelope, his Physician's Preprint; completely cured him in one montlf J prevent sufferers being imnosed by unscrupulous Quacks as an vu robbed Chemist can make it up.—Mr John Street, Liverpool. s' fe°uth P^dismatch af desoriPtio11 executed with DOOI FilS ? o6 °UNTY Times Office, Welsh- Pool. First-class Commercial work a speciality given.