Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF WALES. LECTURES ON FRUIT CULTURE. On Friday evening the second lecture in this ieries was given in the College by Mr. J. L. Pick- j ard, Instructor in Horticulture. Mr. Colville, Fron- fraith, was elected to the chair, anci in his opening remarks he paid a high tribute to the careful and interesting" way in which the lecturer was pre- senting the subject of fruit growing to them. Mr. Pickard said that at the last lecture be had taken a cursory survey of the food materials re- quited by all fruit trees, and had briefly indicated the way in which they were made use of by the ptants. But now he said it was time to take a closer view of these materials in order to find out how far we could help our plants to make the best vlso of them. A soil bad two important services to perform for the plant; it had to hold it in position ia the ground, and it had to supply it with the food ingredients and water which were required. An ideal soil, then, would be one that was of sufficient, depth and sufficiently open to allow the roots to imm freely, but yet sufficiently tenacious to hold the tree firmly in position, and to allow a free cir- culation of water by capillary attraction it should JUNO contain a large amount of suitable plant food in such forms as the plants require it. Unfortun- ately, few such natural soils are to be found. The soils of our are either too shallow or too bky or too close and retentive to fulfil the first of the required conditions, and all soils are deficient in one or more of the food materials that are essential to the plants' growth. The latter defici- enoy we tried to remedy by applying manure, but we ought not to apply manure until we have used every effort we are capable of in ameliorating the mechanical condition of the soil. With this object in view it is necessary to dig the ground we intend deserting to fruit culture, and to dig it deeply. In fact, we should never proceed to plant fruit trees Without first trenching the ground on which they are to be planted to a depth of at least two feet. Ifc is not a wise plan, however, to bury the surface soil to this depth, as the subsoil is rarely of sofEciently good £ quality to make it desirable as a. finrface soil. A better plan would be to "bastard trench the ground. This is done by first opening a trench eighteen inches wide, and twelve inches deep, removing the soil to where it will be required for filling up at the finish, than break up the subsoil thoroughly, throw the next. eigh.een inches of surface soil on the top of ik and continue the operation right through the plot of land that is to be planted. Where land lias the slightest tendency to stickiness or sourness, as w usually the case in clayey soils, or soils that contain a lot of organic matter, it is a splendid practice to add a considerable quantity of burnt clay." Procure the stump of an old tree, and pile upon this all the primings, and brushwood, and garden refuse that can be collected, cover with a tin inch layer of clay or other soil and set fire to it. As the fire breaks through cover with more clay and keep it burning as long as possible. Hurnt clay is extremely useful under almost all conditions. All the plastic, sticky matter is burnt out of it, and it will not only run together again, but if applied at the rate of seven pounds per aquare yard of land, it will prevent the soil from running together and puddling in wet weather, am" from baking and cementing, and cracking in dry weather. But this by no means exhausts the virtues of burnt clav, it acts in a wonderful way in getting air into the soil, and air, as we have already seen, is required for the roots to breathe, ancito enter into the composition of the food stuffs already in the soil. If there is a dificient supply of air ::11 the soil then the food stuffs form into acids, as nitric acid, sulphuric acid. phosphoric acid, and so forth, and all these acids are sour and poisonous to our plants. On the other band when air is plentiful in the soil these substances combine with oxygen and form ates" as nitrates, .sulphates, phosphates, &c., and these are sweet and ja a suitable condition for the nutriment of the plants. Burnt clay also makes the land better ■drained, as it prevents the soil particles from sticking too closely together, and thus preventing tho free percolation of water through them, and a well drained soil is warmer than one saturated wth water. From tests that have been made it baa been found that after eight hour, of bright «<msbine soil was six degrees warmer at a depth of four inches than similar soil was in the same bed that bad not been mixed with burnt clay. This is a most important consideration, as a warm soil not only brings us increased crops, but gives us them of higher quality,, and of increased flavour and colour. Burnt clay increases the fibres of the roots, and so enables the plant to take up more food. In our last lecture it was pointed out that the chief of the food from the ground was taken up by the root hairs, now, side roots can carry root hairs, so we can greatly en- eourage growth if we can get the roots of our pt-.),tits to branch freely. By encouraging fibre we encourage the plants means of absorbing food from the soil. We want to get plenty of fibre as each root hair is capable of working independently of ltr. neighbours, so we see that the work the plant i; capable of doing depends largely upon the •amber of root hairs which it possesses. Suppos-1 ing; that under ordinary conditions a plant had five thousand met hairs; if by any means we could induce the plant to form fifty thousand root hairs it ought to grow ten times as rapidly, if food could oniy be given. Unfortunately we cannot get suit- able conditions for this rapid increase of desirable 10.wth—because it is not desirable to get eight or ten feet of sappy, unripened growth on our trees each year—but it is a well attested fact that the gardener gets the most and the best fruit who gets tSe most root fibre on his trees. To sum up the virtues of burnt clay then in the garden? First and foremost, it is cheap; it costs nothing nay, it gets rid of a lot of undesirable rubbish out of the garden that would otherwise occupy valuable- space, or would cost something to remove, It gets **ore air into the soil than can be got in by almost any other means. It neutralises the sour tendencies of the soil, and prevents sourness. It drains the land and makes it warmer than it other- wise would be. And it increases fibre and root hairs, and enables the plant to take up more food from the soil. It also acts most beneficially upon the capillary conditions of a soil. Although burnt clay possesses so many virtues we must not be led into thinking that it is the only thing required by our fruit trees. It is per- fectly true that it acts in a wonderful way in in- creasing roots, yet it contains very little that is tuseful in pushing them on after they are formed. This we have to supply in the form of manure of some sort or other, and this brings us to the con- sideration of what manure or manures is of the mm service to us. A manure to be perfect must contain three substances, namely nitrogen, phos- phoric acid, and potash, in something like equal proportions. If any one of the substances is en- tirely absent the plant can make no use of the others, no matter how abundantly they are present in the soil, and if any one of the substances is prewent in unsufficient quantities for the plants see-4ils, they will only make a miserable effort to OW. In illustration of this the lecturer exhibited a series of parsnips which bad been purposely grown with different manures in the College grounds, under Professor Middleton's directions. The object lesson was certainly a convincing one ao (-.be plants exhibited a striking degree of differ- ence. One, a fine healthy vigorous plant had been grown with a complete manure, one without -potash, one without phosphate, one without nitro- gen, and one wiihout any added manure. The one tfiat had received a complete manure was much larger than all the others put together, while the one without potash was as small and as miserable- looking as the one that had received nothing, although the former had been supplied with an aimadance of nitrogen and phosphate. Mr. Pickard, in continuing, said that as practi o.al-and sensible people they were desirous of leav- ing nothing undone to gain success, therefore he proposed going rather fully into the subject of manures as he was afraid that gardeners did not gtre it the serious attention it deserved. Many people, he said. regarded farmyard manure as Hie only natural manure to use, and he was bound to add that most people thought far too much of it Although it would be extremely foolish for us to discard it from our gardens, yet it is almost equally foolish ;to regard it as the only natural manure we had available. Farmyard manure is -reliable from the fact that it contains all the ■eoesaary food materials of a plant, yet they are p-eserit in very small quantities indeed. A ton of •wifti manure contains roughly twelve pounds of ■itrog-en, six pounds of phosphoric acid, and four Iud half to six pounds of potash, and this is all the, food material we get when we purchase a ton «f manure. But let us look at some other sub- afcan.>? A ton of Sulphate of Amonia contains &,a much nitro'jrcn as fifj y tons of farmyard manure. (>*■: ton of Mineral Superphosphate contains as ] much phosphoric acid as is found in sixty-four ioas of fari: y rd manure, and one ton of Kainitcon- tfw rw pot a.-11 equal seventy tons of farmyard »iii;ure, and all these are just as natural manures nu farm yard manure is natural. Farmyard manure o in, and often does improve the texture of a soil, indffpently of its- manurial properties, as for instance wh'n we add rotten manure to dry, acid, sandy a ;il it assists in retaining moisture, but if we were r,o add sfch manure to an already wet, cold soil, it wc.jd make it still wetter and colder, and this vouhi act injuriously upon our fruit trees. If we n-s»" t' at all we must use it only for special pur- poses, and then use it in such a way that we may get' the greatest amount of benefit from its cue. and supply our fruit trees with ftxtti material in a more concentrated, and re tdily available form. Many respect- "C" cmd old established firms sell compounded inpt ures and advertise them largely under the title of So and So's special or artificial manures. While these were no doubt excellent for many purposes, yet if we examine at all closely into the matter—which, as intelligent people we are bound to do-we shall at once see that they are not suitable for all cases. Take apple trees as a case in point, and especially young apple trees. The first tree in the row may be making a too luxuriant growth of new wood, a growth that we cannot hope to ripen no matter how favourable the season may be; the second tree may have made very little or no growth at all, while the third one may be loaded with apples which we wish to feed up rapidly. Now it is obvious that here the same mixture of manurial ingredients cannot advantage- ously be supplied to these three trees. The first one is already growing too fast, so we apply phos- phate to make its growth sturdier, and harder, and riper; for the second tree we want a manure that will stimulate its activity and make it produce more wood and more leaves, so we apply an active nitrogenous manure. We want to produce two totally different effects in the two trees, therefore we have to use two totally different manural ingredients. For the third tree we want a manure that will act quickly on the leaves, as the leaves have ail the food to prepare for the apples, we want one also that will increase the size of the apples, and one that will improve the quality of their colour and flavour. Those of you who have followed carefully what has already been said upon these points will remember that nitrogen looks after the leaves, phosphate looks after the size of the fruit, and potash looks after its colour and quality, therefore both science and common sense teaches us tc use a complete manure in this case. Further than this, advertised compounded manures always cost a great deal more than the materials of which they are composed can be purchased for, so we will endeavour to find out what are the best materials to purchase for manurial purposes. We will take the nitrogenous manures first, as they are the most expensive and perhaps, as a general rule. the most important. The most typical form we find it is as saltpetre, this is. how- ever, too expensive to use as a general manure, but it might be used sometimes in finishing chrysan- themums or other favourite flowers for exhibition. Sulphate of ammonia stands easily first in value among the more ordinarily used nitrogenous manures in that it contains more nitrogen than any of the others. It takes about a month to get into work, and it requires the presence of lime in the soil, as it combines with lime to form nitrate of lirae, in which state it is taken up and used by the plant. This process of combining with lime prevents the nitrogen from being washed out of the ground so quickly as it is in some other forms. It has a special action on fruit trees if applied as soon, as the fruit is formed in that it quickens the circulation of the sap, and prevents the trees from being unduly weakened through carrying a heavy crop of fruit. Nitrate of soda. a kind of saltpetre, stands next in value, indeed some authorities regard it as the most valuable nitrogenous manure for some pur- poses. It is certainly the best tonic for sickly leaves, providing the roots are healthy. But then it is a waste of time and money to apply any description of manure to sickly roots. It is a far more sensible plan to find out the cause ot the sickness and remedy it rather than aggravate the evil by injudicious manuring. Nitrate of soda acts in a hurry, and is the best medicine to apply in an emergency, such as would happen if the leaves get damaged by frost or by any other means. It is very liable to get washed out of the ground, so it is inadvisable to apply much at once. Little and often is a good rule to keep in mind, besides, if we apply too much at once we are liable to damage the leaves by making them grow too quickly. Rape dust is a valuable source of nitrogen, though its slowness in action is often against it, but for strawberries and fruit in general it is a very valuable manure, as it never disagrees with any plant, and it is quite incapable of doing any harm in the soil. Phosphoric acid is chiefly applied as broken up bones, as mineral superphosphate, or as basic slag. These substances are applied to prevent the leaves keeping the food after it is manufactured. Bone meal is the simpliest and safest form in which phosphate can be used. It acts slowly and safely,, and lasts for a long time in the soil; this, however, is not always desirable, we often want a manure to act at once, and for this reason mineral super- phosphate is more useful than bone meal. Its most useful part dissolves easily in water and is rapidly available for the plants use; and this is a great advantage where we are anxious for quick returns. Great care should be taken in using it. not to allow any of it to touch any living part of the plant as it burns every part that it touches. It is always as well to take this precaution with every special manure we use. Basic slag is rapidly growing in favour as a phosphate manure, but it is perhaps better suited to the farm than the garden as it acts best on clayey or peaty or wet soils that are poor in lime. It can however be used to advantage on fruit trees providing nothing better is on hand. Turning now to potash, the substance that takes such a fatherly interest in the formation of all new parts of a plant, and that looks after the manu- facture of starch, we have a choice amongst sulphate of potash, murriate of potash, kainet, and wood ashes, and of these the two latter are best for our purpose. Potash is found very largely in the new twigs and young branches of trees and plants so we should carefully collect all the prun- ings, hedge clippings and such like material, and burn it. This however should be saved for our more delicate plants as there is no danger of harm from its use. In general practice we have to stick to the use of kainit as it is rarely that we can get sufficient woods ashes for all our plants. Kainet is readily soluable in soil and it need not be applied very long before the plants require it. Neither phosphates nor potash are so liable to be washed out of the soil as nitrogen is, so we need not be quite so particular about the time of application providing we supply sufficient to keep the plants in the plants in the highest possible state of healthy vigour. We will however talk about the quantities to be used and the method of their application when we come to discuss the various kinds of fruit trees that have to be dealt with. Several questions were put to the lecturer, and were answered in a careful and interesting way, and at the close a class was formed of those who intend going in for examination at the end of the lectures. Mr. Pickard gave them the following question to answer before the next lecture, Explain the effects produced by burnt clay on a wet, cold, clayey soil." A cordial vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Pickard, and to Mr. Colville for presiding.

WIT AND WISDOM. — Oanon Knox-Little told this story at a church congress. A lych-gate in front of a beautiful church had been restored and made to look very nice, and over it was painted— "THIS IS THE GATE OF HEAVEN." The gate, however, was only to be used occasionally, so a placard was posted underneath- GO ROUND THE OTHER WAY." The other day, in a Sunday school class of boys between the ages of six and ten, a question was asked as to how God punished Adam for dis- obeying him. There was silence for a moment or so, and then one bright boy sdid: Please, sir, God took away one of his ribs and gave him a wife." There is a good old story of a general whose death was announced in a newspaper by mistake, a circumstance which annoyed .him very much. He called on the editor and demanded that a con- tradiction should be inserted in the next issue. That, General," was the editor's reply, is quite out out of the question. We never apologize, and we never withdraw a statement; but I'll tell you what we'll do for you. We'll put you in the Births' next week. ♦ In the Cornhill Magazine," a writer tells some pleasant stories of the humours of hospital life. A poor little street Arab was brought in by the police. He had been run over by an omnibus, and was badly injured. The Chaplain was sent for, as it was thought improbable the child would live many hours. With little tact the chaplain began the interview thus:— My boy, the doctor thinks you are very much hurt. Have you been a good little boy ? Boy (much bored) You git aout!" Chaplain (shocked): But I am afraid you are not a good little boy, and you may perhaps be going to die." Boy (anxious to end the interview) Well t'aint none o' your business any'ow. Wot's me death got to do with you? 'Ave you got a pal in the corffin line ?

PENCADER. SUCCESS.—Two students of the Grammar School, Pencader, have just passed the Welsh Matricula- tion Examination, viz: Messrs. James Davies, Pencader and David Jones, Hawen, the former in the first division. Miss Ella Parry, Frood Vale, also passed the same examination in four subjects. Three pupils of the same school passed the London Matriculation Examination a fortnight ago, viz: Messrs. David Jones, Hawen (first division), and Sam R. Thomas. Pencader, and Miss Edith A. Jones. Aberporth. Two pupils passed the same Examination from here last January, which makes five successful candidates for the London Matricula- tion during the year. it may be mentioned that Mr. James Davies, above named, a month ago passed the Entrance Examination to Bala-Bangor College at the head of 17 candidates, gaining at the examination 675 out of 700 possible marks. This feat, with the additional one now of passing the Welsh Matriculation in the first division, is most creditable both to Mr. Davies and the school staff, and the more so when it was remem- bered that he was recently as 18 months back only a farm servant at a farm close by, and that he bad had no educational advantage whatever, beyond what be bad in the Board School when a child.

Dentistry. ESTABLISHED 40 YEAHS. MESSRS T MURPHY & ROWLEY, SURGEON DENTISTS, Honorary Dentists to the Aberystwyth Infirmary and Cardiganshire General Hospital. ADDRESS— 54 rpERRAtE j^0AD' ^BERYSTWYTH MR. ROWLEY begs to announce that he is now able to undertake Gold and all other Fillings, Crowns, Bridge-work and all the latest improvements in Modern Dentistry. Artificial Teeth in the latest English and American Styles. TEETH EXTRACTED PAINLESSLY UNDER GAS. Mr R. visits Machynlleth, Towyn, Aberayron, Tre- garon and Lampeter. Patients can be attended to any day at Aber- ystwyth. All at the most Moderate Charges. Full particulars on application. t Business Notices. THE A li E R I- 8 T ll* Y T H Jg N A M E L L E D j^LATEWORKS, T) OPEWALK, ^BERYSTYVYTH. MANUFACTURERS OF ENAMELLED SLATE CHIMNEY PIECES. Slabs of every description always in stock. Prices and estimates on application. FOR GOOD AND RELIABLE BOOTS AND SHOES OF THE BEST QUALITY GO TO EDWIN PETERS, 51. GREAT DARKGATE STREET, 51, (Three doors above Town Clock,) ABERYSTWYTH. Gentlemen's and Ladies' Boots and Shoes of every description. Repairs on shortest notice BILLPOSTING IN ABERYSTWYTH. "Trying to do business without advertising is like winking in the dark. You may know what you are doing, but nobody else does." SEND YOUR POSTERS TO THE ABERYSTWYTH AND DISTRICT BILLPOSTING CO., Proprietors of the largest and BEST Hoardings in Aberystwyth and District. Send for list of Stations. Billposting done on most reasonable terms. Advertisers invited to inspect the Hoardings of this Company. Satisfaction guaranteed. Address all communications and parcels to— HERR PAREEZER, BILLPOSTING CO., PABEEZER HAU, QUEEN'S SQUARE, ABERYSTWYTH. THE Ulclsh Gazette Circulates largely through- out the Counties of CARDIGAN, MERIONETH AND MONTGOMERY. Good, Cbeap, AND Quick printing EXECUTED AT THE = "6aztttt = 0 0 "N Printeries, PRICES ON APPLICATION. Posters. Handbills. Memorial Cards. Orders by Post receive prompt and careful attention. Educational. MISS PHILLIPS, CERT. R.A.M., R.C.M., AXD TRINITY COLLEGE, LONDON, ORGAXIST OF "TESLEY CHCRCH, V> ith experience in successfully preparing for the above Examinations. Receives Pupils for Organ, Pianoforte, and Singing. Terms on Application. ADDRESS 34, PIER STREET. HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS VICTORIA HOUSE, I C T 0 R I A (MARIXE) T E R RACE, A BERYSTWYTH. SEPARATE KINDERGARTEN. PRINCIPAL Miss KATE B LLOYD. Certificated Mistress, Assisted by a Staff of highly qualified Resident Governesses. REFERENCES— Thomas Jones, Esq., B.A., H.M. Inspector of Schools, Llanelly; The Rev. O. Evans, D.D., King's Cross, London. E. H. Short, Esq., H.M. Inspector, Aberystwyth. Principal Edwards, I). D., Bala Theological College. Principal Roberts, M.A., U.C.W. ° Principal Prys, M.A., Trevecca College. Dr Scholle Aberdeen University. Rev T. A Penry, Aberystwyth. Pupils prepared for the London and Welsh Matricu- lations, Oxford and Cambridge Examinations, &c. For Terms, &c., apply PRINCIPAL. ABERY ST W Y TH COUNTY SCHOOL HEADMASTEK MR. DAYID JgAMUEL, M.A., (Cantab). SENIOR MISTRESS JYPS JUDITH J JPWART, M.A., (Vict) ASSISTANT MASTERS AND MISTRESS: M" W. JpEARSOX jpULLER. M.A. MR. T HOMAS 0 WEXS. Late Headmaster of the Aberystwyth Commercial and Grammar School. lyjISS 1\1 AU DE JJUGHES, B.Sc. (Lond) DRAWING: MR. J. H. APPLETON, Cert. Art Master. DRILL: SEKJEANT-MAJOR W. J LOXG. JOHN EVANS, 6, Portland Street, Clerk. Aberystwyth. Business Notices. TEMPERANCE COMMERCIAL HOTEL. STATION TERRACE, LAMPETER. Two Minutes walk from the Railway Station.. W EIX-AIKED BEDS. BATH ROOM. CHARGES MODIBRATE PROPRIETRESS—MRS S. A. WALTERS. BUY YOUR MEDICINES FROI DAYIES BROS., THE PHARMACY, LAMPETER. ALL DRUGS AND CHEMICALS OF GUARANTEED PURITY. MR. STEPHEN H. EVANS AUCTIONEER, LAND AGENT AND VALUER. OFFICES HARFORD SQUARE, LAMPETER. FOR HIGH-CLASS OUTFITS GO TO TOM JONES, COLLEGE STREET, LAMPETER LATEST STYLE IN TAILORING COM- BINED WITH MODERATE CHARGES. ^i ARTIFICIAL TEETH. MR. JAMES REES (Seventeen years with Messrs. Murphy and Rowley), fJlRINITY JJLACE, ^BERYSTWYTH. MR? REES visits TREGARON first and last Tuesday in each Month at Mrs. Williams, Stanley House. Visits Machynlleth the Second and Fourth Wednes- days in each Month at Mrs. R. Jones, Peritre- rhydin Street (opposite Lion Hotel). Corris on the 1st and 3rd Saturday in each month at Mr Evans, Grocer, Liverpool House, (opposite Slaters Arms. Visits Lampeter the First and Third Fridays in each Month, at R. Evans, milliner, 18, Harford Square. CHARGES MODERATE. FOR PURE CONFECTIONERY IN ALL VARIETIES GO TO MORGANS', » AT 16, TERRACE ROAD, 27, PIER STREET, AND AT WHOLESALE DEPOT— 55, NORTH PARADE. ABERYSTWYTH The only practical Sugar-Boiler in the town. Fifteen years experience. Shops supplied at lowest terms. FOR THE BEST SELECTION OF ALL KINDS OF TOOLS, TABLE CUTLERY, ELECTRO-PLATED GOODS, POCKET KNIVES, RAZORS AND SCISSORS,, CALL AT WM. JET. JONES' IRONMONGERY AND TOOL DEPOT, ARKET STREET, J^BERYSTVYTH ALSO THE LARGEST STOCK OF ENAMELLED WARE IN TOWN. CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS. ATHLETIC SPORTS AT BARMOUTH, AUGUST 7TH. EISTEDDFOD AT BUILTH WELLS, AUGUST 7TH. REGATTA AT PWLLHELI, AUGUST 7TH. ATHLETIC FESTIVAL AT ABERYSTWYTH, AUGUST 8TH. For full particulars as to train times, fares, etc., see the. handbills issued by the Company. C. S. DENNISS, Oswestry, General Manager. July, 1899. i SUMMER EXCURSIONS CHEAP EXCURSIONS TO SCOTLAND ON FRIDAY NIGHTS, AUGUST 4TH AND 18TH, AND SEPTEMBER 1ST, 15TH, & 29TH, 1899, By the direct route via Whitchurch, Crewe, Pres- ton, and Carlisle, will be run as under to •NEWTON STEWART, *STRANRAER, ♦WIGTOWN, WHITHORN, CARLISLE, MOFFAT, ^DUMFRIES ♦CASTLE DOUGLAS, *KIRKCUD- BRIGHT, EDINBURGH, GLASGOW, Greenock, Gourock, Helensburgh, Row, Dninbarton, and Balloch. For train times, fares, etc., see handbills issued by the Company. WEEKLY AND FORTNIGHTLY EXCURSIONS. Commencing Wednesday, May 24th, and every Wednesday in June, July and August, Cheap Weekly and Fortnightly Tickets will be issued from Aberystwyth, Borth, Aberdovey, Towyn Ag<i Ear°1<JU,h- Harlech, Portmadoc, Cricc- if i'.i ilhn ^achynUetb' Llanirll°es, Rhayader, Builth Wells, Newtown, Montgomery, Oswestry, Ellesmere and AVrextiam, to London (Euston and lacldington), available for the return on the following Wednesday or Wednesday week. Similar Tickets will be issued from London dur- ing the same period, available for return on the following Monday, Wednesday, Monday week or Wednesday week. Owestry, May, DEN!"S' Gemral CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS. WEEK-END TICKETS are issued every FRIDAY and SATURDAY from all L. & N. W. and GJV. Stations in LONDON TO ABERDOVEY, ABERYST- WYTH, DOLGELLEY, AND BARMOUTH. Available for return on the following Sunday (where train service permits) Monday, or Tuesday. For full particular see small hand bills. CHEAP WEEK END EXCURSION TICKETS ARE NOW ISSUED ON < EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY TO ♦Birmingham, Wolverhampton, *Walsall. Peter- '1 *LeiCester' /I)crb> *Burton-on-Trent, Stafford, ^Coventry, Manchester, Preston, Black- burn, Bolton Leeds, Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Liverpool, Birkenhead, Wigan and Warrington FROM Oswestry, Llanymynech, Llanfyllin, Montgomery, Welshpool, Newtown Llanidloes, MachynlleJh. Borth, Aberystwyth. Aberdovey, Towyn, Barmouth. Dolgelley, Harlech, Portmadoc, Penrhyndeudraeth, Criccieth, and Pwlheli, Simixar tickets are issued from Aberystwyth. Borth, Aberdovey, l'owyn, Barmouth, Dolgelley f "irhyndeudraeth, PorUmadoc, Criccieth and Pwllheli to SHREWSBURY. WeSpooTt0 theSG Steti°ns are not issued Passengers return OR the Monday or Tuesday following issue of ticket. J THOUSAND-MILE TICKETS. The Cambrian Railways Company issue FIRSr CLASb 1,000 and 500 MILE TICKETS, the coupons of which enable the purchasers to travel between Stations on the Cambrian Railways during the period for which the tickets are available until the coupons are exhausted. The price of each is £5 5s Od 1,000 miles and L2 17s 6d, 500 miles being about lid per mile. 4 Application for the 1,000 or 500 mile tickets must be made in writing, giving the full name and address of the purchaser and accompanied by a remittance, to Mr W. H. Gough, Superintendent ot the Line, Cambrian Railways, Oswestry (cheques to be made payable to the Cambrian Co. or order) from whom also books containing 100 certificate* forauthorisingthe useofthe tickets by purchasers' family, guests, or employees can be obtained, price 6d each book; remittance to accompany order. C. S. DENNISS, General Manager. Oswestry, March 1899.

The most nutritious. EPPS'S COCOA Grateful and comforting. F EPPS'S COCOA For breakfast and supper. EPPS'S COCOA With natural flavour only. • • i-

CORRIS ANNUAL SHOW. The ninth annual Garden, Dog, Sheep, Poultry, and Industrial Show as held on Saturday in a con- venient field below the railway station. The garden and other produce was exhibited in a com- modious pavillion erected for the occasion. The weather was exceedingly favourable and there was a good attendance of spectators during the day. p I The Show is under the patronage of the Marchioness of Londonderry, and Messrs. A. K. Pryce, J.P., F. H. Birley, J.P., and E. Thomas, Tyny berth Hall. The Show is organized and managed by a large and representative committee of which the following were the members for the year:—Presi- dent, Mr. H. Davies, J.P.; vice-presidents Messrs. J. P. Jones, Glasynis; David Jones, Abercorris: John Hughes, Beaumaris. Chairman of Committee, Rev R. J. Edwards, Vicarage. Hon, Treasurer, Mr. E. Lewis, Gaewern Hall. Secretary, Mr. H. Williams (Ap Idris). Corris—Messrs. J. R. Dix, E. Wil- liams, Frongoch; M. Thomas, T. Jones, Arddol- terrace; J. T. Yaughan, John Price, Richard Wood, Edward Evans, B. G. Farm; R. Hughes, Meirion House; Isaac Ridge, Brvnllwyd: H. S. Roberts, H. P. Humphreys. E. Jones, New Shop; Dr. Jones, W. M. Williams. Upper Corris—Messrs Rhys Owen, E. Morris, Garleglwyd J. Lewis, Abercwmeiddaw; E. Lewis, Bronawel;. J. Williams Caerifynon; J. Owen, Llwynygog; H. Jones, Dolyddcae; L. Jones, Dafarn Newydd: T. Wil- liams, Glandwvrvd H. Hughes, Bethania-ter-race: R. Richards. Tanyfron;. L. Jones, Tynyceunant; W. Heath, Tynyberth Hall. Aberllefennv—Messrs W, Pugli, Garneddwen J. Griffith, Ffynonbadarn: Edward O Hughes, John Rees, M. Morris, Gar- neddwen J- Jones, Pensarn; M. Roberts, PI as; M. Evans, Cymerau; Daniel Davies, H. Jones, Foel- friog; J. Rowlands, Tanycoed. Esgargeiliog- Messrs. Jeremiah Williams, W. Jones, Post Omee; P. Edwards, Caerbont; Joel Roberts, E. Tudor, J. M. Jones, Culfychan. This year there was a considerable increase in the number of prizes and competitions. The garden produce on the whole was good, and would,' no doubt, make better exhibits if the show were held about a fortnight later. The Corris Garden Show has done excellent work during the nine years of its existence, and is destined to do better work still in the future. Apart from the healthy rivalry and interest it arouses each year among cottage gardeners its educative influence cannot be. over-estimated. There were no entries for tomatoes and strawberries. Both could be cul- tivated with ease and profit in such a district as Corris. Railway servants grow tomatoes to advantage in similar districts, and the quarrymen would do well to give it attention in their leisure hours. The following is a list of the awards :— CLASS A. Open to Cottagers of £10 yearly rental and under s' Professional Gardeners are except cd. White cabbages 1 Morris Morris, Gavsieddwen 2 W. M. Williams. Red cabbage, 1 Richard On vies. 2 Hugh Hughes. Cauliflowers, no entry. Vegetable marrow 1 P. Davies, 2 David Price. Carrots 1 John Owen, 2 Richard Hughes. Beet: 1 Richard Davies. 2 Richard Hughes. Turnips 1 W. M. Williams, 2 D. J. Owen. Parsnips: 1 Richard Davies, 2 Richard Hughes. Spring onions: 1 Richard Davies, 2 Henry Edwards. Autumn onions: 1 Richard Davies. 2 John Owen Potato onions: 1 John Price, 2 Richard Davies. Rhubarb 1 John Jones, 2 Evan Joiies. Peas: Henry Edwards. Broad beans 1 John Owen, 2 Richard Hughes. French beans Rhys Owen, Scarlet runners: 1 Richard Hughes, 2 Lewis Jones. Leeks 1 W. M. Williams, 2 Richard Hughes. Shallots 1 Richard Hughes, 2. Richard Davies. Shallots (small), 1 John Jones, Aberllefenni; 2 R. Davies. Parsley 1 W. M. Williams, 2 Hugh Jones, Peny- graig. /;) Radishes 1 Richard Hughes, 2 Richard Davies. Lettuce: 1 Evan Jones, Glanyrafon; 2 W. M. Williams. Early kidney potatoes: 1 Richard Davies; 2 J. G. Lewis. Early round potatoes: 1 W. M. Williams, 2 R. Edwards. Late kidney; 1 Richard Rees, 2 J Owen, Garnedd- wen. Late round 1 Richard Rees, 2 Morris Morris. Gooseberries (red): 1 Richard Davies, 2 John Price. Gooseberries (any other colour) Richard Hughes 2 John Price. Currants (red) 1 and 2 John Jones, Pensarn. Currants (black) 1 W. M. Williams, 2 Evan Morris. Currants (white) 1 Owen Owens, 2 Lewis Jones.. Strawberries: No entry. Apples 1 Evan Williams, 2 Roberts Davies. Stocks: 1 John Jones, Pensarn; 2 Richard Hughes. Begonia in pot: 1 Evan Williams, 2 Evan Jozies, Glanrafon. Calceolaria, do: No entry. Fuschia in pot: 1 R Hughes. Asters: 1 R. Hughes, 2 R. Davies. Dahlias (single): 1 R. Davies, 2 R Hughes* Dahlias (double) 1 It Davies, 2 E. Morris. Pansies (for the best variety): 1 R. Davies, 2 E. Morris. Roses: 1 Richard Davies, 2 Henry Edwards. Geranium in pot: 1 John Owen, Penrhos; 2 Richard Hughes. For the best collection of eight window plants: John Owen, Penrhos. CLASS B. Open to Classes A and C. For the best arranged and most Productive Garden: 1 Richard Davies, 2 Evan Morris, 3 Michael Roberts. CLASS C. Open only to those whose annual rentals exceed kib (professional Gardeners excepted). White cabbage: 1 H. Owen, 2 John Lewis. Cauliflowers: 1 Edward Lewis, 2 Henry Owen. Red cabbages: No entry. Celery 1 H. Rowlands, Pantcoch 2 H. Owen Cucumbers: 1 J. Lewis, Abercwmeiddau; 2 Ed. Lewis, Gaewern. Lettuce 1 Michael Roberts, 2 Hugh Rowlands. Carrots 1 Edward Lewis, 2 H. Rowlands. Beet: W. Williams, Aberllefenni. Turnips: 1 Ed. Lewis, 2 John Lewis. Spring onions: 1 William Williams, Aberlle- fenni 2 Ed. Lewis. Rhubarb 1 H. Owen, 2 W. Williams. Parsnips 1 Ed. Lewis, 2 H. Rowlands. Peas: 1 H. Owen, 2 H. Rowlands. Broad beans: 1 John Lewis, 2 H. Owen. French beans 1 Ed. Lewis, 2 J. Lewis. Scarlet runners 1 Michael Roberts, 2 H. OweN. Leeks: 1 J. Lewis, 2 Ed. Lewis. Shallots (large) 1 J. Lewis, 2 Ed. Lewis. Shallots (small): 1 W. Williams, 2 Michael Roberts. Parsley: 1 Ed. Lewis, 2 J. Lewis. Radishes: 1 Ed. Lewis, 2 W. Williams, Aberlle- fenni. Tomatoes: No entry. Early kidney potatoes: 1 H. Rowlands, 2 J. J. Jones, Cae Coch. Early round: 1 J. J. Jones, Cae Coch; 2 H. Owen. Late kidney: 1 H. Owen, 2 Ed. Lewis. Late reund: 1 H. Owen, 2 Ed. Lewis. Red gooseberries: 1 Ed. Lewis, 2 H. Rowlands. Gooseberries (any other colour): 1 Michael Roberts, 2 Ed. Lewis. Red Currants: 1 H. Rowlands, 2 Michael Roberts. Black currants: 1 J. Lewis, 2 H. Rowlands. White currants: J. Lewis. Strawberries: No entry. Apples: H. Owen. Asters: H. Rowlands. Dahlias (single) H. Rowlands. Dahlias (double) H. Rowlands. Pansies: 1 Ed. Lewis, 2 H. Rowlands. Roses: J. Lewis. Geranium in pot: 1 Michael Roberts, 2 Hugh Rowlands. Fern H. Owen. Best flowering plant in pot: 1 Ed. Lewis, 2 Michael Roberts. For the best collection of six distinct varieties of annual flowers in box, not to exceed 16 by 14 (free to exhibitors in Class A and C.) W. M. Williams. CLASS D. Open to all comers. White cabbage 1 W. Roberts, Aber; 2 Richard Davies. Red cabbage: 1 Richard Davies, 2 Richard Hughes. Celery: 1 Rd. Davies, 2 Rd. Hughes. Cucumbers: 1 Richard Hughes, 2 W. M. Williams. Cauliflowers 1 Richard Davies. Spring Onions 1 Rhys Evans, 2 Richard Hughes. Autumn Onions: 1 W, Roberts, 2 Richard Davies. Carrots: 1 Richard Davies, 2 W. Humphreys. Turnips 1 Richard Davies, 2 W. Roberts. Parsnips 1 Evan Jones, 2 Richard Davies. Tomatoes No entry. Scarlet Runners: 1 Rhys Evans, 2 Evan Jones. Broad beans 1 W. M. Williams, 2 Rhys Evans. French beans: 1 W. Roberts, 2 Richard Davies. Peas 1 Richard Davies, 2 Rhys Evans. Vegetable marrow: 1 Richard Davies, 2 Richard Hughes. Early kidney potatoes: 1 Richard Davies, 2 Rhys Evans. Early round 1 R. Davies, 2 R. Evans. Late kidney 1 R. Davies, 2 R. Evans. Late round: 1 Richard Hughes, 2 Richard Davies. Apples 1 Griffith Humphreys, 2 R. Hughes. Plums: No entry. Asters 1 Richard Hughes, 2 Richard Davies. Dahlia (single) R. Davies. Dahlias (double) 1 E. Jones, Aber; 2 Richard Davies. Roses: No entry. Best collection of cut flowers: 1 Rhys Evans, 2 W. M. Williams. Best selection of medicinal herbs: 1 Anne Lewis, 2 Anne Owen. SPECIAL PRIZES. For the best and second best collection of vegetables (given by Messrs. Daniel Bros., Nor- wich) 1 Richard Davies, 2 Richard Hughes. For the best six dishes of vegetables (given by Messrs. Clibran &; Son. Altrincham): 1 John Lewis, 2 R. Hughes, 3 Edward Lewis. For the best basket of vegetables by any of the tenants of Abercorris Estate, given by Mr. Humphrey Davies, J.P.: 1 Richard Davies, 2 Evan Morris. DOGS. For the best looking sheep dog or bitch (rough coated) 1 J. Owen, Tynewydd; 2 J. Rowlands. For the best looking sheep dog or bitch (smooth coated) 1 Edward Tudor, 2 John Parry. For the best sporting sheep dog, spaniel, setter, retriever, or pointer 1 Edwin Edwards, 2 Richard Davies. For the best smooth terrier: Hugh Pugh, Mach- ynlleth 2 Christopher Jones, Cemmes. For the best Welsh terrier (dog or bitch): 1 John Rowlands, 2 M. H. Ellis. For the best rough terrier: 1 John Pritchard, Hendafarn; 2 Michael Roberts. POULTRY. Best langshangs or orpingtons 1 W. Jones, Esgair, 2 E. O. Hughes, Aberllepenni. Minorcas or Leghorn: 1 E. 0. Hughes, 2 J. C. Lewis. Game, cock and hen, (any color): Griffith Jones, Dolgellv 2 John Rowlands. Cock and hen (any variety) 1 Joel Roberts, 2 Edward Rowlands, Drake and Duck, Aylesbury or Pekin 1 Edward Owen, Garnedd; 2 H. Rowlands, 3 Griffith Jones, Dolgelley special piize Hugh Rowlands. Drake and duck (any variety) 1 Mary Owen, 2 Webb, Fronfelen. BUTTER. Open to all corners. Fresh butter: 1 Gwen Jones, Caedraw, a M. Hughes. Garneddwen. EGGS. 1 E. O. Hughes, 2 J Hughes. 1 Joel Roberts, 2 William Morris. HONEY. 1 R. Davies, Aberangell, 2 Thomas- Davies. 3 John Jones.. Trussed Fowls: 1 Mrs. Owen. Loaf of white bread: 1 Catherine Davies, 2 Catherine Williams. Oatmeal cakes 1 Margaret Jones, Aberllefen For splitting a block 20in. by lOin., 2in. thick. Marketable stones. Time not to exceed 15 minutes: 1 A. 1,1. Hughes, Aberllefeni, 2 W. R. Owen, do., 3 E. R. Morris, do. Ditto, for boys under 20 years old. Block 18in. by lOin., by 2Jiii. thick 1 John Jones, Aberllefeni, 2 2 Evan Lloyd, Tan'rallt, 3 J. F. Williams. Double-hand boring (two hammer) in a block of stone, prizes given by Messrs. J. Rowlands,. Tany- coed, and J. Jones, Pensarn 1 Rhys Jones,. Aber- llefeni. For the longest hole bored in a block of stone. Point of drill not to be under one inch. Time not to exceed ten minutes 1 Evan Jones, Aberllefeni. Slate teapot stand 1 Hugh Jones. Slate mantel border: I Hugh Jones. Scythe sharpener (wood) Lewis Jones, Dafarn- newyddt. Sugar tongs (wood): William Jones,. Esgair- geiliog.. Potafeoe basket: No entry. Butte-r bowl and knife (wood) No entry. Birch broom John Jones. Dafarn newydd.. Best walking stick 1 William Pugh, 2; Edmund J ones, Tynyffridd. SHEARING COMPETITION. LIU ugh Rowlands, Pantcoch; 2 Stephen Breese, Llajawrin. DRAWING. (Open to Standard V., VI., and VII). Pencil drawing of Monument of late Mr. H. LL Janes: 1 D. J. Williams, 2 R. O. Griffiths. Freehand drawing: 1 R. O. Griffiths, 2 W. J. Davies. SHEEP DOG TRIAL. Second prize awarded to H. Owen. SEWING. Tea cosy 1 M. Jones, 2 Catherine Davies. Antimacassar 1 Mary Williams, 2 Ellen Griffith. Wool stockings- Gwen Jones. Hearth rug:. 1 Anne Owen, Llangynog; 2 Catherine Davies. Three button holes in linen: Jane Ann Davies. Patching: JancAnn Davies. SILVER CHALLENGE CUP. Offered to any competitor (competitors in class C excepted), who takes the greatest number of first prizes at the show, for three years in succession. Mr. Richard Davies, Penrhos, Corris, was the winner for the third time. SILYEH MKDAL (for splitting) to boys under 17 years :John Jones, Abergynolwyn. SII,N MEDAL (for best pen of cock and hen in show) Griffith Jones, Dolgelley.