The Glamorgan Gazette

.<=-.=:=: '=-======.=-=- SOUTH ,WAL S FURNISHERS 25, Wyndham Street, BRIDG END _0 -+_  i GOOD FURNITURE. i  ? Combined with good value is essential to a keen observer. Furniture which is reliable, jf« artistic and of good repute is always obtainable at the j South Wales Furnishers, Wyndham Street, Bridgend. Our Prices are extremely Moderate, and our terms strictly reasonable. Inspection of our spacious showrooms will verify our statements. Call in and see us, you will not be pressed to purchase. SOUTH WALES FURNISHERS 25, Wyndham Street, BRIDGEND i

A GARW GLEANINGS. I (If Li-OFFWit.") it I I lo" m ¡;;¡ 1+1 1+1 ¡:¡ W rrIT lc-; 1 ¡ 11 ¡ J II -<YTO During a conversation between two local newsboys. the following was overheard:- • • • No. 1: This war is all because of lust and greed. No. 2: Yes! but wait until Greed goes out, the Germans will soon fly! • n # Greed is a local contractor and a National reserve man. Evidently Xo. 2 had his mind focussed on the "local hero." Congratulations to Doris Morgan, daugh- ter of Mr. T. O. Morgan, Pontycymmer, on obtaining a scholarship for the Bridgend County School. The following is posted on a shop door at Blaengarw:— If the knot is up. I'm out; if down I'm in." War is now practically the only topic. All differences in politics and religion are tem- porarily forgotten, and the present happen- ings and immediate possibilities created by the intolerable War Lord of Germany take J up all our thoughts. Even those who, like ourselves, detest war and. all its horrors, are now convinced that this country could not, with honour, adopt a passive attitude.. The war has been forced upon us. It is, therefore, gratifying to find, so many of our local manhood responding to the call of duty. The local collieries will be kept going at full speed, and if needs be there is no doubt a nine hour shift will be adopted. The one jarring note is the despicable ac- tion of the tradespeople who take advantage of the present occasion to gamble in the food of the people. While advising our readers not to pay any increased prices, we should like to impress upon them not to hoard any food. There is no need for any panic. The local ambulance men who went to camp at Aberystwyth had but a short stay, but during that time the men under Superin- tendent Tom Kent, of Blaengarw, were highly complimented for their smartness in drill. Questioned as to why he looked thinner, a local gentleman one day at Bridgend sud- denly realised that his false teeth were miss- ing. I W here were they afterwards found?

GARW WAR NEWS. I HOW OUR MEN WENT OFF. I Up to Thursday of last week about 150 re- servists had left the Garw in obedience to their country's call, and they departed by train, the platforms were thronged with wives and children and the general populace. Patriotic songs were rendered. They were no light heated crowds though, and "maf- ficking" scenes were entirely absent. The recruiting sergeant arrived on Wednesday and already nearly 200 Garwites have vol- unteered service, there being many local ap- plications for the Welsh Horse now being formed. On Saturday two foreign looking individu- als were observed at Blaengarw, and as the Garw is an important coal area for naval purposes, the police took no risks. P.S. Watts and P.C. Jones quietly escorted them to the station, and they were gla-d to have the opportunity to leave the place at once. The local ambulance men have reported themselves and the voluntary aid detach- ments are under military law. Mrs. Dr. Wilson and a number of nurses under her charge have signed for service abroad while Dr. Smith, Pontycymmer, Dr. Llewellyn, Blaengarw, as old O.T.C. men, have offered their services. There are several special Na- tional Reservists in the locality and all are ready for the call. One of those called out had only returned from India about a week ago to get married, while another had arrived home on Thursday and was wired for on Saturday. GARWS RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS. I On Sunday a special meeting of the Garw detachment of the Red Cross Society was held. Dr. Wilson, M.D., presided, and read a communication which he had received from Mr. Herbert Lewis, deputy commis- sioner. of No. 11 district, requesting for four volunteers for Exeter amd four for Woolwich. The follo,ing volunteered: Idriis Rogers, Idris Jones, Jenkin Thomas and Sidney Abel, all of Pontycymmer. For Woolwich four persons were appointed from laengarw, namely: Messrs. T. Kent, E. Jones, H. Jones and D. L. Thomas. Pre- garation sare ma?e to erect beds at the Higher Elementary &hool and Ffaldau Workm's Institute, Pontyeymmer, by the nursing division for the accommodation of wounded. The following were appointed as officers: Commandent, Mrs. Dr. Wilson; secretary, Miss M. E. Davies; treasurer, Mrs. M. Ev- ans; cook, Mrs. A. Davies; storekeepers, Misses Ceinwen Weeks and Maggie Law- enjoe.

CHILDREN UNPROVIDED VOB, ) FATHER SENT TO GAOL AT BRIDGEND. A I AT, ivriageml Police L/ourt on Monday: be- fore Messrs. W. J. Lewis and D. H. Lloyd, Maldwyn Lewis, collier, late of Ogmore Vale, appeared in the dock in respect to a, charge of having neglected to maintain his two chil- dren. Warrant Officer Thomas stated that de- fendants' two children became chargeable to the common fund of the Bridgend and Cow- bridge Union in April, 1914. Defendant came to his house in July last and said lie wished to make application to the Guardians to take his children out and repay the cost of maintenance of the children. The case fidiourned on 13th of July for a month, but defendant had paid only 5s., and he (witness) had been instructed to ask the magistrates to commit defendant. Defendant was sent to gaol for 14 days.

) -? I GILFACH GOCH MAN'S DEATH I ON HOLIDAYS. I The Aberystwyth coroner held an inquest on Thursday night touching the death of Thomas Jones (55). of 30, High-street, Gil- fach Goch, who died that morning, while spending a holiday in the town. Deceased's wife said her husband was an overman at the Glamorgan Colliery, Gilfach Goch. When he returned home from work on the 31st ult. he complained of having receiv- ed a nasty cut on the palm of his left hand. Whilst travelling the following day to Aber- ystwyth deceased complained about his hnnd pa.ining him. This became worse, and he died early on Thursday morning. Dr. Ellis attributed death to general pois- oning cf the system, caused by the wound on the hand, through which some virulent germs must have entered. John Packer, 61, High-street. Gilfach Goch, said he met deceased coming out of the mine en the previous Friday, when he com- plained of having a scratch on the hand. When asked how he received it, he replied, "I must have had it when going through John Davies' old waste." The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

PRESENTATION AT BRYNMEHYN. j TO EX-COUNCILLOR T. W. JOB IN RECOGNITION of 20 YEARS' SERVICE On Saturday evening at the Council Chamber of the Ogmore and Garw Urban District Council, at .Brynmnyn, the Munici- pal Employees of the Council, foregathered in goodly numbers to pay tribute to ex-Council- lor T. W. Job's services on the Council, upon his retirement after 20 years of assiduous labour. Mr. William Jenkins, who presided over the meeting, expressed his pleasure at being present to honour one who so well deserved their thanks. The untiring energy and un- wavering perseverance of their friend, Mr. Job, as a Councillor had rightly won their re- I spect and admiration. I Mr. Rhys Llewellyn, J.P. (organising secre- tary of the Municipal Employees' Associa- tion) expressed his pleasure at being present to bear testimony to Mr. Job for his long and valued services. The workmen of the Ogmore and Garw Urban Council had been fortunate in having men like Mr. Job on the Council, to lay down a standard wage rate which had helped them as an Association to raise the rate in other districts. (Applause.) Twenty years ago it was a very difficult mat- ter for working men to become members of local authorities, and it was no easy matter at that period to advocate better conditions of labour for municipal employees. Various interests clashed, but the Parish Councils Act made the way for reform. Times had changed and conditions of employment had also changed and improved, but they were apt to forget the men who had, under great difficulties brought these changes about. The Ogmore and Garw Branch of the Muni- cipal Employees' Association was one of the best conducted out of the 34 branches under his care, and their requests as employees had always met with a hearty and sympathetic re- sponse from the Ogmore and Garw Council. He did not know any local authority in South Wales where the employees enjoyed a better wage-rate and conditions of service. This happy condition of things he attributed to Mr. Job and men similarly disposed in up- lifting their fellow-men. Mr. Dix also declared his pleasure at being present to honour Mr. Job, who had done so much for them as workmen. The trials and hardships of the workmen had been fully rea- lised by men of Mr. Job's disposition, and thus it was they as employees had gathered there that evening to thank Mr. Job. Mr. R. Storer afterwards expressed his great appreciation of Mr. Job's many ster- ling qualities. Mr. T. Jones expressed his good opiinon of Mr. Job, who possessed one outstanding characteristic in desiring to do good and as- sisting the weak. (Applause.) Mr. Job had laboured in season and out of season for the employees. Mr. Rhys Llewellyn, on behalf of the work- men of the Ogmore and Garw Urban Council, then presented Mr. Job with a beautiful gold nib fountain pen, solid silver inscribed cigar case, and silver match box. Mr. T. W. Job, in responding, thanked them heartily and sincerely for their useful presents, and the good feeling and brotherli- ness that had been evinced there. The gifts were unexpected, and he was not sure he de- served them more than some other members of the Council who had supported their claims. He had done his best to try and up- lift his fellow-men, and he did to others what lie liked others to do to him. Mr. George Storer said he could not allow the occasion to pass without expressing his appreciation of Mr. Job's noble work, and he sincerely hoped he would live long to cherish the gifts. Mr. John Davies said he did not know Mr. Job personally, but wherever he went he always heard well of him. Mr. Howell Pritchard thanked Mr. Job for the interest he had at all times manifested in the workmen as well as in the general work of the Council. Votes of thanks to the Chairman and to I Mr. Rhys Llewellyn terminated an enjoyable gathering. I

FFALDAU COLLIERY. I OWNERS' STAND. I Work was resumed at the Ffaldau Collier- ies, Pontyeymmer, on Monday, after a stop- page of six weeks. An examination of show en rds tOOlk pla,oo at the entrance to the colliery premises, Mr. Frank Hodges (miners' agent) being on the scene at 5 p.m. A number of fitters and smiths, it is stated, were told by the managemeht that there was no work for them. When the afternoon shift presented them- selves for work they were told that there would be, no work for them. Mr. Hodges, miners' agent, has received a communication from Mr. Thos. Richards, secretary of the Miners' Federation, recommending the men to return to work, and the joint committee will discuss the question of show cards at the colliery in the meantime. ') M.

PONTYCYMMER HOTEL PROPRIE- TORS SMASH. ACTION IN COUNTY COURT. A motor accident on the high road be- tween Cardiff and Cowbridge, in St. Nicholas village, was the subject of an action for dam- ages at Barry County Court on Tuesday, be- fore Judge Hill Kelly, when Nash's Auto- cars, Limited, Cardiff, sued John Morgan Weeks, of Pontycymmer. for £ 86 13s. 9d. Mr. A. Parsons (instructed by Mr. F. O. Shackel), who appeared for the plaintiffs, said that on February 17th last a car, which plaintiff's had been repairing, was being driven to Neath by Ernest F. Sutton for the plaintiffs, and when near St. Nicholas Post Office the accident happened. A baker's cart was standing >n Sutton's right-hand side, while defendant was driving towards him. Sutton was >. n his proper side of the road, and was driving past the baker's cart when defendant, instead of pulling up, en- deavoured to pass between. At the last moment he saw he could not pass, and applied I his brakes. His car skidded in front of I plaintiff's car, dashed into it, and knocked it into the wall. Norman Wm. Nash, managing director, said that defendant came to his office on the evening of the accident and attributed the accident to the skidding of his car. Defendant said that it was impossible to have pulled up before coming to the horse and cart, and he kept to the left as much as possible. Mr. A. T. James (instructed by Mr. Evan David), for the defence, submitted that both drivers thought they could pass the cart, and the collision took place. The Judge held that the accident was due to the negligent driving of the defendant. Judgment for plaintiffs for L50 damagea would be entered.

TEMPER. A peculiarity of the sins of temper is that their worst. influence is upon others. It is generally the weak, too. who are the sufferers, 'or temper is the prerogative of superiors, and inferiors, down to the bottom of the seale, not only to bear the brunt of. the storm, hut to sink their own judgment in ministeriri to what they know to b? caprice. HT5\n.v H^l'MMOND.

CLUBS IN WALES. 1 INTERESTING BLUE BOOK. INCREASE OF DRUNKENNESS. I The statistics as to the operation and ad- ministration of the laws relating to the sale of intoxicating liquor in England and Wales have just been published as a Government Blue Book. In the general introduction it is stated that there were on the 1st of January, 1913, 88,739 on-lioenses and 22,632 off-licen- ses, giving a total of 30.44 licensed premises per 10,000 persons. For the previous eight years there had been an average decrease of 1,342 on-licenses, the decrease in 1913 being 1,043. There were 8,457 registered clubs, an increase of 248 over the previous year. Dur- ing the year 842 licenses were extinguished, the average price for compensation being L962 12s. 6d ranging from jE5 paid in Meri- oneth to £ 5,277 paid in Holborn. Fifty-two on-licenses and 108 off-licenses were granted and confirmed. There were 188,877 convictions for drunk- enness in 1913, or 6,285 more than the pre- vious year, and it is remarkable that during the last three years there has been an in- crease of 26,885, compared with a decrease of 45,179 during the previous five years. The majority of the mining districts show in- creases—up to 49.02 per cent. in Glamorgan —the only exception being Durham with a decrease of 4.23. Dealing with the abatement of the compen- sation charges, the report says Breconshire has a proportion of 57 (69 in the borough of Brecon) and has got rid of 66 per cent. of the licenses suggested for extinction by means of I a 84 per cent. levy (only 50 per cent. in 1913). In Cardiganshire, where, against a general proportion of 42.29, the figures run up to 55 and 73 in the boroughs of Aberystwyth and Cardigan, the levy was 50 per cent. in 1913 and 84 per cent. for the whole period, and anly 53 per cent. of the licenses referred have be-en extinguished. In Pembrokeshire, the rate of charge for 1913 was 50 per cent- making 78 per cent. for the whole period and only 47 per cent. of t' e licenses referred have been extinguished, leaving the county with the proportion of 45.22 (covering figures of 51 and 53 in the boroughs of Pembroke and Tenby). Various interesting tables are given which show that there are 257 clubs in Wales, of which 132 are in Glamorgan, 30 in Cardiff, 13 in Merthyr, and 9 in Swansea. The only county in Wales that has no clubs is Mont- gomery. Five licenses were refused in the county of Brecon, but no compensation paid in respect to them. Eight were refused in Glamorgan, and the total compensation paid was £ 10,318; Merthyr Tydfil, two refused, RI,775 paid; Swansea, one and £1,780 paid. No figures are given for Cardiff for 1913, but in that year £ 4,350 was paid in compensation in respect of two licenses refused in previous years, and £ 4,946 in Swansea in respect of three licen- ses. The total amount of compensation paid in Wales in 1913 in respect of 46 licenses was £ 33,663. The amounts received by compen- sation authorities was £47,017, and the bal- ance of the fund at the end of the year was £ 42,570. SOUTH WALES FIGURES. I The following gives the particulars relating I to the counties of South Wales:— Rate Amount Balance Im- Received. of Fund. posed. R s d X s d Brecon Max. 865 0 0 881 1 4 Cardigan Max. 360 0 0 48 18 2 Carmarthen Max. 2.466 6 8 3,299 5 7 Glamorgan lkf ax. 16,088 0 0 7,339 16 11 Cardiff Max. 7,692 0 0 6,721 1 5 Merthyr Max. 3,203 8 4 4,284 16 9 Swansea Max. 5,085 10 0 2,102 18 0 Pembroke Max. 668 0 0 1,304 7 0 Haverfordwest Max. 196 6 8 230 13 0 Radnor Max. '444 6 8 534 18 4 Out of 12,233 proceedings for drunkenness I in Wales, 10,090 were convicted, the figures for Glamorgan being 6,796 and 6,006 respec- tively. For the county boroughs the figures are:-C,ardiff, 601 proceedings, 148 convic- tions Merthyr Tydfil, 551 proceedings, 502 convictions; Swansea, 715 and 450.

NANTYMOEL COLLIERS I  ——— READY TO WORK EXTRA TO PROVIDE I COAL FOR THE NAVY. At a joint meeting of the Wyndham and Ocean branches of the M.F.G.B., held on Sunday evening last, at the Workmen's Hall, Nantvmoel, Mr. William Gorvin presided. The huge building was packed. The agent, Mr. Tom Lucas, J.P., delivered a report on the Conciliation Board meeting held at Car- diff the previous Saturday, and said that the appeal that the men should work the extra hour per day, which meant putting into oper- ation the 60-hour clause of the Eight Hour Day Act, came direct from the Admiralty, and not from the employers. In view of the present crisis, they deemed it necessary to ask the miners to do so, in order that the Navy might be well provided with coal. They only referred to collieries that were on the Admiralty list. There were still many collier- ies that were not, and therefore it was not necessary for them to work the extra hour per day? Should the war continue, it was feared that many of those collieries would be rendered idle, and throw out of employment thousands of men in South Wales. At the Board meeting it was decided to point out to the Admiralty the distress that would accrue if such should happen, and that they would be well advised to extend the Ad- miralty list as far as possible, and thus pre- vent one half the collieries working overtime and the remainder becoming idle. The question of payment for the working of the extra hour was also brought forward, the miners asking for double time for all overtime worked. The employers pointed out that they could not see their way clear to do so, as they would not receive a higher price for their coal. They had no voice whatever in the fixing of the price. TRADESPEOPLE'S PRICES. I Complaints were made by members con- cerning local tradespeople raising the prices of their stocks before it was necessary, and many were subjected to strong criticism. The Agent said that the Executive Council was now taking the matter in hand, and asked all members to furnish them with all infor- mation possible where they were at any time over-charged for their food supplies. At the end of the meeting a resolution was carried with acclamation, several condemn- ing all tradesmen who have raised the prices of their old stocks, and the same was to be printed and published throughout the town.

LOCAL WILL. I MR. JOHN ADAMS, NANTYMOEL. Mr. John Adams, of 1, Dinnin-street, Nantvmoel, who died on May 6th. left es- tate of the gross value of JE690, nmd probate of his will has been granted to his widow, Mrs. Cordelia Eliza Adams, the solo execu- trix

I Advertise in the Glamorgan Gazette." I If you want to sell, buy or exchange; if you want a servant, or need employment you esunot do beH.er. Terms on page 5.

WELSH COAL BOARD. ———- ——— MINERS ASK FOR SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES. REMOVAL OF TROUBLES WHILE NATION IS IN NEED OF HARMONIOUS AGREEMENT. Absolutely unprecedented in its harmoni- 000 character was tut spendid feeling which prevailed between the owners and wrl, men's representatives at the special meeting of the Welsh Coal Board held at Cardiff on Saturday. An agreement was arrived at without the slightest difficulty in regard to the allowances to be paid the men who will be called upon to work an extra hour per day in order to supply coal for the Admiralty. The men concerned are to be paid an extra one-sixth of their wages on the day shifts, and anadditional one-fifth of their wages on the afternoon and night shifts. But the most remarkable and unexpected development was the decision of the board to try at once to eliminate all labour troubles in the coalfield, so that during the continu- ance of the war employers and workmen may be able to become thoroughly united and thus show to the world a fine solidarity on the part of all sections of the British nation in such a critical stage in its history. The war, therefore, has had the gratifying effect of bringing together all the people. In fairness to the workmen's representa- tives, they should be given the credit of hav- ing initiated the discussion, and thrown out the suggestion that at this juncture all differences between conflicting parties should be. done away with. Needless to say, the owners' representatives were equally an- xious and ready to do everything that is pos- sible in cider that no disputes should be a l- lowed to remain during t,he present crisis. The board appointed a sub-committee to deal with all disputes without delay. The workmen's representatives also asked the owners to refrain from increasing in any degree the price of coal for home consump- tion during the present crisis. The owners' representatives agreed in principle to this request, but, of course, were unable to say how far this policy could be carried out. They, however, intimated that they would do their best in the direction indicated. OFFICIAL REPORT. Ihe following joint official report was is- sued by Mr. W. G. Dalziel (the owners' sec- retary) and Mr. T. Richards, M.P. (general secretary of the South Wales Miners' Federation) A special meeting of the Board of Concil- iation for the Coal Trade of Monmouthsire and South Wales was held at Cardiff on Sat, urday. Mr. F. L. Davies presided over the owners' representatives, and Mr. James Win- stone presided over the workmen's repre&- entatives. The meeting was held at the request of the workmen's representatives in order to con- sider the request which they had received from the representatives of the Admiralty that the workmen at all collieries supplying coal to the Admiralty should, while the pres- ent emergency existed, work every day an extra hour per day under the Coal Minee Eight Hours Act. There being a complete accord in the de- sire of both sides to assist the Admiralty in the matter, the joint board unanimously agreed to comply with the request of the Admiralty. The following arrangement waa arrived at in regard to the payment of over time to those workmen who are requeted to work the extra, hour at the coillieries referred to: "The joint board agree that owing to the conditions now existing necessitating the working of overtime, day-wage workmen who are required to work the extra hour per day shall be paid, on the day shift, at the rate of a turn and a sixth for each shift worked, and on the afternoon and night shifts at the rate of a turn and a fifth for each shift worked. and this is also to apply to the colliers' minimum wage rate" The workmen's representatives also re- ferred to stoppages now existing at several collieries in the coalfield, and made an ap- peal to the owners to co-operate with them in endeavouring to arrive at a settlement of the disputes that have led to the stoppages. I and so obtain a resumption of work in the interests of the coalfield generally. The owners' representatives acquiesced in this suggetion, and it was arranged that a joint sub-committee be appointed to consider the stoppages now existing with the view of endeavouring to arrive at a settlement, and the sub-committee will meet on Monday morning next at 10.30 for that purpose. Both sides of the board were fully in agree- ment in the desire expressed for a re-estab- lihment of harmonious relationships at all the collieries in the coalfield, especially at the present juncture, it being pointed out tha.t in adopting such a course the board would be following the example shown in other industries by the removal lof all labour troubles while the nation is in such need of harmonious feeling amongst all classes of people in the United Kingdom. The coillieries which were especially men- tioned as having existing stoppages were: — Messrs. Thomas Williams' Collieries (Swan- sea District), Messrs. John Lancaster and Co.'s No. 3 and No. 4 Griffin Pits, Messrs. the Pwilbach Company's Tirbach Colliery (Swansea District). Messrs. the Cwmvaile Company's Collieries (Swansea District), Messrs. Cory Bros. and Co.'s Gelli Colliery, and Mess-rs. Partridge, Jones and Co.'a Cru-mlin Navigation Colliery.

WEDDING AT PONTYCYMMER. THOMAS—THOMAS. A pretty wedding took place at the Taber- nacle Chapel, Pontycymmer, on Tuesday).. the contracting parties being Miss Gwen Thomas, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, Alexandra-road, Pontycymmer, and Mr. T. Bradford Thomas, son of the late Mr. Rees Thomas (Pwllcarn), of Pontycymmer. The bride was given away by her father, while Mr. Rees Thomas, brother of the bride- groom, acted as best wan. The bridesmaids were Miss Susie Thomas (sister of bride), Miss Emily Ricketts (oousin of bride), and Miss Eunice Levshon (cousin of bridegroom). Rev. David Hughes officiated, and Miss Sarah Butler, L.R.A.M., played the Bridal March. A reception was held at the home of the bride. They were the recipients of numer- ous presents. The happy couple afterwards left for the Mumbles to spend their honey- moon.

MORFA OIL The Conler's Great Remedy. CURES: Rheumatism, sciatica, Lumbago, sprains, Strains, Bruises, Stiff Necks, Stiff Joints, Strained Sin- ews, and all Pains in Joints and Limbs, THOUSANDS OF GENUTNK TESTIMONIALS Sold in Bottleq a* If 111 d., 2s 3d. and 4s fid. frcm all Chemists or the Proprietors, Evpns & May, Chemists, 130, Wafer St., Aberavort.

m TSFT0 £ TFIA CAltE.-rour eggs, eigne ounces ot flour, eight ounces of sugar, six ounces of butter, two ounces of candied mixed peel and a pinch of carbonate of soda. Break the four eggs into a basin and beat for at least ten minutes carefully, an assistant dusting in the sugar by degrees, then the flour and the candied peel cut to thin short slices. Add thn butter warmed so that it can be whisked When all is ready to place in the buttered tin. stir ,11 the, soda well and qu:<ckly. Sont it in r. onick ove-i for ten minutes, theD lower the ber.t. bate for abf'ut an hour.

I THE WEEK'S GARDENING. I ( i THE FLOWER GARDEN. I Window-boxes should now have attention if they are to be beautiful for autumn. Pot plants can be plunged in the soil, thus giving them protection from fierce heat, since scorching sun on pot-sides is most injurious to roots. A mulch of cocoanut fibre should always finish off window-boxes, whether plants are growing or plunged in them, for this material prevents the window from be- coming soil-splashed after heavy rains; but pot plants are especially benefited by this coierizig in, because it keeps their own soil moist. Palms may be repotted new, so as to give them time to get established before winter, and be ready to make fresh growth in the spring. It is not desirable for this purpose to use too large pots. Thorough drainage must be supplied, without unduly filling the pots too high with crocks. A good compost consists of equal parts of fibrous loam and peat with some nodules of charcoal, old lime rubble, and sand. Firm potting is essential. Tritomas, or red-hot pokers, with their brilliant scarlet, orange, or yellow flowering spikes, are grown without d.ffieulty in any fairly good soil, but it should be remembered that the roots are not quite hardy. In a heavy or damp soil, therefore, they should either be lifted every autunyi, and replanted in the spring, or else it is necessary that each root be protected from cold and wet by means of dry ashes or litter. Sweet William of any good variety may easily be increased by layers or from cut- tings, as the plants root without any diffi- culty. and shoots may even be found on the mother plant already rooted. Raising from seeds is, however, the natural method of pro- pngation, and is worth while. Now that the old plants are in flower they can be carefully gofte over. and the very best varieties noted and labelled, with the intention of saving the seeds when mature. Then sow the seeds in a fairly cool place, and keep moist. Transplant into a bed about four inches apart, and when the seedlings come into flower next year make another careful selec- tion, and in a short time a fine strai n will result. Plumbago capensis is one of the most use- ful climbers to furnish the bare walls and pillars of a greenhouse. Being a deciduous shrub, it bears no leaves in winter to shade the occupants of the stages. Very pretty, attractive specimens may also be grown in pots and tubs. Cuttings inserted from June to August or September root readily in a propagating frame with a little bottom heat. As a compost, use about four parts fibrous loam to one part leaf-mould or peat, and one part coarse sand. Prune back the young shoots of the previous season's growth an.nu- aiiy in February; the flowers are produced in profusion Oil the new shoots. There is a wlvite variety alba. One of the most striking of hardy shrubs in gardens is Rhus Cotinus, the Wig or Smoke Tree, so called on account of its feathery filaments. These small, thread-like filaments are really flower-stalks, a good pro- portion of which, however, have never borne a lfower, but are clothed with numerous silky hairs that give the entire panicle the curious fluffy appearance that is so charac- teristic. The shrub attains a height of from six feet to eight feet, with a sturdy habit. It is a native of Southern Europe and the Orient. In the autumn the foliage changes to quite a brilliant colour. A favourable opportunity should be taken of inserting snowdrop bulbs during the next few week". The depth at which to plant depends much on the nature of the soil. In stiff, reten- tive earth shallower planting than in soil which is li'jjht and open is required. In the stiff soil, from three to four inches will suit most snowdrops, and in light soif better growth and finer flowers are likely to come from planting six. eight, and even twelve inches deep. When snowdrops are being planted in the border a hole can be made sufficiently large to contain the bulbs, packed almost close to- gether if immediate effect is desired, but from one to two inches apart if increase and an eventually large clump is desired. The ground should be well broken up beneath, and a little old manure added, but this should not touch the roots. For the decoration of woodland and grass there is no prettier way than to take a handfu] of snowdrop bulbs and throw them down at random, planting them where they fall. A piece of turf should be lifted, the soil beneath broken up with a fork, the bulbs planted, and the turf replaced. If the soil is poor a little j bone meal or a little slag manure may be added. Cuttings of choice single and double pe- tunias are easier to root in & cold frame at this season of the year than in spring, when artificial heat is necessary. Cuttings, two or three inches long, will answer the purpose, and these may be dibbled into boxes or pots of a light, sandy compost, to which a considerable proportion of leaf mould is added. Some of the single varieties come fairly true from seeo, but that requires to be sown in beat, early in March, 3 get the plants to flowering size at the beginning of the bedding season. Cardoons will now need blanching. The usual way of doing this is to bring the leaves into an upright position, and then starting from the base to bind round hay-bands, until the whdle of the stem is covered. It is then banked up with soil from the trench, so as to exclude air and moisture until the blanching is complete. When the plants have grown sufficiently they can be earthed right up to the leaves. The cardoon keeps well after lifting, and it is in season from October tc March. Both the blanched leaf stalks ann the roots are eaten. I VEGETABLES AND RUIT. I Large onions grown from seed flown jaist J autumn and transplanted in March have now II completed growth. Advantage should, there- fore, be taken of a few fine days to lift and dry them. Open-air drying is always prefer- able, but in wet seasons this is often out of the question, and the bulbs have to be placed in a shed or a garden frame. Handle them carefully, and when properly dried store in a cool but dry spot. Some varieties of these onions keep sound a short time only, so that they should be used as required. There is often a difficulty in getting toma- toes grown in the open :IS brightly coloured as those ripened under glass, but this may be secured with a little extra attention. When the fruit is well mellowed, and begins to turn red. gather it and put it in a close box in a warm and dry position. Do not pile the toma- toes up several layers deep, but just cover the bottom of the box with them on a sheet of tissue-paper. Under these conditions they will assume a bright red colour. A mushroom bed miy be made up when sufficient horse dropr r';s have been got to- gether. These may b? >pread out loosely on the floor of a shed or outhouse, and be fre- oucntlv turned to make them ferment gently. Then throw thetn up in a eonical bc-ap till they become quite warm, when the bed may be made np at one?. Press the manure down nchtly till the bed is 12iii. deep, or a little ](-,s at the front. The temperature will get fairly high at first, but when it has sunk to 80aeg. the bed may be spawned. After a few days cover it with Kin. of loam. beating this down firmly with the back of a spade.

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