Llais Llafur

HOW THE LITTLE SHIPS HELPED. Lord Jellicoe has paid a public tri- bute to the men of the merchant ser- vice, and has told us how the merchant ships came to the rescue of the battle- ships when the latter were threatened by submarines in an open harbour. "The mercantile marine, as always, did exactly as they were asked," said Lord Jellicoe, adding "the deeds of the mer- cantile marine will fill a page of history brighter than any ether page that will be written after the war." It is a great tribute to the little boats from the man who was Comman- der-in-Chief of the Grand Fleet, and every one who knows anything of the work of the mercantile marine will be glad of this public recognition from the man who knows better than all others. But to the many thousands who live in ignorance of the sea and the men who go down to the sea in shipS, it will no doubt be a surprise to know that humble merchant ships and little fishing smacks have been the means of protecting the great battleships from harm. There is something splendid and at the same time almost pathetic in the statement made by Lord Jelliooo that "if a submarine got inside, whilst the Fleet was getting ready to steam away, merchant ships placed them- selves alongside so that they might receive the torpedoes instead of the battleships" while "scores of small craft dashed about at full speed to keep the submarine under water, and, if they saw it, to endeavour to ram it." Before the war, most of us would have laughed at the mere idea of the great battleships depending for their safety on liners and fishing-bats. But war has shown us again and again that the impossible does happen. It has al- tered our whole perspective of life, and taught us a new sense of values. I And above all, it has forced upon us J the truth that no single person in the community is too insignificant to be able to help in the great work of win- ning the war. Just as the little boats have helped to save the Grand Fleet, I so can every individual help in this great food crisis. Once again we must remind ourselves that the nation is I, made up of single units and that it is of the most vital importance that every single one of us should do his or her utmost to keep things going through ) the next few difficult months. There are two obvious ways in which we can, help. The first to use what food we are allowed in such a way that we shall get the greatest possible nourish- ment from it-for the health of the nation is a great asset. And then we must submit to the inconveniences and even the hardShips which may be forced upon us, with a good graoe and a cheerful acquiescence, for in this groat contest the morale of the nation is just as important as its health. We have to take the food question, but wo' need not take it And I t!w housewife who serves her well- cooked "dinner of herbs" with a cheer- ful sniilo and courage at her heart Is a far bettor patriot than she was in the days when she served up "the stalled ox" and grumbled all the time at the price of meat and the butcher's delinquencies. Onoe we should have said that it was matter of small importance whether a single .housewife cooked her dinner well or badly; but with our newer, truer sense of values, we know that the woman who keeps her family well nourished and contented is doing a public service to the ship of State—just ps the little fishing craft helped the Grand Fleet.

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THE DIAY OF A SMALL. HOLDER. (By "Loo." Monday, 25th Feb. I made a thorough examination to-day of the eggs in the incubator, and I found that a large proportion had dead germs, due to the fact that the latter had got stuck to the shell. This comes of my having followed the advice of a writer in a contemporary, who stated that the best results are attained by imitating the mother hen's methods as closely as possible. This writer consequently ad- I vocated leaving the eggs unturned and untouched during the first fivo days of tho hatch. In spite of a certain amount -of scepticism I followed this advice, I and my first hatch of the season will suffer thereby. I shall not risk such an experiment again. There appears t to be a great scarcity of broody hens this' year judging by the number of enquiries I have received. This isdoubt- less due to the fact that few second- year hens have commenced laying so far. Tuesday, 26th Feb.—The geese I or- dered last week made their a ppearance to-day. I wa.s highly pleased with their size and form. They are pure Toulouse, and are of a first rate lay- ing-strain. I doubt whether any geese in this locality can hope to rival them in size. They are now in their third laying season, and can do several years more of useful work, as geese are pro- ductive for ten to twelve years. The Toulouse are practically non-sitters, so I will have to procure broody hens to do the hatching work when the time comes. I had to remove the primary feathers from the wing of one of the females, as they were broken, probably owing to having travelled in a rather small crate. I shall have to feed them well on mash containing 25 per cent. of fish meal in the morning, with grain at night. Wednesday, 27th Feb.—My grocer this morning conveyed me the welcome news that there has been a jredyction in the price of sharps and bran. The new controlled price in the case of the former works out at 23s. 6d. per sack of 1681bs., i.e., 15s. 8d. per cwt., which is a substantial reduction on re- cent retail prices. Had a most interest- ing chat to-day with a well informed friend who is a crack wyandotte ex- hibitor and breeder. I desired his advice anent a suitable soft-feather breed of bantams for exhibition purposes. I have a plot of land measuring 72 square yards, and planted with fruit trees, which I think would be admirable for a pen or two of exhibition bantams. He advised me to get a good pen of white wyandottes as these are very popular just now. I was advised that £6 per trio should at least be invested, or should I say speculated. I intend 'look- ing round' for some good birds as a foundation. Thursday, 28th Feb.-I am continu- ally being asked to incubate eggs for my neighbours. I had the sixth re- quest to-day. Incubating eggs for others is a very unsatisfactory proceeding. People who have never owned an in- cubator are not aware of its limitations and express dissatisfaction when the usual oO per cent, hatch out. Some- times you have to insert eggs into your machine when your own eggs are with- in a few days of hatching. These re- quire long or short periods of cooling, and your own or your friends eggs are bound to suffer. Even when all the eggs hatch out together there is still the difficulty of distinguishing and separating your own pedigree chicks from those of your friend. This is often impossible, as the drawer of the machine is kept closely shut whilst hatching 'is in progress. Last season a friend brought me a valuable sitting of exhibition Light Sussex eggs for incu- bation, and in spite of my most careful handling not a single chick emerged, although my own eggs hatched quite successfully. A railway journey probab- ly accounted for this failure, but I am afraid the transaction lost me the con- fidence of a friend. Friday, 1st March.—"When March comes in like a lion it goes out like a lamb," is a well-known aphorism; if this is correct then we can look for- ward to a period of fine gardening weather three weeks hence. It is worse than useless attempting to do anv work on the soil just now. C.R. is still pes- tered with enquiries for pigs and has had to dispose of another one through pressure. I wonder if readers of these notes have guessed his identity for, as I was standing in the garden, behind a thick bush, last Sunday, I heard a stranger, who was passing by with a companion, enumerating, accurately, tho whole of our stock. I If, therefore, these notes are serving as an advert., let me state definitely once more that C.R. has no more pigs for disposal. Heard to-day that paraffin has now been reduoed in price from 2s. 4d. to la. lOd. per- gallon. The cost of in- cubating 60 eggs will, by this, be re- duced to 3s. 8d. Saturday, 2nd March.—Sold a pen of Buff Orpingtons to a gentleman residing at Brighton. Shall forward them next Tuesday or Wednesday. Had the company of a friend during the whole of the afternoon. Took him to see a neighbour's glasshouse. Here wo saw thousands of young plants of onions, tomatoes, cabbage, eelery, etc., growing in boxes on shelves. A small hoated glasshouse is a decided advant- age where early vegetables are desired. An exceedingly well-trained Black Hamburgh grape vine is aAfeature of this particular house, and well it looked to-day with its bark-stripped stem buttoned fit regular intervals with green buds on the point of bursting j into bloom. Tobacco leaves, which neighbour had grown for fumigating purposes attracted my friend's atten- tion. Ho was given a few to put into his pipe, and he voted tho smoke a good one. Sunday, 3rd March.—In spite of the severe weather prevailing the last week poultry are doing very well, and the egg basket gets heavier daily. C.R. has decided to fatten his sow, so he tells me, as he is desirous of getting a pedi- gree Black or Middle White sow for breeding purposes. Personally, I am for the pure breeds in all species of farm animals, and I agreed with him. My indoor onion seedlings are doing well, and shall have to transplant them .as soon as third leaf appears. Heard to- day that a beekeeper in the locality had had an enormous quantity of honey from his bees this last season, in spite of the bad weather prevailing. The cause of his success has been traced to the fact that his bees had been sys- tematically robbing the disused hives of a neighbour, whose bees had died of Isle of Wight disease, but who had left the honey uncollected in the hives. I shall be interested to know whether the robber bees will become infectP I with this contagious disease as a result of their having eaten some of their plunder. -"Loo. I I

to, PENHALE'S -L. -< J ?.'?.' ?-. s-Y Special Sale IlNi.:¡:I,r!)/ t.. J IOJ U iC.' ????;.?"??.  f1i' < y*'7i \i;'f:: New ShlC Ladies' or Gent's Trench .?'??'?    .17 ,J.. \JI' ..j'&: i.ni\r,"  t "? '-?''?"Tn.f??' t??a.!B n?? c?? .o? ?? ? t?'? ??- "1, \"<\+; II' ¡1 ..1l.' J 0" ,\11!¡' (,j |iI ,t Fully Lined, 30, worth 45/ > i '■ *V{"1 Windows. J )1:; ";¡'O 1I I/! 't;,) wf ^°-vs' ari<* 20/ See Windows. .) ;;l.! I::(I ¡( \t :i;J}¡  ????\?'n?? ? Who!esa!c Dept.—?c invite Enquiries for   Quannues. Keen Quoistionst?!m-  d. mediate Buyers. ..J¡ ?.?y  ?? ? 232, HIGH STREET, SWANSEA

AMMAN VALLEY MANURE I- DISPUTE. — A demonstration of miners employed at Gelliceidrin, Colliery, headed by the Cwmamman Silver Baud, paraded from Glanamman to the Ammanford Police Court on Monday in connection with the hearing of a summons against David Davies, secretary of the Gelli- ceidrim Miners' Lodge for using threats against Moses Williams, farmer, of Gellifawnen. Mr. T. M. Evans appeared for the complainant and Mr. Randell (Swansea) for the defendant. The case arose out of the demand of the miners to be supplied with manure from the colliery for their gardens and allot- ments, but which manure was contract- ed for by the complainant. The oourt house was crowded, and prior to the opening of the case the men amused themselves by singing and cheering. Complainant said he had had a con- tract for the last six years with the Gelliceidrim Colliery to clear all the manure away from the colliery. He had, however, to leave sufficient to supply the needs of the workmen for their gardens and allotments. On the 21st January a large number of miners came to his house. He alleged the de- j fendant said he had brought a resolu-j tion from the workmen that he must keep away from the manure altogether or be responsible for the consequences. He (Mr. Williams) replied "I shall be j coming for the manure when I require it." Defendant said. "If you come you and your cart and horses will be over the tip; romember what I tell you. Witness was afraid and had never been near the colliery since. I Cross-examined: Since then many of the colliers had repeated the threat: no matter where he went he heard that. You have been in trouble about fighting before ?-Yüs, I have. You have to fight for your rights. Did you fight and turn your father out of doors ?--Nothing of the kin,d. You have fought with your own rela- tives ?--I have, or els £ they have fought with me. The defence was nn absolute denial of the threats, and David Davies, the defendant, gave evidence that the men j passed a resolution that Mr. Moeoa j Williams bo flsked to keep awav from the colliery until they had settled with Mr. Fisher, the manager, about tho j price of the manure. As the under- k.3 the un d er- manager then refused to allow them to go down the mine, it was too Late, they decided on a demonstration to Moses WfUhms's house. Thoy went up and while the men were in the yard tho committer went to the house to .see complainant. He never spoke to; defendant it ,%]I. Rev. William Walters, employed at the Gellieeidrim Colliery, n-nd member of the Workmen's Committee and other witnesses gave evidence that no threats were used. Tho proceedings were quite orderly, and the complainant on their leaving sai-d, ttFairnlay. boys, you have been very honourable to me." The summons was dismissed.

YstradgynJais & District Trades and Labour Council. A special meeting of the Ystradgyn- lais and District Trades and labour Council was hekl at Abercrave on Saturday last. Mr. T. Lewis presided over an attendance of 26 delegates. The chief object of the meeting was the election of officers for the year 1918-19. The following were appointed: Chairman, Mr. T. Lewis; vice-chair- men, Messrs. Harry Williams and Howell Watkins; financial secretary, Mr. Idris Lewis; treasurer, Mr. J. S. Morgan; general secretary, Mr. W. R. Williams; finance committee, Messrs. D. Daniel and Llew Morgan auditors, Messrs D. Thomas and J. Davies; press correspondent, Mr. LIew Morgan; re- presentatives on Brecon Labour Party, Messrs. Harry Williams, David Jones, and Howell Watkins. The following Labour councillors were present: Messrs. Idris Davies, Rees Chapman, T. Watkins, W. D. Walters, Dd. Lewis. Gwilvm Jones, Danny Mor- gan, John Davies. The members on the Food Control Committee gave a report of the work done since the last meet- ing. It was pointed out by Mr. Danny Morgan that many people were unable to tell what price should be paid for moat as few a.re ablo to recognise parts of carcases. It was suggested to the members of the Food Committee that butchers be asked to put the name send price of joint on each portion sold. On the motion of Councillor Walters a. voto of condemnation was passed oa the Government for voting 225,000 to Lady Maude, the widow of General Maude. It was pointed out that such contrast in treatment between that. given to widows of generals and to widows of private soldiers merited the opposition of all who had the interests of tho common people at heart.. Correction.—In last week's report there was a reference to tho question of the salaries of teachers, and in con- nection therewith a councillor wis made to say that opposition to the N.U.T. scale would come from the Liberal and Conservative members of the Education Committee. What the councillor actual- ly said was that if opposition would oome at all. it would not, come from Labour representatives but from the- representatives of the other parties. Printed and Published bv "Llais T/lafnr" Co. T.-td. YstalH^ra. in the Oxr.aty of Glamorgan, Marc"! 9, 1918

W. A. WILLIAMS, Phrenologist, can be consulted daily at the Victoria Arcade (near the Market), Swansea. A JOHNSTON For NEW VEGETABLE AND Fl.OV.EB SEEDS FLORA 1, DESIGNS AND EVERYTHING FOR THE GARDEN. ALEXANDER JOHNSTiJX, ;7 OXFORD ST, SWANSEA. Telephone: 567 Centra 1. D. JASPER JONES PHRKNOLOGlS'l, Can be consulted bv appointru r at BRECON RDYSTR \DOVN».AIS. Advice on Health and Diet- Natural treatment for all riJ:J\lse. All Pa rents having the "Ilfq! .f their children at heart, should c a phrenogolist before deciding 'r trade or profession. ,7 Bronchitis from Birth. LITTLE BOY, SUBJECT TO FRE- QUENT ATTACKS. COMPLETELY CURED BY VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE. Mrs. Walters, 116. Duke-road,, Chis- wick, London, W.4, says:—hnoet from birth my little boy was subject to bronehitis. Tlw attacks \v< h> so severe that ho used to be in lx for three weeks at a time, and lookt-1 just a little wreck. I always had advi-«> but the trouble' continued till I tried Veno's. The first tJOSI or two n'jeyed and soon he was completely t-un .1." Trust always to Veno's Li' )Iing Cough Curo for Influenza, and Nasal Catarrh, for Coughs and Colds, Lung Troubles, Asthma, Bronchitis, IT'tieuIt' Breathing, Hoarseness, and for V hoop- ing Cough and other Bronchial Troubles in Children. Prices 1 U-d., Is. 3d., and 3s., from Chemirti., alld Stores erery.vhere. Veno's Lightning Cough Cure is guaranteed free from opium and' every narcotic. It is THE REMEDY FOR OLD AND YeUNG.