The Abergavenny Mail

Watson's Matchless Cleanser GUARANTEE Buy a tablet of Watson's Matchless Cleanser; give it a fair trial in Hot, Cold, Hard, or Soft Water. If you have any cause for complaint, report details to us, and we will refund your money.  Prizes -value 1183,000 1,020,000 Prizes-value S183000  so EASY TO IN A PRIZE,! Th Not less than 36 wrappers ace?pted. The WiLh anv quantity up to 300 Matcbless Cleanser' wrappers just ONE' Nubo!ic' presen t great wrapper and ONE Sparkla' wrapper will b>^ R^t ^!on/ /or^M^^ wrapper-saving com- "Nub?c .n?-sp?rM? wSpp? •• VMue. petition closes March 31, 1914. coanl Double Value. # J EVERY'Matchless'wrappercounts ONE I From the st Prize of a £ 560 EVER?Sparkla-wrappercountsTWO Motor Car to the modest Prize  of a Pair of Scissors, every one of the hundreds of thousands is usejul, and every one is guaranteed full value. Watson's Matchless Cleanser has the largest sale of full-pound tablets in the world. Ask your Soap Dealer for List ef Prizes and Rules, or send a postcard to: (N.S. Dept.), JOSEPH WATSON & SONS, Ltd., Whitehall Soap Works, LEEDS. ,&t.fK',rØi{th- -t'5s:2l!2' 3:=< < ")i-

NEWENT LICENSING SESSIONS, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5. I Before Messrs E Courier (in the chair), T D Grimke-Drayton, E E Evans, and J L Stelfox. Deputy Chief Constable Harrison sub- mitted his report, which showed the number and conduct of the licensed houses in the JSiewent Petty Sessional Division during the year ending December 31 last. The total number of licensed houses is 22, consisting of 8 alehouses, 11 beerhouses (on), 1 beer- house (off; 2 grocers' licenses—these being the same numbers respectively as in the previous year. There is only one registered dob. No licenses are withdrawn for mis- conduct. The licpnses transferred during the year were the Traveller's Rest, The Bull Inn (beerhouses). Newent and the Yew Tree (beerhouse), Huntley. Proceedings hare been taken against two licensed persons during the past year for offences against their licenses, but botb cases were dismissed. The general conduct of the licensed houses in all other respects has been good. I have recei ved no notice of any person's intention of applying to-day to your worships for a new license. No notice of objection to the renewal of any license has been served upon any licensed person in your petty sessional division. The population of the division as per t.be 1011 census is 0,599. There is one license to every 299 of the inhabitants. Of the 13 parishes in the Division there are eight without a licensed house. I append a statement of the convictions for drunkenness for the past five years. In 1909 the number was three, in 1910 five, 1911 two, 191.2 six, 1913 seven. Every inquiry was made with a view to ascertaining w here these persons obtained their drink, but only in one case could it he traced to a licensed house, in which case not sufficient evidence could be obtained to justify a prosecution. E under- stand that the County Licensing Authority hfiS intimated to your Worships that they would be prepared to consider any licenses referrred to them from this Division. In the lighting area of Xewent there are 4 alehouses. 5 beerhouses (on), 1 beerhouse (off), and 2 grocers' licenses. With a population of 1.(100 persons, including &bout 72 in the Union Workhouse, this is one license to every 133 inhabitants, includ- ing the two grocers' licenses. Commenting upon the report, the Chair- man said that according to a statement made bv the Home Office, there had been a great difficulty ia getting at the exact figures regarding the takings and out- goings of license-holders. That was to say, that many of the license-holders did not keep proper business books showing the takings and outgoings. These particulars should be kept up to date in any properly- managad hon-e. When the question of claims arose, they must have their accounts kept up to aether to show the value of the house. Therefore it was to the benefit of the liceo?e-boJder to keep proper accounts of takings and outgoings, so that the assessors could put the right value on the trade of the house. In conclusion, Mr Conder said be was gtad to say that the Bench were very satisfied with the report of the D.C.C. The general conduct of the trade was good. There had been i hree applications for trans- fers, an the Bench were satisfied with tLG8P transfers, and hoped that the respect- ive hcn9.) would be kept in order. There w&s a certain amount of drunkenness from time to time, and tnis had been more during the past year than in the previous year, and considerably tnoje than in lmr), It was tnped hat all the licensr-holders would not. ser,ve- men who were under the influence of drink, which only bronchi trouble upon the nu n aad upon the liflerile". It til at ctay to ad journ, the following ¡iJ\thf8 until toe a-i jourped Hcensif'?<e"'?.' on Marp'i 3 — Bull b n, Anchor Inn, N.?'s Head Inn, th Plot?h >.v: ?i:. aii in N?weot. The other [ licenses would be renewed. SCHOOL CASES. Joseph Williams, school attendance officer, summoned the following parents for the irregular attendance of their respective children at school :—Alfred Hodges, James Hodges, and Esther Taylor; each fined 2a 6d. A summons against Wm Jackson was adjourned till next Court.

CRAVEN ARMS HORSE SALE. What was perhaps one of the most successful sales yet held at the South Shropshire and Central Wales- Horse, Repository was conducted by Messrs Jackson and McCartney on Saturday last, when a magnificent show of upwards of 200 horses passed under the hammer. Private buyers and dealers attended in large numbers from all parts, including London and Middlesex, Canterbury, Liverpool, Birkenhead, Bristol, I Manchester, Birmingham, Oldham, Crewe, Longton, Hanley, Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury, Welshpool, &c. Of the sales which have taken place at the difierent repositories, it was gener- ally the opinion of those present that this was far in advance of any seen, both as regards the quality and trade. The demand for best qual- ity draught horses was especially great, and a large number of these created keen competition, while vanners and lighter animals changed hands at proportionate rates, a Canterbury buyer taking 14 and another buyer from Middlesex 12. A silver cup value 10 gns. was offered in an open class for the best cart gelding or mare. A wonderful string paraded before the judge, Mr J Ferneyhough, The Lawns, Grosmont, Hereford, to compete for this, and after some difficulty his decision was awarded to Mr D P John, Stantou Licy, Ludlow, for an exceptionally useful bay gelding, which was snbsequently purchased for 77 guineas by Mr Cadwallader, of Liverpool. Mr W Alderson's brown gelding took the reserve card, his brown gelding, a horse of rare merit, failing to find a purshaser at 74 guineas. An excellent clear- ance was effected, 31 horses averaging as high as 57 gns. each. The following are some of the principal prices in guineas and vendors' names :—Mr D P John, Stanton Lacy, two bay geldings, 77 and 65 Mr R Roberts, Churchstoke, bay gelding, 70; Mr T H Whiteman, Buckton, two bay geldings, 64 and 50 Mr A R Clegg. Lutwyche Hall, bay gelding, 62; Mr J Cortield, Westhope, black gelding, 60 Mr T S Luce, Witmore, bay geld- ing, 60 Mr J H Trewin, Presteigne, chestnut gelding, 60; Mr D Da vies, Pem broke, bay gelding, 59; Mr J Jones, Cwm Bromley, Mont- gomery, bay gelding, 58 Mr R T Gwilliam, Clun, bay gelding, 58; Mr J Bradley, New House, bay mare, 57 Mr H T Watson, Middle- ton Court, bay gelding, 55 Mr W Alderson, The Lea, bay mare, 54; Mr J Watkins, Peny- bont, brown gelding, 53 Mr T Hughes, White House, brown gelding, 53 Mr H R Hill, Leominster, chestnut mare, 52 Mr T Jones, CWDJ, grey mare, 52; Mr D Evans, Marlow, grey gelding, 51: Mr R Crump, Monmouth, black gelding, 51 Mr J Downes, Stanton Lacy, brown gelding, 51. &c. Very few light horses were on ofrr. The next sale takes place on Saturday, March 7.

FENN'S NERVINE A Specialist's Prescription for Nerve Troub l es, Invaluable to ALL who snft?r from DepressioH. Headache, Wony, Irritability, Neuralgia, &c. It tones and braces the system, comforts the nerves, and imparls a feeling of energy and lit- nest for life's duty. Write for Bottle to-day, 2/6 post free- A. Q. FENN, 33, Arnold St., Lowestoft.

] NEWENT POLICE COURT. I THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5. I Before Mr E Conder (in the chair), Mr T D Grimke-Drayton, Mr J L Stelfox, and Mr E E Evans. Alfred Hodges, Kempley, was summoned in respect of two children's irregular attendances at school, and was fiued 2$6d in each case. For similar offences James Hodges and Esther Taylor were also Sued 2s 6d. Thomas Davis, Dymock, was fined in his absence Is and costs 6s for not using a red light on the rear of a trolley. drawn by a horse, at 7.45 p.m. on January 2. Frank Maddox, Bromsberrow, was sum- moned for leaving hedge cropping on the highway in Grove Hoiie Lane.Defendant, who expressed regret, was fined 2s Cd and costs 68. Elizabeth Gregory, of Xewent, summoned I Wicklin, also of Xewen'. for assault on January 7.—Fined 5s and ousts. William Hooper, Tibberton, for riding a bicycle without a light on January 1(;, at Tibberton, was warned and ordered to pay 3s 6d costs. Thomas Sherrat, of Black House Farm, was fined 2s Gel and costs for leaving hpdge croppings on the highway on January 22. Raymond Large, Xewent, was charged ¡ with stealing a bicycle, valued at £ 4, the property of W Hawkins, postman, Kewent.- Hawkins said that on Saturday evening, I January 24, he left his machine with a light on inside the gate at the Home Farm, Clifford Manor, for about ten minutes. When he came out it was gone.After other evidence, P.S. Clutterbuck said he made inquiries and saw the prisoner, who exclaimed Oh, Sergeant, I have found a bicycle. 1 was coming to tell you about it. It was on the top there" (pointing to the top of the lane.) He had a bicycle with him, which Mr Hawkins identified as his. When in custody prisoner said I shall own up to it, for I am sorry now I took it. It was through having a drop of cider and beer. I intended taking it back on Sunday morning, only I had no heart to do it. I was going when I saw you."—Prisoner now said he bad no intention to steal the bicycle.—The Bench dealt with prisoner as a first offender, placing prisoner under probation for six months, on condition that he signed the pledge.

MUCH MARCLE. An invitation Long-Night Dance will be held in the Much Marcle Schoolroom on Friday, February 13, 1914. Dancing from 8 till 2. This dance is being held in place of the Cin- derella Dance, previously arranged. H S Powell and W White, joint hon. secretaries.— Advert.

NEWENT. THE LATE MR. W BAT.PWJN.—An old and highly respected inhabitant of Newent has disappeared in the death of Mr William Baldwin, which took place during his sleep on February 2nd, at the home of his daughter and her husband, Mrs and Mr H Eves, Lewall-street, Newent, in the 78th year of his age. His mortal remains, amid many tokens of respect and regret, were laid to rest on Thursday in last week in Newent Cemetery, the Rev L Kenfig Morgan officiating. Deceased had been for many years connected with the Congrega- tional Church, and leaves two sisters, three sons, two daughters, and many grandchildren to mourn his loss. ENTERTAINMENT AT OXENHALL.—A dramatic and musical entertainment was given in Oxen- hall School on Thursday evening, the proceeds being devoted to the Church Expenses Fund. Mrs H Lancaster and Miss Thackwell gave well executed pianoforte solos songs were rendered by Mrs Johnstone, Miss Bigland, and Mr Reece there were violin solos by Mrs Irving, and a sketch by Mr Smith, Ross. In addition, The Lady Companion was presented by Mrs Irving and the Misses Thackwell, "The Geese" by the Misses Thackwell, and "The Suffragettes by Misses Jones. Little, and t Savidge. The accompaniments were played by Mrs Irving, Mrs Johnstone, and Miss Jones. The room was crowded.

I COlWALL ODDFELLOWS' DINNER. On Thursday nights the Loyal Persever- ance Lodge of Oddfellows held their 38th anniversary dinner at the Oddfellows' Hall, under the chairmanship of the Right Hon. J W Wilson, M. P. for North Worcester- shire, who resides at Perrycroft, Co1wall. Mr WTilson was supported by Captain A V Holman (vice-chairman), Hon. Bro A 0 Bridgman, Messrs F H Rudgard, T W Wall, G H T Foster, D A G Birchley, A T Waters, Prov G.M. C Davis, Prov D.G.M. T W Staples, and Prov C.S. Thos Norris. Amongst the large company present were P.P.G.M. G W Mason (Lygon Lodge), P.P.G.M.'s S Pugh and H W Allen, P.G.'s T Tyler, G Hitchings, J King, H A Hitchings, C Thomas, A Pedlingham, A Wharton, T Berry, G Williams, N.G., G Farley, Bros S Jones, F Farley, F Freeman, W Wood, A Jones, F Vale; Messrs W James, T A Pedlingham, J Armstrong, Thos. Arm- strong, W Summers, T Hill, A Holbrook, G Carter, J Swaithe, H E Hanson, T Potter, A Rogers, W H Grun ly, E Rogers, E Bailey, A G Allen, A Brierley, etc. P.P.G.M. M J Powell and Mrs Powell served an excellent dinner, at the conclusion of which The Chairman gave the loyal toast, which was duly honoured. Apologies for non-attendance were an- nounced from Dr. Hamilton-Williams, Hon. Bro 0 N Holt-Needham, P.G. W Bowen, Bro B Marshall, and Captain Percy Clive, M.P., who bad a previous engagement. P.G. A T Waters submitted the toast of the Manchester Unity and District Officers." and said that the whole attention of the Board of Directors had been taken up during the last year by the National Insur- ance Act, and he thought it was one of the finest assets of the nation that they had such a body of men as the Board of Directors of the Manchester Unity, who were paying almost hourly attention to the working of the Insurance Act, trying to find its defects and trying to find the remedies. It was through such bodies as the Board of Directors of the Unity that reforms which were necessary in the Insurance Act would come, and make the Act as acceptable to the nation as they wished it to be. (Hear, hear). Successive bodies of directors during the last 100 years had built up a friendly society such as the world bad never seen either in the extent of its membership or its accumulated funds- (hear, bear)—and it must be satisfactory to them that during the last year it had enrolled more members on the State side and on the voluntary side than any of their friendly rivals. One other thing which must give them intense satisfaction was that at the ninth valuation, which had just been completed, and was most thorough, it was found that the liabilities of the M. U. amounted to £ 27,669,350 and the net deficiency of that huge sum, which they could not possibly realise, was £ 32,852, so that for all practical purposes they were in the positiop of complete solvency, and the small deficit was virtually wiped out by the realised reserve. That was a balance-sheet tbev could submit with confidence to the Right Hon. gentleman, who had honoured them by being their chairman that night, and whom as fellow-parishioners they revered and respected as much as his fellow- members of the House of Commous, over whose committee work he so ably presided. (Loud applause). He coupled with the toast. the name of Prov G.M. C Davis. (Applause). Prov G.M. Davis, in responding, said the friendly society movement was passing through a very critical period in its history and despite all that could be said in con- nection with the Insurance Act, the Man- chester Unity was still holding its own. (Applause) He gave, facts and figures re- lating to the membership and payments for sick benefit bearing out this statement, men- tioning that they increased the membership of the Malvern district to the extent of 320. Under the State section during the year 1913 they paid £ 1,443 10s 5d in sick pay and £ 180 in maternity benefits. The Insurance Act had not done anything detrimental to the interests of the Unity, but it would take all the energy that it was posible for any of them to give to work might and main for the interest of the M.U. in the future and more especially with regard to the voluntary section. (Applause.) The Chairman ga\e the toast of Success to the Loyal Perseverance Lodge," and said he had always taken a great interest in friendly Society work, but never more than in the last year or two, when it had been brought to assist in spreading the benefits of friendly society work to a very much larller men of membership than was ever contemplated years ago. Proceeding he entered into some of the past history of Odd- fellows, which he said dated back to 1745, when they were the great pioneers of insur- ance for unemployment, and the lodges furnished permits as their members tramped the country in search of work. They went on until the year 1810, when the Manchester Unity was started, and from that time for- ward the movement had grown until now they bad the pride of looking at the move- ment in its strength, not only in this country, but in the United States and Canada and almost all the great colonies of this vast Empire, as well as many of the great continental countries of Europe. The spirit of mutual help on which the whole friendly society movement was based had gone on widening and widening until in the last few years they had seen it widen- ing more than it ever did before. It was not only that they went into the movement for what they could get out of it, but in the the true human spirit for what they conld give to others in more difficult circumstances. (Applause.) In that they had the basis of the great friendly society movement, the voluntary aid and comradeship of it. It was that voluntary work that produced so many earnest workers who .gave their time and labour and life-blood almost for their fellows. He for one was very jealous that the exten- sion of it in the Insurance Act, which bad been alluded to. should no wise eclipse, diminish or discourage the voluntary side of these great friendlv societies. (Applause.) In the past they had been pioneers of that work, which as it progressed in the countries of the world they found taken up and widened by the greater powers and financial aid of the State. He hoped that it would never be in danger and that they would always realise if they gave money to spend themselves with it. That was the human spirit which drew them all together on those occasions, and when their lodgea met to see how most effectively they could help distressed brethren over difficulties which burrounded them. The friendly societies in the work they did were doing a great national work which bad been recognised by the State and was showing to them that work extended. The figures they had had given them showed how the friendly society movement was increasing and extending in a much wider circle and they hoped it was tending towards greater solvency and greater good throughout the length and breadth of the land, and making the usefulness of these societies greater and more effective. It would be, an ill day for this country when the State bad to do entirely what the friendly societies were doing voluntarily. The spirit of self-help vanished entirely when the State came in. They wanted that individual loyalty to a particular lodge or society to continue and it was on that account that hon. members were only too glad to render what small help they could in encouragement of this great movement. As their local poet, Mr Masefield, had said, "Let us laugh and battle and work." They wanted to laugh heartily with one another, enjoy good sound refreshment and recreation, and in their lodge meetings to make them better and work for their livelihood, and battle against the evil around them, and it was that spirit which one wished to bid God-speed to. (Applause.) In conclusion he expressed the hope that they might all increasingly know the value of comradeship in their lives, while realising the value of care and independence and self-help. (Applajse.) He coupled with the toast the name of P.P.G.M. H W Allen, per. sec. of the lodge. (Applause) Per. Sec. Allen said for the 12th year in succession he responded to the toast. The Loyal Perseverance" Lodge continued most successfully to carry out the work for which it was started and nothing gave him greater pleasure than to have P.P.G.M. Geo Mason, who was instrumental in starting the lodge, on his left. The year 1913 had been most arduous and exacting in many ways, and the lodge had loyally stuck to its work as a fr; idly society. On the voluntary side they lit paid £316 in sickness benefits, an averag of 11 10s per member of the lodge. To those people who were opposed to the principle of accumulative society wot king he would point out that that sum was some- thing like .£80 over the contributions from members. Were it not for the fact that men like r P.G.M. Mason invested their funds at a reas aable benefit some of their members would now be whistling for the benefits they were entitled to. Under the Insurance Act they paid out Y,120 8s 5d in sick benefits and X12 in maternity benefits, so that made a total of E464 paid out by the lodge during the year. That showed they were not unsuccessful in carrying out the work for which the lodge was formed. They had a membership of rather more than 200 in the voluntary side and C215 on the State section. They had increased more on the State section than the voluntary section, as every member automatically became an insured person at the age of 1G years, but these youths who had joined the State section would ultimately become members of the voluntary section. He impressed upon the brethren the necessity of doing their level best to increase their membership. (Applause.) Hon Brethren and Visitors" was proposed by Bro G Williams, and ably responded to by Mr Bridgeman (Malvern) and Mr G H T Foster. The healths of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman (Mr Holman) were given by P.P.G.M. S Pugh, who spoke in high terms of Mr Wilson's work as chairman of the committee who had charge of the Insurance Amendment Act last summer, and also of the local labours of Mr Holman. The Chair- man, who was received with musical honours, asked the company not to look upon him as a politician or M.P., but just simply as a friend and neighbour. Mr Holman thanked the company for the cordiality with which they had received his name. Host and Hostess," was given by Vice-Grand Farley, and acknowledged by Host P.P.G.M. M J Powell, and God Save the King brought to a fiuish one of the most successful meetings in the history of the lodge. During the evening songs or recitations were contributed by Messrs Rudgard, Brier- ley, Jones, Penfold, Staples, and Davies.

MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT. The monthly report of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries for this month, for the counties of Worcester, Hereford, and Gloucester, is as follows APPEARAXCE OF CROPS. The weather of the past month has been favourable to all autumn work, which is well forward. The frosts have bad no in- jurious effect upon the autumn sown crops, but have beneficially checked those which were too forward. Wheat is looking healthy and well wi'h a vigorous growth, and winter-sown oati- and beans are also in good condition. LAMBING PROSPECTS. Ewes are generally very healthy and in I good cuoeI ition, having been suited by the weather of December and January. In this district lambing iq only just beginning, and the outlook for a good season is bright. The few early laOJbs are healthy and satis- factory. COXDITIOX AND PROGRESS OF I STOCK. All classes of stock have done well and are in good condition. Owing to the mild and open weather cattle have been able to remain out of doors, and the supply of grass has been good. This has economised the supply of winter keep, which in most dis- tricts is now plentiful.

'I, d llyg,, oj ¡ 'Yrm1.n completely and hyg"nio. ally, 11-. 2/- 51- tins trom all or London  Chemical (0.. 86, ?V,b,,k, l?o?dcn, E.C. Sold by A, STEVENS, Chemist, Ledbury. .):J:<1ifL J; Wliy H&jkIic&p Yourself? ,W? hy MsmHcap Yourself? ? ?4?'?? J, X'n 1,;¡.c l' 1" 't' Wriy continue to use old-i?smoned Serving ??? T -.4, ■ M?chinc?—he??-y to ivork and noisy. You can buy a j .} ,,). c. J. tv (:"4. ?)'?  "0 1T I ■ f' £ )¥ III "f..{" j ,¡; i ? ? <  r ?? ff' -Yp- .,+-4 PtC \) ¡ ? ?? ')" i 1 ¡; :J  ?i?A .? '%?-? ??"? ?i%!? '? ??.?'(' S;- NE 11 1 b A a cheaply as any other make, but?you caH'i: ?et Sin-er' ,:1; qw: l:ty any other Sc\vm? Machine at any price. For y,i YOlr o;d-s?' .le machme we will make you a liberal allowance. ? ■ ?_?.? A SOMETHING ENTIRELY NEW! p I', "J ,r. Jf.I. 'Lv. ,k. 'Iv. ? ?e Latest and L rL Treacle Sewing Machine. f.)' THE SANGER 66" S jj ,1. ,¡. v !i| THE ?? SINGER | ? SIGN ?? SERVICE « ? OF THE ?? SHOPS 0 rl ?/ If you requ?e anything for your Sewing Machine, apply to  I ;.<, • H j j-.Q k SINGER SERVICE SHOPS IN THIS DISTRICT: !? i 40: Commercial Street, Hereford 3, St. Nicholas Street, Worcester y? !? SUB-SERVICE SHOPS: J?! ? 0 Ross, 2, High S:!Mt: T. PARSONS, Sales Manager ?'J Malvern Link, 6, Cotton Buildings, Worcester Road JAT\ !(:< USE THE SINGER SERVICE jjm II ]' j'/y~ Any complaint in regard lo the Singer Service sliou'd be addressed to  :? ^v, Siiigcr Se%viii?., (-,o, Ltd., Management, 42 & 43, 1 St Londo?i. E.C. 4- & 43, -??';?"?????.??S?.????r-SB???.? .????  ?'<

I PROFITABLE POULTRY CULTURE BY RALPH R ALLEN, Lecturer to the Herts County Council; Editor of Monthly Hints on Poultry, &c. (All rights reserved.) A SUCCESSFUL BREEDING SEASON. (CONTINUED.) [Readers are particularly requested to note that this series of articles commenced with the first issue in January. In order to obtain their full value, the earlier articles should be read in conjunction with the current one.] SYSTEM OF FEEDING. Birds are fed in order to produce certain results, therefore the desired object must first of all be considered in order to decide on the course to be adopted. Young Chicks are fed in order to promote growth, both in frame and feather; this topic will be fully discussed when we arrive at the care and attention of young stock. Other birds are fed in order to sell as table- birds due consideration will be given to this later on. We have now selected our birds, provided them with comfbrtable quarters, and are desirous of obtaining eggs —fertile eggs-strongly fertilised eggs— in order to enjoy a successful breeding season. Keep this object in view. I am not going to write on how cheaply poultry can be fed in order to exist, but to attempt to show bow to feed to secure strongly fertilised eggs. The whole of these articles, however, may be compared to a chain a single link is comparatively useless, the continuity must not be broken and equal attention must be paid to the previous suggestions as well as to those that follow. To quote from one of the Board of Agri- culture and Fisheries leaflets In. order to keep birds in the best possible state of health, so that they may not contract disease themselves, and also that they may produce youug ones with no inherited tendencies towards disease, they must be fed on foods containing the correct amount of matter for the production of beat, flesh, fat, bone, muscle, and feather." This is the keynote of the situation. The evening meal is quickly decided upon. There is no better gram for egg-production than sound wheat, after which good stout oats are a close second in fact, even when you have plenty of the former, the latter can occasionally be substituted with advantage in order to stimulate the appetite. Indian corn, or as it is generally termed, maize, should only be used in the coldest weather, and then somewhat sparingly it is apt to cause internal fat, in which condition the heus won't lay. Regarding quantity, one handful per bird may be accepted as a rough guide, though on extra cold nights and during inclement weather it is as well to err on the side of liberality. Don't feed just before darkness sets in distribute the grain over as large an area as possible while there is quite an hour of daylight. This will necessitate the I birds working for their supper, and activity is the keynote to health. The breakfast ration demands more con- sideration. If you require the best in com- bination with the least trouble, and a slight —very slight-increase in cost does not matter, I cannot do better than recommend you to use Spratt's Laymor. This mixture is scientifically compounded, and is the result of many years' experience. It can be obtained in practically every village and town in the United Kingdom, in sealed bags at Is, or direct from Spratt's Patent, Ltd., in hundred- weight sacks for 1f,3. Some, however, will prefer to mix their own mash, and I can confidently recommend the following formula. Take equal quantities, by weight, of coarse biscuit-meal, bran, Sussex ground oats, and middlings (the product of wheat), and a half- quantity of granulated meat. Overnight the biscuit-meal and bran should be scalded, a stout sack being placed over it to retain the heat. In the morning mix together, in a dry state, the middlings aud granulated meat, adding Column's Poultry Mustard in the proportion of one teaspoonful for every six hens. Then thoroughly mix the whole mass until it is reduced to a crumbly consistency, adding a little warm water if too stiff, or a handful of bran if too sloppy. Of course, any household scraps should be utilised— they are an excellent egg food—but on a large plant they would only prove a drop in the ocean. During the cold weather the breakfast should be given warm, not hot, and as soon after daybreak as possible. The meal should not be a heavy one, so that the birds could eat to repletion, then stagnate aud mope like an over- fed man and cultivate liver troubles it is a light feed only, but highly nutritious. Just a sufficiency is thrown on to their feed-boards, or into their troughs, that they will pick up eagerly and then go off scratching, looking for a worm or some other tit-bit. [Any enquiries concerning poultry- keeping addressed to our expert, Ralph R Allen, Sawbridgeworth, Herts., will be answered through these columns free, but. those requiring a postal answer direct or sending birds for post-mortem examination must remit a half-crown postal order.,

?F?B ??????? tsat /iCfeiJl? ÐES   MME '-?%????? MENSLAY ???? will require fl i 1{OU: HENS I ti!:er'íl7"¡;:Q; 9■ H mOre leist?"d above an I W?LL LAY MANY MORE EGGS jyj -ind incidentally return vou more profit, if you give them M Ri NOW a food which will assist them to overcome the IB Eg strain of laying. For thu purpose tUcreisnofoodtoequal ■ SPRATT'S LAYMOR" gj a scientific preparation extreme!? rich ia egg-forming §1 ? properties, yet a "'i?l,ing ..d ?it .1i.t?g to tL? bird't. ) n MAKES HE?S LAV ?  I and KEEPS THEM AT IT ? ?'??? p '?.l.r can supply It in Ii- bg., ?e ?iii P,Y CAR- n .1c,t. ?S, -or lc 15?- «i1:): of fot)ds and &d. sc?nt  f 3d. for packin P.?lage. | SPRATT'S PATENT LTD. 24/25 Fenchorch St., Locdoo. S ™ MUST HAVE MORE EGGS IF YOU DAILY USE C D'LI A N'S pmJLTRY MUSTARD. 31b. Sample, 2/8, post paid; 91b. keg, 6/7. 181b. 12/2 carriage paid. Special quotations tor largs quantities. Just published—" MORE -ABOUT ESG-PR0DUCT(0N." This practical treatise, which deals exhaustively with this all-important subject- t-o poultry-keepers, also contains a useful egg-register for twelve months. It will be sent, post free. to all appli- cants, by RALPH R. ALLEN, Sawbridgeworth, Herts.  T ,r2 n* Re ad PULiPtY The only paper that matters to the poultry-keeper j The World's Best and Oldast Paper. A19K NEWS- E' Fr rid, ay, 0 Pr.enny AGENT FOR IT. A??'r??<:n', 0?,'?'P71?/?7V f'f)!>Y free frolll- 'Poultry' (i!)pt, 299). to. Essex St., Strand, London, W.C.

Ledbury Produce Markat. There was a moderate attendance, and not much produce on offer. Prices :— Butter (wholesale), Is 3d per Ib „ (retail) Is 4d per I i, Eggs (wholesale), 10 for H (retail), S for 18 Fowls, 4s Gd to 5s per couple RabbIts, Sd and 9d each. Potatoes, HId to Is per peck. Apples, Is per peck.

Ladbury Corn Market. The market at the Feathers Hotel Cora Ex- change on Tuesday was very largely attended. There is plenty of stuff on otter, and the market-. are firmer. Any amount of ciover seed was on otter at from 4ll to Sd per Ib, but samples were rather neglected. Seed spring beans were from 4s nd to 5-s per bushel pets, 4s 6d to 5s and Garten's Abundance Oats 28s to SOs per quarter. Quotations :— Wheat (new), .'Is lid to 4s Id. Beans, 3s lid to 4s Id Peas, 3s 9d to 4s 3d Vetches, 4s 6d to 5s Rye, 4s Oats (old), 22s to 28s per qr. (new), 20s to 22s per qr. Flour, firm. Maize, 25s to 27s per qr. English Barley, 2S,,¡ to 32s. Foreign Barley, 22s to 25s 400 i.e. r. Sharpness. i 4fY) i. e.. r. Sti arpne,?. Bran, 10s per ton.

FOOTBALL FIXTTJEES. WORCESTER AND DISTRICT LEAGUE. LEDBURY TOWN. Feb 14-Stourport Swifts, away Feb 21-Colwall, away (setai-iinal Hereford- shire Challenge Cup) Feb 28—Evesham United, home March 21—Norton BarraL-ks, home April A—Badsey Rangers, home April J R-Droitwieh United, home April 25-StonfDort Swifts, home -West Malvern, away —Norton Barracks, away COL WALL. Feb 14-Evesbam United, away Feb 21—Ledbury Town, home (semi-final Here- fordshire Challenge Cup) Feb 28-Norton Barracks, away Mar 7-Evesham Wanderers, home Mar J4-St Clements, away Mar 28- Stoke United, home Apr 4—Evesham United, home Apr 11—Stoke United, awey Apr j-Droitwich United, away —

HEREFORDSHIRE JUNIOR LEAGUE. BROTHERHOOD F.C. Feb 14—R.A.M.C., home Feb 21—Lugwardine. home Mar7-Madfey, away Mar 14-Pontrilas,