Abergavenny Chronicle

01 OUR LONDON LETTER. [From Our Sptcial Corrupondtnl.] A visitor to London just now would prob- ably not notice anything very extraordinary going on. He would see that the newspaper sellers are doing a brisker trade than usual, and that the evening journals come out soon after breakfast. The bills, of course, with their "latest war news," would draw the halfpennies from his pockets. He would see Territorials in uniform about the streets, and guarding with fixed bayonets public buildings like the General Post Office and Somerset House. He would see gutter merchants selling tiny national flags, "all iiiide o' silk," and outside the news- paper offices he would notice small crowds reading the latest war bulletins. There are notices in various places calling the young men to arms, and bidding aliens of German and Austro-Hungarian nationality register at poliec-stations on pain of fine and imprison- ment. Scraps of conversation about armies and guns and fortifications fall upon the ear. Most of the shop windows show some- thing connected with the war-campaigning kits, stout, heavy boots, rolls of khaki- coloured dc' h, nursing requisites, and so on. But the visitor would see that, in spite of thc-u things, people are going about their business much as usual, calmly, keeping cool heads. If the visitor's curiosity took him to Whitehall, as it most likely would, he would feel a thrill of excitement perhaps. Motor-cars stand outside the War Office, people are constantly passing in and out, and somewhere inside the building the great I soldier and organiser who has been called to the headship of the Army sits working, planning, organising, bearing his burden of responsibility for the safety of the Empire, and doing great things for all of us. Then the visitor might pass through the Horse Guards to the great open space on the other side. If so, he would see something to thrill 'him indeed. He would see the fine young manhood of Britain flocking to the colours, answering the call of Lord Kitchener and the Government. Marquees have been put tip on the Horse Guards Parade, and officials are busy all day long dealing with the enlistment of recruits. In normal times recruiting for the Army goes on at the rate of about 30,000 a year, but the present rate is 40,000 a week! By this time the visitor would have had his blood stirred, and if he were anywhere in age between eighteen and thirty, and unmarried, he would very likely go to one of the marquees and become a recruit himself. Who starts the rumours, I wonder? For a week there had been a new one every day. Me n come up to you and tell you in confi- dence that such and such a thing has happened; there has been a disaster or a victory. For so.ne reason or other they tell you, the news is being kept back; it is not to be published, but these people assure you it is true, for they have heard it on unim- peachable authority. I heard a man the other day narrating a most extraordinary piece of news. He declared that he had just seen it "come through" on the tape at his club. He was a man who, in ordinary tilings, might be trusted, and he really. I believe, thought he ™ speaking the truth; yet I am prepared to go bail that the news he gave me had riot 11 come through" on any tape at any club in London. These things are verv mysterious, and it is curious to see how credulous most people are, how they will accept anything as true -if it is on.lv sensational enough and in the highest degree unlikelv. The official Pretax Bureau did good service by issuing a warning to the public with regard to the sensational rumours which have been floating about. There is not the slightest foundation for any of them. New., will be published as eoon as it is recei/ed, whether favourable or the reverse. The man who sold me the paper containing the Bureau's assurance pointed it out to me. They won't 'arf give the bloke som'ing wot started them rumours," he said, if they catch 'im." But I ¿om afraid they won't catch 'im, and we shall go on wondering who starts these things. Alreadv people are beginn' ng to tell stories of Lord Kitchener. Some of them, if not true, are at any rate characteristic, like this one. It is said that the editor of a daily paper was peremptorily summoned to the War Office :n consequence of having published something untrue in the sensa- tional line. K. of K." looked grimly at the journalist, who, so the story says, sh ivered in his editorial shoes. He was duly admonished, and told that if anything of the sort occurred again he would be arrested. On what charge will you arrest me?" he asked. I'll arrest you first," was the reply, and think out the charge afterwards." It is of no use to ask me who the editor was. I have not the smallest notion. There was a conference at the Savoy Hotel the other day, of nurses engaged in school inspection work under the London County Council. It is the custom of these nurses to hold a conference after the summer holidays, and this time the subject for discussion was hew they could be of ser- vice during the war. There were hundreds of nurses present at the meeting, and every one cf them volunteered for the front. Splendid, wasn't it? But that is the way of ings Every man and every woman is anxious TO help in any way possible. All these nurses will perhaps not be needed, but they will go on service in contingents as they are called upon. I have never seen the audience at a Promenade concert so enthusiastic as they were at the opening night of the Queen's Hall season. The great hall was crowded, and people were packed in the promenade so closely that there was hardly breathing room. The band played the National J Anthem. Sir Henry Wood turning to the vast audience and conducting them while they sang with fervour—"Send him vic- torious, Happy and glorious." It is many years since the prayer carried such meaning as now. And then, with the rattle of side- drums, the band crashed into the martial strains of "The Marseillaise." The words had been considerately printed on the programmes, but nobody troubled much about the words: they sang the air with splendid enthusiasm. "God Bless the Prince of Wales, followed, and after an outburst of cheering, the concert proper began. On the programme as originally arranged ap- peared Strauss's "Don Juan." This was re- placed by Tschaikowsky's "Capriccio Italien." For Straus6 is German while Tsehaikowsky was Russian. It is announced that the works of all living German and Austrian composers are banned now at the Queen's Hall, out of consideration of the patriotic feelings of the audience. A. E. M.

The Duke of Portland has issued an earnest appeal to all gentlemen in the county of Notts 1 and the citv ot Nottingham who have formerly served in any of the forces of the Crown to join the National Reserves. Members of the Wirral Farmers' Club, near Liverpool, have made an offer to Earl Kit- chener to take over temporarily tie control of horses disabled in action, and give them three months' keep and attention. The Council of the Senate of Cambridge University have decided to allow terms and leave to postpone examinations to all under- graduates who are prevented from residing by the requirements of military service at tho pre- -&

I DRESS OF THE DAY. 1 A SMART HAT FOR EARLY AUTUMN WEAR. Already some of the milliners in town are j beginning to show a few hats for early autumn wear. In the provinces, that is to say at smart seaside resorts and at fashion- able watering-places, the6e autumn models are far more numerous, for milliners at such plaoes reap a golden harvest at this time of the year, and often sell more hats to visitors during August and early September than they sell to their regular customers during the whole of the rest of the year. Conse- quently they always make a large provision of the very earliest autumn hats, so one can often see a larger and more varied collection of such models in the provinces than in London. This year there are fewer new hats than I ever remember seeing before. Mck^t women's minds, alas! are turned to other and sadder things than fashionable attire but here and there one docs see a new and often very charming model. Quite the prettiest and most popular of these new A PRETTY AUTUMN HAT. I [Refer to X 519.] hate is the hlTg. plain sailor-a canotier, as our French friends call it—carried out in black velvet. These hats are extremely simple both in shape and trimming, and are remarkably useful wear for this time of the year, for they look equally well with a plain tailored costume and with a smart afternoqe frock; ideal models, in fact, for demi-saison use. Our sketch shows one of the newest of these black velvet sailor hats. This re- markably attractive chapeau has a flat and fairly wide brim and a crown of moderate dimensions, both of which are covered with tightlv stretched black velvet. A tiny black taffetas ribbon, with a pretty little picot edge, is laid round the base of the crow-n and is tied in a flat bow on the right side. On the right side, and well to the front, comes an enormous flower of black taffetas. This flower is made with a number of petals, and has as centre a padded boss of black velvet. Round this boss is an irregular ring of em broidery worked in white floss silk in a flat covering stitch. On the top of this white background are worked numbers of ta mens and pestils in very heavy black silk. Enormous French knots worked in the same silk form the rounded heads of these pestils. A WELL-CUT SKIRT. There is no more indispensable part of the average Englishwoman's holiday outfit than a simple, smartly cut, and serviceable skirt suitable for sports. Of course, there are manv women who do not play a game of any kind, but even to them such a skirt is almost as necessary as to the sports girl, for what more comfortable or workmanlike attire is there for the long country walk, or indeed, for the house on the damp and chilly mornings which are all too frequent in our English summer3. A CAPITAL SKIRT FOR COUNTRY OR HOLIDAY WEAR. [Refer to X 520.] I, The very neat and well-cut skirt shown in our sketch is admirably adapted for practical outdoor wear. It should be car- ried out in serviceable material, such as serge, homespun, or ratine. It has four seams, one down the front, one over each hip, and one at the back. The front seam has a hem edge, and is left unsewn to the depth of ten or twelve inches at the bottom, I a fastening of buttons and buttonholes being provided to give extra "spring" if desired. The back seam is arranged as an inverted pleat. It will take yards of 40in. material. I FOR CHILDREN S WEAR. Some pretty but very plain and useiul little frocks for the children's early autumn wear are beginning to appear here and there in the London shops. In a very short ( time now the holidays will be over, and it will be time to send the little ones back to school again, so mothers are beginning to think seriously about practical autumn out- fits for their small boys and girls. One of the nicest little school frocks I have seen as yet was carried out in soft dark blue woollen twill. The skirt was short and per- fectly plain, and over it was worn a long and equally plain tunic corsage of the same material, which was held in at the waist by a belt of very soft orange brown leather. The sleeves were cut in one with tunic, and came down to the waist, where they were finished by turn back cuffs of the material embroidered with just a touch of the same warm orange brown as that in the belt. The neck of the little frock was cut out in a tIny V, and was edged by a wee embroi- dery of orange brown. This embroidery, however, was almost concealed by a turn- over collar of the finest white muslin, edged bv wee ruffles of the same transparent fabric. Paper patterns can be supplied, price 6Jd. When ordering, please quote number, en- close remittance, and address to Miss Lisle, 8, La Belle Sauvage, London, E.C.

At a meeting of his Majesty's Lieutenants of the City of London at the Guildhall a, sum of £ 500 was voted towards the City of London Branch of the Red Cross Society. The meet- ing agreed to assist in every possible way the enlistment of men for the Regular Army and Territorial Force. Mr. Leopold de Rothschild is presenting a Zeiss range-finder to the 19th Royal Hussars. Viscount Churchill has placed the Grand Stand, Ascot, at the disposal of the Govern- ment, for use as a hospital.

I SEPARATION ALLOWANCES For general information the War Office issue the following notification respecting the separa- tion allowance for wives and children of soldiers, mobilised Reservists (including Special Reservists), members of the Territorial Vorce called up for active service, and civilians en- listed for temporary service during war: 1. Separation allowance is granted from Army funds to the families (not in public quar- ters) of the classes of soldiers mentioned above, if on the married establishment, at the follow- ing daily rates, according to the rank of the soldier, viz. 8. d. Warrant officers 2 3 Quartermaster-sergeants and equiva- lent ranks 2 1 Colour-sergeants and equivalent ranks 1 4 Sergeants, corporals, and privates, and all equivalent ranks. 1 1 (The above rates are increased by 6d. a day for families who were residing in the London postal area on the date of mobilisation and continue to reside there.) Children of any of the above, i.e., boys under 14 and girls under 16, each 0 2 2. When the family is in occupation of public quarters and is provided with fuel and light, the wife will receive separation allow- ance, while her husband is separated from her by the exigencies of the service, at the reduced rate of 4d. a day for herself and ilrd. a day for each child, subject to age as above.. 3. When the soldier's child, or children, are motherless, the rate of separation allowance is 4d. a day for each child. 4. The payment of separation allowance is made monthly in advance by means of Army money orders payable at post offices.. Families of Reservists, including Special Reservists, are paid by the Army paymaster from whom the men received their pay or Reserve pay prior to their being called up for serviee, and the families of soldiers of the Territorial Force are paid by the secretary of the county associa- tion by which the Territorial Force unit is administered. 5. The first payment to families- is made as soon as possible after the men rejoin for ser- vice, and covers the period between the date of rejoining and the end of the month; later payments are made on the 1st of each month in advance. 6. These issues are irrespective of any re- mittance of pay which the soldier may make, and of the gratuity of X5 given to every Terri- torial soldier embodied. 7. Separation allowance will also be paid during the war at the same rates to wives not on the married establishment and their chil- dren but as the War Office is not at present in possession of any register of these, there ivill be some inevitable delay in making the first payments.

MOUNTED IRREGULARS. I To the yeoman class—to young farmers and others who can ride well and shoot well, but might not be eligible for temporary commis- sions—the announcement that the British Em- pire Agency, Limited, supported by an in- fluential committee, is raising a corps of Mounted Irregulars for immediate service, will provide a happy solution of the problem as to how best they may serve their country in her hour of need. The magnificent work accomplished by the mounted irregulars in South Africa forms one of the finest pages in the history of the war; and to men who served in that campaign, as to all Colonials now in England, a special appeal is made. What is wanted, above all things, is men who are hard and fit, for whom all dangers and difficulties have an irresistible appeal. Subject to the consent of the War Office, the regiment will be named the Imperial Light Horse and it is hoped that the rates of pay will be similar to those of forces of irregulars during the South African War. Applications should be sent at once to the British Empire Agency, Limited, 3, St. James's-street, S.W.

I ARMY AIRMEN KILLED. I A flight of Army aeroplanes at Netheravon on Wednesday morning under active service4 conditions brought disaster to a Bleriot mono- plane piloted by Second Lieutenant Robin Skene, 23, and his passenger, Raymond Keith Barlow, a mechanic in the Third Squadron Royal Flying Corps. Lieutenant Skene was a civilian pilot, who received a commission in the Flying Corps about a month ago. At the inquest, Major Gerard Comer, of the 4th Squadron, said machines went up with pilot passenger, full tanks, tools, and other gear. Arthur Deverell, a Flying Corps mechanic, said the machine dived practically vertically, but slightly on its back. The pilot and pas- senger died in a few minutes after the crash. When asked whether he thought the aero- plane was overloaded, witness said if was a heavy load. This was the first time the machines had gone up under such conditions. He had never seen so much weight carried in a trial flight. Other machines were loaded in the same way. The coroner said they knew that men were ready to take these risks for the sake of their country. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

I THE KING AND HIS TROOPS. The King s.nd Queen visited Aldershot on Tuesday to iuspect his troops there. There were stirring scenes of loyalty. Shortly after their arrival the King and Queen began their motor-car tour of the parade grounds, where several thousand soldiers were assembled. At each ground the King and Queen left their car and shook hands with the commanding officer. Then a mighty cheer came from the men, who waved their hats on high, their enthusiastic farewell to their King. The King was in field-marshal's undress uni- form and the Queen was gowned in white silk.

i RUSH FOR RED CROSS MANUALS. During the past week there has been a phenomenal demand for the British Red Cross Society Manuals, which are the official guides used by the Society in training their helpers. These include a First Aid Manual, Nursing Manual, Training Manual, and Hygiene and Sanitation Manual, The House of Cassell, who publish on behalf of the British Red Cross Society, inform us that the demand for the first-named two is quite exceptional, and they are working at high pressure to cope with the demand which comes from every part of the Kingdom. Ladies requiring correct patterns for making Red Cross garments can obtain same per return post by sending 4d. to Red Cross Pattern Department, 8, La Bello Sauvage, London, E.C.

I HURLED TO DEATH. I A verdict of "Accidental death" was re- turned at the inquest relating to the deaths of William Thomas Stowell, forty-seven, and James McSweeney, twenty-eight, who were killed in the fitters' department at Chatham Dockyard. 'Dhe deceased, who wa6 employed as skilled labourers, were engaged upon th repair of a driving belt. During theW operations Stowell got entangled, and was carried round the revolving shafting. He was hurled with frightful force against the ceiing, both his legs and arms being torn off. McSweeney, in Peking to rescue his com- panion, w? knocked off the platform and had hi? skul fractured.

Public authorities throughout the country arc hurrying forward road-making and oikcr works xo lessen the risk of unemploy- ment. Lord Derby's seat, Knowaley Hall, is to be used as a hospital for wounded soldiers and sailors. It is already fully equipped with 120 beds.

w i RED CROSS GARMENTS. I I HOW TO MAKE AND WHERE TO SEND. ) INSTRUCTIONS AND PATTERNS. I Thousands of w/imen who cannot leave their homes to attend the sick and wounded will be pleased to know how they can give practical service in this time of national crisis. Ther British Red Cross Society require many thou- sands of suitable garments, which can easily be made at home at very little cost. The gar- ments most required are bed jackets, helpless case shirty sleeping suits, men's nightshirts, nurses' aprons, men's dressing gowns, and surgeons' overalls. HELPLESS CASE SHIRT. I To make this correctly you should proceed as follows:— Material Required: 3"} yards white flannel at Is. Olfd. per yard, two fair size linen; but- tons, also a piece of white tape, half aru inch wide. To Out.-T,.ay- the pattern lengthwise with selvedge, and leave half an inch turnings everywhere except wrist of sleeve, where allow for an inch hem. HELPLESS CASE SHIBT. BED JACKET. I To Make Up.—(First take notice that no turnings or facings are to go next the patient.) Turn over on to the outside of right front two inches and stitch down on edge if plain selvedge, if not, it should be torn off and her- ring-boned down. Face the outside of left front with a strip of flannel three inches wide, stitch up and herring-bone down the shoulder and side seams, leaving an opening at the base of the latter of four inches, make a narrow hem on the opening and round the bottom. Stitch up and herring-bone the seami of sleeves-, leaving an opening of five inches at wrist, put a narrow hem on the opening, and an inch hem at the end (no wristbands) and fasten with one button and buttonhole. Fix a two-inch square of flannel squarely on openings at wrist and base of shirt to prevent tearing.. Turn down neck on right side of f shirt and neaten with tape. Stitch on five- pairs of tape strings, one at neck, the others at evien intervals, those on the other at the inner edge of the facing put on. Plaee seam of sleeve in armhole where the cross trace marks are on patterns, gathering the fullness between the trace marks round the top. WHERE TO GET PATTERNS. I If you want a full pattern, properly cut k and stamped on every piece, you can obtain this by return of post on sending 4d. in stamps, addressed: British Red Cross Patterns, 8. La Belle Sauvage, London, E.C., or the full set of eight patterns, with full in- structions, can be obtained for Is. 6d., post free. Garments when completed should be securely packed and sent carriage paid to the British Red Cross Society, Stores Dept., Pall Mall, London, S.W.

I DETACHMENT FOR BELGIUM. I The Red Cross Society has sent out to Belgium an expedition consisting of ten sur- geons, ten dressers, and twenty fully- trained hospital nurses, under the command of Major the Hon. Robert White. The Society are sending out Major Richardson with nis Red Cross dogs (blood- hounds). With Major Richardson is Mr. Cherry Garrard.

MOTOR-CARS FOR THE RED CROSS. I A motor corps has been formed for Red Cross work in Great Britain. The corps is under the supervision of Lord Norreys and Sir Frederick Treves, who ara anxious to hear from owners willing to place their cars at the disposal of the British Red Cross Society, with or without drivers. The can will be used for carrying patients and stores. Owners should address Dept. No. 8, The British Red Cross Society, Devonshire House, Piccadilly. Further offers of extensive accommoda- tion for tho sick and wounded have been made by Lady Glanusk, Lord Rossinore, and Mrs. Irene Osgood. The British Red Cross Society is register- ing offers of help of all kinds, trained and untrained, but wishes to remind those who have made such offers that in doing so they are preparing for contingencies. People who do not hear immediately need not con- clude that their offer has been overlooked. Meanwhile it is hoped that everyone will take steps to place themselves in touch with the Red Cross and charitable associations in their own immediate neighbourhood and to do what they can to mitigate the unem- ployment and consequent distress which is already making itself felt in some centres.

I OFF THE STRENGTH. I The following was issued on Sunday from the War Office, through the Press Bureau: NOTICE TO SOLDIERS' WIVES MARRIED OFF THE STRENGTH.—During the war the regular allowance will be issued in the case of all British units at home, or in the Colonies and Egypt (not India), to wives and families of all noll-commissioned officers and men married off the strength, provided that marriage took place before the date of this notice, August 14, 1914. Women married off the strength should at once write to the officer in charge of the records of their husbands' regiment, giving the soldier's name, rank, regiment, regi- mental number, the date and place of mar- riage, names, ages, and sexes of children (if any). Marriage and birth certificates to be enclosed, if possible, to avoid delay. The paymaster at the station where the record office of the regiment is situated will issue the allowance, and all inquiries as to payment should be addressed to him.

I SENTRY SHOT BY SPY. I Private Robertson, whilst guarding the iviation sheds at Brooklands Aerodrome in the early hours of Sunday morning, was shot By a supposed spy. Robertson asserts that tie challenged the man three times, and then tired. The man, he says, returned the fire im- nediatelv, wounding Ro bertson severely in :he arm. The aerodrome was searched without suc- cess. although a man was seen to disappear in the woods when the motor-car conveying Robertson was going to a hospital.

Summonses against eighty-three motorists were withdrawn at Godalming on Monday as many of the defendants weTe at the front. The American Consul in Berlin has been provided with funds to supply stranded British subjects with money to help them to reach home. The first war prize to enter the Medway- namely, the German barque Neptune, laden with bottles-arrived on Monday at Rochester, the crew of six being detained.

Madonna Lilies.—These lo-aly lilies are .bawn and grown by cottagers everywhere, which is proof that they are free flowering without needing special attention. They do not care for disturbance at the root, but oi't?n when this becomes necessary it is undertaken at the wrong season, and the flowering is affected. Now, and for the next few weeks, is the proper time for transplant- ing, and a very good time for obtaining and planting new bulbs. The Madonna lily is as a rule catalogued under the common name, but sometimes the botanical name—L. can- didum—alone is printed. Hints for the Fruit Growe-r. Plums should be securely protected from birds by means of nets as they commence to ripen, and, in fact, any other fruits such as are and choice apples must be preserved in a similar way. Trees of late varieties that are carrying heavy crops will be greatly bene- fited by receiving applications of weak liquid manure. When specimens are wanted for show purposes, the best fruit should be selected and have the leaves bent back from around them, so that they can become well coloured all Toiind. It is also often neces- sary to tie them on the trees, by securing a piece of raffia around the stalks and tying it to a branch. Summer pruning of apples and pears should be completed by this date, but if not, lose no time m getting the work done, or its effects will be less beneficial. < < Schizanthus.—Between now and the first week of September sow a few pots of this charming annual. When the seedlings are JUISJKO SCHIZ ANTHTT SE3 FOR SPRING. I A, pot of seedlings, too thick. B, pot of seedlings thinned to the five strongest plants. large enough to handle, thin out the weakest, leaving five in a pot. The plants must be kept cool and grown near the light through the winter. » < < Wasps.—Wasps are usually troublesome when ripe fruit is about, but they are not 80 numerous as usual this year. The best way to destroy the nests is by means of cyanide of potassium- An ounce of this chemical should be dissolved in one pint of water; then soak a small piece of cotton wool in the liquid and place this at the en- trance to the nest. The fumes from this will destroy the wasps as they pass in and out. It is also a good plan to pour a little of this preparation into the nest when pos- sible. As cyanide of potassium is a deadly poison, it must be handled with care. A number of wasps can be caught by suspend- ing a bottle partly filled with sweetened beer and water in the fruit trees, as this entices a good many inside, and they cannot escape again. The best way to keep them out of vineries and fruit houses is to cover the ventilators with fine wasp proof netting. Broccoli.—Late varieties may still be planted. If the plants have become leggy, they should be planted with a spade, placing PLANTING LEGGY BROCCOLI. I the bare stem in the shallow trench as shown in the sketch. Fine heads can be cut from plants treated in this manner. The Week's Work.—The flowering season of sweet peas can be prolonged by closely picking off the exhausted blooms, and also any pods which have set and are swelling. Keep the roots moist, and apply liquid manure. Late flowering phloxes will be benefited by copious supplies of water, espe- cially in districts where the long drought has been experienced. When the soil around the plants has become well moistened, assist them further with liquid manure. Protec- tion must be given the dahlias against strong winds by seeing that the principal growths are securely supported, affording such plants as require it additional stakes, and thinning out useless shoots. Herbaceous borders done flowering may have the flower- ing stems cut back. Tall growing plants should have a stake to each strong stem. Do not bunch several together. Clean away weeds and surplus runners from the straw- berry beds done bearing. It is important to give the plants every chance to perfect good crowns for next season.. Forward the ripening of vines as much as possible by using gentle fire heat during unsuitable weather. Keep laterals within bounds. White grapes need all the light possible, but black varieties ripen best under mode- rate shade of foliage. Ventilate freely. Reduce the number of shoots of the apri- cots, and lay in only those required to fill the space without crowding. Leaves cover- ing fruit must be removed or tied on one side. The compost for potting strawberries should be turfy loam broken small, adding one-fifth part of decayed manure, with a four and a-half inch potful each of soot, bonemeal, and wood ashes. Pot firmly, leaving half-inch space for watering. Stand the plants on a firm base of ashes outdoors. In sowing giant rocca onions, thoroughly moisten a piece of ground and make firm. Then draw shallow drills nine inches apart and a quarter inch deep, sow thinly, and cover with fine soil. When the seedlings from the July sowing of cabbages are large enough, prick them out singly on a bed of rich, firm soil. Reserve some good ground for planting finally. It must not be heavily enriched with manure. Sow cauliflower seed thinly in ground not recently manured. Tomato plants that have set a fair quantity of fruit may be stopped. Liquid manure will be helpful in swelling the fruits. < < Sowing Cauliflower.-It is doubtful if the practice of sowing cauliflower in the autumn will be superseded even now that quick maturing varieties are available, which j "turn in" from sowings made in heat early in the year almost as soon as the plants from this sowing, as there is usually some- thing to choose between the heads from the respective sowings. The time for making this sowing naturally varies with the locality. In cold districts the present is about suitable, but in the south and west during the first half of September will be quite early enoufoh. Sow thinly in the open, and when they are large enough prick out the plants four to six inches apart in a frame for the winter.

The Lusitania arrived in the Mersey after making her slowest voyage, this being due to an engine breakdown. The city of Ottawa has given a battery of quick-firing guns mounted on motor-cars for the defence of Canada. A lakh of rupees (about £ 6,600) has been offered, says Renter, by the Maharajah of Bobbili (Madras) towards the expenses of the war. Shortly after returning from a route march a reservist of the Royal Fusiliers, named Robert Parsons, died suddenly at Newport, Isle of Wight. Morpeth Town Council have decided that families of reservists in corporation property will not b3 charged rental while the reservists are on military duty.

I REVOLVER TRAGEDY. I SEAMAN ACCIDENTALLY SHOT. Thomas Henry Hogg, an able seaman, twenty-three, met his death on a vessel at Grimsby under remarkable circumstances. Henry George Warren, a leading seaman, stated at the inquest that deceased, himself, and others were In the fore mess-room of the vessel. Witness gave orders to the men to "turn to," meaning that they were to start the day's work. This included scrubbing the decks in the first instance. He made the remark at the time that if they did not "turn to" he would do something else. He j gaid this because they were not smart enough about it. Witness went to a holster which was hanging up and took a revolver from it. Tie turned round, but did not present it at any- one. As he turned he pressed the trigger and the revolver went off, the bullet passing through Hogg's head. He had no idea the revolver was loaded. There were four revolvers hanging up, but no particular one was apportioned to him. The coroner said he hoped this would be a lesson to witness in future rot to point a pistol at any human being unless it be the enem v. The j'urr returned a verdict of Acci- dental death." and expressed sympathy with deceased's relatives and with Leading Sea- man Warren w ho accidentally fired the shot. The coroner added he was sure the jury ex- tended their sympathy to the officers of the ship.

40.000 RECRUITS A WEEK. The following important statement was, flsued by the Official Press Bureau:— On account of the enthusiasm engen- dered at the outbreak of the war the greatest difficulty was experienced in. dealing with the number of men who rushed to enlist in the Army. The normal recruiting machinery in peace time is devised to meet an annual quota of recruits of about 30,000 men. At tv,? outbreak of war it became necessary for this machinery suddenly to meet a rush of 40,000 recruits within a single week. Large additions to the Staff as well as to recruiting agencies had to be at once devised. These additions have now been made, and the machinery is" begin- ning to ccpe satisfactorily with the re- quirements of the situation. It is hoped that all those for whom facilities were not at once available will again respond to the call to arms and come forward to serve their country by now applying to one of the many recruit- ing oiffces, which have since been opened, and are now in working order, both in London and other large towns as well as thoughout the country districts. Over 7,000 men joined the Army during the twelve hours ended August 14, 1914.

MATCHES AT FIFTY A SHILLING. Less than a hundred year*; ago the only matches on sale in London were cedar splints tipped with a paste of chlorate of potash and sugar. These were sold, at the rate of fifty for a shilling, in little tin boxe.s, which contained as well a bottle of sulphuric acid. Into this bottle the matches had to be dipped, and, on being withdrawn, burst into flame. Truly a complicated busi- ness. The first matches to ignite when rubbed on sandpaper were invented by John Walker in 1827. But they caused so much damage—the heads used to fly off in all directions-that their use was prohibited in France and Germany. Then, six or seven years later, came the invention of lucifers, which were the first matches manufactured with phosphorous. These, like their forerunners, were also sold at the rate of fifty a shilling for a little while, but later dropped to a penny.

TAKING FINGER-PRINTS. At threepence a time prison officials who are specially detailed for the duty make quite a decent perquisite of taking finger I;nlprel"sai. lous of prisoners. If sentenced to a month or over, without the option of a fine, for any serious offence, such as arson, robbery with violence, can- ing, false pretences, sacrilege (robbing a church), embezzlement, and forgery, a. pri- soner must submit to the finger-printing ordeal, except he or she be lucky enough to have been placed in the first division. The outfit is a simple one. A bottle of ink, a metal plate or slab, a roller for dis- tributing the ink evenly over the slab, and a quantity of forms—just plain white paper, with spaces for the various fingers marked on them. The fingers are pressed on the inky plate, then on the paper, first separately, then simultaneously.

MAN'S LIFE FOR LADY'S HAT. In trying to save a lady's hat from fall- ing over a cliff at Lynton (Devon), Mr. W. B. Haynes, of Golder's Green. N.W., who had been staying at Ilfracombe, was kilied. The party were visiting the Vailley of Rocks. When the hat was blown off, Mr. Haynes ran after and caught it, but a. tuft of grass giving away he fell over the cliff, falling 100ft. He was terribly injured.

SCHOPENHAUER AND SUICIDE. A young Russian, named Mayesson, who committed suicide by poisoning himself with coal gas, was stated at the inquest at West- minster to have been very fond of reading Schopenhauer's works. He was, it was said, always talkiug about the worthlessness of life, and the coroner described him as a pessimist who was probably insane.

The oil-tank steamer Leda (6,7U6 tons), owncdhy the German Petroleum Company and representing n. value 0f XIOO,000, has been captured and taken to Bermuda. The Government is still obtaining mino sweepers, and these vessels are leaving Grimsby daily.