Abergavenny Chronicle

I PHOTOGRAPHING IN CLOTH. I You may have admired pictures on cloth pillow tops, but do you know how cheaply and easily they can be made at home? One method is to obtain some blue print powder from any photographic dealer and dissolve a small amount in the required quantity of water. Smooth the cloth to be used on a piece cf board with tacks, or pin or sew it to a sheet of cardboard; either way is satis- factory. Dip a brush in the solution and coat the cloth evenly with it, using long, clean strokes. Place it near a fire so that it will dry quickly, but keep it away from a bright light, either natural or artificial. Take the negative or film to be used and in- sert enough of the cloth ?n the printing frame to accommodate the picture being printed. After exposure dip the cloth in cold water, and while still damp press with a hot iron. Silk, satin, linen, or cotton may be used. The best result is obtained from a pink colour, as pink and blue go well together. One or more pictures may be printed on the same cloth.

I CINCHONA BARK SUBSTITUTE. According to the statements of a traveller who has returned from Siberia, the Helian- thus (species not named, but probably the ordinary sunflower is meant, which is largely grown in JSiberia) is extensively used as a perfect substitute for the unobtainable cinchona bark. The leaves and young stems of Helianthus are extracted with alcohol, and the resulting extract is used by the Siberian peasants as a prophylactic, and also as a remedy, for malaria. This, it is said, has been for many years in use in the fever districts,

Sea ton Delaval Coal Company (Northum- berland) is building for their workmen self- contained houMS provided with baths and front and back gardens. A bid of £ 100,000 was refused at Ruthin for the historic castle and grounds, the pro- perty of the late Colonel Cornwallis West. It was decided at a meeting at the Middle- sex Guildhall, Westminster, to erect a memorial near or in the Guildhall for Middlesex men who were killed in the war. The river monitor Glowworm, which was sunk in the Dvina, Russia, by an explosion in a barge moored alongside, has been re- floated. She was brought back to the Tyne, and left later for Chatham.

I i THIS WEEK IN THE GARDEN. I L "The ripest peach is highest on the tree."—Anon. Perennials.—Just now, every spare nour of daylight should be devoted to the hardy flower borders. First dig or trench and manure the ground, then carefully divide and plant the clumps. Biennials.—The e-rly planting of wall. flowers, Canterbury bells, Honesty, Fox- gloves, Erysimums, Sweet Williams, Core- opsis g-randmora, and other biennials is desirable. The plants then have the oppor- tunity to make new roote in the flowering positions before the cold frosty days of winter. Window Boxes.—Having removed the summer flowers, work in a little fresh soil. In sheltered positions Wallflowers are favourites for window boxes; others prefer Auriculas or a mixture of spring flow ere, including bulbs. For window boxes facing north and east, dwarf evergreen shrubs are, as a rule, most satisfactory. Aucubas, Euonymus, Cupresses, and Thuyas are well liked, these being grown in pote of con- venient size. 1 i n g R h u # # # rliubarb sue- Growing Rhubarb.—To grow rhubarb suc- cessfully, deep cultivation of the soil, liberal annual manuring, and plenty of moisture about the roots during the period of activity are essential. Plant in the open: not close to a hedge, beneath a fruit tree, or in an odd corner. The distance between the crowns should be great. Do not plant any- thing between them at any time. Many people grow fruit trees between the crowns, or clumps. This is wrong and does not help to make your rhubarb succeed. Paeony.—This does not like frequent dis- turbance at the roots, but when the clumps become large and somewhat exhausted, the leaves decrease in size. Replanting is then necessary. October and March are the best seasons in which to do this. A good method of dividing Paeony roots is to place two forks back to back in the centre of a clump; pressed together they divide the clump into two parts. The ground for Paeoiiies should be deeply dug and manured. In planting, do not cover the crowns with more than 2in. of soil. ■* # Drainage.—Fruit growers slouid remem- ber the importance of drainage in successful fruit culture. Where trees are grown on a bank where the subsoil soon carries surplus water away, there may not be much need for draining, but on many sites chosen for fruit one of the first and most important duties would be to drain the land thoroughly. Pruning Bushes.—Frequently gooseberries may be found to have crowded centres, con- taining too much young growth and old branches. So long as they are allowed to remain in this condition they cannot pro- duce satisfactory crops of berries. Thin the middle of each bush if the growths are too thick. Remove hangiltg shoots which are too near the ground, and prune the growths so that the hand can be passed freely among them. Flag Irises.—The common Flag Irises of the Germanica section deserve to be more widely grown in gardens. They thrive in most garden soils and positions, except in heavy shade. This is a convenient time to :ift, divide, and replant the clumps. Spread 1 little decayed manure and leaf-mould ever Lhe ground, to work in round the roots when planting. In addition to the Common Blue Flag, plant the varieties alba, Argus, Crimson King, Kharput, Purple King, and Siwas. All flower during May. B:ceding Heart.—Increase of Dielytra spectabilis, a fine hardy border plant, is by division. It does well in almost any posi- tion, and is more accommcdating than many plants. Those with a cold greenhouse could try it in pots. and will be pleased with the result. Any ordinary potting loam suits it. The pots should be just large enough to hojd the roots. Pot up now, and plunge the pots in ashes, sand, or fibre until it is re- quired to place them in the greenhouse. If early flowers are required gentie forcing will do. After flowering, plant in the open. Secure the roots with well-shaped crowns showing. h a been Apple Allington Pippin.—This has been freely criticised, but its cTopping capacity and healthy habit of growth make it valu- able in many places. It grows and crops well where Cox's is a failure, and though it is not of such fine quality as Cox's and others, it is acceptable enough where these do net succeed. By reason of its heavy crop- ping it is a useful variety for the small grower, and these who have fair samples for sale obtain good. prices. Planting.—In planting young trees 01 bushes make the most of the roots. Do not cut away any healthy fibres, but prune off broken and bruised portions. All hole should be opened wide enough to allow the roots to be placed horizontally, and they should be brought near the surface rather than be deeply buried. Do not allow trees to be out of the ground long when once lifted. If they cannot be put in now they should be placed in a trench and have the roots covered entirelv with soil until they can be properly planted. # # Beans for Seed.-Allow all pods reserved for seed purposes to become thoroughly dry. and the seeds to become quite ripe before shelling: otherwise mouldy seeds result that are useless for sowing. Pruning.—Get on with the pruning of trees and bushes whenever possible. When the open ground is very wet and the soil in bad condition, trees in grass orchards car. have attention. These can have the dead wood taKen out and cankered limbs cut away. oJ Artlehokes.-The tops may now be cut down almost level with the soil, but in view of the importance of having well-grown tubers during severest weather, lifting should not be indulged in too freely while plenty of other less hardy' vegetables re- main. 1 The Japanese Primrose.—Though a per- fectiy hardy plant, there is rn-om for tho Hybrid Japanese Primrose in the unheated greenhouse. Pot up the plants now in Sin. And 6in. wide pots. Grow them for a time in a cold frame or even outside, bringing Lhe plants into the greenhouse soon after hristmas, where they will flower some weeks in advance of fhosc outside. Give ample supplies of water in the new year, ia-' eluding liquid manure. Portu!Zal (?-istr i cts Portugal Cabbage.—In many districts this suffers badly from severe frost. Rather Lhan risk the loss of even a portion of -'Û valuable a crop, the bast-formed head* should now be cut for use. If these arc Let :ut back too hard. and a mild period follows, a crop of nice side-shoots may be expected to push from the stems early in the fear. Turnips.— Fully-grown roots from a sow- ng made in August may now he lifted and -tored in a dry shed, but where good quality .s desired allow them to remain in the rows until the end of the year. Asparagus.-C,t away all top prowth rrom asparagus beds, and take the first opportunity to rid the t»>ds of weeds and :idy up for winter. Withhold all stimulants rom the surface until early next spring. Potatoes.—Whenever opportunity occr.ra iook over all tubers stored in tubs or boxet; :hese are more likely to decay than others standing in sacks. A little attention now 'nay save much disappointment a few weeka lience. Globe Artichokes.—Where these are gro-.v. ng in exposed positions, no time should bd ost before cutting them down to within a few inches of the soil, covering the crowns fvith a good depth of coal ashes immexliattly ifterwards.. Savoys.—These are among the most hardy of the cabbage tribe, often passing through ;1. severe winter unharmed. If any portion of the crop ha^ to be cut, choose specimens which are approaching the "bursting" stage. Such are more likely to be damaged by excessive wet or continued frosts than others still intact t Crocuses in Pots.—These are cheap if bought in quantity, and are rich in colour. They are valuable in the cool greenhouse. They also give much pleasure when grown in a sunny windov Use ordinary light soil, placing five bulbs in 4in. pots and seven or eight bulbs in iiii. pots. Good sorts are. Mont Blanc, white; Sir Walter Scott, v.hite 6triped lilac: I'pryjurea grandiflora, deep purple; Flour voldeD-yellew: John Bright, ,lark '<nrple; and La Maieeteuse, white, striped lilac.

Owing to the shortage of coal in iaris the Prefect of Police has ordered that all cafes and restaurants shall be closed at midnight to save electric light. "And what reply did s he make?" asked the Bristol magistrates' clerk of a witness who said he complained to a woman that her dog had torn his trousers. "She offered to mend them." was the answer. Gold-seekers re leaying Alaska jn in- creasing numbers ior mysterious rich deposits reporteel somew here across tho Behrmg Sea in Siberia.

MIND THAT COLD! I The greatest care should be taken of ? cold, whether it be caught in the winter or summer. It is now stated on medico. authority that the hand is held to be rnainlj responsible ior the communication of the germs. While the influenza germ was tht particular quarry of the scientists, everj other communicable germ is equallv. oi course, eprcad in the same manner. Where glasses are used, as in confectioners' shops restaurants, and public-houses, the usual procedure of cleansing after the customei I drinks is a ha6ty dip into tepid, dirty water a hasty rub with a dirty towel by a persor with dirty hands and finger nails, who thei pI,ace. the glass upon a shelf to be used by the next customer. After the washer-up has finished with it there are usually more germs than those which might have beer, left by the customer drinking from it just before. Doctors Lynch and Cummings, in a report stntc that the common habit of holding tht hand in front of the mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing is condemned. It is true that this, in a measure, serves tc diminish the droplets otherwise scattered in the air, but it is also true that the hand carries away these droplets and becomes in- fected. The proper way to attend to a sneeze or a cough is to hold the handker- chief tightly in front of both nose and mouth and, removing it, fold it eo that the hand later on will not touch the surface which has been over mouth and nose.

Major R. Lloyd George has been demobilised. Mr. Bonar Law hopes the new Irish Bill will be introduced before Christmas. If Bulgaria does not accept the peace terms within ten days the armistice will lapse.

I [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] THE LABOUR MOVEMENT. I By FRED MADDISON. It is not too much to say that there is not a statesman of the first rank in public life to-day who carries equal respect amongst the leaders of organised labour as }1:r Asquith. That does not mean his politic- are at all advanced enough for many oi them. Some who 6peak of him as an anti- quated Whig would be the first to expres- their admiration of his straightforward methods and his great ability. This estima- tion of the Liberal leader adds value to his frank utterance at Aberystwyth about the relations of the Liberal and Labour Parties. Mr. Asquith's words arc worth quoting at some length:—"We Liberals have fought for and on behalf of Labour in the past. It is largely through the efforts and* energies of the Liberal Party that Labour secured the right of unfettered combination which in no other democracy in the world is so fully developed or so freely and effectively prac- tised. We share with them to-day, with our friends of the Labour Party, not a few ideals and purposes which we hope to realise and to achieve in common. Hut I am all against coalitions. They cloud the air and they darken the waters. They are fatal to political independence, and in the long run to political honesty. It is, in my opinion, therefore not only politic but necessary that we Liberals should maintain our separate identity in 'principle and in policy, and so also in organisation and in working." Inside this plain declaration of policy there is abundant room for much bonoura hIe. and fruitful co-operation between tho two parties. [ LABOUR'S MUNICIPAL SUCCESSES. I It was quite natural that Mr. J. H. Thomas, M.P should have made the most of the considerable succors of his party at the municipal elections, especially in Lon- don. There is no mistaking the wave which swept over the Metropolis. The Conserva- tives who sought to disguise themselves as Municipal Reform candidates have met with an overwhelming disaster, but, unfortu- nately, the earnest men and women who have consistently fought them as Progres- sives have not succeeded a'" they deserved. Mr. Thomas thinks that before long Labour will rule the country. If he really believes that he must feel rather anxious as to the future, for no one knows better than does how ill-equipped his party is for such a task, or what disruptive elements it con- tains. In the meantime we shall see how the Labour majorities on the London Borough Councils carry out their responsi- bilities and live up to their election pro- mises. Next time, at any rate, they will have to appeal to the electors on the strength of what they have done—not merely on what they have said. THE D.O.R.A. RULES. Again Independent Liberals and Labour found themselves engaged in common action against this reactionary (Government over D.O.R.A. Fortunately, some Conserva- tives showed their resentment of the attempt to continue the restrictions of war in peace time, but the real downright opposition to the Bill rests mainly with Sir Donald Maclean and his small band of stalwarts and the Labour Party. The moment Mr. Bonar Lay, spoke sharply, the Coalition came tc heel quickly, whereas it left Liberals and Labour quite cold. It is monstrous that a year after the Armistice the Government should cling tenaciously to autocratic powers which may have been justified during the war. but which now reduce us to the level of a Prussian State The right of J search ia maintained, and actually factories and workshops can be exempted from the provisions of the Act of 1901, designed tc benefit the workers. THE CAPITAL LEVY QUESTION. I It seems to me that the refusal of an inquiry into the question of a levy on capi- tal by the Government would have justified the Liberal leader in the House of Com- mons in voting for the Labour amendment. But he was on strong ground in demanding investigation. Whilst as a principle, or form of taxation, Liberals do not object to a capital levy, they see more clearly than most of the Labour men the possibilities of inflicting injustice on quite poor people by a defective scheme. Take an old man or woman who has saved even as much a" £ 2,000. At 5 per cent. this would only bring in £ 100 pei year, or a trifle over £ 2 per week-not more than half a police- man's wages all told. If a proportion of the £ 2.000 were taken a wrong would be done. Nevertheless, a levy on capital can- not be dismissed by a wave of the hand. Inquiry, at any rate, is needed. THE STATE WORKSHOPS AND DOLES. I Mr. Clynes would have the Government meet the unemployment problem by setting up national workshops. He is riglitly con- cerned about the bad effect of the doles still gi ven to civilian workers, and urges that it is work, not out-door relief, which is wanted. Quite true, always provided that the work is not a wasteful expenditure of human energy. Unless State workshops were run on economic lines they would be little more than a variant on the doles. After all, those who have been engaged on munitions have for the most part earned higher real wages than before the war— that is to say, they have had a larger mar- gin for saving after paving for the neces- saries of life. THE SI-LIT VOTE. I Mr. Walter Runciman should be a happy I man. He has won unstinted praise iioin Mr. Philip Snowden, though it is not diffi- cult to see in it an ulterior object. It is the speech at Edinburgh in which Mr. lvuncfiinan pointed out ths tobvious differ- ences between Liberals and the Labour Party, and deprecated any attempt to bide thery that has attracted Mr. Snowden. Surely this is a commonplace of the Liberal platform. But Mr. Snowden's aim is plain. If the two parties are not iden- tical, then what is tne sense of talking about splitting the Progressive vote when a Labour candidate stood for Rusholme? This is all right as a debating point, but as nothing else. Action against the com- mon enemy of both parties may be taken by one of them so as to ensure his defeat without any surrender of independence. At Plymouth a Liberal is standing, though at the last election the Labour candidate now in the field polled more than the Liberal. So Mr. Snowden turns the table and sar- castically protests against this "splitting 01 the Progressive vote." This is all very well. but the fact remains that without some common-sense give-and-take in the constituencies disaster to must ensue. STATE OWNERSHIP OF LIQUOR TRADE. I Now that the Labour Party's campaign for the public ownership and control of the liquor traffic has started, one is curious tc know what Mr. Arthur Henderson's posi- tion is. He had always actively associated himself with the United Kingdom Alliance which, as is well known, is strongly op. posed to State purchase. Has Mr. Hender- son altered his views, and is now prepared to support nationalisation, or is he stand ing aside from his party,'s campaign: Every party politician at some time ci other finds himself unable to agree with the majority of his colleagues on a particulai question of importance, and he has then 2 difficult task in deciding the course he ought to take—whether he should leave hi party or rink his own opinions in deference to the majority. )

TRICKS OF THE ANCIENT. I The priests of ancient Babylonia and Egypt were able t-o work miracles and pre- dict with accuracy future events, for they had a very considerable knowledge of astronomy, enabling them to forecast eclipses and other happenings in the skies. Where magic tricks were concerned, they had developed elaborate apparatus for just ouch purposes. Most jealously guarded was all knowledge of astronomy, and in this connec- tion it is worth remembering that the ancients .worshipped the sun, moon, and stars as gods. Many think that the famous Tower of Babei. principal among the temples of Babylon, was probably crowned by an astronomical observatory; and there seems to be good reason for believing that the Babylonian priests invented some sort of telescope. Knowledge of the mechanical arts was much more highly developed in ancient time-s than we are accustomed to imagine. The use of steam for power is considered a verv modern invention, yet it was so em- ployed long before Christ was born for operating trick machinery in temples, though only in a small way. In the temples of Greece and 5iome such machinery was an indispensable part of the installation. Re- mains of it sufficiently suggestive have been found in the ruit's of some of them. An early Greek physicist, not a priest, describes in detail the mechanical means by which many feats of sacerdotal magic were accom- plished.

While on his way to see a patient, Dr. William Banks, of Falmouth, fell in the street and succumbed. A report that a South Wales shipowner has bought the Moor Line for £ 2,000,000 is denied by a director of Messrs. Runciman, the owners of the line. A steam wagon driver at Lambeth said he earned X5 a day. Old motor-car tyres are being turned into boots at Mexico City. In the Arun, at Pulborough, Sussex, a London angler has caught a 221b. pike. Major-General Sir Thomas Perrott has died, aged 68, at Hambrook Grange, near Chester. Near Middlesex Guildhall, Westminster, a memorial to fallen men of the county is to be erected. General Petain will probably be nomi- nated to the peace-time post of Chief of Staff of the French Army.

THE POULTRY YARD (y) Helpful Hints for "Backyarders." By "COCKCROW." m] I I need hardly remark again that unless one has the lesson of cleanliness deeply en- graved on his memory, one cannot hope to meet with success in poultry-keeping. Just as mankind cannot thrive in dirt and filth, so birds cannot. And at the present time of the year, when good birds are greatly en- hanced in value, it is the duty of keepers to see that the runs and birds are kept per- fectly clean. It is impossible for the birds to keep themselves clean if you do not assist them. Birds that possess vermin of any sort whatever cannot keep in good health and condition. Their growth becomes very quickly retarded. It is always easier by far to keep the insect pests out of a run than it is to get them out once they get in. Therefore, if you have not these pests in the run at present, keep a vigilant look out for them and keep on maintaining your efforts to keep them out. Verinin before now has been known to destroy a whole flock of beautiful birds, and therefore it is evident that rigid steps should be taken to keep them out, and if they do enter the runs and get on the birds greater efforts must be made to eradicate them. "A stitch in time saves nine," especially when one is dealing with the insect pest in connection with poultry. A few hinto on how to eradi- cate the pests 'when they do find their way into the runs will, I am sure, be appreciated by my readers. THE HEN FLEA. I Undoubtedly one of the most horrible pests which trouble poultry is the "heu flea." Why it is called the "hen flea" it difficult to say, fr it is almost identical with the flea that troubles human beings. The activities of this flea are astonishing, and it multiplies at an amazing rate. If it troubles old hens it is bad enough, but if it attacks young birds the result is often disas- trous. Their growth is quickly retarded, and it very often occurs that when a hieken's growth is checked it falls a victim very easily to any form of illness and disease. The amateur poultry-keeper often is at a loss as to how to get rid of the pests, but obviously the first thing to do is to get the house ciean and keep them clean. The flea does not breed on the bird it attacks, but lays its eggs in the houses, in any crevices that. there may be in the walls round the perches, in the nest-boxes, or any such places as those named. The pest usually attacks its prey during the hours of the night, and thus the birds are deprived of their sleep and rest. Their vitality declines and they become ill-looking and very poor specimens. j HARASS THE ENEMY. I No rest should be given to the enemy. He should be attacked relentlessly until he is completely wiped out. Begin your offensive at once, without a moment's delay. The best, most sure, and most satisfactory method of getting rid of the pests is fumi- gation. Attack them in their hiding-places with vigour and tenacity. Keep on the offensive until your enemy is not only sub- dued but destroyed. Show them "no quarter." Fumigate the runs as one would the sick room. The proper way to proceeds, to do this work is as follows: First, remove all dirt and waste litter from the interior ,f the runs. This should all be burnt at once, and not left lying about for a few days. Take all the nest-boxes and perches down, so that the ends are free. All cracks and crevices should be closed up from the outside of the house. Paste them over with strong brown paper. When you are per- fectly sure that no crevices remain open, place an old bucket or similar receptacle containing some live coals on the centre of the floor; over this pour one pound of sulphur or flowers of sulphur. Get out of the house at once, quickly close the door and close up an- crcks that there may bo round the doorway. The house must be left like this for about four or Dye hours, and then the door and windows should bo opened to allow the poisonous sulpiiurous gases Ho escape. Do not enter the house until the fumes of the sulphur have sub- bided. In the meantime prepare a good strong limewash. Add to this a solution, of soft soap and a little dissolved carbolic acid. This mixture should be very thoroughly applied to the interior of the house. Put a plentiful supply in all corners and on th, ends of the perches, etc. You may now 1)1" certain that your poultry house will be free from fleas and all other vermin, and that iit). disease germs remain. It is common for such germs to lurk in dark, insanitary houses. PROFIT-MAKING. I have been asked the question, "What ought to be the annual profit on a henr" This is an important question for all except those fortvoate people who look upon poul- try-keeping as a hobby, and do not care a fig for expense so long as they are provided with congenial occupation. Most of us ever, are not like that, and whether we run a poultry farm or have a run in the back yard we are interested in the matter of profit. As to the cost of the hen's upkeep, it has 4jeen shown that a bird can be main- tained in good condition for about 2d. a week, use being made, of course, cf all available space and free" food. A skill'-ig a year per hen has been considered a reason- able sum to allow for labour, housing ac- commodation, and interest on outlay. if a hen lavs between 78 and 150 eggs in a yoaf she should be well within the profit-main. 14. mark. VILLAGE CLIBS. I have been asked to state that among the village clubs and institutes recently affiliated to the Village Clubs Association are those of Forest Row, Frilsham, Finning- ham, Marton, Podington, and Hinwick. The Association reports that applications for affiliation are now being received almost daily, but only those c'ubs can be accepted whose rules are in accordance with the general principles of the association. These principles cannot be too widely known. They are: (1) "That the club should be the centre of all social activities and of all forms oi physical and mental recreation: (2) that if; should be self-supporting and free from the element of patronage; (3) that all ill. habitants of the village, without distinction of class or opinion, should be eligible for membership; (4) that the entire control d be vestc(,' should be vested in a committee elected either by (a) the members, or 1 b) the mem- bers an d all the residents of the parish, and those within a radius of three miles who would be eligible for membership. THE INQUISITIVE DUCKS. A little laughter now and then for a change is good. So here's a little homoeo- pathic pill for you. A farmer s;iid tu his negro servant: "Jim, have you fed tin Jicrses^c" Y assi r. "What did you feed 'eni?"—"Hay." "Did you feed the cows?" "Yaqs;r." "What did you feed 'em?' "Hay." "Did you feed the ducks?" — Yas- srr." "What did you feed em?"—"Hay/' "Did they eat it?'—" N awsir: dey didn't zactly eat it. so far as I saw, but dey wag talking about it when I lef."

Marshal Petain is shortly to be appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Frcnch Army. The King entertained the members of the Chilean Mission to lunch at BdckiEgluuu Palace.