County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

The Dowager Marchioness of Exeter is staying at Aswarby Park, Lincolnshire, on a visit to Sir George and Lady Whichcote. The Marquis of Exeter has left Aswarby on his return to Burghley House. A good Indian elephant may be obtained for £ 140, while F.300 would "hardly purchase an African elephant. The latter are now very scarce, only five having been browpht to Europe since the year 1880.

NEW FIELD GUNS. I War Office Order Two Test Batteries. I Discussing the War Office tests for guns a military correspondent writes :After exhaus- tive tests, a special Ordnance Committee has decided upon two guns, 121 and 18-pounders respectively, as a test experiment for the Royal Horse and Field Artillery. Messrs. Vickers, Maxim, and Company have accordingly been instructed to manufacture two batteries of the new weapons, which are believed by experts to constitute the most powerful and effective field pieces at present existing. The 121-pounder R.H.A. gun will be a quick-firer, and fire fixed ammunition (i.e., cordite and shell in one brass cartridge). The advantage of this ammunition is that loading can be done in one motion. At the trials it was found that an average of twenty- two shots per minute could be maintained. The recoil checking arrangements are also on a novel plan, and are assisted by the French spade on the trail. Another noveity is a pair of shields, which fit on each side of the gun and protect the gunners at the breech. These can be lowered and used as seats, when occasion demands. The salient features of the Field Artillery weapon are, like the 12|-pounder, an increased velocity and greater effective range, new recoil checking arrangements, greater rapidity of fire and fixed ammunition. In addition it will have a much larger and heavier shell than at present. There will be an addition of 31b. in the projectile," and to make the shrapnel more effective a new time and percussion fuse has been devised. Experi- ments with a new range-finder have been ordered, and great results are expected when the new guns and rangefinder are tried, which it is hoped will be at the autumn manoeuvres. I

A band of tourists was being personally con- ducted through a chateau on the borders of the Loire. "This, ladies and gentlemen, is the room in which the Due de Guise was assas- sinated." "But when I was here this time last year you showed me that room in another wing." "Very likely, sir; but at that time this wing was being repaired." A story told at the expense of a rather pompous individual recently appointed Governor of a distant Colony is going the rounds of the clubs. The pompous one, on the way out to take up his appointment, was approached on the promenade deck by an innocent-looking fellow-passenger, who humbly inquired:—"Would you mind telling me what K.C.M.G. means at the end of your name, sir? It has puzzled one or two of us, and bets have been made on the subject." "Knight Commander of Michael and George, of course," said the pompous one, as he inflated his chest. "Oh," said the innocent, "I've lost my bet. I thought it meant, Kindly call me Governor.

EPITOMt OF NEWS. In the British Isles E5,000,000 is spent yearly on funerals. Sweden's biggest export is timber. She sells £ 5,500,000 worth a year. The Rev. Dr. Clifford has been elected an honorary member of the National Liberal Club. The Government of the United States gives seeds away to farmers c J" year to the value of £ 32,000. The Legislature of New York State has passed a Bill increasing the cost of liquor licenses in c the State by 50 per cent. The agricultural labourer gets, on an average, 16s. KkL a week in England, 18s. Id. in Scotland, and only 10s. Id. in Ireland. An anonymous donor placed a £100 note in the plate at the Filey Parish Church during a col- lection for church renovation. Pledges to attend divine service every Sun- day for twelve months are being taken by mem- bers of a church in Keighley. 11 The German Fishery Union is about to make experiments with petroleum motors for driving auxiliary screws on fishing smacks. There are now on view at the British Museum the native ornaments collected by the Prince and Princess of Wales on their Colonial tour. The Bishop of London has arranged to visit several of the foreign chaplaincies which remain under the jurisdiction of the See of jondo^i. A locomotive twenty tons heavier than any British engine has been placed on the Caledonian Railway. Its tender carries five tons of coal. An epidemic of small-pox has broken out at Bergamo, in Lombardy. It has already attacked eight communes, and fifty cases are reported. The Czar of Russia is the largest individual landowner in the world. The area of his posses- sions is greater than that of the Republic of France. Dr. Crum, the newly-appointed coloured Col- lector of Customs at Charleston, South Carolina, has assumed office. There was no disturbance of order. Because a Berlin hotelkeeper knew how to pre- pare Prince Chun a dish of "chow," the Chinese Order of the Two-Headed Dragon has been bestowed on him. By means of storing the motive power in the wheels of the mono-rail electric car, an Italian engineer claims to be able to attain a speed of 125 miles an hour. The latest bicycle sensation, which comes from America, consists in an imitation of the move- ments of a squirrel in a cage, and is said to re- quire considerable nerve. Disasters have been unusually frequent this season among the German steam trawlers en- gaged in the herring fishery in Icelandic waters. Seven vessels have been lost. The boxes bearing the number 13 in the Opera House and the Burg Theatre in Vienna have been renumbered, on account of the difficulty ex- perienced in disposing of them. Ladies are largely employed in London in rent- collecting, earning commissions of 4 and 5 per cent. One lady is responsible for rentals amount- ing to about £ 27,000 per annum. A bootblack at Rochester, New York, who re- fused to clean the boots of a negro, was com- pelled by the State Court to pay a fine of £ 20 and clean the boots into the bargain. A competition to settle the question of how much beefsteak a man could eat at one sitting was recently held in America. Although seven of the greatest steak eaters of the New World were present the record was not beaten, but, nevertheless, the competitors proved themselves valiant trenchermen. The first of the competi- tors to fall out of the race acknowledged himself beaten after he had eaten four pounds, the second after five pounds, and the third during the sixth pound, but the last had eaten seven and a quarter pounds before he gave in. The record so far is ten pounds of steak, but the holder of this record died not long ago. It need hardly be said that he did not live to a very great age. The flower medium case, which has been amus- ing Berlin, is a very old tale retold. The trick has been exposed again and again in this country and in France. It is sleight of hand and the assistance of a confederate, and nothing more. When the house in London, for a long time occu- pied by the notorious medium Home, came again into the hands of its landlord, he determined to make a good many internal alterations. The surveyor, in going over the house, discovered that it had several artfully concealed traps in the floors of the sitting-rooms, and as many sliding panels as a manor house in comic opera. With sliding panels and trap doors it is not diffi- cult during a dark seance to produce ghostly manifestations. Lord Wenlock, who was the Prince of Wales's chief of staff on the occasion of his historic tour of the Colonies, was a schoolfellow and chum of Lord Rosebery when both were boys at Eton. One of their escapades was to spend a runaway afternoon together at Ascot. The plot was skil- fully concocted. At a lonely spot a vehicle was to wait for them and the driver was to provicje false whiskers and moustaches. Unfortunately the whiskers and the vehicle did not arrive, and the runaways were compelled to abandon the dis- guise. They went, however, running the eight miles almost without stopping on the hottest of June afternoons. After seeing one race they had to scamper back, and managed to reach their rooms without being found out. It is Miss Eva Moore who tells a very pretty story illustrative of the kindness of heart of Mr. J. L. Toole, the veteran actor, who recently en- tered on his seventy-fourth year. She was tour- ing in the great actor's company, and had the misfortune to have her week's salary—it was only £stolen. "During the next week," says Miss Moore, "I received a letter with postal orders for C2. It wa.s signed A Flyman.' The writer said that the recollection of my face and its misery at the loss of the money had so come home to him that he could not rest until he had made restitution. He sent R,2, and added that the next week he would send the other FI. The next week the other Yl did come to hand, but it was several weeks before I learned that the fly- man was a myth, and that it was Mr. Toole him- self who had sent me the money." Dr. Edgar Sheppard, Sub-Dean of the Chapel Royal, St. James's, is perhaps the only clergyman in London who composes the greater part of his sermon in Hyde Park. Go any morning between half-past nine and half-past ten to the neigh- bourhood of the Serpentine, and you will most likely meet Dr. Sheppard, a somewhat portly figure, walking abstractedly across the green- sward in the direction of St. James's Palace. He is making his daily journey from his house to his little office adjoining the King's Chapel, and as he strides on he mentally notes down the "heads" and "points" of the following Sunday's discourse. When he reaches his destination, he will jot down a phrase, a simile, or a quotation; and could you see the notes you would be reading some- thing that probably formed part of a sermon to be preached before Royalty. Every cricketer knows that Lord Hawke is a splendid captain and a real good fellow, with- out an ounce of "side," who, if he insists upon others "playing the game," is always careful to play it himself. But only those who have en- joyed his hospitality, of the true Yorkshire type, at Wighill Park, know something of his devotion to his mother. This breezy athlete, the type of a robust and manly Englishman, whose careless- ness of speech might suggest lack of strong feel- ing, is the gentlest and most affectionate of sons, who does not permit even his passion for cricket to come before his regard for Lady Hawke. Anxious as he was to accompany his team to Australia, and eagerly as he reads the latest in- telligence of their successes or failures, he un- hesitatingly, at the last moment, abandoned the trip because of his mother's illness. There is no present likelihood that she will be superseded by her son's wife, though the Yorkshire captain cannot yet be considered by any means a con- firmed bachelor. Rhosllanerchrugog Male Choir has been chosen zzl to sing at Wrexham next month before the Prince: of Wales. » To a girl of sixteen at Sunderland a separation order has been granted against her husband, aged eighteen. Of the sixteen persons now on the Leeds black list nine are women, one of them being but nineteen years of age. While the choir boys of St. Anne's, Moseley, were at singing practice, all their overcoats, hats, and umbrellas were stolen. One giave source of the propagation of con- C, sumption lies in the church communion cup, declares a Scottish medical officer. After being struck on the head whilst fencing with sticks, a young County Down farmer named Weir has died a raving madman. The Llanfyllin guardians have decided to give a shilling to every tramp who will submit to vaccination. The Dolgelly guardians are giving half-a-crown. Since losing his sight, Mr. Ira Sankey, the- Evangelist, has received many generous offers. His son now announces that though not rich, Mr. Sankey is in no need. A game of baccarat which was begun in one of the Paris clubs at five o'clock on a recent Monday afternoon, was kept up without intermission until seven o'clock on Tuesday evening. The rise in the rateable value of the City of London is steady and continuous. To-day, says the "City Press," the gross value is £ 5,992,938; as against £ 5,890,020; and the rateable value zC4,970,911, compared with £ 4,888,378. The Admiralty has definitely decided to adopt the French grey colour as the official war painfj for all the vessels in the navy. This decision has been arrived at after prolonged experiments with various tints, but French grey is the colour which renders a vessel the least conspicuous and renders it a difficult target to hit. Every year thousands of drawn money orders are not paid. Those to whom they are made payable for some reason fail to present them- selves at the paying office, and the money reverts to the Government after one year has elapsed.. Last year the department realised nearly, F.100,000 from this source. Civil uniforms are, in some instances, highlg expensive. The Prime Minister's full-dress embroidered coat costs £76 10s.—quite enough: for a garment that is so seldom worn. Thef embroidered tunic of a lord-lieutenant of a county costs -218 9s. 3d., a City lieutenant's uniforIIl coming to a little over that sum. The male students of the Syracuse High School have struck against the diet supplied them., They assert that "chocolate eclairs and cream! puffs are not the food for athletic students to liva upon." Carrying buckets and banners, anct headed by a band, they have paraded the town! ind demonstrated in the quadrangle of their, school. A remarkable instance of how a collier was- saved by a rat is reported from a North Wales colliery. The collier was boring under somef coal, and was startled by seeing a rat scuttling away. Somewhat frightened he walked away, and directly afterwards a large fall of coal occurred just over the spot where the man had? been working. The town of Ham, in France, possesses an old lady of seventy who has just learned to read and write. Ashamed at her advanced age of her; complete ignorance, she went to the villagei schoolmaster and asked him to teach her. A few? weeks enabled her to master the drudgery, and she can now read the newspapers and write an1 ordinary letter. { Amongst the curiosities of the history of tha licensing laws of this country is an entry in one of Southey's commonplace books under date 1835:—"The parsonage house in Langdale," haf writes, "was licensed as an ale-house, because it was so poor a living that the curate could not otherwise have supported himself. Owen Lloyd,. who now holds the curacy, told me this." There is a story told of a Boston clergyman' who once gave his congregation something like a start. He arrived at the church one Sunday morning when there was a couple to be married! after the service. The minister made the announcement in this way "The parties that are to be joined in matrimony will present themselves immediately after the singing of the hymn, Mis- taken Souls that Dream of Heaven. < Ex-President Kruger spends his days chiefly in sleeping, smoking, and reading the Bible. He gets up at. five a.m., and at half-past eight p.m.- goes to bed and sleeps until eleven, when he has a cup of coffee. At one he is again roused and eats some fruit. He is not allowed by his doctors to sleep for more than a couple of hours at a time, and, except for his cup of coffee, they permit him to drink nothing but milk. The Post Office Telegraphic Department have been experimenting for some time between Glasgow and London with a typewriter, an electrical instrument which, attached at the- receiving end of the wire, delivers messages transmitted by the Wheatstone system at a rate of upwards of 160 words per minute, typewritten in ordinary fashion on folio sheets. The experi- ments are said to have been attended by com- plete success. A district police captain in New York raided a progressive euchre party, where over 200 women were playing. The proceeds were to be devoted to a charitable entertainment, but the officer was relentless, and, in spite of the chorus of screams, arrested every woman on the premises. He gave as the reason for his action the opinion that "these euchre parties are really poker games in sheep's clothing." One of the most prominent of Glasgow's citizens is Lord Overtoun, the millionaire philan- thropist and evangelist. For some tniriy-four years now he has carried on a Bible-class at which some 500 young men attend regularly each Sunday. As a preacher and evangelist he is much in demand, and frequently takes the chair at Exeter Hall meetings, especially in con- nection with Y.M.C.A. gatherings. Brooklyn police have been looking out for- weeks for two burglars who have committed numerous robberies. They were taken red- handed in the act of abstracting silver-plate from a house, and turned out to bo two boys', aged ten and seven respectively. They proved to be adepts in the cracksman's art, and their, very diminutiveness enabled them to break into houses which a full-sized man could not attempt. They are said to be part of a gang under the tutelage of a "Fagin." There has been a rumour at Berlin that the Grand Duchess of Hesse may very likeiy marry a German Prince of the highest rank and of very large fortune. The Grand Duchess is so hand- some and clever and lively—such "good com- pany"—that she is regarded as certain to marry again before long. The Duchess Marie was strongly opposed to her daughter's marriage with the Grand Duke Ernest, because they are first cousins, but Queen Victoria was most zealous for the match, and Duke Alfred also favoured it. It is conceivable that a sermon may have a legitimate commercial value of its own, and Queen Alexandra has lately sent out cheques for £ 15 each to two charitable institutions, the money being the product of a year's sales of a sermon preached before her Majesty at Sandring- ham. The sermon was preached ten years ago, and was printed by command of the Queen for the benefit of the Gordon Boys' Home and the British Home for Incurables, which have received from this source altogether more than £ 1,500. The woman of to-day is by no means content to smooth the pillow or the aching brow of the sufferer in the wards of our great hospitals.. She plays a much more important role. Two of our London hospitals, Charing Cross and the Royal Free, have princesses as presidents of their courts of governors. The Royal Free Hospital is, indeed, "mannedmainly by women, if the paradoxical expression may be allowed. Besides its Royal lady president, it has appointed women as resident and visiting physicians, its wards have long been recognised as the chief clinical school for women medical students in London, and a lady medical electrician has been placed in charge of its lately installed Rontgen ray- apparatus.

FIELD AND FARM. 1 Basic Srag. Tha high value of this manure- for grass land imd corn is well established (as Prof. John Wrightson authoritatively says In the "Agricul- tural Gazette"). It is generally thought that it should be applied in the autusm, like all the less soluble mineral manures. Its success when drilled with turnips, rape, and other root crops indicates that it is quickly assimilable, for no class of crops require their food in so prepared a state. The behaviour of a crop is a safer t2-st even than analysis and when a fertiliser can be relied on to produce a; marked increase on rape or swedes, it proves conclusively that the plants can absorb it. Prof. Wrightson says he has never hesitated to a.pply basic slag to root crops, nor grudged an extra hundredweight or two be- yond the usual dressing of superphosphate. The cinder is rich in phosphoric acid, in a condition in which it is likely to exert a permanent benefit upon the land, and it gives a strong phosphatic backbone to the soil. Applying Nitrate. Nitrafe of soda is best applied immediately before the period of rapid growth, which takes place in April, May, and June. The amount used should be from 1 to 1-J cwfc. per acre, and there is no advantage in going beyond these quantities. It is a mistake to apply it to a thin plant, as such crops are in no danger of starvation, and the dressing ia sure to encourage weedy growth. The crop which benefits most is one in which there is a regular plant which is rather pale. This light green colour is an indication of want of nitrogen, or rather of nitrates, in the soil. An excess of mineral food, and an insufficient supply of nitro- genous food, is always marked by a pale green colour. Similarly, a gross black-green colour ia a sure indication of excess of nitrogen, and a crop in -adiich the colour is healthy, and not too florid, if one may so speak, indicates a proper apportion- ment of mineral and nitrogenous element. What the Wheat Sooks like. As a rule, the wheats are strong and healthy in o colour, but patchy in too many cases, and seri- ously gappy in places. It has been suggested that the seed, gathered in a wet harvest, was not sound enough to germinate well, and this is a probable explanation. But the "Agricultural Gazette" is disposed to believe that defective planting is at least as much due to the wet and sunless weather of the late portion of the autumn and part of the winter, which caused a good deal of the seed to rot in the ground. The rainfall alone would not have done so much mischief if there had been a normal aaount of sunshine; but as there was hardly any, the soil was kept constantly wet. One of the most curious results of the season is to be noticed in a district where the broadcasting of wheat is common. There some fields are to be seen in which the wheat is growing thickly in largish tufts, with bare spaces between them. Scour in Cnlves. The following practical hints for the preven- tion and cure of white scour in calves are de- duced from a leaflet sent out by the Irish Agri- cultural Department:—The floors of cow-houses and calf-houses should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected at least once each week with a solution of blue-stone (21bs. blue stone to every 3 gallons of water required). The floor of the calf-house should be of concrete, and must be swept daily and disinfected with a solution of blue, tone of the above strength. When the cow is about to calve place a good layer of clean fresh hay or straw behind her to keep the calf clean. When she shows signs of calving her "bearings" should be washed with a warm 2 per cent, solution of lysol in rain water. The same warm solution of lysol should be injected into the passage through which the calf is to be born. The navel cord should be tied immediately at the birth of the calf with twine, which must be kept ready in a solution of lysol. The per- son who is to tie the cord should first scrub and wash his hands in a solution of lysol. Imme- diately th3 cord is tied the portion adhering to the calf and the surrounding area must be well painted with a solution of iodine in methylated spirits (35 grains iodine to 2 pints methylated spirits). After a few minutes the navel cord must be painted with a layer of collodion con- taining 1 per cent. of iodine, or Stockholm tar may be used for this purpose instead of collodion and iodine. Navel treatment without repeated and absolute disinfection will not be successful. "Pothery" Sheep. The term "pothery" is, in some districts, ap- plied to sheep that are affected with diseases of the brain, caused by the presence of cysts or a cyst, which is a membranous bladder containing a more or less clear fluid. This cyst or bladder is really one stage of the life-cycle of a tapeworm, which attains its mature or adult form in the bowels of a dog, where it is known as the Tcenia coenurus. The segments or "joints" of this tapeworm, containing numerous eggs, pass from the bowels of the dog as he runs about pastures, etc., and the eggs being liberated from the seg- ment are picked up by sheep, pass into the stomach, and the embryo being hatched and pro- vided with a boring apparatus, bores its way into a blood-vessel; it is then carried by the blood stream to the brain, where it again bores its way through the vessel avails and penetrates the brain substance, where it develops into the cysts or bladder before mentioned. If one of these cysts be carefully examined, a number of white projec- tions will be found attached to the cyst-wall; these white nodules are each one capable of de- veloping into a tapeworm if eaten by a dog, so that one egg may, under suitable conditions, give rise to a host of tapeworms. The cyst, as it exists in the brain of the sheep, is called Coenurus cerebralis, and common names for the condition to which it gives rise are "gid," "sturdy," "turnsick," etc. The remedy is to prevent a, dog harbouring these tapeworms fro-rr. getting on to pastures, etc., where the sheep feed. A "pothery" sheep can only be cured by an operation, and this is by no means always successful. Fowls on the Farm. There is in the course of the breeding season a, considerable waste owing to the number of eggs put down for incubation and failing," for one reason or other, to produce a chickeii. It is worth while to consider the causes of this— whether it is not possible to reduce the number. The first thing in making up a. breeding •pen is to select the most healthy and vigorous birds than can be found. Every farmer should make up one breding pen out of the birds on the farm, selecting the best, mat- ing them judiciously, for by this means the quality of his birds can bo improved. Best is a wide term, but of course much depends on the object aimed at—eggs or table poultry. If the latter, big hens of a Dorking type, should bb selected, and mated with an Indian Game, Fa- verolle, or an Orpington cock. If eggs are wanted, the best layers on the farm, irrespec- tive of breed, should be picked out, and mated with a cock of any of the laying breeds, but a Leghorn or Houdan for choice. The cock should be pure bred, it does not matter so much ? bout the hens but pure-bred stock sell so much more readily and at better prices than cross-bred, that it is worth the farmers' consideration whether keeping and breeding nothing but pure-bred stock will not answer best in the long run. The Breeding Pen. A simpie plan of making a bredmg pen is to choose a sheltered corner and enclose as much of It as a 50-yard roll of netting will embrace a Etaall breeding pen is harmful and increases the likelihood of unfertile eggs. As to num- bers, for big fowls four or five hens are enough in the pen for the lighter breeds about double the number and if the birds are at full liberty f half 3 many more can be given. When egqs i come unfertile the male bird is usually blamed, but it is quite possible that, though he looks well and vigorous, he is really starving l-ir-self out of gallantry. He should be watched at fold- ing time to see if he eats properly, and if he di es not he must be fed by himself, for unless he is adequately fed there will bs a large percentage of unfertile eggs. But if the bird is fairly plump, and yet the pen shows a large percentage of un- fertile eggs, another cock should be substituted, and this is when a reserve bird in so uHful, for valuable time is often wasted, in procwii'.g HIlI necessary sufcgti Jute, 4

GARDEN GOSSIP, I ONIONS.—Finally complete the planting out of autumn sown Onions. Lightly stir the soil be- tween the rows of those earlier planted, and give a slight dusting of soot. Plant out seedlings from boxes. LETTUCES.—Plant out seedling Lettuces I aised in a cool house. As the rows of outdoor sown Lettuce advance in size thin the plants. Succes- sional beds may be formed, sowing both Cos and Cabbage varieties. Hoe among the winter Let- tuces to promote growth. RATS IN THE GARDEN.—In enumerating the damage done in gardens, writers invariably omit to mention rats; yet in sheds, vineries, and store- rooms their destructiveness is notorious. Those I troubled with these vermin should try the follow- ing recipe: Take three parts of flour and one part of unslaked lime, very finely powdered, and mix well together, and place the mixture in the usual haunts. Destruction is a certainty if a pan of water is kept near. A PLEA FOR SWEET SULTANS.—In our hardy annuals we have many that are of great beauty in the flower border, and their value is further enhanced when we take into account the service that they render to us when cut. The subject of this note is an old and worthy one, though less known than formerly. Now, whilst thought is being given to seed growing, the Sweet Sultan might advantageously be given a trial, sowing in the open air. The white variety is very pretty and is beautiful for cutting, and, like the other sorts, lasts well. BEDS OF PERENNIAL Poppirs.-Cardeners will find great comfort (remarks a lady florist, M. Hawthorne) in the possession of a few well-filled beds of perennial Poppies, for if these are well arranged they will be attractive from early summer until late autumn. Especially suited are they to exceedingly sunny and exposed gardens of light soil. The centre piece of one bed may be a group of five plants of the vivid scarlet, black spotted Oriental Poppy; the five put in a circle if the bed is round, one in the middle, and four crosswise in a square—or a row, instead of a group, if the bed is border shape. Next to these may be placed white IceLmd Poppies —Papaver nudieaule is chased as a biennial, by- the-by—a good wide belt of them preferably. This can be followed by a belt of the orange Iceland, then by a narrower line of the lemon, the edge of all being made of P. Alpinum album, the snowy Alpine Poppy, that only grows six inches high, and, like all its relations, possesses beautiful foliage. Another bed can be all red and white, made by using for the necessary tall plants some P. bracteatum, which are 3-footers, scarlet and black -1 spotted, surrounding these with white Icelands, then with the 1-foot pale scarlet P. rupifragum, and having an edging of P. Alpinum album as before. (The P. bracteatum continues flowering later than do the Orientals, so some might well be added to the centre filling of the other bed). The pale rose P. Alpinum roseum will edge lemon Icelands very prettily, or always look charming with the white. Another Poppy that should be used is P. Califor- nicum (1ft.), with glowing orange flowers. Then there is P. pilosum, of an apricot salmon shade, 2ft. high. When named varieties of Oriental Poppies are to be purchased the gardener will find that he has a further choice of colour, and among the tiny Alpines there are orange, yellow, and fringed" sorts, in addition to the rose and the white already mentioned. Epos, SEEDS, FRUIT, AND INSECTS.—At seed raising and fruit ripening time the gardener gene- rally declares war to the knife against all the feathered tribe, and indiscriminately destroys any- thing with wings and feathers which ho can lay I hands upon. Fortunately for him, the objects of bis dislike are generally well able to take care of themselves) and escape, to return another time and do their persecutor a kindly turn for his ill-meant attacks. "A kindly turn is written advisedly, for though it is true that seeds and fruits suffer somewhat severely at times from the toll levied upon them by certain birds, yet it is un- I doubtedly true that there would be no fruit in many cases upon which to distrain were it not for the good work done by the toll gatherers at seasons when the seeds were in the seed bag and the fruits not yet emerged from their protecting buds. The insect pests of garden crops are ex- ceedingly numerous — how numerous only the trained entomologist knows and he would be the last person to advise the destruction of birds, as he also knows their powers of destruction in the insect world. I came across a calculation in an old periodical recently which one of these patient investigators had made in regard to birds and insects. Taking the average bird's nest as containing four young birds, he reckoned that some 200 caterpillars or other insects would be required daily for their sustenance. As these young birds would be fed for about four or five weeks, they would consume about 6000 caterpillars before quitting the nest and foraging for themselves, when, of course, the number they would devour could not be ascertained. A caterpillar eats buds and blossoms to the extent of its own weight daily, but supposing it to account for only one bud per day, it follows that the 6000 caterpillars devoured by that one nest of birds would have destroyed some 200,000 embryo fruits had they been allowed to work their own sweet will. Of course there are numerous side issues which bear upon this relation of birds to cater- pillars, but when it is remembered that birds also eat myriads of weed seeds, slugs, snails, &c., all that can be said on the other side of the question should not prevent the gardener from looking with a more tolerant eye upon his feathered friends. BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS FOR SHADE. Mimu- luses have often proved a stumbling-block to the amateur grower; but he is not alone, for there are other persons who have the necessary knowledge, yet through neglect fail to obtain a stock of healthy plants. Mimuluses are most serviceable, for they will grow and flourish where other sub- jects cut but a sorry figure. For instance, one is puzzled to know what to plant on a cold north border to bloom freely and be a source of pleasure. Let me advocate the claims of Mimulusps for the purpose. They can be obtained in great variety, for there are many select strains. There is a so-called double form, and the curious hose-in-hose variety, so that there are plenty to choose from. Cultural details are simple, but they must not be neglected, for the growth of the plants is so succulent that if checked they never really recover themselves. Seed should be sown now. This is rather delicate work, for the seed is so fine that if care is not exercised the would-be grower finds he has sown his crop rather more thickly than he usually sows his Mustard and Cress. As soon as the seedlings appear, give them cool treatment. This is most important, for if they are kept in a warm house woe betide the crop; damping sets in, and they become drawn and useless. The box or pot must be kept in a cool house or frame, quite close to the glass, and in a position where the plants can obtain plenty of air; then they develop as sturdily as young Cabbages. They can be pricked off "into boxes, and when large enough transferred to pots; for bedding purposes the well-known sixty" is large enough. A compost of loam, leaf soil, and Band suits them best, but it must not be very light, or they grow tall. A few pots for the greenhouse, or for windows that get little sun, are not to be despised. In the open ground they like a rather heavy soil and partial shade, with plenty of water in hot, dry weather.

OUR SHORT STORY. THE FRUSTRATION OF FELIX FARREN. A Quarry Romance. I "What is this country coming tQ," demanded old Peter Bonson savagely. when men earning 9 Z, good money turn up their noses at it just to spite their employer ? What is to be the end of it 1 Tell me that, Felix." His nophew and heir, Felix Farren, to whOrl the question was addressed, shrugged his shou$ers, then solected a fresh cigar from the box Reside him before answering. I can't see, myself," he said coolly, where the country comes in; 1 rather expect you will suffer first, sir." Don't be a fool," retorted his relative sharply, the other's cynicysm jarring upon his temper; you know very well what I mean. If you have any advice to offer, let me hear it. If not, hold your tongue." Felix lit the cigar he had selected, then turned to his uncle. As I understand the position," he said quietly, the men have struck work just as the powder chamber is all but complete ?" Mr. Bonson nodded. Exactly," he assented, and the beggars know I've issued invitations to all the big-wigs interested to witness the greatest blast ever fired at one time not a pick will they lift now, they say, till I grant their tern.s." "Hemarkable 'cute of them," commented Felix Co but who put them up to it ? That kind of thing isn't taught by the School Boards, you know." I only wish I knew," ejaculated the older man, breaking out into a torrent of vituperation. If I could lay hold of the man who has put them up to it, I'd make him squirm, I promise you." "It must be someone with inside information," suggested Farren meditatively who can it be ?" So person here except Mather and myself know of the date of the blast," answered the quarry master, or of the invitations, and Mather would not talk." I Sure ?" queried the other, as though in doubt. "Now," he continued, it's a queer thing that before the men stopped I strolled up one day to the works, and heard there all about it." "Who from?" Several of them spoke of the great doings z;1 coming on; and they all said Mather had put it about." Mr. Bonson thought for a moment. If that is so," he answered, looking his nephew in the face, I'd discharge him to-morrow, only Only why ?" queried Felix, noting the pause. I must hare a manager, and there is no one who could fill his place at short notice." That need not trouble you, sir." Farren said ] quickly. I was trained to the business, and you could fail back on me now I'm at home again it would only be a small return on my part for all your gooencss. I should only like to make one stipulation." What is that ?" asked Mr. Bonsor, evidently relieved. I should not have called it a stipulation, it is rather a hope, that if I do this pu will withdraw your objections to my marrying Nora Westall." It was diplomatically put, and Mr. Bonson yielded. Well," he replied with some heartiness, sho is not so high as I looked for you, my boy; but she is A good girl, a real good girl, and your offer shows the right stuff in you. Go in and win. I'll go now and send Mather about his business." Bonson's quarries were the pride of -Bridgeford. The stone from them had gone towards the creation of some of the greatest engineering works in the kingdom, as well as abroad; whilst the tremendous blasts by which, every year or two, thousands of tons of material were torn from the mountain side were sights which filled the little town with dis- tinguished visitors. Therefore the quarrymen's strike on the eve of such an event astounded the neighbourhood, and when, in addition, there came the news that Harry Mather, the young enigneer who managed the quarries, had received his dismissal, gossip was rife as to the cause. Only to Nora Westall did Mather himself vouchsafe information. It is some dirty trick," he told her with y evident feeling, for Mr. Bonson accused me of tampering with the hands, a thing I had no motive for doing. But who can have played it ?" Nora—the daughter of a farmer near the quarries looked up anxiously towards the speaker. Who, indeed ?" she reiterated indignantly." Did you ask Mr. Bonson who it was had been carry- ing tales ?" I did; and he said he never listened to tales that he judged for himself." The girl was silent, and the other continued, with more hesitation. "Nora," he recommenced, 1; you don't know, you cannot know, what this means to me." You will easily get another place," she answered evasively you are clever and so well known." Mather shook his head. Perhaps," he answered, although a man turned out as I have been will not suit everyone but it is not that. Can't you guess Nora ? Perhaps the girl could tho engineer had not been coming about her father's house as he had been without impressing her. However, her averted face told him nothing, nor did she speak. It is because of you, Nora, dearest; because I it must take me away from being near you. I had meant to speak sooner," his words were hurried I now, but I was afraid. Nora, will you be my WJte r They had been walking in a quiet lane, and as lie ended he stopped to face her but she drew away from him, holding up her hands as though to ward him off. "Don't," she answered, and her voice was very low. I cannot listen, it is not right." 'I- But," he began expostulatingly, "don't you love me, don't you-" Stop she broke in upon his pleading with a gesture against his urging; yesterday, only yesterday, Felix Farren asked me-and," the girl faltered, -1 I promised. I did not think you- you cared for me that way, and father advised it." Her voice died out in what was almost a moan, and for a space there was tiiad silence. It was Mather who broke it. "Icannot blame you," he said tensely; "the fault is mine for i-iotspealiing sooner. But—and if I am wrong you will say so—I know now you care for me, and for me only. Therefore he shall not have you. I shall not give you up," the speaker ,a,dfled tiirougli his clenched lips, The girl's eyes met his, the pain in them showing also in the words with which she answered him. I shall not marry Felix now," she said; no," she went on as Mather sprang forward, nor you either I cannot take back my word, save not to marry at all." Mr. Bonson had every reason to be gratified with the appointment of his nephew in Mather's place. By means which the quarry owner did not think it necessary to enquire into the former per- suaded the quarrymon to resume work the great powder-chamber was duly completed, the powder, in kegs and bags, stowed into it, and the entrance closed, save a passage just sufficient to permit of a man crawling in or out. In this were laid the wires by which the charge was to be fired, and these were led to an electric battery, placed on a knoll in front of old Westall's house, which happened to command a full view of the portion of the hillside underneath which the explosive power was to be exerted. Mather had been absent during the time these preparations were in progress, but on the morning fixed for the great blast he returned to Bridgeford, and strolled up to tbe scene of his former employ- ment. At the entrance to the quarry he met Farren. The two had been friends, and Felix chose to ignore the fact of any difference having i arisen between them. "Good-morning," he greeted the new comer pleasantly, so you're on the spot to see the big blow-off—and you are the very man I wanted." Pity your uncle didn't keep me, then," retorted the engineer, still sore from the treatment he had received. Nonsense!" laughed the other, "you are too gOOd-nPtllred A chap to bear ill-will for what I I don't mind saying was the ole man's bad temper. rminaregularfix. "How's that ?" queried the engineer, Bomewhat softened by this explanation. I'm not absolutely certain of these fuses inside —they seem all right, but I'd like another man's opinion. Would you mind having a look afc them ?" Mather's professional instincts were roused; after all, the planning and the greater part of the preparations had been his, and their success or failure would, he knew, be largely ascribed to him by those technically interested. £ I don't mind." he answered with some alacrity have you a lamp ?" There is one at the gallery entrance," replied Farren; come on-there is no one about yet." The two climbed together up towards where a heap of debris showed below the entrance to the mine,into which Farren led the way, first lighting the safety lamp of which lUtd spoken. "There," he said, as Mather followed him into the narrow vacant space left in the powder chamber, "you see where I've planted the wires—would you have them lower down ?" As he spoke he held the light to throw its dim rays over the piled powder. Mather stooped to examine the spot indicated, and a moment after felt his arms pinned to his side by the coils of a rope his companion had caught up and thrown over his head. Then came a backward jerk, and the engineer lay helpless with the other's knees on his chest, whilst the rope wig rapidlywotiiid round his legs. Farren stood up to throw the light on his victim. "Caught?" he ejaculated; "hooked and landed. Now, my friend. I've left your tongue free yet- for a purpose." Mather's only reply was a curse, at which the other smiled. It's annoying for you," he commented; but I've no time for talk. Nora Westall has refused to carry out her promise to marry me—and for you. Will you give her up, or stay here to be blown by her to kingdom come ? She's to press the button, you know. That's an honour of my good uncle's arranging." If Mather's eyes could have killed his rival, there would have been death dealt; but the engineer did not speak. Yes or no ?" demanded Farren; I can't waste time." "No," came from Mather's set lips," "never!" Then, my my friend, I must shut your mouth and stuffing a piece of wood roughly between the other's lips Felix tied it securely, and turned to g°- Good-bye," he said as he went; you have the consolation of knowing it will be the same in the end—I shall marry Nora. Good-bye." Outside, later on, a select company had gathered on the knoll, grouped round the table on which stood the battery. Come, my dear," said old Mr. Bonson gallantly to Nora—" all's ready. You'll be my niece, I hope, before the stuff you'll move now is nearly worked up. Press the switch." The old gentleman had not been told of the change in the girl's relations with his nephew, who stood rigid close by. Nora looked at the latter, then deliberately lifted a pair of pincers from the table, and severed the wire festooned from it. He would be a murderer, and make me one she cried hysterically, pointing to Farren I saw him from my window this morning take Harry Mather into the gallery—and he came out alone. Search there." They did, and carried out the engineer, raving in delirium, and with his dark hair bleached to white by the strain he had undergone. But Nora married him nevertheless, and Bridge- fordians, as they tell the tale, explain in conclusion, that the great quarries are now carried on by the celebrated firm of Bonson and Mather.,

LADY GARDENERS. I In the annual report of the Horticultural College at Swanley, which is under the direction of the Kent County Council, it is stated that every year twice as many applications are received for lady gardeners as can be supplied. The college, which is now restricted to women, has recently established a Colonial branch, where students live as far as possible under con- ditions that obtain in Colonial life, and the experiment has so far proved successful.