Cheshire Observer

COUNTY POLICE COURT I SATURDAY.—Before Mr. H. D. Trelawny (presid- inT), Colonel Evans-Lloyd, Messrs. Jno. Thomp- son, J. M. Frost, C. H. Broadbent, W. Wii- Hams. and C. Maddock. WORKMAN ASSAULTS A MANAGER.— Joh.t Reoney, furnaceman, employed at the Bur- nell SLeel Sueet Alllls, Eilesmere Port. was sum- moned for assaulting William Thomaa Baker, manager of the works, on the 7th mat. Defendant, pleaded guilty.—On behalf of complainant, Mr. E. Brassey expla-.ned that some time ago oompiama.nt had occasion to dismiss the man uuder whom de- fendant worked, known as the roller man, and defendant had also to go at the same time. On the day in question defendant appeared at the works ill; a. very abusive tnood to draw his pay, and after using very violent language to com- plainant, struck him on the jaw with hia &st, loosening two of his leech.—Complainant, in bear- ing 'out his advocate's statement, said when defen- dant came for bia money he was half drunk and threateaed to kill him. While at the works he had many times threatened to kill complainant. The cashier was present when defendant struck him, and had to seize him and turn him out of the works.—Defendant was fined 20s. and costs, with the alternative of one month's hard labour. ACCIDENT TO A DRUNKEN DRIVER.— George Wilacn was summoned for being drunk white in charge of a hors& and cart at Whitby on the 4th inst. Defendant, who did not appear, sent a letter to the magistrates, admitting the offence and expressing his regret.—P .C. Wiidmg said defendant drove his cart over a kerb stone. The cart was overturned, and witness found de- fendiant lying underneath. There were tome children on the road, and they had a narrow es- cape.—Phoebe Bend, wife of the licensee of the Sportsman's Arms, Whiiby, deposed that defen- dant called there that day the worse for drink, and waa refused to be served. He then drove away, and the accident described happened a few yards distant from the house.—A fine of 10s. and was imposed. HOOLE SERVANT'S DISHONESTY. — Matilda Settle, aged 17, a domestic servant, pleaded guitty to stealing the sum of 15s. in sil- ver, belonging to Lena. Phillipa, from a dwelling- house in Vicarage-road, Hoole. on Thursday.— Complainant, a tailoresa, residing at that adi- dreas, stated that prisoner was employed there as a domestic servant, and occupied the same bed- room as herself. On Thursday morning she left the house, and on returning at noon, tho key of her box, in which she had a pur&e oontain- tng 58e. in silver. On searching the box next morning she missed 13s. of the money. She ques- tioned defendant about the matter, and the latter at 6rst denied having taken money frcm the box, but eventually she confessed to the theft. Defen- dant had also admitted taking 2s. from her box two months ago.—P.S. Brewater, who was called to the house, said he asked defendant where she had put the money; she went upstairs and re- turned with the missing purse, which contained lOa. 8d). of the money. She was taken to the police station and charged with the theft.—Mr. Cha.rl.es Wright, police court missionary, said de- fendant had expressed her willingness to go to a homo. and with the permission of the bench, he would undertake to send' her to an institution where she would be looked after.—On this under- standing, the magistrates bound defendant over in the sum of J610 for twelve months, and ordered the money recovered to be refunded to the corn- plainant.

AGRICULTURAL PRIiNCIPLES.-r- The latest volume of the Estate Library Series" is an elegant and bulky volume dealing in a. thorough fashion wtth the first principles of agnculture. The work. which extends to over 400 pages of elo-sciy- printed matter, may bo well described as most comprehenaivo in devils; ra.ng.ng as it does from "Ths. Genesis of Things" over such subjects as "Matter and How it Behaveo," "Mattsr Especi- ally Connected With Vegetation, ''The Shaping and Modell.ng of the Earth.' "The Formation of So la,' "Meteorology, or the Science of the WeatheT," "What a riant is. "What an Animat "What an An; rnal is," "MicroOrganisms." "Soil Fertility,' "Manur- ing, "The Breeding of Live Stock," and a whole host of concomitant subjects by far too numerous to mention in a necessarily contracted notice like. tne present. The volume, the author tella us. was "prma.rly intended for the b. ncnt of young per- sona employed in the various branches of agricul- turo and in forestry, who are desirous to know something of the why and wherefore of much that they see going on around them fither in connec- tion with the so Is, p!ants, and animals of our fauns. or the leafy occupants of our plantations. It may. however, in addition. afford nrst help to younger men who intend to devote their lives to e.thc-r of thesa callings.' This, we should say, might without immodesty be very well claimed by ths author, seeing the thorough and lucid manner in which he lias treated every branch of his sub- ject. At the &am; time we cannot help expressing the thought that the "Genosts' chapters—treat- ment of matter, whi'h is pretty wen within the knowledge and scope of most intelligent minds- might very w?l! have been curtailed or excluded, to the advantage of the work, especially when there are included in it "recapitulation" and a "further recapitulation," which hard.y enhance the- subjects beyond the points exp.,a:ned in the original dissertationa and cxpianationa. ReaMy and truly the work is on scientific lines, very valu- able in its way. without, doubt, but lather bevond tho scope and requirements of the bulk of pra.ct.ical agriculturists, who would look for instruction in the "nrst priricipi.s" of their profession. It is another compilaton redounding to the patience and perse- verance of the author, and bearing evidences, if not altogether of lifelong study, at any rate of yeara of consummate labour in its oompila.tion. Its pages contain a min; of food for rencction and mental d'gestion, both for the primary and ad- vanced studpnt. as well as for older and matured minds, who, having the lesure, care to dip into its well-wiit.ten chapte'a A word of praise is due to the typographers (M ssrs. Bradbury. Agnew and Co Ltd.. of London and Tonbridge). as well as to the County Gentleman's Association, for the faultlessly clear print and neat "get-up" of the volume. *Tho First Principles of Agriculture and Forestry" (by Richard Henderson. London The County Gentleman's Association, 2, Waterloo-place. Pall Ma.11, S.W. 12s. Hd.)

? ? Marvciious The Difference that comes with proper footd. Grape=Nuts Get the little book. The Ro&d to WeM- vilie," in each packet.

ALL SAINTS' SALE OF WORK. I I Tho annua! 5ab of work in aid of the sick poor and other parish needs in the parish of All Saints'. HOCIICt, was held on Wednesday afternoon in the \Vc6tminster Schools. Lady Arthur Grosvenor performed the opening ceremony in the presence ot a la.rge gathering, among those present being the vicai- of the parish (the Rev. F. Anderson) and Mrs. Andorson, Mr. Scotland, Mrs. H T. Brown, l\'lrs. Wolsiord. Mrs. Bla.iu. Mr. and Mrs. Warren Tpevor. Mr. and Mrs. William Williams, Mrs. Turbutt, Mr. F. Ooveney, Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Chalton, Dr. Butt, Colonel J. H. Hameraley, Mr. H. Crcwder. Mr. Harry Anderson. Mr. T. B. Hichardwn, ej-c.—The Vica.r, in introducing Lady I Arthur Grosvenor, pointed cut that each of the fund. in whose behalf the sale of work was held r was in need of all the help that could be given. j In view of the probable seventy of the coming winter, as indicated by the present snowstorm throughout the country, the sick and poor fund waa in need of very material aid. Their best thanks were due to the ladies of the work party and the associate members, who had been engaged throughout tho year in preparing the stalls, and also to the gentlemen who had assisted in the decoration and fixture of the stalls. The parish was especially grateful to Mrs. Leete. of West Ku-by. the hon. secretary of the Ladies' Work Party, who. though not now a parishioner, con- tinued to give material help in its work. It was a. great pleasure to them to have the presence that day of Lady Arthur Grosvenor. Several mem- bers of th& Grosvenor family had in past years f&vourcd them by their presence, and had always taken a kindly interest in the parish of All Saints. It wa.s the nr-,t Marquis of Westminster who etccted those schooLa. a.nd the late Duke who enlarged them. Thev formed nirt of the national schoo!a in the I parish, and were one of the best schools in Chester.—Lady Arthur Grosvenor having in a few graceful words declared the sale open. Mr. Wm. Williams (chairman of the Hoole Urban Coun,ii) propo.'JoCcl, Mr F. Coveney seconded, and Mr. T. W. Chalton support.ad a vote of thanks to her for her attendance, which was carried with hearty acclamation. Lady Arthur afterwards presented oomnctitio'i prizes to the following:—Miss Mary Lewis, Miss Ada Moulton. Mrs. Andrews. Mr. R. Lawis. Mips Dorothy Errington. Misa PhyHis Cha'ton, Miss Phyllis Andor.;on, and Miss Hilda Jones. The following ladies acted as stall- holders:—Pari.sh stalls: Mrs. Anderson and the fotlowing ladies of the work party-Mrs. Leeto. Mrs. Chalton. Mrs. H. Andcrson. Mra. T. B. Richardson. Mrs. Baxter. Mrs. Bought¡Qn, Miss Ge(\ Mis.s Richardson. Mi as Stubbs and Miss V/iiliamson. Fancy stall: Mrs. Fred Dutton, Miss Parrv and Miss B. M. Anderson. Household sta!h Mrs. Coveney and Mrs. BaIIance. Cake stall: Mias Seller and the MI'scs WarmRley. Odds and ends st<iH: Miss Lucv Brown. Sweet and fr')it staH Mrs. W. Williams and Mrs. G. Dobson. Competition stall: Miss Moore and Miss Morris. Bran pie: Miss Catheral and Sunday School Class. Refreshment and tea stall: Mrs. Kenyon and Miss Harrison. Several evening- attractiona were pro- vided in the form of a washing competition. Ladies v. Gentlemen (prizes for which were given by Mr. Hart Davies, Mr. Crowder and Mrs. Ander-ion). a hat-trimming competition, and fancy drill by the infant school children.

THE CHEAPEST AND BEST FOOD I BEVERAGE. Who has not read the remarkable tetters from workmgmen and women which. day after day, and year after year. are being published in this and thousands of other newspapers throughout the United Kinsrdo-n respecting the undoubted merits of Dr. Tibbies' Vi-C'ocoa n. a Food Beverage? "Yes," you aa.y, "I have read all about it, but I have not tried it." Then t.).ke our advice and do so at once. Vi-Coco-A is not an ordmary cocoa. It is not sickly and insipid Hke many of the foreign 'cocoas, but a pleasant beverage, and a food and tonic in the bargain. There is no cheaper or better article on the market. It is sold by all En'ocers and stores in 6d. packets and 9d. and Is. 6d tins or you can try it absolutely free bv wTitmg- (a post card will do) to Vi-Cocoa. Limited. PO, Bunhiil Row, London, E.G., for a dainty sample tin.

BOOTS TO ORDER—not hand-sewn prin- ciple," but rea,! Hand-sewn, maèe on the premises by expert workmen in the oM-fashioned wny with oak hark tanned Leather thee a.r9 a comfort, walking becomes a pleasure. &nd prico i" refl,on .y (', A TTI??,V-kV, tbf2 1 3 '1, d able. HE'VITT', AtrFn GATI':WAV', tbe Old established Hand-sewn Bootma.kera.

CRUSHED IN A LIFT. -4 w FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE STATION. I On Friday afternoon the City Coroner I (Mr. E. Brassey) conducted am inquiry into the death of an Irish farm labourer named Patrick Cas&.dy. Add-reasmg the jury, the Coroner said deceased was a single man aged 20, and his last address was Antrobus, near Northwich. On Thursday de- ceased was in Chester General Railway Station, on his way home to Ireland. Somehow he was caught in the hydraulic lift used for tha. conveyance of luggage, and was so. severely crushed that he died the same day at the Innrtnary. The jury would have to determine whether the lift had bsen im- properly used or whether it caused the man's death by anyone's improper conduct. Mr. J. Fe<ma. appeared for the Joint. Railway Companies. John Caaaidy. Antfobua. Cheshire, farm labourer, aged 21, said deceased was his brother. He be- longed to oo. Mayo, Ireland. His father lived in Ireland, and deceased waa his main support He was teetotal, but be carried a bottle of whisky for use on board ship between Holyhead and Dublin. Robert Timmins, 4. Ward's-terraoe, Hoole, parcel porter at the station, mud he was coming down the iuggag& lift with a truck-load of parcels at ten minutes past twelve. He worked the IHt from the bridge. The sIgnal before starting waa to shout "Are you right below?" This was what witness shouted, and he also looked down and could see no one. Th& Uft was then at the bottom, and in that pasition a person could walk into it. Aa the lift rose a gate rose with it and prevented people falling into the pit. When he looked into the lift the bottom, waa clear. He then raised the lift and when about half-way up he heard a man scream and groan. He lowered! it down again, and asked if the lift w,:1!}. clear. He looked again, but could sea no one. He then went down atadrs and saw deoeaacd. who looked very ill, with Mr. Lambert. At mid-day the lift was rather dark. WiUiam Edward Muskett, telegraph messenger at the station, said that a. he was passing the? lift he sa.w it d?scendm?. DooM?ed was lying- facf downwards on the platform of the lift with the lower part of his back and his log3 hanging over. Before the lift reached tha bottom deceased fell off on to hia feet. He staggered about and then leaned against a wall. Witness ran for assistance Aa deceased feJI. a bottle containing a liquid dropped from his hand. Dr. Lpes aaid he saw deceased lying on the eta- tion on a stretcher. He was in such an extremely collapsed condition that witne&s did not think it was safe to remove him at once to the Infirmary, ao he examined him in a waiting- room. The only visible external mark of violence waa an oblong faint abra&ion just below the breast bone He was in very gre<at pain, and had evi- dently sustained some very serious internal injury. ircat probably the rupture of one of the important organs situated below the abrasion. He accom- panied deceased to the Innrmary. as he thought it unsafe to leave him to others. He had examined deceased since daa-th, and had found a very slight abrasion on the hip and a small abrasion on the middle of the spine, a little higher than the mark on the front of his body. which had become very distinct smc.e he saw deceased in the waiting room of the station. Asked by the Coroner how he thought the acci- dent had occurred, the doctor said deceased had probably stood near, and with his back to. the i;ft to drink out of the bott'.e he was carrying. The lift was raised, and deceased fell back on to the lift with hia head on the platform of the cage and his lega hanging over. The lift rose until de- was caught between it the top of the epening, wbcr? t here was a small projection. wh'ch in his opinion had caused the abrasion re- ferred to. As to his being seen face downwards, tho doctor expta-ined that a p9rson crushed ? m such a way would wriggle and change his position aa soon a.s he felt himself free again. Mr. Fenna asked whether deceased might not have put his bottle in the lift, and attMnpted to recover it, when he was caught by the lift. Dr. Lo:>s sa d that was quite as possiMe as his suggestion.. He added that he had very cajrefuDy examined the lift, and he could not find anything except the projection he had mentioned which could have ca-used th3 principal abrasion.—Reply- ing further to Mr. Fenna.. the docto-r said the lift must have been stopped very promptly, or dc" ceaaed would ha.ve been cut in two. He himself had, by special favour. us:d the I!ft for three months after he had had his leg broken, and he had never noticed any difficulty in the working. The Statiorunaster (Mr. Wm Marrs) said that when the lift was standing, either at the top or the bottom, a-nyone could wa}k on. to it. If ga.tea were placed on it, they would not be able to deal satis- fa.ct)only with the tra.mc. There were notices placed near tha lift warning people not to go on to the lift. The Coroner advi&a d the jury that there was no question of criminal negligence. He did not think the lift could be worked satisfactorily as was required for the benent of th- station. if extra gates wore placed on to it. It seemed that decease did not know his way about, and went into a dark place to have a drink from his bottle. Probably h? stood partly in the lift and partly on the station platform. When the porter shouted his wannncr. he d.d not know that he was being ad- dressed and WM caught by the lift as it rose. t h ?-fe. There seemed no other reason for hia.being th re. A verdict of "Accidental death" waa returned.

COLONEL CONGREVE. V.C.-On Sunday Colonel Walter Norris Congrcve. V.C., eldest son of the late Mr. William Congrove, Staffordshire and Burton, Wirrat, was 42 years of age. The gallant colonel, it will be remembered, gained the most coveted distinction in the British Army by his bravery at Coionao. General Sir Rcdvera Buller. in a despatch recom- mendinT Colonoi (then Captain) Congrcvc for the V.C.. said :—"At Colons. on the 15th December. the detachments serving the guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries. Royal Field Artillery. had all been either killed, wounded, or driven from their guns bv infantry fire at close range, and the guns were deserted. About 500 yards behind the guns was a donga, in which some of the few horses and drivers left alive were sheltered. The intervening tpaco was swept with shetl and rine nrc. Captam Mngr ov c Rine Brigade, who was in the donga., assisted to hook a team into a limber, went out and assisted to limber up a gun: being wounded, he took shelter, but seeing Lieutenant Roberts fall badly wounded, he went out again and brought him in. Some idea of the nature of the fire may be gathered from the fact that Cantain Congreve was shot through the leg, through the toe of his boot. grazed on the e'bow and the shoulder, and his horse shot in three places. Colonel Congrove is now first on the staff of the Duke of Connaught. Inspector-General of the Forces, Pall Mall. I The aboi,,e appeafed in MtT laxt Saturday Evening I EdiUon. )

HORSE SALES AT WREXHAM. Messrs. Frank Lloyd and Sons hdd their last sales for the year at Wrexbam on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday, last week. with an entry of over 800 animals. The quality throughout was good and a grand clearance effected, buyers attending in large numbers each dn,v. Some hia'h prices reahsed were —Light horses. Mr. F. Btgiilev. roan cob, 125gs. \tr. John Jones, pair, 130ga. Heavy horsea, Mr. Geo. Lee, 80gs.. 58gs. Mr. Cadwallader. 68gs. The clearance of paroel. carters and vanners was the best on record. The trade for one. two and three year olda was very good, two-year-olds mak- ing up to 45gs.

A CHESTER PROPERTY DISPUTE. HIGH COURT PROCEEDINGS- I In the Chancery Division of the High Court, on Saturday, Mr. Justice Fa.rwell resumed the hear- ing of the action Law v. Killeen, which is of a somewhat peculiar nature. Robt. Thompson, of Liverpool. who died in April, 1367, by a deed to which Wm. Kiileen and Robt. Thompson were both pa.rt.ies. a.!ong with the Ecclesiastical Com- missioners, had conveyed to him and his heirs and ass'gns for ever all the Commissioners' interest in feo simple fre-è from incumbranco this property at Garden-lajie, Chester, and he made his will in February, 1867, leaving the rents and profits of the property to his wife for her life, and directing that aft?r her death the whole property should be divided among the children of Edward Law and testator s sister, Catherine Law, and that will was duly proved. The defendant. William KiUeen, claims that he acquired the property by purchase from the Eooiosi3stic:al Commissioners for £750, of which JU400 was lent to him by Robert Thompson, and that the deed above referred to was drawn in that form in order to give security to Robert Thompson for his JE400, wh.ch the defendant says was repaid to Thompson shortly afterwards. At that time was tenant of one of the two oottages on the land. He died in 1375. In giving evidence, William Killeen, son of the previously mentioned, said that on the death of Robert Thompson, who was a grocer carrying on business at Brownlow-hill. Liverpool, witness bought the busin¿cSS from the executors, and went to reside in Liverpool, his sister, the widow of Robert Thompson, keeping house for him. Wit- ness managed the property, and did not pay tho rents and profits to anyone. He gave the orders for the additional buildings that were put on the land, and paid for them with his own money. Mrs. Thompson ,the widow, never mado any claim to the property. Since: the death of his brother Abe) witness had sold part of the property to the L. and N-W. Company. He producoo the oon- veyance to the property, which he said he had seen in his father's possession during his lifetime. Ha father kept it in a chest. He aJso produced an indenture of conveyance dated 1869 from his brother, wherein the land shewn on the plan upon the (ked waa referred to as. Mr. Killeen's land, and that land was in In oross-examina.tion, Mr. Upjohn put to the witne&s several inoidf.nts. together with the names of those oonoctn.ed pointing to the ownership being in Thompson, and produced to tha witness a letter from witness father to the effect that be )- could say nothing about the moving of a fence, because Thompson had been. there with the sur- v?yor. Witness adhered to it that he paid for the build- ing with his own money. He had no lease and no agreement either from his father or from his brother Abel. Witness denied that Thompson ever collected the rents after tha.t conveyance. He never heard tha.t his father ever paid rent to Thompson. Akd how Mrs. Thompson lived after her husband's witlll"<!8 said she was supported by his father, but ho never had any con- versa.t on with her as to the amount of the allow- anco he made bar. When she was keeping house for witnœs in he gave her money out of the business. Witness sa'd that before the con- veyancC1 from th2. Commissioners was made he iathcr to have. his name heard Thompson ask his father to have his name put in the deed Counsel produced a letter from; witness' father to his solicitors asking them to alter the memorandum they s?nt him by putting in Thompson's name, as he was the purchaser. In ro-examina-tion by Mr. Jenkins. witness said that he was with his father when he paid the JB750. at which time he also paid Mr. Bridgman's bill of B15. 17s. 8d. When his sister lived with him at Liverpool she served in the shop. and if she wanted money for herself she took it from the till. Mr Upjohn, K.C., and Mr. Rutherford appeared for the plaintiffs; Mr. Jenkina. K.O., and Mr. 0. Leigh Clare for the. defendant Killeen; and Mr. Butcher, K C, and Mr. Lawrence for the Railway Company. The further hearing was adjourned until Monday, when John Jones, builder, was called for the defendant, and sa-id that he remembered erecting a. shop and stable in Ga.rden-la.ne, Chester, in September, 18.79. William. Killeen: the present defendant, gave him his instructions and no on2> elae. This concluded the defendant's ease. His Lordsnip gave judgment without calling on Mr Upjohn to reply. After reviewing all the facts of the ca.so, his lordship said that he had no doubt, that the purchase money was found by Thompson and paid by him. What happened on the completion of the purchase, it was not easy to say. Ha thought there had been a blunder in preparing the deed The question the court had to dea.1 with wm on" of law. Here we had a fa.ther and a mother living In a house belonging to the daughter, and the da-ughter went and joined them. The ordinary inference was that ordinarily, possession and title were presumed to go together. So far as he oould make out, all the buildings put on the land and the property used as a garden was done whilo she was there in possession. The con- elusion he oam to was that the plaintiffs were entitled, aa against the defendant Witha-m Killeen. to the decl'i.ra.tion asked for, defendant to pay the costs of the action. M' Jenkins said his lordship found that the defendant Mrs. Thompson waa tenant for life, His lordship replied in the afHrma.tive After further argument on behalf of the London and North-Westem Railway Company, his lordship; held that he could not make the declaration they aslcd for. But, tl-bough finding against them, he did not visit them with payment of costs.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY WORK IN JAPAN. The annual meeting of the Chester diocese branch of the Church Missionary Society was held at the Town Hall, on Monday evening. Sir Horatio Lloyd presided, and was accompanied on the plat- form by the Archdeacon of Chester, the Revs. Canon Cooper Scott, Canon Feilden. A. T. Fuller, Ernest Cox, H. H. Wright (Precentor). H. A. Arnold. F.TiIneyStcnex, C.A.Grimn, and Col. E vans-Lloyd. Mr. J. R. Thomson. Mr. F. S. Bishop, &c. Owing to the wretched weather the attendance was only small. The report of the branch of the society, which was read by the Rev. H. A. Arnold, alluded first of all to the increase in the work of the society generally. It stated that in this great advance Chester had had a share, as despite the fact that one parish which was a regular contributor, bad not yet sent in its return, the amount subscribed during the year by the rural deanery of Chester was Rj37 against C432 in the previous year. That statement, satisfactory as it might be, must be qualined. for although there was a slight increase in 12 out of 20 local associations, yet the total increase was due to two benefactions of S50 each by two Chester ladtes. Although there had been this improvement in the support of mission work it was not yet supported as it should be, and the money spent on Christmas cards equalled that spent on the foreign mission work of all the societies put together. Surely mission work deserved a higher position than that. The Chairman said the paat year had been an eventful one in the history of the Society, and on the whole they had reason to be thankful and to take courage After looking into the general report of the Society, he could not help thinking there was room for improvement, though he was gratified to find that things were so nourishing as they were. The income of the Society last year was stated to be E53,000, more than the year before. (Applause). Whether that included the special shilling fund got up last year he did not know, but he took a wider range than that in order to get a. better idea of the stability of the Society, if he might use that term, and looked at the last 25 years. He fsund that the income of the Society 25 years ae-o was B185,000, and in the last year it amounted toj3407,000. (Applause). That was all very well, and as far as it went it was very encouraging, but, as they all knew, the demand was out of all proportion to the supply. The needs of the Society were very great, there were millions and millions to whom the message of the Gospel was as yet unknown, and they recognised that a solemn duty and obligation lay upon us to do all we could to spread the know- ledge of the truth, which had been very liberally and freely and mercifully given to us, among those millions who were still in darkness. It was impossible to use words too strong to impress upon us our duty in tha.t respect. There was one corner of the earth in the Far East which appealed especially to us now, and upon which our thoughts have been concentrated for some months past. That terrible war between Russia and Japan raging at this moment, stopping be supposed all peaceful mission work to a great extent, might be, and be hoped and prayed that it would be the means of opening up that most interesting and in other respects most civitised country of Japan to the introduction of Christianity. There were at the meeting gentlemen well acquainted with the country and they would hear from them what prospects there were of christianising those intelligent people. The one blot upon Japan was the want of Christianity. They seemed to have everything else. They seemed to be able to learn evervthiDg, and they were rapidly taking their place among the first nations of the earth, but they had that one failing and ho was sure no more welcome news could be given to us than that there was a prospect in the near future of some improve- ment in that respect. The Rev. A. T. Fuller, who said he had been acquainted with the life of Japan for 22 yean, then gave an address on mission work in Japan. He said that the Japanese had been called a race of imitators, but they were rapidly passing from that stage. We had built for them those terrible battle- ships which had worked such fearful havoc in the Russian navy but although built in England, and in the main device the outcome of the brains of our naval constructors, yet unmistakably the mark of the Japanese mmd was to be read very largely upon those battleships. That applied to whatever they obtained from a western land. They were now able to build up almost any ship or construct almost any of those things which went to make up the conVenimlOe5 of life. The change that had pro- duced this power had taken plac.o within the last thirty y€.a,ra. Mid Japan as a nat'on stood before the world from the material standpoint as prac- tica-IIy self-sumciemt. Th? world had never seen such a change before. There was in Japaji ac tuBdIv an orgajiisod church, and he supposed it was the first mission n<'id in which a fully-organ- ised church existed. although theit, was something approaching it on the West Coast of Afr:ca.. It s'mptv lacked bshops to ma.kc it absolutely com- pete and Independent. All the native clergy were wcl! educated and had pas&cd examinations e?ual to tho examinations which the clergy pa-ss.'d m this country. Latin was left out, but they could r<ad their Greek Testaments intelligently, to had t the effect of the war, he was gl&d to say it, had been the revcrss to what his audience would have. expected to be the state of affairs. They would argue that a country that had so recently come within the influenoo of western civilisation and deM, a. country which front, one standpoint was atill little more than passed its ea.rly manhood, V)0u-d almost of a certainty be in a compete stat-e of turmoil, seeing' that it was crossing sworda with i the irio-t powerful country of Russia- H¡s frienda who wrote to him frequently from Japan to!d him tlia,t except when some. great victory had be:n gained by Japanese! arms—and then, of course, we could sympathi&e with the state' of excitement which prevailed—the country was in such a condd- tion that anyone entering it would not for a single moment suppose the nation was in a &tate of war with Ruaaa. With regard to missionary wor k, the opportunities were greater now than ever, and the r-ult5 of the work carried on by niissionarica had be-en greater than in any year The baptisms had been greater than in any previous year. As the people became more. educated and tearnt acienti6o ideas, Bhuddism failed to hold them. and no Japanese who gave up that faith for Christianity ever returned to it, and he never sup- posed that Bhuddiam could be the mea.na of the pegon&ration of his country or supply the moral pow-r that would tend to make his country great. In the absence through iunesa of the Rev. Granttoy Martin, an interesting address was also given by tho Rev. Ernest Cox.

I AGRICULTURE. I A LARGER WHEAT AREA. I Up till the beginning of the week, when the weather assumed a wintry aspect, the continu- ance of the almost unprecedently fine a.utumn weather had been encouraging to the still further breaking up of the soil. Ploughs and hairows were yet busy, and it is said that a larger area of wheat will have been sown than has been the case for some years. But though the process is some- what late, with continued mild weather there will be no reason to fear for the issue, as the attendant circumstances of moisture and the production of a good seed bed were still in evidence, while frost severe enough to aSect the germinating properties of the seed, when well covered, haa not been very threatening as yet. The rains mellowed the surfaces and made them work kindly, while a succeeding degree of dryness made easy work for the harrows. The wet was not sufncient to materially interfere with the lifting of roota, which, where they were not intended to be eaten on the land, together with potatoes, may now be said to be safely in the clamps. With regard to potatoes reports vary very much, the crops in some parts being stated to be and clear, while in the (Jbeshire district though they may possess the hrst quatincation they are by no means free from disease, indeed it is for tbia reason that many growers were hesitating about covering up their clamp!' permanently for fear of further rot. With this exception, porhaps, there comes from nearly ail parts of the country nothing but a song of praise in regard to the delightful season through j which we have been passing, and the consequent forward condition of work on the farms. Against this, however, comes the complaint of the wheat being attacked by wireworm pest, milk has beeu in short supply since the pastures have gone off, and live stock of all kinds are low in price, which will iscarceiy be improved by the wintry turn which may fairly be expected to continue. At a. largely-attended meeting a.t Pwllheli Town Hall on Wednesday, it was dec.ded to form Shire Horse Society in South Carnarvon shire, on the same lines &S those in Anglesey a.nd Montgomery- shire. It waa stated tha.t all the landlords were prepared to assist the farmers, a.nd' & latter warmly lupporting the movement was read from the Hon. I F. G. Wynn. SHORTHORNS IN SCOTLAND. I The "B&nS'shire Journal" return for the season of cattle sales in the north of Scotland em- phasises very strongly the popularity of the Short- horn breed across the border. It &ets out that the total head disposed of under the hammer reached 1.105, s howing the extraordinary average of j351 15a. Id.. including the highly satisfactory sates at Uppermill of Mr. Duthio's young bulls. Last year's average for 1,004 head was .655. 15s. 6d.. An item to be particularly noted, however, is that while the pricea for Shorthorns have gone up with a bound, the native Aberdeen-Angus have receded in value. The sales of 1,435 he&d of this cele- brated breed produced an average of only '21. 17s. Id., as against j625. 4s. 4d. for 1,565 last year. IMPORTED BRITISH BIRD NUISANCE. In addition to the aparrow and rabbit pests corn- plained of in Australia, it seems now that a fresh one has been added in the acclimatisation of the British starling, according to the Government entomologist of New South Walea. Commenting on the report of that ofncial, a writer in the 'Sydney "Bulletin" says: Starlings f-wa.rm :n Vio- toria., and are gradually spreading north. Flocks of them have recently appeared in many suburban orchards and gardens. It is the same old story. Starling;! were liberated in Melbourne years ago by the fool Englander pining for something to remind him of his old home at Letcombe Basset, or Bishop Stortford, or Dig-up St. Edmunds, or some such place. They arc now the greatest enemy of the Melbourne fruit-growers, who have, to cover their treea with neta while the fruit is yet green to keep the deapoilera on'. They are also claijni-ng the attention of squatters, who say they perch on the backs of sheep and pluck out tufts of wool (presumably for nest lining), thus damaging the bMt part of the neece. THE PRICE OF CHEESE. The Growers' Journal says: The fa.ct tha.t; prices ha.Te been comparatiTely low this year fcr Canadian and American oh&ese is due principally to tho large carrying over from the previous son, and to the idea that the make would ba heavy this year. That the latter contingency has occurred ia by no means certain, for the exporta from Canada have been on a much reduced goals, the dencienny being almoat startling as regards America, while it would have been vory great in respect of Canada, but for the fact that last month she sent over a great deal more than in the corresponding month of last year. During the nrst five months we imported from Canada 185,870 cwt. in excess of the corresponding peri-cdt of 1905. ) Yet we find this Colony at the end of October with a deficiency of some 16,155owt. as oorxpared with what she sent us in the ten months of 1905. It ia thought in some quarters that there is a great quantity of cheese over In Canada new, which will have to be unloaded on English buyers be- tween this and the shipping of the next season's I makf Value: have gone up just now, the, "Jour- nal com'nucs, jut far enough for counter pric'M, and if they are advanced any farther the public will have to pay still more than the small advance that it has bten fcund noms-ary to put on them. COMPULSORY SHEEP DIPPING. At the recent meeting of the Council of the Central and Associated Chambers of Agriculture the Cattle Diseases Committee reported in respect to the Departmental Committee's report on sheep dipping, which, they stated, i might be summed up :s follows :—An annual dipping of all sheep within the United Kingdom should be made compulsory. That it be carried out under regulations mada by local authorities, acting und'er regulations ap- proved by the Board of Agriculture. The central authority should, under order, in areas where sheep scab is firmly eStablished máke special provisions for these districts by ordering two dippings within a prescribed period. The Board of Agriculture to establish a schedule of dips recognised as ef&cient. Makers of proprietary or home-made dips, who desire to have their dips placed in the schedule, nlll;!t uhmit for PXr1m¡nt¡(1n. for which I a fee would be charged, and if satisfactory these dips would be scheduled as such. The adoption by local authorities of the powers conferred by section 5, of the Diseases of Animals Act, 19C5, viz., that in all cases where sheep farming is carried on, portable dipping appliances should be provided, and, where desired by the IccaJ authorities, 6xed public dipping tanh. The com- mittee of the Council were of opinion that the Departmental Committ&e's report as regards com- pulsory dipping was satisfactory. They were satis- fied there was laxity of administration of the sheep scab orders as regMd'ed Isolation of infected areas and disinfection. They also strongly supported the recommendation by the Departmental Committee that there should be further investigation of foot rot. The report was agreed to.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. THE FINANCIAL POSITION. The half-yearly meeting of the governors and members of the Royal AgriouiuraJ Society will bo held at 20 Hanover square, on Thursday, Dec- 8. The council have given instructions for a petit on to b" drawn up for a. supplcmcnta.1 oh&rter to include the following point3:—" (1) That th& mpm- bers in any district or group of counties should have the a.bso!uto power of fleeting their own representatives on the council; (2) that there should a po-iior of to the to the extent of. say, ten members, so as to ensure repre- ntation of any pt-tictilar branch or industry, scienti6o mon or specialists; and (5) that not less than one general meeting of members should be held In the yeaj—(fate and place to be fixed by the ootincll. After the transaction of the ordinary busings. the meeting will bo made special to cons.der the i financial poaition of the society. In a memoran- dum prtparcd by tiie Finance Committee, which ha.s b:<en ein u!a.ted to the members, it is exp!a,ined that though the society might In the future! be able to carry on all its departments of public work, other than the shows, out of tha income at pre'sent received, it could not. with such an income, organ- ise a show, nor could it, having no longer a re- serve fund of its own, or the considerable financial assistance it u&ed to receive from the localities formerly visited. bGa-r the money ioxs whioh the holding of a ahow must now almost oc'rt.a.mly ellt;il from the probable receipts falling short of the ne.ossary expenditure. The remedy, the com- mittee say &&ema to lie in a eonsidora.ble voluntary incrc2.Sû of annual and Ii th biiild- ing up of a reserve fund to meet possible looser from the holding of the shows wherever titcy tako place. The circular concludes — :The fin-ineiai position of the society at the end of this year will be as follows:—In order to pay for the lo&sca on the 1904 show and its current obli- gati<ms up to the end of this yea.r, the council have (1) a.rra.ngod with the society's bankers to continue until July 21, 1905. the loan of JB12.000 granted by It in 1903 on security of the Ha.rcwood Houso debenture stock held by the society; (2) obtained from the bank a further temporary loan, under the gua.ra.ntoe of certain of the trustee. amounting now to JB2.000; (3) borrowed a further B7500 on th? Hardwood Houae property. Th<" !Mt-na.med ob!igati<m is capable of being detit with at a later st-age, but it is obvious that within the next few months the society must, independ- ently of its other djfnculties. find some means of repaying to tho bank the .615.000 which it ha.a a dvanc'ed and on which interest at 4 per cent. is running- against tho society. One way of doing this woued:, of cour&e, bo by the sale of the Park Royal estate; but the Finance Committee cannot take the responsibihty of recommending this, in view of the fact that Park Royal is a rapidly im- prov:ng prope:ty. of which tlio full beneSt can-not bo reaped by the society if it should hare to be dispd d of before the expiry seven years hence. of the r.ght of pre-empt on at 50 per cent. advance on the' purchase price, retained by the original vendor when the property was bought in 1804. Moreover the saJe of Park Royal might Ipave the society without any place to hold a show except by the invitation and with the financial assistance of particular local Los The Finance Committee arc naturally anxious, on general grounds, that the soo: -ty s debts to its bankers and others should bo paid off a<. soon ii possible; but at the same time they think it important that the question of tho futura shows of the society &hould not be now pro- judg-ed. but should be left for nnal settlement in the hands of th? new council directly representa- tive of the members, to be elected as soon as the supplc-monta] charter now be ng asked for has been g-.antod The committee regard it, therefore as of the utmosttmportance that the sale of the Park Royal estate should not at thia moment be forced upon the council, as would appear to b& unavoi<i- abie to pay the socic-ty's debts unless the members will come forward with further nnaneia! assistance. They suggest therefore, that members should, be asked (n) to make contributions towards paying off tha Foo.ety's debta, particula'Iy th temporary loan of .615,090 obta ncd from the bank; and (b) to in- crease their annual subscription'; for the future to suf'h an amount as they feel disposed, to enable the Society to have a a-nmeient assured income to continue t.hf) various depirtmenta of public useful- whioh it has carried on for many years.

WHITCHURCH DAIRY SHOW. The annua! two-days' dajry s how of the Whit- ohuroh Dairy Farmers' Associaton, which opened at Whitchurch Town Hall on Tuesday could not have been more unfortunate Il8 regard g weather. The snow-storrw of the previous day and a cold morning threatened to drive people away, but as the sun came out mat- ters improved by the time. for opening'. and there wa,9 a !arga attendance during the afternoon. There we-o about 380 enbries of cheeao and over 90 of butter, making a total of about 470. Although this is not a record, it is an increase of about thirty entries compared with la!'lt yr-ar. Nothing more could bo desired as re- garde-d the quahty of the exhibits and all round th.3 show was yoted a nne one. The competition attracted aH tho best makers in the district. Although Whitchurch is m Shropshire, it is sur- roun<?f'd by msmy of the best. makers of Cheshire chefso. and a,, farmers in this county know, the riva.h'y of S.Iop'&T. l farmers is keen and not to be des,p:&ed, Th's oompstition which is warmly weJ- oorn.'ed byta'i, ia mainly due to the (-migration from Cheshire of mMlY &ki!fu! dairymaids. This yoa.r Loid Kcnyon is proa dent of the association. while tho arduous dutios are oarrid out by Mr. Thomas Nunnertey. The following wero the judges:—Cheese: Messrs. James Hud- son. junr.. Ix):idon; A GoodliSo. Bradford; C. F. Burges" London; R. Weatrv Roberta, Chester; Thomae CiMncnoe., Oh.tcr; H. J. Fish, Whitr churoh: J. H. Pollock, Birmingham; Robert Han- cock. Manchester Jud.ro for butter and referee for cheese: Professor Drummond Kilmamock (Scottish Dairy Inst tute) Ornamenta) butter and fa'm p'educe: Mrs Wi!<;on. Richmond Terrace; Miss B. P. Nuunerley. B&Iton. The following acted M stewards: — Cheese. Messrs. J. N. Joyce. R. W. O'rtwrin'ht. R. J. Nunn'rley, Lakin. Lang- tey &nd Johji Grimths. Butter. Messrs. T. Pick- ford, W. Darlington and W. H. Hobson. CHEESE. The oheese shewn Was very fine and in eneral its quality was very The- first olass was for twelve cheese, and there was keen com- petition among the 55 makers who entered it. So equal were the cheese that the judges failed alto- gether to agree on the first prize lot, and the um- pire had to be called in, and he gave it to Mr. Stephen Dicken, Hugmore House, Wrexham. When Mr. Dickon's collection was placed against the winners of the first prizes in the other classes it was found to stand out far above them, and ocn- soquently it received the Silver Championship Cup of the association. The second, third' and fourth prize lots were of about equal merit. The class fully maintained the high standard for which Whitchurch is noted. The class foT eight cheese was a very good class. Although cheese two a Tery ha loobde n over-kept, the one or tw 0 ,) ts bulk of the lots were excellent. Considering the year, the cheese shewn was as good as it could possibly be. The uavcur was very nice. Although class 5, for four cheese, attracted only about 25 i; was a good class, taken as a whole in quality it surpassed class 1. The cheese shewn was very much and the judges would be pleased to see a larger entry in this class. The next class, which was for twelve white cheese, produced excellent competition, and even many cf the very highly commended" k-ta would, in the opinion ot the judges, have obtained prizeiJ at other shows. The pfllles offered for four white cheese attracted as many as 68 entries, and some o{ the finest cheese in the show were included in cho exhibits. Very few of the lots were off colour and very few were dry. Classes 6 and 7 were both good. In the former which was for four coloured ohease, a few stood out, but very many were much alike. In this class thero were 84 entries, the largest in the show. Cla.sa 7, for farmer8 who had never won a first or second prize, was very moderate, and the wirmiug lot sl<xxi out easily above the rest. BUTTER. In the butter section the judge found the class for makers having over fifty acres f<tu- in quality. There were a good number of samples which were touched in flavour, indicating that the cream had been over-kept before churn- ing. The top lots wore very good in texture, Savour and appearance. The class as a. whole was very attracti ve. The class for makers having less than fifty acres was considered by the judgj to be the best in the show. The quality was more regular than in the previous class, but a few samples had been badly worked and were off in flavour. The winning lot was the best ;n the show. It waH bright and pleasing and care- fully got up, and outstanding in flavour. A good number of lots were faulty in colour, which the judge attributed to salting at too low a tem- po-rature, and to making up büfore the salt had properly dissolved. Consequently the butter was very streaky. The second prize lot was very creditable, and carefully got up. The cottagers' classes shewed greater uncvenness which could easUy be accounted for by the fact that the competitors dealt in small quantities. The prize winners were very good and creditable under the circumstances. Mr. W. H. Hobson, Malpas, scored his seventh successive win in the class for farm produce by taking first prize. He has never yet been beaten in this class, and the judges pronounced his col- loctlon exceiient. I PRIZE LIST. I Twelve cheese, owned and exhibited by any farmer resident within the association district, whose occupation exe&eds 150 acres: Stephen Dicken, Hugmore House, Wrexham; 2, Lewis Cooke, Wackiey, Burlton 3, John Dutton, Swan- ley Hai!; 4, Samuel Dutton, Burieydam; 5, Riohard P. WaUoy, Wavorton; 6, Harry Denson, Pouiton, Pulford; 7, Thomas Shaw, Hatton Heath; r, James Hobson, Coole Pilate. Very highly commended: Samuel Sumner, Wolves- acre George Perry. Cholmondetey; John Barnett, Market Drayton; William Parker, Wrexham; George Walley, Egerton Farm, Cholmondeley; Thos. Nunnerley. Whitchurch. Highly com- mended John R&ecc, Bronington; Daniel John- son, Lee Brockburst; Peter Dutton, Huxley; George Martin, Pcntre-Coed, EIIesmere; Joseph Darlington, Burlton; Thcs. Emberton, Ellesmere; Misa Nunnerley, Belton; Charles Price, Unston. Commended: Richard Mulkck, Waverton Thos. Blake, Cloy, Bangor-on-Deo; T. A. Mottershead, Bronington; William Moore, Checktey; Thomas Wilkinaon, Alkington Hall, Whitchurch Edmund Garner, Ash Wood, Whitchurch. Eight cheese, owned and exhibited by any farmer resident, within the association district, whose oc- cupation exceeds 80 but does not exceed 150 acres 1, Fredk. Jeffries, Penley, Ellesmere; 2, W. H. Hobson. Wood Farm, Malpas; 5, Samuel Calde- oott, Pcny-Lan, Ruabon; 4. J<.hn Williams, Broughall Farm, Whitohurch; 5, R. W. Cooper, Biekerton 6, William Lea, Ma.!pas; r, Waiter H. Dutton, Maesbury. Very highly commendied: Walter Lee, Woodlake, Tattcnhall; Mrs. B. Ikin, Whitohurch; T. W. Spencer, Handiey; William Boughey, Pentrceoed; W. H. Bucklsy, Shocklach. Highly commended: Albert Hughes, Willington Cross, Maipas; Mrs. E. Dutton. Austerson; Peter Bat? Hargrave; Mrs. Jane Lewis, Alkington; John Weaver, Brou!{hall; Joseph Jones, Malpas; H. S. Walleye Bickerton Half, Malp?s. Four cheese, owned and rxh 'bit-ed by any farmer resident within the association district, whose 0'c- cupati-CTi does not exceed 80 acres: 1, J. Tayior, Lees Farm, Malpas; 2, S. Dutton, Haughton, Tarporley; 3, Mrs. Lovekin, Bowcs Gatn, Tar- porley; 4, Thos. Williams. Hollin Green, Sound; 5, W. Pinnington, Spurstow r, John Perry. Nor- bury. Very highly commended: J. H. Cocke, Aaton P. H. JeSries, Ha.Ighton, Bangor. Com- mended Mrs. Edge, Whitchurch; John Lowc, Lee, Ellesmere; Richard Reddrop. Obenbury; Edwin C. Latham, Norbury: John F. Burgess, Alkington F. W. Jackson, Chirk; George West,, Haughton; Thos. Trelf, Newha)!. Twelve white cheese, cf any make. not less than SOlb. each, made, owned, and exhibited by any 301b. each, ident within th& association radius 1, Fredk. Jewries, Penley, Ellesmere; 2, William Parker, Roden's Hall, Wrexham 5, Edmund Gar- ner, Ash Wood; 4, J. Simister, Corra; 5, George Walley, Cholmondeley; 6, Thos. Charlesworth, Baddington 7, Miss Nunnpriey, Bclton r, T'hos. Wilaon, A!king'ton Hall. Very h)gh!y com- m&nded: Peter Bate, Golden Nobie, Hargrave; Peter Dutton, Hooneld Hall, Huxley; Richard Gough, Market Drayton W. H. Hobson. Woodi Farm, Malpas; John HockcnhuII, BaddHey; John Jaok&on. Handiey: W. H. Edwards, EHcs- mere; Thos. Emberton. Ellesmere; Arthur WiHis, Whitchurch. Highly commended: Albert Hughes, WiiIIngton Cro-;s, Ma)pas; James Huime. EUesmerc; Hugh Rutter, AMcrsey: WiHiam R. Huntbaoh, Dodsgreen. Aston; Thos. Walker. Biokley. Commended): T. H. Spencer, Well House. Handiey; Thos. Mott&rshead. Wcm; H. S. WaUey, Bickerton Hal!, Ma.tpas; S. Winward, Breughton. Four white cheese, of any make, not less than 301b. each, made, owned, and exhibited by any farmer resident within the United Kingdom: 1, Peter Dutton, Hoondd Ha! Hux!ey: 2, S. Lea., Kinsalo Farm, Oswootry; 5, Mrs. Latham, Brook House, Ohor!cy; 4, S, P. Droughton, Ridtoy, Tar' porley; 5, Frederick Jeffries, Penley; 6, Evan Jbangiey. Ridicy, Tarporlcy; 7, Mrs. Waiioy, Frankton, Oewestry; r, T. Charieaworth, Bad- dington. Very highly commended: John Reece, Lane Farm, Bromngton; Peter Bute, Golden Noble, Hargrave Wdiiam Paiker. Rodena Hatt. Wrexbam; E. Burgess, Corra. Whitchurch W. H. Hobson. Wood Farm, Nt-,tlpts; Ernest Jones, Garden Home Farm, Malpaa Richard Windsor, \Veston, Ha.wkstone James Blake. C.dveley Hall, Handley Misa Nunnerley. Belton, Whitchurch Edmund Garner, Ash Wood. Whitchurch; E. Wilaon. Glutton. Highly commeuded Richard Mullock. Wai,ertoii; Mrs. E. Dutton. Ash Tree Farm, Austerson J. Mimister, Corra., Wbitehurcn Thomaa jjParker, Balderton. Myddle, hrew:;bury: Richard Gough, Sydnal Farm, Market Drayton George Walley Egerron Farm. Chotmondeley, Malpas; Mrd. Ikm, Tiistock-ioad, \ViÜtt:hurcn; Harry Denson, Pouiton, Pulford Jatiies Htdme, Kenwick Lodge, Ellesmere; Richard Jones, Tilley Park, Wem H A. Bonell, Manor Far<u, Audte.u; (J. F. Hobson, Weston Hal), Eu.:lô"baIl; Thos. Emberton, Birch Hall. EUeamete; Wm. Moore, Checkley. Nantwich: H. S. Whailey Bickerton Ha.U Joa. Wood. The Grange, Whnchurch. Com- mended Peter Nicholas, Dan'y Hou.se. M¿;¡.lpù. Four coloured oheose, of a.ny maKe, not less than 501b. ea,ch, made, owned and exhibited by a.ny farmer resident within the United Kingdom: 1, Samuel Uutton, Burlcyda.m; 2, Edmund Garner, Ash Wood, Whitohurch; 5, Mrs. Dutton, Old Marten Ha.H, Edcsmfre; 4, Jamos Biako, Calveley Hail; 5, Lewis Cook, Wackley, Burlton; 6, Harry Denson, Pouiton; 7, W. F. Wilkmson, Madeley; r, John Barnett, Norton Wood, Market Drayton.. Very htghiy oommendod Stephen Dickin, Wrexham; Georgo Martin, Pontre-Coed; Miaa Nunnorioy, DeliJon; Thomas Wilson, Aikington Hali. Highly commended: Thomas Topham, The Twemiows, Whitchurch; Thomas Blake, The Cloy, Bangor-on-DM; George WaUey, Cholmondoley; E. Burgess. Corra.; Richard Jones, Worn; Thos. Huxiey, Whitchureh. Commended: John Lewis, Quoialey, W}iitchurch; Wm. Parker, Rodens HaU, Wrexham; Walter Lee, TattenhaU; Thomaa Nunnerley, Bradclcy Green. For farmera who have not won a first or s<x)ond prize at any recognised dairy or agrieu.turai "how during the last five years, dating from January 1st, last past. JB25 g.Ten by Captain R. W. Ethelston, Tho BoUings, Malpas, for four cheese, made and exhibited by any farmer within the association radius, whose occupation exceeds 120 ao;es: 1; Joseph Nodcn, Wcttenhall; 2, George Dutton. Strotton Farm. Mailpas; 3, E. Burgess, Cona; 4, J. N. Joyce. C-,Ivt-ihall; 5. Cné1r cs .Jackson, layooed; 6, Richard Jonea, Tiiley Park, WdIl; r, Mrs. E. Dutton, Austorson. Very h.ghly oom- mended: John R. Jones, EHosmeie; E. Lookett. Whitohuroh; S. Perry, junr., Hankins Ha,yes, Noi'ton-inHcdes; Mrs. La.tham Ctlorley. HghJy oommcndcd: Edmund Ga.ruer, Ash Wood; Thcs. Huxley, BIacko..W'hitchuioh; Abraham Da,!l na;- ton, Ightneld. T. A. Mottershead, Bronington; J. W. Maddocks. Alkington; Thos. EtTiborton, Biroh Hall, ELesmere; Joseph Siddai!, Hanm<M' For farmers who have not won a first or s<"conci prize at any recognised da.iry or agricuituraJ t-how during the last nve ycars. dating from J aimary 1st. last past, JE25 g Ten by Captjin R W. Ethelaton. Tito Boilings. Malpas, for four che°se, made and exhibited by any farmer within the association radius, whose occupa-tion does not exceed 120 acres: I. T. E. Hughes, Edge; 2, Thos. Harth m, Lynea.1 Hall, ElesnTerc.; 5, J. Kyna-ibon. Hs-nmer; 4 Mrs. Hujttbach, WilLngton 'Maipaa; 5, P. H. Jen'riea, Ha.ighton, Bangor; 6 W. H. Buckley, Shooklaoh; r, John Moor, junr., Coddingtoa, Handley. Very highly commendf-d .J..hrvis, Oaknelds. \VhixHll, Whitchurcb Thomaa SkeUand, Threapwood, M:dpa.s. Highly commended Joseph Wood. The Grange, Marbury, Whitchurch Edwin C. Latham, Rye Bank, Norhury. Whitchurch F. W. Jackson, Penybryn, St. Martins, Chirk John Weaver, Brought!. Wbitchureb Mra J. Beckett, WilMngton, M,dpas Commended John Done, Shock]acb, Malpas John F. Burgesa. Alkington, Whitchurch R&lph Dodd, Wood Farm, Ash. Whitchurch. BUTTER. Six half-pourids of fresh butter, exhibited by looal makers whoae occupation exceeds 50 a,eroa: 1, Miss Parsonage, Whitegatc. Mdlpas; 2, Mrs A. Fa-uJkner, Norbury; 5, Mra. W. F. W'lkinson. Madeley; 4, Mr. John Bate. EmraIPark, Worthen- bury. Wrexham 5, Mr. Joseph Wood. The Grange, Marbury. Whitchurch r, Mr. WiUiam Jeffries, Burlington, Shifnal, Salop. Very highly com- mended, Mr. thmnel Dutton. BurJeydam. Whit- church, and Mrs. Thoa. Jackson, Middle House, Hampton. Mttlpag. Six half pounds, exhibited by makers with occu- p'ations less than 50 acres: 1 Mrs. Price Wil- liams, Bangor-on-Doe; 2, Mrs. Joasph Stokes, Til- stonr; Heath, Ta.rporley; 5. Mrs. G. B. Robinson, B&ddiley 4, Mrs. E. Duckera, Brynowen Cottage, Iscoyd, Whitchurch; 5, Mrs. Callcott, Wbixa.1!. Whitcburch; r, Mra J. Hough, Calveley Very highly commended. Mrs. Stoddey, Horsemnna GreeN, Whitcburch, and Mra. A. Arrowsmith, Ca.ttera.lls-Iane. Whitchurch. Highly commended, Mrs. E. France, Bunbnry. Two pounds of butter, made up and exhibited by an agricultural labourer not keeping more than two cows, and residing within the Association radius: 1, Mrs. Barnes. Alpraham 2, Mrs. Joseph Stokes, Tilstone Heath 3, Mrs. E. Harding. Baddiiey 4, Mrs. F. Cooper, Adravetlyn Cottage, Penley, EHesmere; 5, Mrs. Geo. Harding. Spurstow; r. Mrs Pugb, Norbury Common. Whitchureh. Very highly commended, Mrs. E. Bad rock, Ravensmoor. Hjghly commended. Mrs. A. Robinson. Dig-lane, Acton, and Mrs. W. BIackhurst, Burleydam. Exhibita of butter In ornanMMital style: 1, Mia. Bon'ey, Ba.rthomJoy. Exhibit of butter, made up in ornamental style, to be exhibited on a dish or plate, without any decoration or material, excepting para!ey 1, Mrs. Baffey, Barthomley; 2. Miss HockenhuH, Kiln- green, Whitchuruh 3, Mrs. Stockley. Horseman's Green, Whitcburch; r, Miss Jessie HockenhuH, Kilngreen v h c. Miss Edwards, Oa.k-vill&, Bron- mgton, Wbitchureb. Farm produce: 1, Mr. W. H. Hobson. Ma,Ipas; 2, Mrs. Hockenball. Dansons Farm. Malpas; 3, J. W. Maddocks, Aikington, Wbitcbmch; 4, Miss Huxley, Blackoe, Wbitcburch.

I NANTWICH FARMERS' CLUB. 0 ? I LIME AND SALT IN AGRICULTURE. At the Nantwiob Fajmore' Club, on Sa-turd&y, Mr. A. Smetham contributed an interesting paper on the uso of hmo and Bait in agricuitura. In con- sidering the methods by which the ben&noiaJ aifocta of hmo aa a manura were brought a.bout, Mr. Smcth&m &tiuded to two seta of exporimc'llts on gTa..38 land a.t Rostiterno and Ta.tton Park, wiuch he ca-rriod out for the Royal iniani.;iicster and Liver- poot A6-rioultural Society from. 1S87 to 1883. had reoentiy Tiaited the p.ota in Ta.tton Pa.rk which were manured in 1891 with lime at the rate of two tons &ud four tons per status &crc. and tho betiohot&i aii'ecta not.io&abio in the herba.go during the tiBto tha-t tho exporimfnM Wefe under cloaa obser'va.uon. wei'3 Btiii quite a,ppa.rent. As a loniedy for aour land, iimo wis tne OHeapoot and nioat couYen.cnt subet&noj ttt, bno d.spo&al of the farmer, ai-id it w.M. ptobabie tim.t wnen&ver tiie rank growth, indlLatlllg acidity, was observa.bie, a dressing of hmo would pi-oro aji ocononue<d mcnt. C<u'e, howYor, must be taken not to u.&e it I exoopt at raro inOOiyala. Mununed up, the imic- tiona of time in the aoii were H) tliat it acted d..reotly as p.ant food; (2) that it ouied aour la--i4ci, and by doiug titt inil>r,-ned tne herbage when ap- plied to grase land; (.3) that it prt;pa.red the locked- up vegetAble ma.t.tM- of the soil tor plant foou by iibora.ting the mtrugen which it contained; (4) it decomposed tha dom.at iÜllleral iood of thj soil- by splitting up the ai.oaws and liberating the potash; (5) tim:. it improved the physicai condition of hea.vy ela.y laii4ck; (0) that it ensurod the oonip.<.te.. ut)ilisa.tj<tn of solubia ptio6pliato ma.nm-M and of snlpha,to of ainmoula, and in doing so prevented any possible injury to tiiO crop by any excess 01: acid used tn tiM manufacture of the purchased arttuoiad ma.nu.iiee. iSoiis rich in organic co'm.- pounds, and naore esperuuJly p&a.ty fyoazs, benoiited gretttiy by the addttion of hta. iX.'Oauw any acidity was neutraJiood and the amount of rnattDr which was prepared for plant food was relatively small compared w:th the re&orvo stores present in the soil. 6tff clays, ef3{)colaolly those deficient in lime, also wei'e greatly improved, even if tne quajitity of organic m&tte.r be smaii. On the other hartd, sandy and hght aoiis_ whieh usually con- tained only a smaJA propoztlon of doimant food, both vegetable tuid mineral, should n0Yd be treated with hoayy dresa-jigs of caustic or quick iimo. In these oasoa it was better applied in the mildar forma of carbonate of lime. Carbonate of lime, in the fonn of unburnt limestone or ch&lk. or in a very finely divided condition as precipitated carbonate of ime, a by-product in certain manu- factures. which supply the lime directly required by the crop; wouid neutra.Ii&e any ao;dity and would ensure tho complete ut.iiisa.tion. of aCld phos- phatto inAnurea and 01 sutphate of ammoma, but it did not to any marked uxtent perform the otii-r functions of oauBtio i.me in the soil. It was not well to leave iime too long- exposed to the. air bo- fore distributing it upon the land. Re<<mt!y caustic lime had bën eold. in a ground condition, a.nd in this form it might bo advantageously dis- tributed direct-iy to the l.ind, whether the land Le in grass or under arabia ouit.vation. Ca-ro must be taken not to sow the liuw at the same time as farmyard manur.? or &rtiuc)aJ manures oontain:ng sulpliate of ammonia, otherwise an !nev:tabie loss of the moat valua.bLe part of the manure would result. The vexed question, as to what quantity of lima it ww beat to apply was not an easy one to answer. In the .xperjment at Tatton. in both iu- stances the smaller etreesing gave tin.mcd'ately (ho largest increase in tha weight of the crop, but in the five yoan3 that the Rosth 'tne plots wero weighed the total weight of produce produced by the four tona was gTeo,tor than that produced by tho two tons. Tne increase, however, was not Euffici2utly grca.t to give a. proper rptum for the incfCa.&ed outlay. In the ordinary high cultivation which was to bo found in most places in dairy districts in Cheshire, the amaJler quantities sup- plied mo're frequently would p?ove tlie more re- munerative. Speaking as to the beneficiaj eSccte I of salt aa manure he pomted out that when used in large quantities salt became a plant poison. Even when u"é>d in mott&ia.te quant.ties it retr:rd<?d the growth of pt&nta, MMi it was probably to this property tha.t the b?neRoial effects often obsci'ved when salt was used in CQIljunotion with nitrate of soda as a top dreaaing for wheat was due. When applied to gra.æ land it sweetened the herbage, A solution of sa)t ha<i a g'rea.ter solvent action than puro wator. and doubtlsss part of the, on'p'cts observed m'ght bo re.ferred to this pro- perty. In that distriot, where sa.lt was produr<'d in iargo quantities, it 6:emed pLi'obable that it ex- isted in the soil in sumcient amount without using t it as manure, and ha therefore adviaed that it should be tried upon a very limited area boforf.- treating the land g.PneraHy with it. Even if It was found that salt had a ooneficial effed. it, Yffi:' just a quostion. in hit mind. whether it epuld not be more cconomioaJly applied in conjunction with potash in the formed kainit. which contained about one-third of its weight common aaJt. besides chloride of magnesium and sulphata of potash

THE ROYAL LANCASHIRE.—The annual meeting of the Roy:d Lancashire Agricultural Society was held on Wednesd f1.y at Preston Town Hal], Mr. H L Storey. Lancashire High Sheriff. presiding. The report shewed a. profit of 'over .E4'30 on the year's working, and a balance in the bank of over £10,000. It was apreed that the next show be held at Liverpool on the 3rd, 4th. 5th and 7th of August. Lord Sefton was unanimously elected president for next year TO BENEFIT THE FARMER.—Some little time ago interest wa.s a.rou?cd by tho a,nnmmoc- mont of a vcnturo on the part of the- Gret N",cstern Raihvay Co'mpa,ny in conn€<;tion with the supply and conveyance of agricultural pro- duce from country to town. and genoral satis- faction wa.s expressed with the new arrangement which had tho eScct of a.aaistfn.a- the agriculturist bv bringing the producer and the consumer into c!osor touch. It is phasing to Jeam tJiat the facilities afforded have bÙ8Jl we]I appreciat-ed. and it is evident from a perusal of the comprehen'rive pamphlet isucd by the in which is given a list of farmers and others who are willing to supply weckJy or as may be desired suoh oom- modities aa eggs. butter, crea.m. cheese, poultry. fruit and vegetables required for home use. that 1 he of our large. towns and much to gain from the :,ys!em it advocates, and which to of the British agriculturist in a happy way A rart of the is that, boxes of 8iz and s'utabi) for tho packing of commodities of th9 kind referred to are t,ll0 Stations from which agricuitura! produce is forwarded at prac- tically cost, price, and much trouble and incon- venience in connection with tho return of empty packages is thereby aaved.

BRABAZON EMPLOYMENT SOCIETY. SALE OF WORK AT WREXHAM. The eleventh annual sale of work. held under the auspices of the Brabazon Employment Society, took place at the County Buildings, Wrexham. on Thursday last week. The society, which has for its object the employment of the aged and infirm inmates of the Wrexham Workhouse, is composed of ladies of Wrexham and the surrounding dis- tricts, who, with Mrs. GrifBth-Boscawen at their head, work with unflagging energy towards re- lieving the tedium of workhouse life. Many and various were the articles with which the stalls erected in the Court-room were laden, all being the outcome of the labours of the workhouse in- mates—maJe and female—the former being re- sponsible for some very prectily-worked and de- signed rugs and mats, while the latter displayed their taient in ornamental needlework and the making of household articles. The Hon. Mrs. Savage Moatyn kindly conseni:ed to perform the ceremony. Arnon&, those present at the opening were the Mayor and Mayoress (CounciUor and Mra. E. Birkett Kvans), the Hon. Mrs. Savage Moatyn and Miss Mos'yn, Ca.pta.in and Mrs. Gnmth-Boacawen, Mr. and Mrs. Yorke, Mr., Mrs. and Miss Oswell Bury, the Rev. Canon Fietcher, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Jones, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Evans and Miss Evans, Airs. Croom-Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. H. Hugh Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Edisbury, Mr. Gee. Cromar, Miss Maude Jones, the Rev. L. H. 0. Pfyoe, Mrs. Kyrke, Mrs. Theo. Jones, Miss Thomas (Trevose;, Miss Lyons, Miss Jones-Parry, the Misses Holland (Gresford), the Misses Francis (Nythfa), Mrs. Edward Jones (St. Heiiers), Mrs. Bate (Wrest), Miss Holland (Bryuy- grog), Mrs. Murlese, Mr&. W. E. Samuel, Mrs. St. John Stanley, Mrs. Aldington Hughes, Mrs. Rees, Mrs. Rice Jones. Mrs. E. D. Evans, Mis. Grsville, the Misses Owen (Wood Hey), Miss Owen (Nor- man-road), Mrs. Acton, Mrs. Howell Evans, Misa Darby, Mrs. T. G. Bcscawen, etc. Captain Gnmth-Boscawcn read a report of the year's work, which stated that it was pleasing to be able to record the continued success ot the scheme. All the a-rtieies a.c the present sale were ma.d'e in the Innrmary wards <.f the Wrexham Workhouse and the proceeds of the sales were de- voted to the purchasing of fresh materials and the giving of treats and rewards to the workers. Last year, the sale was a small one owing to the out- break of sma-ll-pox in the house. Thia necessitated the discontinuance of work for acme months and their funds were consequently low. They trusted that that day's sale would remedy that. The society was carried on without cost to the rate- payers, and was entirely scif-suppcrting. At the Welsh Industries Exhibition in connection with the National Eisteddfod held at Rbyl in Septem- ber, specimens of the work dene :n the Wrcxham Unio.n were shewn on the Dcnbighshire staJl and were much admired. Captain Grimth-Bo.sca.wen continuing, said Mrs. Bcseawen had received a letter from Mr. Bircham, the poor law inapec'tcr for that di.itricL which read as follows:—" I have only received your notice as to the sale of work at Wrexham on the 17th ins! I am sorry to say that I have to be at F<:rden that day and cannot there- fore be present. I should much have liked to be there, as. indeed I ought to bc\ to shew my appre- ciation of the valuable work you and your friends who work with you so k.ndly accomplish. There is no workhouse in my district where the Brabazon scheme is so completely carried out and', I hope, firmly established." (Applause.) The Hon. Mrs. Mostyn said it gave her grea.t. pleasure to come there that afterncon, and it was extremely kind of them to ask her. She was sure it made all those who worked to prepare for that sale very happy, for they all knew 'at when their was unemployed not happy. It was very easy indeed to start a work ke the present one. but the hardship ."ame in continuing it year after year. It gave her gre'.t pleasure t'o declare the aaJe open, and she wished it every success. The Mayor said he thought he had the p!easantest duty to perform, and that was to pro- pose a vote of thinks to the Hon. Mrs. Mostyn. This waa not the first time she hn.d come to their assistanec-, and they de-py app-eee ateŒ her kind- ness in sacrincing her time. He h' ped the workers would acknowledge the ti "I)t of gratitude which they owed to Mrs :Mc:;tyn for opening the sals that day. (App):iuse.) Mr. Simon Jones Ivic!chairm1\n of the Board of Guardians) seconded, and aid he endorsed all that the Mayor had saia. T'' c g'u"rd a.ns were cnly allowpd to carry ot-it the law with regard to the- inmates of the house, whereas, the ladies could carry out their deeds of sympathy ajnd kindness without ref;fraint. He hoped it would be a. record sale. (App)a.usc.) The motion WitS pnt and carried with acclama- tMn. Canon FIetcher 'T'ovpd thp.t a -rote of thank. be- accorded to Mrs. and 't't o lady workers of the society. Frory every pont they oGufd see' the work improving yrar by y<Mr. Tliry W(,ff aH greatly }o tb for the' work they had so persistently carried Ott among the inmates of t,ne OIIS(L. Mr. Cromar seconded, and it waa trnaniirotisly carried. The. stie wa then proceeded with in a very brisk and businesslike m.anner. The stallhDlcfprs we-e'—Mra. W. B. PhiFips, Miss Sandba-h, Mrs. Loxha-n;. Mrs. PowcH. Mrs. A!ban Jon<'s. Mrs. HcwpH Enns Jones. Mis Boden, Mrs. Rowlands, Miss Hin, and Mrs. Thomas.