The Welshman

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT In the House of Lords on the 16th inst. the dis- cussion was continued on the motion of the Earl of Rosebery for the House to resolver itself into a committee to consider the best means of reform- ing its existing organisation, so as to constitute a strong and efficient Second Chamber. The speak- ers included Lord Curzon, the Earl of Cromer, Lord Burghclere, the Earl of Halsbury, Lord Willoujjhhy de Broke, the Earl of Stradbroke, the Duke of Marlborough, Lord Marchamley, Lord Ampthill, the Earl of Camperdown, and Lord Ellen borough. Lord Halsbury denied that any reform suggested could make the House of Lords more consonant with public feeling than it is. In the House of Commons the consideration of the Navy Estimates in Committee of Supply af- forded opportunity for discussion of the pro- gramme of the Government, and again several Liberal members complained of the increasing ex- penditure on armaments. In the course of the evening Mr. Duke called attention to the case of Mr. Mulliner, who alleged that he had been de- prived of his position as manager of the Coventry Ordnance Works because of a political difference between him and the Government. Mr McKenna declared that such a charge was absolutely base- less. In the House of Lords on the 17th inst., the discussion was continued and concluded on the motion of the Earl of Rosebery for the House to resolve itself into a committee to consider the best means of reforming its existing organisation, so as to constitute a strong and efficient Second Chamber. The speakers were Lord Courtney. the Marquess of Lansdowne, and the Earl of Crewe. The House formally went into com- mittee, and, on the motion of the Earl of Rose- bery, the proceedings were adjourned till Mon- day. In the House of Commons, on the report of the vote for officers and men of the Royal Navy, there was a general discussion on naval affairs. Mr. Long said that the Opposition regarded the in- I crease in this vote as an indication that the Gov- ernment had adopted a new and more satisfac- tory policy with regard to the Navy. Lord Chas. Beresford insisted that our Empire was only kept going and only lived by our supremacy at sea; hence the need for a Navy that was thoroughly efficient in every respect. He complained of the j shortage in the number of men. and at a later stage raised several points in respect of which the Admiralty might improve the conditions of the service. Mr. Mc Kenna replied, and after fur- ther discussion the vote and that relating to pay were agreed to. The East India Loans (Railways and Irrigation) Bill was read a second time. The Duke of York's School (Chapel) Bill was under consideration at 11 o'clock, when the debate on the motion for the second reading was adjourned. In the House of Commons on Friday, on the report of the Vote on Account, a discussion took place on the administration of the Old Age Pen- sions Act in Ireland. The Nationalist members complained that a number of old people had been deprived of pensions who were entitled to them, but Mr. Hobhouse and Mr. Birrell denied that this was the case, stating that the most careful investigation was made before any action was taken. Only in those cases where the people were not seventy years of age had the pensions been cancelled. Mr. Buxton afterwards made a state- ment on the work that had already been accom- plished by the Labour Exchanges, and on the in- tentions of the Government in regard to insur- ance against unemployment and other social re- forms provided for in the Budget, should they continue to enjoy the confidence of the coun- try. In the House of Lords on Monday a discussion began on Lord Rosebery's resolution to limit the hereditary principle. In the House of Commons Mr. Asouith brought on his Veto resolutions, a copy of which will be found in another column.. nt-

A reward of £ 100 is offered for the detection of the murderer of Mr. John Innes Nesbit, the col- liery cashier, who was shot in a train from New- castle. and a description of a wanted man is pub- lished by the police. At Fishguard on Saturday week a publicfneet- ing unanimously passed a resolution asking the Home Secretary to have a full inquiry held into the death of the late Sergt. Rosser. The chair- man (Mr. Llewhelin) said the meeting had been called because of the feeling amongst all parties and creeds that something was radically wrong in the retirement of the late Sergeant Roeser. Councillor D .Rees urged that the matter should be sifted to the bottom ,and supported the resolu- tion.

POULTRY NOTES. [By "Ovum."] [Those who need information on questions af- fecting poultry and egg-production may send questions to the Welshman Office, which will be answered free through our columns. Any in- quirer who needs an immediate reply through the post can have it by enclosing 6. Any money re- ceived in that way will be handed over to the funds of the Carmarthenshire Infirmary.—Ed.J PROPOSED CO-OPERATIVE EGG DISTRICT FOR CARMARTHEN. I am very pleased to say that I have heard from several people who take an interest in the forma- tion of an egg depot for Carmarthen. If these and the other poultry-keepers in the district will only recognise the great benefit and assistance they would receive by combining, then it would be possible to hold a preliminary meeting, so that a provisional committee could be formed to draft out a scheme. This ought to be done prior to the visit of the Egg Missionary Train in April. « • In the formation of the Egg Depot, there are two important parts. The first, which is ifnancial, is to raise the necessary capital which would be required. The amount needed depends on the area worked but for Carmarthen four to five hundred pounds would put it on a sound basis, though eventually this would probably have to be increased, with the opening of sub-depots and other developments that would have to be made. To begin with, about jElOO of the capital would be expended in fitting up the depot, the purchase of horse and trap, egg boxes, and the necessary utensils needed in a business of this description the rest of the capital for cash transactions, and the building up of the business. • The usual course to raise this is for the mem- bers to form themselves into a small limited com- pany, or for a number of local gentlemen to ad- vance it to the Co-operative Society at 4 per cent. interest. This is always, a first charge on the Society, and an absolutely safe investment, for all business is done to leave a profit. There is no speculation whatever, for a market is assured for as many eggs as can be supplied. If the Co-oper- ative Society have any difficulty in this direction, the Poultry Organising Society will put them in touch with buyers in large towns. • One thing to be remembered is that there will be no bad stock or bad debts. 4» • • The other important part is to form a successful Co-operative Society, and that is there must be a good number of loyal working members, who would have the success of their society at heart. ALL keepers of poultry ought to become members. 0 The subscription would only be a few shillings a year, so this ought not to deter anyone from join- ing. When it is the wife or daughter who takes the interest in poultry, then by all means let them become the member, for part of the business of the society would be to intensify that interest. ♦ » The Society would assist all its member to make poultry pay, and pay well. They would teach them what to do. and how to do it, at the right time. Successful poultry keeping is not such a simple thing as the majority of people thinks. I must say that at present there is very little thought, and no method, given to what will be [ am certain a very important industry for the district. • • • concern Anyone desirous of full particulars concerning co-operative egg depots can have same by sending postcard addressed Ovum," "Welshman" Office. At the same time will all those who would be will- ing to attend a preliminary meeting send me their names, and I will see they are advised as to the time and place. < ANSWERS TO QUERIES. Age of Eggs.—Can you tell me how to tell the age of an egg?—Interested. [This is quite simple, thought to be proficient it will take a little prac- tice. All eggs that pass through a depot are what is termed candled." These are examined in a dark room before a special lamp. They can tell its age by the size of the air space, which is situated at or near the broad end of the egg; the larger the air space the older the egg. "Inter- ested" can try this experiment at home some evening. Let him have a stout piece of cardboard say about eight inches square, one side of this to be black. Cut a hole from the centre the shape of an egg, but a little smaller than the average size. In a dark room without any other light but a candle he can commence operations. Hold the card with the black side towards him close up to the candle, the flame to be opposite the hole, then place an egg opposite the aperture. Move the egg slowly round in front of the hole, then he will see the air space quite distinctly. If possible have half a dozen eggs which have been laid on different days. Put the date on each egg. He will notice that for the first three days the air space keeps about the same. then each day makes a difference. Of course this does not go on in- definitely, but only for about a fortnight or so. By this means he can also follow the process of in- cubation. At the sixth or seventh day he can tell if the egg is fertile or not. At this period there ought to be, a black spot in the egg, nenrer the broad end than the centre. He will see thin veins running from it ..which gives it the appearance of a spider. If the egg is perfectly clear, then he can reject it, for it wont hatch, as there is no life can reject it, for it won't. batch, a s there is no life in it.] Best Time to hatch Chickens for Autumn Lay- ers.—" W. E. J. is anxious to know when he should commence to set eggs so that he can have pullets laying in the autumn? [I am verv sorry W. E. J. that you are leaving this very late indeed. To make certain to have Orpingtons laying in the autumn they ought to be hatched by now. My advice to you is to send away for a dozen day-old chicks of the variety you keep. This will mean a lot to you later on in the year. You will see plenty advertised in the Poultry World at from 6s. a dozen. Get a dozen of these, and put some of your own eggs under hens at once. If you sent away for any chicks you could easily put them under a broody hen when it was dusk. Put two first and take two eggs away. Then after half-an-hour put another two. If she takes to them, put the remainder, and re- move the eggs, which can be put under another hen. At daylight next morning feed with boiled egg and bread crumbs chopped up very fine.]

NABBEBTH BOARD OF -GUARDIANS.; The usual fortnightly meeting of this Board was held at the Workhouse on Monday la. i Present: Mr. R. H. Buckby, J.P., in the chair; I Mr. J. A. ijavies, Rev .J. 0 Evans, Rev. D. E. Williams, Mr E. James, Mr T. David, Mr B. J. j Howells, Mr Benj. Eynon, Mr Hy Lewis (Eglwys- cummin), Mr E. Thomas, Mr. Geo. J. Collins, Mr Hy. Morris, Mr. J. Phelps, Mr. G Killa, Mr Wm Da vies, Mr. J. R. Lewis, Mr. Wm. Richards, Mr Ben .Thomas (Jeffreyston), Mr. Wm. Jermin, Mr. J. Lawrence, Mr. Lewis Thomas, Mr. John Griffiths, Mr. Wm. Melchior, Mr. Owen James, Mr. Wm. Perkins, Mr. Wm. Lewis, Mr. John Harries. The Master repodoo that there were 49 inmates of the House as against 50 on the same day last year. The number of vagrants relieved during the fortnight was 123, as compared with lu4 in the corresponding period of last year. The out-reiwf administered during the fort- night was as follows:-Fii-st week: £90 6s. 6d. to 484, as agaicipt ESS 7s. Id. to 478. Second week: 29t to 484, as against £ 84 Is. to 477. The lists of permanent paupres were revised and at the close Mr. D. E. Williams said anyone going through the lists could not but see inequality in the amount of relief granted to people of similar age and circumstances. He did not know how this was, or whether some had friends at court and some had noc. -fie %is given to understand that impression prevails in the district. Mr. W. Jermin—Perhaps you can suggest some remedy. I don't think age has much to do with it. The Chairman—At my age I should want 6s., but looking at me you might say I don't want half-a-crown (hear, hear and laughter). The Local Government Board wrote relative to the appointment of Mr. W. V. Morgan as medical officer of the Workhouse and No. 1 district, and stating that in deference to the wishes of the guardians the Board would not refuse to allow Mr. Morgan to hold the office in question for a period of twelve months. 'The Chairman—All's well that ends well. The. Board also wrote expressing satisfaction ;that the guardians of the Narberth Union, had proceeded to make fresh appointments to the ■ offices of Master and Matron at the Workhouse. The Chairman—Then they confirm the appoint- ment. The Clerk-Xo, they simply sertd down forms -to be filled up; but it is not confirmed. That will come next Board. Sanction was received to the payment of the sum of t6 made by the Guardians in respect of the maintenance of a girl named Gwenydd Lewis in the Isabella Home at Shepherds Bush. If she continued in the Home at the cost of the Guard- ians they should apply for consent to the Guard- ians' subscription in respect of her maintenance tlrere. The Clerk said this Home was not registered, and the auditor called attention to it at the last audit. Mr. E. James said the girl was going on very well. A letter was received from the newly-appointed Master that he and his wife would be prepared to take up their duties on April 4th. Miss Curnick wrote resigning her post as tem- porary children's attendant, from the 26th March, as she had a permanent engagement in Carmar- then. She was sorry to leave so soon as she had got used to the children, and liked the place very well. Mr. Collins asked if it was the intention to get a children's nurse when they had a new Master and Matron there ? Assuming this lady hadn't resigned, would she be kept on? The Chairman—She was only engaged for three months, with a week's notice to terminate the engagement. We don't know what the future will do. The matter was referred to the House Com- mittee to deal with. i The Clerk read the minutes of a meeting of the House Committee held for the purpose of arriving at the value for superannuation Durposes of the emoluments of the newly¡('leet'étl Master and Mat- ron of the Workhouse. With regard to rations of the indoor officers, they recommended that the schedule of rations be altered by substituting the word meat for the word mutton thus giving the officers a choice of selecting beef. mutton or pork. With regard to the value of the emoluments, they had gone carefully into the same and recom- mended the Master's to be placed at jE32 per an- num, and the Matron's £ 28. The Chairman said they based their report up- on returns received from other unions. At Pem- broke Union, where the Master and Matron had rations, furnishing and washing, the value was put at t40 and £30. The dietary table was far superior to what they gave at Narberth. Tn Car- marthen the value was placed at jE45 and JE31, Haverfordwest, JCoO and £ 40; Llandilo. £ 40 each. The Committee came to the conclusion that com- paring tnese they would be acting fairly towards the new Master by making the recommendation they had. It was stated that in addition to the rations the salaries would be £-10 and JE25. On the motion of Mr. Perkins, seconded by Mr D. E. Williams ,the report was adopted. A circular letter was received from the Local Government Board on the subject of the pay sta- tions, in which it was stated the Royal Com- mission considered the question of payment of re- lief at relief-stations. Various complaints had I been made against the system, as for instance children were sent to the relief stations to re- ceive parish relief from the relieving officers. It was notorious that one of the paupers would act as commission agent and collected the other paup- ers' relief for a small sum. If they had relief j stations there was no certainty of the relieving officer visiting the pauper's home. The Board concurred in this view, and in those unions where [ pay stations had been discontinued the results j have been most satisfactory. In only excep- tional cases in future would the Board be pre- pared to consent to the continuance of pay sta- tions. The subject was deferred for consideration at the next Board. i The Clerk stated that the next Board day fell on the date of the Carmarthenshire elections. There were eleven coming on in Carmarthenshire, and eleven in Pembrokeshire. All the officials would be engaged at the election, and three years ago they held the Board on the previous Satur- day. r t was decided to hold the meeting on the Sat- urday, 2nd April. The folowing tenders were accepted:—Milk at #d. per gallon, Sarah Thomas, Cold Blow; butter, Is. Id., salt butter Is. per lb, Welsh cheese El 15s. per cwt., Thos. Howell, East Atherston; 41b. loaf M., split peas 6s. 9d. per 561bs., salt 2s. Id. per cwt., American bacon lOd. per lb., potatoes 4s per cwt.. W. E Jenkins. Narberth; sultana, seed and plum cake ,each at 4d. per lb., E. Farrar, baker. Narberth; beef, 7d.. mutton 7d.. suet 6d., leg bone 2d., craws Id., Thos. Scourfield. Row- lands Park: coal: culm and rubble, 14s. 6d. per tou. small 10s. 3d., and clay 4s. 3d.. Thos. Jen- kins, Welsh Furze. Narberih; boots and shoes, Jos. Davies, Market Square. Narberth; groceries. divided between W. Palmer Morgan. Fred Nicholas and Alfred Voyle; clothing, men's suits, 25s. 6d., boys over ten 21s. 6d., boys under ten 15s., women's and girls' dresses and drapery, overcoats, Davies and Evans: stcickings and flan- nels, Thomas and Co., Bradford House. The Chairman gave notice that at the next meeting he would move to consider Mr. and Mrs. Flook's superannuation. j

NARBERTH SEWERAGE CASE IN LONDON. In the Chancery Division on the 17th inst. Mr. Justice Swiufen Eady had again under considera- tion the action brought by Mr. Francis Vickerman against the Narberth Urban District Council, claiming an injunction to restrain the defendants from committing or continuing a nuisance by lay- ing a new drain near the plaintiff's property, and causing annoyance by the discharge of sewage. Mr. Macmorran, having concluded his opening of the plaintiff's case, Mr. F .Russell objected that the case as opened by the plaintiff's counsel was very different from that pleaded. The plaintiff was not objecting to a new drain, but to a drain which was going to bring additional sewage into the stream. That was a different thing. His Lordship: There would appear to be some ground for their proceedings. You are the local authority. What are you going to do ? Mr. Russell: This is only a tiny village. His Lordship: But it is alleged that there is a large nuisance (laughter). Mr. Russell submitted that the pleadings only dealt with the existing outfalls, and complained that they were a breach of the section of the Act and constituted a nuisance. As he understood now his friend was going to ask for an injunction to restrain the defendants from proceeding with some sewerage scheme. His Lordship: As far as I can see from the pleadings there is no complaint of any work done by the defendants Mr. Macmorran submitted that the local author ity had done something which was a contraven- tion of the statute, and the plaintiff was entitled to restrain them from discharging sewage from Wogan Street. His Lordship Then it would have to be limited loO Wogan Street, otherwise it would be a non sequitur. What is the good of that? Mr. Macmorran It might have the effect of stopping them doing that which they say they intend to complete. His Lordship said that he was satisfied that the allegations in the pleadings were directed to the discharge of sewage. He was not sure that any advantage would be gained by giving the plaintiff leave to amend. It would mean starting de novo. The plaintiff had to show that the defendants had committed a nuisance. Ir. Macmorran said dfter what his Lordship had said he would ask for leave to amend. His Lordship said he would give liberty to amend upon the plaintiff paying all costs thrown awny, strike out the case from the list, and leave it to the plaintiff to give notice of fresh trial or of his intention to discontinue the action, and if there was no amendment the action would be dis- missed with costs.

THE QUESTION OF HEALTH. There is an old saying, A stitch in time saves nine," and if upon the first symptoms of any- thing being wrong with our health we were to resort to some simple but proper means of cor- recting the mischief, nine-tenths of the suffering that invades our homes would be avoided. The body is a machine full of intricate and delicate mechanism, and when one part is impeded it gradually throws the whole out of gear unless 't is quickly put right. A cold, a chill, a touch of indigestion or liver complaint, a pain in the loins, or the little indscretions to which in the hurry and turmoil of life we are all prone (such as eating too quickly, not taking sufficient rest, worrying too much over our troubles, etc., etc.). a1! tend to bring about a deadlock in some part of the human mechanism, or a weakening and slow- ing down of the whole. A good bracing tonic, one that will re-vitalise and wind up all the machinery, will at such times work greater won- ders than a long course of nauseous medicines. A dose of Gwilvm Evans' Quinine Bitters taken when you feel the least bit out of sorts is just that stitch in time." The. question of health is a matter which is sure to concern us at one time or another, especially when Influenza is so prevalent as it is just now, go it is well to know what to take to ward off an attack of this most weakening disease, this epidemic catarrh or cold of an ag- gravated kind, to combat it whilst under its baleful influence, and particularly after an attack, for then the system is so lowered as to be liable to the most dangerous of complaints. Gwilym Evans's Quinine Bitters is acknowledged by all who have given it a fair trial to be the best specific remedy for dealing with Influenza in all its various stages, being a Preparation skilfully prepared with Quinine, and accompanied with other blood purifying and enriching agents, suit- able for the liver, digestion, and all those ail- ments requiring tonic strengthening and nerve increasing properties. It is invaluable for those suffering with colds, pneumonia, or any serious illness, or prostration caused by sleeplessness, or worry of any kind, when the body has a general feeling of weakness and lassitude. Don't delay, but try it now. Send for a copy of the pamphlet of testimonials, which carefully read and consider well, then buy a bottle (sold in two sizes, 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d.) at your nearest Chemist or Stores, but when purchasing see that the name "Gwilym Evans is on the label, stamp and bottle, for without which none are genuine. Sole Proprietors :—Quinine Bitters Manufac- turing Company, Limited, Llanelly, South Wales.

AGRICULTURE. PERUVIAN GUANO.—I am thinking of giv- ing my oats at sowing time about 4 cwt. Per- uvian guano per acre. Do you think this will be right? It is after one year's hay that was heav- ily dosed with nitrate of soda. The land is con- siderably light.—T. R. [Yes. The course pro- posed will be all right.] STEER EATING THE COWS' TAILS.—Can you tell me through your valuable paper if there is any cure for a young steer that has commenced eating tails of the others along with him.- Small Farmer. [The steer is no doubt affected with a morbid appetite—perhaps some acidity of the stomach. It would be best to keep it by itself and give it a mash of bran and water, contain- ing one dessertspoonful of carbonate of soda night and morning for a' week or ten days. The best plan will be to isolate the beast.] OAT VARIETIES AND TULIP ROOT.—I have a field to sow with oats this year which is subject to tulip root. Would the Banner oats be a suit- able one to sow. It is a favourite in the North.— Farmer. [This variety of oats is very prolific. "he best way to combat the disease of tulip root is to give the land a good seeding, and at the same time apply a manurial dressing calculated to carry the crop beyond the range of disease. A suitable dressing would be 1 cwt. sulphate of ammonia, 3 cwt. superphosphate, and 3 cwt. kainit. A dress- ing of 10 cwt. ground lime applied a week or ten days before seeding would be a great advantage.] FEEDING TWO-YEAR-OLD CATTLE.—I am feeding two-year-old cattle, and, besides their rations of turnips and hay, each bullock receives 71b. best linseed cake .and 21b. bruised oats per day. Now whether is it advisable to give them it all at one meal, or half the quantity twice a day. An answer in your first issue will oblige.—Cox. [We think that Cox is giving his two-year-olds too much linseed cake. It seems rather a big and expensive feed for such young animals. It is also an excessive amount to be fed at one time, and ought to be divided and given night and morn ing. We think, however, he would get better re- sults from, say, 1 to 111h of crushed oats, and 2 to 2tlb. linseed cake mixed twice a dav.] CALF WITH GROWTH ON THE JAW.—I have a calf four weeks old, which has a growth on the right side of its lower jaw. When first noticed, the calf was about two weeks old. Would it be advisable to get the growth lanced, or to poultice it?—Constant Reader. [The description of this case is too vague. Querist says it is a growth, then he asks if it should be lanced or poulticed. We could not think of advising that a growth should either be lanced or poulticed. Reading between the lines, we are inclined to think that the calf, on account of its age, is affected with stomatitis ulceroso," that is ul- cers forming inside the cheek, with a correspond- ing enlargement or swelling on the outside of the jaw or face, a not uncommon trouble in young calves. Examine the inside of the mouth, and see if there is not an ulcerated sore, if so, then dissolve half a drachm of powdered chlorate of potass in half a pint of warm water and wash the mouth out with the lotion night and morning.] QUESTIONS AS TO MANURING.—1. What would be the most suitable spring dressing for wheat put down in the autumn, after a crop of oats, with 12yds. well-rotted dung per acre, and most suitable time to apply ? 2. What would be the most suitable top-dressing for a second crop of oats ? The field is a good heavy sandy loam, but is inclined to finger-and-toe when in turnips. Would superphosphate, applied to the oat crop, be likely to encourage finger-and-toe in the turnip crop next year ?—Reader. [1. After getting 12 yds. of well-rotted dung per acre. the wheat should not require much more in order to produce a good crop. A small dressing of 3 cwt. super- phosphate, bone flour, or fermented bone meal, and 3 cwt. kainit might be applied just now, and be followed by the beginning of April with 1 cwt. of nitrate of soda, or sulphate of ammonia, or nit- rate of lime, or calcium cyanide. Or a dressing of Peruvian guano might be applied. 2. Apply any of the dressings stated above, but the quan- tities should be larger. As superphosphate or other manure which has been dissolved in sul- phuric acid has a marked tendency to encourage the development of the germ of finger-and-toe, these should be rigorously excluded from the mix- ture ]. ABORTION IN COWS.—Two cows which I bought last spring (at same time from same owner and which suckled calves last summer, proved very unsatisfactory thereafter in that they "came back to the bull several times, and finally cast their calves some months before time. I isolated each of them immediately on casting (and am fattening them) but to-day (6th Feb.) another cow has castTier calf a month before due. I im- mediately isolated her, too. Do you think it pos- sible that the whole of my little herd have been smitten with this abortion scourge, and if so. what do you recommend me to do ? I have disinfected the cowhouse with carbolic.—Piper. [The par- ticulars given respecting the cows casting their calves point very strongly to that of epizootic or infectious abortion, and it is just possible that more of Piper's in-calf cows will abort. Iso- late, disinfect, and keep the sheds clean, and give each in-calf cow one dessertspoonful of Calvert's No. 5 carbolic acid every other night in the even- ing meal, every alternate fortnight, until the last month of gestation. If the trouble is to be. as is thought by some, in a great measure induced by the in-calf cows eating the germs that cause the malady, then there could not be any better remedy than the carbolic acid given in the food, and, with all due respect to the savants who say carbolic acid has no effect, we, on the other hand, from our own exporience, say that it is the most effective remedy in the prevention of abortion we have as yet tried.] MARE WITH SHOULDER SLIP.—A cart mare rising three years old, was first yoked about a month ago. A week later I observed her go- ing lame, and on examination, paw she was shoulder slipped." I gave her a few day's rest, but as there was no apparent improvement .ap- plied a blister. I don't think she walks any sounder since, and a hollow appears just behind where collar rests. Would you consider it advis- able to work her before she was going sound ? Will the muscle resume its normal position ? Would you recommend any special collar ? Also will she be liable to have a repetition of the same when yoked ?—Vexed. [This is of very common occurrence amongst young horses three or four years old, and is most frequently seen when they are first put into the plough. The so-called shoulder slip is nothing more or less than a sprain or laceration of the muscular fibres of the shoulder, at times causing lameness, and at others little or no lameness is observable. Usually the first thing noticed is a peculiar wobbling of the shoulder point, and a wasting away of the muscles on the outside of the shoulder blade, until no- thing but skin and bone can be felt. The best remedy is long rest. When lameness is present. and the shoulder much wasted, the animal should not, on any account, be worked. Our recommen- dation to querist is for him to smear the affected shoulder all over from top to bottom with Stock- holm tar, rub it well in. and turn the mare out into the field at once. Give a feed of corn each day, and a foddering of hay or chop. Some people blister the shoulder, others put in a seton. We used to practice these at one time, but the tar dressing and turning out beats all other reme- dies.] SEED COR.VL.-Tliere is a great need this month of the best seed corn being used, for every possible aid will be necessary to fight against the drawback of a bad seed bed. To an ideal tilth average corn can be confided, and if the weather favour the newlv-sown grain with gentle showers and a little sunshine as soon as the new corn is up, the best potencies of the seed will be educed. But where the grain is doomed to a fight with ad- verse conditions at its start in life it must be of extra, strength from the first. Seed corn of fine quality, in a good, dry state, and of selected kind, must needs be dear, but we hope shortly to put before readers some actual figures and prices which will show that the expense of pedigree seed is by no means overwhelming. We must at once warn them that of several of the more coveted types supply is already in a small com- pass, since firms can only supply a strictly limited quantity to each customer, for fear of offending farmers who come to them regularly. The buyer should, therefore, make up his mind promptly. Last autumn the quantity of seed corn secured in a fit state was very small indeed, and when we .remember that a long spell of rainy weather and high wind cannot be foreseen, we understand how even the expert professional growers suffered severely They are earlier cutters than the average farmer, but it is fatal to cut when the corn is still green, and the seed farms must not be situated in relaxing districts, otherwise the seed corn will lack stamina. But the natural tendency of grain in bracing parts is to ripen a bit late. The most interesting efforts of the day in growing seed corn are to diminish the growing period. WTieat which grows quickly is richer in dry gluten than slow-growing, and neither in oats nor barley have we reached the limit where rapidity of development becomes prejudicial either to quantity or quality in the yield. GERMAN POULTRY.—The great Central European show at Berlin, supported by the chief poultry fanciers from the Baltic to the Adriatic, has come and gone. The feature that struck an Englishman most was the attention and import- ance attributed to English and French breeds; the show, in fact, was to a great extent inter- national. As regards Germany's own particular races, the Lakenfelders are the chief type in West Germany. They are pretty birds of pied plumage, but they are small, and their eggs and flesh by no means anything extraordinary. They suit a flat, cold country like the Netherlands, like Friesland, like many parishes by the Elbe and Wesser. But we do not suppose they will win much way in, or compete seriously with, Great Britain. Next to the Lakenfelder, and more to be met with in Austria, is the Ramelsloh. which originated in a cross between the Brackel and the Leghorn. It has two great claims on the Ger- mans. It is a white bird. and that colour is fan- cied in Germany. Its chicks come on extreinfly, rapidly, and the well-to-do German loves his petit poussin." The Thuringian fowl strikes us as descended from the old crested Polish, but we have no evidence to justify more than a surmise. These are the three leading German breeds, but English Orpingtons and American Wyandottes are rapidly gaining ground. Of geese the Em- den is the leading type in Germany, and fan- ciers show wisdom in keeping large flocks of these hardy birds. ANALYSES OF POULTRY FOODS.—The Poultry World Annual gives very valuable analyses for the 15 leading poultry foods, not in- cluding mixtures. The owner of birds who ob- serves these proportions will be able to dispense with many expensive preparations of a propriet- ary nature:— Albnmi- Carbo- noids Fat hydrates Food. Water. or Flesb or Heat Pro- Formers. Oil. ducers. Wheat 12.4 11.7 1.8 70.0 Maize 11.0 10.4 5.1 70.0 Oats 14.0 12.9 6.0 56.4 Barley 14.0 9.0 2.0 68.0 Rice .14.0 5.0 1.0 77.0 Peas 14.3 22.4 2.0 52.5 Millet 14.0 12.7 3.3 57.5 Dari 12.5 10.0 4.0 68.0 Buckwheat 14.0 9.0 1.5 58.7 Hempseed 8.0 10.0 21.0 45.0 Canaryseed 9.5 17.3 19.8 33.5 Bran 14.0 15.5 4.0 44.0 Middlings 12.1 15.6 4.0 60.4 Dried meat 10.7 71.2 13.7 0.3 Malt culms .10.2 23.2 1.7 48.5 Rice will be seen to hea dthe list of heat pro- ducers dried meat is champion of flesh formers, and hempseed is of unparalleled richness in fat- tening value. The fattening cereals are oats and maize, and beans, which the yearly referred to does not analyse, are only 1 per cent. inferior to peas as flesh formers. The most concentrated of foods is hempseed, but for this very reason it must be given sparingly., The poultry owner should be better friends with the butcher than usually is the case. Average butchers have many odds and ends and there is nothing so good for building up the growing birds. HERDS AND FLOCKS.—Where the colts are arriving the mare must have special care and good food; oats, of course, and prime hay, and many particularly commend carrots for this critical period, as a welcome and milk-helping addition. A feature of the month is the good demand for bulls, which local bodies, are prepared to lend to the crofters' farms. The bulls are to be placed out, with the view of improving the live stock of poor and sma ll holders who cannot afford Jto pay for the services of a pedigree male for their kine. Few more practical forms of, benevolence have been known, even in the practical North. The young farrows in the sties are receiving particu- lar care this March, for seldom have pigs sold better. Bacon pigs are being killed off. The bacon-curing factories are extending, and new ones are being established. This side of farm en- terprise at least is prospering. The Bingley Hall sale of shorthorns, working out at between £ 62 and iS63 per head, is a striking advance on 1907-8- 9, when value averaged between jE44 and E52. The ordinary sales of fat stock and of beef show fair prices, and the demand is quite good for the time of year. Calves are selling well, and more farmers than usual seem inclined to keep and develop their young animals A general fall in the price of milking cows is noticeable since March came in. A curious occurrence is reported from Coldstream, where a ewe has just given birth to twin lambs, one black and one white. The ewe is a mixed breed; the ram was a pedigree Oxford Down. The lambing season South of the Thames has been, on the whole, a favourable one. In Mid-England the rains have been inimical, but in other respects luck seems to be with the sheep farmer. The prices realised for pigs of late have been excellent at birmingham, Ashford, Basing- stoke, Carlisle, Dorchester, Ipswich, York, New castle, Norwich, and Wolverhampton. The pig is becoming even in England a rent-paying gentle- man. Owing to the high prices making for pork prime carcases of dairy-fed animals are now be- ing imported freely from France. SOWING PAsTGln SEEDS.-Thetim in sow- ing pasture seeds should be to ensure their distri- bution at the most suitable depths as regularly as possible all over the surface of the field, so that no bare patches may be found in the sward later in the year, for not only is patching difficult, but it is also a relatively costly process. On heavy land it is not really necessary to cover pasture seeds at all; and many seeds, indeed, will not, as previously mentioned, germinate in any soil at a greater depth than half an inch, so that the ob- ject should be to just hide the seeds to protect them from being scorched by the hot sun or eaten by birds. Beyond a fine. firm, and level seed bed, the necessity for which has been already demon- strated, a sufficiently. dry soil to permit of the harrow and roller working without clogging and a day still enough for the seeds to be distribub-ed tolerably regularly are essential. Immediately before sowing a harrow must be run over the land. When it is merely intended to roll the seed in, a ring, or Cambridge roller may be substituted for the harrow. Sow the protective cereal broadcast, mixed with what sanfoin and tall oat grass seeds are to be used, and harrow the sowing in. If intended to mature for grain or straw the corn is sometimes drilled alone, so that the pasture shall not be too densely shaded, but the method of broadcasting appears to keep weeds in check bet- ter by more fully occupying the ground with the grasses and clovers. Separate the seeds to be sown into two mixtures, containing respectively the heavy and light species. Where the slight additional expense of crossing the land a third time is not a consideration, make a separate mix- ture of the meadow grasses and crested dogstai1 grass, though this is unnecessary when the seeds are to be only rolled in, and not covered with a harrow. Though excellent results are often ob- tained by skilful broadcasting, the seed barrow distributes the grains nearer to the ground, and should therefore be preferred under ordinary con- ditions. AGRICULTURE NOT ADV ANCING.-Figures which have been lately published show that agri- culture is declining ,and the gratifying increase in the area under small fruit is no set-of f against the disastrous reduction in the cultivation of wheat barley, potatoes, roots and flax. The de- cline in roots and potatoes will surprise manv who thought it was only corn land that was af- fected., Not so; the falling tendency in our ag- riculture is much more general than is com- monly supposed. Light of the most lurid kind is shed on the subject in Table 25, which sets forth the rateable value of agricultural lands. This in- cludes the permanent pastures, the dovel's, and the small fruit gardens, which have been rela- tively prosperous, yet the yearly value of agri- cultural property as a whole has fallen from £ 23,947,447 in 1901 to £ 23,655,307 now. We are not quite holding our own even at the expense of a more pastoral industry and driving half the natural rural population into the towns. Prior to 1901 the gross income of lands under Schedule A fell from close upon sixtv millions in 1879 to £ 42,885,610 in 1900. Rateable value of lands with easements, fell in England and Wales from £ 39.835,088 in 1870 to :£31,312,342 in 1900. Easements, etc., include farm buildings, pro- fitable rights of way. tithe rent charges, and un- commuted tithes. Their annual value has ap- parentlv dropped from about £ 16,000.000 to about £ 12.000,000. The last thirty years of the old cen- tury saw agricultural interests declining at the rate of 1 per cent. per annum; the new century has nearly succeeded in calling a halt, but not quite, and even so has only done this by deplet- ing the countryside and filling the towns with crowds of the unemployable and unemployed. The former, it should not be forgotten, do not consist at all exclusively of Weary Willies." but comprise many thousands of honest country-bred lads and men who are capable of strenuous work on the land, but whose wits are too slow for town life, with its unceasing competition for "berths." THE TEN A NT FARMER TN P ARLTAMENT. An agricultural paper is right and .wrong when it deplores that there are so very few tenant far- mers in Parliament. It is right, because they, would be such an addition to the practical strength of the House, because those who have actually reached Westminster have always been popular of the ponular. It is wrong, because seven months' attendance in London is not com- patible with the life of a man who personally superintends his farm. There is no absolute con- tradiction of terms; the M.P. may be a lease- holder and not a freeholder, but his position none the less is not what tho ordinary person means when he speaks of a tenant farmer. The elector, moreover, has his faults, and a democratic suff- rage is incompatible with such studied analysis of. political facts as would be within the opportunity of the man of leisure. How often do we see the sitting member branded, by the other side because he has only attended, say. fifty divisions out of two hundred? As if there ever was a session when even fifty divisions were of real importance No; for good or bad the elector demands not that the sitting member should be there when there is a first class issue, and also when the constituency's cause is at stake. He expects his man to figure prominently in the diviion list; to live most of his time in session at Westminster. And the man in a position to do this, although his legal status may be that of ;1, tenant farmer, is in social posi- tion, more than possibly in sympathy also, a member of the landed class. It seems to us that in the Central Chamber and in the Farmers' Club the actual working agriculturist must. under pre- sent oil curnstances, look for his real representat- tion. These powerful allied bodies can inform the two Houses; and the Central Chamber, under the able chairmanship of Mr. Courthope. M.P., has already arranged to do so. The wishes of the tenant farmers must be expressed' in and through the county members, who. under present condi- tions, must be men of more or less leisure. Iu telling the candidates what are the minimum con- ditions upon which they will receive the tenant farmers' vote they will have fulfilled their best work. cow MILKING THROUGH FROM CALF TO CALF, AND FEEDING FOR MILK AND III-T- TER.—At a dairy farm which I know there is a cow which the owner has had for almost six years., and during that time she has given milk con- tinuously. 1 am very anxious to know if you have ever heard of another of the same?—Con- stant Reader. [In replying to this query, we may state that we have now and again met with similar cases. Yerv heavy milkers, when well fed. occasionally milk right through from one calving to another. The query brings to mind an Irish shorthorn that we had in our possession some years ago. She was a splendid type of a good cow, and was carrying her second calf when we bought her. and whilst we had her she pro- duced nine calves—three single births, and three times twine. When carrying twins we could not get her dry of her milk, and she was therefore milked right through from one calving to an- other for five years in succession. She was a most. remarka ble cow for both milk and butter produc- ing. Some cows produce a large quantity of milk of a very poor, watery character .and others, on the other hand. give small quantities of milk very rich in butter fat, but this cow h ad both quali- ties combined, plenty of milk of rich quality. Soon after she had her second twins—she was on grass at the time-we conducted the following ex- periments. For one fortnight she was fed at each end of the day with 31b. of crushed oats (71b. per day), and she gave 71b. of butter per week. The following fortnight she had 3tlb. best decor- ticated cotton cake night and morning, when she again produced 71b. of butter per week, the only difference being that the butter fromthe cotton cake was much stiffer, and of a richer colour. The third fortnight we saved a pound in weight of food per day, and gave her lilb. each of crushed oats and decorticated cotton cake mixed night and morning, with the result that 101b. of butter per week was obtained, thus showing that too large a quantity of one kind of food is not assimilated by the animal, and a. great portion of it is wasted. For the next fortnight we mixed equal parts by weight of the following—crushed oats. decorti- cated cotton cake. bran. Smith's palm nut meal. and 31b. of this mixed food was given night and morning, from which resulted an increase of the yield of butter until 141b. per week was obtained 21b. a day). This shows the advisability of feed- ing with a mixed ration. The bran in this case, as in all cases, when given dry. in our opinion, acted as a digestive and assimilative agent. We next reverted to the 71b of oats per day, and the butter fell back to 61b. per week. The wife then said 110 more experimenting is to be tried with my Daisy (the name of the cow), I now know which is the best food for her" and the mixed ration of oats, cotton cake, bran. and palm nut meal was resumed, and the cow for weeks gave 12 to 141b. of butter each week. She was not the only cow in the district that had the feeding tried with the same excellent result. There is so much difference in the nature of dairy cows ,that. in sampling milk for analysis, the cows should be milked in the presence of witnesses, as some ani- mals give milk so poor in quality that in mnny cases the seller is accused of adding water when such is not the case. Again, in feeding for milk and butter production, a cake rich in albuminoids is indispensable .and nothing beats the best decor- ■ ticated cotton cake. ]

MARKETS. CABMABTHHN, Saturday —Quotations as follows Ca^k butter, 13 i d to 14d perll): fresli butter, 15d to It id! per lb. Dressed poultry: Fowls, 4h 6d to 5s 9d per couple ducks, 2s Od to 4s nd each. Eggs, 16 for Is., Cheese, 40s Od per cwt. NEWCASTLE EMLYN. Friday.—Prices were as follows -Porkers, 8s 3d to Hs 6d per score; weaners, 8 to 1.. weeks old, 18s to 22s each sheep, Id per lb. yearlings, 4-4 ld per lb.; calves, 4d to 5d per Ib: young fowls, 5. Od to 6s Od per couple (6d to 7& per lb. alive) old ditto. 2s 6d to 3a Od per couple. Eggs, 16 for a is. Fresh butter, in rolls, 18 2d per lb ditto, in tubs, Is Id per lb, Seed oate, 2s 9d to 3s per bushel, CORN Glasgow. Monday.—Wheat continues steady, with millers more ready to buy. They have been securing Manitoban and Australian wheats. 'Flour in better request, but values not any dearer. Home millers ask 29s. 6d. per 2801bs. for their flour. American Indian corn in slow re- quest at Ms. 9d. per 2801b. Plate maize 15s. 9d. to 16s. Other feeding stuffs quiet and unal- tered. London. Monday.—Market steady; English wheat fully 6d. dearer on week white quoted 31s. 6d. to 38s. 6d., and red 31s. to 37s. 6d. per qr. foreign and American do. 6d. dearer on week. Town, country, and American lfour 3d dearer on week; American do. firm. Grinding barley 3d dearer on week; malting do. nominal. British, and Russian oats 3d. dearer on week. Maize the- turn easier. Beans unchanged. Peas dulL Len tils firm. CATTLE. Monmouth, Monday.—Good attendance of buy- ers and quick clearance. Pigs continue dear, bacon pigs making up to lis. per score, and wean- ers 22s. each. Fat bulls made up to £ 23, bul- locks to £tJ 5s., heifers up to LIS 5s. In the- sheep department, cross-bred couples made up tc- 35s. Calves made from t3 10s. to R5 Gs. Liverpool, Monday.—Cattle 884, sheep 4,065.. Best beasts 7-1-d., second 6d. to 6id., other sorts 5 jd. to 6d; best Scotch sheep 101d. second 8d. to 9d.. third 6.d. to 7!d. A decrease of 170 cattle. and an increase of 632 sheep. Demand good for all classes about late rates. BUTTER. Cork, iN.Ionday, -Firsts, 124s., seconds 1178" thirds lJOs.. tine, 116s. Fresli-A ll'8s., B H0s~. Heal spring weather.

Bronchitis and Blood Spitting cured by VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH OURE. i 1\1rs. J. Hurst, 37, Byrom Street, High Park., Southport. writes:—" I suffered for over a. year from a distressing bronchial cough which nothing could apparently relieve, and I got so low and weak from emighing and spitting phlegm and blood that I could scarcely walk. I developed chronic bronchitis, but nothing did me any good, and I tried various so-called cough remedies, un- til I despaired of ever being better. At last I tried your wonderful Cough Cure. the first bottle relieved mo. and now I am quite cured and as well as ever." Veno's Lightning Cough Cure is a perfect re- medy for coughs, colds, bronchitis, asthma, in- fluenza., blood spittipg, nasal catarrh, children's coughs, and all chest and lung troubles. Price 9 £ d., 111-2 id and 2/9. of all chemists. [6465

It is feared that there will be a general strike of Welsh miners against the Eight Hours (Coal) Act. Negotiations between masters and men were broken off on Saturday. The Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company have secured the contract for the con- struction of the New Zealand Dreadnought. The price for hull and machinery will be £ 852,990. The contract time is two years Mr. J. Redmond ,at Newcastle-on-Tyne on the night of the 16th inst., declared that the revolu- tionary policy to which the Radical and Natiomrl- ist parties were committed demanded firmness and consistency. His only misgiving was w hether the Government would adhere with sufficient de- termination to the Albert Hall policy.