Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 February 1891 — Page 5

THE LITTLE SHOES. I BY WILL P. CHAMBERLAIN. > A pair of little slippers. Or shoes, no matter the name, 1 I sometimes meet as I rummage, And a sigh betrays the pain That lingers in my bosom: t\ And I sit in the garret there In thought of a vanished summer That gave a bud most rare. s You would forgive the tear-drop— Tho’ men must be firm, they say— If you knew of the blossom which faded And fell with the flowersol May: Of how, on the quiet hillside, We broke the carpeted sod And laid away our pertion Of the angel returned to God. Unsung sleep these dear secrets, And only now and then Are we permitted to wander Away from the marts of men— To dwell with our household treasuiei And their history, as we choose — Dreaming such dreams as mine to-day Of this little pair of shoes. Elm Point, 8. D. >

Dr. Elfenstein's Mission

fi Remarkable Romance.

BY EMILY THORNTON.

CHAPTER XXVI. ETHEL NEVBROAiL RECEIVES AN OFFER. “Miss Nevergail,” said Andrew, a pompous footman at Castle Cairn, as ho knocked at tho door of Lady Linwood’s boudoir, and was bidden to enter, “a gentleman is in the drawing-room who wishes to see you. ” “Did he give you a card?” “No, miss, neither would he tell his name. ” “Do you know him?” still queried Ethel. “I cannot call his name, yet I have often seen him.” “It is of no consequence. I will be ■with him presently,” returned the governess, as she resumed her book and continued the Ibsson she was giving her charge. On no account would she neglect a duty for any person whatever. When the task was finished, and not until then, she descended the grand broad stairway and entered the drawingroom of the castle. There a surprise, indeed, awaited her, in the presence of Robert Glendenning. Certainly she had never anticipated a visit from her former tormentor, and the sight of him now brought back so many unpleasant recollections that she hastily turned to retreat. Too late! The young man started forward and placed himself between the door and her slight figure, thus completely preventing her sudden flight. “Pardon me. Miss Nevergail,” he. remarked, in a perfectly respectful manner, very different from his former unpleasantly familiar one. “I am very anxious to have a little conversation with you, before leaving this place forever, and therefore I beseech you to remain a few minutes. I promise not to detain you Jong.” “Very well, ” returned the young girl, gravely, taking the seat he offered her. “Why do you leave shire?” “The death of my uncle has, of course, deprived my sister and myself of his care and guardianship. As the title and estate now fall to his younger brother, Fitzroy, the present incumbent must remove and leave the hall, to be occupied or not by the new baronet, as he sees fit. Lady Constance will seek a residence with some relatives in London, and we shall make a home somewhere together, un less—unless Here the young man paused, greatly embarrassed for a proper conclusion to the sentence he had commenced. Breaking the silence again, for it was becoming oppressive, he resumed: “Miss Ethel, I come this morning to lay before yon a proposition that I hope will meet with your approval and sanction. I must first, however, express to you my deep regrets for the offensive manner in which I used to treat you. I know not why I was led to make myself so disagreeable. I was probably prompted by a spirit of mischief, but as soon as you left the Hall so suddenly I became aware of my great mistake. “1 never tnought I should miss you as much as I did, but as soon as 1 could see you no more I became miserable. I lost my appetite and was almost beside myself with despair. I saw then, for the first time, that I really loved you. “Nay,” said he, seeing her start up indignantly, as though to leave him, “Jo not go. Allow me to finish what I came to say. I loved you, but I felt that it was without hope. In my egotistical haste I knew that I had won, perhaps what I merited, your contempt. “To-day I felt that I could endure this misery no longer. I resolved to see you, to ask forgiveness for my course in the past, and to crave the privilege of retrieving my former mistake by being allowed to visit you as a friend until I can win your love and ask you to become my wife. If you will permit me thus to visit you. I will send my sister to a safe retreat with a lady friend, and will take board in this village, where I cm see you often, and finally succeed in perhaps winning your regard.” “Mr. Glendenning,” interposing Ethel, “what you propose is an utter impossibility. I can and do forgive the annoyance I confess your c onduct occasioned me in other days, but the proposed visits 1 must positively decline. It could never result as you seem to imagine, for I assure you my affections could never be won. ” “You are hasty in thus answering,” interrupted the lover. “Y’ou surely cannot thus foretell what your feelings would be under such different auspices. Allow me.” “Indeed, indeed, Mr. Glendenning, I must interrupt you by distinctly saying that, as I am situated, I cannot receive visits; therefore, I must beg of you to receive this,, my final answer. It would be the same after years of friendiy intercourse. I do not love you, and I never can love you. I forgive you, and will ever think of you kindly; beyond that we can never go. ” “Then there is no necessity for my remaining,” he said, sadly, as he arose to leave. “None whatever," was the firm reply. “Miss Nevergail, believe me, as long as I live I shall regret having made your

residence at the H-ll so disagreeable. I You certainly had enough to endure in being under obligations to amuse an irritable invalid. The rude manner in which you wore dismissed excited my deepest sympathy,” “For which I am very grateful," kindly returned the young girl. “If ever, as a friend, I can serve you in any manner, will you allow me to do so?” “I will, if I know your address ” “That is not quite decided, but I will leave it with the Postmaster of this place. And now, thanking you for your kind forgiveness, although feeling deeply for my unrequited love, I will bid you farewell.” Robert Glendenning held out his hand as he spoke, and seeing that genuine tears were floating in his eyes Ethel laid hers in it without hesitation. Stooping over the little white hand he pressed his lips upon it, then hurriedly left the room and she saw his face no more. That night the whole family left the Hall, and the grand old mansion was closed waiting for the arrival, or orders, of Sir Fitzroy Glendenning. The residence of this gentleman was unknown, but it was believed that lie went to America, therefore every effort was to be made by the proper ones to discover his retreat, in order to make known to him the honors that awaited his acceptance. Yet, while this resolve and duty was to be immediately put in force, many hearts rebelled agaipst his return, and the present aspect of affairs certainly did not denote esteem or affection. All united ip feeling that, although acquitted by JaW of any knowledge of his unhappy brother’s fate, circumstances still looked very dark where he was concerned.

CHAPTER XXVII. THE MYSTERIOUS WALLET. Drawing art easy seat close to the cen-ter-table for Mrs. Clum to occupy, Dr. Elfenstein seated himself in his own office chair, and laying the wallet before him. said: . i “This, Mrs. Clum, is a little bag, containing something very much vaJued by the poor man who has just left this world. I presume it will, acquaint us with the residence and address of his near relatives. In order that they may be notified of his death, I deem it my duty to immediately examine its contents, and as I do so 1 wish you to be present as a witness to the transaction.” Signifying her willingness to be this witness, Mrs. Clum bade him proceed. The keys to the wallet Dr. Elfenstein found tied close to the edge of the handle. Inserting this in the lock, he at once opened it and drew forth its contents. All that presented itself to his notice was about fifty pounds in money, and a package of closely written papers. These papers were without address or signature, but seemed a short journal of daily events. Little did Dr. Elfenstein dream, as ho so coolly turned over these leaves, that they contained matters so vitally important to himself and his future life. Seeing no other mode of ascertaining who the dead man really was, the Doctor commenced at the beginning to read what follows: “June 18 — “My God, my God! Why hast Thou forsaken me? is now almost daily my cry. “Alone! horribly, cruelly alone! how can it be that I still exist? “Nearly eighteen years have I survived this dreadful solitude, and not until today have I gaihed from my unnatural keeper the slight boon of pen, ink and paper. This gained, I will divert myself by noting down some incidents of my life. But to what purpose do I write? “Who can over read what, out of an aching heart, I shall commit to these pages? “I know not! “Yet, after my death, some person may penetrate this living tomb, and then they shall here see recorded the terrible wrong, the fearful fate that has thus befallen an unhappy peer of the realm! “Have 1 been missed from my home? Has any one mourned over my unexplained absence? Has my poor Constance wept over my loss? And has my dear brother Fitzroy forgiven my harshness now that he thinks me dead?

“Dead? Yes; all think rce’dead! “I see clearly at ihis late date the whole of Reginald’s fiendish plot. “He used that dagger on my arm to draw blood, in order to leave the impression that I had been murdered, before he shut me into this living tomb. “Yet I live. I, Sir Arthur Glendenning, Bart., am alive to-day, incarcerated in this concealed room, built in the ruined part of my own residence. ” “Ha!” exclaimed Earle Elfenstein, starting to his feet as he read thus far. “What have 1 here? If this be true, we have an explanation of Sir Arthur's fate. Mrs. Clum, we must have others present at the reading of this important paper. Let us both seek instantly for the presence of our neighbors. Will you summon Lawyer Huntley, who lives next door, while I go for Rev. Mr. Lee? Not one moment will we waste, for who knows but yonder corpse may be all that is left of poor Sir Arthur Glendenning. ” Replacing the papers and keeping the precious wallet in- his hand, Earle at once left the house for the manse, while Mrs. Clum ran out to summon Mr. Huntley. In less than half an hour they both returned to the physician’s office, accompanied by the above-named gentlemen. Then, while eager attention was to be seen on every tace, the Doctor again opened the wallet and read as far as we have written above. “Merciful heaven, can this be true!” exclaimed Mr. Huntley. , “Doctor, please read that last clause once more. lam so dazed with surprise that I can scarcely understand it.” “Yet I live. I, Sir Arthur Glendenning, Bart, am alive to day, incarcerated in this concealed room, built in the ruined part of my own residence,” again read Dr. Elfenstein. After a pause he continued: “The fact that this room existed was known only to my father, Sir Geoffrey, and he, shortly before his death, confided the secret to my brother Reginald and rayself. We three were alone together when he taught us how to open the panels by the aid of a sharp pointed kntfe, and after leading us inside this strange apartment. he charged us to keep the existence of the place a profound ferret, as the time might come when such a hidden retreat might become of immense importance. “Dear father! how little did he dream that Reginald, for the sake of usurping my lawful title and estates, would drag me hither, in the darkness of night, and, by chaining me like a beast to the floor, by the help of hts valet, Antoine Duval,

keep me a prisoner for months, years, life! “Oh, that horrible Antoine! how I always disliked his soft, fawning ways, his smooth tongue and cringing airs. “Villain that he is! Villains, indeed, both master and man. “But I will not thus anticipate. I will go back to our father's leading his two young to this place, and pointing out its many conveniences for spending a time in hiding. “ ‘See,’ he said, ‘here is a bathroom, with all its appointments, opening from this small and neatly furnished bedchamber. Soft mattresses, plenty of bedding, heat from an unseen register, through pipes leading to the kitchen ranges. Oh, everything is complete!’ “It was the only time I ever saw this room, until the night I was thrust within it by my inhuman brother, Reginald, two days and one night after I was forcibly taken from my bed. “Ah, that night! when they overpowered me in my own room, shall I ever forget it? “Shall that terrible scene ever be obliterated from my weary brain? “I had retired rather earlier than usual, and had fallen immediately asleep. About midnight, I should judge, I was awakened by feeling a hand pressing something to my nostrils. “I instantly had my complete senses, sodashed the hand with the chloroformed sponge from my face, then sprang with a bound.upon the floor. “Two men stood above me. and firm hands seized and pressed me back, while a gag was forced into my mouth. “A diiji light was burning, and I saw that, although masked, one figure was like Fitzroy’s, and his dressing-gown was wrapped around his form.

CHAPTER XXVIII. THE JOURNAL CONTINUED. On how I struggled to free myself! Once I did get a hand loose, and tore the mask from one face, to find It was not Fitzroy but Reginald who was perpetrating this outrage upon me, his elder brother. “Turning then to the other, I recognized the form and voice of Antoine Duval. “In the course of the conflict, Reginald drew out a dagger and plunged it into my arm, then threw the dagger, red with blood, on the carpet, saying grimly: “ ‘Fitzroy’s dagger. Lie there and testify that he did this deed!’ “Oh, my brother, my innocent brother! have they dared accuse thee of my death? “This question harrows me night and dav. “Alas! I tremble for Fitzroy, when such a fiend as Reginald has proved himself to be is let loose upon his track. “But to go on: Binding my bands—for all my strength could avail little against two hardy men—they passed a rope around my body, after first putting on my clothing, and, dragging me from the window, swung me from the balcony to tho ground below. “Carrying then my helpless form to the lake, they there bound up my wounds, staunching the flow of blood, which until then they had allowed to drip as it would, then turned and noiselessly bore me to a lonely cave, situated in the heart of Demon's Wood —a place never frequented, and, I presume, the existence of which was unknown. “This place had been prepared for my reception, and after fastening me firmly to a staple with a chain they had in readiness, they loft me, gagged and helpless, there alone, for two days and one night. “Twice they both came with food, and, while one stood with a pistol over my head, to prevent a word, the other fed me. ''l “On the second night they visited me about midnight, and, merely saying: “ ‘All is now ready for your reception, rise and go with us,’ they placed me in a wagon as before, and took me back to the Hall. “Leaving the wagon concealed outside the grounds, tiiey between them carried me to the ruined part, and, entering, conveyed me into this, my prison, which they had secretly arranged for my use. I was not brought here at once, it seems, because on the very night of their daring outrage they had discovered that some revolving iron shelves they had fitted to the entrance could not be securely fastened, as the large screws to be inserted were too short. Not wishing to postpone the horrible business, they had hastily prepared the cave, and held me there until other screws could be procured. “Now all was ready, and here, just eighteen years ago, I was thrust and kept a prisoner by means of a long chain fastened from my ankle to an iron bolt in the wall. “Notone word was spoken until I was securely fastened, then the gag was taken from my mouth and the ropes from my limbs. “At first my tongue and mouth we so stiff I could make no sound, but seeing that both were leaving me, closing the entrance securely inside by standing up the shelves and tightly screwing in place the long screws, I found voice, and calling to them to pause I begged an explanation of the cruelty to which I had been subjected, and asked why I was to be imprisoned there and how long I was to be detained. “At first Reginal would not answer, but finally he did astonish me by these words: “ ‘You are to be kept concealed in this place as long as you live, so the sooner you die the better for all! I shall not, however, take you life! I never will be a murderer! Food will come to you every night, about half past nine or ten. , on these shelves. You will empty tne plate on dishes you here, and setting ft back tho empty plate will at once return to me. By this returning plate I shall know you still live. When you fail to return it no more will come, as you will then be supposed to have died. I alone shall attend to sending this food.’ |TO BE CONTINUED.]

Manners of Men.

Every man thinks he has a right to impose on some woman. Every man who starts a quarrel unnecessarily, ought to get whipped. It is so easy to get into debt that most men do not realize how hard it is to get out. “Rustlers” are all right in their way, perhaps, but they run into a great many unnecessary figh’s.— Atchison Globe. The largest fruit farm in West Virginia is the Becker Farm, near Harper’s Ferry. It ton tains 5,000 apricot trees, 37,000 peach trees, 3.000 plum trees. 5,0C0 miscellaneous fruit trees and 35,000 grape vines:

AGRICULTURAL TOPICS.

A FEW SUGGESTIONS FOR OUR RURAL READERS. Some Suggestions for the Farmer, Kann'iman, Housewife. Beekeeper, Poulterer, Gardener, and Every One Connected With the Farm. THE FARM. Worn Out Pastures.

would bo an excellent pasture now, but it lacks grass. An examination shows enough of several good grasses well scattered over the field to fully stock it, if they could only be induced to thrive and spread. There is white clover and sweet vernal, and what I call blue joint or Virginia blue grass (Poa compressa), and some of the festucas, all in fair quantity for a start. But as a whole, the field does not support one cow well, where it ought to carry five. The question how to restore this old pasture, while continuing to®use it as such; has been fully canvassed, and I have decided what to try. It evidently needs an addition to its supply, and mainly its surface supply, of plant food. For years its fertilizing elements have been carried off, day by day, in the form of flesh and milk, and nothing returned. Aly judgmentis that this is not a case of one-sided exhaustion, but of general poverty. A good top-dressing of stable manure would probably bo the best possible application, but all our manure is needed elsewhere. Shall I buy and apply chemical fertilizers? That would undoubtedly be beneficial, perhaps secure all desired results, but it would be expensive. I think 1 have an equally effective and more economical plan'.' Something must be bought to do this work, and instead of buying*fertilizers I shall buy feed. Tire field will bo overstocked yvlth cows, nearly twice as many as it can keep in good order on pasturage alone, and to these a few shoep will bo added. All these animals will be kept on the pasture, night and day and the cows milked there, and all will be fed a good ration of grain till taken to winter quarters. I shall feed liberally of cot-ton-seed meal and wheat bran, or sometimes middlings. I would be glad to use cotton-seed meal alone. But during most of the season equal weights of cottonseed an bran can bo safely used, and the rest of the time equal parts of the three feeding stuffs named. This has been written as if all in the future, but really the course of treatment, for pasture and cattle, has already begun, and I have full faith in the satisfactory result. The mixture costs just about one cent a pound as feed, and it is used at the rate of five pounds per day for every cow weighing 1,000 pounds, other animals in proportion.

According to the numerous excellent tables prepared for our guidance in such matters, the manorial value of the mixture is nearly sl7 a ton. That is, with chemical fertilizers at their present market rates, the plant food contained in one ton each of cotton-seed meal, wheat bran and middlings is worth just about SSO if applied directly to the land. Fed to animals as described, at least four-fifths of its manurial value reaches the land. Then the pasture gets S4O worth of manure, very well distributed, for every S6O worth (three tons) of the feed used. This is stated in a theoretical way. But it is not mere theory, it is fact! The facts are scientifically (which means truthfully) obtained for us at our experiment stations, and we can depend upon them. The difference between the cost of this grain food and the value of the manure from it is S2O for every three tons, or three pounds for a cent. I must get about two cents in food value daily for every cow fed, and as the result of this feeding, in order to cover the deficit. But it is plain enough that the grainfeeding gives much better return than this so there is actual profit in the operation, quite independent of the betterment of the pasture. Nitrogen and phosphoric acid are the two elements of fertility, which are thus especially returned to the land, in what I regard as a safe, sure, ecomieal ’manner. There is also some restoration of potash, but probably not enough, and in time this will have to be added in a more direct form, as by application of wood ashes or potash salts. But for the present I am well satisfied that what Is wanted is secured with more certainty, that more is obtained for the dollar disbursed, and that the land receives Its needed manuring in better form by this purchase and use of feeding stuffs than If a like expenditure were made directly for fertilizers.— American Cultivator.

THE STOCK BANCII. ■ Feeding Horses. “The sole purpose for which horses kept,” says Professor Sanborn, “is for tlte production of force and work. This sets the horse apart from other domestic animals in special features of feeding and care. His ratio of stomach to body and intestines is also unique, and calls again for special consideration. His stomach holds only some three and a half gallons, while his intestines are very large. The horse, however, seems to be specialized for the peculiar purpose of speed. “The horse sells for some fifteen cents a pound, while the steer sells for but two or three cents. Is the difference one of food cost, that is, does the horse require in food for 1,000 pounce in growth an amount in ratio to the difference in cost more than does the steer? He certainly does not, although it costs some more, and unless there is a great difference in other directions Is a much more valuable market for food than the steer. “German experiments have shown that of very coarse foods the horse digests somewhat less than the steer, but this difference seems to he confined to coarse foods. E. W. Stewart gives us an account of feeding three colts, whose gain was ib round numbers two pounds daily.

THERE is under my care a large pasture lot which is in a sadly rundown condition, i. In one corner is a \ running spring \ stream, and a few Ishade trees scatjputered about. '"The /land has a favor/able exposure and IjK could be easily worked, if that was desired. But I don’t want to eulgs tivate it. It is just St the place fora Pers'" manent pasture, ,> and that is what it is wanted for. It

which was as economically made as that of steers.

“Boussingault. of France, fed several colts on weighed rations. Three weighing 1,100 pounds, ate 19.8 pounds of hay and seven pounds of oats. This was in the equivalent of hay 2.0 per eent. of live weight daily, and gave a growth of 1.2 pounds daily, as good as an equal amount of hay would make on steers. I made some trials with four horses and mules last winter, which led me to believe that maintenance for a horse is slightly more than that for a steer of equal weight. The horse will not make as effective use of course foods as will the steer by probably from 4 to 11 per cent. It will make, probably, as good use of grain and very digestible foods as the steer. These foods cost something more per pound of digestible matter than dees hay, so that it is probable that horse flesh costs slightly more than steer flesh, yet not enough more to cut any figure when the relative values of the growths are considered.”

Live Stock Notes. Stock shelters should not be crowded, but one giving room to scrubs is by that much too large. The useful animal for any purpose must be built on a good frame of bone and muscle, and carbonaceous foods alone, such as straw and corn, will not make that frame. The best assimilated food is that which the appetite craves. The best feeding keeps the animal in such health that it, at all times, has a brisk appetite. The general farmer must be a man of genius if he can make as much profit without, as with cattle. On his farm he will of necessity produce much rough feed lhat hogs will not consume; that cannot be fed with profit to horses; and .a part of which, at least, can be fed to cattle to better advantage than it can be fed to sheep. It is consistent with science and practice both, that to grind the feed for all kinds of live stock Is an economy equal to fully one-quarter of the feed. That dehorning is a reform and one that ought to bo generally adopted/ and on the side of humanity 1 am thoroughly convinced.—Waldo F. Brown.

THE HOUSEHOLD. A Dictionary Holder, A dictionary is a heavy book to lift, and one that if left on the table occupies a deal of space and is apt to have other things placed upon it. That it is a book which should have its place in every family has been said over and over; also that the children should be taught to use it often. A practical “dictionary holder” that has been in use for many years in a family, where the worn cover of the book bears a strong though silent testimony to its constant use, is illustrated herewith.

SHELF FOR DICTIONARY.

It is made of an inch-thick, well-sea-soned board, 13 by 15 inches. It is supported by two iron brackets, such as are sold at any hardware store. The brackets are screwed both to the board and the wall, making all very secure. The cover is of dark-red felt. The lambrequin is ornamented with a vine embroidered in crewels. The stems and leaves are shaded green silk.and the star-shaped flowers tn Yellow. The edge of the lambrequin is finished with a fringe made by cutting felt into narrow strips for a depth of three inches. To make this holder perfect, there should'be a law as unchangeable as those of the Medes and Persians, that under no circumstances should anything but the dictionary be placed there— Country Gentleman.

THE APIARY. Thoroughly Ripened Honey a Confectionery. For the benefit of our young readers who delight in making candy, we give the following, which appeared in a late issue of the Canadian Bee Journal. Doubtless the same result could be obtained if the honey was placed in shallow tins in an oven kept at a moderate heat.. A correspondent writes: At our home we have had a coal stove burning for over two months without interruption, keeping the temperature high, consequently very dry. Near this stove is a pantry with only a lath and plastered wall between. In the pantry was a large fruit dish containing honey. The dish had been setting on the shelf next the wall for about a week, and when it was brought out the spoon was resting on the top, which was tough and had a glossy appearance. When pressed with a spoon it seemed like a paper covering. We scratched a hole in it to ascertain the depth, and found it to be between one-quarter and one-half of an inch. When placed on paper it looked like soft wax, and one would hardly believe that honey, by a hot dry atmosphere, would evaporate its moisture and become so thick. We thought this a good opportunity to test the difference in quality and flavor; taking some of the honey from a sixty-pound tin and comparing it in texture, color and flavor with this better ripened, it did not seem the same. The contents of the tin was specially selected, and we considered it as good as could be produced; but tests go to prove that the honey in the dish was so much superior that any one comparing them would not hesitate to give two or three cents a pound more for it. We do not know how much loss there would be 4n evaporating honey to that extent; but we suppose the loss to be from 10 to 20 per cent. We believe this class of honey would find a market at a price sufficient to warrant the experiment. It would be necessary to place it on very shallow vessels, and subject it to a very low temperature that the color might not be changed. We fancy a room properly arranged, with coils of steam pipes to raise the temperature to a desirable height, at the same time allowing a current of air to passthrough, would soon reduce our ordinary honey to the consistency of jelly. It could then be placed in tumblers, or any kind of vessel; Id fact, paper bags could be man-

ufactured of a size and shape suitable to hold it, and sold in 5, 10, 15, and 20 cent packages. It might even be sold by the penny worth, which would increase its consumption.

THE PELTRY YARD. Thoroughbred Foul try for Farion. Many farmers think the raising of thoroughbred poultry is too small a business to merit their attention. It is all well enough to raise thoroughbred horses, cattle, sheep and swine, or at least to improve or grade common stock by the use of thoroughbred sires, bub the idea of doing that in so small a matter as poultry is laughed at. Let us apply a few figures to the subject, and see how they look. If the common scrub fowls weigh from four, to six pounds it is thought pretty good, for' many of them weigh much less. The, standard weight of a Plymouth Rock cock is nine pounds eight ounces, andl the Plymouth Rock hen is eight pounds. Now, is it not money in a person’s pocket to take a flock of fowls to market that will average four pounds apiece more than the scrub will? Here is a difference. of forty-eight pounds in the dozen. With chickens worth 8 cents a pound there is. a difference of $3.84 cents on the dozen. Certainly there is again here, but this cannot be had without the best of stock. If the ’objection is raised “breeders place too high a price on their stock, ,r we will meet this. If you are going to raise chicks for the general market, what you want is weight and symmetry, not fancy points. If you can obtain a thoroughbred Plymouth Rock cock you can grade your flock. Write to some reliable breeder and tell him what you want, and ask him what ho can furnish you and at what price. We did so once, and were informed that one which would please us would be sent for #3, and that if it had a standard comb it could bo sold for $lO. We sent for it. When ton months' old it weighed nine pounds. Selecting twelve of the largest hens from ono flock wo made our first “pen” for graded Plymouth Rock. ’ The results were very satisfactory, and there was money in It. At two years old he weighed eleven pounds, and got us many line birds. Change cocks after the second year, and you will soon have a flock that for market purposes will be almost standard.

If you are situated so that it pays you bettor to raise eggs rather than broiler* or fowls for the market, the sameeourso pursued will bring you good returns for the investment In a thoroughbred cock of some of the laying breeds. If you think you can afford to invest in a small flock of liens or a few dozen eggs for sitting, you will improve your flock faster. The average scrub hen will not lay over six dozen eggs a year, while any thoroughbred fowl will lay at least eight dozen in a year, and some of them will lay sixteen dozen in a year, sueh as the Leghorn class of fowls, but we will take the average of this class and say that she will only lay twelve dozen a year; this i* just double the amount that the scrub, hen produces, and as it takes no more to keep tills class of fowls, the profit is certainly with them. With a thoroughbred Leghorn cock and a little care in selecting neat, trii»t pullets from your flock you can soon, have half and three-fourths blood Leghorn fowls, that will give you good service as layers. If you are skeptical as to results, try this matter of grading your poultry flock on our guarantee that you will be pleased.— Farm, Field and SUwkr man.

THE GAKUkN. Red Rasp berry Culture. Experience lias taught me that, as a rule, the plants are set too close and allowed to form a matted row. I prefer to set five feet apart each way and cultivate each v'ay with a shallow, sharp cultivator, to prevent suckers forming. Allow only from three to four stalks to a hill; cultivate until the fruit forms, and do not cultivate again til) the picking is done; then cut out and burn the old stalks, and cultivate and dean out thoroughly. Never cut back the now growth while growing; trimming while growing causes laterals to form and makes late fruit buds, which often wlnter-kilL Laterals are liable to be broken by tho snow and Ice. I have tried this methodi with great success. Defer top-trimming until winter or spring. Avoid cultivating late in tbo fall, which 16 liable to make a lategrowth and winter-kill. It is well to* mulch In the winter with straw or coarsomanure. lam of the opinion that it. will be well to sow to oats in allowing it to remain as mulch to prevent winter and spring killing.

Manurmg the Grape. The Government committee in France,, after several years’ investigation of the* manuring of the grape, and the result, of a series of experiments with potash, manures, report strongly against nitrogenous manures, including stable manure, as being “more hurtful than useful,” which accords with common practice, also that feeble grape vines consume as much manure as vigorous vinesL. Potash should enter into the composition of manure for grape vines, the elements In the soli being generally in bach condition for assimilation; potash carriesforward, In some way, with it the other fertilizing principles. ( Potash from the root passes to thevine, to the leaves, then to the twigs, to. arrive at last at the fruit, of which it. favors the development. Its migration, is comparable to those of the nitrogenized elements of phosphates. The potash introduced through the. root In the course of a season is not entirely consumed, since it is found afterfructification, reserved in sufficient quantity in the wood and in the twigs.— Hural Mensenfjer. Garden Notes. Whatever tends to promote the general health and thrift of the tree willl also free both tree and fruit from blight, and scab. Good drainage will aid in accomplishing this, so will more open, planting of trees, which allows more sunshine among the branches—the great vitalizer and giver of life. There is no market anywhere for half-grown potatoes. Growers injure the markets, themselves and neighbors, by consigning such goods. There are good markets everywhere for properly matured or full-grown stock, and growers should not waste their products in themanner indicated. The farmer who bas a neat and wellkept garden is almost sure to have a. neat and well-kept farm, tidy out-build-ings, stock in good condition, and general thrift all about the premises. Andi the housewife who takes pride in hergarden generally has a home to taker pride in and to be proud of. The devil is a gentleman and will get up aaA go it he is told.— Hani Jom»