Agricultural. ——— What Lands Need Drainage. All lands that contain more waler than is needed by the crops growing upon them. If vou intend to raise corn or wheat the land wll need more draining shan if intended for grass. Even grass Jands need not be very wet, as, if too wet. the growth of aquatic plants and grasses takes the place of the cultivated grasses and ruins the hay and pastures. Loose, poirous soils, underlaid by sand or gravel, are drained by nature; but all lan that is underlaid by clay, rock or other impervious material needs draining. What is to be gained by underdrain- age ? ‘The surface of the water in the soil is lowered. The roots of cereals and grasses may penetrate as far as to the surface of the water, but never into it. It is necessary to draw the water off to such a depth as will give the roots of growing crops plenty of room to reach downward for that nour- ishment that is necessary te their growth. If the water is only one foot from the amount of soil from which to gather nourishment, with the disadvan- tage of having their feet wet by capil- lary attraction. Only aquatic plants grow well with their feet in the water, The lowering the water below the surface prevents a large amount of evaporation, and its effect in cooling the soil. The water being removed, air and warmth are admitted to the soil, Drained lands are for this reason ready for planting a least one week earlier in the spring. The growth of crops is quickened through the summer by the increased temperature of the soil, which amount to several degrees, and the injurious effects of early frosts are prevented in the same manner. Crops are therefore given an increased period in which to make their growth of at least two weeks, This is certainly a very important gain,— Farmers’ Maga- zine, Leached Wood Ashes. Ashes fresh from the stove or fur- nace, contain all the mineral constitu- ents necessary for plant growth, and are, therefore, very valuable as a fertil- izer to a worn-out or naturally poor aoil. A large part of the potash is re- covered from ashes in leaching, and as this constituant is a leading one, leached ashes are of less value as a plant than when fresh. The owner should save, in a secure place ; all the ashes made, and apply them to the land in the spring. A top-dressing of twenty bushels per acre to an old pasture or meadow will give good relurns for several years, Tle leached ashes should be disposed of in the same manner, only they may be applied at the rate of 100 bushels per acre, Leached ashes have been bought and used for many years by farmers and gardeners on Long Islazd and near the shore in Connecticut. These ashes are brought mainly from Canada, Ashes are especially good for tobacco land, and onion raisers find them profit- able, It has been observed that wheie this fertilizer has been introduced, it retains its hold upon the confidence of those who use it. Fruit growers are glad to get leached ashes for their small fruit gardens, and even orchards of large trees are much benefited by them, Save all the ashes, leached or un- leached, and if there is a good opportun- ity, buy and apply them.— American Agriculturist, Corn for Sitting Hens. towns It is claimed that corn is the most suitable food for sitters, The require- ments of a sitter differ from those of other hens, Keeping quiet and with- out much exercise, not nruch is required to sustain life, and their food should be of such a nature as to digest slowly. For this reason whole grain is preferred and corn is thought to be much the best. Seft food of any kind is soon digested, the hen becomes hungry, and either leaves the nest too frequently or becomes very poor. The advantage of corn over other grain is that it is more oily and not so likely to stimulate the production of eggs, and, being had and eompact, is digested much slower than other grain, Farm Notes, ~The water that flows over a plowed field washes off the most soluable por- tions of the syil, and deposits them in the bottom of the ditches. When it percolates through the soil to an under- drain the loss is reduced to the smallest possible amount, There is some loss in under-draining water ; but even this is in great part prevented by having a growing erop on the ground all the time, ~Experiments have proved that musty meal is not wholesome food for any of the domestic animals, Disease and death have been directly traced to its use. When fed to poultry, chicken cholera or some disease resembling it was the result. Cows to which it was fed gave bitter milk, and ceased to thrive as well as those in the same pas- ture which had no grain, Swine fed upon it failed to grow or fatten. Only k, horses were not injured by it, and they escaped because they would not eat it. ~The London Live Stock Journal states that diphtheria among fowls made considerable ravages in France this year, and that the most valuable remedy found for its cure is papapine (the active principle of the papaw tree), which dissolves away the false mem- brane. It is applied with a camel's hair brush to the diptheric patches three times a day. —An Australian sheep-breeder re- cently purchased 173 merino sheep in Vermont, for which he paid the sum of $30,000, Four of the rams costs $2000 each. The freight to Australia will amount to nearly $6000 more, which increases the sum to $36,000, or about an average of $200 per sheep. The breeder already has a flock of 92,000 and the Vermont sheep will be used for purposes of improvement. —Clay soils are generally better for wheat than sandy ones, because they are not subject to such sudden extremes of temperature and moisture, and are more tenacious in their character, Timber land is better than prairie land, because the decaying roots are pretty sure to effect underdrainage; magnesia and lime and silica are more abundant and more. abundant and nitrogen is less abundant, and such land being more rolling is better drained and dryer.— Prai, ie Farmer. —The fatter a breeding sow is kept the more liable she is to destroy her pigs by lying on them or eating them up. Sows left to run wild will make good mothers, and will generally select a warm, dry place to farrow. It is for this reason that there is so much advantage in using full-blooded boars of improved breeds on large, coarse- boned native sows. The progeny se- cures the good qualities from its sire with a better constitution and more hardiness than it could get from a full- blooded pedigree, going back through generations which have always had ample feed and little exercise, —A gigantic undertaking in the way of fruit growing has been cominenced by Lord Sudeley, at Toddington, near Cheltenham, England, Two years ago there were planted 93,000 gooseberry bushes, 20.053 plum trees, 167,000 black currant bushes, 2019 apple tree, 852 000 raspberry bushes, 100 cob nut trees and 52 acres of strawberry plants. In 100 Scotch firs and 10,000 poplars have been planted for sheltering purposes. Lord Sudeley is at present erecting a large jam manufactory in the centre of this estate. addition, local paper reports that a farmer in Henry county, Ga,, was culling wheat not long ago, and uncovered a partridge nest with fifteen eggs in it, The mother bird off, which left the eggs exposed to the scorching rays of Returning that way two or hours later, the farmer was astonished to find that every egg had hatched out and the restless occupants gone, This will the first intima- ticn to the world that Eli Perkins is spending his vacation in Georgia, —When cattle chew leather, wood and old bones, remember that it indi- cates a lack of phosphate of lime in their food, which is required to supply bone material. A teaspoonful of bone meal given daily with their grain will correct the habit and supply the defie- iency which induces it. If the disposi- tion to eat bones is indulged in when cows are in grass, the deficiency then evidently exists in the soil, and the pas- ture will be greatly benefited by a top dressing of bone-dust, Two or three hundred pounds to the acre, sown broad- cast, will repay attending expenses in a better yield and in quality of milk and butter. flew * My 2 the sun. three be The Spread of Leprosy. osi— The attention of prominent physi cians is being given to the increase of that terrible scourge, the leprosy. It appears from figures given that this loathsome disease has increased in this country nearly seventy-five per cent, within the last eight years, and is still spreading, while no definite steps have been taken to stop or check it. This disease is the one which the Hebrews considered above dll as a terrible plague, All who were afflicted with it were ostracised and banished from the cities 0 the wilderness, Even houses where he people affected had lived where urned. The disease has been spread in this country mostly by the Chinese, Though it was known and dreaded in California as far back as 1845, in Mexico it was or ten years, have had many lepers | among them, and they have mingled | freely among their fellows, spread- ing the disease, which can be dissemina- ted by personal contact or by using anything which the person affected has used or handled, The disease has shown Itself to an alarming extent among those who smoke the cigarettes manufactured by Chinese ; the disease attacks the lips and tongue, and in a short time shows itself in different parts of the body. This ought to have some effect in stopping the per- nicious habit of cigarette smok- ing, which is assisting to spread the disease. Fashions for Both Sexes. — Evening dresses are made with an amplitude almost recalling the days of erinoline, Happily, the fullness estab- lished by French decree is confined wholly te the back, the front and sides falling straight enough, Some of the newest white skirts to be worn next the dress have a single embroidered flounce going all the way around the foot of the skirt, but in the back they are flounced nearly to the waist, each ruffle being starched very stiff when laun- dried. — Amber is a very fashionable color, and one of the most beautiful impor- tations from Worth is an amber satin reception costume. The court train opens over a petticoat of ruby velvet covered with very deep amber lace flounces, The bodice is pointed and sleeveless, and is trimmed with a mag- nificent embroidery of gold, ruby and amber beads, which glisten like gems in the gaslight, this embreidery head- ing a fall of amber lace, The effect of this dress is beautiful beyond descrip- tion, —Darncing-dresses, of which softly hanging merveilleux silk forms a com- petent part, are sometimes arranged with a graceful drapery of the silk crossing the bodice diagonally from shoulder to waist, and then forming a panier, while at the other side a lighter waterial, like tulle or gauze broche, is draped panier-wise the sural, Ofter a garland of field flowers borders the edge of the tulle panier, It is not easy to describe this new and pretty style, which is remarkably effective, — Brocade embroidery is very effec. and is made by outlining the various flowers or geometrical! designs woven materials, The patterns are first outlined in stem-stitch, or a double over len avid, into brocaded of wool or silk is couched along the chief edges of the Sometimes a better effect is produced by covering the whole of the brocaded design and leaving only the foundation material visible. When so treated, long or satin-stitch is used, as in satin-stitch embroidery, and when well executed in judicious colors the effect is extremely good. Men's Wear. In apparel for gentlemen a more staid and conservative feeling is spring. ing up, and, though no radical change will be made, trousers will not be so tight, coats not so long or so pointed in the talls, and patterns for waistcoats and trousers not so pronounced. The regular English fashion of wearing coat and waiscoat of one kind of goods and trousers of another will prevail to a large extent. It is a sensible fashion too, for a coat and waistcoat will out- last two or three pairs of trousers, Frock coats, generally known as Prince Alberts, will be extensively worn and divide the honors with four-button cutaways, sack coats having gone entirely out of fashion, except for country, seaside and clearly informal occasions, As to the materials to be worn, ime portations have not yét reached us. Judge ing by the samples, however, dark small checks and overchecks, varying shades of cork-serews, and fine, dark tweeds, with small, scarcely discern. ible spots of white or red, will be mostly sought after. Looking farther ahead to the winter, friezes will be the most fashionable material for overcoats, which will be cut as frock coats or dou- ble-breasted sacks, It is a fact worthy of notice that the only article of men’s dress in the fash- foning of which the wearer's taste plays no part is the hat. The styles of hats are due altegether to the taste and fancy of the manufacturer, so that twenty-four hours before the new style displayed in the hatter's window noone but the “finisher” knows what shape it will assume. According to Mr. Dunlap, therefore, it is impossible now to give an idea of what expanse of curling brim or curve of the bell crown will adorne the heads of our gilded youth when they drive their piece A Curious Manuscript, — Among the manuscripts left by the Major was the following: One day while roaming with my gun I chanced’ tO go farther than was wont, but when I turned to retrace my steps I dis- covered that I was completely bewil- dered as to the proper course, 1 had been dreaming along as I walked, for the leaves, coloring under the touch of the season's first frost, the bleaching sighing air—all had combined to make me forget myself. I walked rapidly in what I thought to be a home direction, but after an hour had passed I found that I was more confused than at first, Arkansaw was a wild country in those days—so wild that you could sometimes travel for days without seeing a human habitation. I began to get excited, Any one who is familiar with life in the woods knows that there is no feeling like becoming excited in a forest, Itis inexplicable—like the shaking that sometimes seizes a hunter, especially if he be a new one, when a deer ap- proaches, When a man in the woods is convinced that he is lost he feels an al- most irresistible impulse to run wild. Children have been lost in the woods, and in half a day’s time they are, in some instances, so wild than when found they will bite and scratch and scream, even if their mothers approach them, I felt this excitement coming on me, and I knew that if I did not do something to counteract its influence 1 would go wild. Then 1 reflected how often I had been temporarily lost, and how at any other time I would have laughed at the idea of running wild. I thought thatl would fire off my gun, that it might afford some relief. 1 looked around, and my hair stood on end. My was gone, ‘I had it & moment ago,” I thoughtfully mused ; “what could 1 have done with it ** and I threw back my head and howled, “I must not en- courage such outbreaks. [1 said to myself, “for a man will go wild evenin a city if he howls very much ;” shouting in admiration of a circus pro- tbtem and put them in cages, nition of their parents, was named Luke Horn, father came along and looked at Luke and when h 1 jumped back and exclaimed of me.’ the root got down and knawed at Then couldn't tree, howled, | hind I arose and stand on my feet feet and a tail by this time, is, 1 had gradually become a wolf, | this manuscript will smile incredulously ments to prove the impossibility of a man retrograding into a wolf; and probably the same man, too, may be a believer in the theory of evolution. I shall not argue this point though, for in regard to my own experience I am certain, while any one who opposes me could only protest without proof, and hence his arguments would be mere assertions unsustained by a single fact. I bad not been a fully developed wolf but a few moments until several other wolves came from the valley below and began to sniff around me, When satis fied that I was genuine they sat down, whereupon we all began to discuss the advisability of getting something to eat. Jt was soon decided that we should go down into the valley, where there was a farm well stocked with sheep. The mention of sheep made.my mouth water, for, being a wolf, 1 was as hungry as myself, We started on our. expedition and seon reached the farm. Just as we jumped over the fence to seize the sheep aA man sprang from behind a stump and fired upon us. A buckshot wounded one of my hind legs, and, after vainly attempting to leap over the fence, I fell among a lot of bushes, where I lay perfectly still, hoping to escape observation, In this I was disappointed, for the old farmer ran to me, thrust his gun between the bushes and aimed at my head. 1 whined piteously and shut my eyes, expecting to be blown into atoms, but the farmer did not shoot. “I wonder what sort of a dog a wolf. would make,” said the farmer, turning to his son, “This fellow whines so must have been led into this thing. Let me see if he wants to bite,” and he put his hand on my head. 1 did not bite him, but licked his hand. He was so well pleased at this that he took me up and carried me to the house. My wound was soon dressed, and after they had given me something to eat I felt pretty comfortable. Still I was a wolf and, although they were so kind to me, yet I revenge. 1 wanted to ne ge She Th my companions, One day, ba thoroughly recovered, the old man set W me to watching the sheep in a small he crossed the fence, for my companions, 1 howled, together, 1 howled again, and an answer came from the woods, Another howl and my companions jumped the fence, 1 selected a young lamb that had ever looked sweet and tender to me, and I made a spring for him, when bang went a gun and 1 fell over, shot through both fore legs. I looked up and saw the farmer coming I whined but he frowned and leveled his gun atmayhead, . .. . , . . . Ilay in bed at Home, friends stood around me, and when I told them not to shoot again, they assured me that I was out of dan- ger. “You have been in a very dangerous condition,” said of my friends- “Several days ago you went out hunt. ing, and as you did not return at your accustomed time several of us went out to lock for you, and you may imagine our horror when we saw your body in a pool. Wedrew you out and were re- joleed to discover that life was not ex- tinet, You bad evidently been walk- ing very rapidly and had stepped into the pool before discovering it. Your face wore an expression of alarm, and we could not see that you had made an effort to get out, and I really do not be- lieve that you had." Numerous oue When 1 recovered I ask my friend to show me the pool which he did, leav- ing meas I requested. 1 did not member to seen the posi, but I recognized a tree close by. thing had been gnawing the {e- nave evel SOme- root of the tree, and I could plainly see the prict of a wolf's teeth, From this tree I went down into a valley, along no trail bat by a way strangely familar, I soon reached a fence, and looking over I saw a flock of sheep feeding, 1 went to the farm house not far away where { I found a farmer who did not know me was familiar, I | talked to him about sheep raising and | but whose face to me { finally I adroitly turned the conversa- tion upon wolves, ey i oi i Wit had a h a wolf,” VETY sSlrange experience said, **Alout wolves h Lie 1wWo weeks ago 1 heard wiling in I did intended a raid | my sheep, and taking wy gun | the day-time, which is rare. not | know but that they on out to the sheep pasture and hid behind ‘a stump, I had not been there long : I fired and one of them fell over in the { bushes, I loaded my gun, ran ! and was on the eve of shooting when he | whined and gave me { human that I a look so nearly shoot, 1 { my hand on his head, and he looked could not put at | me—by George. sir, no offence intended, had an like | but he eve { yours,” very nearly 1 replied ; “please go on with your story.” the hind leg, | and after it was dressed it healed with wonderful rapidity, Sometimes the animal's eyes would have a human exs pression, then again it would glare like any other wolf's eye; but, upon the whole, he seemed so intelligent and ap- peared to be so anxious to do something 3 “He was wounded in down to the pasture and told him to watch the sheep. Well, sir, I hadn’t more than reached the house when I heard him howl. I seired my gun, stole around and watched. He kept on howling, and pretty soon I saw several wolves jump over the fence, Just then my wolf made a dash after a lamb and I shot him. He was only wounded, and I ran to him and blew his head off.” “When did this occur “Last Thursday,’ “What time 7° “About two 2 o'clock.” I turned and walked away. It was the very time when I regained con: sciousness and found my friends stand- ing around me,—Arkansaw Traveler, oA MAN'S GRANDEST TREASURE. The grandest treasure it is possible for men to possess on earth is a good wife, The poorest investment he can ever make is a worthlsss one. Personal adornment may please the eye of the vulgar, but it will not hide a false heart. Sin may cloak itself for a brief season in the garment of hypocrisy, but sooner or later it shall come to judgment. Pure affection is a priceless jewel, the embroidment of earthly bliss, In the true union of husband and wife money should not enter into the consideration, The happiest homes the world ever knew have been bought and paid for by mut- ual earnings after marriage, The good and true wife adorns her home and makes it a little heaven. It isthe abode of a family, and a | and queen % - Our Young Folks, Coing to School. Tis nearly nine. und Tom and Bes, Are on thelr way 10 school; Ther walk slong at pace 80 slow As if they stepped by rule ‘1% not so nice,” ssid Tom to Bess, To go to school ail day As "tis to stay at home and read, Or run about and play. “Why, no, of course "tiz not so nice,’ Said Bessie, witi «sigh ; ‘But we must 22 sur duty, Tom, And never question why." “Dear me! how very grand you talk ; Perhinps you think like me But boys ean be as brave as girls, As you, dear Bess, will “And side by side we'll go to school And both together try To do our duty every day Without a q 1estion why Some Hints for Boys. Avoid that which you see amiss in others, Follow the example of only the good. Keep your ears open to all that is worth hearing, closed to all that is not, An older person’s experience is of no value to you unless you profit by it. You are not building on the future, but on the past and present. Evil communication corrupts good manners, Nobody wants todeal with a doubleminded boy. Be industrious, the world wants boys who are not afraid of bard steady work. ‘‘The empty ves- sels make the most sound.” inherit good fortunes, but no boy ever inherited scholarship, a good cha- acter or a useful life. If you would be capable, cultivate your mind; if you would be loved, your heart. Never ex- cuse a wrong action by saying some g : this is no Mome boys one else does the same excuse at all, A Wise Choice. A good minister, while sitting at the dinner table with his words said family, had these tohim b son, a lad of “Father, I have been uld bave a single wish y his would choose.” *To the ppose the allowance be in- what would He made his choice thoughtfully, first, of a good second, of good : and third, of a good education. His father suggested to him that fame, power, riches and various other things are held in general esteem among man- “al : a i have chance,” sald father, Er creased to tha ee wishes ; they be? Be careful, Charley" CONSCIence | health thought i Have healt! of all that.” a good con- i i sod good and a g« shall be able to earn all will be of any use to will come A wise de- , for a lad of that age. r young readers think of it, and else profit by it, A Very Useful Bird, “What did Captain Walker mean when he told papa be always kept a secretary when he was in south Africa ? Did be mean he had so much writing to do #”° “No,” said auntie, laughing softly ; “he meant a bird called the secretary.” “A What was the good of that # He said be could not do without ir ““The secretary-bird is a most useful creature, He is a real blessing to all south Africa; for he de- stroys a vast quantity of insects and reptiles, which are a great annoyance,’ “Why is be called ‘the secretary *” It is such a funny name for a bird.” “Soitis. I believe he is so called from a long tuft of feathers which hang from the back of his head, and which is supposeds by some people to resemble a writer with his pen stuck behind his ear. He is also called the serpent-eater ; but the first is his most usual name,” “Is he a very large bird ?" ‘““He is about the size of an eagle, but he bas very long, strong legs, The secretary, like other large birds of prey} builds his nest on the tops of the high- est trees, He always kills his prey be- fore eating it ; and the way he does so is curious, He invariably crushes it with the sole of his foot ; and with such skill does he give the blow that he sel- dom has to strike twice. 1f the snake is large and makes a strong resistance, the secretary seizes it by the back of the neck and flies up with it to a great height, then drops it to the ground. The snake is stunned by the fall, and the secretary gives it a heavy blow with his foot before it is recovered, which kills it. Is it not a clever way ?" “Yea,” said Allen quite interested. “Are they very fierce “No, not at all ; and they are easily tamed, They are worth making friends of ; for they are so useful to man.” “Well, auntie, if I .go to Africa vim ama man, I shall try and get a sceretary to live with me, like Captain I should be frightened at bird ! who live in
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers