I A WESTERN FAIRYLAND. § The Trans-Mississippi Exposition at Omaha is an Artistic Triumph. |jjs In that great stretch of mountain and prairie known to eastern people only a few short years ago as the Wild West a veritable fairyland has sprang into existence, with scarcely a louder herald than the swish of the saw or the sound of the hammer. The Trans- Mississippi Exposition at Omaha, Neb., which was opened by telegraph by President McKinley, in Washing ton, on June Ist, has grown into pro portions far beyond its original con ception, until it stands to-day stamped with an international character, count ing its friends in every section of the globe. Day by day it has developed into a living reality, and the magnifi cent buildings are typical of the art, the science, the enterprise and the progress of the West. The project, as it first found ex pression, contemplated a great fair to manifest to the world the resources of the territory west of the Mississippi River. Gradually its scope broadened. Congress recognized its National character; foreign countries appre UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT BUILDING AT THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI EXPOSITION, OMAHA ciated the value of the opportunities offered; State after State fell in line, demanding space for proper represen tation until, when it was opened, it had assumed the magnitude and im portance of a World's Fair. The site selected is just north of the city of Omaha, on a plateau, and a visit to it is like a trip to fairyland. On every side is the element of orig inality. It is a copy of nothing ever before attempted in this field. From the beautiful auditorium at the east ern extremity down to the magnificent building abutting the western end of the lagoon and dedicated to the United States Government every de tail strikes the eye as being unique and original. In one respect only does it suggest Chicago. It is a white city, every building being finished in the material known as "staff." In every other respect the "dream city" r* ihe Trans-Mississippi and Interna tional Exposition is like nothing ever before planned and accomplished in America. Every crown, cap, figure and pilaster is cast from models en tirely new, rich and tasteful, and all are typical of the culture, the refine ment, the progress and the resources of the West. Besides the usual buildings devoted to the arts, trades, sciences and natural resources of the West, nearly every State west of the Mississippi River has erected its own representative structure. In the Grand court at the Trans-Mis sissippi Exposition, looking east from the island which occupies the center of the lagoon, one is impressed by the artistic architectural effects before him. When the great Government building, with its massive dome aud flanking colonnades, was built at the west end overlooking the court, it was thought difficult, in view of the fact that a i ■viaduct at the east must connect the bluff aud main tracts, to finish that end in a like artistic and imposing manner. But the architects happily solved the difficulty in making the viaduct not only a thing of beauty and usefulness, but one of the most artis tic conceits on the grounds. The vis itor may go by boat the entire length of the basin from the Government building to the Sherman avenue via duct, passing many of the main build ings. Arriving at the east end he will see a beautiful green sward rising in terraces, adorned with sculpture aud shrubbery, before him. Beyond this and facing him is a great hemicycle Itairway, thirty feet in width, adorned en either side with a tower, which is 3r °wned by a kiosk or minaret. Sweeping out on either side and con necting these towers with others ,of ■ like design are graceful arches, llaek of all this and rising i n five gently graduated towers, and crowned with statues of heroic design, are the two great viaduct restaurauts. The tow ers and stairs are tinted to an old ivory shade, decorated with dull Tompeiian solors. Beyond and across the viaduct, the bluff tract has been transformed' into a park, where the various state build ings are located and which also is the site of the great Horticultural build ing and some of the larger structures of the amusement section. At the eastern end of the laaroon the auditorium, with a seating capacity of twenty-five hundred, rears its front, and abutting the western end of this grand canal the United States Govern ment Building stands, a majestic structure, overlooking the broad basin, surmounted by a handsome dome with a statue of Liberty bearing aloft the flaming torch of progress and enlightenment. The lagoon, which is widened here by excavating a trefoil, is nearly 400 feet in width and forms a water-ampliitbeatre, which, with the colonnades surround ing it, easily forms one of the prettiest effects to be found in the ex position. Lining the lagoon on either side and reflected into its waters stand the buildings devoted to arts and me chanics. That of Mines and Mining and the Machinery and Electricity Building are splendid structures. The lagoon itself has many novel features made possible by the rapid improvement in the methods of elec tric lighting. At the east end are located electric water grottoes, the Blue Grotto of Capri and the Mam moth Cave. The educational features of the ex position have not been overlooked. They are in the hands of representa tive Western women, to whom has been assigned the management of philosophic and scientific congresses, the Boys and Girls' Building, as well as all branches of woman's work. They will have charge of the exhibits of the work of public schools, kinder gartens, art, reform, industrial and all schools of special instruction. Not the least important feature of the great exposition is the ethnologi cal exhibit. It is possible that never again will an effort of this character be enabled to secure an Indian ex hibit ot the proportions contemplated by this. The Indian race is rapidly disappearing, and the opportunity to study clear-cut types of every known tribe will be hailed with delight by every lover of ethnology. _ ' (View of the D.l iHs h'islap d And the Midway. The management lias provided a programme of unique and wholesome attractions, and is adding to it daily. Novel and mer itorious show features are encouraged, and the visitor will not lack amuse ment. Foreign villages are in abun dance. An exact reproduction of Cripple Creek in miniature is exhib ited. This concession alone occupies 15,000 square feet and requires 300 I people to produce it. The AfrojJ American village typifies phfeu; of their life. A novel of engiitfwj-ing B kjn j 8 Sherman'jEF" brella, byw'jich passengers vated to a heijjW re volved within a eirflfc of Tweet. The Moovish village will b. so will the Irish, Tyrolean and C^h' uese villages, and many others. will be left undone to contribute the satisfaction and pleasure of tit l ® visitors. V The Pope does his private writing with a gold pen, but the pontifical sig-| nature is always written with a penl made from the feather of a white dove. 1 —Pittsburc DisDatoh. ' .SLAND OF ST« THOMAS* A Splendid Base For Fleet Operations lo the Caribbean. "There is not any doubt," said a foreign officer of high rank at present in thiscouutry, "that it has been a set tled poiut for some time between the Danish Government and the American Administration that St. Thomas will pass under the dominion of the Flag of the United States. It will be acquired by purchase just as soon as the war with Spain is over. "If the arrangements had been com pleted before the opening of hostili ties, the possession of St. Thomas would have been of incalculable value to America just now. It would be a splendid base of operations for the fleets in the West Indies and would contribute much to assert American dominion in the Caribbean. Conced ing even that Porto Rico will be held by the United States, St. Thomas easily could be made a little Gibraltar." Denmark's possessions in the "West Indies consist of the islands of St. Thomas and Santa Cruz, also called St. Croix and St. John. The most important of these is St. Thomas, which is about the same size as Man. hattan Island, being twelve miles long and three in its greatest width. St. Thomas is of great importance, both commercially and strategically, having one of the best harbors in the West Indies and possessing coaling, dry and floating dock and ship repair ing facilities that surpass anything in that section, even including Havana. In times not so long ago St. Thomas was the emporium of the Caribbean Sea, but the enormous expansion of the stream navigation enabled the other islands to enjoy direct and rapid communication with the northern countries aud caused the loss of the bulk of this trade to St Thomas. The island would be an especially valuable possession to the United States, as it has immense coaling depots and a floating dock capable of accommodating the largest ships that frequent those waters. Santa Cruz is wholly given up to agriculture, being especially famed for its sugar and rum. St. John is of lit tle or no consequence, being very scantily populated. The inhabitants of the Danish Islands are still in favor of annexation to the United States, since they know that their fortunes aro more closely allied with ours than with those of any European JHn-ion. Even among the Danish ofJ^Pil 8 there is the same strong feeling would result to the ben efit of for the rank and file relieved from service so far country, and the higher oftii^^B®' n d officials would be retired on pensions. The Government expensive and somewhat The annual deficit to is from §50,000 to 8100,000, Pppd there are no means of alleviating Rhe financial distress. Like the in habitants of all the islands of these seas, the people see that their only salvation lies in closer political con nection with the United States, since that would imply increased commercial advantages and resultant prosperity. As the people all speak English,even the Danish officials, there would be uo violence to national or racial preju dices, and the transfer could be effected with very little friction. I In an oratorical contest at the Idaho University for the Watkins medal Jennie Hughes, the only colored stu flent in the institution, was the winner. MRS. NELSON A. MILES. She Hsu Taken Interest in Flighting Since Site llecame a Soldier's Wife. Mrs. Nelsou A. Miles, wife of the commander of the United States aroiy, is one of the most attractive and hos pitable women in Washington, and MEM. NELSON A. MILES. deeply interested in every move that is made by the American arm}. She has always taken an interest in fight ing since she has been a soldier's wife, tears ago when the general was only Uolonel Miles, in command of the Presidio in San Francisco, he and Mrs. Miles were called "the handsomest couple in the army." Mrs. Miles has uot lost much of the charm that made her the goddess of every young fellow from West Foint, in her young days in California. She was Mary Sherman befbre her marriage. Her father was Judge Sherman, a brother of the senator and the general. Her hair is dark and abundant, her eyes are a grayish blue and her manners are winning. She is as kind and attentive to the wife of a second lieutenant as to the wife of a brigadier-general, and that is why she has ever been popu lar, no matter where stationed. Mrs. Miles accompanied the general ou his trip to Europe last year. She accom patiied him, too, on some of his expe ditions against the Indians, and wa? often within sound of the shooting. Our Clilrf Naval Strategist. J Since Captain Alfred T. Maban ha? returned from Europe and lias been assigned to a place on the Naval Strat egv Board at Washington be lias bad a splendid opportunity to put to an actual test many of the theories advo cated by him in his books and niaga y.iue articles relating to sea power. Hp J ' i I CAPTAIN ALFRED T. MAHAN. is the foremost expert in his specialty in all the world and his views are con sidered the last word on naval mat ters both in England and here at home. flours Which tiring Had Luck. Common as is the superstition that Friday is the most unlucky of days, and thirteen of numbers, the belief in unlucky hours is equally widespread an the European Continent and in the East. Gambetta was so firmly convinced that certain hours of the day are lucky and others unlucky that be would Qever commence anyimportaut under taking or start on an important journey without consulting a famous reader Df cards as to the auspicious hour, »nd President Faure, who was pru- Aeut enough to select a lucky hour for starting on bis recent journey to Rus sia, is said to share Gambetta's super stition. President Carnot was less 3redulous, and selected an unlucky liour for starting on the journey to Lyons, where he was nssassiuated by Caserio. The superstition is so com mon in Paris that cards tastefully em bellished and containing a list of "hours to be avoided" are extensively sold.—Philadelphia Record. More Deadly Than Bullets. The sudden changes of climate en countered by soldiers when troops are moved from one quarter of the globe to another are estimated as increasing the annual mortality of Europe by 50,000 men. Youthful Patriotism. "Say, Mister .Policeman, can you tell me where the war is? My papa says they need all the ships they can get and I want to give them mino." Judge. •pfE. TARM Peafowls. Eggs of peafowls hatch in from 24 to 29 days. The chicks may be hatched and reared by common hens. Deepens a Flower's Color. The color of hydrangeas is deepened oy putting iron nails, green vitriol or alum iuto the soil. The cojor of daffodils is deepened by increasing the richness of the soil they grow in. Fnt in Cheese Milking. The quality of cheese is uot deter mined by the percentage of fat in the milk, but this of course is one factor. Experiments indicate that an excess of fat is no advantage in cheese mak ing. The Dairy Cow's Vacation. The dairy cow should rest one seventh of lier time, seven and a half weeks. To guard against milk fever watch the udder during the time the cow is dry; if limp feed ge lerously, but if it swells and gives indications of be ing feverish, reduce the feed. Money From Herb*. A great deal of money can be made from common garden herbs. Sage, thvme. marjoram and even catnip all have their devotees. Most city cats very rarely see catnip except as a package. If it is purchased done up in a closed and sewed bag, and given them to plav with the antics they will perform with this plaything are ex tremely amusing. In the country cats And enough catnip growing around houses. If fanners' boys would gather siime of the leaves and sew them up in balls they could make some money out of the business. There is nearly always a good demand for herbs used in making the dressing for fowls and other baked meats. Movable Henhouse. The great evils of vermin and dis ease among poultry are best combated I by keeping small Hocks of hens and ' housing them in a number of lien j houses made small enough to be easily ] moved from one place to another. ! Such houses need not be expensive, ami if a stouo boat is fitted with a broal platform the henhouse may be placed on it and drawn anywhere oa the farm. Wherever insect enemies i are depredating it is well to place sev eral of these henhouses near by, aud let them help clear away the vermin, and also be getting the larger part of their living. It may require that a yard be built up so as to keep the fowls from straying too far. But hens with cuickens are the be-it scavengers, and they will remain near their tem porary home and return to it at night. Cow Pea Culture in the North. Owing to the fact that clover is fre quently damaged by freezing in win ter and by drouth in summer, there is some inquiry for another leguminous crop which is not open to these ob jections. With our present knowl edge, 110 substitute for Indiana can be ottered that is equal to the common red or large English clovers, both of which are thoroughly acclimated and flourish throughout the state. Notwithstanding this fact the cow pea has souio points of advantage, among which are, (1) greater capacity to endure drouth, (2) ability to grow on soils too thin to nourish clover, (3) ability to produce a large amount of forage or green manure in a few months of warm weather, and thus avoid the fio.sts of winter and early spring. Cow peas ava highly esteemed for forage in many parts of the south. They are pasture,l, #ut green and fed as a soiling crop and also cured as hay. Where they seed well they fur nish an excellent pasture for pigs, in which case the land is left in fine con dition for subsequent crops. In this state only the earliest sorts would pro duce much seed. In the richer soils the tendency would be to run to vines. Cow peas produce a very wattery growth and are therefore not easy to cure for hay. How to Msthe Hens Pay. Lyaauder S. Richards of Plymouth county, Mass., writes: Before * I had attained any degree of success in ttie poultry business, I started with a fiock of 50 and at the close of the year I made them pay §1 a head or SSO on the flock. Well, I figured the same as many others do, that if 50 will pay SSO, 200 will pay me a profit of S2OO, but somehow hens don't figure that way. They figure that just in propor tion to the increase of the Hock, the profits will decrease in the same ratio, especially with beginners, 1 started with 175 the noxt year, aud before the winter was out I began to discover the truth of the above maxim, which if more generally known would save many heart-breaking sobs of the over zealous beginner. The following year I told my folks that I would sell all but 25 heus and make a study of them and if I could not make them pay I would go out of the business. At the clo'se of the year I made them pay $2 a head and I was satisfied. The following year. I increased the flock very grad ually, kept 50. At the close of the year I made them pay $2 a head and was satisfied. The next year I in creased my flock to t>s and woke up the morning of the new year and found I had made #3 a head on common, mixed hens with eggs at the ordinary market prices at the stores. When i got up to a flock of 203 hens I had to be satisfied with $2 a head profit with eggs at common market prices. Dur last winter, there were rolled out of my flock of 130 hens 70 to 80 eggs d aily. Propagation of the Chrysanthemum. The usual method of propagating chrysanthemums is by means of cut tings. If large plants are desired they are started in January or Feb ruary, but when large blooms are wanted for exhibition purposes the cuttings are often started as late as May or June, and the plants are grown to single stems and allowed to develop but one flower. In order to grow healthy plants that will give large and fine floivers, strong and vig orous cuttings will be necessary, an i they will be best if taken from plants that have not been forced. It is a good plan to select strong plants in the spring and plant them out of doors as early as it is safe. From these stock plants cuttings can be taken that will give <;ood plants for single flowers. In the fall, take up the old plants, place in boxes, and keep until mid winter in a cold frame where they will not freeze. Then take into the house and a large crop of excellent cuttings can be obtained. The earlier ones will be just the thing for pot plants and for planting out as stock plants. In April another crop of cuttings should be taken. These will answer for six-incli pot plants, and for either single stems or"spravs,"to be planted n the houses for cut flowers. Another crop of cuttings can be taken in June, but it will be better to take them from plants set in the open ground, as rec ommended above- While most of the cuttings for late blooms should be struck about the Ist of June, the Ist or even the 15th of July will not be too late to secure good results if they are properly handled.—New England Homestead. I'r.itpctioii ofVoong Krult Trees. Many states have passed laws pro viding for official inspection of nur series and nursery stock, and the re suits of work along this line in 1807 by the New York agricultural experi ment station indicate that such in spection is more than desirable in New York. Only a few nurseries were examine.!, and none of them were seriously infested; yet ten species of injurious insects were found whose chief :;:eth>>d of gaining wide distribu tion is by shipment of nursery stock carrying either the insects or their eggs. Bulletin No. 136 of the station describes the methods of inspection used by the station entomologist, out lines tlie benefits to both nurseryman and orchardist of sytematic inspection of nurseries, summarizes brieriy the work of the station in 1897 and give* descriptions of the insects found, il lustrations of them and their work, and methods for their destruction in both nursery and orchard. The insects found may be classed in four general groups: Scale insects, in cluding oj-stershell barklouse, scurfy barklouse, New York plum Lecaniuni, oak scale and Han Jose scale; plant lice, including woolly louse of the ap ple; case bearers, pistol-case bearer and cigar-case bearer and bud moth; borers, including peachtree borer. The remedies to be used against the first two classes of insects consist of caustic washes, such as whale-oil soap solution, kerosene emulsion or kero sene-water mixture in the orchard,ap pli id in strong solutions in fall or winter after loosening the scales by brushing or gentle scraping,or weaker solutions in the spring when the young lice and scale are somewhat unpro tected. Iu the nursery similar meth ods are to be used on growing stock, but it is thought that fumigation iu the packing houses or storage cellars with hydrocyanic acid gas wilF be a practical means of getting rid of these and all hibernating insects. The case-bearers and bud moth must be met in the orchards by spraying in very early spring, just as the b ids are breaking and leaves unfolding, with Paris green, London purple or green arsenite. The borers should be kept out of the trees by mounding with earth, surrounding the base of the trunks with shields or smearing with some offensive mixture to pre vent the mother moth from depositing her eggs in the favorite location. Once established, the only way to get rid of the borers themselves is to cut them out with a knife or pierce them in their tunnels with a sharp wire. Learning Does Not Make Xavnl Officers. A man may be an academician and yet not a good naval officer. Lieuten ant Julien Viaud, better known a? Pierre Loti, having advanced high euougli on the list to be a candidate for the rank of commander (capitaiue de fregate) has been retired from the French navy together with fourteen other lieutenants, on the ground that they stand no chance of promotion. Not long ago u torpedo boat under Lieutenant Viaud's command was in collision with another vessel and much damaged.—New York Suit.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers