M1 pfe
That Early Worm.
The Early Worm net forth to squirm
Aeroim the garden b1,
"I ee the itiir are ehlning yet
It Ixn't dawn," he Held.
fieleotlng grain of Juicy mold,
He made a break rant brief.
And then, to clothe hie ooucta below
He gathered up a leaf.
There came a sweet low note, "Tweet
tweet r'
He hudder'-d at the nouml.
"It I the Later Bird !" he cried,
And hurried nuilf rronnd.
"Sow, thin le very much too bad
It I", upon my word I
He'll Ret me up at midnlk'ht loont"
Exolalmnd the Later bird.
Chicago Record-Herald.
Rata In the Sun.
It used to bo thought that the bat
was active only by night and sleeps
pretty well all winter. No doubt the
animal loves darkness and is more at
home in it, but If the weather be warm
enough It will venture into daylight
even in the cold months of the year.
Toward evening, when the light is be
ginning to fail, it is common enough
to see them flying about in summer.
They can hardly be mistaken for birds,
tor their flight Is neither so gracei'ul
nor so rapid.
A Pleasant Came.
The game called "The Fruit Basket"
may be played either with chairs or
benches, if chairs are not convenient
Arrange an even number, say fourteen,
chairs in two parallel lines, seven In
a line. Fourteen girls are seated in
these chairs, and the fifteenth odd one
stands between the rows, carrying a
covered basket She walks up and
down swinging It. Sne stops sudden
ly before the first girls and says:
"I've been In the garden this morn
ing, gathering currants." As she says
the name of the fruit, the first girl
must cry:
"Currants, currants, currants!" be
fore tho odd girl says It again, and
this Is repeated down the lines, chang
ing the name of the fruit ench time.
At the first failure, every one Jumps
tip and changes her seat, and In the
confusion, the odd girl must try to get
a scat, there being one of course, al
ways left to take her place, and so It
oes on.
Black Art.
A funny trick, while not new, Is very
amusing if deftly performed.
Two of the players must know the
Same. One sits in a chair and the
other stands behind him. The com
pany is asked to write a word or a
quotation or question on a slip of pa
per previously given to each one. When
this is done, all the slips are collected
fcy the player who stands behind the
choir.
Now, before the game begins, this
player has written and given to the
one In the chair, a quotation which the
one In the chair holds hidden In his
band.
The player benind the chair then
takes a slip he has just collected, and
presses it against the forehead of play
er No. 2. After an apparent effort, he
calls oft the quotation that player No.
1 had already given him, and which
be has hastily read.
"Who wrote that?" asks No. 2. And
then No. 1, who In the sight of all pre
tended to write a paper at the time
they all did, says, "I did," and hands
the paper pressed against the forehead
to No. 2. But you will see the paper
held against the forehead was really
written by one of the circle, so No. 2
has one paper ahead each time which
he reads, and then asks: "Who wrote
that?"
If this la deftly done, It puzzles a
company for a long time.
Dumb Oratory.
This rainy-day game Is great fun,
and the more playing the merrier. Se
lect a large room, the emptier the bet
ter. At one end of it rope oft "the
stage." From this rope must hang a
white curtain two old sheets of heavy
muslin will do, stretching from wall
to wall and opening in the middle. Pin
a placard on this curtain, announcing
that:
"Miss Smith's School will entertain
a select audience with recitations, from
three to five p. m."
The audience will come quickly
enough. There must of course be a
teacher, who must be witty and clever
at making speeches. Some older per
ron might volunteer, who will explain
that the elocution class Is about to
lve an exhibition. The class will then
come from behind the curtain, stand
ing lined up before It. As the teacher
calls for a certain parformer, the line
draws away from him, leaving him
Standing close to the curtain.
Now, on the other side of this cur
tain, stand an equal number of play
ers, in front of certain silts, which
have been mado for their arms to go
through. If there is a slugle perform
er, be stands with bands behind him,
between two convenient slits. The per
son on the other side thrusts his arms
through these silts, making a very
grotesque combination with the person
outside, and the recitation begins, the
speaker being aided by the gestures
of the dumb, Invisible orator.
When the recitation is In concert or
In a dialogue, and when as It often
happens, the speakers are girls, and
the "dumb orators" are boys, the ef
fect Is aide-splitting.
A very ood recitation for the pur
pose la "The Smack la School." but
the sober pieces do Just as well, for
the contrasts are even more ludicrous.
Poe's "Raven," and "Curfew Shall Not
Ring Tonight," are also excellent hut
there Is a wide range In choice to suit
all tastes and ages, Los Angeles
(Cal.) Times.
Tricks of the Magpie.
It was a warm spring day; the last
of the lowland snows was fast disap
pearing, and tiny pools of water form
ed here and there In hrmfprlnts which
the range cattle had made. Overhead
was heard an occasional "Mag, mag,
m-a-a-g!" from long-beaked birds
which were flying about apparently
without knowing what' to do with
themselves. Suddenly they disappear
ed in the distance, but still rams the
echo of their hoarse notes, "Mag, mag,
m-a-a-g!"
The sky was clear; not even a va
grant cloud was in sight, yet soon a
thundering sound was heard and
sweeping along the horizon was an Im
mense cloud, which, as It drew near,
was easily made out to bo one of dust.
Then the air vibrated with the bel
lowing of thousands of frightened cat
tle. On they come, a living avalanche
led by two or three very large animals,
which were lash Inn their tails furious
ly and kicking their heels high Into the
air. On the backs of the leaders sat
several of the long-beaked birds, en
joying, no doubt, the wild ride across
the prairie. The leaders of the stam
peded cattle passed on madly to the
water-soaked patches; tholr hoofs sank
doop In the mire; one, two, three went
down, thrown by the force of their
own motion, and the mad herd crashed
Into them. The birds left their
perches and circled about in the air as
the terrible mix-up occurred; and
over all was again heard the rasping
cry, "Mag, mag, m-a-a-g!" A dozen
cowboys on tholr ponies now arrived
at the scene, closing In about the cattle,
shouting, cracking their whips and
firing their six-shooters into the air.
They soon succeeded in turning the
cattle. In a few moments the great
herd was quietly browsing. In the
mire lay a dozen struggling cattle, and
the air was alive with birds chattering
excitedly to each other. Two or three
uuzzards soared far above, but not for
long, however, for the birds in a bunch
took after them furiously, driving
them far away.
"Mag, mng, m-a-a-g!"
From the north, the east, the south,
the west came more birds; they seem
ed to sprlirg out of the ground; they
were everywhere, the scheming mag
pies, rathering for the feast, for that
is what was to come from all the fuss.
And .it was to be strictly a magpie
feast. Any buzzard, hawk, eagle or
wild animal that might approach to
make an attempt at securing a meal
would have been promptly attacked
and driven away.
Magpies often cause terrible stam
pedes among the bonis of the western
range. Selecting a few of the largest
cattle, the birds seat themselves upon
their bocks and begin to fiercely pick
into the flesh of the animals. When
the cattle Jump and kick to dislodge
the tormentors the magpies sink their
claws into the hide and hang on de
fiantly. Soon the cattle become terror
stricken, the fright spreads in the herd
and results In stampede.
Cowboys claim that magpies actual
ly have a talking language among
themselves, and say that always be
fore the birds attack a herd they gath
er in great numbers about a tree or
large rock, hop around constantly, and
each bird seems to be making a differ
ent noise. This is kept up for a few
minutes, after which a half dozen of
them fly away toward the catth, while
the others quiet down and watch for
results. No doubt their gathering is
a sort of congress at which there are
chosen certain ones for the work of
driving the herd.
The magpie Is not very large, hut he
is fierce In his way, fearless and full of
tricks. The bird Is easily domesticated,
and, but for the fact that he Invariably
develops Into a mischief-maker or a
great thief, would become very popu
lar among the boys and girls where he
thrives.
Not lng ago a young magpie was
caught by a little boy of Fremont
Pass, Wyo. The bird grow to be a
great favorite with the householders
until It was discovered that he was
carrying away things; that he would
drive the chickens off their nests, pull
wool from the sheep's backs and harass
the cat whenever he caught Tabby
trying to get a nap. This bird's thiev
ing operations were novel. He would
not often take anything except those
articles which he saw the people use,
and his crimes found him out when
aftor watching the master of the house
lay down his pipe one day, the bird
promptly stole it. Later, when the
man sought his pipe, Mr. Magpie hap
pened to be near. The article was no
where to be found; Its owner grew an
gry, and when the bird began to chat
ter excitedly a sack of tobacco was
thrown at him. Away he flew, crying
"Ou! Ou! Ou!" The man watched,
and In a moment saw Mr. Magpie fly
down from the housetop with the pipe,
which he dropped at the doorway. Af
ter that whenever anything was miss
ing about tho house, "Maggie" was In
variably blamed. He was finally dis
covered tearing up several loaves of
bread which had been put out on the
porch to cool. He was captured and
thrown Into a rain barrel. With a
wild cry the bird flew away and never
returned.
Miners call tho magpie "camp-robber"
because he never loses an oppor
tunity to steal anything that he can
eat from the prospector's meagre sup
ply. Ross B. Franklin, in Chicago
Kocord-Herald.
King Edward has sent his portrait
to the Paris municipal council.
Rust en Flatirons.
Fiittlrons will not rust if they are
waxed before they are put away, as
tho little film of wax prevents the
action of the air which produces rust.
When the irons have been allowed to
rust they should be scoured with a
little salt after being rubbed with wax.
Houseeteanlng Hints.
If linoleum is losing its freshness,
it may be restored and made to last
twice as long. Melt a little ordinary
glue In a pint of water. At night have
the linoleum clean and dry, go over
it with a flannel cloth dipped in the
glue water, and by morning, it will
have a fine, hard gloss. For dusting
ceilings, walls, etc., use cotton flannel
bags with two very full ruffles on the
sides and end, to cover the brocm.
These are also very useful on hard
wood and painted floors. An excel
lent furniture polish is made of equal
parts of raw Unseed oil and gasolene.
Cold tea, without soap, is good to
remove stains from varnished wood.
Soiled places on wall paper may 'be
removed by applying a paste made of
pipe clay and cold water. Woman's
Homo Companion.
To Cook Beefsteak.
All beefsteaks and chops should be
handled without having a fork stuck
into them. Punctures allow the Juice
to escape. Beefsteaks and chops
should be sipped for a moment Into
boiling water Just before being
cooked. This contracts and closes the
nurlaco, enabling it to retain juices.
Dcel'steaks for the family should be
cut one and a quarter Indies at one
ed;,'e and taper In thickness to half an
Inch at the other. This, when cooked,
enables the carver to serve rare, med
ium or well done portions, as desired.
The round or tender beef cuts well flav
ored sloaks; it Is much cheaper than
the loin and if properly cut and cooked
Is equally good. Before dipping in
scalding water make several through
and through incisions three inches
long at regular intervals. In these in
sert thick slices of kidney fat or suet.
Dip and broil over wood coal3 if pos
sible; if these cannot be had beat a
frying pan very hot and butter It, place
the steak in it, cover and cook quick
ly over a hot fire. The Delineator.
A Home Truck.
A household convenience worth
many times lis cost in saving carpets
and floors and avoiding rasped door
castings and bruised Angers, is a lit
tle truck for moving heavy 'stoves,
bureaus, etc. Probably the cheapest
form Is one with four heavy swivel
casters for wheels; all the rest can
bo built at home. Tho size and strength
of the platform will depend upon the
hsa to which it is to be put. A con-
venleut size is 2x2 1-2 feet The plat
form should be at least 1 1-2 inch
thick, sound spruce or hemlock being
preferable to oak or other bard and
slippery wood. About three lnchej
from each end spike or bolt cross
pieces of 3x3 joist. In these set the
casters, dividing the space evenly. Get
beavy and easily working casters and
oil the bearers before using so that
turns may be made readily. Some pre
fer a truck built like a miniature low
down wagon, drawn by a handle at
tached to the front axle, which turns
en s "circle." By looking over the
pile of old iron or cast-off farm ma
chinery a set of wheels and axles may
bo found that with a little tinkering
Will make a suitable running gear for
one of these little wagons. Chicago
Inter-Occun.
Recipes.
White Jolly Scald one pint of milk
with bait a cup of sugar; then add one
fourth box of gelatine that has been
soaking one hour In one-fourth cup of
cold water; remove from the fire, add
one teaspoon of lemon or vanilla ex
tract and strain into a mould; serve
with cream or fruit juice.
Creamed Lobster Boil a two pound
lobster 12 mlnulcs; remove tho meat
when cold and cut it in inch pieces;
put one tablespoon of butter in a small
pan, add half a tablespoon of flour, stir
until smooth, then add one cup of
tbln cream; beat the yolks of two eggs,
pour some of the hot mixture over
them, and turn all back into the pan;
add the lobster meat, salt and pepper;
bring only to the boil; serve with
small squaros of puff paste.
Baked Beets Wash and scrub the
beets, put them In an old pan and put
in the oven; if young beets they will
take from one to one aud one-half
hours to bake; when they are tender
scrape off the skin, cut them in thick
slices and drop them into a little melt
ed butter and vinegar, about two tab
lcspoonluls of each; let them simmer
lu this for five minutes covered close
ly; serve hot or cold; cut In cubes
they may be served on lettuce leaves
as a salad.
Chicken Terrapin Two cupfuls of
cold, cooked chicken, eat in small
pieces; melt two tablespoonfuls of but
ter, add one tablespoouful of flour, half
a cup of cream, one teaspoonful of
Baft, a little pepper and a pinch of
mace; cook all together until boiling,
chop tlio whites of two hard boiled
eggs very fine; mash the yolks through
a sieve, add it to a little cream, stir
this into the chicken; when it boils
add half a cup of wine and serve Immediately.
PEARLS OF THOUGHT.
Not failure, but low aim, is crime,
3. R. Lowell.
Anger is one of the sinews of the
ou!. Fuller.
The beauty seen, is partly In him
who sees it Borce.
Where there is much pretension
there Is much deceit Addison.
When a man Is wrong and won't ad
mit it, he always gets angry. Halibur
ton.
A healthy old fellow, who la not a
fool, Is the happiest creature living.
Steele.
A brave man Is sometimes a desper
ado; but a bully is always a coward.
Haliburton.
Suffering Itself does less afflict the
senses than the anticipation of suffer
ing. Qulutlllan.
Fire and sword are but slow engines
of destruction In comparison with the
babbler. Steele.
Be calm In arguing, for fierceness
makes error a fault, and truth dis
courtesy. Herbert.
Every base occupation makes one
sharp in Its practice, and dull in every
other. Sir P. Sidney.
Penplo who are always occupied
with the duties of others, never have
time for tholr own. Joubert.
When any calamity has been suf
fered, the first thing to be remembered
is, how much has been escaped. John
son. People who live only to amuse them
selves, work harder at the task than
most people do In earning their dally
bread. H. More.
Every man Is his own ancestor, and
every man Is his own heir. He de
vises his own future, and he inherits
his own past. H. F. Hedge.
There is a maxim of unfailing truth,
that nobody over prlcH Into nnuther
man's concerns but with design to do,
or to be able to do htm son.o mischief.
South.
Chicken and Cat.
A young cat and a chicken are to
separable companions at the home of
Mrs. Mary Puunlmrty. Their friend
snip begun when tho chicken began
"peepln.?" nbent the yard, soon alter
it saw the l'.g!it of day. In its wander
ing the chick made tho acquaintance
of an old house cat, and when the kit
ten came Into existence a short time
later tho little chick, so it seemed, had
a ca-se cf love at, first slKht, and at
onco began to 6how its affection for
the kitten.
This Blate of affairs has continued
from that time to the present, the at
tachment appearing to Do strength'
enod as tho days have passed. Always
together, when by some chance they
are separated each seems to be down
cast and sorrowful until they are ro
united. The two friends eat out of
the same dish and tho chicken Is not
averse to taking a piece of food from
the mouth of the cat, should tho mor
sel prove especially tempting. This
the cat does not object to.
Chicken and cat bunk together, and
oftentimes the chicken has been seen
to caross tho cat with its bill as a
mark of Its affection. Tho unusual
friendship has been tho cause of a
great deal of Interest among friends
of Mrs. Daugherty. Baltimore Sun.
Webster's Opinion of Himself.
A lady of one of the old families liv
ing near Boston related to a writer the
other day an anecdote of Daniel Web
ster which has never been In print be
fore. This lady happened to bo one of
a few friends who went with Mr. Web
ster to the hall where hung on exhibi
tion, previous to its final location in
Faneull hall, Mr. Hoaly's now famous
painting representing Webster making
his reply to Hayne. "Air. Webster,"
said the lady, ."was very feeble and
was led In by the artist Ascending
the platform which commanded a vlow
of the picture Webster looked at It for
some minutes, making some pleasant
observations to bis friends respecting
the different senators and the various
points of interest on the canvas. This
portrait and that were spoken of, and
even tho pages recognized. Finally,
turning to go, Mr. Webster quietly re
marked: 'And as for that man stand
ing there in the centre, well, I've seen
belter looking men in my day than
he.' "
A Collection of Spades.
The spades used by tho king and
members of the royal family of Eng
land on occasions when commemora
tive trees have been planted are pre
served at th royal gardens at Frog
more. Many of t'r.cm are of silver.
There are Uio full-sized spades used
by the king and the Prince of Wales,
and miniature spades used by the
rrlnces and princesses. The whole
are now to be rangad in a glass case,
with the date of the occasion on which
each was used. The number of trees
planted in coramemmoratlon of the
coronation has much Increased the col
lection. '
Keep Him Busy.
They tell In New York of a man
named King, who resides in Europe,
visits all the capitals, knows all the
big wigs, Is at home on all the bourses
and generally keeps track of whatever
is going on in tho money markets, Ho
cables dally to the Stanlard Oil com
pany and some of the allied life In
surance companies. His cables are
kept secret. They are full of meat.
The trpneactio'.is of the Rockefellers
and a few others are based upon his
say so. He receives a salary of $25,
000 year. Portland Orcgonlat.
Property cf the Crown.
There are between 300,000 and 400,
000 acres of land in Wales under
which the miner: belong to the
crown.
New Tork City. Capes or cape col
lars mark the season's simpler gar
ments as well as those of formal wear.
This stylish yet simple Mny Mnnton
MOBNINO JACKET.
morning Jacket includes one of exceed
ingly graceful sluipo nnd Is to be com
mended both from tho standpoint of
stylo anil comfort. As shown it is
mndo of blue challle, figured with
black, and Is trltftmcd with frills of
Ince beading, thrended with ribbon
and fnncy stitches executed in black
fortleelll silk; but the design is n sim
ple one nnd can be utilized for wash
able fabrics ns well ns for the pretty
wools nnd simple Bilks tbnt are lu
vogue for garment of the sort
The Jacket consists of fronts, backs
nnd 'side bnrks, nnd is finished at the
neck with the wide enpe rollnr. The
sleeves are In bishop stylo nnd nre
gathered into straight cuffs at the
wrists.
The quantity of material required for
the medium size is three ynrds twenty.
seven inches wide, two nnd three-quar
ters ynrds thirty-two inches wide or
two yards forty-four inches wide with
four nnd oue-balt ynrds of lnce three
FANCX WAIST, AND TIIREE-FIECE SKIRT LENGTHENED BT
SHIRRED FLOUNCE.
and nnp.1i nlf Inches wide for frills and
one and three-fourth yards of beading
to trim as illustrated.
Exceedingly Effective Costume.
Tnmhlnntlons of tucks and shirring
are notable in ninny of the lntest gowns
nnd waists nnd are exceedingly enec
tlve In the fashlonnble soft mntcrlals.
The very smart May Mnnton waist il
lustrated in the two-column picture is
shown in white crepe tie chine with
yokes and trlmmlug of Venetian lace,
but is suited to washable fabrics as
well as to silks and wools, and to tho
odd wnist ns well us the entire gown.
The wnist consists of the fitted lining,
with fronts nnd back of tho wnist
proper. The lining is faced to form
the yoke nnd the waist Is shirred at
the upper edge nnd tucked above the
belt. It is gatlired nt the waist line
and is slightly full over the belt. The
closing is effected Invisibly nt the cen
tre bock. The sleeves are shirred nt
the shoulders, where they form contin
uous, lines with the wulst, so giving tho
desired broad effect, nnd tho fulness Is
gathered to form soft full puffs at tho
wrists.
The qunntlty of mntorlnl required tvt
the medium slzo Is live . nnd throe
fourth yards twenty-one Inches wide,
four yards twenty-seven Inches wide,
three and ouo-hnlf yards thirty-two
inches wide, or two nnd sovon-elghth
yards forty-four Inches wide, with
seven-eighth yards of all-over luce and
two and ouo-clglith yards of applique
to make as Illustrated.
Skirts mndo with deep grndunted
flounces that are arranged In shirring
at the upper edge are notablo among
advance models and will be greatly
worn in nil the thin and pllablo mate
rials which are so fashionable, iuclud
lug sllS, wool, linen and cotton. The
very graceful Mny Manton model Illus
trated in the large drawing includes
wide tucks at the lower edge of the
flounce nnd is shirred over heavy cords.
Tho material of which the original is
made is voile, in the lovely shade
known ns ninls or corn color, and the
finish machine stitching with corticelll
silk.
The skirt is made In throe pieces and
Is laid in tucks at the sides and back
which give a hip yoke effect. Tho ful
nosi at the bark Is laid In Inverted
pleats and tho flounce Is seamed to the
lower edge.
The quantity of material required for
the medium size Is twelve and three
fourth yards twenty-one Inches wide,
ten and three-fourth ynrds twenty,
seven inches wide, nine ynrds thirty
two inches wide or six nnd three
fourth ynrds forty-four inches wide.
Panties Will He Popular.
Sashes will evidently be favorite so
compaiilmeiits of the season's evening
gowns, so many and so beautiful nre
the recently Imported ribbons In six
Inch and wider widths. These are
printed in a variety of exquisite de
signs of flowers nnd leaves, and the
colorings nre of Jewel-like beauty. A
sash of heavy white satin ribbon hns
a narrow edge of black velvet, nnd an
all-over design of vine leaves In several
tones of gray velvet, shading from the
most delicate pearl to stone color. The
same ribbon is shown in green tones
on a white sntln foundation. A black
tnffeta snsh has a design of shadowy
gray -ostrich plumps overlaid with pink
roses. Holly berries ami leaves in
their natural colors on cream colored
silk furnish a gay effect. In gcnernl.
however, pastel and opal tones nre pre
ferred.
A Mew Mntrrlal.
A new ami popular material of the
net class is tulle nvnlgnee, a fine silk
tnlln with meshes forming symmetrical
lace designs. It Is much more durable
thr.n the ordinary tulle.
Color That Find Favor.
Among colors other thnn blue nnd
gray rich reds nnd browns will find
favor during the coming season.
Woman'! Tucked Coat.
Long coats that are tucked at both
front and back are among the features
of autumn styles and give just the long
slender lines demanded by fushlon.
This one, designed by May Manton,
is made of bluck satin faced cloth
with trimming of Oriental embroidery,
in dull colors edged with black velvet
but the design suits all cloak and suit
ing materials. The sleeves are special
ly noteworthy and smart, nnd, in ad
dition to being among the latest shown,
are Ideally comfortable.
The coat is made with a blouse por
tion, that is fitted by means of shoul
der and underarm seams, nnd the
tunic which is Joined to tho blouso be
neath the belt Both portions nre
tucked and stitched with corticelll silk.
The sleeves are made in two parts, the
under portions being exceptionally
wide and pleated to form the full
puffs.
The qunntlty of mnterlnl required for
the medium size is five yards twenty-
TUCKED COAT.
seven Inches wide, three and one-half
yards forty-four inches wide or two
and three-fourth yards fifty-two Inches
wide.
mm
"mm
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.
Recent Investigations have show
that the salinity of the ocean varies
greatly. In different localities. The
Atlantic has two large areas that are).
f ry salt one north and one south of
the equator, while the Pacific has one
mall salt area south of the equator.
The Flnsen lamps are now credited
with 10 cures of cancer of the skla .
out of 22 cases treated, and with cures
of obitlnato acne and of baldness dua
to bacteria. Erysipelas and minor
eruptions havo been treated with good
rcKudts. At the Flnsen Institute are
rooms for exposing patients to elec
tee light baths and to sun baths, and
an exhaustive and promising lnves- '
tlgatton of the Influence of light In va
rious nervous diseases and in Insanity,
Is In progress.
Mr. Powell, a Liverpool merchant.
Is said to have discovered s process of
hrrdenlng and toughening soft woods
so that they can bo used In place of
na'.urally hard woods. The treatment
consUts in saturating the timber with
a solution of sugar at the boiling point.
The water is aftorward evaporated
oi't, leaving the pores and interstices
of the wood filled with solid matter,
which Is not brittle and shows not
ter.Ctncy to split or crack. The process
also preserves wood and renders It
retrerkobly Impervious to water. Even
hard woods are said to be benefited
by It
The application of photography to
rapid survey work Is gradually attract
ing more attention, and recently C. E.
Btromeyor of England described an in
teresting method of measuring the an
gular shift, in Che position of a distant
object as seen from two separata
points, by superposing a photographlo
negative taken at one of the points up
on a positive taken at the other point,
and then moving one of the films, or
pliites, until the object in question
disappears In consequence of tho nega
tive and positive images coinciding. By
using the superposed plates as a slide
In a magic lantern, the amount of over
lapping appears greatly magnified, and
the adjustment needed to produce co
incidence of the Images can be mora.
accurately measured.
In Central England there Is a broaj
region among tho mining and manu
facturing districts which lies more or
less continuously under a pall of
SRK.ko, and where an area of land, es
timated to cover 14.000 acres, is burled
rltli ash heaps and refuse, on which,
a little grass grows. This is signifi
cantly called the "Black Country," and
many think that its gloom and desola
tion react physically and mentally up
on its inhabitants. A movement is
now on fot to regenerate thds dark re
gion by covering Its wastes with for
ests. Mr. W. Schltch, a European au
thority 'on forestry, thinks that the
plan could be so carried out that be
sides the intended esthetic effect, good
financial returns would be obtained
from the sale of timber.
Violin Improvement i
From time to time attempts have
been mado to Improve the volume and
tone of violin and other stringed in
struments by Inserting in the interior
of the sound-body some auxiliary vi
brating device. One of the latest de
vices perfected for this purpose con
sists of a hollow sounding post, which,
carries a number of hollow radiating
fingers. Th inventor of this device
claims that it Increases the volume of
the tone of the violin, renders the vio
lin more responsive to the bow, makes
the ton of the instrument louder and
of greater carrying power, particularly
u to the heavier strings, without la
any way destroying the characteristic
pure violin tone. The device may ho
applied through the "f holes In tho
ease without dismantling the instru
ment, so that there is no risk of de
stroying a fine specimen in the hope
Df improving or modifying its tone or
Volume. The tone modifier is made of
a resilient wiod, such as spruce or
maple, relatively thin, of uniform thick-'
neBs throughout. Normally it is placed
slightly in the rear of the bridge and
In the vicinity of the vertical plane of
the "d" string. The scientific basis of
the action of the device is not clear,
but, nevertheless, the hollow or tubu
lar members Impart the Instrument's
vibrations to the columns of air with
in tnem, thus augmenting the volume
of sound.
Launching a Big Ship.
The launch of a vessel is primarily
a matter of mathematics. In a ship of
Immense size, writes Franklin Mat
thews in Outing. It calls for a vast
amount of calculation before the first
stop Is taken In the actual work. In
th'j first place. ti specific gravity
of tho vossel must be figured out so
as to allow for the various strains to
which the hull Is subjected on its
slanting Journey into the water with
Its sudden plunge, as the bow drops
from the ways. An enormous amount
of data must be collected to fix this
centre of gravity. The weight of all
the material that has gone into the
vessel up to the time of the launching,
the distribution of this weight, tha
weight of chains and anchors, and oth
er material placed on board, prepara
tory to the launch, must all be con
sidered. When the centre of gravity
Is fixed the successful shipbuilder
knows just how to build his launching
ways, and Just where to strengthen
them. He knows thon, by a little
calculation, how long each part ot
the vessel will be subjected to certain
strains and bow to best prepare fo
them. He can figure almost to the
second how long the ship will be In
sliding into the water.
The process of rapid tanning by slo
trolysls has failed.