r GARDEN. FARM and CROPS SUGGESTIONS FOR THE UP-TO-DATE AGRICULTURIST Bees and Smoking. Many times bees are smoked more than is necessary; perhaps, because not every one knows that during a nectar flow some honey is lost every time a hive is opened, says Farm ing. When bees are smokr.d they fill themselves with honey and if so much smoke is used that most of the bees in the hive at that time take honey, it will be more than an hour before it is redeposlted into the celU and the regular work resumed. Boes sometimes gather nectar enough to make a pound of honey an hour, so one can see that it would be quite a loss if every colony in a fair sized apiary were smoked enough to inter rupt the work for one hour. The Poor Old Horse. We have a friend in Irvln-gton, who recently gave away an old horse to a farmer, who ho had reason to think would take good care of the animal, rather than accept $25 offered for it by a city express man who he thought would abuse and half starve it. The horse is strong and good for several years' service if properly treated, but could not endure cruelty. This is an example worthy of Imitation by many who have such animals. It 13 a pity to see an old horse or one having eome blemish that renders him unsal able, put into the hands of some irre sponsible, cruel, ignoraut or stingy driver, to be overworked, unsheltered, beaten and starved till death comes to his release. Farmers having such ani mals to dispose of would better shoot them than send them to the city. The few dollars they will bring will net compensate for the stints the deed will inflict upon their conscience, if they have any. Indiana Farmer. Farmer and Poultry Fanciers. ! The farmer has a real grievance against the poultry fancier, in that ha has done all of his crossing and in breeding of fathers, daughters, uncles and aunts without ar;y rescrd to prac tical utility, says Fanning, whether the hens from which he has been breeding were producing sixty eses a year or 200 made no difference. His whole aim has been to breed out a foul flight feather or two, or to create a better comb, or eyas cf a better tint at a sacriflco of everything else. The rssult Is that when a farmer goes Into the market to buy thoroughbreds with hl3 money in his pocket ready and willing to pay fnr tho best stock, he not only often pny3 for qualties he does not need, but actually pays a premium for something that haa been obtained at a sacrifice of the very qualities which he does need. There are a few men, however, raising, thor oughbred stock that is "bred to lay," or to meet certain market demands, and those are the men that should be patronized. Poultry Too Crowded An expert poultryman from Eng land, Prof. E. C. Brown, has been studying American conditions with some care, remarks tho "Cultivator," and seems to be especially Impressed with the crowded condition of many large poultry establishments. He re marks that English poultrymcn have passed through the stage of conduct ing largo poultry plants of thousands of birds on one farm. Twenty years ago there was a severe poultry epl demic which swept away thousands of birds In the British Isles and France. Since that time poultry is kept in smaller numbers and in port able houses which are moved about over the land. In that way the hens have clean houses and enrich the soil at the same time. Professor Brown said it would not surprise him if there should be an epidemic of poultry di sease in this country on account of the large numbers of poultry kept in cer tain localities. Danger la this dlrec tion must always attend crowding of any kind. But crowding will be con tinued, nevertheless, if it is found to pay. Just as people are willing for various reasons to risk their health by living in cities. Poultry maye be kept healthy in large flocks provided the owner does not neglect the special care needed under such conditions, Burbank Plum Large ai Apple. Luther Burbank, telling of his meet Interesting experiment in hybridizing, says: "The most surprising one, per haps, is one that ha3 lately developed Several years ago I commenced rais- In 3 seedlings from the little Beach plum (Prunus maritlma). After awhile I began crossing the best of these seedlings with some of the large Jap anese plums (Prunus triflora). Year before last, from a seed of these lit tle plums (Prunus maritlma), the blos som of which has been pollenated with the Japanese plum, a plum was produced quite as large as a ijoose egg, having all the characteristics of the Prunus maritlma, in foliage and growth of the tree, with these enor mous fruits as large as medium' sized apples growing on it, and a pit not much larger than a cherry pit. The tree la aijain bearing this year, the same fruit, only larger, and it hangs la big strings on the drooping limbs. Such a sight I never saw before In the fruit line. These plums are of a most excellent quality and of a hand come deep crimson color. You will know that It Is very remarkable that seedling plum should be at least Ave hundred times as large as Us own parent. A pedigree of this plum has been kept with the utmost care, so that I know that these facts are cor rect. Even did not the fruit, Beed, flowers and growth prove it. Transplanting Fruit Trees. Of the fruit trees, the apple, pear, European and native plum and cherry are successfully planted in the- fall, but the Japanese plum and peach are better planted in the spring. Young, vigorous, two-year-old trees are better for general planting than those older or younger, even though they are of a rather small size. A first-class two-year-old tree, however, should be from Ave to six feet high, from three-quarters of ai inch to aa inch In diame ter measured six inches from the ground, with a ood number of roots and with sufficient branches to form a good head. The shorter the distance from the nursery to the place of plant ing, the better, for in transplanting from a distant nursery trees are often seriously injured by delays beyond tfcs control of the shipper or purchaser. If possible, one should see the trees In the nursery before they are dii'3. All injured roots should be cut smooth at the ends, and a.ny very long ones that is more than one foot long be cut back to that length. All sur plus shoots should be cut off, and the three or four that are left to form the main branches of the head should be headed back In proportion to the In Jury to the roots. The root3 should be kept covered and moist from the time of digging to planting; to accomplish this dip them in a "puddle" made by stirring clay soil into water until it is the consistency of thick cream. This forms a coating for the roots and keeps them moist for a long time, even throush the long exposure of planting. Maintaining Soil Fertility. H. A. Davis tells "Jersey Bulletin" readers that the stock breeder India- pulably has a great advantage over all other workers of the soil, In so far as maintaining the fertility of his lands is concerned; for ho has tho op portunity of returning in barnyard manure the greater portion of the val- ;ublo elements of .plant food consumed by the various crops he grows and har vests. But this fact is no excuse for contentment when tho breeder can still further Improve his chances along this line. Barnyard manure, although unques tionably the best of all fertilizers, af fording as It does to a limited extent all the necessary elements of plant food, and humus in addition, is of all tho valuable assats of the farm the one most systematically and thorough ly neglected and abused. In fact it has never been perfect since it came under the management of man, for the reason that man haa made of it, natural thing, an unnatural thing by injudiciously practicing the reckless, wasteful, even Bhamoful system of con tinuous cropping which naturally ex hausted certain plant food elements of the soil; and the soil having been exhausted of these elements, tho food stuffs grown from such soil necessarily became deficient in them, iand so on, the excrement of animals feeding upon such food stuffs of a necessity became deficient in thesfl elements also. Of the valuable and exhaustible ele ments of plant food, phosphorus is now the one most perceptibly deficient. This is true because nitrogen, potash and carbonate of lime have to a great extent been returned to the soil In the stalk while phosphorus, which Is found mainly in tho grain, has been carried away and sold. This same element is deficient even when all grains are fed to stock, for it goes to the making of bone. It Is of para mount importance therefore, that steps be taken to replace this phosphorus. and the best and most economical way to accomplish thl3 end is to use the natural raw rock phosphate, finely pul verlzed, in connection with barnyard manure. Every stock breeder should have a carload of this material in use from one yesr's end to the other. By sprinkling the ground rock In tho manure troughs each iay, an even mixture will be secured. One hun dred pounds of phosphate to a-ton ot manure is about the right proportion. Ground phosphate used in this way will promote cleanliness, a most de sirable condition about the barn, ab sorbing all dUagrceablo odors; will absorb the ammonia and thereby pre vent the escape into the atmosphere of a very valuable element of plant food end will greatly strengthen the fertilizing value of the manure by adding to It a considerable amount of available phosphorus. In round numbers, as a great number of relia ble experiments have shown, ground rock increases tho value of mnnure, 60 per cetit which certainly makes its use worthy of consideration. In my opinion every stock breeder who does not use It, is blind to his best interest When ha English doctor oparatei for appendicitis sad find? there isn't cnyt, he calls it a case of pseudo-ap- pendicles, and the patient uacom plalnlnglj ptva Uu bllL THE HIGHER BURGLAR. Artistic Professionals Who are Known In France as Boucarnleds. The British burglar is disgusting to encounter owing to his want of artlBtio traiuing; he is what his cultivated French confrere would call an es- carpe," a "steep," one In fact who has tumbled headlong luto bis calling. True "grinches," or "toughs," are at present, it seems, only produced In 'aris, where the "Acaremle de la Pegre" has been founded during recent years. The "pegre" a word of uncertain derivation, used to designate the whole corporation of amalgamated burglars is distinguished Into the "Haute Pegre" and the "Basse Pegre." One who takes a low view of his profession will never rise above the ranks of the "low com pany." He will find himself cither a venternler," a "monte en l'alr," a 'frlc-frac" specialist, or a "caroubluer." The "venternler," or "window-man," operates from the roofs of houses, ob taining entrance through skylights and trapdoors. The "monte en l'alr," or staircase man," slips up the servants staircase as far as the attic, where he partici pates in the cook's and housemaid's economies. The "fric-rac" operator and the "caroubleur" both engage in the unexpected opening of doors. The true artist Is formed chiefly by the "Ecole Mutuelle," as It Is called that is to say, the police court where he is an assiduous visitor, noting the reports of experts, correct methods of work, the little eccentricities of clients and the hiding-places where they ordi narily stow away their money. Midway between the "low" and the "high" company are the "bonjourlers," or "good-morning men," and tho "lo- candlers," or "paylng-guesto." Tho lower ranks of the "good-morning men" address theler courteous saluta tion to the cooks and housemaids, ob tain entrance to kitchens and sculleries as "the milkman, or the baker, or "the man who has come to look after the stove," and seldom leave the prem ises unrewarded for their courtesy ine better "bonjourlers" call upon doctors, dentists, lawyers and clergy men for consultations; they usually leave immediately on securing their object. The "paying guests" haunt lodging; and boarding houses, pay down a weekes lodging In advance, and never return from their ilrst promenade on which they always take with them a wellstuffed leather bag. The "high company" of burglars are known in France as the "bpuearniers, They employ the services ot the "bnn- lourlers" and "locandiers" as scouts, and only appear upon the field them selves when a great coup is to be ef Kected. They undertake tlie removal of whole suits of furniture, pictures, &c, in approplate vans, and even of heavy Bafes. In their service are whole armies of auxiliaries, "placlerB," or shop men, who coax information out of servants, "fourgats," or receivers, with whom they desposlt their ac quisitions in safety, and lastly "nour- rlsseurs" (grub-stalters.) London Sat, urday Review. A Discredited Prophet. There had been years when Obed Small had given the town the benefit of his weather predictions; the form cr resident of Bushby remembered those years, and was not prepared for the unresponsive look which marked Mr. Small's features when asked what the prospects were for a good picnic day. "I've got nothing to say about it,' and Mr. Small gazed carefully down the road, on which there was nothing to be seen save dust and a small boy with a large paper bundle. "Why, Mr. Small, aren't you the town prophet, Just as you used be?" asked the former resident, re proachfully. "I relied on you to tell me before I Invited the young peo ple." A spark of angry recollection kind led in Mr. Small's dull eyes. "If you'd been here In the summer of '92," he said, slowly, "you'd know my reasons. If you'd seen Ma'am Oregg when she came at me, all sails set, for telling her Mary Jane that 'twas going to be a lovely afternoon for her to go riding with that young Simpson chap she was trying to get, you'd have known .'em. "Seems she wore her best suit o' summer goods and a flower hat and pink spotted veil, all on my represen tations of the weather. They set forth In an open buggy for Wilson Lake, and a thunder-storm came up from over behind old Oroenough'i mountain, and struck 'em on the up per road, where there's no. house for nearly three miles. "She's afraid of lightning, and had hysterics; besides which her clothes spotted and shrunk most fearful, and her hair came out of crimp; her hat flowers ran, and bo did her veil; and she lost ttre Simpson chap as the re suits, her mother said. "I moved my Bible and hymn-book to the Marshtown church a month lat er, so I shouldn't have to see that Oregg woman and Mary Jane every Sunday. I've suffered pretty well for my folly, I tell ye and I loomed my lesson once and for all. " "That boy coming along the road'll probably tell a good deal more about the weather prospects in five minutes than I'll ever tell long as I live. So I'll bid ye good day." Youth's Com panion. Certain to Attract Him. "I am almost certain Plerpont Mor gan will-buy this book." "Flno piece of work, Is It?" "Yes, but It Isn't that Every Bheet of paper la It has a different water mark." Cleveland Press. New York City. The simple waist fills so many noeds that it may be called the all important element in any wardrobe. This one closes at tho front and consequently is a model ot convenience at the same time that It Is eminently smnrt In effect. Again It can be made either with three quarter or full length sleeves, in the Illustration taffeta is trimmed with silk braid and combined with chemisette and sleeve trimming ot Inserted muslin in lingerie style, but both trimming and chemisette can be varied again and again. Any fas hionable banding can be utilized for the former while for the latter all over lace or almost any contrasting material Is appropriate. If a very plain, serviceable waist is desired the chemisette could be made of taf feta, while the waist itself Is of cash mere or veiling and tho long cuffs utilized with cuffs ot silk to match the chemisette, whereas made as Il lustrated thore is a more dressy ef fect obtained, so that the model pro vides for a great many occasions. The waist is made over a fitted lin ing that is closed at the centre front and Itself consists of fronts and back. These last are tucked to yoke depth and arranged In gathers at the waist lino, tho closing being made invisibly. The sleeves are moderately full puffs that'are finished at their lower edges with flare cuffs, whether the shorter or longer length is used. The bands of tucking and lace illustrated com bine with tho chemisette to give a guimpe effect but are entirely option al. The quantity of material required for the medium size Is four yards twenty-one, three and one-half yards twenty-seven or two yards forty-four inches wide with five-eighth yard of banding, seven-eighth yard eighteen Inches wide for the chemisette, one half yard of edging for the sleeves Loco Still i'opular. Lace shows no decline in popular ity. In spite ot the dire prophscles ot failure made by certain depressing mortals. And the old rule of imita tions affecting the popularity of the real has been proved as false in its way never has anything been so Imitated and travestied as has Irish lace. Yet it holds its own and prom ises this winter to be even moro ex travagantly used than It was last year. and one and one-eighth yards eight een Inches wide tor the chemisette and deep cuffs If long sleeves are used. Fancy lllouse Waist. Every variation ot the chemisette effect Is In vogue and very many are the attractive waists and gowns that result from the fact. Illustrated Is one of the prettiest of tho new blouses that shows a chemisette of novel shape and that has the very great merit of closing at the front. In the illustration It Is made ot chif fon faille in the lovely shade of red known as crushed raspberry and Is trimmed with velvet of the same shade and with velvet buttons whllo the chemisette Is of cream lace over chiffon. The material is one of the prettiest of the new silks and is well liked both for separate waists and for gowns, but there are also a great many other silk materials that are appropriate and also a long list of veilings and the like. In fact, the blouse is adapted to any seasonable material that Is available for Indoor wear. There is a fitted lining that Is closed at the centre front and on this are arranged the chemisette and the various portions of the waist. The back of the waist is laid in tucks that are stitched flat and which give becoming lines to the figure, while there are pleated portions in the front that are distinctly novel and provide becoming fulness. The clos- lng of the waist Is made invisibly at the front while the chemisette hooked Into place beneath the left side. The sleeves also are new, being cut to be plain at their lower edges where one portion is laid' over the other, giving something of a cun ef fect. The quantity of material required for the medium size is three and three-quarter yards twenty-one, three yards twenty-seven or one and three- quarter yards forty-four Inches wide with two and one-half yards of velvet ribbon and three-eighth yard ot all- over lace. As to tho Corset. A doctor who was talking to woman's club in New York about cor sets declared that the women of America know what they are about "Before I made a visit to Europe, he said, "I was an enemy to the cor set. Seeing the shapes presented to public view on the other side, I have been converted. Do as you please, ladles. U is better to be shapely even though yov are a little constricted in the breathing apparatus." QUAINT AND CURIOUS. Fifteen years Is the average life- of a wooden railway sleeper. Salmon continues to be the premier fish industry of British Columbia. Thft san of the birch tree Is con vertible into wlno, spirit, or vinegar. Tho Bermudas have a parliament ot thirty-six members, while the number ot voters is only 1,200. The Japanese have excellent man ners, and bb a race enjoy the reputa tion of being models of courtesy. Among those who handle high ex plosives there runs this proverb: "In this business a man never makes more than one mistake." At a railway station Just outside Bridlington there is a garden in which the flowers have been arranged to form the words, "Tickets, please." The capacity of the rail mills ot the United States is about 8,000,000 tons a year, which barely suffices for the ordinary demands ot the roads. Twenty long columns In recent Is sues of New York papers, filled with small type, present a mere list of the polling places in the city for the com ing election. Chicle Is the milky sap of the sapote tree and is used for chewing gum. This gum is now exported more from the adjacent territories than from Yucatan. American exports of cotton, raw and manufactured, were last year 1431,000,000. Iron and steel came next with $134,000,000; then hog prod ucts with $105,000,000. The neatest town in the world is Brock, in Holland. So tidy are the in habitants that they will not allow horses In the streets. It contains a population of 2700, and the chief in dustry Is the making of Edam cheese. The Pope maintains a mosaic fac tory In the Vatican. Here the patient artists work In a gallery lined with 29,000 lockers in which repose sticks of silica, of all the myriad varying shades required to reproduce the tints from, canvas. Matrimonial tickets are supplied by the Canadian Pacific Railway to set tlers In the Northwest Territory who wish to make a Journey In order to secure a wife. On presenting the return coupon and the marriage cer tificate the settler Is entitled to free transportation for his bride. The strawberry Is a much more an cient fruit than most peoplejfmight " suppose, but probably whenM Virgil spoke of Arbutus he did not rfyer to the variety that Is so familiar with us. The Romans were certainly acquaint ed with some kind of straw-hery, for other poets of the time besides JVirgll reierrea to it, tnetr descriptions cor responding with tho fruit of tlxTpres- ent uay. RADISH REVELATIONS. How to Write a Sketch of Sub limated Marriage, She sat In the cool library with a closed volume in her lap. Sweet flowers in tall vases nodded at her as the gentle breezes played around them and a yellow bumblebee purred drowsily through the air. But the atmosphere of peace did not extend into her soul. There a tempest was raging; the foundations of things mental wore shaken, the veil of her Inner sanctuary was rent in twain. Was this all it amounted to? Was this to be tho only result of months of infinite pains and breathless anticipations? Was this all that living meant? All that faith, hope and charity meant? In her ag ony she conld have thrown the book, or anything else within reach, but site was well bred; she had always been referred to as a lady in her girlhood. Her girlhood! Where was her glrlr, hood? What had become of it? That was what she wanted and it was gone! She glanced through the open window at her husband out in the garden. Would he understand If she spoke? But tho futility of speech came over her. How could a man understand how she felt about her girlhood? She glanced again at her husband. After all, he was her husband; per haps she might have had a little to do with making him such. She re membered in a vague, dazed way that she had said "yes" when he had asked her about It. Now he was dropping radish seeds into the warm, brown earth. She had always been fond of radishes and he knew it - A thought flashed through her mind. Perhaps the answer to the turmoil of her soul awaited her out there In the garden. In the light, of this divination she walked out and laid her hand on her husband's shoulder. "Did you know?" she challenged. He answered lightly, but with deep meaning: "From the first, dear, he said. The revelation nearly suffocated her, but she pursued: "And-the rad ishes?" A smile broke over his grave kind face. "They are the apotheosis, the symbol, the epitome!" And at last she understood. Judge. Opposed to the Process. "Come, Tommy; it's time for you to take your bath." "I don't want to be washed, mamma! Give me a dry cleaning, like they do papa's white vests!" Chicago Tribune.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers