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0””- FERTILITY OF THE SOIL. Early in the (spring most soils are hoth too melt and too cold to permit lither the most rapid develcpmf?nt 1E plant food or the strongest and luickest germination. One cl: the thief objects of early tillage in the lpring is‘ to make the soil both drier Ind warmer. A soil too wet retard?! [termination makes weak. sickly ilants. lessens the rate of formation if nitrogen in the soil and 0W“ muses the destruction of a portion of what may be present by exclmling the iir or making the rate of change too llOW‘. The shallow tillage which thoroughly prepares the seed bed makes the soil stirred. warmer, drier ind fbetter ventilated and as a re- sult of this the. soil of a seed bed be- :omie-s richer. \Vhesn the surface three or [our inâ€" firm of Soil is pulverized and loosen- Ed the deeper soil moisture ceases to rise as: rapidly into it. and the exposure of a larger éunloun‘t of sur- face to the air results in the soil be- coming drier, and this ia‘ an import- ant step toward making it warmer. The same amount Olf sunshine which would raise the temperature of a pound of water one degree would make a pound of dry sand 10 degrees warmer. and this being true, the drier a soil becomes the less sunshine is required to' raise its temperaturel Besides the difference in the capacity £o'r heat between wet and dry smils‘. \viat soils are kept cold by the ovuporatlion of water from them To evaporate one pound of water from this nurrace of a soil re- quiires enough sunshine to raise the temperature Olf 100 lbs of water through 9.65 degrees F. or 10 lb}! of water through 96.6 degrees F. Willem the temperature 01f the body Incomes too warm we perspire, that the heat required to evaporate the water may be removed from the body. and the temperature of the blood b3 cooled. Similarly an over- wet soil is necessarily a cold soil. Stirring the ISDU. too. such as oc- curs in forming a mellow seed bed makes it warmer in the Spring by making it so poor a conductor of bout that the sunshine is retained nearer the surface. 'rather than con- veyed deeply into the ground where in‘t-he early spring it is; nobneeded; _ ' By thus concentrating the warmth, in the seed bed its‘elf, mnmh higher temperatures are secured early. strong, vigorous germination pro- duced mm more nitrogen develops-d, just out the place where the young rootlets will find it ready for use as soon as the nourishment stored in the seed becomes exhausted. The termâ€" Pc'rature of a thoroughly prepared seed rbed may often become 10 to 20 degrees higher during the warm part of the day than it could' have been if it had mot been thus well fitted; and it should (be observed tint it is not important that the, soil temperature shall be held up to that point at which germination takes place most rapidly through even a large part of this 24 hours. if only the temperâ€" ature is high during two or three hours each day. rapid and strong germination will occur with many seeds. Indeed it is true that some seeds germinate better with alter- nntc medium and high temperature than they do “'11th it is uniformly high. At the sum: time the form- er who thoroughly prepares his seed bed. gets stronger germination and o. richer sail in which the seeds may develop. is saving moisture which can be, used later in the season to grain; advantage. \V'hen a clay loam not stirred is” losing water at the rate of 21 in. par. 103 days. the some soil, mulched three inches deep, was, losâ€" ing only 7.8 in. in the some time, and finance the rmulch was saving 13.2 in; of rain par acre which could be used in crop production. One. of the most important lessons which a farmer can learn is Uh) foot that wet soils in the early spring, if not stirred, lose wutnr 'mJuclh faster than after they became drier. and “that if this dryâ€" ing of the (Jurf-aco is' permitted to go 1-30 for. this texture dB the soil will In very seriously injured. By let- ting a sail bar/om: too dry in spring you 10:}; good tilth. vuluziblz moisture and lessen the development of nitroâ€" gen. without which crops starve. For use on all heavy soils which have been plowed in the fall. and on corn and potato ground which is to be seeded to small grain in the spring, the. disk horrow is” one of the best tools. Its pulvczrizing effect is very great and when lapped half, so as to leave the surface even. the results are nearly ideal. Care must b: observ- ed not to use the disk when the soil is too wet. For best results. adisk in good condition should not clod and when the soil is squeezed in thEx hand it should toot form: an adhesive ball, but one easily crumbled and falling apart. It sometimes happens. when cold. wet, backward springs occur, that the nitrates have been washed from the surface soil~into the second and third ifeet where young plants cannot use them at once. In such cased it may often be desirable to en- courage some loss of water by evap- oration in order to bring back the nitrates where they will become avail- able to the young plants. It is some- tinnes a serious mistake. even if the season is getting late. to hwrry the planting at a time when the immedi- ately available flood has been washed On the Farm. too deeply below the sju‘figacc. to}: s‘eeda The Duke of Connaught has been ga- zetted grand master of the Order of the Bath. Queen Alexandra is the obstacle that stands in the way of Prince George of York inheriting the title prince of Wales. She was devoted to her eldest son. the deceased Duke of Clarence, and has a sentimental feeling about her husband’s title going to any one else. It is said that Prince Charles of Denâ€" mark, the second son of the Danish Crown prince. will probably hereafter live in England. as both he and his sister prefer that country to their own. It is a rare privilege to be permitted to visit any of the kaiser’s palaces. He thinks he is entitled to at least as much privacy as the lowest of his subjects, and his orders in regard to visitors are strict. As the Nt‘ues palace is regarded as, above all others, a haven of rest. few tourists’ are permitted within its pre- ciucts. King Edward VII is one of the oldest of parliamentarians. As a member of the house of lords since 1862 he has seen nearly all the peers of today take their seats. As Duke of Cornwall since his birth he has possessed a peerage for a longer period than any living man ex- cept Lord Nelson, who succeeded in 1835, and Lord Dufferin. who succeeded to a peerage of Ireland in 1841. A lady’s watch in plain black enamel and brilliants is a striking and elegant object. “Tooth” ring mountings are used for some very large diamonds for men's wear. They display the stone with great effectiveness. An-adjustable bracelet adapts itself to any size of wrist. It is constructed on the trellis pattern and contracts or ex- pands after the fashion of the familiar iron gate. Foreign fashion budgets tell us that the scent ball is to be the novelty of the coming season. This is a hollow sphere pierced with small holes and holding a bit of sponge saturated with perfume. In simple silver trifles or elaborate gold affairs adorned with diamonds or other stones it affords an attractive accessorv for Chatelaine. chain or bracelet. Pretty tie clips of gold wire in heart slape are useful accessories in the even- in; toilet. They are set with pearls and turquoises. Accordion or side plaited frills, flounces and skirts entire again appear upon very many of the prettiest dress and demi- dl‘ess models of silk, point d'esprit net, grenadine, India mull, etc., from cele- brated designing houses of Paris. Many of the new tailor skirts of cloth, drap royal. camel‘s hair, zibeline, silk warp eolienne. etc., are trimmed with strappings. milliuers’ folds or narrow rou- leaux 0t tafi’eta silk. These decorations are not new, but they are put on in many novel and graceful ways. the hands fre- quently extending in clusters of three or five up two-thirds of the length of the‘ skirt. French cheviots and the softest of cam- el’s hair fabrics are among the most ta- vored of textiles for handsome tailor cos- tumes for the sprino‘. Many of the best dressmakers consider that pcau de soie folds, bands, etc.. wear far better than either taffeta or satin. Frosted velvet leaves in shades of green. brown and silvery “dusty miller" color are intermixed with pink and white button roses. azaleas. lilac and jouquil blossoms. etc, on new French plateau hats of milan braid, folded malines net or openwork zophyr straw in lace effects. with soft draperies of tulle or of chiffon on the underside of the brim. All indications point to a still greater vogue this summer for dainty cotton ma- terials or every tint and weave. That Lovely Gorge. Mr. and Mrs. Dawson held an “at home" at their house in Manchester on the occasion of their return from a win- ter tour on the continent. They were very proud of the trip. and Mrs. Dawson was continually asking her husband if he remembered this, that or the other glo- rious bit of scenery. ‘ “And, oh. the gorge nt Andermntt!" she exclaimed.‘ “You haven't forgotten that lovely gorge. have you. Fred ‘3" “The gorge at the Grand hotel?" drawl‘ ed Fred wenrily. “By no means. I'll re- member that gorge to my dying day. Why. bless me, it was the only square meal we got in Switzerland!" ' Escape Impounlble. Jackâ€"I wish I could get out of marry- ing her. firedâ€"Why don't you tell her she is too good for you? V'rjauckâ€"I did: but it wouldn‘t work. Now she wants to marry me to reform me.- THE: WHIRL OF FASHION. THE JEWEL CASKET. TH E ROYAL BOX. A Good Pedigree In Corn Means as Much an In Live Stock. Corn can be bred the same as cattle. It has been found that pedigree in corn means as much as or more than in live stock. By careful selection the corn breeders are weeding out barren, poor and inferior stalks. This will mean an enormous saving of plant food which is now used in the production of useless plants. a great increase of yield and additional profit. In selecting seed cars it is necessary to be provided with a. file and measuring tapelinc. Look the ears over carefully for mix- ture, yellow grains in white corn and White caps in yellow corn. Such grains should be picked out and discarded. 2"“! White corn should have white cohs and yellow corn refi cobs. If this is not true, discard the ears. as a mixed cob is an evidence of a poorly bred ear or a reversion. The cars should be from seven and a half to eight inches in circumference. measured at the middle of the ear, and 1“ to 11 inches in length, measured from tip to butt. The corn should shell abaut 88 per cent corn to col). The most popular type of kernel is the wedge shape, so there will be little lost space on the ear between the rows of kernels. The smooth kernel type is being dis- carded for a. rougher kernel. which means a deeper kernel, consequently a greater per cent of corn to 001). The tip should be filled over with kernels in straight, regular rows. and the butt kernels should swell out about the shank. The flat butt with large sham: indicates a small per cent of corn to cob and a. hard husking variety. It You Are Orcharding For the Profit There Is In It. From what I have seen and learned I am satisfied that apple trees of many varieties may be brought into full hear- ing at four years after being set into the orchard. I have seen apple trees the fourth year after planting out bear onevhalf bushel of apples per tree. I once saw an orchard here in which 90 trees bore, the eighth season after be- ing set into the orchard, 206 barrels of picked apples. These 90 trees were composed of Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening and Roxhury Russet “and were set 18' feet apart. '1 am not an advocate of large apple trees with tops spreading 30 to 35 feet and going up into the air 25 to 35 feet. requiring a 30 foot ladder to gather the fruit, but pre- fer to set my trees 18 feet apart. using 135 trees per acre, and. when the trees are 4 years old and come into bearing. stop all other cropping and let the trees have all the ground to grow and ma- ture their fruit. I would, however. fertilize and cultivate the orchard as I would for any crop, says a Connecticut man in Rural New Yorker. The m‘mber of rows of kernels should be from 18 to 24, it being gen- erally considereu that 18 is {I prefer- able number, giving a stronger type of kernel. The rows of kernels should be regular and straight with the cob. By setting the trees 18 feet apart I have 100 trees more to the acre to hear from the time they are 4 years old and on. This makes the orchard itself pay a good profit for the land, and there is less reason or desire to crop' the land with some other crop,as would be done with only 35 trees to the acre. ‘ These trees would hear for 13 years be- fore crowding, when the top of every other tree should be cut back to as near the body of the tree as could be done and not leave the limbs too large, the ‘ same as would be done if the tree were to be top grafted. A new top of young, . thrifty growth would start out. which, of course, would need to be thinned out properly. and in three years the trees would be in full bearing again, when the tops of those not cut back. may be served in like manner. By this method of treatment the top would be kept young,‘ the fruit be grown on young and thrifty wood and the apples easily picked and trees easily sprayed over those low heads. When the trees crowd again. let the tops be cut back as before, or take out every other tree entirely. As money from the orchard is the ob- ject. thus planting the trees 135 to the acre and keeping the tops within a ra- dius of about 16 feet. more apples will be taken from the orchard in 20 or 25 years. and at less expense per tree. than would be from the same ground with trees set 33 trees to the acre in 50 years, for there are 100 more trees per acre to bear fruit and on thrifty, vigorous young trees. Look Out For Spring Freezes. Some fruit growers pile the snow up- around their trees to prevent them budding out too early in the spring. But snow melts quickly as the sun comes nearer. Some one suggests pil- ing up. while the ground is frozen, ashes or sawdust or anything that will tend'to keep the ground fl'OZQDjll‘OUDd the roots to retard the flow of the sap and the disaster of an early frost. or course it is well known that the trees that are dormant escape the harm from an untimely freeze. Any treat- ment that will prevent the starting out of the buds too early would accomplish the purpose. CROWD THE TREES ‘CORN BREEDING. MRS They Abound All Over the Country and Are \Vell Treated. All over the country beggars abound, for the Mexican people are the most carelessly good natured and charitable on earth. They seemingly never refuse, and I have seen smartly dressed young men on passing a beggar turn back re- pentantly and hand him money. Every- body gives; hencelunlimited beggary. Some time ago in Pueblo a surgeon cured the deformity of a beggar cripple, and as his usefulness as a money getter was over his relatives sued the surgeon, alleging that he had deprived them of their means of support. It appeared on trial that the lame man had been “good for $4.50 a day on the average.” The judge threw the plaintiffs out of court after listening to their curious exposition of callousness and greed. A friend of mine here, a. genuine Span- ish count and a most charitable man, fills his pockets with pennies every morn- ing before leaving his house, and to ev- ery one who asks alms he gives a cent. He has also many pensioners, and he even economizes in. legitimate personal expenses to help deserving people, wid- ows and orphans. Your beggars fairly adopt ask afiectionately on meeting the health of every member family. In (he suhurban towns every comforta- bly off family has its train of beggars who are given money or: food. One poor chap who hobbles round on crutches and wears on chilly mornings an old red blanket greets me as his “patron” and bestows blessings on me to last a month for every alms. The intimate relations of beggars and their patrons are amusing. Wealthy men and handsomely dressed women stop in the streets for a bit of talk with some favored beggar and never seem ashamed to show a kindly interest in the humble friends of the public thoroughfares. Beggars come to one’s dining room windows, look in lnterestedly and go away satisfied with a small coin or a bit of bread. They ask alms in the name of God. or “per Dios;" hence the odd Span- ish word “pordioseros,” or “for God’s snkers," applied to beggars. It is part of the strangely humane life of these southern lands. A Mexican firmly he~ lieves that everybody has a right to live and to help in time of need. There is immense charity and mostly quite unor- afilrtrlrlréuéh there nrehsflums, but for the most part the beggars are out and about and not housed up Ducal-ding Their Canes. The old men in employments where youthful activity is required are discard- ing their walking sticks. A little while ago Brown, let us call liim,iailed to secure a promotion to which his long term of faithful service entitled him. Scores of other employees would have bet their lives on his going up. The oflice had look- ed forward to it for years. But a younger man was lifted ore'r Brown's head, which meant practically that the old gentle- man‘s usefulness was ended. One day a friend of Brown's asked the head of the house it he had any particular reason for his action.- “Yes, I have." was the (rank reply. “Mr. Brown carries a cane." “Car- ries a cane! He has carried a cane ever since you knew him. I never dreamed before that carrying a cane was a dis credit to a man." “Certainly not. But Mr. Brown 'leans on it.” JVhieh meant that if Mr. Brown required the support of a cane he was grown too old to be of further use in active business. THE BEGGARS OF MEXECO. Mrs. Arnmintn. Dubbs. President of fifteen clubs. Member of as many more, 'Socinte in half a score, Wrote And rend And sang And said In her clubs from dawn till bed. ' She was ever on the go; “Mustn‘t miss my club, you know." Daybreak. Health and Breakfast clubs Honored Arnminin Dubbs. Morning Club from nine to ten, Browning clubâ€"then on again; Luncheon club and Sisterhood, Euchre club and Better Food; Ibsen club and Amateurs Had for her their clubby lures. Smile And chlt 0! this And that- “FuithJ‘ or “How to Trim :1 mt." "Latest Searches For the Pole." "What We Know About the Soul," “Woman's Sphere" and “Help the Men," "How to Treat a Sitting Hen," “Ibsen‘s Mystic Inner Thought." “Whichncss oi the Why and What." "Immornlity of Plays." “Is the Walking Skirt a Craze?” "Wireless Messages to Mars." “Chats with Famous Female Stars"â€" To And fro And on The go, Hrs. Dubbs was never slow; Talked and wrote and played and drew; Took course in cooking too. Sorrow came. though, after ’while In a very sudden style. Mr. Dubbs became quite ill: But, with martyr's irnn will, Mrs. Araminta Dubbo Kept her ceaseless round of clubs Till one afternoon. when she Was. as sweetly as could be. Speaking with much grace and life On “The Duties of a Wife" To the Maids and Mntrons’ guild, All her eloquence was stilled . By A card Which her Speech marred- Dubbs‘ soul had been unbarreli. Mrs. Dubbs repressed a sigh; Said, “ 'Twas mean of him to die Just as I‘m about to reach Finest part of all my speech!" But. of course, she had to quit, And that was the end of it, For. when she had buried Dubbs, Sad to tell. all of the clubs Had another on her throne, And she found herself alone. She Who stubs IIer toe 0n clubs Should heed the fate of Mrs. Dubbs DUBBS AND THE CLUBS ‘a-irly adopt you and you for of your : ‘ 6 “WWW. 000 THREE GOOD DESSERTS. Fig and Graham Puddingâ€"This is a delicious pudding as well as econoâ€" mical and \\'holcsom9. It can be made in the morning or the day before. as it will keep :1 couple of days. Put a pint of water with u saltspoon of salt in the double boiler. When the water reaches the boiling point. stir in cn-c-ugh graham flour to make nearly as thick as mush. Have ready at halfâ€" pound of figs. chopped fine. with a hullâ€"cup nut meals. hickory, walnut or almond. and :1 halfâ€"cup of sugar. Let all boriul together [or at least halt an hour. stirring to mix thoroughly. Butter small molds and fill with the pudding. Cool and serve with whip- ped cream. Queen at Puddnguâ€"Une pint fine sifted bread-crumbs, one quart milk one c-up sugar. yolks of four eggs, 3. piece of butter the size of an egg. some grated rind of lemon; bake until (loneâ€"but do not allow to become watcry~and spread with a. layer of jelly. “'hlp whites of eggs to a stiff froth with five tablespoons sugar. and juice of one lemon. spread on the top and brown. Good with or without sauce. Tapioca Cream.â€"Soak over Inight two tablespoon/3 tapioca in one-half teacup milk. or enough to cover; bring one quart. milk to boiling point; beat well together the yolks of three eggs, half Leacup sugar. and one teaspoon lemon or Vanilla for flavor- ing, add the tapioca. and stir the whole into the boiling milk, let boil ounce. turn into the dish. and immedi- ately spread our the whites. Serve when cold. USES FOR MAPLE SUGAR. "Sugar and spice and everything nice.” is a. goOd definition of maple sugar. Something as sweet as any product of the sugar cane, with a. flavor individual, distinct, belonging to nothing else on earth; a flavor that calls to mind forest depths and wood- land odors, wild yet refined,â€"â€"that i3 maple sugar. When one has been bred to its use, there is nothing else to take its place. To such a one an apple pie sweetened with ordinary sugar is as common as a biscuit. and a. cake with white sugar frosting is a tasteless confection. There is al- most nothing which call; for sugar in its composition but is improved by the substitution of maple sugar for white. in the judgment of the maple sugar lover. Here are two methods of aiding the sugar in pudding sauces. gmmuuuoeoooooocooo Maple Cream: Into one-half c-up sweet cream stir one-half cup thick maple syrup. The maple flavor is sufficient ~seasoming. A few spoon- f-uls of whvippcd cream dropped upon the Lop of the sweetened cream: just before using. improves the appearance of the sauce. Maple Pudding Sauce: Into one- »half cup boiling water pour as much maple syrup. Add two tablespoons melted butter. Make a smooth paste of one heaping tablespoon flour and a little. water and thicken the boiling syrup with it. If a richer sauce is deâ€" sired, stir a little sweet cream into it after it has cooled. Or if a hint of tartnless is wanted. squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the sauce before it is taken from the fire. Break a fresh egg into a small cup. or basin, beat thoroughly, add two tablespoons milk and a tiny piece of butter, with salt and pepper to taste. Bake quickly in a hot oven and serve immediately. This is mueh more easily digested than poached or boiled eggs. Broiled eggs in paper cases is an attractive dish. Take corzifcctionvcr's paper about six inch-33 square. make a small box by turning up an inch and a. hall all around and twisting the corners to make them stay, place the little paper pan on a moderately warm stove, over mslow fire. break an egg into the pan and let it stand until the white. cooks through. Slip pan and all on to a warm plate, sprinkle with salt and pepper. adda little melted butter. and serve with a. dainty cracker or a small bit of toast. INVALID DISHES. A pleasant and nourishing dish for a. sick person with a weak stomach. is an egg well beaten with three tablespoon: rich, sweet milk. a very little sugar, and a little grated nut~ meg. or other flavor, if preferred. Set the bowl OII‘ cup into a basin of hot water, stirring the egg continually. until it is warm», pour into a dainty glass, and let the patient eatit slow- ly with a spoon. This mnch an agreeable change from svoupn, broths, e.tc., and is very ntren-gthening. the corners to make the]: the little paper pan on a warm stove. over anslow This will tempt a capricious appe- tite often when an egg prepared in the ordinary way would be rejected. Mr. Subbubsâ€"Tlmnk gcodness, the winter's nrarly gone and the summer is coming. when I won’t ham: to Leth- ca‘ abzut th: old furnace. Mrs. Subbubsâ€"That's so; By the way. dear. dan't you think you’d bet- torr 13-31: at th’: lawn mower and see if it needs any repairing. “13011 a man is born into th: wor'ld his \va'rk is born with him. , sz. and the peopl: 2 is to work L20, I suppne. About thc House. HIS FIELD OF ACTIVITY FIEN DISH \VOMAN