The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

SEht (fRtlptttrj flaindfaler. J. VAN SLYXE, MoHENRY, ILLINOIS. AGRICULTUR1L KS DOMESTIC. ATOWKI the fnm. SULPHUR FOB SEEEP.--Flower of 8UI- ,phur alone is not generally given to sheep. As a laxative it is given in com­ bination with Epsom salts. Dose, one to two ounces. Flower of sulphur is also sometimes used as an external ap­ plication for scab in the form of an oint­ ment with lard. N AS AT GIUKET.--The following medi­ cines may be used once or twice daily : Pondered sulphate of copper, 1 dram ; powdered gentian root, 2 drams ; pow­ dered ginger, 1 dram ; mix. The horse should not be exposed to the influence of wet and stormy weather, and the sta- bje should be oomfortable. "WORMS IN HORSES.--Take powdered stkljphate of iron, 2 drams ; arsenic, 12 grains; and powdered cantharides, 5 grains; mix, and give such a dose daily for six days, and the seventh day ad­ minister 6 drams of aloes. After a week's intermission this course of treat­ ment may be repeated if necessary. RHEUMATISM IN HORSES.--Rhertma tfatn in animals, as well as in man, is difficult to get. rid of. As a general thing, in spite of all treatment, it will return sooner or later again. Work will not make it worse, but the animal should be blanketed and kept comfort­ able, and not be used in wet and stormy weather. PRODUCING SEX AT WIRA.--The ques­ tion of producing sex at will, in ani­ mals, seems to be pretty well settled. It appears that science has at last, with analytical research and scrutinizing care, unlocked the door to these myste­ ries, and laid bare the simple means by which these ends may be accomplished. Prof. Thury, of Geneva, has shown how males and females may be produced in accordance with our wishes. He says : " If you wish to produce females give the male at the first signs of heat; if yon wish males, give him at the end of the heat" The truth of this' law has been sustained in practice. SHEEP RAISING.--The St. Louis Re­ publican, in an article on sheep-keep­ ing, gives the following elementary sug­ gestion to beginners, and in the hope that some good may come of it we re­ produce it: 1. If you do not know how to tell ihe age of sheep, employ some one who does. The age is ouly to be judged of by the teeth, just as the age of a colt is. A 1-year-old sheep will have lost its two front " milk teeth," and they will be replaced by those of the second or per­ manent growth. But to make every­ thing certain the new beginner should employ the assistance of a competent judge. 2. Pick the largest and heaviest- bodied ewes. See that they are well wooled on the bellies, legs and heads. 3. Examine their feet carefully for evidences of foot-rot. Squeeze the hoof in the hand with a gradually tightening pressure to see if any soreness exists. 4. Examine the pelt carefully for evidences of scab, rejecting all sheep that have any appear­ ance of scrofula or rash in the skin. 5. In order to insure lambs to come at the right time, the bucks should be kept away from the ewes until December, and then applied with system and care. 6. When lambiDg-time arrives the ewes should be watched and helped through any trouble likely to occur. For cure of scab in sheep a solution of arsenic is recommended as infallible. made, 484 ; received, 565; letters re­ ceived, 494; written, 610, covering 1,287* pages. She has also read 90 books and written 116 newspaper arti­ cles. This is in addition to doing her own sewing, attending to her marketing and parish matters, keeping oaty one servant. FACTS ABOUT SILTEK. Mining Statistics of Other Countries--The United States Ahead. Aooording to Humboldt, the value of the silver produced in Mexico and Peru from 1492 to 1803 was $4,152,650,000 ; that of the product of Europe during the same period being about $200,000,000. Total, $4,352,650,000. Another authority gives $1,244,380,- 794 as the value of the production of Mexico nnd South America from 1803 to 1848,and $325,000,000 as that of Europe; a total for both continents of $1,569,- 380,794. For the period between 1848 and 1868, Prof. Blake estimates the production of silver as follows : Mexioo, $380,000,- 000; South America, $200,000,000; Europe, §160.380,000; United States, $73,000,000; Australia, $20,000,000. Total product $818,400,000. Hitherto Mexioo has held the first Elace as the great producer of silver; ut henceforward she must be content with the seoond, the United States, in consequence of the discovery and suc­ cessful working of the rich Nevada mines, having reached the head of the list. From 1868 to 1875 ihe value of the product of the various oountriea was: United States, $163,000,000; Mexico, $140,000,000 ; South America, $56,000,- 000 ; and the rest of the world, exclud­ ing of course, Japan, China and India, $63,000,000, a total of $422,000,000. Here is a brief synoptical view of the value of the products of the silver mines of the world from the period of the dis­ covery of America to the present time : Value. 1492-1803 $4,352,650,000 1803-1848 1,569,380,794 1948-1868 813,400,000 1868-1875 422.000,000 About the Boose. To RENEW OLD BLACK ALPACA.-- Strain black coffee until it is entirely free from grounds. Sponge the goods well, and press on the wrong side. Have a piece of black cambrio to press it on. Vinegar or beer are very good but ooffee is the best. , - To CURE STIFF NECK.--Apply over the place affected a pieee of black oil- |§^ cloth with the right side to the skin, ^ tben tie up the neck with a thick hand- ' kerchief. In a short time the part will « grow moist, and, by leaving it thus twelve hours, the pain will be removed. VIRTUES OF PEPPER.--A tablespoon- i ful of black pepper will prevent gray or buff linen from spotting if stirred into the first water in which they are washed. It will also prevent the colors from run­ ning, when washing black or oolored cambrics or muslins ; and the water is not injured by it, but is just as soft as before the pepper was put in. SMEARKASE PIE.--A German lady gives a receipt for making this pie : For one pie, one pint of cottnge cheese; sugar to sweeten ; a little cinnamon; two eggs ; one-half cup cream, sweet or sour ; one tablespoon of flour ; the rind of lemon, if desired ; mix all together ; pie crust of raised dough, without cov­ ering the pie. SCARLET FEVER.--An eminent phy- sioian of Boston robs scarlet fever of many of its terrors, by prescribing for the patient warm lemonade, with a little riueilage, as often as desired, and the application of warmth to the stomach. He directs that a sheet should be wrung out of hot water and laid on the stomach, renewing it as often as it cools. Nothing but lemonade is to be given. To TEST KEROSENE OIL.--Take shallow basin that will hold half a pint, and into it pour the oil to be tested deep enough to cover the bulb of a ther­ mometer ; set the whole into a pan of water, with the thermometer fastened so as to indicate the temperature of the oil; place the pan in the stove. When • the thermometer indicates 110 degrees move a lighted match over the oiL It the oil is unsafe a gas will be generated that will inflame at that degree. Th« temperature of the oil may be raised to the degree when the gas is generated, and that will be the degree of fire test. Oil should stand a test of at least 110 degrees, and it is far better if it will stand a test of from 125 to 140 degrees. A Smart Wife. Concord, N. H., boaste of a clergy man's wife who is excee.lsngly smart, as attested by her record for the year, as follows: Gentlemen entertained,, 53 guests at tea, 69 ; at breakfast, 38 ; at dinner, 47 f lodged, 39; number of calls THE STATE OF TRADE. Business Failures During the LMl̂ nr, maul the Liabilities. Dun, Barlow A Co.'s Mercantile Agency, of New York, have just pub­ lished their annual circular of statistics, showing the number of failures that have occurred throughout the United States and the Dominion of Canada during the last year, together with the amount of liabilities. The number re­ ported in business in 1876 in the United States is given at (>30,099 and 54,282 in the Dominion of Canada. The number of failures during the year in the United States was 9,092, the amount of liabili­ ties being $191,117,786. The number of failures in Canada vrzs 1,728, the lia Grand total slnoe dlaoovery of America $7,167,430,794 The principal objeot of the report of Wells, Fargo & Co. is to demonstrate the vast importance of the mining inter­ ests of the trans-Missourian region. To impress this the more deeply, they fur­ nish a tabular statement of the value of the metallic produce of the States and Territories on the Pacific seaboard for the six yeais ending with 1876 : Valu* of Silver. 187 1 #20,286, COO 187 2 20,527,6u0 187 3 28,352,100 1874 30,498,000 187 5 31,043,910 1876. 41,606,679 Thus, in the short space of six years, the value of the' silver produced in the region west of the Missouri reached the enormous sum of $175,214,182, or near­ ly fifteen millions more than Europe produced in the twenty years between 1848 and 1868. The relative values of silver and gold at the English mint from 1344 to 1863, according to Prof. Henry C. Baird of Philadelphia, were as follows: Year. Gold. Silver. 1344... 1 12.479 1509 1 11.400 1600 1 11.100 1717 1 16.209 1816 1 16.506 1863 1, 15.066 And the disparity tends to increase. The Panic One Man Caused in a Colored Church. Mr. Dolde, the giant powder man, has the reputation of being a practical joker, but his last performance may be regard­ ed as going to extremes too great to place it within the pale, even, of allow­ able waggery. Mr. Dolde is interested in a powder manufactory at Delassus, in St. Francois county, and on last Sunday, while in that place, a bet was made that Dolde dare not enter a church near Farmington, occupied by a eolored con­ gregation, dressed in his Boyton suit, used in swimming, of which he is the owner. Dolde accepted the challenge. He put on Ms Boyton suit, inflated it with air as if r^afly to plunge into the river, and, pissing. a -.fuse in his mouth, he entered the church. He walked up the aisle spouting forth fire from his mouth, and at the same time exploding his pow­ der tester. The congregation were struck with consternation and imagined that the devil had come upon them this time sure. The pastor caught the infection, and, after breathing forth a short ejacu- latorv prayer, he turned around, kicked out the window in the rear of the pulpit with his foot and jumped outside. The members of the congregation tumbled over each other in their efforts to reaoh the door, and soon the church was evacuated. The result was that the peipetrator of the wicked joke was ar­ rested by the sheriff of St. Francois oounty and kept in jail over night, when, on the interposition of friends, he was released.--St. Louis Repub­ lican. How a Prisoner Convicted Himself. The French bar has just lost in M. Chaix-d'Est-Ange one of its greatest masters. His greatest triumph, per­ haps, and one of the greatest triumphs ever achieved at any bar, was achieved in the case of a man called Benoit, whom he was prosecuting for parricide. Benoit had all along persisted in de­ claring he was innocent, and there was nothing but circumstantial evidence against him. M. Chaix-d'Est-Ange re­ solved to employ one of the most start­ ling and dramatio figures of rhetoric ever used in a court of law. Turning to the prisoner, he placed the scene of the murder in vivid and striking lan­ guage before him. "There," he cried, "sat your father, quietly reading the newspaper, near the window. He could not see who came into the room. You stole in on tip-toe and crept close be­ hind him. xou paused one moment, and then raised the hatchet"--;-- 'Yes , yes !" cr ied Benoi t , "that ' s i t ; that's how I did it I" What the re peat* fed interrogatories of the examining magistrates had failed to elicit from the murderer was forced from him by the eloquence of the barrister.--Manchester Guardian. bilities being $25,517,991. These figures indicate an increase in failures during 1876 of 1,350 in number as compared with 1875, which, in its turn, showed an increase of nearly i, 000 over those of 1874. The liabili­ ties of 1876, notwithstanding the in­ crease in the number of failures, show a diminution, and the average amount of indebtedness last year in each failure iu mUCu iOwoI tlimi fOt iuniij j6&FS pio- vioiis. The average liabilities in 1876 in the United States was $21,020. Of the 9,082 failures m the United States, 887 were in New York city, the average liabilities being $37,479. The total number of failures in ihe United States during the fomr'prevkras years was as followsIn 1875, total failures, 7,740]; average liabilities. $25,960 ; in _ New York city, 951 failures ; average liabili­ ties, $5i,769. In 1874, total failures, 5,830 ; average liabilities, $26,627 ; in New York city, 645 ; average liabilities, $50,510. In 1873, total failures, 5,183 ; average liabilities, $44,085; in New York city, 644 failures ; average liabili­ ties, $143,843. In 1872, total failures, 4,069 ; average liabilities, $29,996 ; in New York city, 386 failures ; average liabilities, $53p*72i. The circular then says: The marked reduction in the average liabilities of 1876 indicates that the wider the wave of trouble extends the greater the number of small traders it includes. It may be interesting to discover in what section of country the financial pressure has been the most se­ vere, and with that view the following table is presented: No. of Failures. New England States 1,314 Middle Stat.* :2,909 Western States 3,139 Southern States 1,861 Pacific States 969 Otudi 1,738 -1876.- New Ergland States 1,335 Middle States. 2,895 Western State® 1,959 Southern States 1,333 Psciflc States 377 Canada 1,968 -1875. Amount oj Liability* $37,657,062 72,244,681 52,870,541 23,083,2«6 5,262,236 35,617,991 $40,015464 2'2,34C New England Stales 790 Middle States...;.. 3,035 Western States 1,744 Southern States ..1,126 Pacific States Canada 966 -1874. 82,522 33,948,254 36,277, 2,525.610 38,813,987 New England States 599 Middle States.. 1,914 Western States... 1,619 Southern States 917 Pacific State* Canada 944 -1873. $15,8(5,000 s: 081,#00 33,073.000 30,690,000 7.696,765 -1872.- $29,550,000 140,946,000 36,040,000 19,685,000 12,33V, 192 .Tew England States 630 $39,671,000 Middle States 1,399 40,748,000 Western States 1,148 37,891,000 Southern States 807 19,060,000 Pacific States Canada In 1876 the number in business, the percentage of failures and the average liabilities were as follows: A'o. in Percentage . Average buainem. of failure*. Liabilities New England States. 77,559 1 in 69 $28,628 Middle States 165,184 1 in 57 24,800 Western States 325,3u9 1 in 72 16,843 Southern States...... 87,140 lin64 16,960 Pacific States 22,313 1 In 60 14,261 Canada 54,000 1 In 33 14,767 An examination of the above table confirms the impression, which has been very general, that trade in the Western and Southern States has been less dis­ astrous than that of the Eastern and Middle States. * It is a significant cir­ cumstance that the failures in the Mid­ dle States are 1 in every 57 names re­ ported in business, while in the West­ ern States the proportion is 1 in every 72; but the comparison between the East and the South is even more signifi­ cant, for in New England, with all its wealth and solidity, 1 in every 59 has yielded £0 the pressure of the times, while in the South, with all its poverty, its political and other disabilities, the percentage of failures is only 1 in every 64. Even in Canada, where there is a gold basis, light taxation, freedom from political complications and all other fa­ voring conditions, the above showing is indicative of muoh greater pressure than in the United State?, the failures in the Dominion being 1 in every 32. In England no very accurate figures are obtainable, and none of course as yet for the past year, but for 1875 a return was made of" 1,700 failures among 60,000 firms prominent in trade, indicating 1 failure for every 36 firms reported m busi­ ness, with an average liability of $87,870. Tlie figures for the United States,showing a failure of 1 in every 63, with an average liability of $21,000, indicate that the pressure of the times has been either not so great in this country as elsewhere, or that it has been borne with less dis­ astrous results. in that State, the great depot. The alii gators often attain a length of eighteen to twenty feet, and frequently live to a very old age. The hides are stripped off, and the belly and sides, the only portions fit for use, are packed in bar­ rels, in strong brine, and shipped to the Northern tanner, who keeps them under treatment for from six to eight month*, when they are ready to be cut up. So far, the leather has been mainly used in the manufacture of boots and shoes; but handsome dippers are made of it - SCARLET FEYEB. ®>le» Required for the Prevention of the Disease. At a meeting of the physicians of Chi­ cago, a few days since, to take measures to stay the ravages of scarlet fever, the following rules for the care of the dis­ ease were recommended : * 1. Hile sick person and the necessary attendants should not come in oontaot, or mingle with healthy persons. 2. All woolen articles, whether of clothing, furniture, or decoration, such as carpets, curtains, etc., which may be retentive of disease-germs, should be removed from the sick chamber. 3. Flat dishes containing carbolic acid in solution should be placed under the bed and in other parts of the sick­ room, and the floor should be sprinkled two or three times a day with the same solution. A basin or cup partly filled with a solution of carbolic acid, er containing chloride or carbolate of lime should also be constantly on the bed for the patient to spit into. This should be emptied, cleansed, and re­ charged two or three times a day. 4. All bedding or clothing when re­ moved from the contact of the patient, should be at once placed in a tub or other large vessel containing a solution of carbolic acid prior to being washed. 6. Instead of pocket-handkerchiefs, small pieoes of rags should be used for wiping the mouth and nose, so that afterward they may be at onoe burned. ^ 6. The dresses of nurses should be of linen or other smooth material that can be readily washed. And nurses should be careful to wash their hands in a weak solution of carbolic acid immediately after they have been soiled by the ex­ creta of the patient. 7. The glasses, cups, spoons, eto., used by the patient should be carefully cleansed before being used by others. 8. The discharges from the bowels and bladder should be received on their very issue from the body into vessels charged with disinfectants. 9. So soon as the skin commences to desquamate, the minute particles should be prevented from flying off as impalpa­ ble powder by thoroughly annomting the skin (the scalp included) with olive oil or lard. This should be done as early as the fourth or fifth day. When tlie patient becomes able to take a warm bath the whole person should be well scrubbed, free use being made of car­ bolic acid soap. Three or four such baths should be given at intervals of two days. 10. When the patient has left the chamber, the latter should be thorough­ ly dusted, and the floors, bedstead and woodwork washed with the carbolio qpid solution. The walls should also be freshly lime-washed ; or, if they are covered with paper, this latter should bis removed and recovered. THE EASTERN QUJ&U0S, WHEN a New York bank promptly hands over $60,000 on a forged check it is time to wonder whether the last twenty years has improved the smart­ ness of bank cashiers. Something for Inventors to Ponder* A Georgia planter thinks there is a oolossal fortune awaiting the inventor of a cotton-picker which shall do for the staple of the South what the reapers do for the wheat crop of the Northwest, It is not necessary, he says, that the cotton picker shall do its work cleanly ; if it can but gather two-thirds or three- fourths of the crop, manual labor will take care of the remainder. The cus- tomary price for picking cotton by hand is 75 cents per 100 pounds of cotton, the average yield of which, in marketable lint, is thirty-three pounds. The cost of hand-picking, therefore, is 2 J oentsper pound, a very large item, which ought to be reduced by appropriate ^machinery by more than one-half. A successful in­ ventor, who should exact*as hw royalty only one-eighth of one cent per peund upon the crop of the United States might fairly figure his annual income at more than $3,000,000, a sum worth striv­ ing for by any mechanic who has the gift of invention. The Kagllsh Blaming Bismarck for Pros­ trating the Programme of the Couter- •noe--Russia's Perplexity. [London Cor. New York Herald.] The rejection of the proposals of the conference by the Turkish Grand Coun­ cil is accepted by every one here as an evidence of the oomplete failure of that means of settling the Eastern question, and the London papers still devote their columns to the discussion of the sub­ ject It was looked upon as certain that the Porte would not dare to dissent from the decision of the Grand Council, and that its formal reply to the Plenipoten­ tiaries, no matter how it might be smoothed over by polite or equivocal expressions, would be substantially the same. Henoe the break down of the negotiations in the break up of the con­ ference was fairly expected. What will follow next is the great subject of specu­ lation here just now, and the question is discussed with a keenness and an anxie­ ty that show how well the dangers ahead are appreciated. WHAT THE REVIEWS SAY. The Spectator characterizes the result as a humiliation for Europe, inasmuch as all the great powers united in making the demands. The Saturday Review, though usually taking opposite views on the Eastern question from the Spectator, thicks that the Turks in setting the Rus­ sian demands at defiance have offended all the governments of Europe. The Economist goes further, and says that war alone can settle the Eastern ques­ tion. BISMARCK SADDLED WITH THE HT.AWE. There is a general unanimity "in the tone of the papers on this subject, whioh is hardly to be wondered at under the circumstanoes; but on one point the agreement is carried to a somewhat ridiculous extent. When things go wrong it is very convenient to have a scapegoat which can bear the odium of the public ills, and in this instance the usual rule is followed. Bismarck for some years past has been the bete noir of the English press, no less than of the French, and when anything goes wrong in European politics, or some cherished project of England falls to the ground, the blame is immediately laid to the door of the astute and crafty German Chanoellor. BISMARCK'S DESIGNS ON AUSTRIA. In this case Bismarck is charged with frustrating in some unexpected manner, and by some unknown agency, the pro­ gramme of the conference. The mo­ tive alleged is that he wishes to see Rus­ sia engaged in a war in order that he may be able to promote his own aims in Europe. One of the principal of those aims is the acquisition of the German provinces of Austria, and it is supposed that he believes that the latter country cannot remain neutral while Russia is taking possession of the Slavonic prov­ inces of Turkey. No sooner, it is said, would Austria be engaged in hos­ tilities with Russia than a German army would march into her German provinces and complete the unification of the Fatherland by their annexation. WHO HOIIDS THE KEY f The fact is, the English are glad to catch at any exouse as a reason for the failure of the conterenoe, and Bismarck | comes ready to hand. There is no doubt, however, that he holds in his hands the key of the Eastern position, and that upon his action depends in a great measure whether Russia will go to war or not If the Czar could be sare of the friendly neutrality of Ger­ many, or that she would hold Austria in check, his hands would be free, and he would know exactly what enemy he had to meet. The knowledge of this iaot, iid doubt, is at the bottom of England's fear of Bismarck. WAK INEVITABLE. Gen. Tchernayeff has been interviewed to a ridiculous extent by French and English correspondents. He prophe­ cies in his usual way about the certainty of war. " I have good reason," he says, " for eaying that Russia is quite prepared. The Grand Duke has mover been seriously ill, and if Turkey does not consent to Russia's fair demands respecting the freedom of the Dardan­ elles then war will ensue. Russian agents are now awaiting orders in Vienna and Belgrade to prooced 'to Crete and the Slavonio proviu es in oase of war." diately, and the colony be provided with sledges and small boats for their pene~ trations northward. Capt. Tyson, of the Polaris party, en­ thusiastically indorses Capt. Howgate's scheme. He characterizes it as the most practicable yet devised, and thinks the scientific societies of the country ought to memorialize Congress in favor of the bill before mentioned. If the United States, he says, proves too niggardly to prosecute tlua enterprise, England or Germany will undoubtedly move in the matter and secure the honor of accom­ plishing the desired result. f ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE. TBUBSDAY, Jan. 25.--BXSATE.--The Senate met, listened to the reading of the journal, took a recess till time of meeting of joint •*-- On reassembling the Senate voted to adjourn to Thursday, Feb. 1. HOVSB.--The House took up the consideration of the substitute reported by the Committee on Fed* eral Relations for Finney's resolution, on the Presi­ dential count, which was adopted A large num­ ber of petitions, risking all sorts of legislation, were presented and referred Among the bills intro- riu.ced Were the foliovririg : By Mr. Ashtou, com­ pel at least twelve weeks' school attendance each year bv every child of school age. Penalty, fine of •5 to $10 on parent or guardian for violation ; Mr. Boyd, to amend statute in legard to administration of estates; to make County Treas­ urer custodian of unclaimed funds of unknown heirs: Mr. Boydston, authorizing court to relieve witness from prosecution for testimony given by witness criminating himself: Mr Eaton, amending the criminal law so as to authorize* the punishment of street-walkers, licentious persons, etc.; Mr. Evan? of Bond, to regulate the keeping of dogs; Mr. Fox. in relation to animals running at large.... Adjourned till Feb. 1. SENATORIAL ELECTION --JOINT SESSION. -- The balloting for Senator was resumed to-day, and re­ sulted !E the election o? Judge David I>svts CAT first vote, as follows: Fortieth Ballot--Davis, 101 Lawrence, 94; Haines, 3; Logan, 1; Pariah, 1. HORTICULTURE. Fearful Ravages of Hog Cholera In Illinois. The State Board of Agriculture will present to the Legislature, when it re­ assembles this week, a petition, urging upon that body the importance of prompt and efficient legislation to se» oure a thorough scientific investigation into the disease known as hog cholera. The statistics gathered by the board last year showed that "the disease is constantly on the increase, and the | annual reports to the Auditor show a de­ crease in the number of hogs, Reports recently received by the board indicate a prevalence of the disease to some ex­ tent in eighty-eight oounties of the State. It is estimated that the lots to farmers of this State during the past year from hog cholera will amount to nearly $8,000,000.--Springfield (111.) Cor. Chicago Journal. Alligator Leather. Between 17,000 and $20,000 alligator skins are tanned yearly, which are con­ sumed by boot and shoe manufacturers in every portion of the United States, as well as exported to London and Ham­ burg. The alligators formerly came al­ most entirely from Louisiana, and New Orleans was the great center of business. The Florida swamps and moralises are now the harvest fields, and Jacksonville, A Woman's Fight with a Hawk. The wife of Samuel Kieffer, residing near Lienbach's mill, Ruscombmanor township, about one mile from Fleet­ wood, killed a large chicken-hawk the other day by main strength. Mrs. Kieffer, who is about 65 years of age, heard a noise among the chickens near the barn, and upon going out discovered a hawk perched upon an old rooster weighing about five pounds, and trying to carry the chanticleer into the air. Mrs. K. ran, with the intention of frightening off the hawk. The latter showed no inclination to leave, but per­ sisted in holding on to the rooster with its claws and fluttering greatly. The old lady, not at all apprehensive of dan­ ger, seized the hawk by the neck and strangled him. The hawk showed bat­ tle, and lacerated her hands with its claws in a terrible manner, but she clung unto the neck of the bird until life was extinct. The hawk measured five feet four inches from tip to tip of the wings.--Reading (Pa.) E-igle. POLAR ENTHUSIASM. A Balloon Expedition to the Pole. An idea is gaining ground with aero­ nauts that the eolutionof the polar prob­ lem now rests with them. Capt. Cheyne, a retired British naval officer, has volun­ teered to conduct a balloon party over the four hundred miles or thereabouts which have not yet been traversed, and the project finds a warm supporter in a Mr. Coxwell, who deems such an expe­ dition quite feasible. The only trouble in the mind of the latter seems to be the supply of gas in the higher latitudes. This, however, he thinks, may be gotten over by the use of fire-balloons. He recommends the use of "very large Montgolfiers," in whioh it would be pos­ sible to stow away a couple of sledges with dogs, and " boats fit for contention with a Polar sea as a forlorn hope." Four hundred miles at the average rate of at­ mospheric speed would not, in his opinion, occupy twenty-four hours. Mr. Coxwell's plan is well calculated to startle the uninitiated in aerostatics. Capt. Howgate Elaborates His Project for Arctic Discovery -- Uapt. Tyson In­ dorses tlie Plan. Capt. H. W. Howgate, in a recent letter, says his polar colonization scheme naturally divides itself under three heads, as follows: 1. The organisation of a properly equipped expedition, with ample means, both to maintain a colony and to pros­ ecute efforts to reach the North pole. To this end Congressional aid is to be sought, and a bill has been introduced into the lower house and properly re­ ferred. This provides that $50,000 be appropriated, to be used under the di­ rection of the President, in organizing one or more expeditions, with a view to establishing a temporary colony some­ where north of the 81st parallel for the purpose of exploration ; that suitable public vessels be selected and officers detailed for the expedition, and that the National Academy of Sciences be invited to assist with its advice. In case this bill fails to pass, the necessary funds, it is hoped, could be raised by private sub­ scription. . *2. The Establishment and maintenance of the colony. Proper material for shel­ ter, ready to be immediately put up, should be taken by the vessel carrying the colonists. With this precaution they could be made as comfortable as the sig­ nal service officials at present are at the summit 01 Pike's peak or of Mount Washington, although the exposure of these last mentioned would be for a shorter period. Proper food should be provided in proper quantities and suffi­ cient variety. Fresh meat in proper quantities can lee had in the immediate vicinity of the proposed colony. With proper food and shelter there is no trouble about keeping men even at such latitudes in robust health. 3 Explorations toward the pole. --The officer in charge being on the spot would be able to take advantage of all favor­ able opportunities, and, no doubt, iu three years' time or less, would discover the pole itself, if such a feat is within the reach of human efforts. The vessel taking the oolonists should return imme- Meetlsf of the Northern Illinois HMtt* cultural Society. The tenth annual meeting of the Northern Illinois Horticultural Society was held at Franklin Grove on Jan. 23, 24 Mxd 25, «nd was one of great impor- ^ tance to the horticultural interests of the country. The first day's session was devoted mainly to the discussion of small fruits. The strawberries recommended were the Wilson's Albany, first and best for all soils and all latitudes. It is the lazy man's berry, and the man that does not succeed with this has poor encourage­ ment to try with other varieties. It is hardy, and will bear neglect better than others. The Col. Cheny, Seneca Chief and Michigan seedling were spoken of favorably. Other varieties promise well. The best culture consists in clean culture, mulching and renewing the plantation every two or three years. The best raspberries were decided to be the blackcaps, especially the Doolitr- tle and the Philadelphia and Turner, red varieties. Raspberries should be heav~> ily manured to get the best results. Plant in rows five feet apart and three to four feet apart in the rows. The only cherries that do well here are the early Riohmond and English Morilla. The sweet cherries are total failures. J. W. Cochrane, of Blue Island, gave a pretty talk on the subject of flowers, particularly "Orchids." "By request,, O. L. Barber, of Hinsdale, lectured on the subject: " Hobby-horses and Their Riders." Prof. Cyrus Thomas, State Entomologist, sent in a paper on the subject of "Entomology, whioh was read by Secretary CMusha. Prof. Thomas mads a report on orni­ thology, and the society acted favorably on his suggestion to have the bird law amended for their further protection. The Concord grape was recommended as the most fruitful for general cultiva­ tion. Fifty varieties of apples were on ex­ hibition by Mr. Hansen, of Franklin, and a sample of cider was shown that was eighteen years old, made by A. R. Whitney, one of the largest apple growers in the United States, his or­ chard, embracing 165 . acres, 20,000 trees; product this year, 25,000 bushels. He made this last fall 2,800 barrels of oider and vinegar. An interesting and practical discus­ sion on the setting of evergreens was indulged ir » The gist of it all w&" that thera is no difficultj in sotting ever greens. They will grow as readily as tipple tree®. The conditions of success are : Don't allow the roots to become exposed for a minute. It is not essen­ tial to take them up with a lump of dirt, only protect them from sun and wind till set in the ground. Set deep, .and pack the soil in hard. This is es­ sential. Set just as the buds are swell­ ing and ready to put forth. Resolutions were passed recommend­ ing the society and individuals to make an exhibition of fruits at the State Fairk and 8 lso at the Chicago Exposition. Mr. L. Woodward, of Marengo, was appoint­ ed a oommittee to receive and look afto the fruit sent for exhibition. Mr. D. C. Scofleld read a lengthy es­ say on the subject of " Forestry and Tree Planting." The writer was radical in his views, and fully committed to the work of timber planting. The following are the ofieera elected for the ensuing year : President--H. C. Graves, Sandwich. Vice Presidents--L. K. Scofleld, Free- port ; J. S. Rodgers, Marengo ; S. G. Minkler, Oswego. Reoording Secretary--O. B. Qalusha. Morris. Corresponding Secretary--D. W. Scott, Galena. Treasurer--L. Woodward, Marengo. Remarkable Surgical operation. Last week a remarkable feat of sur­ gery was performed upon Gen. David Barrett, of Whitehall, N. Y., aged 79 years. Ten years ago he was inj ured by falling upon a pile of boards, and a splinter of wood was extracted from his side. At periods since he has suffered severe pains in his kidney, wliieii was asoribed to overwork. Recently he was taken with more violent pains in the or­ gan named, and an investigation showed the presence of a foreign sulwtance. An incision disclosed the head of a tenpen- ny nail, and further use of the scalpel showed the surgeon that the nail was imbedded in the old man's kidney, and that mortification had set in. The only chance of saving the patient's life was the excision of the organ, which was successfully done, and, notwithstanding his advanced age, Gen. Barrett has made rapid and sure progress' toward reoov- «y.