The Age from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia • Page 7

THE 'AGE? JAPKIE 22.186871' hops to create a steam will produce Uner COUNTRY NEWS. nickling oan easily bo ascertained by experl PllJl iU 1.11., In arrriimltn BALLABAT. vcy (raoa OUB OIVN CORRESPONOBXt.J Tuesday, 21t April. There was a good business transacted to-elay in the mining market, thongh in several of the heavier stocks prices were hardly maintained. Towards the close, however, a better il laws 11 it sprang np for some of these, and sales were effected at advancing rates.

Among tees latter ctocks, Worfiing Miners' are etftmltj noticeable. Opening at 32 Ss, they gradually receded to 30, and on the result of the washing for the day becoming known (192 o) they advanced to 31 Ss', at which price sales were enected. Hand and Band attracted considerable notice, and were wanted at a shade nude? 21 at the close. New Don were in good demand all day. The result of the washing for the day has not yet been made known from the first machine this morning, 16 oz 16 dwt was obtained, and the directors anticipate receiving at least 60 oz to-day, unless the water should fail them.

Cricket Beserve is washing better, and a fair demand existed throughout the day for this stock. The Great Northern Company had 83 oz to-day; the ground ia looking very well, and good washings may be relied on. The Ballorat East Freehold Com- pany commenced washing to-day, and obtained l3 oz 15 dwt of coarse, shetty gold. The manager reports havin; opened another "rise," and obtained tire feet of wash. Bis Honor Judge Rogers delivered judgment in several important oases.

Band of Hope Company (appellants) v. Cormack (respondent), an appeal from the Warden finding that np- pellants had forfeited all right, title, and interest in and to a block claim at Ballorat, No. 271, by reason of their having failed, at the expiration of eight days from the time when final registration was effected, to work npon or in connection with the claim in accordance with the by-laws. The appeal was allowed. Order that the Warden's decision be reversed, bat withont costs.

Clark and others (appellants) v. Wrigley and others Band of Hope. (respondents), AppeaTdlsmissed -with oasts-to respondents. Band of Company (ap-i pellants) v. Doyle (respondent) Several points were reserved for oonsideration'ot Chief Jndgo.

Wilson v. Knapp (Cosmopolitan Appeal allowed without costs. An order was made to wind np the Township Alluvial Com- pany forthwith, with 7 7s costs. St. George Company v.

Band of Hope Company Order for inspection was enlarged, 'costs to be costs intheoanse. THE MINES. '-t New YiELns. The following yields are to hand, viz. Ballarat and Clones Alluvial; (fortnight), 105 oz 14 dwt Cricket Beserve (Monday), 72 oz Great Northern Freehold -(Monday); 60 oz; Great Gulf Company (five days), 62 oz 8 dwt; Hand and Band (Monday), 113 oz 16dwt; Imperial Quartz Mining Company, Buninyong, the yield from 510 tons ef quartz was 115 oz 11 dwt of bar gold Prince of Wales Company, the yield reported by the manager should have been UBioz 6 dwt for the fortnight.

I Specimen-hill Q. SI. Daylesford. Crushing for the last week on company's account, 68 tons, yielding 21 oz amalgam on tributers' 40 tons, yielding oz amalgam. Winding shaft sunk 13 feet, making 66 feet below the 225 feet level.

In sinking the new shaft a farther 20 feet another and entirely new lode showing gold was cut at 15 feet, and continues at 2 feet further depth. The mine continues to look well, paying for all deadwork and winter supply of material. with upright 20 by 40 and 18 feet posts (20 by VSU ot it lor Klin) ana siae uuku ujr with roofs forming a juncture on a direct line, will answer all purposes. The floors ought to be made of matched flooring, and the second ones at least 18 inches below the kiln floor. The kiln floor is mode of 1 by l.J inch strips, placed on the joice an inch apart and usually covered with burlay, but heavy factory is bettei as it retains the flour of the hop, which is quite a consideration.

The building must have plenty of windows for ventilating, and be so constructed as to prevent any leakage from the doors, windows or roof, by which hops are often damaged. It being better to line the inside, cheap seasoned lumber will do. Twe kilns are needed for a large yardjtnd convenient for a medium one but as 120 boxes of hops (passable day's picking for a 10-acre yard) can be well dried on a 20 by 20 kiln every twenty-four hours, and it being essential to keep up the drying both night and day, bat few growers will go to nearly double the expense of buildiug an extra one when one will answer. Some kilns, as they better retain the heat and do away with the dangers of fire by which hop-houses are frequently burned by ill-arranged wooden ones and carelessness, aro preferable; but nevertheless, it being quite expensive and stone not always easily obtainable, as almost iavariably has been the case, wooden kilns will continue to be used in the West. A round or square kiln, 18 by 20, or 20 by 20, and 18 by 20 feet rather a steep roof and swinging or stationary ventilator at its central apex for the escape of the steam from the hops, arranged as follows, will be found to answer the purpose The room, from basement sills to the eaves and to the spex of the ends, is lathed and well plastered with one coat.

The chimney is built from the ground not nearer than 4 inches to the wall and of back part plastered its whole length. The distance between the lower floor (which consists of the bare earth) and the kiln Bhonld not be less than 12 or 15 feet, and there should be room enough left for a person to walk on the side of the kiln-floor beneath the rafters with-' out stooping. If this distance does not exist it can be had by excavating the earth 'floor to the desired depth. The hop-stove is simply constructed about four feet long, with grated bottom to admit of the deposit of ashes in the Ibrick or cast-iron arch npon which it necessarily rests, and for the sized kiln described, should weigh not less than 600 lb or 800 lb. These stoveB are mado in Albany, New York, and in Belton, Wisconsin.

From the stove located near the centre of the room extends a 10 or 12 inch pipe perpendicularly to the proper height, then horizontally to within three feet of the wall, where the size diminishes to eight inches, extending in opposite directions, and 6lightly ascending around the room. enters the chimney in a ef the size as at the juncture with the stove. Poles and Poling. The pipe shonld be at east seven or nine feet below the kila-floor, to give sufficient space for the heat to equalise Before striking tlie hops, and not come nearer the wall any place than thirty or thirty -six inches, and then it is better to have the walls next to it covered with zino. Where this distance between the pips and the kiln cannot be conveniently Beoured, strips of sheet iron suspended fiat-wise about twelve inches directly above the pipe will have the dt sired effect by equalising the heat.

At each of the four sides lof the base is a twelve by twelve aperture for ventilating the. surf ace, and admitting air to QNungle with not air, and force the steam 01 tne oops through- the top oi the ventilator. air-hole has a slide-door that can be closed or opened, 'so as to admit air only from the opposite direction from which the wind may A zinc curb two feet high surrounds the chimney in the kiln, to prevent the hops being scorched by contaot. A raised walk 12 inches wide through the centre of the kiln from the outer door ib essential to admit of a way for stirring up the hops and removing, without being obliged to wade into them and crash them with the feet (the nsnal way), and it preserves the cleth. Through a door an one Bide of the walk into the lintel, and a door on the other side into the room over the press-room, the hops ore carefully removed dried, to.

remain till having attained suihcient roughness to admit of pressing witu- ojutcinmbling. -7 Hop Picking Time is when woman reigns in her ghtfj in- compensation -for service stands on an.4aaJL footing with man is proudly ooe-soiona of tar importance as she realises the high value placed en her and beholds the destiny of wealth hanging uposv her -will. Frem quarters, bankers', farmersVmerchants', and wives and grand-fonghteayaud the-Biddies the Bridgets that caorAasKeaanev- be spared, actuated with the ploasent He rf the romance of the thing, of meetine aafBeWds, of enjoying- the jngldngr lota of -money," and having a sjtodid time jn. general, pack their trunks 'weeks' absence, And depart for-the yea'da, leavingmistress, mother and husband to arry and fret over housejbld matters- 'and" curse the-'hop-yards through', the Vpatarlat At this time the corfhtiy i alive with a moving army of 25,000 or women on theurway to the hop fields, making the valleys andV wtod- resound' with their-roerry aonga and happy- shouts, presenting an luiuuaUng scene ernco" -witnessed never'' to be forgotten, There i i certain pleasant "excitement ahnuthop-piokingthat almost causes' one to forget the fatigue-of this laborious-work: "All the way. frem to 'six; boxes 'of hops are picked in a day by sihgU i', person, three boxes are an averae-edav'a workJ.

In the haste required in picking five- and si Boxes, "which been bald. for. 'three' Heafiona-nflCfdi'fttlaitttthe jaMttsiriottl rticker at -this-rats te moke doHara nflr Vlnv with' llllln trnnhta. 'tnperihtends' two Bexes- neavy nope, foouga ne will una it. to erttemt.

more than one in very tight uuty'. uT lo-'pull the'''poles-4rst catting -the; Vinee, about two, feet' above the ground-aid "mipnlyin. the pickeravri thhot, to atrin Ahe eolesoi the vines and securely 'stack them BMween.tDtt-tows so as nor to cover any hills Osweped poles winter-kill to, keep the vines, cleaned np round the -boxes and pile them, to see that the hops are well and eleanly- picked, to empty the boxes and keepaa eeeotDrt of the number picked, and to remove-toe box-from place to I Mo JIaw. If the box-tender does not pro. perty attend to his business gets earaless, and after few warnings continues to permit the peles to strikef the cross-polo and jostle down the hops, which' pickers abhor above all things mob punishment is generally the result.

One ot the pickers, with a roguish, knowing look, silently leaves, as she has often done Before, ostensibly to make a visiting tour to the other boxes but, alas 1 eoon ahe, -return, with anjuroy of crinoline) "and the disobedient masculine is seized'end plunged head foremost into a hop-sock, the sack tied securely, and-Ihori'picked up and toted and dragged about, over the ground at a fearful rate, the mobbish party the meanwhile laughing, screaming and yelling like devils. Spruce young men, while visiting yards, ire Occasionally put through the coarse oi treatment to their perfect astonishment. When once seized, for a fellow to try to extricate himself I don't care how much he may value his activity and strength is worse than useless for he is a goner," which I can testify to from experience. About noon the team goes around, and the sacks of hops are gathered from the field, and drawn and put on the jDnviNO. The heat in the furnace room) is now raised to.

about 155 degrees, and raised gradually to 1G5 degrees, and then gradually diminished till finished. When the hops are well warmed through, for a kiln of forty" or1 fifty boxes, one pound or more of brimstone, according to the condition of the hops, is burnt, for the purpose of giving, by its bleaching effect, a marketable appearance and milder flavor rusty hops requiring double the quantity. From the chemical effect that naturally takes place causing, the bleaching by this use of brimstone, forming in the hop, by reason of its tanning properties, the principle of sulpho-tanmo acid, its preservative qualities are injured, and properties for -which dt is valued materially changed. i Bat -since the market value is based en the appearance and moraeE vaiue is oasea en mildness at who" oarea it consumers don't Two or three pails of water sprinkled over kiln oi dry and rusty SIMPLE AND PRACTICAL METHOD OF HOP-GROWING. TICKING, DRYING AND PREPARING FOB.

THE HAltKCT, COST, PROFITS, Of the Sou. for Hops. Medium loam is best, though any of the loam mixture between the sand and clay will do but the more sandy the soil the more manure is required to keep up the necessary fertility and preserve the' plant from the effects of the drought and frosts while the clayey soils require much manure to give them mellowness and prevent the ground from baking. In oonsequenoe of their porous condition, sandy soils require heavier and steady manuring; while after the first season clay, as it retains its fertilising properties, requires but Prairie muck, being rather light and loose, is not so good yet upon this soil, with proper cultivation, profitable yields are obtained. New land upon which one or two crops have been raised is best, as the vegetable fibres are well decomposed and the soil is in a fresh and vigorous condition.

A medium loam exhausted by a series of wheat or corn corps, not having been drained of seme of theessen'ial properties, requires only the usual amount of1 in-inuring to bring it into fit condition. Elevated and level locations should be selected, as in low, moist placeB hops are exposed to the frosts and liable to rust. Boot-planting seasons ere from the earliest opportunity of grubbing in the spring to the 1st of June, from the luth of August to the 10th of September, and from the 6th to the lost: ef Twevemoer. aro piamea irom ineiime they appear to the 1st of August. Early spring-planting is advisable, as it admits of the plant growing beyond the barm of the cut-worm, and it will better withstand the early droughts, and perhaps yield a handsome profit the first season, Early iall-plantiug, with some cultivation and light manuring, will yield half a-crop the following season.

November is an excellent time for planting but one or twoshovels-f ul of manure to the hill are needed to protect the roets through winter. If fall grabbing is injurious to the yards, ae some claim, apparently with no obvious grounds, fall-planting should be abandoned. Seed Roots are cut into pieces containing two or three sets of eyes each, and are valuable in proportion to their soundness, the quantity of thread fibies they contain, and the species to which they belong. The majority of yards of Wisconsin arc of the English cluster, originating in this section mostly from Jessie Coddington's, tho first yard planted here. The habit, prolific condition, and richness of lupulin'o'f the cluster give it preference in this climate, and with no adversity from lice or disease it will probably never' find a rival in Wisconsin.

The buds of the root should have a plump healthy appearance. Any root pithy or spongy, or having tan color about' the heart, or that can tie crushed be-" tween the thumb and finger, is'. diseased, and should be rejected for although it will grow, the body not having enough vitality left to establish a self-sustaining too', commonly after reaching severolinchea in height, the vines will wilt onddie especially is this the case in a jlrj time. The body of a sound hop root is nearly as hard as a grape-vine, and of a Itgbxfolor, and he heart generally of a lightish grey. Although' roots are 'more or less diseased mainly from the effects of freezing, with few exceptions they are generally sound -enough for planting.

To ensure qgainst disease and worms, three and 'four are put in a hill, while really twogood-, spund roots are sufficient, ja The plantingris done in rows eight feet apart each 680 hills to the acre'; though only 6'10' hills are commonly reckoned, a vacant space on either side left for turning the team being considered. 1 -Where land is1 valuable, as in the East, or space limited, as-, in-, villages, hops aro generally planted but. seven feet apart but where land is plenty and cheap, as in the west, hops should never be planted nearer together than eight ieet, and even ten feet would be better, of it would give more room for cultivation, lessen the shading, and give a freer circulation as air. The! Planting. The selected piese- is ploughed and dragged, then accurately squared-, stakes stuck at the four corners, and a row of Bhort stakes stuck eight feet apart the entire length of each side.

New, wire or rope a wire ie preferable, as it will not srretoh with a piece of red yarn attached to it every eight feet, and a sharpened stake attached to each end to manage it is stretched across the end of the piece. A man at each end carries the wire stops; lfhg 'tHilagh at each stake to strengthen it, for one or two boys with baskets of pins38 Indies long, to pass along' and place pw at each piece of yarniThe' Btakes.are removed, cavities made with the hoe, the roots placed in them an inch or so apart and covered about four incites deep, hills pasted with the replaced or 1oe out a- tanel-sbap the root "against the sidejjiijieyes pointing upwards, and cover an inoh den boto the top ends or punch perpendicular holes with' a stick, pat the roots in wittt eyes rrpwariJs, press the dirt down against them. In late spring or early fall planting it is a good plan to wet the roots before a caution against breeding the dreaded hop-louse, which might nerelianee exist in, the form of lorvie or some other state in the dirt adhering to imported roots, the roots should be well, washed in lime- water before taking them A he planting completed, commence at the fifth hill of the fifth row, and take up every tenth hill of every tenth row thereafter, to'within five rows of the onnosite side, and ronlace with' male roots, and put two stokes to the hill to mum. xuo vmti cuitivuiujg ui first season can-be turned into profit by planting corn, potatoes or beans between the rows, -and cultivating, with Uie.lioW,'..; As pumpkins shade the ground too much, nnd cboke hops, they never Bhonld be phultcd with them. To.

raise port of a crop the planting season, no other crop should be planted with 'the but one pole ten or twelve feet long placed to the hill. One, two or three vines can be trained- to the pole, according to the-atrength: of the hill. If some judgment is not used, too many poled, and the productive powers so overtasked as to enfeeble the and-endanger the prospects of The Manuring ia done in the fab, as it thus serves the double purpose of enriching the soil aua.proteoung tne plant from uw winter Rosts. Hops on clayey loams, having been well manured several seasons, requiring none, should be protected in winter with a fork-full of straw to the hill. Young yards require but little if any protection in winter, while old yards and bearing yards on Bandy aoil require much.

About a Dusnei 01 born manure the trill on sandy soil is none too much-; and as the aoil approaches the -clayi the quantity can be reduced till but two shovels-full to the hill are raquoneVA That th hops may not be smothered, the manuring sheuld not be done till the 1st or latn 01 or till, tne -approach 01 winter. Of tho vox ions ctminonind artificial manures, with the exception of sawdust, chin and some Wood manures, Jthichare poor fer tilisers, ail appear to poaaess some fertilising property suited to the Hop. 1 sty, and coop manures 'are excellent, answering every and being common product of the a nuisance to the village and eity, are preferable when to be had in proper quantities as, they are. easily obtainable. But in this section where hop-yards are growing cm nearly every farm, and on naif the vacant village lots are more won tremy increasing yearly, tne demand oannot be supplied without resort to artificial or mechanical means.

A compost made in the fall of the substances as in the order below.given, placed in even layers, forming a mass sufficiently shallow to admit of be-earning well frozen in and allowed te stand till the following tali; when it. will be needed, will have sufficiently decomposed, and form a most excellent and durable manure at a trifling cost: five loads, of straw or damaged hay thirty loads of marsh, swamp, er sinkhole muck ten bushels of nearly equal ports of leached and unleashed ashes five loads of itraw ten loads of muck ten bushels of un-eached ashes. Stock, turned to straw-stacks, encircled with good and allowed to feed and tramp them down, through winter, and, yarded on them nights', will ohanite theminto manure suitable iW.laH use. Dtraw uirown into mo sty oiten ana; plentilully used for horse'' and 'cow beiding, is rapidly ohnngedinto mannrei- -XblHiTja Grubbing ehould by tne: lots Mnv the roots cut. assorted, and the good ones placed in a'pit in the ground or in a cool cellar, to preserve them from sprouting as much as possible till ready to plant.

It is not customary to grab the first season, as the seed roots are scarce, and it is thought to 'be of no benefit to the The grub hoe nas two aickle-shaped tines pointing forward, which are carefully drawn through the ground noder the roots, in a manner nofto injure the life-roots or braise the seed roots. A sickle-shaped knife, used for cutting the seed from the bed roots, should be kept 'sharp and handled cautiously, that it may do Us work without injury. Poles and Poling. Any kind ef pole, from 2 to 4 inches in diameter at the butt and from 10 to 20 feet in length, is the proper size, though a smaller size can be used to good 'advantage for weak hills. By reason of its lightness and fine proportions, the tamarack pole is the best.

cedar, iron-. wood and white oak for hop poles are the most durable. Where poles are scarce twine can be used, which requires bnt one pole eight feet long to the hill, which once set is allowed to remain till decayed. A turn beingtaken around each pole in succession, the twine is stretched across the piece each way about six and a half feet above the ground, to give plenty of -room beneath for team-work. The yield is nearly the same as with poling, thongh the work of training the vines to the horizontal twine is nearly doable.

Unless the yarn is very strong, but two poles should be put to the hill the first season, and two vines trained to the poll. It is customary the second season to pat three poles to the hill, and train three vines to the pole. Tho -successful hop-grower has learned by experience that nothing is made by training more than two vines to the pole, and that if the hill is strong -enough to admit of using more vines, there should bo more poles aided to support them. Beginners, for the wont of experience, have found to their 'sorrow that training four and five vines to the. pole with two' and three poles to -the bill has' generally resulted in heavy growth of vines and an unusual quantity of 'dwarfed jhops.

It will not do to sacrifice the vigor of the' plant in developing an undue quantity of vines at the expense of the top, though it is well to train one more vine to the pole than is needed, as a precaution against and when the hill has grown quite out of danger, to cut it off. The sharpened in the fall or early in the spring, are set. 12 inches or thereabouts from the centre of the hill, and 12 or 18 inches the depth depending upon the density of the soil. The iron-bar pole sticker ie preferable to the patent augur, as by not withdrawing any dirt it leaves a hole with solid walls, so that the pole is not so likely to loosen, wriggle about, and perhaps tnmble down the first strong wind. To prevent the vines from matting together at the top, the tops of the poles sheuld incline from the centre of the hill not less than two feet.

Ccltivatisn. Before or after the poles are i set, a farrow is ploughed away from the rows 1 each way, and in the coarse of two or three weeks, when the hops are large enough for the first hoeing, is ploughed back again, and the ploughing-oontinued to the centre of the rows. As bnt little hilling is the hoeing consisting mainly in loosening np the ground about the hills, end covering the weeds ana, surplus vines to aaa nciiness ana the cultivation, after this is nrinei pally with a two-shovelled corn plough a good 1. it ing twice or three times between the rows each way at two or three different times, as the soil may 'require. The hills should be made broad and flat, and at the last hoeing slightly lower at the centre, and no weeds shonld be allowed to growiVThe' practice of raised hilling is wrong, for the reason that the life roets of the plant, established by nature near the surface, become so deep and shut out from the necessary warmth of "the sun that another set naturally grows'outliiglier up, and yet another as the hilling is continued, till the plant is so much; elevated that it iB subject to serious injury from' the droughts and will winter-kill.

The first' side shoot, originating from the seed roots missed in grabbing, are removed and used to fill out missing hills or plant any whero, To obtain a full crop of seed roots tho fellowing spring, the tops of the suckers appearing after the loth of June are heed oft at ground's surface. Training the Vines to the Poles requires core and patience, and usually devolves upon the women and children till having grown beyond the reach of their industrious bands." Commencing when two or three feet long, meaium-sizea vines originating. wen down on the crown (the top crown, called hulL.vines are not so good) are circled round to the poles to the left, and secured by means of woollen raJ veilings, from which time, warm sunny weather, they will climb but. little assistance, but require continual' watching. Vines do not cling well to the poles In cool or ooudy weather.

Through some. Unexplained causes of nature, all the hop vine speeiesf so fir'Ss I am aware, in climbing spontaneously circle with the sun, while nearly every other climbing plant most wonderfully circles in the -opposite direction. After reaching a 'helgM of 10 or lo ieet, vines ore often displaced and Will net regain the poles witnout assistance. They are replaced by means "df selT supporting, portable step-ladder-made- for the-vttrDOse. Our bops "are-invariably ripe enough to- iueuuu ASfc or.oin pi known by the seeds beginning to Provisions' for' Scarcity of The rapid increase of hop-grounds in tie-main hoO districts of Wisconflin will mlr tt mAvim, able, in the future, in order that the.

crops of me larger varus mav ne secured time to es cape injury from the rust, with the meagre help that is necessary to be employed, to commence the picking week or -ten days' sooner 'tnaq usual. fact that the early-picked, Unripe hops are and of lessmtrinaio value, is nothing--' to the grower, "Whose wim-is to 1 t. i. Hj ypCLCMUUil, BlllUV BpGlUatOrB allowed to handle the hone, and reonthe nrofit. out of the consumer legitimately 'belonging to the are glad to buy them for a prime or f4ncy hop, because of their -mild, pleasant flavor, andfreeb, appearance, and pay mi( than enough for the fully ripened; to.

make up the difference in weight This system, of early, picking can be lrtially or wholly avoided by the. removal of the manure from the hills of about half the yard at the earliest opportunity id the 'spring, and keeping the. remainder in cleck, by allowing the manure to Tamain two or three 'weeks later, so'that in maturing white picking the the Other, half of the yard will be Hops so ripe as to have commenced rusting are the strongest, and therefore best for brewing Hop Pickinst uAiMENTB Everything should be in rea picking, 'hop -house and kiln In repeiijpa and brimstone en hand, hop-box air and at their rvn huiw uiiers secured, sacks for coovejinyne the kiln made, a good supply ua variety or provision for the table, extension dining tables, extra beds, and house ready to turn' into- a temporary hotel at a mo ment warning, a good for the patent pole-starter can be made bv anv black smith by attaching within 2 feet from the duk enu 01 01 a stout stick a feet long, an Inoh iron bar, 18 inches long, constructed in. nearly the form of the letter with the long port banded and riveted tethe stiek and-'the inside of the oater prong well bearded. The vine-' cutter is -used, for parting the vines where matted together at theteps-of the pales.

It is easily made in a few minutes by attaching an old scythe, scythe-fashion, to the end of a 18 feet hop-pole. Sacks for oonveying hops ore made of burlay, with a capacity of about 20 bushels. By means of transverse and longitudinal partitions, four legal hop-boxes, each 8 feet long, 2 feet deep and 18 inohes wide, with a capacity of seven bushels, are combined in one, bo as to admit of four pickers to' the box, each with her respective In the constrocrorrsre used five 16 feet boards 12i by inches for the three 2 by 6 cross-pieces for the bottom, to support it from the ground ondstrengthen the box; twoend cross strips for handles for carrying the box: two end upright standards of flooring 4) feet Jong, with a 2-inch hole in, the top ends for cross- poie, upon -wmcn rests me pole of bops while being picked, and Bix uprlgbl by 2 incli strips 71 juiui. UJ.U1VJ7UUIUUC- i ti(n of the hop-house and kiln capacity and I convenient arrangementare moatimporiant. For 1 nve, eight, or even ten-acre yard, a building bleaching than ten pounds of brimstone, and without injury.

As the hope are neanng dryness the heat is considerably diminished to avoid scorching them. In the course of ten or twelve hours the central stem of the burr has become dry and brittle, when the kiln is completed, removed, and replaced with a fresh cne. Within two or three weeks the hops will have sufficiently toughened for pressing. Press and Pressing. With the exception of the lever presses, all hop presses have nearly the same structure.

In respect to improvements iu the lever works, for ease of power and 'perfection a press patented by Carpenter and Hutchinson, White Creek, Adams County, Wisconsin, last winter, is admitted to he the finest. In pressing, a piece of sacking two yards long is placed squarely and evenly on the bottom, the frame put together, hops thrown in and trampled with the feet gradually till having in as nearly as possible 200 lb, when another two-yard piece of sacking ia placed evenly over the top and the follower put on, and by the means of the side levers forced down until the hops are compressed into a mass nearly as hard as wood. The frame is now removed, leaving the solid walls of the hops without protection, the edges of the sack brought together and held on the sides with wire pins till sewed, while on the ends the edges are held in position till ready to cap by means of pinewood pins, when, the capping" being done, the hops are ready for market. The Cost and Profit of raising hops, based on an estimate of a -ton to the acre, 60 cents a box for picking and board, considered with the present high prices for provisions and labor, are as follows for a five-acre yard -o. ft acres of ground, 30 dol per acre.

130 00 acres of hop roots, 15 dol per acre 73 00 0000 tamaracK poles (three to the hill), de- Mvered, lis dol per thousand 00 for sharpening, 7 dSOc perm. 67 50 Agrlcultnral Implements, 9 00 Ilop house as.described, with press, stove, hop boxes, ic 876 00 Doub'e-horse team, waggon and rig 650 00 80 loads of manure, dol per load 24S (K) Grubbing 15 00 Throe nionlha work, vine. training, cultivation, He (btg estimate) 00 Picking Ave tons of hops at CO cents per box .600 00 Four box tenders for twelve dayB, 2 dol per day 00 00 Dryer for twelve days; 0 dols per day. U0 00 Six days' baling and preparing for the market, with three men, 2 dol 50 per day 4-5 CO 475 days' board, 50 per day 237 50 4,100 00 Five toiiB of hops, at 50 ur lb 5,000 00 The flrat season clear of all oxpenae 804 00 1 There being 2877 dol 50 of the above cost for permanent at the same rate, the second year SG81 dol 80 would be cleared. The exorbitant price ot 60 and 60 0 per lb tor hops, crazing the brains of the people, being so for out of proportion to the relative value of other should, the Eastern failures continue, by which the brioe is temporarily snstaiued.

the effect it will naturally have in increasing hop-growing, in itself, will soon bring the price to its legitimate level. Prairie Farmer. MELBOURNE MINING SHAKE LIST. Tuesday, 2lBt OovrANiis. ALLTJVIAI4 MINES BALLABAT.

6,447 8.OO0I 18 10a Albion Freehold Bonahaw .01 22 1 3 80 8' 16 15 2 96 r1 36 41 15J 178 21 98 226 3 10 176 61 II 4t 22 5s 8 5 1 Ss 50 nil S.i 10,000 9,500 3,600 hcrickat Beserve Durham 'Darhara (new issue) 1,000 9,009 4,800 4,000 4.000 Durham (Preference! Northern Freehold 50 5 6 30 3 6 5 5 85 3 (great KsdanExtendei j. Great Gulf Broat North -West 17 18s V.dUU 1,000 1,500 8,50 I.M0 15s 1-' 80s 30 Or'tWebalsr Freehold 216 iGuiding 4 If 10 11 2i 4 41 10 111 Herman ana 1 Durham I oh-i-noor 3.000 3,560 itair street Freehold 20 18 16e 3, 6 36 a nil 2J 34 90 1,000 5.670 NewBallarat Freehold Nelsonana Wellington 4,000 2,000 9,800 ,1,343 MOO Moe naw un iNewlngton Freehold Park Prince of Wales 101 3 35 16 2 10 6 6 16 6 I 20 80 10 a 6 nil 32, 15 (a Boyal Saxon l.ooo 6 10 t. George United S.000 9,400 29s 18, 63 5s 30 93 1 St. Andrew St. Mungo iScottiah and Oomlah Sebastonol 4.1 3,000 .8,448 12,800 S.400 u.

Aioionar. ia waieu O.Eltd. Band of Hone United Hand and) Band 8,400 3,000 4,400 4,800 3,000 25i 24 15r utu. ctir wuuam.juon united Hea Jacket IS 6 8 6 10 10 I 20 10 10 4 10 20 7 ta Ctd. Working Minor.

2, 6 8 4 6 v-esiern jrreeaoia Winter's Freehold 1, MlBORLLANKOUa. 1,408 1,800 400 1,600 1,600 2,000 ,4,000 4,800 8.000 Atlao (SDruutdouah). j. Argus (Guildford) j- 7 iob: (Ararat Blaoltljeau) 1 Ararat) Balrt.A01nnes(01nnes) BaniavonK(Buninvns) 17 10 2 iei 8 16s IS 4s 8 10s 4 6s BolrU'Iun. (DeenOk.1 Break-o'-Davdtokew.) '1 4,000 Cape 01ear(Lwmn's.) Olunes Alluv.

(Olonos) 2,000 1,800 GmTrimk(Springdal) 2,600 2,000 101 Gn.Horn (Snrllurdal. Gn. Stream (Scaradta) Grand Juna(fipyV'ly) 10 10 1,000 6,000 8,200 8,300 1 j. -Hon (Benalla) I 6 8 8s 6d. 6 4 10s New Holland (Avocav 'flow uyong.

(is yong riatlonml Durham! 3 2 7s (d 500 MOO li79 10 N. GrenvnletSmythea) 7s4aUtois-hlll -ItMnh-felll ra.d. iwaeHeaui so 1 r'lltadSeasofFmdomrB'yn) I onAirr-z mimm bsndiso. 10,100 32:600 90,000 4,290 8,300 14,780 32,000 34,000 14.000 1 (Agamemnon 10.I ooiiance S6 12 15s Argus Bird Beet Break-o'-Day 17s 8d 16s 12s 1 Catherine Beef United 3 8 12 6 9,6 I 16 1. 126 Te 3 10 6 10 6 31 fl' 1JM Catherine Beef Keith's 'i 20s'd lseBdl waul Baa-le 10,6 1 14 116 95s I -lea- 6s Bllesmere 34.000 1 Eneraette 33,000 IDs Groat Britain 17s ta Great Extended Hst'rsl Great Extended Eagle 63 99(000 30,870 10,593 18,000 88.000 1 nercuies iHostler'a 9,8 9651 2tsd 2 10s Johnson's 10 20 94 8 38 10s 3d uwyuaraiy 'Nelson's Beef j24s 13a Id 9876 1 North Hustler a North Johnsons -rferth Devonshire Prince of Walea 30,000 16,000 15,000 12s 9(1 10a 128 id Sarnia Sophia and Sedan St.

Mungo South St. Mungo 16,000 32,600 90,374 108 7s 488 6(i viawna neel errpa LAND. Good Hops (Crooked) Happy-go-luoky (Str'e) Leviathan (Bile. Blver) Morning Star Pros too i ,000 9,408 pecting was Point) N. Gippe Lend (Htg'a.) Boval Standard (B.

Ri 1,008 .1,200 Sth. Otinollne (Dy's) vvsiuaiio, (Digs) Wellesley's, HALOQV. 3,848 100 100 108 13,808 5,000 5,000 Beehive m- Bell's Beef Derby m. "1 17s Sd 10a 15s 20s 45 Durham M. iv.tfot 16.944 Eagleh'wk Aasoclationi Eaglehawk Union 12,006 10,000 300 Grand Junction ilnacott'a Ut.

Tarrengower Tun. 3,060 3,400 720 Northern Beehive Speoulatlon larreng'r Nog'ty An 100 10a 14 I 96,000 10,000 30,000 I 8,000 1 9,000 4,600 2,480 180 9.308 13s (d Aehilles (Taradatei 1 v. 60s 8s 16s 16s 10 Ajax (Castlemalne) Aiaoama (ai-ivor) Argo (Inglewood) Bet-Bel (Dunolly) mace-am tnaiio-t rat Olunes Qtl. uiunea unltediuiunesii OosterfleldO.a; A. 3,0001 49s 8d Oornlsh (Daylesferd) Daylesf 'd G.LandOoo.

Tribut 400 8,800 15,000 3.000 13 10a Harmon' (Maryborgh) lso 1- 40 4 18s 3.600 30,0) 14,67 14 10a North Olunes iJpntr (InKlowood) Mnnyua. i-overtyueel (Tanuuralla) 7,600 6,600 1,084 16 douth AJaz(Oastlema) 3, Jersey (StoneyBlee) Speelman-hlll (Daylee) Pioneer Silver 10' Ua8d 40a 181 Unity nglewood) 1 tewn jutunesi Mb Samuel Taylob, an old and respected resident of Port Albert, was found dead in his bed on the morning of the loth inst. The Project for the amalgamation of the Taradale Borough Council and the Metcalfe Shire Council is pretty sure to be carried into effect. A committee has been appointed for the purpose. 1 Mr HEOABTY.of Inglewood, who wassoverely kicked by a horse near the Sandhurst Post Oflice on Tuesday week, and was in consequence conveyed to the local hospital, died there on Sunday.

11 Mr William Williams, J.P., war the only candidate nominated to (ill the vacancy in the Eaglehawk Council, caused by the resignation of Cr. Lester, and was duly elected. It is anticipated that Mr Williams will be elected to the mayoralty, vacant by the resignation of Cr. Letheby, but who still retains his seat as councillor. It has bees decided to hold a steeplechase meeting on the Hamilton course.

committee of the Western Racing Club met a few days ago, and agreed to a programme. The day fixed upon for the meeting is the 22nd May. The Great Western event comes oft on the 14th, while the Sandford folks intend issuing a programme for the 29th of the same month. The Creswick Easier SrortTS were a great success. Over 3000 persons visited the ground, end money prizes amounting to 71 10s were, naid ftwav.

the entries for which were un-1 usually large, and the events well and closely contested. The. walking, running, vaulting and jumping were first-class. The gross takings amount to over 600, which it is fully expected will be increased by 50, more, so that a very handsome sum will be netted for the Creswick District Hospital, in which behalf the sports were initiated by the persevering secretary of the Sports Committee, Mr Pobjoy, ably assisted by Mr Peining, the treasurer, and a good -working committee. First day, Monday, 13th Yards Potato Race 1st, W.

2nd, J. M'KiB-Bock 3rd, W. 100 Yards Boys' Three-legged Handicap Race: let, E. Grose and Grose S. Grose and E.

120 Yards Maiden Plate: 1st, P. Jackson 2nd, T. Bush.1 Two Miles Walking Match 1st, J. M'Kissock 2nd, W. Price 3rd, J.

M'Fadyean. Vaulting with the Pole: Mills; 2nd, W. 100 Yards Three-legged Backwards Bace 1st, T. Grese and E.Grose 2nd, J. Carbis and J.

Vague 3rd, T. Sedon and P. 130 Yards Hurdle Bace 1st, E. Clark 2nd, Bellette. Second day, Tuesday.

Hop, and Jump 1st, Andrew Kirk 2nd, E. Clark, 88 feet 10 inches. 100 Yards Handicap Flat Bace. 1st, Adam Kirk 2nd, W. Yards Backwards 1st, J.

House 2nd, J. Miller. Miles Walking Match (Handicap) lBt, C. Chambers; 2nd, J. M'Fadyean 3rd, W.

Bromley. 200 Yards Handioap'' Hurdle Bace 1st, E. Clarke 2nd, Andrew Kirk 3rd, T. Clarke. 100 Yards Boys', Threef legged Backwards Bace 1st, T.

Grose and E. Grose 2nd, C. Pobjoy and J. Morris 3rd, J. Wuiffin andG.

Pickles. with the Pole: 1st, W. Mills 2nd, T. Clark. Winding the Peg 1st, J.

House 2nd, J. Withers. 1 1 A Western Port Romance. A romance in real life waB, during this woek, enacted in the Western Pert district, within thirty miles from Dandehong. It appears that the clergyman officiating for the "Church of England in due notice from the happy that hiB services would be required to perform the ceremony of uniting him to his beloved in holy wedlock.

Accordingly on the evening before the appointed day, the clergyman rode up to the homestead of the station where the ceremony was to take place. Just as he pulled up, a clear shrill scream came piercing through the air, followed by a long, earnest Coo-oo-ey 1" Three young -men instantly rushed to the spot whence oame the sound of a noisy, angry altercation. They came too late. It appears that the father and two brothers of the betrothed lady-love, were loth to lose the services of the bonny lass, and were determined, impossible, to prevent the completion of the matoh. girl, had watched during the afternoon, and after having managed to elude their vigilance, was found by one of the brothers whilst hesitating whether to return and say good bye, or forthwith to slip away with him whom she had chosen for herself, by virtue of her.

legal majority, as her future companion, and who was there ready to receive her. What will you do asked the waiting "will you go back, or come' with me I'll come with you," bravely replied the girl. No sooner were the words out of her mouth than the infuriated brother rushed upon her and gave the call for Which quickly brought the father and other brother scampering down from their house pell mell. The three went at the girl like three tigers, knocked her down, and began to abuse her mercil She naturally called upon her suitor te protect her, who quickly leaped over the fence and bravely responded to the appeal. Forthwith the three' made at him, and soon brought him to the.

ground, where they handled him as enraged, passionate men only can. It was that a mate" of the lover wasat hand, or, may be, another story might have had to be related as it was, the scuffle ended by the violent hands oi the brothers securing the would-be runaway, and safely escorting her back to her unpleasant home. Having secured the prize, the brothers issued from the house, defying the courageous efforts of the party now numbering four, who were friends of the bridegroom to rescue her. The father, also, in his turn, gave vent to his wrathful indignation at tho attempt that had been made, by furious threats, accompanied. by the cocking of an empty gun, end most emphatio assurances that his daughter should not lose his parental protection that night.

He avowed his intention to take his daughter back on the morrow to her native place (one of the Buburbs ef Melbourne), and promised that if she then insisted npon returning he would have -nothing more to say in the matter. She shall see her native filace once more," said he. After matnre de-iberation, plans were laid by whioh to intercept the progress of the party on the road, and to prevent possible designs of putting the girl oat of the way. The party divided and camped by the side of a bridge over whioh the convev- ance must pass, whilst two others proceeded to Cranbourne to obtain assistance from the police, if possible. Finding the trooper unable or unwilling to interfere, they returned and met the rest of the party about throe' o'clock a.m., and came to the determination of attacking the conveyance and liberating tho pri.

auuer. Auuuruiuij tuey turned wards home, dividing themselves into two parties whenever they oame to a double track. However, their precaution was needless, and their courage was not put 10 me ten. 11 appears mat during tne nignt the father changed bis mind, and decided upon letting things take their natural course. About four o'clock the girl managed to slip down to the homestead to say that all was right, and having promised to be back early in the morn ing, nasteneot oaoK nome.

ine lather started, but without the daughter. The advanoing party -met him, bat perceiving that the girl was not with him, the assault, the abuse, the violence, were forgotten, and he was allowed to proceed in peace. Pushing on, they soon met a messenger, who had been despatched with the news that the parson was now only waiting for the bridegroom, and that all was right. The weary, horses were urged on; the loving couple met. not.

without considerable mnfcion. and forthwith they took upon them the vows -iur worse, ine one snowing a Bruised head, the ether a few scratches on the neck, but forgetting all in the full reaUiaJ tjon of the old adage, 11 All's weir that ends well." The Death op Mr Charles Palmer, who1' recently gave snob, an extraordinary price for the finest impression of Rembrandt's "Hundred Gdlldor Piece," may. be said to offer a new comment on the vanity of human wishes) his enjoyment of the dearly-bonghf treasure has been brief The impression, with all the accumulated examolea of other seme of thorn of the rarest kinds, Turner's famous nictnre. The Burning1 of the of and etchings by Rem-I Ti .1 v.uu, iuii iuuuw miu. vutrrKTuiira oi ex traordinary value by Raphael Morghen, Tfiti urn uuposeu uy auction.

meats, wouiu uo i to make a set of trials. There moon reason to fear that, in many instances, from the weakness of the solution and the insufficient tjme allowed for the grain to absorb it, the operation is nnll and void. far as regards the destruction ef the parasitical spores. It has been shown that sulphur, either in form of flowers, or milk of sulphur, or in that of sulphuric acid, has been employed with very excellent effect. The sulphuric acid is need, four ounces, by weight, to each bushel at seed, Ailnted with as water as tne wheat will take up; the latter, after a few hours' solution, being dried with slacked lime.

Sulphur, and lime also make an excellent combination most effectual in destroying fungi. The milk, or flowers of sulphur, in powder, to be mixed with twice its weight of fresh slacked hot lime, ten gallons of water to each pound of sulphur; this forms a sulphnret of lime with which the wheat is to be well moistened, and afterwards dried with fresh slacked lime. -It is to be hoped that a few practical experiments will be made during next seod time, with view to determine the double question of the proper strength of pickle and the length of time that the seed should lie in it. VII. 'STUBBLE BURNING.

Ou the subject of stubble burning, in connection with the rust disease, the evidence is conflicting. From the prevalence of the rust last season it follows, however, as a matter of course, that the country is covered with rust spores to a far greater extent than usual, and that a large proportion of them adhere to the straw and stubble that lie on the stubble lands. These spores would necessarily be destroyed by the burning of the stubble, although enough would still remain in other places to spread the -disease next year, should we have a' return of last season's weather a contingency, hewever, which, to judge from the past, is highly improbable. Still, as we have had rust in several previous years, although to nothing like so fearful an extent, the commission recommend the burning of stubble, and the collection and burning of hedge clippings and other refuse matter, in which the seeds of the rust fungus will have found shelter. VIII.

EXHAUSTION OF THE SOIL. Although not immediately connected with red rnBt, your Commissioners have token evidence, with reference to the constituent elements oi the soil in this province, and have to report that this important branch of agricultural science has been almsst wholly neglected. Mot more than half a dozen analyses of the soil appear to have been as yet made so that science has, so far, lent practically no aid at all in. instructing South Australian farmers as to the adaptation of their lands to toe growtn oi particular crops. It is, In the opinion of this commission, highly desirable that an agricultural chemist and analyst be appointed, in erder to carry on a regular and continuous system of experiments npon soils and manures and also to conduct microscopical and chemical observations bearing on the subject of the growth and disease of our cereals.

The vast tract of country annually cropped with wheat is being gradually robbed oi its phosphates and other constituents essential to the formation of a healthy growth and as there is scarcely anything returned in the shape of manure, the grain-producing power of the soil is every year becoming less involving a sure diminution of average yield, even though we may escape the plague of red rust. The appointment of an official agricultural chemist would not involve any serious expenditure, whilst it would afford to farmers generally the means of obtaining reliable analyses of their wheat lands at a nominal charge, thus guiding them in the choice of crops, and in the adoption of measures calculated to restore to the soil those fertilising elements of which it may stand in need. It cannot be too constantly boroo in mind that soils are not always to be correctly judged from appearance, even by the most practised eye. Land that appears rich, and which, as regards most of its constituents, may really be so, may notwithstanding be deficient in some one element indispensable to the growth of a vigorous crop, or of some one, element necessary to render the other constituents of the soil soluble, uid capable of assimilation by the plants. This knowledge can only be acquired by chemical experiment.

In other countries, and in the sister coC, jy, especial attention is devoted to his brunch ot. agricultural science, which, though pre-eminently neoessary in South Australia, is neglected with an indifference as reprehensible as it is unaccountable. ix. conclusion. On the whole, and especially as regards the retl rust, your commissioners, though necessarily unable to discover a speciiio remedy for.

a disease the germs of whioh ore universally diffused and brought into active vitality by at-mospherio causes, have much pleasure in submitting to your Excellency the large amount of valuable information elicited by this inquiry. If a positive cure is not discovered, several very serious mistakes are corrected mistakes whioh would be costly in their operation and disappointing in their results. It is shown that the extraordinary ravages, of red rust last season were not eaused, as many asserted, by exhaustion of the soil and that, therefere, expensive ma-nurings however beneficial in other respects are useless as a preventive of rust. It is shown that there are some wheats hardier than others the farmer thus having, in some small degree, the means within his own power of diminishing the extreme destructiveness of tho disease by avoiding those varieties that are most easily overcome by it. It is also shown that as red rust is not propagated, like smut, from diseased seed, shrivelled grain, of little value for milling purposes, will produce both healthy and abundant crops under ordinarily favorable circumstances of sail and climate.

It is shown that agricultural chemistry has scarcely made a start as yet in this colony, although of so much importance to a proper system of cultivation. And, finally, your Commissioners hope that the attention which has been so widely directed in all parts of the province, not only to the sad visitation which has befallen it, but to the general con-' ditien and prospects of agriculture, will have the effect of leading to closer habits of uusmvauon una to mora eareiui experiments on the part of farmers themselves; and on the part of the Legislature and Government, te a corresponding appreciation of the claims and requirements of an interest whioh, without exaggeration, may be represented as the cardinal industry of the province, and the chief foundation of its prosperity. John H. Babmw, Chairman. Taos.

Hooabth. Wm. Evebabd. Jno.Cabr.' W. Cavekaoh.

Committee-room, Parliament House, 9th April, 1868. MR DYTE IN DEFENCE. TO THE EBITOB OF THE AOS, Sib, The Argue and Herald having been pleased to tenor me with a leading article, and to condemn mo as having been guilty of aots that should unfit me for seat in the Legislature, will yoa permit me to state that I attended in my plaoe In Parliament this day prepared, not only to explain my aots, but also to exonerate the Mining department, as far as I am concerned, from the charges sought to be preferred against the forms of the House prevented me doing so. I oaa only request my friends to refrain from coming to any conclusion on a one-sided statement founded on a statement oiroulaled not only by my political opponents, but by an organ of the press which has attempted to vilify me for the list tenvaara. nJ vrr i vmf 'ocoeeaea in gw Iromtounoulor to chairman ana now memuer traamentT some proof of the opinion of those years, with this charge and the various charges against me, at the but election they did me the hOnOr Of retnrm'ncr af UA ,1 11 a uwu ui uiB IHJ11 by a majority wf 216 over my colleague, and my constituents may.be assured they willnavex 7PT LW 01 nr represent 7 W4 it GEELONG, HIDES AND TALLOW MARKET.

Messrs Guthrie, Bollock and Co. report, 21st April Our sale to-day went off exceedingly well the attendance was largo, and buyers were so eager to operate that not a lot wos bonght in, and prices for all the above staples ruled at an important advance, whioh there is every probability ef being maintained. Sheepskins fetched as high as OJd for fall woslled greasy, establishing a decided rise of a penny per lb. Hides sold at an 'average of SJd for heavy and Dry hides averaged -eld. We can therefore b'uote them a 'J.

farthiof bet ter value. Tallow is certainly 20s per ton nigner; parcels in various qualities end conditions commanded 27s, 30s, 31s and 32s per owt. We offered some fow lots of greasy wool, whioh brought full market value, quality considered. Since the arrival of the last mail a healthy and hopeful feeling has ex- -isted for this staple. The ensning May sales will donbtlesB be more influenced by the harvest than any other cause of we are at present cognisant.

COUNTRY LIVE STOCK REPORTS. I Geelono. Sir George Synnot reports as follows, 22nd April Fat cattle Tho market was very barely supplied with good cattle, and quality being the great requisite, competition, (which waB very brisk) was wholly confined to cattle of that cIsbs, while inferior were unite I unsaleable, except below store nrioes. Quota- ftjions Prime bullocks, from 7. 10s to good do, from 5 to medium do, from 4 10s to 5 prime cows, from 6 to 7 10s good do, from 4 to 5.

Fat sheep Those yarded were of very medium quality, and the number very insignificant, much below the requirements of the trade. -1 quote Best -wethers, from 7b 6dto 9s good do, from 63 to 6s 6d best ewes, from 6s to 6s good do, i. from 4s to 4s 6d. Fat calves: A moderate demand and small supply. Calves are worth from 25s to 40s, according to size and quality small inferior calves not saleable.

Fat Lambs: No good lambs forward, and the demand very ji limited. A few small prime would bring np to 6s. Store cattle I have inquiries for small mobs of good stores, and conlor place some readily if near at hand and a moderate price asked. I qnote Superior bullocks, 4 Ss to 4 IOb good do, 3 10s to.4; mixed sexes, 2 10s to 3 15s. Store Sheep Inquiries for store sheep have not been so numerous of late, but I have still buyers for good wethers at a fair value Holders are not disposed to meet buyers as regards price, and there is consequently much difficulty in dosing transactions.

Quotations: Wethers, 6 and 8 tooth, 4s 3d to 5s do, 2 and! t. 4 do, 2s Od to 4s; ewes, 2 do, 2s 6d to 4s; do, 4 and 6 do, 8a 6d to 4a 6d do, 2, 4 and 6 do, in lamb, 7s to 8s. Wool Advices by the mail are very encouraging, leading to the beliof that the minimum value of wnnl hea been reached, that prices show an advance of from OJd to Id per lb, with a probability (frem an increased demand) of a further advance as 1 sales vrom-essed. At mv sale veaterdev th attendance of buyers was good, and bidding very spirited. Greasy fleece realised 6d to DJd per lb, greasy lambs 4Jd to 8d, greasy pieces 2d to 5d, and locks ljd to 2Qd.

COUNTRY Hamilton. rne iouowing are the Hamilton wholesale current orices Flour, silk-dressed. 20 to 22 per ton seconds, 19 per ton wheat, 7s to 7s 6d per bushel oats, 8s ta Ss 6d for the best samples per bushel hsy, new. 2 10s to 3 per ton; bran, per ton pollard, 9 per ton chaff, Ss 6d per cwt; potatoes, 2 10s to 3 butter, 9d; cheese, colonial, 6d per lb eggs, Is per dozen bread, lid per 4 lb loaf. Spectator, April 18.

TsRBiBi.E Consequences or a Mistbansla- iion Professor Max Mailer tells us, in his new work on the Languages and the Religion ot the East, that when our Government prohi- bited widow-burning in India, the BraUtnina cited chapter and verse from the Veda as their authority for the rite:" Let those women, holding; clarified batter, consign tlKml the fire. not not bandless, well adorned with gems, let thera pass into the fire." Thousands npon thoo- -sands of lives have been sacrificed npon the -strength of this text, which proves to have been wilfully mistranslated by the priests, ehierly by tho substitution of the word agaet," 'a fire, for ogre," altar. Its real meaning is May those women who ore not widows. uut nave gooa nnsoands, draw near with oil and bntter those who are mothers may go np first to the altar, without tears, without sorrow, tint decked with ftne jewels.1'.. The Rig-veda, says Professor Holler, nowhere uaeiioaa -t widow-burning..