Reiurn of Sherlock Holmes BY A. CONAN DOYLE. Copyrijht-1903. Copyrijht. 1905. by A. Conan Doyla and Collior'a Wookly. by McClnra. Philiipa <& Co. IIMI ■" iH^WTHWim—i Win t in ■■■■in, - mWT THE ADVENTURE OF BLAOrv PETER.—Continued. "Tou are Just the man I want," said he. "Here's the agreement on the side-table. If you sign It the whole matter will bo nettled.” The seaman lurched across the room and -took up the pen. "Shall I sign here?" he asked, stooping ever the table. Holmes leaned over his shoulder and .passed both hands over his neck. "This will do." said he. I heard a click of steel and a bellow like an enraged bull. The next Instant Holmes nnd the seaman were rolling on the «round together. He was a man of such gigantic strength that even with the hand cuffs which Holmes had so deftly fastened upon his wrists, ho would have very quickly overpowered my friend had Hop kins and I not rushed to his rescue. Only when I pressed the cold muz al« of the revolver to his temple did he at last understand that resistance was vain. We lashed his ankles with cord, and rose breathless from the struggle. “I must really apologize, Hopkins,” said •herlock Holmes. "f fear that the scrambled eggs are cold. However, you will enjoy the rest of your breakfast all the better, will you not, for the thought that you have brought your case to a -triumphant conclusion." Stanley Hopkins was speechless with amazement. "I don’t know what to say, Mr. iHolmcs," he blurted out at last, with a •ery red face. "It seems to me that I have been making a fool of myself from the beginning. I understand now, wliat I ahould never have forgotten, that I am the pupil and you are the master. Even now I see what you have done, but I don't know how you did It, or what It signifies." "Well, well," said Holmes, good hum eredly, "we all learn by experience, nnd your lesson this time Is that you should never lose sight of the alternative. You were so absorbed In young Nellgan that you could not apart a thought to Patrick Cairns, the true murderer of Peter Carey." The hoarse voice of the Beamon broke m on our conversation. "Sen here, mister," said he, "I make no complaint of being man-handled In this fashion, tout I would have you call things bjr their right names. You say I murdered Pater Oarey, I Bay I killed Peter Carey, and there's all the difference. Maybe you •on't believe what I say. Maybe you think I am Just slinging you a yarn." "Not at all,” said Holmes. "Lot us hear srhat you have to say.” “It's soon told, and, by the Lord, every word of It Is truth. I knew Black Peter, ■and when he pulled out his knife I whipped 4 harpoon through him sharp, for I knew that It was him or me. That’s how he died. You can call It murder. Anyhow, I'd as soon die with a rope round my neck as with Black Peter's knife In my heart." "JHow came you there?” asked Holmes. Tn tell It you from tho beginning. Just -fit me up a little, so as I can speak easy, j Ht was In '83 that It happened—August of • that year. Peter Carey was master of tho ■ Sea Unicorn, and I was spare harpooner. i 'We were coming out of the Ice puck on [ aur way home, with head winds and a [ week's southerly gale, when wo picked up j a tittle craft that had been blown north. ' IThern was one man on her—a landsman. Yho crew had thought she would founder, ■ and had made for the Norwegian coast In ■ the dinghy. I guess they were all drowned. Well, we took him on board, this man, and he and the skipper had some long ■ talks In the cabin. All the baggage we took off with him was one tin box. So far as I know, the man’s name was never mentioned, and on the second night he disappeared as If he had never been. It Waa given out that ho had either thrown himself overboard or fallen overboard In .tho heavy weather that we were having. Only one man knew what had happened •to him, and that was mo, for, with my awn «yea, I saw the skipper tip up his beets and put him over the rail In the ■ middle watch of a dark night, two days • before we sighted the Shetland Lights. “Well, I kept my knowledge to myself, mod waited to see what would come of It. When we got back to Scotland It was -anally hushed up, and nobody asked any atueatsions, A stranger died by accident, •and It was nobody’s business to Inquire, ifibortiy after Peter Carey gave up tho -aea, and It was long years before I could 'Sod where ho was. 1 guessed that he had finoe the deed for the sake of what was da that tin box, and that he could afford mw to pay me well for keeping my mouth shut. *‘I found out where he was through a aallor man that had met him In London, and down I went to squeeze him. The first night he was reasonable enough, and •waa ready to glvo me what would make «ne free of the aea for life. We were to fix It all two nights later. When I came, t found him three-parts drunk and In a aoa through him. Heavens! what a yell too gave' and Ills face gets between mo and my sleep. I stood there, with his blood splashing round me, and I waited tor a bit, but all was quiet, so I took heart once more. I looked round, and there was tho tin box on the shelf. I had as much right to It as Peter Carey, any how, so I took It with me and left the hut. Like a tool I left my baccy pouch upon the table. “Now I'll tell you the queerest part of the whole story. I had hardly got outside the hut when I heard someone coming, and t tud among the bushes. A man came ■linking along, went Into the hut, gave a cry as if he had seen a ghost, and legged U as hard as he could run until ho was out of sight. Who he was cr what he wanted is more than I can tell. For my part I walked ten miles, got a train at Tunbridge Wells, and so reached London, ■ml no one the wiser, "'Well, when I cume to examine the bo* I found there was no money in It, and nothing but papers that I would not dare to sell. 1 had lost n:y hold on Black Peter, and was stranded in London with out a shilling. There was only my trade left. 1 saw these advertisements about barpooners, and high wages, so 1 went to the shipping agents, and they sent me bate. That’s all I know, and I say again Chat 4f I killed Black Peter, the law should Kive me thanks, for 1 saved them the price of a hempen rope." •'A very clear statement," said Holmes, rising and lighting his pipe. "I think. Hopkins, that you should lose no time in conveying your prisoner to a place of ■afety. This room Is not well adapted for ■ ceil, and Mr. Patrick Corns occupies too large a proportion of our carpet.” "Jif. Holmes." said Hopkins, "I do not fcnow how to express my gratitude. Kven tmw 1 do nor understand how you at Caiiietl this remit." “Simply by having the good fortune to get the right clue from tne beginning. It is very possible If I had known about this note book it might have led away my thoughts, as it did yours. But all I heard pointed In one direction. The amazing: strength, the skill in the use of the har poon, the rum and water, the sealskin to bacco pouch with the coarse tobacco—all these pointed to a seaman, and one who had been a whaler. 1 was convinced that the Initials T\ CV upon the pouch were a coincidence, and not those of Peter Carey, since he seldom smoked, and no pipe was found in his cabin. You remember that I asked whether whisky and brandy were In the cabin. You said they were. IIow many landsmen are there who would drink rum when they could get these other spir its? Yes, I was certain It was a seaman." “And how did you find him?" “My dear sir, the problem had become a very simple one. If It were a seaman, it could only be a seaman who had been with him on the Sea Unicorn. So far as I could learn he had sailed In no other ship. I spent three days In wiring to Dundee, and at the end of that time I had ascertained the names of the crow of the Sea Uni corn in 1883. When I foupd Patrick Cairns among the harpooners, my research was nearing its end. I argued that the man was probably in Dondon, and that he would desire to leave the country for a time. I therefore spent some days in the East End, devised an Arctic expedition, put forth tempting terms for harpooners who would serve under Captain Basil— and behold the result!” “Wonderful!" cried Hopkins. "Wonder ful!" “You must obtain the release of young Neligan as soon as possible," said Holmes. "I confess that I think you owe him some apology. The tin box must he returned to him, but, of course, the securities which Peter Carey has sold are lost forever. There's the cab, Hopkins, and you can re move your man. If you want me for the trial, my address and that of Watson will be somewhere in Norway—I’ll send par ticulars later." VII—THE ADVENTURE OF CHAS. AUGUSTUS MILVERTON. T Is years since the incidents of which I speak took place, and yet it is with diffidence that I allude to them. For a long time, even with the utmost discre tion and reti cence, it would have been im possible to make the facts public, but now the prlncl pal person con cerned is be yond the reach of human law. and with due suppression the story may be toldin such fashion as to >-—- injure no one. It records an absolutely unique experi ence in the career of both Mr. Sherlock Holmes and of m-self. The reader will excuse me if I conceal the date or any other fact by which he might trace the actual occurrence. We tiad been out for one of our even ing rambles, Holme3 and I. and had re turned about six o’clock on a cold, frosty, winter's evening. As Holmes turned up the lamp, the light fell upon a card on the table. He glanced at it, and then, with an ejaculation of dis gust, threw it on the floor. I picked it up and read: CHARLES AUGUSTUS MILVERTON, APPLEDORE TOWERS. AGENT HAMPSTEAD. "Who is he?" I asked. “The worst man in London," Holmes answered, as he sat down and stretched his legs before the tire. “Is anything on the back of the card?” I turned it over. “Will call at 6:30—C. A. M..“ I read. “Hum! He’s about due. Do you feel a creeping, shrinking sensation, Wat son, when you stand before serpents In the zoo. and see the slithery, gliding venomous creatures, with their dead ly eyes and wicked, flattened faces? Well, that's how Milverton Impresses me. I've had to do with fifty murder ers in my career, but the worst of them never gave me the repulsion which I have for this fellow. And yet I can’t get out of doing business with him— indeed, he is here at my invitation." “But who is he?" ‘ Til tell you, Watson. He Is the king of all the blackmailers. Heaven help the man, and still more the woman, whose secret and reputation come into the power of Milverton! With a smil ing face and a heart of marble, he will squeeze and squeeze until he has drained them dry. The fellow Is a geni us in his way, and would have made his mark in some more savory trade. His method Is as follows: He allows It to be known that he Is prepared to pay very high sums for letters which compromise people of wealth and posi tion. He receives these wares not only from treacherous valets or maids, but frequently from genteel ruffians who I *1 Judge Knew. Prospective Juryman—If you blease y,** honor. I vould like to be oxeused! because I do not understand good English. Judge Knox—Oh! that’s all right, ’"cu won’t hear any good English here. have gained the confidence and affec tion of trusting women. He dealt with no niggard hand. I happen to know that he paid seven hundred pounds to a footman for a note two lines In length, and that the ruin of a whole noble family was the result Everything which Is In the market goei to Milverton, and there are hundred* In this great city who turn white al his name. No one knows where hi* grip may fall, for he is far too rich and far too cunning to work from hand to mouth. He will hold a card back for years In order to play it at the mo ment when the stake is best worth winning. I have said that he is the worst man in London, and I would ask you how could one compare this ruf fian, who In hot blood bludgeons his mate, with this man, who methodically and at his leisure tortures the soul and wrings the nerves In order to add to hie already swollen money bags?" I had seldom heard my friend speak with such Intensity of feeling. “But surely," said I, "the fellow musl be within the grasp of the law?" "Technically, no doubt, but practical ly not. What would It profit a woman, for example, to get him a few months’ Imprisonment, If her own ruin musl Immediately follow? His victims dare not hit back. If ever he blackmailed an Innocent person then indeed we should have him, but he is as cunning as the Evil One. No, no, we must find other ways to fight him." “And why is he here?” Because an Illustrious client has placed her piteous case in my hands. It is the Lady Eva Blackwell, the most beautiful debutane of last season. She Is to be married in a fortnight to the Earl of Dovercourt. This fiend has several imprudent letters—imprudent, Watson, nothing worse—which were written to an impecunious young squire in the country. They would suffice to break oft the match. Milverton will send the letters to the earl unless a large sum of money is paid him. I have been commissioned to meet him and—to make the best terms I can.” At that instant there was a clatter and a rattle in the street below. Look ing down I saw a stately carriage and pair, the brilliant lamps gleaming on the glossy haunches of the noble chest nuts. A footman opened the door, and a small, stout man In a shaggy astra khan overcoat descended. A minute later he was In the room. Charles Augustus Milverton was a man of fifty, with a large, intellectual head, a round, plump, hairless face, a perpetual, frozen smile, and two keen gray eyes, which gleamed brightly from behind broad, gold rimmed glass es. There was something of Mr. Pick wick's benevolence in his appearance, marred only by the insincerity of the fixed smile and by the hard glitter ol those restless and penetrating eyes. His voice was as smooth and suave as his countenance, as he advanced with a plump little hand extended, murmuring his regret for having missed us at his first visit. Holmes disregarded the outstretched hand and looked at him broadened, he shrugged his shoulders, with a face of granite. Milverton's smile removed his overcoat, folded it with great deliberation over the back of a chair, and then took a seat. "This gentleman?" said he, with a wave in my direction. "Is it discreet? Is it right?” "Dr. Watson is my friend and part ner." "Very good. Mr. Holmes. It is only in your client's interests that I protested. The matter is so very delicate—" “Dr. Watson has already heard of It." "Then we can proceed to business. You say that you are acting for Lady Eva. Has she empowered you to ac cept my terms?" "What are your terms?” “Seven thousand pounds." "And the alternative?” “My dear sir. it Is painful for me to discuss it, but if the money is not paid on the 14th, there certainly will be no marriage on the 18th." His insuf ferable smile was more complacent than ever. Holmes thought for a little. "You appear to me,” he said, at last, "to be taking matters too much for granted. I am, of course, familiar with the contents of these letters. My client will certainly do what I may advise. I shall counsel her to tell her future husband the whole story, and to trust to his generosity.” Milverton chuckled. "You evidently do not know the earl,” said he. From the battled look upon Holmes' face. I could see clearly that he did. "What harm is there in the letters?" he asked. "They are sprightly—very sprightly," Milverton answered. "The lady was a charming correspondent. But I can as sure you that the earl of Dovercourt would fail to appreciate them. How ever, since you think otherwise, we will let it rest at that. It is purely a matter of business. If you think that it is in the best Interests of your client that these letters should be placed in the hands of the earl, then you would in deed be foolish to pay so large a sum of money to regain them.” He rose and seized his astrakhan coat. Holmes was grey with anger and mortification. "Wait a little," he said. "You go toe fast. We should certainly make every effort to avoid scandal in so delicate a matter." Milverton relapsed into his chair. "I was sure that you would see it li that light," he purred. "At the same time,” Holmes con tinued. "Lady Eva is not a wealthy woman. I assure you that £2,000 would be a drain upon her resources, and that the sum you name is utterly be yond her power. I beg. therefore, that you will moderate your demands, and I that you will return the letters at th» ! price I indicate, which is, I assure you, : the highest that you can get." Milverton's smile broadened and hit eyes twinkled humorously. "I am aware that what you say li true about the lady's resources," salt he. "At the same time you must ad mlt that the occasion of a lady’s mar rlage is a very suitable time for hei friends and relatives to make some lit i tie effort upon her behalf. They maj ! hesitate as to an acceptable weddlni J present. Let me assure them that thl little bundle of letters would give mot. Joy than all the candelabra and butte: dishes in London." "It is impossible." said Holmes. (Continued Next Week) Population of Big Nations. Latest statistics give the population, of some principal countries as follows j Russia in Europe, 129.000,000; Russia it 1 Asia, Including western Turkestan, 23, I 000,000; Japan, 44.000,000; Korea. 12,500. 000, China, 426,000,000; India, 294,000,000 France, 39,000,000; Germany, 57,000,000 Italy, 38,000,000; Great Britain and Ire laud, 43,000,000; Austria-Hungary, 45, 000.000; Spain, 18,000,000; Turkey, 18, 000,000. __ Roma. The population of Rome, Italy, o; December 31, 1904, was 506,840. Thi census statistics show that the Eterna city is the healthiest town in Europe i The death rate at present is 18.3, i very low percentage compared wit) other large centers. In 1876 the deat, rate was 30 per 1,000. In 1885 it hai fallen to 20. The city Is not naturall; favorable to health, but it is now re garded as one of the healthiest cltler in the world, owing to modern sani tation. Was Well Recommended. From Everybody’s. The buxom maid had been hinting that she did not think much of working out, and this, in conjunction with the nightly appearance of a rather sheepish young man, caused her mistress much appre hension. “Martha. Is it possible that you are thinking of getting married?” “Yes’m,” admitted Martha, blushing. “Not that young fellow who has been calling on you lately?” “Yes’m, he’s the one.” “But you have known him only a few days” “Three weeks come Thursday,” cor rected Martha. “Do you think that is long enough to know' a man before taking such an im portant step?” “Well,” answered Martha, with spirit, “ 'taln't's If he was some new' feller. He’s well recommended; a perfectly lovely girl I knew' was engaged to him for a locg while.” AILING WOMEN. Keep the Kidney. Well and the Kld» ney. Will Keep Von Well. Sick, suffering, Iauguld women are learning the true cause of bad backs and bow to cure them. Mrs. W. G. Davis, of Groesbeck, Texas, says: “Back aches hurt me so 1 could hardly stand. Spells of dizziness and sick headache were frequent and the action of the kid neys was Irregular. Soon after I began taking Doan’s Kidney Pills 1 passed several gravel stones. I got well and the trouble has not returned. My hack is good and strong and my general health better.” Sold by all dealers. SO cents a box. Foster-MUburn Co., Buffalo, N. X A Wise Father. Frrfn the Boston Herald. When the late Sherman Hoar, a lawyer of recognized ability, left the law school and opened an office In Bos ton, his father. Judge Hoar, was at the height of his legal reputation. The young man’s first client was an Irishman, and the case, though only some small matter of a boundary line, was one that required the examination of a number of deeds and records. Mr. Hoar accordingly told his client to come back In two days for his opinion. The Irishman left the office, evidently very reluctant at the delay. Turning at the door, he asked: “Couldn't ye give me the answer tomorrow, Misther Hoar?” "No, no,” was the reply; “come on Thursday.” Tba client went as far as the stairs. Then he turned and tiptoed back to the door and put his head inside, with a j finger to his lips. “Whist!” he whispered. “Couldn’t ye j get to see your father tonight, Misther Hoar?” _ _ What He Called Lallagagging. From the Boston Herald A few years ago while keeping a sum mer hotel in Jeffrey, N. H., we employed for all around work a young fellow named Johnnie Donahue. Now Johnnie was a small chap and not at all prepossessing as to appearance. However, he tried to be quite a beau among the maids In tha house, especially with the dishwasher, I.'.zzte Stone. The second season he was with us some of the boys of the neighborhood were in the hotel office, and began to chaff him about Lizzie, and asked If he knew she was to work there again that year. He replied that he did not, but he was “not going to have her lallagagging around him the way she did the year before." They asked what he called lallagagging, and he replied: “Why, asking a girl to go somewhere and she won't go.” Operation Was Unnecessary. Nurses in advising hospital treat ment often meet with fixed objections. One girl was urged to go to a hospital for removal of fatty tumor. The Celtic neighbor on the same floor strongly urged against It. Said she: "They’re alwus sayin' oprashun. My own Mag gie, when she went, the docthers they said, said they. ‘She’s got apende ceetes,’ that new kind of thing. And I begged, ’O, docther, darlint, give her two days' chance.' And what do you think? Before thlm two days was up, she caughed it up.” Keep the cultivators busy. That’s the -way to keep crops humping in a very dry season. In orchard or corn field the shallow cultivator is the thing now. KNIFED. Coffee Knifed an Old Soldier. An old soldier, released from coffee at 72, recovered his health and tells about it as follows: “I stuck to coffee for years, although It knifed me again and again. "About eight years ago (as a result of coffee-drinking, which congested my liver) I was taken with a very severe attack of malarial fever. "I would apparently recover and start about my usual work only to suffer a j relapse. After this had been repeated I several times during the year I was again taken violently 111. "The Doctor said he had carefully studied my case and it was either ‘quit coffee or die,’ advising me to take Postum In its place. I had always thought coffee one of my denrest friends, and especially when sick, and I was very much taken back by the Doctor's decision, for I hadn’t suspect ed the coffee I drank could possibly cause my troubles. “I thought it over for a few minutes and Anally told the Doctor I would make the change. Postum was procured for me the same day and made accord ing to directions; well, I liked it and stuck to It, and since then I have been a new man. The change In health be gan in a few days and surprised me, and now, although l am seventy-two years of age, I do lots of hard work, and for the past month have been teaming, driving sixteen miles a day besides loading and unloading the wagon. That’s what Postum in the place of coffee has done for me. I now like the Postum as well as I did coffee. "I have known people who did not care for Postum at Arst, but after hav ing learned to make It properly accord ing to directions they have come to like it as well as coffee. I never miss a chance to praise It." Name given by Postum Co.. Battle Creek, Mich. Look for the little book, "The Itoad to Wellvlle,” la pkgs. ■ —" ■ ■ ■■■■■ ■ ■» SUMMER COMFORT FOR HORSE. If a human being had to undergo some of the discomforts at night that horses are forced to submit to in the stables both day and night, one would then realize how inhuman it is not to furnish the small comforts which can be given at so little cost. Water at night is not, as a rule, considered necessary for horses yet many horses are so constituted that they ought to have free access to water at night. This can be supplied readily and without danger of spilling it over the floor In this manner. Make a shelf at one end of the manger la,rge enough to hold a pall; to prevent the pail from being overturned and getting under the feet of the horse nail a strong loop of leather to one side of the pail near the top, and screw a blunt mnssRHi V hook to the wall just high enough so that the pail will be held firmly. See that the pail is kept perfectly clean and that It is filled each night after the horse has had what water is given it before or after eat ing the night meal. Another comfort which costs but a trifle is to cut an open ing in the side of the barn and cover it, on the inside, with fine wire netting which will keep out the flies and insects and yet admit an abundance of fresh air. The cost of these summer comforts will be but nominal and the horse will enjoy them immensely and furnish added labor in pay ment. YOU CANT FOOL THE PUBLIC. The agricultural papers who think poul try one of the small things of the farm, “good enough for the women folks tait too small for a man to fool with” are mak ing much ado over the report of a society woman of the west who started to raise eggs and poultry for her own set, charging 75 cents a dozen for eggs. The other side of the story is said to be that the lady bought up eggs anywhere, even eggs from cold storage, and furnished them as strict ly fresh. That she failed, if there is any truth in the tale on either side, is not to be wondered at for society people are no more fond of paying a high price for stale eggs than the people in the lower finan cial scale. The man who starts out to fool the public, and especially If his commod ity be something to eat should label him self and his plafi a failure before he starts for any plan built on that foundation can not succeed. On the other hand, it has been proven time and again that a first class product well and attractively mar keted will win; it will take a little time, of course, to work up a trade but it can be done and with profit by any man who is willing and able to meet the conditions. THE USE OF COAL ASHES. While coal ashes contain no fertilizing value they are certainly useful on the farm and should be saved. They are not entirely valueless in the soil for they will materially assist In making a stiff clay soil more workable if well mixed with it. j The best use for coal ashes, however. Is ; in the filling in of wet spots, sifting them and using the fine ashes in the dust boxes In the poultry houses and the coarser por- j lions for the making of walks alone or ; mixed with gravel. They may be used to | advantage as a mulch around tree® mainly | for the purpose of keeping the soil moist and keeping grass growing around them, j We use them tn the poultry yard, the pig pens and around stables In place of gravel and find them very valuable, but It would be foolish to use them with any idea that they have fertilizing value. KEEP THE CULTIVATOR WORK ING. Farmers have learned that the cultivator has other uses besides keeping down the weeds; true, the weeds are destroyed by the process but the judicious stirring of the soil Incites growth and conserves the moisture in the soil which Is of immense benefit to the plants later In the season when prolonged droughts are likely to exist. Again, cultivation means increased crops hence the work is one which may be j done with profit. In the orchard cultiva tion, very shallow, mj*inly for the purpose of conserving the moisture in the soil and breaking up the surface which is likely o bake, pays full as well as with a cultivated crop and it Is especially valuable when combined with the cover crop, the seeding being done in late July or early August, and the cover crop plowed under in the spring to add humus to the soil,, some thing much needed by most soils In which trees are set. A FLORAL DISPLAY FOR A QUAR TER. The beginner In floriculture or the per son with but a small sum to spend for plants cannot do better than to start with dwarf nasturtiums. Have the soil only fairly rich and loosened to the depth of a foot Make it fine then press down firmly and wdth a lead pencil make holes an inch deep, drop In the seed and cover. Wet thoroughly each night until the plants come up then keep fairly moist as they grow. Have a location where there Is con siderable sun yet some shade during a part of the day. Buy the mixed sorts and be sure they are dwarf, not climbing. By keeping the-soil only fairly rich the plants will not grow too tall but will be sturdy and hence the bloom will be all the more profuse. If well cared for the plants will bloom all summer and if seeds are dropped at intervals between the rows one will have abundant bloom until the blossoms are cut off by the frost !n the fall. FROM A RAILROAD MAGNATE. The public generally are acquainted with the name of James J. Hill, the railway magnate of the northwest. In the minds of many people of that section Mr. Hill has many faults but that he Is sincere in hl« desire to further the interests of the northwest will not be questioned. Here is some advice he gives to the farmers of his section, advice which every farmer in the country, north, south, east and west, ought to take home to himself for it ap plies with equal force in all sections: “We should instet upon better cultivation of the land. On that one item depends your fu ture growth and prosperity and there is no other item to which you can look; no other source of wealth than that which i comes out of the cultivation of the soli. If the soil is protected, if It is intelligently handled, if your crops are properly j rotated, if the land is fertilized and rested and Intelligently handled, you have a min* In the soil that will never be exhausted; quite unlike the other mine.” Some time ago, at a meeting of fruit growers ther* was much discouragement because of the ravages of the San Joee scale, the opinion being that orcharding was doomed. One of the old-time growers sprang to his f*2t and declared his belief that before the time came when growers would begin to abandon their light a remedy would be discovered which would successfully com bat the scale. So tar from being discour aged he purposed adding to his acreage of orchards. There was no furthe- talk of orchard abandonment at that meeting. When the best men In the country are working out soil problems the future of farming is secure; indeed. It must succeed and thrive or our country will go to ruin. Each of us should do our part In carrying1 out our farming operations Intelligently. , SHADE THE POULTRY YARD. , If It la necessary to conflnfe the poultry during the summer and the enclosure cannot be placed near the shade of build ings or trees, try the plan of growing some plants Just outside the fence but far enough from It so that the fowls cannot get at the foliage. One of the best plants for the purpose is the Canna using the cheap tall growing sorts and buying the roots, not the seeds. Another quick grow ing plant and one which will make an abundance of shade Is the castor bean which may be grown from seeds planted where they are to stay; that is, the young plants cannot well be transferred. Even corn set thickly will furnish some shade quickly and If a vine la wanted nothing la better than the common morning glory, the seeds being sown thick and jthe vines trained along strings fastened to the poul try yard fence. While the vines or plants are growing erect a rough roof of boards open on all sides to supply temporary shade. DON’T LOOK AWAY. There Is an old adage that "the hills farthest away are the greenest,” and with the natural disposition of mankind to roam we seem to be forever on the move. It is a natural and a laudable ambition to seek to better one's self, but too often we make the mistake of overlooking the good things close at hand In seeking out the good things far away. Agricultural pa pers are full of Inquiries from men in the east asking about western or southern farms while In another column are as many asking about farms In the east from residents of the south and west. That each section has some advantages cannot be denied but that one will be able to find a farm which will absolutely satisfy one Is not to be thought of. The southerner has a farm which he sees Is poor In fer tility; he loves the sunny climate but Is Impatient with his poor soil; the remedy lies In the Improvement of the soil by raising more stock. The man In the north has a fairly good soil but the climate Is severe and his crops are caught by the frost, labor Is high and prices low. The remedy here may be an entire change of crops; something which the market de mands and the planting of earlier varie ties, such as will come to maturity. The man with a farm paid for and who Is not too old to work It properly ought not to look to pastures new but should look to hts farm; find out what It needs and supply It. Work out your salvation where you, have pitched your tent for, unless condi tions are hopeless, your measure of suc cess will be greater than if you move. FOR FALL FEEDING. Just at this time yearly we make It • business to prepare and plant a Held to sweet corn especially for the cows In the late summer or early fall when in the nat ural course of weather the pastures will not furnish sufficient forage. This with the cutting of the alfalfa and a dip into the rape keeps the cows In splendid milk; Indeed, we think better than If they were on the pasture alone for the variety gives them a start they would not get from the grass only. We prepare the field Just as carefully as If we expected to raise a bumper crop of ear corn for market and we sow the seed In rows Instead of broad cast for this gives us a chance to culti vate it and thus get a better crop. In rows remember, not In hills, the cultivation be ing one way of the field only. The variety is always the one that makes the quickest growth of tender stalks for none of It reaches the ear stage. Try It, friend. It pays well. THUMP8 IN YOUNG PIGS. Lack of exercise Is at the bottom of the trouble with pigs which results in thumps. Heavy feeding, which is usually the case In raising the young pigs makes them dis inclined to take exercise. If the pigs are not fully weaned good care should be taken In feeding the sow that she hae some bran to keep her bowels In good con dition, plenty of clean fresh water and some roughage. This will help the pigs from getting too fat. It Is a good plan to give the pigs some bran in the slop, more than any other grain, and to keep them In a pen or enclosure where they can keep clean yet with sufficient room to get the exercise they need and which they should be made to take If they will not do It willingly. A small patch of grass in the shade Into which they may be turned without being too far away from the sow will Induce them to exercise more than anything else. A HANDY GARDEN TOOL. On farms and especially where fruit like strawberries and where vegetables are grown workers have too many tools which force them to bend over and not enough which may be used standing In an erect position. A tool may be fashioned from an oil hoe which will be found exceeding use ful In weeding, cuttlngrunner,sproutsand any other small growth which ones desires to be rid of and doing It with very little efTort. Take the old hoe to the blacksmith and have him bend the neck out straight. out the blade even and then sharpen It to as keen an edge as possible. Leave the full length handle and carry it with you going over the farm. Here will be a weed too hard to pull but wh!ch may be readily cut down at the root with this sharp tool; there will l>e some runners on plants or vines growing too long; a single movement of the tool will out them off clean. It will cost but a trifle to get this tool pre pared and it will save you Innumerable backaches.