Tales, from the pen of the author of the Ogilvies and The Head of the Family. MAJOR-I would augur favourably of the work from the antecedent productions of the writer. LAIRD-I hae nae conceit o' your soothing stories! A wheen fushionless havers, filled fu' o' purling brooks and cloudless skies, and laddies that never tell lees, and lassies wha keep their frocks as clean as a new-laid egg even when walking through mire up aboon the shoon! DOCTOR-Pray shut up. To use one of your own jaw-breaking proverbs, you are fairly running away with the harrows. The duodecimo under notice is as far removed from the "fushionless," as you are from Beau Nash. In particular, the story denominated" Bread upon the Waters "is replete with quiet beauty and the most genuine pathos. Though the leading actress is a simple day-governess of the present era, and moving amidst the prosaic scenes of every day life, she exhibits a heroism which compels our admiration as potently as Joan of Arc herself could do. I regard this little tale as a veritable gem,and over-crowded indeed will be my library when no standing room can be conceded to the volume which contains it. LAIRD-What hae we here?" The Miseries of Human Life." Od sake, I thought we had plenty o' sic commodities without paying a tax to Maclear for the same. The MAJOR-It is a re-hash of a work amazingly popular in my "green and salad days." author was a clergyman named Beresford, related, I believe, to the Irish prelate of that name. DOCTOR-I remember the affair. Though occasionally somewhat long-winded, it contained a considerably infusion of quaint humor. MAJOR-Some Yankee bookmaker has got his clutches upon the poor divine's bantling, and by way of improving and modernizing the same, has mightily diminished its gusto. DOCTOR-I lack all mercy for such renovators of literature, and if autocrat president of the republic of letters, would consign them to the gallows without benefit of clergy! What right has a great hulking penny-a-liner thus to cut and carve upon another man's property? Why, if such escapades are to be tolerated, we shall be favored some of these fine days with a fashionable version of the Vicar of Wakefield, with the characters dressed according to the costume plate of the Anglo-American Magazine for the current month! LAIRD Or what wad ye say to an edition o' the Bride o' Lammermuir wi' a happy ending, to suit the delicate nerves o' this feckless and fastidious generation? DOCTOR-Peace, Laird! You are deter- John Wesley, who, as a man of sterling genius, ought to have had more sense, played the same unsavoury trick with that most exquisite novel, Brooke's Fool of Quality." He published an edition thereof, omitting as su perfluities the episodical "dialogues between the author and reader," which, in my humble opinion, form the very cream and quintessence of the work. I never forgave John for that sore backsliding, and never shall! LAIRD-I can furnish you wi' a mair aggra vated case in point. About a fortnight ago, Grizzy asked me to bring out a Pilgrim's Progress, and accordingly, being in the market, I bought a copy, to all appearance orthodox and sound. When I got hame, however, I discovered, to my horror and disgust, that some barbarian editor had expunged what he was pleased to term the antiquated er pressions of the pious author," and "made his rough versification more consonant with the modern ideas of harmony!" I never was in sic a rage sin' the day that my drucken ploughman, Gibby Stott, sat down in the dish o' sowans that was cooling for supper at the back-door. If ever a ruling elder swore, I fear that I was guilty o' the sin on that occasion! MAJOR-I am sorry to break up our confa bulation, but "Hark! the bell is ringing!" A sheep's head and locomotice organs, as the the leading attraction of our symposium this ingenious Mr. Goadby terms trotters, forms evening, and as Bailie Nicol Jarvie remarks, “0 sheep's head too much boiled is rank poison!" POST CENAM SEDERUNT. [Major, Laird, and Mrs. Grundy.] LAIRD-Eh! Mrs. Grundy, but yon was a grand tup's head, and gin you could hae had it properly singit, it wad hae been just ambrosia. Mrs. GRUNDY-The people here do not understand that work, and you know I am but a beginner, and have not yet mustered resolu tion to attempt a haggis. LAIRD-Eh, mem, dinna mention that word, unless you wish to renew my hunger. MAJOR-Come, Laird, the goodwife takes such care of your inner man at Bonnybraes, that you are getting fastidious. Let us leave the lower regions, and see what is provided for our upper works Let us first decide a point on which I wish to consult you. In looking over that part of our literary bantling devoted to Colonial Chit-Chat and News from Abroad, I confess that I have been struck with the meagreness of our reports, and on asking myself to explain this state of affairs, I could only do so by the fact that politics aro an interdicted subject. I will premise by supposing it fixed, that we are not to depart from this rule, and will only observe that, unless Sulphate of lime can be procured in abundance Sulphate of soda has not unfrequently been permitted to discuss the various questions constantly brought forward both here and in in gypsum. England, the sooner this part of our editorial work is set aside the better. Look over Har-used both as a top-dressing and as a drill manure, per's Magazine, you will find that all his current events have a decidedly political hue. Restricted as we are, our summary is nothing but an uninteresting compilation from papers that every one has seen. If a good article is taken from the United Service or Army Despatch, it is, sure to be something or other; in short, we do not profess to be an "Annual Register," consequently, we can, I think, very well afford to drop this part of the Shanty. MRS GRUNDY-But will it not be useful to refer to aereafter, Major? MAJOR-I think not; for in these days, when every one writes, no difficulty is experienced in procuring the particular book that will give you the best and clearest information on any desired subject. DOCTOR- entirely agree with the Major. LAIRD-I'n sorry to lose Colonial Chit-chat. I hae sic a pime field o' fall wheat, that I was thinking ye night aiblins chronicle the yield o't. MAJOR-Ou Shanty will then be divided into the Shant; proper. Your part (turning to Mrs. Gruny), my gentle friend; your's, Laird; and, Detor, your music. Mrs. GRUNDY-I had prepared quite a basketful, but your Californian Anas have compelled me to scard everything but a few general observatons on dress, &c. LAIRD-And pur precious friend, Dr. Cuticle, has ta'en p a' the room that I should have had about pring work and other interesting subjects. Doctor, you must not cheat me again in sic aashion. DOCTOR-Not ti next month. Major, here is my music. MAJOR-And Fre are my books for the month. Now to business. [Laird reads: THE SCIENCE OF MANRING-ON SPECIAL OR PORT ABLIMANURES. when mixed with other substances. In some instances beneficial results appear to have followed could not be accounted for on account of tho its application, and that in cases, too, where it sulphuric acid contained in it; in such cases the only theory that can be assigned for its beneficial influence is, that it has the effect of more speedily decomposing the inorganic substances in soils existing in a mineralized state, and thus rendering them susceptible of absorbtion by the roots of plants. The double decompositions which are known to take place when certain salts of potash and soda are mixed in a liquid state would seem to countenance this supposition. Chloride of sodium or common salt, is composed of chlorine and the metal sodium, which, in the presence of water, is converted into muriate of soda as a source of chlorine and soda. On soils where these substances are absent the application of salt promotes fertility. As the quantity required for most crops is, however, small-except the horticultural plants, carrots and asparagussome other cause must be assigned for the extraordinary effects which are sometimes seen on fields after an application of salt. One cause may, perhaps, be attributed to a property similar to that alluded to in noticing sulphate of soda; another very probable reason is, that it may combine with the lime in the soil, and, according to the state of dryness or humidity, form carbonate of soda and muriate of lime, and revert to their original forms of muriate of soda and carbonate of lime. A small quantity of muriate of lime, having the effect of abstracting moisture from dews, may in dry seasons, produce a very beneficial effect. Sulphate of magnesia, or Epsom salts, is useful in affording sulphuric acid and magnesia; it has been recommended to strew this salt over dungheaps, in order to fix the ammonia; but cheaper substitutes can be obtained. Sulphuric acid can also be procured at a cheaper rate by employing gypsum: magnesian limestone, or dolomite, will afford magnesia. Sulphate of lime, or gypsum, is the well-known substance from which plaster of Paris is made, the latter being merely sulphate of lime, with the Superphosphate o Lime. This manure is water of chrystallization driven off: from the finer formed by using two arts by weight of crushed varieties chimney ornaments are manufactured. bones or coprolites substances which will be It may be well here to mention, that in crystallisubsequently noticed)nd one part by weight of zating salt for household and other purposes at brown acid. To makit properly the bones and the large salt works, a scale forms at the bottoms acid ought to be thren into a leaden cistern, of the pans, sometimes as thick as a couple of laid on tiles or thick on bearers, so as to keep inches in the course of three weeks, and, in conthe fire from melting e lead. Farmers cannot sequence of its slow conducting power of heat make the article for ess than manufacturers has to be removed; this cake, known as pan scale profess to sell the genue superphosphate-viz., is thrown away in large quantities, it is composed 78. per cwt; but withthis substance, as with of 75 per cent. sulphate of lime and 25 per cent. guano, an immense anunt of adulteration is of common salt. practised by fraudulent alers and manufacturers. Nitrate of soda was tensively applied a few years ago, but greatly dreased since the introduction of guano into geral use. As a source of nitrogen it is equal value to commercial sulphate of ammonia; iract, when the price is equal, the preference oug to be given to nitrate of soda, Animal charcoal is merely burnt bones, and is of little more utility than well-crushed bones, whilst the price is much higher; it is an article much adulterated. Soot. The beneficial effects of a top-dressing of soot have been known for many years, particularly when applied to young clover and wheats; these results are wholly attributable to how much more requisite is it for the farmer to be careful when he is about to purchase guano of doubtful quality. the sulphate of ammonia which is found in the soot, the quantity being, on an average, about one-tenth of that obtained from an equal weight of common sulphate of ammonia. Great quantities used to be sent to the West Indies, particularly to Barbadoes. This is an article which is also much adulterated. Recently it has been stated that potash has been found in appreciable quantities in the soot from iron furnaces, not sufficient, however, we believe, to make its ex-voring to combat an opinion which I find is pretty traction profitable. Saltpetre refuse consists principally of common salt; occasionally it is also accompanied by a very appreciable per centage of muriate of potash; it may also contain about one-half per cent. of saltpetre, which has not been washed out. As, under the existing state of knowledge of the sources whence potash may be derived, saltpetre promises to afford the largest quantity, and in the greatest permanence, it is interesting to know what quantity has been consumed during the last few years, and also the prospect of future supplies. Compared with many years, the price of saltpetre during the past two or three years has been relatively high, the importations being comparatively small; this small production was the result of previous low prices: a large supply is expected for the present year (1853): so that, if a demand arises for agricultural use, the prices may still be expected to rule moderately. The imports during the last twelve months amounted to 14,070 tons, which would increase in future years to 50 per cent. if present prices are maintained. THE IMPORTANCE OF POULTRY TO FARMERS. At a recent meeting of the members of the Sparkenhoe Farmers' Club (Leicestershire,) Mr. Harrison read a most interesting paper on this subject, in which he says "I set out by endea generally held by farmers, that hens and chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys especially, are o be regarded in the light of depredators, whose busi ness it is to rob the fields and stack yards, for the sole advantage of the mistress of the family. There may, we admit, be some grounds for the prevalence of this opinion in the fact that whilst the master sees the mischief which is done both to the field and stacks by the poultry, le is kept by the mistress as much as possible in ignorance of the profit, and is scarcely ever allowed to know I shall at once admit tha fowls and its return. poultry generally will make great havoc in a growing crop of corn. I will admit, too, that they are very great nuisances in a well-kept rickyard, that they are intolerable pess when they make frequent visits to the garde. But, allow me to ask, will not a little care ad extra labor greatly lessen such evils, if not prevent them altogether? Now, it has more thn once met my observation, that a farmer who hs well scolded their poultry committed near agate or in the his wife and daughters for the depredation of corner of a field, has allowed he sparrows to Soda-ash. This article has been much recom- feast at their ease until they ad stripped the mended of late as a remedy for the wireworm; its head land of the field entirel of its corn. I utility for this object, is, however, very dubious. have heard a very considerablfarmer grudge a Soda-ash is manufactured on the large scale for breakfast to his wife's hens outf his corn field, the use of soap-boilers, making soda crystals for and is there not many a farm' among us who washing, &c. The commercial article used for will chase the hens from the ck-yard from the merly to consist of a mixture of carbonate and feeling that he cannot permit sch wanton waste, caustic soda, but the manufacturers now usually whilst he views with comparate indifference the carbonate the whole; whether in the carbonated depredation of vermin, and totates the ravages or caustic state, it is sold according to the per of rats and mice? Now, I mit not be supposed centage of caustic soda in the ash, the standard to justify waste in one place, y proving the exbeing 48 per cent., the price per ton being regu-istence of it elsewhere. I erely wish to ask, lated according to the per centage, the market value, on an average, being 24d. per cwt., which at the standard will be equivalent to £10 per ton. According to some experiments, it would appear that the soda-ash had some slight fertilizing influence; but it is quite as probable that this was owing to the presence of the sulphate of soda, or common salt which always accompanies soda-ash, as to the soda-ash itself. whether prejudice may not use us to overrate the damage in one case, as nch as it leads us to undervalue it in the other? corner in a field of wheat or barley trodden dow is very offensive to the eye; but value the daage, then measure the ground, and will ausw for it than an acre (at the same rate) will be wch a very considera ble sum. So, in the stack-rd, a good fork-full of corn pulled from the 2k, and distributed In concluding these remarks on special manures, around it, would appear nothg less than a decent it will be well to remind the reader that above all waggon-load But I am neven advocating this things it is requisite that whenever he buys an waste. Let all the gates nd gaps against the article it is of the utmost consequence that he corn-fields be thorned; lealso, all the stock of should know its composition; for, even with loose corn standing upo the ground in the genuine guano, cargoes differ materially with rick-yard be protected hurdles or faggots, regard to the quantities of phosphates and ammo- and if the poultry will t pay the expenses nia which they may contain. This is a point of of this precautionary lalar, let it at once be great practical importance, because, if the guano given up. There are tins, I believe, at which is to be applied to potatoes, grass, or clover, the it may be a matter ogood policy, as well guano containing the most ammonia ought to be preferred; if for turnips, that containing the most phosphate should be selected. If this care is requisite for the economical use of guano where the genuine article has only to be selected from, as of necessity, to sup the poultry ia the farm-yard with a small aliance of food. It would be folly to leave our cat and our sheep to procure their own living in e fields during the winter, thereby to become poor that the summer our ground: they assimilate food for us, in eggs and in their own flesh, and render matter of value to man which was completely valueless before. would be expended in restoring their condition (pecial benefit and food. We find this higher orand strength; and equally so would it be to with-der of creatures in the poultry which run about hold from the feathered inhabitants of our yards, during times of scarcity, the assistance which it is man's office to afford to the creatures beneath his care. But I would recommend that the cost of such assistance be ascertained, that its repayment may be insured, or similar outlay avoided for the future. In combating successfully the opinion that poultry are universal depredators on the far-out these means to the fullest extent, he will use mer's property, it will be necessary for me to show that very extensive supplies for their support are scattered by nature around us, and that, by availing ourselves of these supplies, poultry may be made the source of very considerable revenue to the mistress of the farm-house, without at all interfering with her husband's corn, either when growing in his field or stacked up in the rick yard. A philanthropic farmer ean never regard the cultivation of poultry as an object beneath his care; he will always look upon it as a means of increasing the supply of human food, and to carry that knowledge which observation and experience confer. He will look to the fowls in his yards with as much consideration to the improvement of their size and necessary qualifications, as he does to the improvement of his cattle and sheep. He will not patronize a degenerate race, but will import, from a distance, some better and healthier breeds. The interest lately exhibited in the article of poultry, shows that the value is now geneNo one who has lived about a farm can have rally, if not nationally appreciated. Exhibitions failed to notice the activity displayed by a brood are now held in various parts of the kingdom; and of turkeys in beating a grass field. We cannot the breeding of hens calls forth as much rivalry see the gnats upon the grass; but their eyes de- now as the breeding of horses. It is not my purtect the hidden food, and every movement of their pose, nor is it my intention, to touch upon the culheads indicates the death of a gnat, or fly, or tivation of fancy poultry. I certainly would wish moth; and if we examine them when they return to see our fields and yards filled with birds of fine to shelter, their craws will be found filled. I will plumage and symmetrical form; but I would not not say that their living is entirely secured by in- wish to see these unless they were at the same sect life; for I have noticed ours more than once, time patient assiduous mothers, good layers, and during this season, rob a nettle of all its leaves, of great value in the market for their size and faand by a clever twist of their beaks, strip the grass vour. My closing advice, founded on my own exseeds from a bent-thus blending vegetables with perience, is this: treat your poultry with the ut animal food. No one who has passed any portion most gentleness, care for their comfort, and feed of his life upon a farm can entirely have overlook-them liberally in times of scarcity of food, and then ed the hens watching a digging operation going forward. When a disturbance of the soil takes place, their food is exposed, they scratch for themselves in the looser ground, and they avail themselves of every opportunity of picking up their prey. Only last week I noticed several attending upon two pigs (who were rooting up the grass,) and thereby obtaining a good supply of grubs; the hens in this case follow the pigs from place to place, as if they considered the latter were only labouring for their pleasure and advantage. It must also have been noticed by hundreds of farmers how ducks wander among the grass in the dew of a summer evening; this is the season at which the earth-worms rise to the surface of the ground, and ducks are then only seeking their supper, and the earth-worm forms their prey. Now, when it is considered that numberless insects are scattered over the whole of our fields, that animal life exists in abundance, not only above, but also beneath the surface of the soil; and when it is seen that our hedges are covered with fruits and other productions, which at present are not available to the use of man, it must certainly appear desirable that we should adopt the means within our power to bring them to profit and advantage. Worms, snails, gnats, flies, grubs of all descriptions, beetles, earwigs, &c. &c., would indeed be loathsome food; and farther, they are so widely distributed, their collection would be impossible, even did they possess a marketable value; but Providence has kindly furnished us the means of converting all these things into human food. It has created a higher order of creatures to collect and consume these insects for man's es I will venture to promise that your turkeys, your hens, your ducks, and even your geese, shall gratefully yield you a profitable return. AVERAGE OF WHEAT CROPS IN CANADA. The general average of the wheat crops, either in Canada or the United States, are not half what is the general average of Britain. The question for us to determine is, whether it would be advantageous for us to adopt the improved mode of cultivation practised in England, and thus increase our average products, or rest satisfied with our present imperfect system, and very short general average produce resulting from it. We do not pretend to say that we have not good farming in Canada. The fact is, that we have very many farms that would be creditable to any country, but unquestionably, the late census returns, if they are correct, show a very low and unprofitable average produce, and it should be the earnest desire of every friend to Canadian prosperity to augment this produce as much, and as soon as possible, by every means that can be adopted. If they had remained content in England with the averages of fifty years back, that country would now be in a very different position as regards her wealth and prosperity. Within that period her agricultural average products have been increased perhaps one-third or one-fourth. LAIRD--And noo, Mrs. Grundy, it's your turn [Mrs. Grundy reads: DESCRIPTION OF PLATE. Fig. 1.-Dress of glacé silk, with lace under the silk flounce, the Jower part of the lace flounce covering the head of the second flounce; pointed corsage with ruches of ribbon; the cape trimmed with lace to match the flounces. The frisque trimmed also with lace. Hair worn in bands, with artificial ringlets of roses. posed of crape foliage, same as that in the hair, intermingled with diamond wheat-ears. This bouquet was not placed in the centre of the corsage, but on one side. Fig. 2.-YOUNG LADIES COSTUME.-Dress of black velvet; the skirt short and very full,-above the hem are several rows of very narrow, colored silk braid: the openings of the pockets, in the front breadth, are finished by two rows of braid, with a gold button at each end of the opening.sage of dresses and opera cloaks. These feather The jacket body does not close in the front, it is trimmed round with three rows of braid; the sleeves are of the pagoda form, the braid forming a mousquetaire cuff. Embroidered waistcoat of white silk, buttoned to the throat; a very broad collar of guipure lace, with engageantes to match. Bonnet of drawn pink silk, the front edged with narrow blond. A very elegant dress just completed consists of a double jupe of pink tulle over a jupe of pink silk, the tulle jupes reaching only to the top of the trimming on the silk jupe. The upper jupe of tulle is looped up nearly on the waist, and the gathering fixed by a bonquet of white roses with pendant sprays. On the opposite side, the jupe is gathered up and ornamented by a similar bouquet placed much lower down. The trimming on the silk shirt consists of bouillonnes of tulle intermingled with small white roses without leaves, and loops of very narrow ribbon. The berthe is of tulle bouillonné, ornamented with small white roses and loops of narrow ribbon. With this dress white roses will be worn in the hair. Another dress recently made consists of light blue moire trimmed with two deep flounces of Alençon lace. These flounces are gathered up on each side by white roses with pendant sprays.The corsage is draped. The coiffure is to be white roses intermingled with foliage of white crape and wheat-ears of diamonds. A novel style of ornamenting ball dresses has recently been very fashionable in Paris. It consists of trimmings made of various kinds of feathers. Bands of feathers, curled and uncurled, are, like bands of fur, employed to trim the cor bands, spotted with gold, form a highly elegant trimming for brocaded silk and capes of pale colours. This new trimming has been employed in very broad rows on the skirts of dresses, for which purpose ostrich and morbout feathers are com monly intermingled. Among the newest dresses ornamented with this trimming, one was composed of pearl-grey therry velvet, trimmed with three rows of feather fringe, having an open work heading in the net form. This fringe is of the same colour as the dress, and of the usual depth of a flounce. Another dress consists of pale green watered silk, trimmed with rows of white feather trimming. Above each flounce is a row of em broidery representing a wreath of flowers, worked with white silk and dead silver. The corsage is made with a small basque, or skirt, at the waist, and is ornamented with feather fringe and embroidery. With this dress is worn a gilet of Alençon lace,over pink silk, fastened by pearl buttons with pendants. We may mention a third dress, which consists of light-blue watered silk, trimmed with four flounces of the silk edged with fringe made of white marabouts. The corsage, high, and with basquines edged with marabout trimmings in the form of fringe: the sleeves, which are open at the sides, are also trimmed with marabout fringe. A greatly admired and very becoming dinner dress has been made of light green satin: the front of the skirt trimmed with a double bouillonné of tulle, of the same colour as the satin. These bouillonnes, which widened at the bottom and be came narrow and close together as they approach ed the waist, were interspersed with small bows of green satin ribbon, disposed in the quincunx form, and becoming progressively smaller and cloA much-admired dress, worn a few evenings ser together as they ascended to the waist. The ago at a fashionable party, consisted of three jupes corsage, which was half high, was trimmed with of plain white tulle over a slip of white satin. The the same buillonnes, producing theeffect of a berthe tulle jupes were each edged with a trimming form- or revers round the top; and the ends of the ed of loops of cerise-colour ribbon intermingled sleeves were trimmed to correspond. The beau with white satin ribbon cut in the form of leaves. tiful dark hair of the lady who wore this dress was The two other jupes of tulle were gathered up by arranged in a double plait; above the front bantufts of white feathers tipped with cerise-colour.deaux, and with each plait, was entwined a row The draped corsage was trimmed with white and cerise-colour ribbon, intermingled with blonde. In the hair were worn feathers and aiguillettes of diamonds, fixed by a diadem comb of diamonds. At all the evening parties given last week in Paris, dresses ornamented with gold and silver were very general. We select from the most approved Parisian bulletins of fashion a description of one of these costumes. The dress, composed of gauze broche, with silver, is trimmed with three flounces, each edged with silver fringe. The corsage à la Grecque, and short sleeves also trimmed with silver fringe. In the hair foliage of crape of various shades of green intermingled with diamond wheat-ears. Bouquet de corsage, com of diamonds. The back was disposed in plait, and fixed by a large diamond comb in the form of a cornet, placed very backward, near the nape of the neck. On one side of the head was worn a water-lily, exquisitely made in crape, and the stamens ornamented with very small diamonds. PAINTING ON GLASS.-The methods by which glass is stained are scientific, and require a profound knowledge of chemistry and such appara tus as must preclude the practice of this, which is the highest branch of the art, as an amusement. But that which may he treated as an accomplishment is the decoration of glass flower stands, lamp-shades, and similar articles, with light and elegant designs. Flowers, birds, butterflies, and |