33 



in hot water, in the proportion of i Ib. to a gallon of water. 

 The amateur is cautioned against using si/e stronger than this, 

 and he must remember not to work his brush up and down 

 when charged with size, for this, when the size is too strong, often 

 produces a lather on the wood. The best way to apply size is to 

 use it warm, and work the brush in one direction only, namely, 

 from top to bottom or from one side to the other, as may be 

 necessary. If an interval of twenty-four hours be left after staining, 

 before sizing, the color is softer and richer. As the beauty of the 

 result depends mainly upon the grain of the wood, well-seasoned 

 wood of beautiful hgure and variety in the grain should be selected 

 for choice work. When the second coat of size is thoroughly dry, 

 the work must be varnished. When the wood is to be French 

 polished, it should be only sized once before applying the polish. Ex- 

 terior work should be sized once, and varnished twice ; and for 

 rough work, boiled oil may be used instead of varnish. General 

 Bnihlhi}* Art and Practice. 



POINTS IN JUDGING AN ENGINE. 



(High. Soc.) Points. 



Price ... ... ... ... 20 



Simplicity of construction, and fewness of working parts 25 



Economy of fuel ... ... ... ... 20 



Rapidity of raising steam ... ... ... 5 



Facility of erection and cheapness of foundations ... 5 



Economy of water ... ... ... 5 



Steadiness and regularity in running ... ... 15 



Economy of lubricant ... ... ... 5 



McConncirs Xole Book.'] Total : TOO 



POISONING WILD DOGS OR DINGOES. A bonus of IDS. per tail 

 is paid by the W r estern Australian Government for the destruction 

 of wild dogs. The tails must be produced before a justice of the 

 peace, who will certify to the number. The usual method of 

 destroying the dogs is by laying poisoned baits. Strychnine is the 

 poison generally used, and the dogs always prefer freshly killed 

 meat. The bait should be handled as little as possible, and where 

 ground vermin are not troublesome, the bait should be dropped 

 from a buggy or horseback without dismounting. Where boodies 

 and kangaroo rats are plentiful the bait should be stuck in a forked 

 stick eighteen inches or two feet from the ground. A drop or so 

 of oil of aniseed or oil of rhodium on the bait serves to attract the 

 dogs. Wherever poison is laid notices should be put up on the 

 gates to this effect. 



PHOSPHORISED GRAIN. Fifty Ib. grain, 5 gallons water, J Ib. 

 phosphorus, and 7 Ib. dark brown sugar. Bring water to a boil in 

 a copper ; take out a bucketful of the hot water with which to mix 

 the phosphorus, and throw the sugar into the copper ; stir contents 



