1866.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
107 
Xlae S-weet^Srier antllici- :^>i«U1jors. 
A sweet-brier grew lliriftily in :i tangled heJge, on the 
border of a field where the owner had planted corn and 
potatoes. Until that year the ground had not been plowed 
for a long lime, and grass, dandelions and daisies, with 
here and llicre a tliisUe and dock, were tlie only ac- 
quaintances the sweet-brier had niU'.Ie, exccpliu? the 
brambles and elders that lambled with herlinough the 
hedge. So, wlien the briglit green spires of corn and tlic 
dull-faced potato tops sliowed themselves, the sweet- 
brier watched them with miicli inleiest. "'See how 
straight and prim he pushes up, and how handsomely he 
dresses," she whispered to her neighbor, the bramble, 
pointing to a thriving stalk of corn lliat stood near, "ile 
may well i!o that," replioMiic bi arable, "for you never 
saw such agicedy fellow. He is not contented with the 
rich dcjiosits I saw the farmer leave for him, but he must 
send out his roots into our bank here, and 1 hardly know 
how I am going to live this summer." The corn, how- 
ever, pushed ahead without seeming to notice these re- 
marks, though I think it made him somewhat vain, for he 
soon a.lded a handsome knot of silk to his green s.ish, 
and set a waving fi.-ai!:er jauniilv in his cap. lie was 
certainly proud of his wealth, for afterward he ciianged 
his dress to yellow a;id brown, and hung a heavy purse 
at his girdle, through tiie meshes of which you could see 
the beautiful color of shining gold. 
The potatoes were a lufslc-ty to (Iieir ncighi)ors. Tliey 
seemed content to dig away and mind their own business , 
the mole told tiic brnmbio that they were ricii tot), for he 
had stumblfid over some of the stores tiiey had hid ; they 
certainly might be, for they dressed shabbily, spent 
nothing except for mere necessities, and seemed satisfied 
to live in the very lowliest manner] 
Tiic sweet brier, although she was amused by what 
was going on around iter. w;is too kindly tempercil to 
criticise severely ; she contented herself with making the 
best use of Jier own means, spreading perfume around 
her for the enjoyment of others. SJie was pained wiien 
in autumn she saw the corn robbed of his glittering 
wealth and left to sluver in the dull blast, and felt some 
little symiiaihy for the fate of tlie potati>cs, whose treasur- 
ed stores, hidden with such miserly care, were dragged 
to liglit and taken aw;iy. And wlien, one tlay after a 
siiower, the farmer attracte.l by licr sweetness, trans- 
planted lier to twine around the window of his best room, 
she seemed in no wise elated by the jnomotion. but only 
grew more beautiful and gave out more abundant frag- 
rance in return for the richer soil of her new home. 
A Sziiall a^oss — A. <xi"eat Uffislbrtiaae. 
•' I have lost more than one hundred thousand dollars 
to-day," said a gentleman in New-York City to a friend 
who was spending the evening with him, and who re- 
lated the circumstance to the writer. " How did it oc- 
cur ?" was asked. — "Slocks v^hich I have on hand, are 
worth that amount less than Ihey were yesterday,'' was 
the reply. He was a broker, doing a very large business 
in Wall-st. He must have felt very sad over such a se- 
1 ious loss, one would natur.illy think. IS'ot at all, at least 
not that any one could discover. He talked and Imished 
as cheerily as usual, and probably slept not an hour less 
thainigliton account of it.— After leaving the broker, 
our friend on his return home wlule crossing the park, 
met a boy crying bitterly. ** What is tlie matter?" he 
asked— " I— I— I— lost— my money'" sobbed the little 
fellow. It must have been a large amount, judging from 
his passionate grief. "Howmucli did you lose''"' was 
asked. -^ Two cents !" nud he burst out crying afresh— 
his whole capital was gone. Of course, his fortune was 
soon repaired, and ilie two cc7its whicii he received, 
without doubt gave him more real pleasure, than would 
the recovery of the larger sum by llic rich broker. 
Ao. AiUBi^iiBg* Toy, 
Procure a large sized piece of pith frtjm a ripe corn- 
stalk, and with a sharp knife carve out a 
small image of a man or woman. The 
face can be properly colored witii red and 
black ink. Hollow out the back part of 
the head and insert a small bullet, which 
should be concealed by pasting in over it 
a shaving of pith, Make the fc-et a little 
rounding en the soles. Thus preijared 
the image wid persist in standing on its 
nead,and cause much amusement to the little ones. 
Many contributions in competition for the prizes offered 
la the January number, have bt-cn rrceived up lo the 
present dale. Feb. 3il. but. so f^r, only a few origmr.l ones. 
It was distinctly stated intheofFer Ihnt tkc name of the 
author must accompany eac-h puzzle or problem ; but as 
the matter seems not to have been fully understood, the 
time for reception is extended until April l^t. Only 
ort'sinal contribulinns can compete. The offer made, is : 
1. Twenty Dollars for the best Mechanical Puzzle. 
'2. Ten Dollars for the best Arithmetical Problem. 
3. Ten Dollahs for the best Ilierogli/pkical Rebus. 
4. Five Dollars for the best Enigma or Riddle. 
5. Five Dollars for the best Conundrum. 
There is yc-l time for somebody to win each of these. 
I'Bic <3«a5iac of Checliers oi- I>3*aiBg:Utis. 
Historical. — {Continued from pa^e 67.) — The kind 
use I by King Rbamses, 1300 B. C. \\ ho is represented 
on tlie wails of hi? palace, playing Draughts with the la- 
dies of his hou.-^ehold, resembled small nine-pins, and 
seem to liave bc-r.i about l)j inchrs liigh, standing on a 
circular base of half an Inch in diameler. Some have 
been found of ivory, I'^ inches hii^h, and \}-.C inches in 
diameter, with a small knob on the top. The opposite 
sets of pieces were distinguisiied, sometimes by their 
form, one set being black and the olher red or while, 
or one set round and the other gquarfc tops. It is uncer- 
l.iin how the Egyptians played the game, though from 
the position of some of the pieces in the paintings, it 
would seem ihey played it the same as playcil now. 
LAWS OF TUE GAME. — {Contiyiued from page G7.) 
7. The first play must be invariably made by tlie play- 
er having the Ulack men. .and that alternately to the end. 
8. At the end of five minutes, (if the move Jiasnnt been 
previously made.) lime must be called by the person ap- 
pointed for that purpose, in a disiinct manner, and if the 
move be not compieled on the expiration of anolher min- 
ute, the game shall be adjudged lo be lost through delay. 
9. Wiien ther^is only one way of takin:^ one or more 
pieces, time shall be called at the end of one minute, 
and if the play be not completed within anolher minute, 
the game .shall be adjudged lost through improper delay. 
I'OSITIOX NO. 3. 
Black. 
Black to play and win. 
(Known to experts as '■ Anderson's second position. "j 
Solution to Position .Vo. 2. 
White. 
1—20 lo 16 
2—16 " 11 
3—11 - 7 
4— 7 " 2 
5— 2 
Black. 
32 
27 
32 
{See February Xo., page 67.) 
■ Wkite. Blade. 
23 to IS:a) (b)i2 to 16 
15 (C)16 •' '20 
■18(d) Sit " 19 
" (e)19 - -- 
14— 1? 
15—15 
32 I 16—32 
27 I I T— 13 
S2 I 15—^3 
23 i 19-23 
32 I 2it— 32 
23 I 21-27 
32 1 22—23 
28 23-lS 
24- 21—15 
2S 
To 
23 
13 
1-3 
16 
11 
S 
11 
S 
3 
8 
6— 6 '^ 10 27 
7—10 •' 15 32 
8—15 ** IS 25 
9— IS *• 23 32 
10—23 " 27 £8 
11—19 " 23 32 
12—27 " 32 23 " 24' | 21— 15 '• 11 and wins, (f.) 
(a)— 32 to 2S, Black draws, (b)— 24 to 25, or 24 to 10 
loses. (O— 16to 19, or 24 lo 28, loses, (d)— 32 to 28, 
Black draws, (ei— 20 to 21, loses, (f.)— Positions similar 
to this often occur, and players should note it carefully. 
GAME NO. 3.— CiiOSS OPENING (*) 
mack 
While. 
Black. 
Whilr. 
1—11 lo 
15 
23 
lo 
IS 
14-15 to 
22(k) 
25 lo IS 
2— 8 '• 
n 
a)27 
" 
2.T 
13-14 ■• 
24 •' 20 
3— 4 " 
8 
2S 
'' 
U) 
16- 8 " 
11 
?1 ■• 24 
4- 9 " 
14(I>1 
IS 
•' 

17-23 " 
26 
19 " Id 
6— 3 " 
14 
22 
'^ 
17 
IS— 10 " 
19 
24 •' 8 
C-15 " 
1S(C) 
26 
'* 
O.J 
19—16 •' 
19 
S " 4 
7-11 " 
lo^d) 
17 
" 
13 
20—23 " 
30 
4 " 8 
B— 7 " 
11 
22 
'* 
17 
21—19 " 
23 
29 •' 25 
0— 2 " 
7(c) 
S2 
ii 
27 
!:■:— 23 " 
27 
25 " 22 
10— I " 
0(fl 
sn 
" 
2(i 
23—30 " 
25 
22 " 13 
11- 5 " 
9(g)(h)26 
«* 
22 
21—27 " 
SJ 
(1)17 •• 14 
12—11 " 
lOfil 
•27 
" 
23 
2-.— 25 " 
22 
14 " 5 
13-18 ■' 
27 
0)22 
" 
IS 
25— "2 " 
15—1 
rawn. 
Aiis^rers to Problems and Puzzles. 
The following are tlie answers to the puzzles, etc., in 
the February number, page 07. No. ISS. Arithmetical 
Problem. Only one answer received : left open for another 
month. (This is the best tiling we have seen for a long 
time.).. ..Xo. 13.'. lUustrateit Rebus.—- Be above med- 
liling in a family lielwocn man and wife." No. 190. 
Mathematical. Problem.— Rule : From the square of half 
the given iliviJend, sublractthe said dividend: to the 
square root of the remainder, add half the said dividend, 
and it leaves the required divisor.. ..No. 191. Anagrams, 
— I, Jlisanlhrope ; 2, Absurdity; 3, Adventures; 4, At- 
tractions ; 5, Considei-ablc ; G, Ciunpaidons ...No. 192. 
It is allowable lo use Z. instead of S, in the different 
spellings... No. 193. Ji/iM/f.- Watermelon No. 194. 
Illustrated Rebus. — Where there's a will, there's a way. 
....No. 195. lllltslrated Rebus. — Where there's a will, 
liicre's a legatee {Icg-al-tca) No. ISi.—Mnthematical 
Problem.— (Jiin. No., p. 20)— 8 boys, 9 girls. 10 young men. 
The following have sent answers up to the dale of Feb. 
3d: Wm. D. Barnhart, Schuyler Duryea, Wm. F. Sher- 
man, Eugene M. Cole, E. G. Studlcy, Reuben E. Cronk- 
liile, 1S4 ; G. S. Com'er, ISO, 187 ; Wm. F. Sherman, 186, 
187 : A. SI. C, If 9 : Thus. O. Falvpv, 193 ; E G. Studlev, 
ISO, 157; Clara Pralt, 18,5, lll'4. 165, 1S7: William C. 
Johnson, 1S3. 1S4 , J. Coinm, 189. 191, 19.3. IM ; E. R. 
Taber, 184, 160. 187 ; M. S. F. and L. II. F., 184, lf6, 187 ; 
:M:ushall T. Bry;u>. 184, 166, 1^7 ; Marv- Randall, 184. 160, 
1^7 Albion Slocking, IS4. isi;. 187 ; Tlieodore A. Funk, 
IS !, T=i;, 1S7 ; Wm. O. Wnile. 1R4. 1S5, 186. 1S7 ; R. Ellis, 
1S4. ISO. 1S7; Reuben E. CronUhite, Ad. lie Miller, 186, 
187; Carrie S. Degbv, ISO, 1S7, .1. C.Bell, 180. 187; 
Ausustns lleunter. ISO. 187 ; Jlarv Kale Tutliill, 186. 187; 
Brooklyn Girl, 187: Edward P. Ilascall 183 ; A JiKdiSon, 
186.187; Frank Howard. 194, E. G Stndley, 18S, 193 ; 
Frank W. Law in, 103; Llovd T. English, ISO, 187; Cor- 
nelius Iloasland, Jr.. 1S4, 193 , .-5. SI. Close, 1S4 , ilattie 
HI. B. Mcintosh, 186, 187 ; Frances L. Hine, 193. 
iVeTT" Puzzles to toe Aiis-srered. 
No. 196. Charades, hy two liltle giils at Springfield. 
O.— 1st. I am composed of 15 Lei (ers. My 10, 12, 14, 13 
is a penally. My 5, 14, 12, 10, 1, 3, 4 disiinguishes an 
ofBccr. My 9, 3, 8, II, 14 is what all good children try to 
do. .My 15, 7. 14 is a dull color. My 6, 1, 4 was 
"The Piper's Son." My. 10, 2, 14 tells for what 
no wrote this enigma. JMy wliole is a book recently 
published by a popular author. — 2cl. I am composed 
of 13 letters. My 10, 7, 1 is a wise little insect. 
Sly 3, 5, 9, 2, 13, 7 is one of Tennyson's iiocms. My 11. 
13, 3, 1 is a vegetable not liard to beat. My 1, 4, fi, 3 is 
what everybody should be. My 8, 5, 9 is the sin:illest 
mark ever made. My 12, 3, 7, 8 is enjoined in the new 
Testament. Jly whole is often read around myself.— 3<l. 
I am composed of 15 letters. My3, 4, 0, 7 is wiiat nobody 
should bo. My 5, II, 14, 10 distinguished some of 
Pharaoli's calUe. My 2, II, 7, 8 is the dwelling place of 
an Arab. My 5, 3, 7, 2 is a church fast. Sly 5, 12, 1, 2 
means hark '. Sly 13, 4, 9, 5, 15 is a name often applied to 
a newspaper. Sly wliole is 
a busy day:it tile Post-office. 
No. 197. ll'orii Puzzle, by 
Lizzie. V. Hess, Centre Co. 
Pa. — I am an article of agri- 
culture ; behead me :ind I am 
what is prr)dnced by motion ; 
behead again an I I do th:it 
without which we eonld not 
live ; behead again and I am 
a preposition ; take off my 
head once more, nothing is 
left but a common drinlt. 
No. 19S. Illustrated Kc4ms— Something growing at 
the West, wliich is said to be very lerriule to Swine. 
(*) So called, bec:uise the second move is pl.ayed 
across the move of the first one. it is formed by ''^s first 
two moves. (ii>— 36 lo '23 draws, (bl— 10 to 14, diaws, 
9 to 13, While wins, (c)— 6 to 9, draws, 14 to IS, White 
wins, (d)— 11 to 16, White wins, (e)— 3 to 7, While 
wins, (f;— 11 to 10. While wins, (g)— 11 to 16, White 
wins, (h)— 26 to 23, Blaekwins. 
wins. (j)-24 to '20. Black wins, 
wins. (1)— 18 to 15, Black wins.- 
(i)— 18 lo 23. While 
(k)— 14 to 23, Wiiite 
No. 199. Picture Puzzle.-The above picture is much 
like the nextone below. Please exi>lain the resemblance. 
No. 200. Illustrated Rebus,— Very good advice few ail. 
No. 201. Conundrum.— 0( what color is this page ? 
