BRITISH SEEDS IN KANSAS. OI 
unique, inasmuch as the conductor employed is the top wire 
of a barb wire fence, the continuity being assured by special 
devices at highway and railroad crossings. The success of 
this novel telephone line is stated to be due largely to the 
perfect insulation. The top strand of the wire fence is treated 
to a generous coating of rubber paint, and common galvanised 
wire is used at the fence sections to continue the circuit to a 
connection with the next fence, the same arrangement being 
carried out at the railroad crossings. In order to carry the 
line across the road or highway, the circuit is either placed 
beneath an inverted trough, covered by the material of the 
road, or it is carried overhead by means of two poles, one on 
each side of the crossing. The cost of this telephone outfit is 
extremely low, as there is no expense for copper wires, and 
poles are only needed at the crossings. Where the number 
of subscribers is not too large the service is said to be 
satisfactory, and local farmers state that they have used the 
“fence line” to converse witn friends eight miles distant, 
even when the fence posts were still saturated with the 
morning dew, a condition under which the line is supposed to 
work with least satisfaction. It is stated that the line has 
Deeimesichi ya practical Success that the farmers in ‘the 
neighbourhood are organising companies for the purpose of 
placing themselves in telephonic communication throughout 
the whole district. A further evidence of the practicability of 
the barb wire telephone is found in the case of a commercial 
company whose offices are connected with works which are 
- 13 miles distant. The cost in this case is only £20 per year, 
and there is the added advantage thai, there being only two 
other subscribers on that wire, the line is almost always 
available. 

In a Foreign Office Report on the trade of Chicago for the 
past year, it is stated that an opening 
Opening for would appear to exist for the sale of 
British Seeds in sen ‘ : 
Kansas. British seeds, particularly oats, in Kansas. 
In the course of an agricultural inspection 
during 18099, a field of oats was examined, part of which had 
