The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-05-02 00:00:00

INJURIOUS INSECTS AND FARM
PESTS.

Miss Ormerod's report on injurious insects and
common farm pests is a volume which should
.be
studied by agriculturists, for enormous losses are ity-
curred every year from simple ignorance of their
causes. In France, on one day in the year at least,
every district turns out in force for a grand hunt of
injurious insects and other depredators of the crops,
and the result is a national benefit; but then in France
every child is taught such elementary facts of natural
history as concern the well-being of the community.
In this country the wireworm, the slug, and the cater-
pillar are allowed to perform their natural work because
there is no systematic teaching of what is supposed to be
common knowledge, but which in reality is very un-
common knowledge. If some statistician would cal-
culate the loss annually incurred by cattle-breeders
from the effects of " worbles" or the bot-fly of the
or, the figures Would probably astonish even the
bucolic mind, for a cow troubled with worbles not
only fails to give her full share of milk, but her hide
also is seriously reduced in value when the tanner is
the buyer. The same results are seen in a hundred
and one directions in connection with agriculture, all
of which might be obviated by a few simple lessons
in natural history given in our elementary schools.

"Do you love me still, darling ?" gushed young
Mrs. Crimsonbeak to the partner of her joys and
sorrows. "No, wife, I cannot honestly say that I
'do," was the husband's frank confession. "And why
not ?" asked the wife, preparing to deluge thP place
with tears. "Because you never are still," can.. from
the hard-hearted wretel.

THE RISING IN CANADA:
DEFEAT OE THE REBELS.

A correspondent telegraphed to the Standard from
Fort Qu' Appelle on Sunday: " Riel has been de-
feated with heavy loss, after seven hours' fighting, at
Batoche's to-day. Everything is quite peaceful here."
The following telegrams have been issued through
Reuter's agency: Ottawa (April 24). —At noon to-
day General Middleton's force, while on the march,
fell into an ambush in a ravine fifteen miles above
Batoche's. An engagement ensued, in which several
of his men were killed and fifty wounded. The rebels
set fire to the prairie, but the flames were extinguished
by the rain. General Middleton's force subsequently
succeeded in surrounding the ravine, and it is hoped
that none of the rebels have escaped. Ottawa
(April 25).—General Middleton continued his march
on Batoche's this morning. The Indian sharp-
shooters concealed in the bluffs caused many casual-
ties among the troops. Two of General Middleton's
aides-de-camp were wounded, and a bullet passed
through the General's cap. According to intelligence
received here from Battleford, the loyal forces have
scoured the whole of the Battle River Talley without
seeing any Indians. The troops now on the way to
Edmonton have re-established communication with
that place. Couriers from Edmonton state that
General Stlange's march will be unopposed. Deep
anxiety continues to be felt concerning the fate of the
men, women, and children who are held captive by
Big Bear at Fort Pitt.
Ottawa (April 26.)—News has been received here
from Prince Albert by a messenger who left there on
Tuesday last, and who ran the gauntlet of Riel's
forces, and swam the river, which is full of floating
ice. The messenger states that there are eight hun-
dred persons at Prince Albert. The loyal forces have
five hundred rifles, but supplies are scanty, and the
men are consequently upon half-rations. They are
being constantly drilled, owing to a threatened attack
by the Indians from the North district. Further
details of the engagement at Fish Creek state that
twenty-five rebels were counted dead upon the field.
Riel's Chief Lieutenant, Gabriel Dumont, is also re-
ported to have been killed. Riel, who was himself
present during the engagement, has gone to Batoche
to obtain reinforcements. General Middleton has de-
cided to make the ravine his battle-ground with the
rebels.

MESSAGE FROM PRINCESS LOLTISE.
[Reuter's telegram.]
OTTAWA, April 27.
General Middleton reports that the whole of Riel's
force took part in the engagement at Fish Creek on
Friday. The ravine which the Canadian force cap-
tured was almost impregnable, with rifle-pits in rows
hollowed out cf the banks, which were not to be
reached by artillery or small arms. The rebels
suffered severely.
Much gratification was expressed in the Dominion
Parliament when Princess Louise's kind remembrance
of the Canadian forces at the front was read this
evening by Mr. Caron, Minister of Militia.
OTTAWA, April 28.
The half-breeds at Calgary are inciting the Indians
to join the rising, and a close watch is therefore kept
on their movements. The Indians in the neighbour-
hood of Cypress Hills are giving some trouble. The
Regina mounted police recently took charge of a
party of half-breeds who were coming from the north
and making for Wood Mountain. It is supposed
that the band of rebels whom General Middleton
encountered on the 24th inst. fled after the engage-
ment.