Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-04-27

sertion.
Marriage and Death Notices fifty cents. Obtu-
uarles will be charged at advertisement rates
for notices over four lines.
SHRINKING OF SEASONED TIMBER. The
various kinds of oak, and some other valuable
kinds of timber, will shrink more or less every
time the surface is dressed off even q small
fraction of an inch. Wheelwrights, accustomed
to work in oak, are we'll aware OF this fact, and
correct appreciation Of it often enables them
to turn out work of superior character, even
of ordinary materials, by first blocking out tie
pieces roughly, then allowing the timber TO sea.
SOD, and afterward working the various parts oy
degrees, as the seasoning process becomes more
and more complete.
White oak spoke timber, for example, may
be allowed to remaio in rough state for halt
score of years, upder shelter, without being
seasoned so thoroughly that the timber will
not shrink after the spokes have been dress
ed out Carriage wheels have been made out
of the choicest quality of oak timber after
every spoke had been seasoned tor several
years, and, to the great surprise OF the wheel
wright, every spoke would work 10 the joints
before the vehicle had run three months. The
defect u such instances could not be attributed
to inferior timber, nor to perfuoctory 'rkman-
ship but simply to this one CIRCUMSTANCE
that the parts OF the wheel Wero put together
before the timber had ceased to shrink.
10 prove that The best quality of oak
will shrink after spoke has been dressed
out, let a tenon be made on one end, and
be driven Immediately into mortise; at:
ter a few days exposure 10 a warm work
shop the spokes many be Withdrawn with little
difficulty. The same fact will bold good 10 the
manufacture of wood work of any kind where
oak Is employed for tenons. In order to make
joints that never will start, the piece on which
the lemons are to be made should be dressed
several times, until the shrinking has ceased.
Then let the tenous be made. After these
have shrunk, while exposed to the drying ln'
huence of a warm workshop, the spokes or
other parts may be driven into their respective
places, with the assurance Especially If they
are dipped ln oil paint previous to drlvlug)
that timber will shrink no more.
Many kinds Of farming implements, 10 the
manufacture of which oak and ash are employ
ed, render very unsatisfactory service, simply
because the seasoned timber was not allowed
70 shrink before the lemons were driven into
the mortises. 10 like manner, oak chairs aud
other iuroture will frequently shrink to such
an extent that the pommels, rungs, dowel pins
and bauisters will all work loose, if the pre-
caution we have described is not observed -
american Builder.
Why YOUNG MEN DON'T GET MARRIED.
From all of our exchanges We see the COM
plant made that the saddest effect of the hard
times is the stagoation Of the matrimonial mar
ket. County court clerk. sigh drearily as they
glance at the marriage licenses, all unfled, and
blank Ministers faces brighten up as each
ring of the door bell brings hope that bash
fui couple need their services to make them
one Store keepers advertise their chief bridal
outfits in vain; there is not even an offer. Fur
nture dealers speak in glowing terms of neat
little chamber sets, 30 convenient to those con-
tempating housekeeping. The jeweller's show
windows are filled with articles so suggestive
of what a surly philosopher calls the ''fools
paradise" all in vain, and the sweet teminnes
themselves look sweeter, prettler, moro allur-
lng, the harder the times get, until those asp-
ran, candles get desperate, and are almost
tempted to 20 it blind. 10 speaking of this
the Buffalo Courier makes the following re-
marks:
1t certainly is not good time for marrying,
and has not been for several years past. Ooe
reason, no doubt, is the great cost OF living
which, 10 one respect, at lesst-that OF female
drsss-s fully double what it was fifteen years
ago. Ifa young man has only moderate sal
ary to depend on for support he must be very
bold indeed to venture ioto matrlmony with
glrl accustomed to what is called comfortable
life, Unless she happens to be particular
good and sensible girl it would take most OF his
salary to pay her dry goods and dressmaker' 5
bills.
For this reason, and others too, 20 doubt,
the popularity of matrm ony, so to speak, ap-
pear, to be steadily declining. Youog men
hold of great deal more than they used to,
and of course, the young women have nothlng
for it but to seek some vocation tor livelihood
So. recognizing this fact, and not seeing much
probability OF getting husbands when they grow
older, great many OF them turn to practical
work, become doctors, writer's or artists, and
manage to make at least decent living for
themselves IF young men were more inclined
men would be less inclined to 60 it alone iu the
light professions.
SHEEP ON A FARM Sheep are undervaued
by the mass of land holders as meaus of keep
log up the fertility ofthe soil aud putting money
into the pockets of farmers. The moment one
begins to talk Of sheep husbandry the listener
or reader begins to look for wool quotations. as
If wool was ell that yields profit trom sheep.
Ooe might as we'll look for wheat quotations
alone when there is talk about the profit of
farming.
Sheep op farm yield both wool aud mutton.
They multiply with great rapidity. They are
the best of farm scaveogers, cleaning field
as no other elias. of animals will. They give
back to the farm more 10 proportion to what
they take from it than any other animals, aud
distribute it better with a view to the future
fertility Of the SOIL Prove this? There is 20
need OF proof to those who have kept sheep
and know their habits and their yield. To prove
1t to those who have nots the experience, 1t is