The Osceola times., 1876-04-01
MINCEI.LANEOUS.

Fourteen bodies have been recovered
from the ruins of the almshouse fire at Nor
wich, Conn.
The United States government loses
$780, 900 a year in the manufacture of postal
cards, to say nothing OF the cost of carrying
them as mail matter, and they claim that if
the government should abolish stamped en-
'velopes, wrappers and postal cards, it would
save S2,500,00O a year.
Prof. C. V. Riley asserts that in 1874
the southern states lost $20,OO0,O0O by the
cotton worm in single week; that IN 1871
$50, 100000 worth of grain was ruined by the
chinch-bug; and that in 1873, 1874 and 1875.
the Rocky mountain grasshopper destroyed
food to the amount of s5oO0O,O0O.
The Portuguese government has asked
the cortes for the sum of thirty-three thou
sand dollars, in order to render the Portu-
guese display at the centennial exhibition as
sum is intended for two sections in particu-
lar, the agricultural and industrial.
The construction of a steamboat for
exhibition at the centennial has been begun
at the centennial works, New York. 1t will
be fifty feet long and ten feet wide, with iron
frame shcathed with wood. II will cost about
twenty thousand dollars, and is expected TO
be model of beauty, symmetry and speed
The new steamboat bill allows the con-
veyance Of coal-oil at ignitng point of 40 in
metallic cases on any passenger steamer, and
at $50 in barrels, all oils to be carried on
deck or in the forecastle, as far as possible
from the furnaces. The present law forbids
the carrying of oil in any way on passenger
steamers, when there are any other means OF
transportation.
Senator Frelinghuysen reported in
favor of disposing of the japanese indemnity
fund in accordance with the petition of the
New York chamber Of commerce, which, We
| believe, gives it to the cause of education in
Japan. This is simple justice to that coun
try, as the indemnity, amounting to S75O,OC0
was forced from Japan by a species Of dis
honorable bullying. The real damage.
amounted only to $4,000, and grew out oi
injuries inflicted IN an American vessel in
1868 by a rebellious vassal of the japanese
government. The $4,000 was paid, but oul
government united with the French, Dutch
and English in fresh demand for $1,000,
0o0 of which S750,O0O fell to the share of the
United States.
Mr.. Wright, the United States grange
commissioner, has returned to England aftei
an extensive tour on the continent. Iii,
report is in the main gratifying. lie mel
with considerable success in Germany. While
there he had an interview with Herr Folk
the minister of education, and with Herr
Friendenthal, the minister of agriculture, al
which he was furnished with much valuable
information relating to the German agricul
tural associations. In England Mr.. Wright
| conferred with the chamber of agriculture
and other societies. He will remain there
until after the industrial congress, which
holds its first. session April 18th. Mr.. Ruskir
has written to him saying that he approve,
of the system of the oranges, and hopes the,
will take root and prosper in Great Britain
| Mr. Wright is not sanguine of such result al
present, but thinks the basis of the unior
will soon be formed between British co
operative societies and corresponding grange
societies in America.