South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-06-14
GERANIUMS AND SNAKES

We lately read an account Of q min
ing locality in Calaveras county being
infested with snakes. In this connection
We may observe that the report is that
every species of snake may be perma.
nently driven away from ON in.
tested place by planting geraniums. In
South Africa the Caffir people thus rid
their premises OF snakes: a missiona:
ry Of South Africa had bis parsonage
surrounded BY narrow belt Of perani.
ums,which effectually protected the resi-.
dence from any kind Of snakes. A few
yards away from this geranium belt a
snake would occasionally be found. 1t is
known that the whole geranium genius
is highly redolent Of volatile oils, lemon
scented, musk scented. and PEPPERMINT
scented. What, therefore. is a very
pleasant nose-gay for man is repugnant
to the serpent tribe.
A USEFUL FRoa.-What frogs arc good
for has often been query to thousands.
The conundrum has accidently been
solved by Middletown Conn man
who put pail of milk into spring Of
water near the house to cool. Two
hours thereafter, upon going to the
spring for his milk, he was surprised to
find, instead Of milk, large roll of but
ter-surmounted by an enormous bull
frog. His frog ship had jumped from
the water in the pail, and, in endeavor-
ing to extricate himself from the milk
by the action Of his legs, had turned
this rich and creamy milk into butter.
Those who doubt the story can try the
experiment.
1 The strawberry can be more east:
y grown thdn many suppose. Sandy
LOANS, COOL graveliy soils, or rich clay
loans are all suitable. and if the ground
is well enriched and thoroughly spaded
al the commencement, then ip all parts
ofour land people may rejoice over the
same rich feasts that we here so fully
enjoy. Plant out In April or early in
May, moistening the roots first IL. the
plants are obtained through the mails
from distant points. * few short months
will cause them TO reveal their treas.
ures.
p In view of the recent triumphs or
science, as exhibited in tile telephone
and photograph. visitor in the Demo-
crat Office hazards the following pro-
phecy: "The day will come when tho
farmer will hail his boy: lilo, John,
go out and drive the clouds up over
the cornfeld; but don't let it rain on
The clover !"
Queen Victoria's new railway
car cost for its construction and fittings,
over $4,000.
~ Why is lady's foot like loco-
motive ?-Because It moves in advance
Of train.
wwhy is agooseberry-tart like lKe
tioto OF a broken bank Il IL not cur
rant.
WMy first expresses company !;
my second renounces company my
third calls conipany my whole enter.
talhs company, Co-nun.drum.
IVA cheerful tramp, who was kicked
out OF q hallway, the other night, where
he had settled himself down for a nap,
departed, softly singing, II would not
live Railways, I ask not to stay"
EE Love those who advise you, bat
not those who fiatter you.
Why isa nail driven hard into
the wall like an old manP It is in.frm.
When is pie like poetP--when
it's Browning.
~ Despise not advice, though even
Of the meanest. The gambling of geese
once preserved tho Roman State.
~Those days are lost in which we
do no good those worse than lost in
which we do evil
%What kind OF ship has two mates
and no captain?-A CCurtship.