The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-05-21

mus, the WOOL cllp OF Ine ABOVE
countries has risen so per cent. in 20
years, or four times faster than popula-
ton, and yet prices have fallen only %
per cent.
The National iStocknaan AYERS that
those not conversant with the subject
would hardly suppose that cattle will
shrink more in process of shipment in
severe cold than in severely hot weather,
yet such is the case. Indeed, nothing
will so quickly reduce the weight of a
rlpencd animal as to subject it to long
ride in stock car with the thermome-
ter below Zero Animal life is sustained
by combustion, and the bullock or pig
in transit through an icy atmosphere
is being slowly burned up in flesh and
tissue.
A noteworthy incident is reported in
connection with the prevalence of scar
let fever. In house in which one child
died of this disease the little ones
clothes were put into a back shed 90
await further attention, and in the mean
time they were tumbled about and played
with by pet dog. Soon afterward the
dog was taken crazy and had to be
killed. A cat also in the same family
was affected in a similar way, and had
to be killed. The animals undoubtedly
contracted the disease by coming in
contact with the clothing.
A Noah's Ark race was introduced at
recent Madras Qndia) fair, and was a
handicap for all animals bred in the
country, the competitors including buf-
faloes, elephants, goat, ram, emu and
elk and other creatures, beside ponies an6
horses. The elephants were as
placid as if moving in marriage pro-
cession, and went over the course at a
quick walk The ram and goat, ridden
by little boys, ran well, and the buffaloes
went at a good gallop, but the emu
would not stir, neither would the elk,
until the end of the race, when it took
fright and darted down the course at
great speed. Finally, ram was the
winner, horse coming second and a
buffalo third.
The St Louis Globe Democrat is au-
thority for the following: "The most
wonderful mountain in the world is Ro-
raima, which lifts above its sloping sides
a solid block of red sandstone about
1900 feet high, some of the faces
of which, according to Sir Robert Schom-
burgh, are 'as perpendicular as if erected
with plumb line.' It is the highest and
most wonderful of table topped noun
tains situated in an almost Inaccessible
part of British Guiana. Its flat top is twelve
miles long. The mountain sides are
sloping and wooded to height of 1850
feet above the sea. Then rise the verti-
cal walls of the vast sandstone formation.
Cascades pour over the edge, the water
falling 1900 feet to the forests below,
forming the sources of rivers"
In regard to the chartering of line
steamers by the English government for
war purposes the New York Tribune
says: ''The government charters these
vessels for not less than six months, at a
rate of 12 shillings pence month per
registered gross ton where the govern
ment furnishes the crew; % shillings 6
pence where the companies furnish crew.
This would make, for the ship alone,
$40, 796 month for the Alaska; $15,
492 month for the Arizona; $22, 1875
month for the Oregon; $23, 400 month
for the Umbria, and Sic, ,584 a month for
the America. It was stated that these
-essels are such great fuel burners that