Widnes Examiner. — 1885-09-19 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

THE FRONT GARDEN.—Pansies and Violas have formed cuttings very tardily this season on' account of the dry weather, so that we have had some difficulty in procuring sufficient of them for stock. Old plants frequently die off in winter, so that it is of the utmost importance that we should have duplicates. They strike freely in a shady position, and a skeleton frame may be constructed to place over them to support the shading if a naturally sunless corner, is not to be had. Now that we have had more suitable weather for Pansy growth, the cuttings will improve daily, and should be taken off as soon as ready. Our cuttings of the old. double rocket were not very promising, so we took up some old plants and , divided them, securing as much root as possible to each ' piece. Other subjects that may now be increased from cuttings are the Variegated Arabis, Alyssum saxatile—h plant producing yellow flowers that are in great beauty during May and the summer months in this district (Preston), and probably in many other northern parts, but in the south its season is short. Penstemons and Phloxes of sorts will root freely now, though in case of the latter this may only be desirable where large; heads , of bloom are required for exhibition, as the plants are' ' quite hardy and rarely die off in winter. Penstemons are uncertain, and it is safest to put a few cuttings in annually. THE WlNDOW.—Pelargoniums, if outside are in danger of having too much water if not laid on their sides durng, heavy rain. Those cut down in August will soon be fit for potting, and soil and pots must be got in readiness, and the former placed under cover, or it may be in II an unfit state when required for use. The Chinese and Fairy Roses are best turned outside for some portion of the season. If this has not been attended to, they should be seen to without delay in order that their wood may get thoroughly matured before the winter. There is too much anxiety to keep plants indoors in the summer for the sake of an odd flower or two that they may have on them.  "How is Jim Bullard getting on ?" asked a stranger at the railroad station of a Dakota town. "Jim kermitted suicide 'bout a month ago," replied a native. "Committed suicide? How did he commit sui‘ide ?" "He called me a liar, stranger." "What on earth can that mean?" asked a friend of Thackeray, pointing to an inscription over a doorway, "Mutual Loan Office." "I thin% know," answered the novelist, unless it means that two men who have nothing agree to lend it to one another." It is said that some men never become irritated, but there  never was a masculine mortal who, while putting up picture  ;ids, CO:4 be; in silence his wife's question, "-WitY didn't you hit the nail ?" This is one of the things which has been known to wreck households and fill the divorce courts. Too Mout Fos Has Fertint,—A short time ago a gentleman took his little eon on a railway excursion. The little fellow looked out Of the window, when the father slipped ihe hat off the boy's head. The latter was much , grieved at his supposed loss, when papa consoled him by saying that he would "Whistle it back." A little later he whistled and the hat reappeared. Not long after the little lad flung the hat out of the window, shouting : "Now, papa, whistle it back agaizi? " &roar of laughter served to enhance-the confusion of papa.