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Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1356, 7 February 1865, Page 3

The Cuke of Scab.—Sulphur is now recognised in Victoria (says the Argus) as a necessary ingredient in some of the best dressings for scab, but we have not heard of its being applied in a manner stated in a late number of one of the Cape of Good Hope papers to bo most eflw-tual, namely, in conjunction with piuafUne oil. It was first tried, with the most satisfactory results, mixed with linseed oil: i»ut wlu-u the parafline oil was substituted for this, the cure was more certain, and the new nnd clean skin appeared more quickly. Flour ot sulphur is mixed with the oil to the consistence of paint, and then applied with a brush to all the bare places, which are quickly cured. Such is likely to be the effect of a dressing composed of these materials, and it may be worth trying by the owners of small flocks, who always dress them by hand.

Military Balloon Signals.—Mr. Henry Coxwell, in a letter to the Reader, October 15th, says on this subject:—"Theemployment of telegraphic signal* on the occasion of my recent ascent from the Crystal Palace has, I am glad to say, created some interest among military and scientific men Just about ten years ago, when I suggested the use of r> connoitring balloons in the Crimea I devised and experimented with a set of Semaphore signals. I then ascertained that they could be easily worked, and that their action could be seen and understood by observers in possession of their meaning. From communications 1 have received since September 22, it- appears that for ten miles in a south-west, south, and easterly direction the signals, with the aid of filasi-es, could be distinctly seen ; and although on this afternoon they were merely set in motion, without any definite meaning, still it is satisfactory to learn that aerial telegraphy can be made the medium of imparting valuable information, either to the inhabitants of a

large area, or, if necessary, to the select few who may alone have the key to their import. For example, if used for scientific purposes, say as an aerial observatory to announce the time of day. This could he accomplished by the dropping of a large black hall down a rope a few hundred feet long, liy this means a numerous population could have a visible intimation of the exact hour, or of any other subject of which simultaneous observations are desirable. But more especially, I believe, for military signals would the idea prove worthy of adoption. A balloon, just as I ustd mine for Government experiments at Aldershott and the Arsenal, could be let up with ropes, kite-fashion, and the signals set in motion, either to direct the evolutions of an army or to convey secret intelligence to the Commander-in-Chief. For reconnoitring (hiring a battle there is no real necessity fur risking the destruction of the balloon, as a mile or two from t lie car, at a very moderate elevation, appears almost close, and signal-arms of twenty feet in length, such a> I use, can be discerned many miles away with the naked eye. It might prove of importance, in case of invasion, or the threat of it, to have the telescopic range of the southern and eastern portions of our island from stated heights up to several thousand feet; also to know from stations on our coast what amount of occular acquaintance could be made with our neighbour's sea-board. This would be a good test for our most approved instruments, and would certainly aid military as well as scientific ballooning."