WOMEN'S WORLD.

Mataura Ensign, 15 December 1911, Page 7

WOMEN'S WORLD.

FROM THE INDIAN. Some capital translations in prose and verse of proverbs and lyrics current among ilie Panjabi peasantry of India have been done by Mr C. F. TJsborne. Here, for example, is an Indian peasant's lullaby:— Where does the Cuckoo sleep, Baby ? Down by the great stone tank, Where the lizards bask in the sunshine, and the monkeys play on the bank. Where does the Peacock sleep, Baby ? Out in the Jungle grass, Where the jackals howl in the evening, and parrots scream as they pass. What does the Cuckoo drink. Baby? Cream from somebody's cup: And if somebody isn't careful, the Peacock will drink it all up. What does the Cuckoo drink, Baby ? Milk from somelwdy's pan : So run and stop the rascal as quick as ever you can. What does the Cuckoo eat, Baby P Candy and all that's nice, And great round balls of brown sugar speckled with silver and spice. What does the Peacock eat. Baby? Lollipop all day long: But Baby must go to sleep now, for this is the end of the song. VILLANELLE. Where's the use of sighing? Sorrow as you may, Time is always flying— Flying—and defying Men to say him nay, Where's the use of sighing? Look! To-day is dying After yesterday. Time is always flying. Flying—and when crying Cannot make him stay, Where's the use of sighing? Men wii.li by-and-bying, Fritter life away. I Time is always flying. Flying—o, from prying I Cease and go to play. Where's the use of sighing, "Time is always flying?" —W. E. Henley. i ; | DRAWING-ROOM GARDENS. We are all in some way gardeners now or interested in uowers. The past de-' cade has witnessed a. great national awakening to the possibilities and the pleasantness of horticulture as a hobby. Ours has become a land of gardeners. Taking advantage of this national desire for flowers, expert culturists have in recent years developed their business along many new and interesting lines, one of the most useful and popular of which if; the culture of bulbous flowers in nndrained pots and vases kept indoors. This raising of bulbs to flower in vases of fibre mixture or clean pebbles i:« a very fascinating occupation, and one which every autumn is gaining thousands of fresh, adventurers. It is so easy if a few simple directions are ad-1 hered to faithfully, and it gives such charming and grateful results that there is no wonder the bulb merchants find it profitable to give the subject special attention in their catalogues. jlhe Right Bowls. I Daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, polyanthus narcissi, crocuses, scillas and snowdrops may all be grown with success in this way, and now no time should be jlcst in planting, having been careful |to choose from some reliable nurseryman's list of bulbs those sorts which he recommends as suitable for this method of culture. Of daffodils, such fine varieties as Sir Watkin, Emperor, Glory of Leyden,Golden Spur, Empress, Horsfieldi, and Van Sion, among others, may be chosen.' Dutch hyacinths and a good number of Tli© sweet-scented Roman hyacinths, the ordinary hyacinths are well adapted, i and the range of tulips comprises the Due van Thols and at least a dozen early single and double flowers of different colors. Having made a collection of likely hold a number of bowls and vases ■must be considered. These can be purchased of bulb merchants or china-deal-ers in great variety, ranging from 3d I Ito 6d each for the cheaper makes up-1 [wards to almost any figure for choice] pieces of fancy "named" ware. j | In many homes there are among the ■ornamental knick-knacks of the housej hold a a number of bowls and vases 'in which bulbs msy- be grown with success; but if you have any doubts about j i the suitability of vases which you would : like to use for this purpose, comapre j their capacity with the vases displayed ; in the merchant's shop where you purj chase your fibro and l bulbs, or even consult him on the matter. | I experienced a grievous failure last jyoar with several lots of daffodils plantjcd in unsuitable bowls. ' How to Plant, | The fibre mixture—a clean brown preparation generally containing a certain 'amount of shell and charcoal—can be j bought for Is per peck, while the pebbie and charcoal mixture costs about 6d per quart, or 3s 6d per peck. First as to planting in fibre. If the mixture you buy does not contain charcoal, a little of the latter must be mingled with it, nnd it is best to place a few larger pieces on the botom of the bowl or vase. The reason for this is that the charcoal keeps the mixture sweet and wholesome. Then the bowl should be filled with fibre up to just below the rim, the fibre being pressed well, but not tightly, down. Here, again, I failed to get the jbest results with one or two pots of i snowdrops beneath which the fibre had | been so hardly compressed that the i bulbs were forced out of position by j their own roots when they started to ; grow-

| When in th« Dark, ! Place the bulbs on top of the fibre in a regular group, as many as the bowl will take without the bulbs actually touching. Then fill in and press more fibre between the bulbs, so. that the necks of the latter protrude just above the surface of the fibre. Next give each bowl sufficient water to moisten the fibre thoroughly right through, tilt the bowl to pour away any superfluity of water, and place the planted bulbs in a dark, airy cupboard, cellar, or shed which has a regular low temperature, but into which it is impossible for frost to penetrate. During this seclusion in the dark the bulbs must not be forgotten. The fibre must always be kept damp, and must be examined regularly for that purpose. Six weeks or more may elapse before they have made good strong roots and are showing a few inches of top growth. Then comes the time to inure them to the light. A few days in a half light in the corner of a cool room are necessary at first, and when the shoots have changed to a. healthy, normal green from the yellow hue caused by the darkness the bowl may be placed in a sunny window. Light, air, and a little more ifoeral allowance of water are what they require now. They should have no great heat never more than 60 degrees. Draughts and gas heat are both dangerous, and if the bulbs are allowed to become dry for only a day the result is likely to bo blind buds. Ths Pebble Mixture. Hyacinths do particularly well in pebble mixture. This method of planting differs from fibre planting. Mix charcoal with the pebbles if there is none already there and place pieces of charcoal on the bottom of the bowl. The pebbles should reach to about half an inch from the rim, and then the bulbs should be pressed down firmly till only a little more than their necks show. Sufficient water must be added to reach the base of the bulbs, and great care must be taken at all stages of their growth that the water is maintained at that level. Apart from the method of planting and watering, the culture of the bulbs in pebbles follows exactly the game lines as with fibre. It is well to plant a few bowls every two or three weeks in order to obtain a succession of flowers. By following out carefully the directions .1 have given, your rooms should be brightened by the presence of beautiful growing blooms during the winter months, and up to the time the spring garden is yielding -'you its treasures. HOW TO TREAT A WOMAN. The Idealist.—Put her in, a glass and kneel at her feet and worship her. Treat her as if she were a goddess merely tarrying with you for a while, j Close your eyes lest you see her blemishes and your ears lest you hear her tongue too often. The Practical Man.—Give her a wa-ter-proof shelter, a comfortable bed, plenty to eat, as many clothes as you can afford, a few children, that she may not have time to get into mischief, and allow her to have her own way whenever it is best for her. The High Brow.—Raise her to your intellectual level—if possible. Try to make her your companion and equal. .Discuss literature, art and the topics of the day with her, even if you are required to do a tiresome lot of explaining. It is possible for a woman to be more satisfactory as a companion than a man. If she has tact—and most women have—she will never tell you what you do not know what you are talking about—and prove it. And if she loves you klig will accept your opinion as the last word on the subject. The Low Brow (alias The Brute). — Treat her just as you do your horse. Feed her enough to keep her in prime working condition. Buy her new hari ness when the old is likely to reflect discredit upon you. Say nothing when she works well, beat her when she doesn't. Brag to others what a true, steady puller she is, but don't let her overhear you. When she is worn out get another. The Average Man.—Provide for her the best you can. Love her a good ceal —in an undemonstrative way after the first year. Be as true to her as the strength of temptation will permit. Be a brute to her, sometimes, and then re - pent, apologise and atone. Remember j that she is not a creature of logic, reason or iron, but an inconsistent, levable, breakable being, with f auits i.ure numerous and less grave Ihan your own. The Woman Herself. —Give her lots of clothes. Tell her often that you love I her—whether you do or not. Listen to | her when she wants to talk. Pretend i that you like to have her make a fuss over you, muss up your hair rnd sit ! o'i yonr lap, wrinkling your best trousers, when you are well, and to give you nasty medicine when you are sick. Should her love become oppressive, give her children. If you won't or can't do any of these things, do not b'.amo her for turning to a pug dog or an aflinily. She must have something to lo"e. This is her ideal, but rather than such treatment from a man she does not love, she prefers being treated like a dog by ■ one she does love.'