THE Good Neighbour

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 63, Issue 4, 15 October 1941, Page 355

THE Good Neighbour

BY

MARY

J’tctn 17le To Jjou

OW many of you have discovered the joy that lies in dreaming? Remember the old saying which tells us that the best things in life are free? Well, here is one of them, right at your fingertips, which will open magic kingdoms to you and for you. ; How precious dreams can be! We all have our dreams, we all have need of our dreams —they are as much part of our lives as our bread and butter. What does it matter if our dreams do , not materialise? We who have known the deep joy our dreams bring us will all agree that we lose nothing by having had our dreams; as with pain and sorrowing, we are left richer in spirit because of them. Let us read what f. Abraham wrote about dreams. He said, “Dreams are very precious things to the world-weary. All poetry is of the stuff dreams are made. Men write poetry out of the depths of their sensations; women read it in anticipation of the joys they hope to experience. And it is all just dreams —dreams of the colour of illimitable blue, steeped, in the memory of forgotten amethysts. Dreams make the rugged places of the world appear as gardens of roses and honeysuckles; dreams are the; anodyne .of life.” We tread on our dreams wherever we go —they are so many, and are so thick about us, we cannot help it.

But our dreams do not —they are part of us, and we cannot hurt them. n nn . r / Dreams DO come true. I have a , dream which came true in the most unexpected way, but it didn't come true for a very long time after 1 had ceased to wish and long for it. And 1 know now that in the realisation of - . -j r , , ~ ' that dream 1 lost many other things 1.1 . , i , 6 by the wayside, yet the one dream

fulfilled compensates for a thousand which came to naught. Hold fast to your dreams—never et them be taken from you. Go out • . • r ■ . , into the open air, for just a little w h each day or night, -and dream. Time spent in dream*ng * s never lost, and perhaps to-day, more than ( e J er ’ we nee d our dreams as a flower / ■■ j , // needs the sun. / / < v 1/

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T THINK I can claim to be considered, to some extent at least, to be numbered among the pioneers. My grandparents came out with the early settlers about 1860, my father “went back,” and my husband also. ' My elder children were taught by correspondence, and my younger children started that way too. Now my boys are in camp (Air Force), my elder daughter is in an office, and the younger one is at home, going to school by bus. We are carrying on the farm under difficult conditions, as labour is scarce and we are getting old, in the hope that one at . least of the boys will be back to keep it on. There are so many in the same position, or worse, that we can’t complain, and at least the war hasn’t reached here yet. Elizabeth, Gisborne. T>IDDI-JAN, .if you believe that things are mapped' out for us when we are born, are you not throwing over a democratic way of living, and accepting a dictatorship? Might

I explain it this way? If Hitler wins this war, and we virtually become slaves, can you still think this was fore-ordained, and that we must bow our heads before the yoke? I think not. God has given us freewill, translated today in the true meaning of the word democracy. And in that freewill we have our choice between Good and Evil. Many roads there are to take, many lanes, and aye, many a blind alley for us to go down along the Path of Life. But the choice is ours, and ours alone. We have eyes to see with; ears to hear with, and a reasoning mind to guide us. Alas, too often we “gang our own gait.” And a pitying Christ looks on over a troubled world today. If it were all ordained, could we not sit back now and say, “It does not matter if fire and famine or war and fever destroy us all. It was planned. And what’s to be will be.” Planned and perpetrated by Man certainly, but by any being outside this universe I cannot

believe. If I did I should lose faith in social order, and justice, and, supreme point, faith in myself as a helpful, intelligent unit of society.— Bart, Otorahanga. AFTER dipping into your section, I felt exactly as if I’d been introduced to a new friend. And that will be something more to look forward to each month. “The world is so full of a number . of things I am sure we should all be as happy as kings.” . . I am always glad to add to my goodly number of things. Thank you, Mary. I love the homely, friendly atmosphere of your pages, and am looking forward to further acquaintance.— Lifuka, Nelson. rHE pen-name “Unhappy Jack” should not convey to you a glumcountenanced type of individual. Jack is not that. He tries to be cheery, and helpful to others, as opportunity offers. He is a farmer—mostly sheep, on high country, where in winter the snow oft mantles hill and dale. His nearest neighbours are respectively ' five and two miles away. Therefore, in the wide open spaces, his thoughts meander at. times in literary and poetical lines. The “Journal,” being a farmer’s paper, is read by sheep men, cow men, pig men, as well as the tillers of the soil. These men on the land can generally take a turn indoors to equal the average housewife. Therefore, it should not, surprise you greatly to know that many of these men have a warm corner in their oft rugged hearts for Mary. Unhappy Jack, Gisborne. AT our local W.D. meeting, members 5 s - are asked to give their version of what women are doing in the world today. It is amazing how many dif-

ferent people are mentioned, and what wonderful work,is being done by some women. Among the most notable women mentioned are the Queen, various members of the Royal Family, Mrs. Roosevelt, a woman who makes all the little white pieces in our airmen’s caps, and of course the wonderful women of England. Don’t you think it is a very interesting idea? — Bettina, Frankton Junction. .. TWO young boys'living near us dex cided to give their father a Bible for a birthday present, so putting their savings together, they purchased a beautiful copy. Then came the time for considerationwhat would they write inside it? They decided to look through their father’s books, and see what was written in them. Next morning, when father sat down to breakfast, there was the Bible, and on opening it, he found the inscription, “To Daddy, with the author’s compliments.” —Polly, Poolburn. TUST recently I came across this in , Arthur Mee’s “Talks to Boys.” Speaking ’ of good books he says: “A man is known by his books, as truly as by his looks, for a man is what his mind is, and books are makers of minds. You will find it worth while to read with a pencil at hand and mark the thoughts that strike you. It is only men who pretend to . love books who are afraid to mark them.” They are lovely thoughts, and you see now why I value your messages I read them there are plenty of pencil marks. I love my books, and in my bookshelves there are old and new favourites. Pleasant Point. AT OU • touched a specially appreciative spot when you spoke of adventure in arranging flowers. But I take up one small challenge—l think pewter is dull in comparison with brass or copper. And you can’t polish pewter. But marigolds in —lovely! Speaking of that subject, when I was in Timaru recently, I was taken to see St. Mary’s Church. It has a most enchanting interior, but especially I noticed the arrangement of the flowers. Instead of tall vases,' that carry the eye upwards, there were, six shallow, graduated brass bowls with claw feet, filled with scarlet massed geraniums. . Such a change! I once had to fill our church vases, at a time when flowers'were very scarce. All I could get was the ornamental broom, but I cut very long, slender sprays. It is usual to have a very massed effect for that purpose, but I had to achieve the reverse, somewhat doubtfully, in my own mind. Imagine my surprised delight to see the tracery of shadow, delicate as lace, thrown on the cream hangings by the two — London Lass, Wellington. /k WELL-KNOWN bishop set out one night to attend a children’s party. “Don’t announce me,” he said to the

servant. • Leaving his hat and coat downstairs, he quietly opened the drawing-room door, where the buzz of voices announced the presence of company. Dropping on hands and knees he entered, making queer noises like the neighing of a horse. Aware of a sudden silence he looked up, and found the guests assembled for a dinner partythe children’s party was next door! Puss, Oturehua. TVTOULD Biddi-Jan mind me com- ’ ’ men ting on her theory that everything is mapped out for us from birth? The psychologists, you know, wouldn’t agree with you, Biddi-Jan. They say, “Man is a choosing animal,” and he can, intervene purposely in the course of events with intelligent foresight of ends. Progress comes like this, they say; we think, then we act, but our action and its results cause us to modify our succeeding thoughts, which in turn cause us to modify our next fact, and so on to' the end. And, of course, in our thinking we are (or should be) influenced by the future as well as the past. And, of course, too, our lives are so immersed in the lives of others that we receive both the good and the bad consequences of their respective actions as well. I don’t know whether accidents never happen, but at any rate some lessons are out of all proportion. Would you say a child was meant to be born in the slums, Biddi-Jan? For if the rule holds good for one, shouldn’t it hold good for all? ’ Are not bad conditions the result of our individual and collective will power to do better? I like to think rather that very little in this world is meant to be as it is, and the obstacle in our path of progress is our lack of that energy of desire. Now don’t all fall upon me in vehement disagreement. Of course I realise that we are handed out certain materials and have to make the best pattern we can out of these. But what I’m trying to say is that the material is life, and the pattern has infinite possibilities. So firmly I believe “Man is a choosing animal.” What do you all think? — Kaleidoscope, Four Peaks.

MIRACLE ' - ?, It rained last night, And when the people woke they said: “No joy in getting up today, We’d rather stay in bed.” They did not see, those foolish folk, The beauty that I found, They did not see the sparkling drops That silvered all the ground. And when at last the sun came out f The foolish ones saw not Ten million diamond treasures That sparkled, silver shot.

It's a Topsy-turvey World We Live In

IT’S a topsy-turvy world we live in todaywho doesn’t know . it? Every day we find we have to readjust ourselves to some fresh set of circumstances, every day we find our sense of values altering. It’s difficult sometimes to keep looking on the bright side, especially when the days seem a succession of small worries and upsets. But don’t let the topsy-turvy world upset you. Worry never did any one any good, and even if your world does seem upside down today, then tomorrow it must straighten up again -for you. It is the law of averages—it never fails. Where are you going to begin to keep level? All over the world women are doing jobs they have never tackled before, and are doing them in a splendid fashion. Here in our own country our women are helping the men on the land, helping with all their heart and soul. ■in an effort to win the war. And while they are helping, they are often bearing heavy burdens of worry iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin

And, whatever else you do, or don’t do, please don’t neglect your leisure periods. They are more important to you now than ever beforeextra work means extra strain on your nervous system, and as compensation you must give yourself more rest. But resting does not necessarily mean idleness you can knit, or read, or perhap just

enjoy the luxury of listening to the wireless for a little while now and then between jobs. But do be careful of yourself. Everything and everyone seems upside down these days— you want to stay upside down for ever? Because you will, if you are not very careful.

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiianiiiiiiaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiDiiiiii and anxiety—(but it’s a strain, and unless you are more careful of yourself than you usually are, then the strain will tell. Very soon you will find circles under your eyes, feel yourself losing your dash, feel' yourself growing —too soon. There are many ways in which to combat the evil. First of all I would recommend to you something new to wear. Not necessarily a whole new, outfit —they are luxuries these days? But a new hat, perhaps with a gay feather, and a scarf to match, will brighten your old costume, and brighten you, too. Despite extra work, you must keep yourself looking smart and fresh. Try a new flower on your frock, a new belt, or a new blouse anything, so long as it is fresh and new. What about your cosmetics? Have a change of face powder, or face cream —a new perfume will act as a tonic in itself. Go down to the hairdresser and tell her you want your hair set in some style which you haven’t ever tried before. Hair styles can work miracles on tired spirits.

Our Competition

"WHAT IS YOUR SECRET DESIRE?"

SO many secret desires have come in to me, tumbling out of my mail every day, that I marvel at so many secret desires being in existence. First prize to “Lifuka,” Motueka —her desire could be translated into so many other things—possibly pencils for me, instead of tools, and needles and cotton for you, mother. Second prize to “Gran,” Meeanee, and highly commended “London Lass,” Wellington (who seems to have more than her fair share of secret desires!) and “Ajax,” Oxford. Secret desires? Well, they may have been secret once, but they’re secret no more now.

First Prize

WHAT is my secret desire? Well, it may sound trivial to you, but, how I would like to possess a complete set of really good garden tools! I am a garden enthusiast, and often snatch a few minutes -to work in the garden. Then this sort of thing happens. I particularly .... want to hoe something and there’s’no hoe to be found. Either they’re all in use, or else they’ve been left where last used, about three paddocks away. When I do find one, it is usually too heavy or bluntjust the old one no one else wants. It’s the same with all the tools. By the time I’ve 1 located the one I want, both the precious minutes I had to 1 spare and my enthusiasm have flown. So putting aside all the other things I’d like to

mention as secret desires, I’ll - say “Tools.” (Of course, I’d need a shed, plus padlock, to retain ; possession of them, so we’ll include them as well!) — Lifuka, Motueka.

Second Prize

WHEN I was a child my mother took “ me, along with my sisters, almost every Sunday afternoon to visit my ■Grandma, and we had tea with her. To us it was the greatest treat—hot buttered v toast and fruit tart with clotted cream. Always I had a secret desire that one day I would take my children to tea with their grandma. Well, after years I did marry, but alas, I was at the other end of New Zealand, and could not take my children to visit my home, and my mother died soon after. But still the secret' desire remains, and I look forward to the day when my grandchildren will come to tea with me, and I’ll give them hot toast and fruit tart and 'Clotted creamall the things that will help them to remember tea with grandma, and perhaps they too will foster a secret desire like mine.— Gran, Meeanee. '

Highly Commended

r probe one’s mind for the revealing of’ a . secret desire is like making the acquaintance of oneself entirely afresh. And an interesting experience it has proved! For I discovered not one but a flock of secret desires that have been my lifelong companions. I think the oldest and perhaps the dearest wish was for curly hair. I am far from discontented with my own coppery-brown locks, but, oh, how I longed for . springy , curls, such as my mother has. I have always associated places intimately ' with peoplebookpeople as well as others. Consequently, I longed to visit Japan, for the sake of “The Lady of the Decoration.” ' Her life in the kindergarten was as real as my own. I dreamed; too, of walking up to Luther Burbank in his Californian garden, and asking him to show me his plant-miracles. And of shaking hands and taking tea with that kindly 1 old gentleman, Lord Frederick

Hamilton. But surely, the strongest longing of all is to tread the streets of London, to pick primroses in Devon lanes, to see the Kentish cherry, orchards in spring. That longing is always with me, and it sweetens life, whether it will be realised or not. Certainly it provides one of the essentials of happiness—“ Something to work for, something to hope for, something to — London Lass, Wellington. T HAVE travelled a little, and I have a dear little home and a wee girl whom I adore, so that when I have so many of the things which women hold

dear, it seems an impertinence to cherish a secret desire. Yet deep down there is one, and I have been aware of it for many years. It . came into being because I visited the home of a'friend, and found there her mother, a woman possessed of all the qualities which seemed most desirable. She was unequalled as a hostess, her poise and charm were to be envied, she knew what to say, and when to say it, and she combined a natural gaiety with strong, unerring good sense, tact, and womanly discretion. . I was at the impressionable age, and I was impressed by her good looks, her beautiful white hair, and her manners. The process: of, growing up which previously had seemed so distasteful to me took a new turn. I began to wish that I too might learn this great secret so that old age would come to me “lovely as a Lapland night.” And now you know that my secret desire is to accept - life as it comes, and make the best of it, so that I may grow old gracefully.— Ajax, Oxford. T WAS pondering on your • question, and how to write that my simple secret desire was that my husband and I should be granted good health, and the opportunity to continue our journey together, and celebrate our golden wedding anniversary. Then I chanced on a quotation from James A. Garfield which seemed so well to explain what I meant, although of course it does not mention good health or golden wedding anniversaries. “You and I are now nearly in middle age, and have not yet become soured and shrivelled by the wear and tear of life. Let us pray to be delivered from that condition where life and Nature, have no fresh, sweet sensations for us.”— Laurel, Feilding. GIPSY woman I’d like to be, free and wild, with a caravan red and donkey grey. . Nothing to do the whole day long but travel the country roads, and on Nature’s beauty feast. I’d like to beg. my bread, and in return tell fortunes fair and true, then on my way I’d go. I would gladly exchange my pomp and wealth to travel along with my caravan red and my donkey grey. Emily, Havelock North. r DHE big and one and only desire I have is to be free of the cowshed, and nothing to do but my housewifely duties, and my maternal joys. For many years I have taken a man’s place on the farm, and not without grudge. The work has been there to .do, and the maxims taught me in my youth hold fast: “Do that which is next your hand.” However, nothing is done without cost, and I have not been able to do farm work and have babies, which I would adore to do. My only son is an ever-present delight to me. but how I yearn for him to have brothers and sisters. The struggle to gain land has been hard, and often one wonders if the game is worth the candle, and yet there is ever that little

''HllllllllllllllllllllllllillllllllllllllllilllllllllllllM gleam of light beckoning us onwards. Sometimes I think we will change our vocation, and then over-rides it the thought' that nowhere else can children grow so well and truly blessed as on the land. I want lots of them!— Mother Eve, Waikato. TIFE is rather a queer affair, isn’t ■ it? Such a mix-up of poverty or wealth; a jumble, of emotions, desires, and longings, hopes and fears. We never know what tomorrow will bring forth —what desires will be miraculously answered, or what desires forever withheld. , But there is one gift I believe is unsurpassed in value, whether we be rich or poor, famous or obscure. Because I am sure that none of the things life . can bestow can be truly enjoyed without sharing, and that hardships and sorrow can be doubly hard without a comrade to understand, my desire is for a perfect companion, perfect at least in my eyes. For no matter what else life granted me, or took away 1 in the capricity of fate, to have someone by me who understood my outlook, because it too was their own, would be to me of value above rubies. Just a perfect understanding

of each other that would make life a tranquil serene thing at heart, amidst all other complexities of ease or hardship. So I cling hopefully and eagerly to the old adage: “Wish wisely and wish well, for what you really wish for will surely come to — Tiggety 800, Katj Kati. ,

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When you are knitting with a darkcoloured wool, spread a large white handkerchief over your knees. This is a great help to the eyes, especially if you are working in an artificial light. , r * -» ' •* If you heat a little too much hot water in your kettle, don’t let it get cold on you again. Pour it into the thermos flask/and it will keep hot for hours. z * «• When washing up eggy knives, forks, or plates, soak them for a little while in cold water, and they s will then wash, quite easily. *# * » Do you darn your daughter’s black stockings at night? Then switch on your electric torch, and use it as a darner. It’s a surprising' help in darning. * ■Str A teaspoonful of sugar added to the final rinsing water when you are washing a voile frock will restore its original crispness. •&- ■' % ; . Before greasing your cake tins or trays, warm them in the oven for a few minutes. The grease then spreads evenly, and prevents your cake from sticking to the tin. * * * Pour a little water into your ashtrays before using them. This prevents the ash from smoking, and also from blowing round the room if the day is windy. ■' ’

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EVERY woman loves a garden, every woman is a gardener at heart. Which is only natural, for colour, brightness and beauty in Nature are outstanding. The profusion and variety of her creations every season are impressive: in the home garden winter months have been bright and fragrant with violets and daffodils, camellias and wattle, poppies from Iceland, and anemones from Syria. Now the flowering trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennial plants form a floral calendar of cheerful anticipation—provides a special opportunity of ringing a change, and supplementing display by making use of some of the many fine flowering annuals. ■ The hardy and half-hardy annuals afford an excellent opportunity of introducing variety in . the garden by changing the colour scheme, but three points must be remembered: the preparation of the land, the selection and arrangement of the plants, and plant-

ing and maintenance. Plants of this class require a rich soil to enable them to show to best advantage. A profusion of blossom makes a heavy demand on constitution, so that with few exceptions a generous supply of humus is required. Where the soil is infested with bad weeds, or is dusty and exhausted by long cropping, it is best removed to a depth of 12 to 18 inches, and replaced with a rich sweet loam. Mix a third part of good decayed farm manure with the lower 6 to 9 inches, and work into the top soil

an ounce or two of superphosphate, and 4 oz. of bonedust to the square yard. Under good management such a preparation will last for three or four seasons, if the dressing of phosphates is added to the ’ top soil each year as required. In the selection and arrangement of your plants, your choice is very jvide —in fact, almost unlimited. It includes the long list of hardy annuals contained in our seed catalogues, and in addition many perennials, such as dahlias, chrysanthemums, geraniums, and even gladiolus that are commonly used as annuals. In a choice so wide, you can select plants suited to almost any conditions. If your garden is exposed to strong winds, try antirrhinums, calendulas, geraniums, and pelargoniums— are but a few of the many plants which tolerate or prefer such conditions. Where it is dry you will find, too, that marguerite, carnations, dianthus, eschscholtzias, petunias, and portulacca will flourish. Well-grown plants are essential. to success. Plants that have been forced

in their growth are big, soft, of a rich colour, and poorly rooted. Stale plants are often drawn, hard in flower, and poorly coloured. Good plants are of moderate size, with abundant roots. Plants raised under glass should be gradually hardened off before being placed outside. During the hardening process, plants should be kept rather dry, but a day or so before planting out see that the soil is in good, moist condition that will facilitate successful removal. Set the . plants out with a good trowel, firmly and rather deep, 8 to 12 inches apart, and up to 3 or 4 feet apart in the case of dahlias and chrysanthemums. It is better to avoid the taller varieties, which require considerable attention in staking and tying.- Patches and strips to be sown with seeds should be attended - to, sowing in drills rather than broadcasting, and later water from a can with a fine rose. .When the seeds are up, and the plants begin to make new growthabout 10 or 14 days later—lightly hoe the newly-ploughed beds and borders during fine weather to destroy seedling weeds which will also have grown up overnight. When dealt with in this way weeds will cause you no trouble, and the crop comes away rapidly. There’s the sun again! Doesn’t the earth smell sweet after the rain? The ground is moist, and just ready for you to give it a little attentionl know there are a hundred and one jobs to be done indoors, but still I ask you, “How does your garden grow?” And I know where I’ll find you in five minutes!

The Value of Rest

F is strange how often, and how easily, we overlook the value of that most important factor in good health —rest. Some of us are inclined to scoff at those who have their daily afternoon nap, but. believe me, it is these scoffers who will one day be the stoutest adherents to their rest hour. Nothing is more vital to a busy mother, who has perhaps started her day earlier than the family and has busied herself all the morning in a thousand and one different ways, than her time of rest, for it is only, by having, and insisting upon, her rest that she is fresh and ready to greet the family on their homecoming. Half an hour spent in the early part of the afternoon in complete quiet is not half an hour wasted: it is thirty minutes well spent, for during that time tired nerves have had a chance to freshen up, and tired spirits have revived. Happy indeed is the home that possesses an old but comfy sofa

in the living-room where mother can curl up for a little while whenever the opportunity offers. But it is not enough to wait until the opportunity offers. Every busy mother who has found the beneficial effect that a resthour has on her nerves and spirits will tell you that the opportunity must be made, probably every day for quite a while, until it becomes a habit. But perhaps you are one of those unfortunate people who are unable to sleep at will? Insomnia is perhaps the worst of all evils, for it is only by great will-power that it can be overcome. If you are inclined to suffer from sleeplessness, try having a hot bath ( every night just before you retire, rub yourself briskly after it, and go straight to bed, with a hot drink. Reading may help to induce

iiiigiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiii sleep, particularly if the book is rather tedious and heavy. But you’ve tried counting sheep, and have reached the nine hundred and ninety-ninth and are still awake? Well, get out of bed, but be careful to cover it up so that it keeps warm and cosy for you, and walk round the house for a few minutes so that you get quite cold. The welcoming warmth of your bed will probably send you straight off into' a dreamless slumber. . Rest! It is only a little word, but it is so important to one’s health and physical well-being that I am sure you will agree with me that half-an-hour a day spent in resting is worth all the bottles of tonic on the market. So try it out today.

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“The Farmer’s Wife” —By Anne Earncliff Brown SURELY a book with a name such as this will need no recommendation to my readers? The very name itself should be invitation enough. “The Farmer’s Wife.” Well, here is a book about the farmer’s wife, and written by a farmer’s wife—one who has the practical understanding of human nature, coupled with the eyes of a poet for seeing and capturing beauty. Anne is the typical farmer’s wife, and she recounts her experiences, her joys and sorrows, and her impressions just as they have occurred to

How Do You Index Your Recipes?

EVERY housewife has her collection of —recipes that have been gathered over the years, from friends, and culled from newspapers and magazines. Most of us have our pet recipe books, wherein we have copied these treasured recipes, but after a while, with the additions that are always going on, even the most methodical person finds that x the book has somehow outgrown itself in some sections, while other places are quite empty'. I’ll tell you what I do— try if. and I’ll be more than surprised if you aren’t delighted with the result. Next time you are in town, go to a commercial stationer and buy a small tickler box with an index and ledger cards. If you know anything about bookkeeping, you will know exactly what I mean, but if you don’t, then just ask your stationer, and you will soon be enlightened. You will find the index cards are labelled with letters of the alphabet— no good to you. Turn your index cards round, so that you have the blank back on which to write. You will know best how to label them—. them into sections such as cakes, biscuits, scones, sweets, savouries, soups, meats, jams, sauces, pickles, etc. The cards you buy will have ledger rulings, but if you are writing your

recipes by hand you can ignore the red lines on the cards, and if you are pasting newspaper cuttings they won’t worry you at all. Keep your recipes alphabetically under the various head—you will probably find you can paste quite half a dozen recipes on each card. This system has ever so many advantages. When you are cooking you can just take out the card you want, and prop it up before you. You will find that you always have enough room to enlarge the different sections as they grow, and it is so easy to refer to your favourite recipe when you want it in a hurry. Be sure to get a good quantity of cards when you make your purchase you may find it difficult later to get cards to fit if you don’t start off with a good supply. You may find the initial outlay a little greater than if you invested in a blank recipe book, but I can assure you that it is money well spent, for it is going to save you ever so much time over a period of years in searching for what you want when you want it. So off to town, and I’ll be surprised if you don’t sit down the minute you are inside the door again to start off your box system of recipe indexing. Try it! I can recommend it.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIBIIIIIIIIIIIIIH her. There '■ is beauty in farming, and Anne has found it. Just listen to her Farmyard Fugue: “If I were a poetess I would break into a rhapsody. The sun is making a glory of the gorse, and in the peach and plum orchard the bees, golden dusted and drowsy, zoom forth their Sunlight Sonata. Beneath the plum trees fallen blossom lies in drifts. Then a chill wind blows up from the east, and I listen, in a rain of peach bloom, to a Farmyard Fugue: the bleat of lambs, answering the deep note of milk-laden ewes; low mooing of cows, syncopated by the barking of a dog, the hoarse bass of the bull— rising in a* crescendo to a finale from the barnyard cock.” , In between her “bits of beauty” and conversations with her friendly neighbour Martha (we all know a Martha like this one) the author gives us recipes to experiment with, hints to use, and lots of information about farms and farming which should appeal to every one of you. I’m not going to tell you very much more, except to say that to own this book is a pleasure which will be everlasting, for it is one of those companionable . books that can be picked up

iiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinininiiiininimiiiniiiinin just now and then, and enjoyed for a few minutes, and then be put aside till the next opportunity arises for a little leisure. But I must not close without saying a word or two about . the splendid photographic illustrations, which add greatly to the enjoyment of the book. I will finish by quoting a little piece from the author’s prefatory note — I know it is a book you will enjoy because it was written for you by one of you. " “As long as men and women till the soil they will have joys and disappointments, exciting days, and days of gloom/’' I do not know how frankly I have faced all this and how successfully I have set it down, but if I have made you aware of the consolations of the ‘Good Earth’ I shall have justified, in some measure, the twenty years of my life as the wife of a farmer.” ■

New Year Resolutions. “ A LREADY?” I can hear you ask. xi. Yes, it won’t be long now before we are into 1942 —two more months. We all make New Year resolutions, even if it is only for the fun of seeing how long they last before we break them. . . . ’ “WHAT ARE YOUR NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS FOR 1942?” Yours may win one of the prizes—for first, 5/- for second. ( Send your resolutions to me before November 20 please. , “MARY,” C/o “Journal of Agriculture,” P.O. Box 3004, Wellington. Closing date: November 20, 1941.

iiiiiiiaiiiiiiiiaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiaiiiiiiiiiiiiliaiii A LITTLE BIRD . . . A little bird outside today Was singing, singing, singing ... A little bird in the endless blue, Was singing, singing the whole day through, And deep in my heart a gladness grew, It budded, and burst, a flower in dew . . . For a little bird outside today Was singing, singing, singing. . . .