the groves of Pasadino and the San Gabriel | ly the most attractive spot man ever saw. It valley, the one great noticeable feature is the wonderful cultivation-cultivation that to an Eastern man is astounding. There is an absolute dearth of all weeds, rendered compulsory, of course, by the need of the fruit-producing plant for every drop of moisture. is one vast garden, filled with flowers, orange, lemon and almond trees, and vineyards. The cultivation is marvelous, indescribable; the place is a paradise on earth. Here, and elsewhere in California, one sees some very amusing things, and some entirely novel. Instead Another noteworthy feature is the comfort- of taking up their abode in trees, the squirable appearance of the people, all of whom rels live in holes in the ground, and as nuts seem well to do. No squalid poverty, no are not available grow fat on roots. Likeunsightly surroundings are visible, the hum- wise the owls, which are the color of the blest homes being neat and convenient. Of sand in California; while the rats, reversing course this is in great measure owing to the the natural order, build their nests in trees. fact that the population is as yet scanty, Some birds there are, too, that are unable to and has made no great drafts upon the pov- fly, yet run faster than a hare, while the lizerty-stricken masses of Europe. I have also ards fly through the air with a motion as been much surprised to find the cost of liv-quick as the lightning. The hideous tarantula ing so very cheap. Hotel charges are from is often seen, the poison of whose bite is $2.00 to $2.50 per day, and this at hostelries deadly. that will compare favorably with any at the East. Horses may be hired cheap, and the roads are in splendid condition; having no rain or frost to disturb them, they become like floors. But who can undertake to describe the climate of California! The resident of San Francisco says there is no place in the world so pleasant or so healthful. Here the wind always blows the nights are always cold, and the same clothing is worn all the year round. Occasionally in summer a north wind bakes the city, but by night the usual ocean breeze comes to cool things off again. Farther south the winds are not so violent and the climate is to us more pleaIn a word, California has a variety of climate, even a few miles creating a very perceptible change. The distinctive features are the dry atmosphere, the unceasing bright sunshine, and the absence of great variations of temperature. The mountains are ever in sight, and by changing the current of the winds make great differences in near places. sant. On the afternoon of Fourth month 29th I arrived at the metropolis of Southern California, Los Angeles, finding it a rapidly improving city, of some 12,000 people. The country, for many miles around the city, is being brought into cultivation by the introduction of water. The windmill is always an object in view, and many artesian wells are sunk. When found at all, the water is always good, perfectly clear and free from alkali or minerals. When water is reached, it is turned into ditches, and floods the land at intervals, that soil not needing irrigation being exceptional. Los Angeles is well built, and combines a metropolitan aspect with the same air of comfort observable elsewhere. The houses are of a neat bird-like style of architecture, with numerous bay windows. Near this city is the wonderful settlement of Pasadina, in the San Gabriel valley, sure While at Los Angeles we visited the ostrich farms, near Anaheim, and found the details of the business of breeding most interesting. They were detailed to us by Dr. Sketchley, recently from South Africa. The company which has undertaken this enterprise is very sanguine of success, and large amounts have been staked upon the venture. Dr. Sketchley has brought twenty-two birds over from Africa, at a cost of $30,000, and considers. the conditions in California so favorable that success is assured. The doctor speaks from years of experience, and his opinions are probably correct. He says the feathers are plucked from the birds every seven months, and those taken from one bird at a picking are worth about $400. If the industry can be made to pay, there is abundant room for farms; but one great drawback is the high price at which land is held. Wild bits of country that one would scarcely take as a gift are held at $30 per acre, and much of the totally uncultivated land is valued at $200 per acre. From here I make my way by stage to the Pacific, a distance of 74 miles. J. W. G. For Friends' Intelligencer. CHAUTAUQUAN DAYS-III. We are not able to find that any legendary lore concerning this place has a lodgment in the minds of the people. The cattle of a thousand hills are grazing on the rich pastures, where once the forest sheltered the wild beast. The happy homestead, embowered with garden and orchard, has replaced the wigwam and hut of the camping ground, and edifices of Christian worship have arisen to replace the woodland temples which we may be sure had a sacredness to the dusky tribes who saw "God in clouds, and heard him in the winds." To them the mystic world beyond, to which they aspired was the happy hunting grounds, even as these Christian people are looking forward to a tranquil home of peace and rest where the love of an Eternal Father will provide all joy for his children, who are gathered to him from afar, will wipe away all tears, and will satisfy every holy aspiration and every noble impulse of their hearts. I ask our hostess what the meaning of the word Chautauqua is supposed to be. She replies, unhesitatingly, that the word means saddle-bags, and that it came from the resemblance of the shape of the basin to those useful accompaniments of the early pioneer. Another authority is equally positive that the name signifies mist-covered, because at some seasons a misty atmosphere prevails on this plateau; but all fail to feel any interest in my attempts to search into forgotten things. The present hour and its duties are enough for most people, and the misty kingdom of the past is in danger of being entirely blotted out. We are fascinated by the beauty of the pure mirror which is spread before us. Its charms vary with every hour of the day. Often as the sun rises, a brisk wind comes over the waters, which are then tormented into white-capped billows, and beat tempestuously upon the banks. Then no row boats care to venture out from their moorings, and all sails are furled. But the lake has a wild beauty, and the strong breeze is bracing and exhilarating. The hours pass quickly, and as the sun declines the winds grow calmer. Down at length sinks the god of Day behind the northern hills, leaving behind him clouds of glory unspeakable. In the hush of the hour we may take the sail boat that spreads her white wings invitingly, and be gently wafted over the amethyst tinted sea to the fair shores which have lured us all day, and look back to Point Chautauqua, with its Grand Hotel, its mighty Tabernacle, its pretty cottage homes, its smooth grassy slopes, its superb woodland, its orchards and gardens. Distance lends enchantment, and we almost sympathize with the wild raptures of those who declare it the loveliest spot in all our land, hardly to be surpassed by the Old World's famed Elysiums. But the absence of high mountains is enough to exclude this from among the noblest of earth's pleasure places. Yonder arises the full midsummer moon over the pure waters, the velvety hills, and the dark forest. Into the pure blue sky she ascends, and the distant sparklers of the night seem to sink yet deeper into the depths of space. Over the silvery waters we glide back to our haven, and night has hardly come when we step again upon the green sward. "Move eastward, happy earth, and leave O happy planet, eastward go.” Peace and deep rest fall upon Chautauqua, and the true spirit of repose is here. We sleep soundly to-night and awaken on the morning of the 14th to the consciousness that this is the opening day for the exercises at Chautauqua, the resort on the other side of the lake, where is now about to be held the tenth annual gathering of the Summer School and Assembly, organized in 1874. The day is still and warm, but we wear woollen clothing with comfort, and are not deterred from attendance on the south side. We cross in the steamer, pay twenty-five cents for entrance fee, and may enjoy whatever has been devised for the attraction of the multitude which Chautauqua hopes to gather in her halls and groves at this time. When we arrive most of the speech-making is over, and we find seats in the grand amphitheatre, to listen to music, both vocal and instrumental, which aims to awaken enthusiasm and kindle emotion. But no great emotion or enthusiasm is aroused in our insensate souls. To me the breezes singing in the swaying tree tops, the jubilant notes of the forest songsters, or the lake waters lapsing gently on the sands are more sweet and suggestive harmonies than all these costly and painstaking devices of busy man. Then we are invited into a spacious open field to day fire-works." This is somethig new and strange, and we lay hold on chairs from the Hall of Philosophy and bear them out into the open space to see what should be seen. In a sort of mortar, as it seemed, is placed the magical something which with an explosive burst is launched into the upper air as a confused cloud. Out of the cloud is evolved unexpected phenomena. At one time it is streamers and dragons, at an other, figures of animals sailing sublimely off on the wings of the wind. Then come grotesque woman forms, roosters, willow branches and clouds, birds, flowers, and other devices. These things are seemingly evolved in mid-air, cast off their environments, right themselves, according to the laws of gravitation, and go toppling and gyrating off, to the admiration of the child-like throng of observers. Any one must be impressed with the ingenuity and scientific knowledge displayed by the devisers of these fireworks. But that gratification which only consists of surprise and wonder, is not of a very high order. Alternating with the fireworks, a succession of fire balloons ascend successfully. A large oil-paper semblance of an elephant, open underneath the body, is filled with heated air by means of the burning of turpentine in a | the soul, something quite the reverse of such sponge placed in a frame-work arranged for childish amusement as we have had to-day. the purpose in the orifice. Very soon the Other edifices needed for the multiform exerspecific gravity of the object is small enough cises of this woodland academy are around to cause a rise, and as the moving cause goes us, but night is coming. The sun sinks down along, we have the spectacle of the flying ele- again in mellow glory, and in due time the phant, moving majestically above us, and electric lamps irradiate the forest depths, and continuing its flight, unwaveringly, until he prolong the activities of the throng who are disappears in the distance. Other animal seeking to utilize their leisure days while forms follow, until it seems as if a whole they recuperate wasted mental and bodily menagerie were etheralized for our pleasure, forces. and were in en route for another planet. These things are only recreations incidentally thrown into the programme. The object aimed at is to make this summer retreat by the lake a centre of intellectual and religious influence. It is an endeavor to promote a knowledge of both scientific and biblical lore, to encourage a just taste for good literature, to furnish instruction in the study of languages, and to give to earnest young teachers such help in their great vocation as may be afforded by the experienced and the gifted. After the amusements are over we give the rest of the day to a ramble about this settlement in the forest, admire the great hotel Athenæum, with its broad and lofty verandahs, its spacious halls and parlors, its emiAnently conventional host, its excellent facilities for the entertainment of the incoming multitudes, and its superb outlook over the lake. The architecture may well be called beautiful, and it is carried out with skill and taste in all the details, which leaves little to be desired. By the lake side is an elaborate model of the holy land, nearly 300 feet in length. We have the Valley of the Jordan, from the mountains of Lebanon, with its forest of cedars even to the Dead Sea. Its rock-work and sodding has been directed by skilful hands, and we acknowledge that it gives a reasonably clear idea of the country in which dwelt the great people to whom were committed the oracles of Jehovah. Just beyond, an excellent model of the city where David dwelt, as it appears in modern times, is open for inspection. It is certainly one of the best models of Jerusalem we have ever seen, and we give some time to the examination of its details, with much satisfaction. A sectional model of the great pyramid is worthy of observation, and correctly shows the interior as well as the exterior of this wonderful mystic sarcophagus of the selfglorifying king of ancient Egypt. In a grove dedicated to St. Paul stands the wooden semblance of a Greek temple, which is called the Hall of Philosophy. Here, on breezy summer days are to be heard expositions of the deeper things of the mind and of The original forest of stately sugar maples, elms, oaks, beeches, etc., has only been thinned out, cleared of underbrush, drained, penetrated by roadways and pathways for this place of joyance. The great height_and noble proportions of the remaining wood are solemnizing and impressive. There is shade enough to temper the glow of noonday, but not so much as to give a sombre character to the locality, or to prevent such purifying action of sunbeam and free air as is needed for healthfulness. I judge from the nomenclature of streets and avenues that the influence of the Methodist body prevails at Chautauqua, but many denominations are represented, and there is an evident care to keep out of sectarian ruts. Point Chautauqua, on the north side, is distinctively a Baptist settlement and pleasure resort. It is owned by a Baptist association, and is the seat of the Point Chautauqua Baptist Assembly, which here holds its sessions for three weeks, beginning on the 17th of Seventh month. But a liberal spirit prevails, and all people who approve the regulations sufficiently to live under them, are much more than welcome to come up to this spot and abide with the brethren of the Baptist confession, just as long as the season lasts. The exercises of the season opened on the evening of the 17th, with a social reunion in the hotel. Then cordial greetings were extended, various cheerful entertainments were provided, and the intention of the Assembly was explained. The next morning the Assembly convened in the great tabernacle and a religious service was held. P. S. Moxon, of Cleveland, Ohio, gave an able and interesting address, embodying enlarged and just ideas of the proper mission of the Church of Christ, and acknowledging the impossibility of limiting it by creed or ecclesiastical authority. I am sure no harm to the cause of truth can come of the discussion of great subjects in this sanctuary of the forest, and amid such enchanting surroundings. As “iron sharpeneth iron, so doth a man the countenance of his friend." This coming together with pure intent, seeking the guidance of the Father of Spirits is in harmony with all the best_traditions of the disciples of the Great Teacher; No holier thou than other days, S. R. For thou art God's, and none are less; All industries may be sublime That are not wrought in selfishness. But there are seasons that we love, To lift our faces from the sod, Or let the ledger column stand, To take a pleasant walk with God, Is privilege nothing less than grand. True we should walk with God alway, But we are human: if we stay To note our course, why who will chide? Is it not real joy to know, That if our ordinary mood We make some effort to be good? Can we do other than rejoice, That over all our land the air There may be discord in the sound, What matter if our creeds may jar, For trifles, can I speak of thee As less than sacred, and be true? Thou art a holy day to me For the high uses we may make Of time, a larger quality Than Hebrew law can give or take. -H. S. K., in Scattered Seeds. NATURAL HISTORY STUDIES. The Coloring of Plants.-Though the colors of leaves and flowers depend on light, the process of coloring is a vital one, and, like all exhibitions of vital power, depends directly on nutrition. It has been shown by observers in our own country that even the color of autumn leaves cannot be examined without taking nutrition into consideration. The colors of flowers in high latitudes, as compared with those of the same flowers at lower elevations, are higher, simply because of variable drains on nutrition. Professor Henshaw has recently reverted to this peculiar relation of light to nutrition in the colors of flowers by comparing the common lilac and the hyacinth. If the purple variety of the former be made to bloom in darkness, it becomes wholly white; but the purple or other colored hyacinth retains much of its color when made to bloom in the dark. The reason is presumed to be that the flowers of the lilac, as they develop, have to perfect nutrition from the atmosphere, which they cannot do without the aid of light; while, in the case of the hyacinth, it has been fully perfected and stored up in the bulb the season before. This is equivalent to saying that the bulb can go on growing in a much more nearly perfect manner without light than the lilac can. - The Independent. One Corn Smut.-The experiments and investigations carried on at Pine Hedge farm during the past two years, to learn something about corn smut, have been interesting, if not entirely satisfactory. We were led into the study of the subject by receiving a sample of sweet corn from a friend, for trial, which proved to be excessively smutty when ready to harvest, nearly fifty per cent. of the ears being more or less affected. The following year, two samples selected from this smutty lot, were planted in different fields. sample was planted by the usual method, without special preparation, while the other sample was treated to a strong solution of sulphate of copper or blue stone, in the same way that wheat and other small grains are sometimes treated for killing smut on them, The experiment appeared to be a very useful one, the dry seed producing corn as badly smutted as the crop of the previous year, while from the pickled seed the crop was almost absolutely clean. A sample of field corn with smutty kernels was also treated with the copper solution and planted, producing a crop of pretty clean corn as a result. Last season the attempt was made to carry the investigations further and to reach more definite results. Two acres were planted with It is pretty certain that a thorough soaking and washing of the seed corn in a strong solution of blue stone will tend to prevent smutty ears in the crop. Perhaps an equally thorough cleansing in pure water would be as efficient. It is also evident that simply wetting seed corn that has smut spores mixed with it in a solution of blue stone will not insure a clean crop. It is considered by many an open question whether smut reaches the plant through the medium of the seed, the soil, or the air. We are inclined to believe it may be reached through all these channels. It has been claimed that breaking the leaves during growth opens the way for the floating spores to enter the plant. We would like to see a hundred corn leaves broken intentionally for this purpose that showed smut as a result, while others left sound were not attacked. seed corn from a dozen or more different sources, all being soaked a short time in a sulphate of copper solution. Very little smut was seen at the harvest time, but the field was not entirely clean, as we had hoped. Late in the spring, a sample of sweet corn was planted for late table use. Before planting, the seed was thoroughly mixed with smut spores from a collection made the fall | previous and carefully kept through the winter in a tightly-corked glass bottle. After mixing the corn and spores together, one part was planted, and another part treated with a solution of the sulphate of copper, and then planted in rows near that which had been mixed with smut spores, but not soaked in the copper solution. Both lots grew equally well, and both lots showed a great deal of smut on the leaves of the corn, but almost none on the ears. The smut spores planted purposely with the seed, evidently took pos- In some localities, and with certain variesession of the corn plant, showing that the ties of corn, this smut problem is one that is spores, kept dry in bottles several months, very serious. No farmer, however well he are in perfect health and ready to do' their manures and cultivates, can count upon a large work of destruction to the corn plant when crop with any degree of certainty so long as an opportunity occurs. If the spores will his yield is liable to be reduced to a large keep sound in a bottle, they would undoubt-degree by this filthy, disagreeable pest. Our edly keep in a corn crib when attached to the kernels, as is the case with much of the corn grown. Other observers have found that smutty corn, grown on the same field year after year, becomes so smutty in a few years that it is not worth raising. This seems to show that the smut spores live in the soil or on the surface through the winter, enduring all the changes of temperature and moisture incident to the exposure. We have noticed the same in a field partly on old and partly on new ground, the crop being much more smutted where corn had grown the year previous. If smut spores will live through the winter in the open field and be ready to take possession of the next years' crop, we may reasonably expect they will also live in the manure pile made from feeding smutty corn fodder in the winter, and that corn fields manured from such a source, would show more or less smut, whether the seed planted were clean or otherwise. There is, evidently, a wide field for observation in this matter of corn smut. So far as we can learn, the farmers of Northern New England are less troubled with it than are those further south, where the summer is longer and warmer. We have had a field of corn show abundance of smut early in the season, before the spindle or silk began to make its appearance. The smutty excres cences were often seen swelling out upon the stalk, almost down to the roots, occasionally doing little damage to other parts of the plant. allusion to it at this time is for the purpose THE Counterpart of religious instruction is moral training. There is a sense in which morality may exist without religion. That is, certain moral habits may exist, and certain moral practices obtain, where there is no pretense to religious feeling, and no reference to religious sanctions. But the highest morality, nay, it may be said, true morality does not exist except as the fruit of religious principle. The true character of a practice, habit, or principle is the motive from which it springs, and religion recognizes those acts only as moral which proceed from motives such as God approves. With many the school is simply a place of instruction and of learning-a place where certain arts are first to be acquired, and then applied to the acquisition of other things. This is their sole end and aim; and if these are secured, then the school answers its purpose, and all further responsibility is escaped from. But the school ought to be a place of education-of education, not in its popular sense of instruction, but in its real import as implying the formation of character. John Gill. |