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ATTENTION FISIIERMEN

We are pleased to announce that we can sup- ply you with the famous KERMATH line of Marine Engines. Both Gas and Diesel-all sizes to 550 horse- power.

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to Eniloy MODERN PLUMBING .

e For 354.30 you can replace

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icons-umer was eating them,

.-ms BUARDIAN. 'cHA1u;oT'ri:'row'N

A telegram from George A. Callback to the Canadian National Silver Fox Breeders Association. Summerside. has the following with reference to the Canadian Fur Auction sales Co. (Quebec) Ltd. sale held in Montreal this week. . . . Small attendance buyers for fox buying. Fair qisanticy or regular silvers at reduced prices. Pearl Platlnums best quality in demand. Others neglected, Ranch mink fair demand. Silverblus good demand. Pastelsfalr with 40. 60 and 50 per cent respective- ly sold.

k ....m In the fourth century Rome was the center of fur fashions. Later Constantinople became the center luxury and the fur market which it remained for over a thousand years. In Istanbul today the furpand hide market occupies the same location as this ancient fur market. In later years when the Hudson's Bay Company was formed and Canadian furs were being brought to Europe in quam. itles. London became the center of the fur industry and remained so until World War 2 when New York'took over. Now London is Bhiemlnlng to again become the fur center of the world.

Strong demand for wild furs with wild mink slightly higher, was shown in the January sales of Little Bros. Fur Sales Agency Vancouver. 13. c. Ranch mink was slower moving with the greatest demand for medium price standard ranch. Pastels had a. sales spurt of about 10 per cent over the last sale

. and.good colored silverblus were

also in demand, while Aleutians moved slowly. Standard mink prices were unchanged with top quality males bgi glng 525. to 528.50, females, 51. to 515; good quality males, 518. to 521, females 59. to 510; ordinary males 516. to 317, females. 58.25 to 59. Silver- blus brought 530. to 535. for light.

To Start Hog. Marketing Agency

(Toronto Globe and Mail

A marketing agency, which aims to take decisions on hog prices out of the hands of processors and put them in the hands of producers through a marketing agency, has been announced by the Ontario Hog Producer's Association. 1

After Jan. 23 all sales 'of hogs in Ontario will go through the central marketing agency, operated by United Livestock sales Ltd, for the Ontario I-log Producers' Marketing Board.

This, said President Charles Mc- Innls of Iroquois. should restore competition to the hog market. give the producer a. better break and at the same time hold prices down for the consumer.

"In the past." said r. Mclnnls. "park was often consumed before the price to the producer was set. The processor would buy pigs, pro- cess them. and sell, them, to the buicher. Then, about the time the he would decide on the price to be paid. We want to eliminate that."

For Ten Years

The producers' organization has been working on the scheme for about 10 years, trying gradually to get a little more control of hog marketing. Members felt that all too often processors bought from drovers. and arranged with the drovcrs to get pigs for them. With the new system processors will have to compete in their bids, and the result. according to the asso- ciation, should be a more stable and level price for the producer. "It's a well-known fact that con- sumers don't llke price fluctua- tions,” said Mr. Mcmriis, "and in the past retailers and processors often set their prices during the high period for producers. Then. when the price to the consumer dropped, they kept their price near the same level because they knew it wasn't good business to have prices going up and down."

He said it was hoped, too, under the new scheme, to hand out advice to producers so that more orderly shipments could be arranged. In other words. there would be an at- tempt at planned production. to.n degree, so that a more even flow of pork could be maintained through- out the year.

-Stablliaation Needed "After all, the consumer eats about the same amount of pork all the year round, and all that is accomplished by shipping more pigs at certain seasons is to drive the price downward," . Mclnnls said. He noted that poi-k.market.s in the United states tended to fluctu- ate. since many pigs in that country were raised outdoors and had to be sold at certain seasons. In Canada production could be staggered. "The Job of our agency will be to sell hogs to the highest bidder, and to look for sales outlets. whether in this province or elsewhere,"1ie said. "The 17.8. market may provide some outlet, but it is not likely to do a great deal Dr us."

The scheme will control all hogs marketed for processing: in Ontario. beginning Jan. 23. and will include those which go to the Montreal and Hull markets.

The "agency will deal directly all h all buyers. and the length of t efor each price agreement will depend on individual arrangements between the sales board and the buyer: Price to be paid at all major centres in the province will be publicised daily.

It is hoped. said Mr. Mchmls. that the new selling method. in addition to providing a better deal for the -farmer, will reduce the spread between producer and can- sumer priceoto the benefit of both. "And." he added. "if we could get this on a national scale it

ortowtt 4 rsov

should eliminate the need for floor prices except in emergency "

TIMELY NOTES ON TOPIOS OONNEOTEII WITN Mink Farming I

Silver F ox and

:19

males. females 518. to 52!; medium males 520 to 25, females 515 to 517. dark male: 520 to 523. Breath of Spring light males, 550 to 552, females, 525. to 530. dark males, 332 to 538 and females from 517 to 520. Light pastel males were 542 i;o,545, females, 522 to 524,darks 522. to 524. and females, 515. to 524. Light sapphire males ranged in price from 570 to 580 and down to 540. to 550. for dark malu.

Wild fur trappers are finding this a very difficult peason and a great many have not bothered going out with their traps as prices are so low. At the B. C. auc- tion otter was 100 per cent sold with extra large nd large dark: bringing 522, to 5 5. and interior large 518. to 520., Ermine sold from 53.25 for giants down to 60 to 65 cents for emails. Beaver has also taken a big flop. Yukon blan- kets fetched 520 to 523. and extra large 5 6. to 518. down to 55. to 56.50 to emails. Marten ranged in price from 540. to 550. for ex- tra large brown down to 514. toils. for Cascade and Coast large.

Byzantine nobles wore the most ertravagant ralrnent of history and their elaborate robes were lined and trimmed with precious furs. The most valuable fur then as now was Russian sable which was worn only by royalty. Other furs used included ermine, marten and fax. In the latter part of the 19th cen- tory silver fox was worn by royal- ty and by the nobles of Russia, Austria and other countries. The Russians particularly liked to have their coats lined with silver fox and it was to Russia and Austria that most of the Dalton silver fox pelts that were bringing the big prices went. It will be remembereu that 33 pelts from the Dalton ranch averaged over 51,300 each at Lampson's auction sale in March 1910, and the top price of over 52,500 was paid for a silver fox pelt which with some others found their way eventually to an Aus- trian no-bleman's possession.

The Canadian Fur Auction Sales Co. (Quebec) Ltd. press releases on the recent sale held there has the followlng....An estimated 35 to 40 per cent of the offering of 43,545 ranch mink was sold with prices about unchanged from De- cember 3rd to December 22nd sales. The quantity of top quality mink was not on a par with the offerings at the two previous sales and demand was limited. There was, however, a fairly brisk de- mand for females which has been the trend in recent sales and 'a good percentage changed hands as did a fair proportion of the cheap- er and regular goods. There was brisk action in the marketing of the large catalogue of the 10,207 silver blue mink of which an estimated 50 per cent was sold, also at prices little changed from

the December sale. A similar pat- tern was followed in the sale of pastel and miscellaneous muta- tion mink. Prices of ranch mink ranged from 515.50 to 525.50 for one part 2 extra dark and dark and dark males and from 59. to 513.75 for females. One part 2 part dark brought 59.50 to 51.7. for males and 58.50 to 59.50 for females. Top price of 529. was paid for one part 2 extra dark males which ranged upward from 518.50 to 515. For 1 part 2 dark the range for males was 513.25 to 518.50 and for females 58.25 to 510.75. Silver up 1 part 2 males were 517. to 529, females 511. to 519 and mixed 512. to 525. Breath of Spring ranged 525.50 to 548. for males, 515.50 to 526.50 for females and 520. to 531. for, mixed. Stewart brought, 526.50 to 531. for males, 517. for females and 518.50 to 524.50 for mixed ,lots.

High grade American chinchilla coats and capes and stole: are expected to go on the market next year for the first time -in history. The National Chinchilla Breeders Association is getting ready 10,000 pelts which they claim are neces- sary to put the industry into busi- ness at the end of this year. The breeders are being urged to co- operatc in a nation wide peltlng program by peltlng 10 per cent of their animals and sending them to the chinchilla co-operative stor- age at Salt Lake City, Utah. There they will be graded and matched and culled and from there they will be sent to the fur- rlers to be made up for sale.

The muskrat offering at the Canadian Fur Auction Sale had a total of 150,000 skins, nearly all of them fresh. Seventy per cent was sold. Prices ranged as follows ...wlnter part fall, Nova acotla, 51.35 to 52.60, Quebec. 81.45 to 2.15, Prince Edward Island, 52.20. United States 51.20 to 51.75, Alber- to. 51.00 to 51.20. Spring skins, Nova Scotla, 52.45 to 52.60. Que- bec, 51.75, United States 90 cents to 51.65, Alberta, 5125, Alaska, 51.55 to 51.60, New foundland. 98 cents to 51.40, Saskatchewan, 66 cents. It seems from the above that Nova Scotla muskrat skins are preferred along with Prince Edward Island, to those of many other places.

1

-NEWSY

araicsu, viourrs

The African Violet, salntpaulla ionantha, was given the family name of the discoverer. Saint Paul and a species name which means (with violet-like flowers) by the Director of the Royal Botanical Gardens at 1-Ierrenhausen, Germ- any about l890, It was discovered by Baron Walter von Saint Paul. Governor of Usumbara in Northeast Tanganyika, Africa, who first sent seeds of a wild plant home to er- many. 4 -

Many hundreds of varieties of this plant have since been developed. Their beauty and attractiveness have made them one of the most popular house plants, and many thousands of Canadians are grow- ing, or trying to grow this plant. which combines so many aesthetic qualities. They may be seen in homes. libraries, offices and office buildings almost everywhere. Meth- ods of propagation are simple, so that there is a continual exchange of cuttings with friends. until many develop the collector habit, and test out their skill on I this chal- lenging plant.

Exhibits

some six years ago, at the first African Violet show in North Amer- ica. which wall held at Atlanta, Georgia, there was such a comma- tion and pu-blic interest caused by an importation from East Africa, that extra police had to be secured to protect the exhibit and to keep the crowds moving and untangle snarls in the traffic. This was prob- ably the first time that a plant has disturbed the peace, or incited a near riot among quite law abiding people. An exhibit of 110 named varieties of African Violets was made by 'Joan Copeland of Cooks- vllle. Ontario, at the Canadian Na.- tlonal Exhibition in Toronto, last summer, which attracted great crowds, many of whom picked up literature re this plant or placed an order to have plants sent to their homes.

An "African Violet House" oper- rated by Mrs. W.L. I-lardv at St. Genevieve, P. Q., has a collection of over 4000 plants. and she has trav- elled all over this continent to se- cure new varieties from growers. This house is one of the "Meccas" of flower fanclers.

African Violet -societies have sprung up. devoted to the propa- gation and perpetuation of better and larger African Violets, Which are rapidly displacing the time honoured geranium that so faith- fully beautlfied the homes of people in every walk of life throuszllolit our land,sDld anyone ever hear of a Geranium Society? Yet some day it may have its turn which it so richly deserves. In the meantime someone is likely to start an African Violet society in your community.

Difficulties

This plant originated in the moist, semi-tropical region of East Africa. and no doubt many of its ancestors grew in jungle shade through generations. It grew out- doors, and. always had an abund- ance of warm, pure nir, moisture, and soils rich in humus. When any or all of these conditions are lack- ing, many people have tried. with- out success, to grow these plants. They have freduently been offered bewildering and conflicting axlvice. There are many different climatic conditions in Who different regions of North America. and precise vid- vlce on the growth and care that would apply in one region may not suit this plant in other places, Per- haps the challenge of these diffic- ulties may partly account for the remarkable popularity of African Violets. People like to succeed with a. difficult problem, particularly when their final success produces a plant such as the African Violet. with its lovely leaves and exotic bloom.

suggested Care

Remembering its native habitat. we suggest that African Violets will thrive best in a humid atmosphere with plenty of light. Few of our homes, in winter, have enough mole- ture in the air for our people, and not nearly enough for African Vio- lets. They should not be, however. in direct sunlight, and should be shaded when placed in windows that face west or soutlh. This is particularly true in winter. when the sun is ioiwer in the sky and shines much farther into the house. Light shades should be used to prevent the sun from shining dir- ectly on the plants. To secure and maintain the natural symmetry of the leaves. the pots should be turn- ed every few days. '

some say they should be watered only from the bottom, and that in- deed may be a safe way for those who do not use care to avoid wet- ting the crown, as this may cause rotting at the point where new growth develops. Rain water should be used in cities where the tap water is chlorinated, or where it contains a high mineral content. some melt snow in the winter for watering, but water boiled and al- lowed to stand for is few days will have its mineral and chlorine con- tent lesened so as to be safe. Use

MacDONALii -now:

woonwommlc cormuv utsm-zn

36 Lower Water St. Phone 2767 -2768

water of a temperature about the

By J. A. Clark. D56.

NOTES-

ssme as that of the room, and wa- ter the plants only when the rap layer of soil is dry, as some have drowned their plants with water. Those who use bottom watering are not likely to have trouble in this way. As previously mentioned, Af- rlcari Violets need pure air and should not be kept in the kitchen where gas is used for heating or cooking. .

they can be washed by adjusting the taps In the sink to lukewarm water, and by slowly rotating the pot, letting only a gentle spray wash the leaves without wetting th-. cmwn. They should then be thor- oughly dried before they are re- turned to their regular location. , Propagation

Propagation can be by seed or by leaf. By seed for variations, by leaf for the perpetuation of an individ- ual plant. When using leaves, select a sturdy, healthy leaf from an adult plant, cut it cleanly from the base of the plant to avoid injury, then cut the stem to about two inches in length with a sharp knife, Take an opaque tumbler filled with water, and cover it with polythene or cel- lophane. When this is tied on, cut a small hole in the top, through which the leaf stem is placed in the water. When the roots are well formed, it is ready for potting. Use a good, garden loam soil, mixed with equal parts of leaf mould or peat moss. In potting, cover the roots lightly with about one-quar- ter inch of soil, which should be kept moist as the roots establish themselves. Those who do not have access to garden soil can buy spe- cially blended "African Violet soil” in polythene bags. "Loxar" Is a new soil conditioner that is said to im- Drove soil structure, etc. The fertil- izer recommended is a 5-10-5 mix- ture. If either of these are used, be sure to follow the directions on the containers. Too generous treatments can be disastrous. African Violets bloom best if their roots are reas- onably compact, and a three inch pot is large enough for a. plant up to three years of age.

A number of very fine illustra- tions regarding the propagating and growing of African Violets will be found in the December, 1952, issue of Oval, page 14, a magazine of in- dustrial chemistry, published by the C. I. L. in Montreal.

Farm Forum lit Whim Road

..'-The January series of Farm Forums were well attended by the members of the Whim Road Forum group. They took a lively interest in each topic as it came up, discussed all the suggested questions, and submitted their con- clusions to the provincial office.

The topic of the qanuary 5th broadcast was the cost of mar; keting. Any topic concerning any phase of marketing has always in- terested this group, and this one proved to be no exception. At the first meeting of the it was