RELIGIOUS GAMBLING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1083, 15 March 1883, Page 3

RELIGIOUS GAMBLING.

The London correspondent of the Melbourne Argus writes :—The advantages of a limit in poker are so universally conceded by all fairminded men that it is strange the limit has not been generally introduced into ecclesiastical games. That there is no limit recognised in such games is well known, but it is to be hoped that the recent action of the Baptist congregation of London, Ontario, will have it effect in calling the attention of zealous Baptists and members of other sects to the wisdom and propriety of a limit. The London Baptists held a fair a few days ago, and among the schemes for bringing money into the treasury of the fair was that of presenting a bed-quilt to the young Baptist lady who should receive the largest number of votes. The ‘ ante 1 required irovn each voter was 50 cents, and it was evident from the first that the‘pot’—that is to say, the bedquilt—would be won either by Miss Goodacre or Miss Porte.

The voting proceeded quietly for some time until it became apparent that Miss Porte was decidedly ahead. Miss Good acre was engaged to a Mr Fox, and the latter, having put all his available cash into votes at 50 cents each, was so determined that his betrothed should win the bedquilt that he threw his watch on the table and demanded that, as it was worth 100 dollars, it should be counted as an equivalent for 200 votes. This would have secured the bed-quilt for Miss Goodacre had not Miss Porte also, possessed a lover of great devotion and pluck in the person of Mr Stanley, who, having 200 dollars in his pocket, instantly ‘ saw * Mr Fox’s 100-dollar watch and 1 went 100 dollars better.’ The excitement had now become intense, for it was believed that Mr Fox would not .be * bluffed ’ by his opponent’s 200 dollars. This belief was justified in a most striking way. Without a moment’s hesitation, Mr Fox bet—that is to say, contributed- his house and lot, worth 1000 dollars, and Mr Stanley, being utterly unable to ‘ raise ’ or ( call him, passed out, and the bed-quilt was adjudged to Miss Goodacre. The discussiou which followed between the respective .friends of the two bold player was so heated and so destructive of crockery and religious harmony that a painful scandal was created, aud the Baptist congregation, after a full in\estimation, returned the watch and house to Mr Fox, and the 200 dollars to Mr Stanley, and directed the bed-quilt to be given to Miss Porto,

not necessary to depend on some scientist or particular seedsman for an explanation of'he

proper method. On this subject Prof. A. E. Blount, of the State I gricnltuml Coll* ge, Fort Collins, Colorado, states tba* farmers generally permit their wheat to retrograde one-eighth, whereas if proper care should be bestowed upon its improvement by selection alone, not one would ever find it necessary to procure better seed. It only takes two years to make wheat No. 1 and pure by selection, and from three to ten to make a successful hybrid. Wheats raised upon the soil of any locality are b; tier than those from other points fer seeding. To prove this fact Prof. Blount says ; —‘ I have sown—and am nicely growing now—this spring 181 different varieties, the seed of which I obtained from every country in the world. Many I received are winter wheats, which I hare converted into spring wheats. Of all the samples received not one was as good, or began to be as good, as the poorest I now have.’ In other words, by careful selection the poorest wheat now is better than the best of the original lot, and this groat improvement has been made in one year. If it is desired to improve wheat try this method; Go over the field and select the largest heads from the best stalks. Spread the grain on the table and examine each one separately, discarding all but the best formed and fullest. Next season make » seed bed, putting on* seed to a hill, one foot apart each way. Hoe well and keep clean. When by doing this on a small piece of ground, toe se d is perfected, it can be sowed for a crop. Pratice this annually, as there is no limit to improvement.-—Philadelphia Pecord,