THE WISCONSIN FARMER.



          England's Iron-Cased Moet.

  We find in the European Tiaes the following
list of all Engb ad's fron-cased ships and float-
ing batteries, building or afloat:
             mox stLT.-Building.
                               Horse    Speed
                               power.  in kn'ts
Achilel .............................................1,260  4.1I
Agincourt.......               .. 1,350 14.3
Minotaur.........              1,350    1.3
Northumberland,......... 1,360          14.3
Hector..........8....................................0. g .o
Valiant.....           .   ........ SW    75
Prince Albert.........600.               11.4
                    AFLOAT.
Black Prnce   .     .1,20               14.3
Warrior    .      .. _         1,25 0    14.364
Defence.          ..0......             II
Reuietance         .     .      600     12.231
               FLOAslltO BATThNZ.
Xrebu _   .      .               200 about 5b5
Terror .................................... ...........o .  A .b
Thunderbolt..........            200     5.5
             WOOD BUILT.-Building.
Caledonia..........            1,000    12.4
Ocean.  .........              1,000    12.4
Royal Alfred,...                 800    11.5
Royal Oak . .......................8. ...1........... 8  11.5
Favourite,       .........       400    10.87
Enterprie.10 .0.............. 1          950
                 coN arINsG.
Royal SNereign ........... . . ... , goo  12.25
                   AFLOAT.
Prince  C n rt.. ..........1,000........ .  l  12.4
              FLOATING HATTERLEt.



Attn.200.a....                       bout 6.0
tllatton..     .    ....        ISO      5.5
Thunder.............................................. 160  6.5
Trusty ...............................................N160  5.5
  of the iron-built vessels, the Prince Albert
and the three floating batteries are, or are to
be, wholly cased with armor plating, the rest
partially; of the wood-built, the Favourite and
Enterprize are to be partially cased, the rest
wholly. Only the Prince Albert and the Roy-
al Sovereign are to be fitted with Coles' cupo-
las: the rest with masts.

  To DETECT EXPLOs8VE COAL, 0IIL.-Nany dis-
asters have been occasioned by the use of ex-
plosive coal oil. The following recipe for as-
certaining whether the article is explosive ot
not, may, therefore, prove useful. Pour a
small quantity into a saucer and bring a light-
ed match slowly down to it. If explosive. the
oil will blaze and flash up almost like powder;
if not explosive, it will not burn at all. The
very light coal and rock oils should be used
with caution for burning in lamps, as they are
much more volatile, and equally as dangerous
as the old explosive lamp mixtures of alcohol
and turpentine. The burning oils which are
now commonly used are of a much lower spe-
cific gravity than those that were in common
use about eighteen months ago. They are
quite cheap, clear, free from the fetid smen of
old coal oils. and not so liable to smoke.-On-
tfrio Times.



       EDUCATIONAL.

          Parents, Visit Your Sehools.

   is They (parents) were in the habit of visit-
 ing schools often, that they might know their
 condition and mark their progress in every
 branch of study. They taught and questioned
 their children in the long winter evenings at
 home, and in other ways co-operated so actively
 with the teacher that much was accomplished
 in a little time."-H. Humphrey

   The truth contained in the above extract,
though uttered thirty years ago and with re-
ference to the early efforts to promote popular
education in this country, is no less important
now than then. All modern changes and im-
provements in our school systems will fail to
accomplish the desired end, unless there be
active and persevering effort on the part of pa-
rents. The act of devising good systems of
education, erecting commodious school houses,
furnishing suitable text books and employing
well qualified teachers, is not all of the parent's
duty; nor should he cease his efforts, when he
has taken special pains, if need be, to have his
children attend punctually and constantly.
Something more is requisite-something which
will add double value to his other labors. This
is frequent visits to the school room and an
unfailing interest in his children s studies.
  The benefits arising from visiting schools is
threefold, viz: encouragement and stimulus to
the teacher, incitement to greater diligence on
the part of the scholars, and especially an in-
centive to greater industry and application by
the visitor's own children. The parent's pres-
ence in the school-room animates and inspires
the conscientious teacher in his labors. His
duties and responsibilities are of no trifling
character. The thought that he is making, on
tender and susceptible minds, impressions ei-
ther for good or evil, which will never be efface
el; that by some careless word or thoughtless
act, he may cause a single mind to be directed
in a wrong course, is well calculated to make
the teacher feel that his work is one of no or-
linary importance, and that he needs wisdom
Lnd strength superior to his own. To know
that he has the parent's sympathy and co-ope-



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