Such is the territory recently acquired by the United States. It is a vast and undoubtedly a valuable possession; and in the hands of a progressive people capable of indefinite development. AN APPEAL. The New York Association of Friends for the Relief of Freedmen has been compelled to recall two or three of its teachers on account of the low state of its funds. This is especially lamentable, as the schools are flourishing so well, and as it must be a source of discouragement to both pupils and teachers to find that their efforts toward good fail to arouse sufficient interest and sympathy in us to prompt a continuance of our help. Much has been done by the various societies engaged in the work, and the colored people have put forth surprising energies in endeavoring to attain to the standard of self-help. That point they have not yet reached, and they must fall hopelessly back into darkness and degrading dependence, if the privileges of education should be withdrawn by their friends at the North, denying them further assistance. It will probably be but a few years that they will require such help, for the evidences of their rapid improvement and susceptibility of cultivation are everywhere-where schools have been established-very encouraging; but knowing that they cannot yet stand alone, they hopefully entreat us not to leave them. We are urged to make this appeal to our friends for assistance, by the painful necessity we have been under of relinquishing a school in Maryland, where ignorance had prevailed and the moral atmosphere was very dark, but where, through the blest exertions of one of our teachers, the seeds of enlightenment having been sown, parents and children are now prayerfully pleading for their teacher to return to them. We know that these people still need upholding, or we would not so anxiously urge the subject again upon the notice of Friends. Donations may be sent to Samuel Willits, Treasurer, No. 303 Pearl St., New York, or Robert Haydock, Secretary, No. 212 East 12th St. Signed on behalf of the Executive Committee, Selected. FOR, BEHOLD, THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU. Pilgrim, on thy heavenly journey, For long years thou hast been seeking Has thy heart no void confess'd- Lure thee with their winning ways, Thou hast sighed, in vain contrition, Give me back those golden days. Had'st thou stoop'd to learn this lesson; Faithful teachers-they had toldThou thy kingdom had'st forsaken, Thou had'st thy own birthright sold. Thou art heir to vast possessions; Up, and boldly claim thine own; Seize the crown that waits thy wearingLeap at once into thy throne. Look not to some cloudy mansion, Midst the planets far away; When the struggling soul hath conquer'd- PRAYER. BY S. D. ROBERTS. ALL depth below, all height above, Beyond all thought, Thou art, Yet, Father, thine eternal love Blossoms in every heart. Invisible to human sight, By mortal ear unheard, Bring me thy perfect rest. May triumph over time. Hold diligent converse with thy children! have them Morning and evening round thee, love thou them, And win their love in the rare, beauteous years! CHEERFULNESS. Don't be afraid of a little fun at home. Don't shut up your houses lest the sun should fade your carpets; and your hearts, lest a hearty laugh should shake down some of the musty cobwebs there! If you want to ruin your sons, let them think that all mirth and social enjoy. ment must be left on the threshold when they come home at night. Young people must have fun and relaxation somewhere. If they do not have it at their own hearthstones, it will be sought in other and less profitable places. Therefore, let the fire burn brightly at night, and make the home ever delightful with all those little arts that parents so perfectly understand. Don't repress the buoyant spirits of your children; half an hour of merriment round the lamp and fire-light of home blots out the remembrance of many a care and annoyance during the day, and the best safeguard they can take with them into the world is the unseen in fluence of a bright little domestic sanctum Phila. S. M. Times. INFLUENCE OF FORESTS UPON CLIMATE. shoals which diminish the depth of harbors and obstruct navigation. The drainage becoming more or less from the surface-the highest flood may be suceeeded in a few days, or, at most, weeks, by the lowest water, both of these extremes previously unknown. Navigable streams become shallow, almost disappearing in midsummmer. No gentle evaporation tempers the sun's rays, which, heating the parched soil, radiate during the nights, which thus become nearly as unendurable as the day. Excessive drouths become common, and the absolute amount of annual rainfall, which, in a temperate climate, is more or less the measure of productiveness, is greatly diminished. That this is no idle picture can be shown by reference to the experience of many parts of Europe, Asia and America, and, in fact, is fa miliar to every one. The remedy is a simple one-to restore the trees to all such portions of the country as can be appropriated to this purpose, especially the slopes of hills. This has been done in some of the countries with apparrently most marvellous but really to be expected results. Instances can be readily found in the able work of Mr. Marsh on Man and Nature, which has mainly furnished the text of the present article. The note of alarm has recently been sounded by some of our thoughtful men of science on account of the changes likely to be produced in our climate by the continued destruction of the A comparison between the practical worthAmerican forests. That a great alteration has lessness of our beautiful Susquehanna and the taken place in this respect since the first dis-utility of the Hudson, is a favorite one on the covery of America, is appreciated by every one, part of citizens of New York. The Hudson and that it is not yet completed will be suf- mainly derives its waters from the Adirondac ficiently evident. When a country is entirely Mountains, which even yet embrace hundreds covered with trees, as was the case originally of miles of original forest. This, however, is with the eastern portion of North America, gradually disappearing, and before long the rains falling upon its surface, however continued, completion of several railroads will aid mateare taken up and held to a large extent by the rially in the denudation of the land, by furnishsoil, which, protected in a great measure from ing an outlet to the lumber. Then the change the evaporating influences of the direct rays of already begun will be accelerated. Terrific the sun, remain moist throughout the year, giv- floods, from the rapid melting of the snows in ing rise to numerous springs and streams of the mountains, will devastate the whole course various size, which maintain an equable flow, of the rivers running on the lower portions of increased only at times by the surplus rainfall, Albany, Troy and other towns. The old chanbut never falling below a certain point. A con- nels will be filled up by debris brought down, tinuous gentle exhalation of moisture from the and the bed of the river elevated and made to leaves tempers the heat of summer, and gives occupy its former valley in high water. For rise to frequent showers, which return the water most of the year there may not be water enough to the soil. Undue and excessive evaporation above Poughkeepsie to float even a moderate is prevented by the protection furnished by the sized steamer. The railroads, even now unable foliage against the action of the sun, or the satisfactorily to carry the surplus of freight and drying influences of high winds. passengers, left then by the steamboats, will Suppose, now, the forest to disappear. With have to do the whole business, and the floating the same rainfall, the moisture, instead of being palaces, the pride of the State, may completely largely absorbed, passes off rapidly from the disappear. The only security against this by surface, dried hard by sun or wind. Brooks no means far-fetched picture is for the State to become creeks, creeks roaring rivers. River take such measures as shall forever secure the beds are filled by foaming torrents, which carry greater portion of the Adirondac region against every thing before them, causing incalculable the further destruction of its forests.-Ledger. devastation. The surface soil and the banks of the streams are washed away to the sea, filling up river channels in their course, and forming Christianity commands us to pass by injuries; policy, to let them pass by us. CURIOSITIES OF FRENCH GARDENING. The visitor who passes through the markets of Paris cannot fail to be struck by the size and beauty of the fruits and vegetables displayed. There are huge and perfect pears, a glistening array of salads, enormous heads of snowy cauliflower, and giant stalks of asparagus, which attract attention no less for their size and faultless condition, than for vast quantities, all equally fine and large of their kind. These are due to the wonderful skill and patient industry of the French gardeners, who are unequalled by any others, either here or in Europe, in the art of cultivating market produce. One cause of this superiority is the devotion of the French to specialties. This system obtains as generally among the gardeners as among the men of arts and sciences. An American market farmer or gardener divides his ground into many lots, and plants nearly every variety of truck known to the market. The French gardener gives himself up to the cultivation of a special class or succession of fruits or vegetables, and by long study and practice, by experimenting with various manures, soils, and modes of culture, arrives at the production of a perfect crop of his specialty, season after season, with unerring certainty. He is also much more economical of space and more prodigal of labor than we are; as, in fact, than we need be. He seldom suffers his ground to lie fallow; crop succeeds crop in endless rotation; the cauliflower is set among the melon hills, ready to spread as soon as the melons are gathered. Between the rows of asparagus are planted early potatoes, lettuce, &c., in such a manner as to keep the ground constantly fruitful, and when the weather becomes frosty, and the sun loses a goodly share of its forcing power, large bell glasses are employed, one of which is placed over each plant-especially in the case of the salads--and heat is thus concentrated upon it until its full growth is fairly attained. The enormous size of the French asparagus is chiefly due to the manner of planting. Instead of setting the plants closely together, as we do, a space of at least six inches square is allowed to each "stool," which enables it to suck a large amount of nutriment from the soil, and become a strong and solid plant. Each stool is also manured repeatedly every season, the soil being carefully scraped away down to the roots, the compost placed around them and the earth put back again. The French system of cultivating the apple, pear and peach is also peculiar. The trees are all grafted and dwarfed. A strong wire is stretched along in front of each row, about three feet above the ground. Upon this wire a single branch of each tree is trained, and, as soon as well started, this branch is made, by heavy pruning, the only fruit-bearing one on the tree. The consequence is that the entire strength of the tree goes to the nourishing of the fruit upon this branch, and this fruit becomes large and fair in proportion. This process, by-the-by, is borrowed from the Chinese. The pear, however, is also largely grown in the pyramidal and other forms, but almost always from dwarfed stock. In the cultivation of the peach the French gardeners have shown a curious and fanciful skill. Near the town of Montreil, a few miles only from Paris, there is a large number of gardens, enclosed in whitewashed walls, against the surface of which peach trees are trained in many fanciful forms. One of these is known as the "Napoleon peach." This is a specimen so trained as to figure in very large letters against the wall the name of "Napoleon," a single branch going to the formation of each letter, and the whole surrounded by a wreath. composed of two large boughs trained in a circle. There are many other curiosities in French market gardening and pomology, the details of which are too long for the compass of a single article. These or some of them may be spoken of hereafter.-The Press. For Friends' Intelligencer. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE LIBRARY ASSOCIA TION OF FRIENDS. The thirty-third year of the existence of the Library Association of Friends of Philadelphia having arrived, it again becomes the duty of the Committee of Management to present an exhibit of the present condition of the Institution, as well as of what may have been accomplished during the past year. The use made of the Library may be summed up as follows: During the first six months-viz, from the Tenth month last to the Third month, both inclusive-there were loaned to an aggregate of 876 Females..................................... .2274 books. 509 Males............... .1319 66 Making a total of three thousand five hundred and ninety-three volumes loaned during that period. During the last six months-viz., from Fourth month 1st to Tenth month 1st, inclusive-there were loaned to an aggregate of 733 Females...... ....1533 books. 923 66 442 Males........ Making a total of two thousand four hundred and fifty-six volumes loaned during that period. Showing, when combined, that there have been loaned during the year, 3807 volumes on 1609 applications of females, 2242 males, or a circulation of six thousand and forty-nine volumes during the past twelve months. During the same period four hundred and sixteen volumes have been introduced, com prising three hundred and sixty one works, the minutes of which the following summary of which thirty-three volumes were donations, has been compiled: and three hundred and six deposited; making Number of questions referred...... แ In addition to which the library of In connection with the interests of the Library, it becomes our pleasant duty to record a slight synopsis of the exercises for the past year of two organizations which are under the partial superintendence of this committee, viz.: First.-Friends' Social Lyceum, which reopened its meetings for the season on the 2d of Tenth month, 1868. During the winter term of 1866 and '67, twenty-eight meetings were held, on Third-day evening of each week, from 54 original prose essays contributed 16 5 20 1 exhibitions of the stereopticon... 20 The lectures were upon the following subjects, viz. :* We feel assured from the evidences before us that, during the past season, the Lyceum has prospered to an extent hitherto unequalled. 66 The exercises have been more generally distributed than heretofore, which has given an increased interest and participation ou the part of its members; while the number of persons in attendance has been greater than our room could conveniently accommodate. "The recess for social intercourse, near the middle of each meeting, has been a prominent and valuable feature, extending the acquaintance of our members, and deepening the influence of those possessing the same social and religious views; and we feel that this social element is one destined to work great good in our Society." Next.-The "Young Friends' Literary Sociable," the objects and results of which can probably be as well defined in the language of one of its members as in anything we could say. "This association was organized in the Ninth month, 1866, by a few young men and women, whose purpose was to form a literary circle, where intellectual improvement would be combined with social communion. The members are all associated with the Religious Society of Friends. "The meetings during the past year have been profitably spent in the pursuance of the objects in view, and the Association, it is believed, has done its work effectually. About fifty-uine exercises of a varied character have claimed its attention, embracing Original Essays in Prose and Poetry, Readings, Debates, Recitations, &c. The members meet once every two weeks in the Library Room, ou Second day evenings, and the exercises are participated in by both sexes alike. "We believe there is a need in our Religious Society for more associations of this kind, either composed wholly of young persons, or of the old and young meeting together. If every meeting of the Society of Friends had its Lyceum to interest the younger members in its organization, there would doubtless be a widespread influence for good emanating from such associations." This committee can heartily endorse the This list of lectures is omitted here, having been previously published in the Intelligencer. Believing as we do that the larger proportion of the amount of money donated is contributed by Friends who seldom or never use the Library, we have been led to look a little at the facts, that of those who do, about 200 are adults, and that the entire circulation the past year has exceeded 6000 volumes. our subscribers, and the amount subscribed, would be vastly increased. To all such we would say, visit it, and judge for yourselves. The Library is now open, as heretofore, on Fourth and Seventh-day evenings, for the accommodation of Friends generally, and on Seventh-day afternoon for the exclusive accommodation of females. Entrance from Fifteenth Street. Extract from the Minutes. JACOB M. ELLIS, Clerk. Philadelphia, Teuth month, 1867. It is the intention of our collector to call on Friends generally. Should any be neglected, they can hand their contributions to John T. Walton, 431 Walnut Street, or to the Librarian, at the Library. IRON AT $20,000 PER POUND. A gentleman visiting the American Watch Company's factory at Waltham, Mass., relates that a small vial, such as homeopathic pills are kept in, was handed to him, which was filled with what seemed to be grains of coarse sand, of the color of blue-tempered steel. On examination under a microscope, they proved to be perfect screws, of. which it required 300,000 to make a pound. Microscopic bits of steel, with the points exquisitely polished, were also shown, so small that fifty weighed only a single grain. These were said to be worth $20,000 per pound. These, as well as every other of the running parts of the watch, are made entirely by machinery, which turns out each different piece exactly like its fellow. The following is his description of the method of making fine screws: What you do see at a first glance is a thin thread of steel, finer than the most delicate of pins, slowly pushing its way through a little hole in a machine, and being Desiring strictly to adhere to the original grasped by a tiny tool which runs round it. as intention that these advantages should be en-if embracing it; and then, presto! change! out tirely gratuitious, and continuing to offer them as a free gift cheerfully bestowed, we would nevertheless suggest that where there is entire ability so to do, a small contribution from each of these would enable us to provide additional reading matter for their benefit, at the same time that it would enrich the shelves of the Library. comes a knife and cuts off its bead. All this is done so quickly, that you have to wait and watch the operation, after you know what it is all about, before you can see the process I have described. The bits thus beheaded with a hug, look exactly like little grains of powder. But they a e screws. You notice that when you take a microscope and examine them. They are com. It would be well also to bear in mind that plete-almost. Not quite yet. A girl picks the cost of books at the present time is very them up, one by one, with a dainty tool, and much enhanced over the prices of former years, places them in rows, one in every hole in a flat and that, as a consequence, the same expecdi- piece of steel. This little plate, as soon as it is ture of money purchases a much smaller num-filled, is placed under another machine. ber of books. In conclusion, we would earnestly appeal to Friends generally to consider the importance of the subjects herein presented. We believe our Library is neither sufficiently known or properly appreciated; and further, that many Friends, residents of this city, are scarcely aware of its existence, otherwise the number of I never had a more convincing proof of the superiority of mechanical over manual labor. For while a god hearty man with a stout bit of shillelah may break half a dozen heads of a day-with fair luck-this machine, without so much as saying, "By yer lave," comes out of its hole, and runs along each row, quietly splitting the head of each one of them exactly in the |