l of hot dripping, mixing quickly with
the hand; pour in as much cold water as will allow it to be lifted out
of the basin in a very soft lump. Put this with a handful of meal upon a
pastry-board, scattering meal upon it. Roll it out quickly with a
rolling-pin; when as thick as a half-crown brush off all meal with some
feathers or a pastry brush. Put another board upon the cake, reverse it,
and brush it the other side. Slip it upon a hot girdle, cut it with a
knife across and across so as to form triangular pieces. When they begin
to curl up at the edges turn them on the girdle, keep them there till
dry enough to lift, then remove them to a toaster in front of the fire,
where they should become a light brown. Be careful to keep the girdle
brushed free of loose oatmeal, scraping it occasionally with a knife.
The more rapidly the cakes are made the better.

GENERAL.

HERBERT MASTERS would be very glad if any of the readers of LITTLE FOLKS
would tell him the cost of a small carpenter's bench.

AN AMATEUR MECHANIC inquires which is the best wood for fretwork
purposes; and where fret-saws may be obtained.

STICKLEBACK wishes to know if it is necessary to have real salt water
for a salt-water aquarium, or whether any sea-salt which is sold would
answer the purpose.

W. R. writes in reply to M. H. S.'s question, that maidenhair ferns
should never be allowed to want water, which, if the drainage of the pot
is perfect, may be applied every evening during the summer months, and
at mid-day twice a week from late autumn until early spring. Answers
also received from Erin, H. J. M., DOROTHY DRAGGLE-TAIL, "THE WOMAN IN
WHITE," A. E. C., FEDORA, A. H., E. M. C., LITTLE NOSE-IN-AIR, and ALICE
IN WONDERLAND.

NATURAL HISTORY.

A GREEN GOOSEBERRY wishes to know what makes canaries desert their eggs,
and how they can be prevented.--[They cannot be "prevented." The most
common cause is insect vermin. If these are found, burn all the old
nests, use Persian powder freely on the birds, and paint the cracks in
the cages with corrosive sublimate, and then varnish over the places.]

PEARL would be glad to know how to keep dormice, and what their habits
are; she has just had two given to her, and one died the third day and
the other only sleeps.--[They are fed chiefly on dry grain with a few
nuts, and occasionally some blades of grass. They are shy, and sleep
most of the day. During that time they want a quiet place and to be let
alone,