On Lord 1 Howe Island there is a ban yan tree which covers 3 acres of ground. A monument has been erected over the remains of Mr J. J. Mechi by the Rector of Tiptree and a few friends. Two or three rubbing-posts in each paddock will save fences and give com fort to the beasts. A company has been started in Lon don with the view of importing produce, chiefly fresh meat, from Rus sia, by means of chartered steamers. The capital of the company is Lloo,ooo. Rabbit-killers in New South Wales are accustomed to cut off" the rabbits' ears in order to secure the rewards tiered by the State for the destruction oij^hese animals, and then to turn the rabbits loose to breed again. A Four-footed Post Runner. —A collie dog which has for some time past carried the mail bags to and from Card ross Station, with sagacity and fidelity, is offered for sale owing to the Post Office authorities in Edinburgh having given orders that his services as post runner be discontinued. The New York Tribune quotes the following declaration of the editor of a southern newspaper : — * The south has never seen such crops as we are having this year. The corn and wheat yield is just as abundant as the land can possibly make it. The cotton crop is much better than usual, and planters are happy. Give us three such har vests as we are having this year, and the future prosperity of the south is assured.' Collie Dogs in America. —The Scotch collie is growing into wonderful popu larity in the United States, not merely for its useful qualities, but also for its companionable ones and its beauty — many of them being kept as companions and watch dogs. Prominent breeders of the collie readily get from 15 to 25 dollars each for male pups six to eight weeks old, according to quality or mai'kings, and even higher prices are frequently received. Full-grown speci mens, of good quality, bring from 25 to 100 dollars each —so dollars being only a moderate figure for a well trained full-grown young male collie. 