We list, sell, buy and trade land and
town property also loan some money
on same. We sell heavy timber land in
Missouri and* Arkansas, for from S3 to
$10 per acre improved farms from $10
to $20. Farms in Mower county,
houses and lots in this city, also north
ern and western lands from $3 to $20
per acre. Easy terms. Great Western
Land Agency, 223 !. Main street, Aus
tin, Minn., G. SORFLATEN, Manager.
BUYING RUBIES IN BUPMA.
Grips and Signs Used in Bargaining
fir Precious Stones.
The peculiar business methods of
oriental merchants are illustrated by
the manner of buying rubies in Bur
ma. says the Jewelers' Circular
Weekly. In the examination of rubies
prtificial' light is not used, the mer
chants holding that full sunlight alone
pan bring out the color and brilliancy
of the gems. Sales must, therefore,
take place betwen 9 a. m., and 3 p. m.,
and the sky must be clear.
The purchaser, placed near a win
dow, has before him a large copper
pJate. The sellers pome to him one
by one and. each empties upon this
plate his little bag of rubies. The pur
chaser proceeds to arrange them for
valuation in a number of small heaps.
The first division is into three grades,
according to size each of these groups
is again divided into three piles Ac
cording to color, and each of these
piles is again divided irto three
piles according to color, and each of
these piles is again divided into three
groups, according to shape. The
bright copper plate has a curious
use. The sunlight reflected from it
through the stone brings out with
true rubies a color effect different
from that with red spinels and tour
malines, which are thus easily sepa-.
rated.
