The next session is to be held in St, Paul six months hence. It is to be hoped that the intervening time will be occupied in devising something practical in the way of much needed reciprocity for Canada. THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT. _ Late despatches from Ottawa indicate that, inasmuch as Sir John Abbott’s health is failing, and as he must retire from office in order to safe his life, Sir John Thompson will be called to the Premiership. Sir John is an all-round turncoat. He began his political career as a Liberal; be is a rampant Tory, He began his religious life as a Methodist; he is now a Roman Catholic, and unpopular with the Orangemen of Ontario. It seems to be admitted that he is about the only man in the Cabinet who has the ability to manage the affairs of the country in its present crisis. He is known to be out of harmony with his party with respect to their Jingo policy towards the United States. Should he become Premier it will afford the Canadian coon an oppor tunity to come down the tree gracefully and with credit to himself. CANADIAN COMPETITION IN CHEESE. Recent statistics from Ontario indicate that marked changes are occurring in the acreage devoted to the various kinds ot farm crops, and that dairying is attracting more of the attention of farmers. Com pared with the average of ten years, the acreage of last year shows a decrease ot about 6 per cent, for wheat, 15 per cent, for barley, an increase for oats, peas, corn, buckwheat, beans, potatoes, carrots, turnips, hay, and clover. This change is largely due to the effect of the American tariff. The Canadians are giving up the production of grain, and devoting their attention to cattle and the crops required to feed then). Can adian cattle find a good market in British markets, and Canadian cheese commands a premium. The Canadian cheese factories

are co-operative, and some are conducted on the plau of contracting with farmers for their milk at a fixed price per unit of weight, Associations are formed of factory owners, and Inspectors appointed with the view to maintain a high standard of quality for every cheese placed on the market. 