\For some weeks past, a route has Been open ain Sulien fo Shanta, Bue it not avery easy one. Tt me flues bus and. tune ines, with Inany- stops and transfers, delays and expenses, from this city to Nantung~ how, where one can board a river Steamship for Shanghai, Many busi fest mich are now using this route, bringing in small quantities of goods from Shanghai, The cost. of transportation makes local prices of ime Dotted cods very high.
"The Kerosene oil companies are not bringing up. oil now. 30 local chants are taking. advantage this opportunity to buy oil In-Shange hal and bring i into the interior. For time, Kerosene was selling at $11 more per Ave gallon tin In Sutsien City, and' sis-In country towns, "Now the Sitsion price fs less than $8, com= bred with the normal price of $520, prevailing Hist (al. The total amount kerosene {x''much better than not coming at Joh, and the postal authorities are to be commended for maintaining the service, fast or slow, under such conditions,
reported two eases of kidnapping, The local newspaper has recently about eight or 10 miles from this city, Both victims are children. Such crimes sire likely to increase, especially s0 if the civil authority is broken down by the war.
Weather Conditions the beginning of March, the weather was rather warm for a time, then a gentle rain fell for some days so the wheat looks quite green and fresh. Yesterday evening, 9 heavy snow fall, Of course, most of melted at once but the ground was well covered. Practically' all of this snow has disappeared during the day today. North Kiangsu is subject to Jdry weather in. the spring, so. this rain is favourable for the wheat. {the weather continues warm, spring planting will soon begin.
'The weird chanting of the plough. men is heard as they urge their weary oxen and donkeys along the furrows. Unfortunately, the music is {frequently interrupted by fervent im-Jpreeations, and' sundry unprintable Femarks casting reflections upon the Jcharacter and reputation of the anfeestresses of said domestic animals.
The general theory seems to be that Janimals will not do their work properly unless driven to it and Kept at ft by this public recital of the stamy side of their family history,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.