ECONOMICAL RECEIPTS. To prevent Curl in Potatoes. FARMER states, that it is well ascertained, and proved by documents the most unquestionable, that the cause of urled potatoes is from allowing the crab of the potatoe to main on the plant; for when the crab has been cut off, the ture sets have always proved free from the curl. It is also necessary that the potatoes for sets should be aped before the stem is withered. And the matter worthy E remark is, that a green potatoe top cut off in June, at the ngth of six to eight inches, and pricked into the ground in oist weather, will produce good potatoes in October. BERWICK ADVERTISER, Sep. 1813. To make Sea Water fit for Washing Linen at Sea. ODA put into sea-water renders it turbid; the lime and magnesia fall to the bottom. To make sea-water fit for ashing Linen at sea, as much soda must be put in it, as not nly to effect a complete precipitation of these earths, but to ender the sea-water sufficiently lixivial or alkaline. hould always be taken to sea for this purpose. Economy in Tinder. Soda THE very high price of paper, at present, renders the saving of even the smallest quantity of linen or cotton rags f consequence, as they sell very dear; trifling as it may be hought, a quantity of rags may be saved, by using as tinder or lighting matches, the contents, of the common snuffers collected in the course of the evening. USEFUL INFORMATION, ACCIDENTS FROM FIRE. The manner in which Water is procured and applied with promptitude in Paris and LISBON. FIRES, we are informed, are more generally and more speedily extinguished in Paris than with us. From what cause loes this proceed? Water is more abundant with us, our engines more powerful, nor can I imagine that in masculine exertions of whatever description, any nation is superior to the English, in skill, in courage, or dexterity. Instead, there fore, of experiencing the dreadful effects of fire in a higher degree than at Paris, one would expect quite the contrary. There can be no reason, indeed, to suppose that the firemen of Paris possess any mysterious knowledge of their art, unknown to us, or any other superior dexterity in the exercise of it. The plain and obvious cause of their speedy extinction of fires, is the promptitude with which water is procured and ap plied. As soon as the engine arrives, water is almost immediately poured on the flame before it has made much progress. But in London how often is it the case, that, after the engine has made its appearance, a terrible and anxious interval of half an hour takes place; while families are standing in silent grief beholding their comfortable homes going fast to destruc tion. During which time, the fire acquires such additional strength as to require perhaps a hundred times the quantity of water to extinguish it. In the late fire at the Haberdashers alms' houses, the building was almost consumed before water could be had*. In no case indeed is this powerful antidote procured with all the promptitude which one would think it possible. We are informed in the above-mentioned paper, that in Paris, besides other facilities, water is conveyed in large tubs on a separate carriage along with the engine, and every thing being in an admirable state of preparation, instantly plays upon, and crushes the infant flame. In Lisbon, where neither the firemen, the engines, nor the water is comparable in the particulars, to London, great fires are very unfrequent, which is principally owing to the chief attention being devoted to that prime, that obvious, consi deration, speed. Such diligence and activity is exerted, that water is found on the spot where the fire happens in considerable quantities even before the engines arrive, they do not need to grope and bustle about for it for half a hour. In the Metropolis of Portugal, the inhabitants are supplie * Notwithstanding the prompt attendance of so many engines (~* less than fourteen) the want of a proper supply of this necessary e ment seems to have been much felt at the alarming and destructive fire which happened in Bishop's Land, high street, Edinburgh, on the evening of Sunday the 14th February last. upplied with water by the Gallicians, who perform that ofe by small wooden barrels, which they carry on their houlders. These water-carriers are bound by a severe penty to take home every night their barrels full, to be prepared case of an alarm of fire; and by distributing very trifling ewards to those who are most exact and forward in perform ng their duty, the utmost zeal and alacrity is displayed in this usiness. These poor people are seen crowding from all quarters with their precious load, which being immediately hrown on the half-smothered flame, before it has seized upon he larger timbers, generally prevents any farther damage. Were not their good effects known, and proved by experence, the Parisian fireman with his large tubs, and the Galli cian with his small barrels, would be despised as altogether udicrous and insignificant. Such contempt must proceed from inconsiderate persons only, who forget that it is not so much the quantity of water, as its early application, which ought to be chiefly studied. When such vast sums are annually expended for our security against fire, we ought surely to enjoy advantages equal to our neighbours. We cannot indeed, avail ourselves of the service of water-carriers; but having water itself-in such abundance, some means may be devised to make an equally speedy use of it as others. It cannot be supposed that above a dozen or two water-carriers are to be found in one street of Lisbon. If, then, small barrels, lying in different and distant parts, when quickly applied, are found so effectual, what a pity it is that the large cistrens, with which every house in London is accommodated, should lie useless and untouched, when a whole neighbourhood is threatened with destruction. In cases when water appears difficult to be found, every person should for a moment lay aside all ceremony, and become a water-carrier, especially those who are likely to be involved in the same calamity. Such zeal, such active benevolence, do Englishmen of all descriptions display in affairs of an urgent or desperate nature, that I am persuaded this office would be performed with the ut most cheerfulness. I recollect a fire some years ago, not two hundred yards from the New River Head, in a public situation. Various en X'x 3. gines, gines, to be sure, arrived with expedition, but for above a quarter of an hour no use was made of them. In the meantime, frightful volumes of flame burst from the windows, and the outcry became general, "They can't get water, they can't get water." How much did I, on that occasion, lament that the sole dependence should be placed on the common means of supply. I was then convinced that if it had been properly understood, and had been the practice, innumerable pails of water would have been of unspeakable service. Nor can I see any good reason why the practice of the Parisian firemen above alluded to should not be immediately adopted, unless, indeed, the additional expense should be thought an objection. Carriages with a cistern, or two or three large tubs fixed on them, and continually filled with water, should be alongside the engines, and be dragged with them to wherever the fire may be. Were these precautions used, I would confidently hope that, except in very combustible cases, few serious fires would happen. In order to ensure extraordinary alertness and dexterity on the part of the firemen, they ought, as in all other professions, to be previously exercised and instructed, and frequently practised in sham fires. The above observations I do not intend as a matter of theory, or curious speculation, to amuse your readers, but as highly deserving of serious attention. Innovations in a longcontinued practice, ought, I acknowledge, to be listened to with a cautious ear; but when an obvious and incontrovertible improvement is advised in a matter of such vast importance, it is a culpable disregard of our fellow-creatures, and, in fact, doing them an injury to set it at nought. This boasts of no originality or ingenuity, but its good effects are so clear and obvious, as to require no argument or illustration to enforce it. W. N. From the MONTHLY MAG. Nov. 1807. Work to be done in the Cottager's Garden in December. IN mild weather continue to sow Pease and Beans for a succession. Prune Gooseberries and Currants. Dig and dung all spare ground. Gather all rubbish and burn it; and in frost carry out dụng. ONE GRATITUDE. NE morn, ('twas in the rosy month of May,) The zephyrs bland the woodland breeze refin'd, "Sweet |