e spent bark of a previous
distillation. Each charge of bark yields about three ounces of oil, and
two charges are worked daily in each still.

The cultivation of the cocoanut tree and the production of the valuable
cocoanut oil are two important Cingalese occupations. These trees, it
appears, do not grow with any luxuriance at a distance from human
dwellings, a fact which may perhaps be accounted for by the benefit they
derive from the smoke inseparable from the fires in human habitations.
The cultivation of cocoanuts would seem to be decidedly profitable, as
some 4,000 nuts per year are yielded by each acre, the selling price
being L3 per thousand, while the cost of cultivation is about L2 per
acre. In extracting the oil, the white pulp is removed and dried,
roughly powdered, and pressed in similar machinery to the linseed oil
crushing mills of this country. The dried pulp yields about 63 per cent
by weight of limpid, colorless oil, which in our climate forms the white
mass so well known in pharmacy.

* * * * *

LEARNING TO TIE KNOTS.

A correspondent suggests that it would be a handy accomplishment for
schoolboys to be proficient in the handling, splicing, hitching, and
knotting of ropes. He suggests the propriety of having the art taught in
our public schools. A common jackknife and a few pieces of clothes line
are the main appliances needed to impart the instruction with. He
concludes it would not only be of use in ordinary daily life, but
especially to those who handle merchandise and machinery. Any one, he
adds, who has noticed the clumsy haphazard manner in which boxes and
goods are tied for hoisting or for loading upon trucks, will appreciate
the advantage of practical instruction in this direction. Probably a
good plan, he further suggests, would be to have one schoolboy taught
first by the master, and then let the pupil teach the other boys. Our
correspondent thinks most boys would consider it a nice pastime to
practice during recess and at the dinner hour, so that no time would be
taken from study or recitation time.

* * * * *

DECISIONS RELATING TO PATENTS.

Supreme Court of the United States

PEARCE _vs._ MULFORD _et al._

Appeal from the Circuit Court of the United States for the Southern
District of New York.

1. Reissued patent No. 5,774 to Shubael Cottle, February 24, 1874, for
improvement in chains for necklace