100 all dif. Venezuela, Bolivia, etc., only 10c.; 200 all dif. Hayti, Hawaii, etc., only 50c. Ag'ts w't'd at 50% com. List FREE! C.A. Stegmann, 5941 Cote Brilliante Ave., St. Louis, Mo.

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500 Mixed Australian, etc., 10c.; 105 varieties, and nice album. 10c.; 15 unused, 10c.; 10 Africa, 10c.; 15 Asia, 10c. F.P. Vincent, Chatham, N.Y.

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FINE PACKETS in large variety. Stamps at 50& com. Col's bought. Northwestern Stamp Co., Freeport, Ill.

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CARDS

The FINEST SAMPLE BOOK of Gold Beveled Edge, Hidden Name, Silk Fringe, Envelope and Calling Cards ever offered for a 2 cent stamp. These are GENUINE CARDS, NOT TRASH. UNION CARD CO., COLUMBUS, OHIO.

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HARPER'S CATALOGUE

thoroughly revised, classified, and indexed, will be sent by mail to any address on receipt of ten cents.

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Owing to the large number of questions requiring answers, the Department this week will be entirely made up of them.

Sir Knight A.U. Smith, New Jersey, asks what is the matter with a negative when the picture can hardly be seen, and the film is so thick that a print cannot be made from it. The plate has been over-developed—that is, left in the developer so long that the film has become too dense. An over-developed plate can be reduced by using the following formula, called Farmer's Reducer: Ferricyanide of potassium, 3 grs.; hypo, 30 grs.; water, 4 oz. Wash the negative till the film is thoroughly wet, then place in the reducing solution for two or three minutes; wash, and if not reduced enough repeat the operation. It is better to make two or three trials than to leave the plate in the solution too long. Wash the negative thoroughly and dry as usual. Mark bottle "poison."

Sir Knight John H. Curtis asks if an under-exposed plate can be remedied after it is fixed. An under-exposed plate can be strengthened after fixing by the following method. Make up three solutions as follows: No. 1—bichloride of mercury, 120 grs.; chloride of ammonium, 120 grs.; distilled water, 10 oz. No. 2—chloride of ammonium, 120 grs.; water, 10 oz. No. 3—sulphite of sodium crystals, 1 oz.; water, 9 oz. Wash the plate for half an hour, and then place for ten minutes in a five-per-cent.-solution of alum and again wash for half an hour. Place in a developing-tray, and flow enough of No. 1 over it to cover it; the negative will turn white. As soon as it is white or nearly so turn off the solution, rinse the plate, and flow with No. 2 for one minute. Rinse again and cover with No. 3, and let it remain till the negative has turned a dark brown or black. Wash for an hour or two and dry. Solution No. 3 can be returned to the bottle after using, but the others had better be thrown away after use. Remember that these solutions are very poisonous, and mark the bottles, and put them away in a safe place when not in use. Number the bottles No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3.

Sir Knight J.M. Koller wishes to know if pictures sent for competition must be burnished. It is not necessary, and unless it adds much to the appearance of the picture one does not care to have pictures burnished. The mat-surface papers are very easy to use, and do not require burnishing.

Sir Knight Samuel R. Boucher, Jun., Box 68, Gravesend, L.I., says that he will send formula for developing and fixing ferrotype plates, and directions where the plates may be obtained by any amateur who wishes to make ferrotypes.

Sir Knight D.M. Bell wishes to know as soon as possible how to make photographs of microscopic objects. The explanation and directions would take up too much space in the "Answers to Queries"; but we shall soon publish two or three papers on microscopic photography, giving full and plain directions which the amateur will have no trouble in following.

Sir Knight Trebor Robyat asks the best way to take a picture from a photograph. He says that his camera takes a picture 3¼by4¼, and the photograph which he wishes to copy is about 4by5. The picture must be placed exactly parallel with the lens, and an easy way to make a copy, where one has not a copying stand, is to take a board about six feet long and fasten a wooden box at one end of the board, and use the side or end to attach the print to be copied. Then place the camera on the board as near the picture as possible, and have a clear focus. This simple way of adjusting the camera saves much trouble in trying to get the camera and picture exactly parallel. The copy will be quite small if made from so small a print as the 4by5. Sir Knight Trebor also asks for formula for making blue-print paper. Formulas for blue paper may be found in Nos. 797, 823, and 828, with suggestions for its use.

Sir Knight Leroy W. Baker, New Hampshire, asks where blue-print paper may be obtained, and the sizes and prices. Blue-print paper may be bought of any dealer in photographic goods, or one may send direct to the manufacturers. It comes in the regulation sizes, the 4x5 costing twenty cents for a package of two dozen sheets.

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The Helping Hand.

The readers of Harper's Round Table are trying to earn $3000 to build a school-house for the boys at Good Will Farm. The house is to be for the use of an Industrial School, where carpentry, moulding, etc., are to be taught. The Order of the Round Table seeks only to erect the building, not to be responsible for the school itself. Good Will Farm is on the banks of the Kennebec River in Maine, but it takes homeless and friendless boys from everywhere, so far as it has room, hence it is national and not local in its scope and work.

It takes these boys at four to eight years of age, gives them an education, and finds positions for them, thus turning what might grow into hardened and depraved men into what are certain to be useful men. There are upwards of 100 boys at the Farm now. There would be more were there room for them. During the past two years more than 700 deserving lads had to be denied this splendid "chance in the world" because the Farm could not house and support them.

One building, now used for a school, may be used for a home for fifteen additional boys as soon as the Order accomplishes its task. The Fund on November 12, 1895, stands thus:

The Order was conditionally promised the sum of $300, the same to come to it on July 1, 1895, from a travelling salesmen association. It is due the Order to state that this sum is not included in the foregoing, it not yet having been received. The sum given is cash actually in hand. In addition to both there is the stone for the foundations, worth $400, but it is hoped to be able to raise $3000 in money.

Help is asked from any one desirous of aiding philanthropic boys and girls who are trying to be practical Knights and Ladies in the building of an industrial school-house for boys who need such.

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Many pretty and saleable things may be made for fairs by girls who know how to embroider. You may, for example, make a note-book by cutting a piece of white linen a little larger than the ordinary pad which you buy at the stores for five or ten cents. On this either draw in pencil or stamp a pretty pattern of leaves, flowers, forget-me-nots, or vines, or, if you choose, the letters which form a motto or a friend's name. Embroider these in delicate colors, and then cover the outside flap of the pad as neatly as possible. You will need a yard or so of ribbon to bind the back and finish off the book with a graceful little bow. A spool-case is a convenient thing to add to one's work-basket. You take two oval pieces of pasteboard, cover them very neatly with silk or linen, on which you have embroidered some dainty device, and on the inner side of each you run little shirrs of silk, in which you fasten spools of different sizes. One is always losing spools or getting them tangled up, and by this contrivance you can keep a half-dozen spools in order. Such a case as this, if properly made, should sell for one dollar at a fair. A pad for the bottom of a writing case or bureau drawer, made by laying a fold of wadding, sprinkled with sachet-powder, between two covers of silkoleen or silk, is a dainty gift, and an acceptable offering for a friend's table at a sale.

A convenient case may be made to hold the magazines which accumulate in a family by simply covering two large pieces of thick card-board with silk, linen, or canvas, on which the little artist may paint a delicate design if she prefers to do that with her brush rather than with her needle. These covers should be fastened together by long pieces of broad white silk elastic, and a neat person will be very glad to put in such a case the half-dozen papers or magazines which otherwise litter up her table. A pretty little book for engagements, addresses, etc., may be made by covering card-board with crÉpe paper. Make this just like the cover of a little book. Fasten inside a small pad and pencil, and to the outside attach a little bunch of paper violets perfumed and tied with ribbon.

Flowers are easily disposed of at children's fairs, and if you can secure ferns, carnations, and roses, and make them into tiny button-hole bouquets, you will realize something from your investment.

You must take pains to ask as many of your grown-up friends as possible to your little sale, as they have more money to spend than children, though children too will be welcome. The invitations may be given as you meet people, but it is, on the whole, best to have a few tickets printed thus:

AN AFTERNOON FAIR

for the Benefit of the Babies' Hospital

will be held at

MISS SALLY B.'S,

128 Sweetbriar Avenue,

ON

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24th,

at three o'clock.

admission, . . . 10 cents.

Sell as many of these as you can. Do not charge too much for your articles. Exorbitant prices are unwise. You must ask enough to pay the cost of the materials, with something added to recompense you for your time, skill, and pains.

If well managed, your little fair will net you a sum of money which will go far in making somebody who needs help happy and comfortable next winter.