The jurors at a recent cattle show at Poissy (France) made another step towards testing the value of the animals; after the weight had been ascertained, the jury, were entertained at a dinner, where portions of the various prise animals were served up, to test which breeds give the best quality of meat; the time taken to get it ready, the weight before and after cooking, were all observed with minuteness. It was found that the flesh of certain breeds was better adapted to boiling, and others for roasting. There was a trial ■ of soups, and a trial of roast pork, roast mutton, roast beef. Between each trial, the jurors ate fish, fowls, sweet breads, and vegetables, so that history will be apt to record that the judges had rather a large dinner. It seems to us a sensible proceeding thus to enter into the facts as regards the utility and nourishing qualities rather than the mere fatness; and to such trials must our great fairs come at last.

Horn's Magazine tot August, contains an excellent Article on the gathering and keeping of early pears, in which it is said that no summer pear should be allowed to ripen on the tree. The fruit, as soon as it has attained its growth, should be picked; this may be ascertained by the change which takes place in the appearance of the fruit. Some of the defective specimens will turn yellow and drop, while the others will assume a smoother and paler surface; the coloring on the sunny side will be brighter, and the stem will become swollen, particularly at the junction with the tree. These indicate that the period of maturity is approaching, and the fruit may be gathered and ripened.