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FOR 1896. 50 Sample Styles AND LIST OF 400 PREMIUM ARTICLES FREE. HAVERFIELD PUB. CO., Cadiz, Ohio.

This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our maps and tours contain much valuable data kindly supplied from the official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen. Recognizing the value of the work being done by the L. A. W., the Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership blanks and information so far as possible.

The maps which will be given for the next few weeks will have as their principal object the usual trip from Albany to Buffalo. At the same time they have been prepared in such a way, by giving the dotted routes, as to show all the roads in the vicinity of this general route which are in the best condition for bicyclists, so that, while we give only the details of the direct route, any one desiring to turn off at any point to reach some special town or city will be able to find for himself the most suitable route.

The bicyclist will therefore notice on the present map that the best route along the Hudson north of Albany, through Waterford, etc., is given; that it is possible to run out towards Schenectady, through Guilderland, and though the road becomes poorer beyond there, it is nevertheless in reasonable condition most of the way; that while the best route from Schenectady on towards Fonda and Utica runs on the southern bank of the river and crosses at Hoffman's Ferry to the north bank, there is nevertheless a moderately good road following the other side of the river and keeping along the canal and the railroad. In other words, while it is our purpose to describe a general route, there is also the secondary purpose of giving maps containing all good roads in the vicinity of these longer trips.

Leaving the Kenmore Hotel in Albany, proceed by the shortest way to Broadway, and on this till the Londonville Plank Road is reached; turning left into this, proceed through Londonville and Newtonville to Lathams. This is a little more than seven miles from the hotel, and at this point a shairp turn to the left should be made and the road followed to Watervliet Centre. From Watervliet, through Niskayuna, to Schenectady, is straight level road, none too well suited to the bicyclist, as it occasionally has somewhat difficult sandy spots, though the bulk of the road is, in good weather, firm clay and gravel. Schenectady is twenty miles from the Kenmore Hotel at Albany, and a stop can be made here, if desired, at the Barhydt Hotel, where, if you are a member of the L. A. W., you can procure somewhat less rates than the ordinary traveller. If you wish to reach Fonda in one day from Albany, it is well to refrain from stopping at Schenectady.

Leaving the city still on the south side of the river, follow along near the canal to Pattersonville, ten miles to the west. The road becomes somewhat more hilly, but it is in fair condition. At Pattersonville turn down to Hoffman's Ferry and cross to the north bank of the river; thence, turning to the left, follow the road running along by the New York Central Railroad tracks to Cranesville, and thence, over some hilly country, continue to Amsterdam, always keeping parallel with the railroad. This stretch between Hoffman's Ferry and Amsterdam is a somewhat poorer road, there being some sand and less clay and gravel than heretofore, and in some places some very considerable hills. Amsterdam is thirty-three miles from Albany, and here a stop may be made, the Hotel Warner being the best place for a wheelman to stop at. The run from Amsterdam through Tribes Hill, always in the vicinity of the river and the railroad, to Fonda is fifteen miles further. The road continues in parts somewhat sandy, and there are some hills, especially beyond Tribes Hill; but taken together, the run from Albany is not a bad one. If the wheelman is in no great hurry, a very interesting run may be made by leaving the route towards Buffalo at Fonda, and riding twenty-three miles out through Johnstown, Gloversville, Mayfield, Cranberry Creek, Gifford, to Sacandaga Park, which is a famous fishing place.

This Department is conducted in the interest of Girls and Young Women, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor.

How can I make my room pretty without spending money on it, I haven't much of that, writes one of my correspondents.

I have seen very ugly rooms on which people had spent heaps of money, and there are lovely ones which have cost their owners very little beyond good taste and the exercise of common-sense and care. In the first place, cleanliness in a room is in itself a great beauty. Make war on every bit of dust, every cobweb, every speck and stain. A perfectly clean room, although quite bare of ornament, is inviting, and when its owner puts in her little individual touches, her books on a hanging shelf, which her brother can make for her, or which she can buy for forty or fifty cents, her favorite engravings, cut from illustrated papers if she chooses and simply tacked on the wall, her pot of primroses on the window-sill, her toilet table draped with white net over pink silesia, her plain scrim curtains at the window tied back with bits of ribbon, the room will be dainty and pretty enough to please the most fastidious. If you have not much to do with, manage with what you have, is a good rule for girls to follow.

A carpet is by no means a necessity in any sleeping-room. In fact, many people prefer a stained or painted floor, with a rug which may be easily lifted and shaken. A small wooden rocking-chair, a table or stand for a candlestick, a two-leaved screen, which you can make yourself, and a little rack over your washstand for your towels, and then, with a nicely made bed, the room will be complete.

One's own room is so dear to every girl that I do not wonder she prizes it. One must have hours when it is a pleasure to be alone. One likes to be by herself at times, to think and read and plan. After a little space of solitude we go back to others rested and cheered. Where sisters share the same apartment, each should have her corner, divided from the other part of the room either by curtains or by screens, so that when they prefer to be alone they may be so. In some schools which I have known there are twenty-minute or half-hour intervals during the day, when every pupil is required to be by herself, and in home life girls who can should try to adopt a similar rule.

And cannot you contrive, girlies, to give your dear mothers the same chance to take a rest all by their precious selves every day.

When mamma goes to her chamber and shuts the door, you, I am sure, can take care that the little ones do not disturb her privacy; you can entertain the caller or dispose of the person who comes on a business errand. The mater will gain new life if her daughters secure for her this little daily space, and I am sure they will at least make the effort.

Charlotte Bland.—For an afghan large enough to cover a lounge you will require three pounds of worsted, if you crochet it, as the crochet-needle takes up a great deal of work; a knitted afghan will take less wool, and I think two pounds will be sufficient

Dora T.—If your hands are rough and chapped use cold cream on them at night, and sleep in a loose pair of gloves. An old pair of brother Tom's will answer the purpose. You should be careful to wash your hands in warm water only during cold weather, and to dry them thoroughly before going out. Rose-water and glycerine in equal parts makes a nice lotion for the hands. Rose-water diluted with ordinary rain water is very soothing to the eyes.

Arline.—A white and gold room is very pretty on the sunless side of the house, and it can be easily managed without much expense if you have clever fingers and good taste.