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By James W. Tufts

There are three essentials for obtaining a good trade: PLENTY OF ICE; GOOD SYRUPS; AND CLEANLINESS AND NEATNESS ABOUT THE STORE, particularly in regard to the tumblers and apparatus. Keep the ice box well supplied. The ice should be broken very small. A convenient way is to place it in a stout bag and beat it up with a mallet made of oak, with a long handle in the end; or the use of an ice dealer's chisel will be found convenient. A bit of blanket or carpet spread over the ice in the apparatus will save a large percentage of the ice. As the ice melts away from the coolers, it should be occasionally shaken down with a stick. Always let off the gas by means of the gas-cock when a fresh fountain of soda water is attached, and also occasionally during the day, as the gas often gets ahead of the water, particularly when soda water is drawn rapidly. The syrups that I recommend I know from experience to be excellent; and I hope all who use my apparatus will at least give them a trial. The Pineapple, prepared as Fruit Floss, retains its flavor for years; and it has seldom given me trouble by fermentation.

Vanilla is a flavor that some dealers think they must economize on, and so use Tonka beans. I would as soon flavor syrup with assafœtida. Buy your extracts only from a reputable house, particularly vanilla, as the extracts sold for vanilla are seldom genuine; and, if you can't afford to make good syrups, leave them off your list.

LEMON SYRUP.-Allow me to make what I consider a valuable suggestion; unless you make from the fruit, or sell all that you mix within twentyfour hours after it is mixed, use American Concentrated Lemon and Orange Syrups made direct from the fresh fruit. Do not use Extract of Lemon or Orange, for the oils of lemon and orange, when mixed with the syrup, turn bitter and musty in a few hours. Use only the best Concentrated Fruit Syrups and Crushed Fruits at your fountain, and do not dilute them too much with syrup. A strong, true fruit flavor pleases your customer and makes trade.

Finally, in regard to neatness. Your friends and customers notice the appearance of your store in regard to its neatness, perhaps, more than you do. Another dealer in soda water may take a good proportion of your trade away from you by keeping his store looking more attractive. The best way is to make an invariable rule to have the apparatus "polished up" every morning. Also have the tumblers washed with hot water and soap at the same time; then, if you have not a tumbler washer or running water, have a clean tub under your counter, which should be replenished with water and