ASK THE WITCH DOCTOR

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 287, 3 December 1932, Page 2 (Supplement)

ASK THE WITCH DOCTOR

Rua wonders how old ail Avocado pear tree must be before it will bear fruit? — The Avocado pear tree must be very old before it will bear fruit. No very definite answer nan be given to Hie question,' but it will possibly bo 12 years before your tree begins to fruit.

Lilian asks two questions, the second of which is "Wliat are the birth stones of April, June and December?" —The trick you mention in the first question is one of the unexplained mysteries of the East. The birth stone for April is the diamond, for June the pearl or moonstone, and for December the turquoise, or lapis lazuli.

Even Song inquires: (a) Where slie can buy a book called "Tlie l.iiir or the White Worm" by the same author as "Dracula," and its price? .(b) What is it in an onion that makes it hot to the taste?—(a) To the best of my Knowledge this hook is unobtainable in Auckland, but could be purchased through one of the Auckland booksellers Jl it was specially wanted. The cost is 2/0. (b) The onion contains a white, acrid, volatile oil holding' sulphur in solution, albumen, uncrystallisable sugar, and mucilage, phosphoric acid, both free and combined with lime, acetic acid, citrate of lime and lignin. It is, of course, the white volatile oil that causes the burning sensation **/hen the onion, in a raw state, comes in ,contact with the tongue.

T.W. inquires iiow old one must tie before being- able to own an air gun?— Air guns may not bo purchased by any one under 16 years or age. # * * * Smiler asks; (a) Where could a book dealing with tile finding and mining or iron be obtained? (b) What steps would one take to join the International Civil Service? —(a) To the best ol' my knowledge there Is no book obtainable locally that deals with tills subject exclusively. A book on general mining may be obtained rroin Auckland booksellers for 37/0. (b) The higher appointments ol' the International Civil Service, established by the League of Nations, aro usually made by selection from those Having previous record ill national administrative work, or in other appropriate occupations. The minor appointments are made after competitive examinations. Apart from competence, some regard is paid to nationality. * *• * * Jack Sheppard wants to know: (a) ir the "author's copyright edition" means a first edition, (b) What is the value or "Jack Sheppard" by William Harrison Ainsworth, marked "Author's copyright edition." It is not signed by the author, it is printed and published by George Routlodge and Sons. Ltd., Broadway House, Ludgate llill, 15.C. — (a) No. The author's copyright edition is not necessarily the first, edition, (b) When inquiring the value or: a book It is always necessary to stale the date .upon which the edition was published. Until this is given we can supply no definite information conccrning the book in your possession. The first edition or "Jack Sheppard," by William Harrison Ainsworth, contains three volumes, and was published in 1839. In connection with this, however, there is no reference to author's copyright edition.