NOTES AND QUERIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1499, 7 August 1880, Page 17

NOTES AND QUERIES.

K. C, Otaria.— At the last census (1876) there were 692,614 head of cattle and 9,836,065 sheep in Cape Colony. Wool is the principal product, and the amount of land under tillage is comparatively small. The value of the wool exported amounts to ninetenths of the total exports. The general characteristics of the country are sterile and uninviting. Though some districts in the south-west are fertile, and produce corn and wine irt abundance, the remainder rf the country may simply be classified as grazing land. The southern faces of some of the mountains are covered with forests. Except along the coast, water is scarce, and there is an absence of shade and trees. We have no information to hand as to whether the land is open on deferred payment, but should any of our readers supply the inf ormation desired, we shall be happy to publish it. SPbranza, Waimate, asks who is the author of the poem entitled "Grace Darling," and where it can be procured. — We are not aware of the existence of such a poem, and inquiries made at the Dunedin booksellers' shops have produced no information in reference to it, Perhaps some of our readers may be able to supply the information desired.— There is no special settlement of Italians in New Zealand, and we do not know of any district in which Italians

predominate. Reader, Arrowtown.— It is impossible to answer your question with any degree of accuracy. The list of better-class periodicals is so extensive, and the patronage of the more popular ones so widely spread, that an estimate could not be formed unless the circulatianof each periodical were known. J. M'N., Wangaloa.— The facts as you state them in reference to Miss Ross, the Taieri fasting girl, are substantially correct, although we believe that light nourishment in very small qnantities was occasionally administered. We are not aware as to Whether the young lady has recovered, or whether she is still in her semi-fasting condition, but shall he pleased to publish any information that may be supplied by any of our readers on this point in

answer to your question. W. F. R., Clutha.— ln manufacturing ginger wine boil together for half an hour seven quarts of water, six pounds of sugar, two ounces of the hest ginger, bruised, and the rinds of three good-sized lemons. When lukewarm, put the whole into a cask, with the juice of the lemons, and a quarter of a pound of sun raisins ; add one spoonful of new yeast, and stir the wine every day for 10 days. When the fermentation has ceased, add half an ounce of isinglass and half a pint of brandy ; bung close, and in about two months it will be fit to bottle. Thomas Smith, Half-way Bush.— Fever founder, or laminitis, in the horse sometimes proceeds from gripes stomach staggers, superpurgation, influenza, rheumatism, over-driving, inflammation of lungs or bowels, and in cases of difficult parturition, &c. &c. As to the treatment, that will altogether depend upon the cause; but this much may be stated— if a horse gets over the fever but is still lame and his feet somewhat disorganised, then rasp the crust of the loot level with the sole, shorten the toe as much as you can ; blister repeatedly round the coronet, and place him in a swampy paddock. Tyro.— Smith's Principiaand Smaller Latin Dictionary ore the best books for beginners. After studying these for a month, our correspondent will himself nnd out what progress he can make without a teacher.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. IONORAMUS.-A special article on the electric light i?nLt? pear next week > in accordance with your x tf fl taftS2? IIOV^T^ ollp memo - arrived to ° late ; Jfti? P.W, *l e{ore Jt Wft « received. Urnes" LUe ' Wt T< 5 " si S» 8 « f the