NOTES AND QUERIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1916, 10 August 1888, Page 20

NOTES AND QUERIES.

Eclipses asd tub Wkatheb. — It., Oamaru. writes : A question well worth the study o those Interested in weather prognostics Is the effect of eclipses on the weather. For more than 30 years I have observed that there is »lwayß broken weather within a few days of an eclipse : it may be shortly before or after. Most frequently it raint, bub it may be snow or high winds, iv.st December I caiued some amusement to my friends by telling them to expect bad weather during July and the beginning of August. I am sorry to find how true a prophet I was. There - was an eclipse of the sun on 9th July. It rained heavily on 10th, 11th,. and 12th. The eclipse of the moon was on the 23rd July, the rain came on 2frh, 21th, nnd 28th ; another eclipse of the sun on Sfch August, and rain fell on sth, Oth, and 7th. Fortunately it is not often wo have th 1 oa eclipses in four weeks, the last was in 1884 — March 27 and April 10 and 26. It also occurred in 1880, when they were a!l in December — 2nd, 17th, and 31st; in 1877, 1870, 1866, 3862, and 1859. I trust your readers will kindly give their experiences and observations on the snbject. We shall bfl glad to hear from anyone who has made any obiervations on the subject. - 3. H. — Light should never be introduced to a stable from the front, the back or side being in all cases preferable for window*. Standing in the full glare of light from a window tends to materially weaken the sight of the lower animals equally as much as it does that of human bairgs. Be3U>ent OF 25 Ybabs.— By «<oing so they render themselves liable not only to fines but also to be ousted from office. The act provides that " upon prima facie evidence, by affidavit or otherwise . . the Resident Magistrate's Court . . may grant a summons calling upon the person holding such office to show cause why ho should not be adjudged to be ousted of the same," and upon cause being shown " such person shall be ousted accordingly." T. C, Queensland.— We feel rather chery about recommending anyone to leave another colony for the sake of trying his Hick at digging in New Zealaiad. Very much of course depends upon the personal qualifications and experience of the individual. If you have a knowledge of mining ar.d are poesessed of a fair share cf determination, however, we belie >c there are many localties in Otago and Southland in which you will have no difficulty in at least making a living. In Southland there are the Pebbly Hills, Orepuki, and Hound Hill, all within easy distance of Invercargill and Eiverton. The former is essentially a poor man's diggings, and will at all event s yield tucker. 'J he climate Ib by no means levere, although after Queensland you would certainly find it cold. Country Header -(l) Mr Martinelli. High and George streets, undertakes this kind of work. (2) All chemists sell cement lor the purpose. S. H. — " Reader," writes :—ln: — In reply to the query of your correspondent "S. H.," I b?g to state that the Rev. Mr Dunn, the phrenologist, is at prsent lecturing in Melbourne. Mebcatoh.-(I) The work is not obtainable in Dunedin, but any bookseller will order it for you Jrom Melbourne. (2) You might try steaming the book until it is thoroughly damp and then holding it over the fumes of burning sulphur. Failing this try a weak s .lution of chloride of lime — guy about a tablespoonful to the pint of water — and brush the soiled parts over with this, drying in the sun. Would be Amatethi asks if anyone can inform him of the name of the songbook which contains the words of the song "JJohn Malone," or " Have you seen John Malone ?" ' SbkkebAitbbTbuth.— <l)Onepickltng,if efficiently performed, is sufficient for the destruction of all ■pore* of smut or red rust adhering to the grain* of wheat. Card must be observed, however, in pickling not to me too strong a solution of the sulphate of copper (bluestone), or to allow the

wheat to remain too long in the piokle. The strength generally approved by experienced farmers is Jib bluestona to 2gal of water, and this will be sufficient for a bag of wheat. A little over two minutes will be sufficient 'for the submergence of half a bag at a time in the proper proportion of the solution ; and after the grain has been rested on a crossbar of the dip tub and allowed to drain, it is customary to spread it to dry on a perfectly clean tarpaulin free from dust or snores. Many farmers, however, dry the damp grain with powdered lime, and this is a desirable precaution when sowing has to be deferred. Much delay after pickHt.g is at all times objectionable, and calculated to induce irregular and wesk geimination. (2) With \aritties of oats, as with wheat, several have been from time to time reported as having an immunity ruManismut.butthorepntationhas only been from transitory and dependent on a judicious change of tetd. In tho vegetable, as in the animal kingdom, much depends *n the soundness and vigour of the parent plant or animal, while the nurture of the progeny must equally Influence result*. ! Ihe ill nurtureQ. and weakly succumb to ' attacks of diseases which the strong and vigorous are enabled to withstand. Fungoid growths are frequently attributable to the gums or spores left in soils from previous oropB; and where suoh are suspected the proper course to adopt ought to be the application of efficient caustic dressings or entire chango of crop. Farmbb, Oamaru.— (l) If the eggs were laid when the birds were suffering from roup the chickens would no doubt inherit a tendency to that disease, rendering them more liable to develop the symptoms under favourable circumstances than fowls descended from healthy birdt. They of course would not inherit the disease, but merely a tendency to contract it more readily than would be otherwise the case. You do not mention any swelling of the head and subsequent discharge, which is one of the most noticeable accompaniments of the disease. Unless ac "ompaniedj-by this symptom we doubt whether your fowls are troubled with roup. It is more likely the complaint Jis due to a fcul run. If so, remove the cause by transferring to a fresh run and digging up the present one if practicable. Put loi of Bpsom salts into tha water. Try if a feather dipped in turpentine and put down the'throat will remove the source of trouble. (2) Eggs should not be set from a pullet younger than 12 months of age. Two years old is reckoned the best age. Your other questions are held over till next week. Thk 75th Foot.— l. M. I. writes : My informant may be in error in naming the 75th as a regiment in which Corporal Macgregor served, but the fact remains that not only was he himself wounded at Waterloo, but had also two brothers, serving In the came regiment with him, killed in that celebrated battle. Fuller information on the point has been written for. As to the different engagements credited to the 75th. the " Army List " is somewhat misleading In its information, as it appears the 75th and 92nd are now joined, under the title'" Hegimentsl Division No. 75, Aberdeen," and the battles in which both regiments were engaged are, as in other similar case*, given together without distinction. " Army List " is correct in the reference ho has given. Protecting Fbkcihg Posts.—" Seeker After Truth" eski the following question, answers to which we ii cite fiom those who have had practical dealings in the matter in Otago :— What it the present opinion with regard to the value of charring and tarring the bottom of fencing posts ? A recent extract in the Witness answered the question in the negative, asserting that the coeting of charcoal around the log ii not impervious to water, and that thus water reaches the uncharred timber within and promotes as rapid decay as if it had no charred protection at all. If this be so would not charring and then larring complete the protection a» well at could be wished, or would tarring alone do equally well ? While inviting exprestions of opinion from our readers we may mention for our correspondent's information that the following method* are highly spoken of :— (1) Limeed oil and tar, in equal parts, well boiled together nnd used while boiling, rubbed plentifully, over thn work while hot, after being scorched all over by wood burnt under it, strikes Jin or more into the wood, closes the pores, and makes it hard and durable either under or out of water. (2) A coating of coal tar, sanded over ; or boil together lgal coal tar and 2Jlb white copperas, and lay it on hot. Inquirer, Gore.— The steerage return fare from Dunedin to Melbourne during Exhibition time is £7 10s. Maori.— There is no known chemical mean* whereby Indian ink stains may be removed from the flesh, but we believe that they have been almost altogether removed by puncturing the stain wlth_a sharp needle dipped In cream. The operation isa painful one, as the needle requires to be driven under the marks ; but with care it Is successful. Scotch Thistle.— (l) She can get a protection order, and if the desertion has been for two years, she can get a judicial separation. (2)Ajudiolnl separation entitles her to live apart from her husband, and she can keep him out of her house, but a protection merely protects her earnings from her husband and his creditors— ln fact, since the alteration of the law, a protection order is now of little use. ' Old Subscriber asks : — If a miner takes up land under the occupation lease system, is a squatter bound to pay half of the boundary fence. No, but ha should pay interest at 16 per cent, on half the cost. Batxpatbr aski':— Can the holder of a license (a publican) hold the office of a town clerk. We are not aware of anything to prevent it. Ihquirir.— Under Mr Shrimski's Pensions Act Major Campbell vould not be able to draw an honorarium from the Legislative Council as well as his pension, so that no question of expense Ii Involved in his appointment. R. J. H.— (l) Have it addressed to yourself. (2) There are agents for the purpose of passing entries, known as customs house agents. You will find their addresses in "Stone's Directory." Incase it is not to hand we may mention Mr F.- M. Coxhead, Bond street. Wyndham and Otara.— Too late for this Issue. See notice at head of country page.