Notes and Queries

Otago Witness, Issue 3832, 23 August 1927, Page 48

Notes and Queries

Qateiim for roply in coming isiue to b* roMtrod not later thiy SATURDAY night. Qnootioni win NOT bo replied to through poot. QuMtiono moot bo accompanied by the name M< addroH of the writer, but a nom do plume say bo adopted for publication. “ Lizard,” Omarama.—Verses sent. J. W., Winton.—Received too late for this week. W. G. G., Queenstown. —Thank you for the ■'•erses you sent in answer to a correspondent’s request. " Shingle," Hawea Flat, would like to know if it is in the Bible that a woman should have her hair cut off. No. " Inquirer,” Katea, wants to know how to preserve eggs with lime. “ Terror ” replies : “ Boil the water and add sufficient lime to form a sediment at the bottom of the vessel; add a handful of salt to every 4gal; do not put in the eggs till the water has cooled down. Unfertilised eggs preserve better than fertilised ones.” “ French,” Oamaru, asks for an English translation of the following:—“ Fais usage du temps situ aimes 1’ Eternite. Sache qu hier ne peut revenir, que demain n’est pas sur et qu aujourd’ hui seulement t’ appartient.” Make use of (your) time if you love Eternity. Know that yesterday cannot return, that to-morrow is not sure, and that to-day alone belongs to you. " Subscriber,” Otekaike, asks if it would be safe to dip ewes now which are due to lamb about September 27. “ Agricola ” replies: “ I consider you would run a considerable risk in venturing to dip breeding ewes so heavy in lamb. Temporary immersion in water at this time of the year might not be so very risky, but a bath sufficient to kill vermin would be more than unwise—it would be foolish.” " Undecided,” Waikaka. —In answer to your query about a book containing boys’ names A. H. writes to say that she knows of a handy little one which, she thinks, is procurable at Dunedin bookshops. It is one of a series of useful hand books for the home, and is entitled “ Names for Baby” (author, .Tames Herbert Settle; publishers, C. Arthur Pearson, London). It contains lists of both boys’ and girls’ names, with their meanings and explanatory notes, and a preface giving some advice as to name selection ; price 2s, she thinks.

“Interested,” Pukerau, asks: “ (1) What salary does a lighthouse keeper receive? (2) What is the age limit? (3) To whom does one apply for a position? (4) What standard of education is required?” (1) At commencement about £l5O to £lBO per annum, plus allowances in connection with particular lighthouse. (2) No age limit, but approximately between 18 and 40, subject to the Marine Department’s approval. (3) Marine Department. (4) Provided applicant is physically fit and passed the Fourth Standard his application would be entertained. “Farmer,” Pukerau, asks: “ (1) Is it possible to procure an electric incubator, 5060 egg capacity? (2) Where is such procurable? (3) What is the price of same? (4) What is the smallest size to be obtained in New Zealand?” “Terror” replies: “ Electrically heated incubators a.cs not sold in Dunedin, but there are iiiacalnes in operation—ordinary oil-lit incubators—which have been altered to be used with electricity. The best plan, so an expert informs me, is to heat by means of an electric lamp, which can be installed effectively and with small cost provided electric power is available in the incubator home.” " Old Coin,” Waihola, writes: “ I have in my possession two old coins similar to those found in the North Island, only mine are of Dunedin. One of these has on it * Jones and Williamson, Wholesale and Retail Grocers, Wine, Spirit, and Provision Merchants, Dunedin. 1858.’ Who is the Jones? Is he John Jones, whose home was where Fernhill Club now is? The other coin is for the Italian Warehouse and is dated 1866. Both are older than those found in the North Island.” The firm of Jones and Williamson, grocers, was where the National Bank is now. The Jones in it was not the John Jones you mention. " Inquirer.” Lovell’s Flat, writes: “ I have a milking cow feeding on young grass and turnips. For the past few days I have noticed her take staggering turns. She has not gone oft her milk supply. There is no tutu in the paddock, and as far as I know no other poisonous weeds. Could you give me any information as to the cause?” “Agricola" replies: “ The trouble appears to be dietetic. It is suggested that the cow should be put on a more limited ration, which possibly could be more of a mixed nature with advantage, with, say, some good hay supplied. A dose of Epsom salts (11b) with loz ginger is advised. The foregoing treatment in addition to reduced feeding, will probably effect a cure.” . •* Chicks,” Milton, wishes to know how to make a fireless brooder for rearing incubator chicks. “Terror” writes: “A fireless brooder is a simple affair. It is simply a box, the inside corners of which are rounded off with cardboard, or otherwise, to prevent crowding in corners, and it is furnished with strips of flannel screening the place of exit and entry. Holes should be bored through the sides near the top for ventilation. Ventilation is important, as the chicks are- warmed by the heat generated from their own bodies and by their own warm breath, and the latter must have means of escape, or poisoning results At a height of 6in from the floor a light wood frame rests upon corner supports; across this hessian is stretched, upon which a small wool or feather cushion is placed to rest upon the backs of the chickens when standing.” "Concerned,” Riverton, asks: “(1) Is the examination for a Class B certificate held at any university in New Zealand? (2) What subjects are necessary for such an examination? (3) When do entries for Class B examination close? (4) Is it necessary for an intending candidate to make application for such an examination to the Director of Education or (4) to the principal of a university? (5) What entrance tee is payable?” (1) There is no special examination for Class B certificate, but it is rewarded on the results of the examination for a bachelor's degree of the University of New Zealand. (2) (3), (4), and (5) Full information as to the subjects, date of examination, entrance fee, etc., can be obtained from the University calendar and the teachers’ examination regulations. These regulations may be obtained at the Education Board Office.

“ Anna,” Gore, writes: “ Would you please tell me what is about the right thinness for a woman who is sft 4in tall? Is not 39in round the bust and 40in round the hips too much? I wish you would please tell me, and not think me silly for asking you, but I hate to be fat. What could I take to be thinner. Please tell me.” You may work this out yourself: Your head should go seven times and a-half into your height; your hips and shoulders should measure across about a-quarter of your height; the width of your chest from armpit to armpit above the bust be 41 in less, and the width across the thighs about the same ; the arms and legs should be the same length when the leg is measured from the fork of the body. “ Taking things" is no wise way by which to achieve silmness, exercise and attention to diet being the better methods. Do not eat between meals; do not drink with your meals; avoid all fat, sweet, starchy, and fried food; eat raw vegetables and fruit whenever possible; and chew very slowly so that you will eat less. ■ Health is the main aim in physical' life, and if when in full health, you have a leaning to plumpness it seems foolish for you to seek to be thinner. “Hellos writes: “(1) The duration of the predicted eclipse of July 5, 2168 (British Encyclopaedia) will be the longest in history, seven minutes and a-half). Has the moon, to be in her node and the shadow to be at the equator to obtain the above result? (2) The duration of the previously predicted eclipse, June 25, 2150 (a saros between the two) is a few seconds less. What will be the place of the moon relatively to her node (roughly) ? The shadow of this eclipse passes south of India; hence somewhat near the equator. (3) Astronomy says that * if the saros (18.03 years) were a perfect eclipse cycle, i.e., if 223 lunar months equalled exactly 242 nodical months, then all eclipses of sun and moon would repeat in all succeeding periods.’ Would this be true of any other period, so harmonising the above two months, or of any other period, say, 1000, 2000, or 3000 years? I have a period that does harmonise the above two months—somewhat over 3000 years. I desire to be sure of my ground.” Your questions were submitted to a local authority, who suggested that you write to Dr Adams, care of Dominion Observatory, Wellington, for the information you require. “ Bees,” Milton, writes: “ I intend to start keeping bees. I have some good clover paddocks surrounded with dense manuka scrub. Would the manuka give the hqney an objectionable flavour? ” This question was submitted to an expert officer in the Department of Agriculture (Mr S. C. Rhodes, apiary instructor), who says that honey made from manuka is stronger in flavour and darker in colour than that from most flowers. Though liked by some people, others prefer milder flavours. Pure manuka honey is difficult to extract from the combs, but if stored in lib sections and eaten as comb honey this trouble is avoided. It serves well as bee food, building up strong colonies, and by placing empty supers on the hives when clover is yielding the later honey may be harvested, the earlier honey (manuka) being kept for the bees’ use. The writer would add that it would be wise if, before -commencing bee farming on a considerable scale, “ Bees ” got into touch with the apiary instructor, care of the Department of Agriculture, Dunedin, as there is probably a good qutlet locally for a honey . product which, somewhat darker than usual, may not be wise to export. " Water Supply."—Mr H. M. Davey replies : “ If the levels are as you say you ought to get about 31gal per minute from the pipes that run from A to X. It may interest you to know that were they lln internal diameter pipes you would get 7|gal, with ljin 13gal, and with IJin 20Jgal per minute. The pipes from X to B should deliver IJgal per minute, so it would be wise probably to have at least lin pipes from A to the tank C. Your tanks are slowly filling all the time, but you do not draw the water all the time unless you want to run a water wheel. You omit to say the distance from A to C. It you let me know that you would be told how much you would get; but if it is as short as it appears to be from your sketch you would get a better supply than now, especially with lin pipes. You ask if certain pipes are harmful. That depends on their state. Probably the gas engineer would be the one to put that question to. Re the proposed additions, if you gave the lengths and levels and the proposed internal diameters the delivery could be given.” " Strawluirry,” Pukerau, wishes to know (1) the correct way to treat grain for smut with hot water, and asks what is the right temperature. (2) What is the most suitable ground and the best manure for strawberries? “Agricola” replies: “ Samples of seed dipped for 10 minutes in water held at temperatures from 121 deg Fahr, to 141 deg Fahr, showed that the germinative power was not impaired. Up to 137 deg Fahr, in some varieties was withstood, but with the ordinary grains a temperature of 125 deg Fahr, was sufficient. (2) The best soil is a fairly heavy loam, friable in character. The best strawberries in Britain are said to be grown in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh on a heavy clay loam overlying a bed of gravel. Any complete artificial manure is of benefit to strawberry culture, although the proportions of the three chief ingredients of any manure will depend upon what is lacking in the soil. It may be said, however, that farmyard manure or stable manure is always valuable as supplying humus and nitrogen to the crop.” “ Pests,” Kopuriki, asks : “ What is the best spray (1) for tomatoes; (2) for,cabbage ' fly? (3) How does one make kerosene emulsion? Is it any good for the above? ” “ Agricola ” replies : “ It depends upon the disease, but for a general spray for fungi and caterpillar a Bordeaux mixture of a strength 31b sulphate of copper and 41b fresh lime to 50gal water is recommended. The plants are sprayed soon after setting out, at about 9in to Ift high, and again in a fortnight’s time. On the first appearance of csterpillar 111 b of arsenate of lead should be added to the Bordeaux. Good or wise soil treatment would appear to be essential in the raising of healthy tomatoes. (2) Dissolve 2oz of softsoap in Igal of water by heating it, and then gradually pour in 2gal of kerosene, vigorously churning the while by squirting the mixture back into itself through a spray pump or syringe. A thick, creamy emulsion will result, which will keep indefinitely without the kerosene separating from it. Just before using on cabbages, etc., dilute the emulsion with 15 times its volume of water. (3) The kerosene emulsion recipe is given above, . and is a capital spray for cabbage aphis.”

“ Calcium Cyanamide,” Gibbston, writes: “In the Otago Witness of July 29 ‘Agricola’ mentions a cure for club root in cabbages, but does not say how it is applied, nor in what quantity. If he could give instructions as to what quantities go to the square yard he would < bilge.” “Agricola” replies: “Full details of the Danish experiment are not available, but the quantity was stated, viz., 471 b per acre. The method of sowing the fertiliser must, in the circumstances, be a matter of experiment. Fori lerly it was considered that calcium cyanamide, or, as it is known in commerce, nitrolim, if sown with the seed would affect its germination, but later results show that this fear is groundless unless the fertiliser is used in excess. It may with reason be suggested that the land intended to be treated, and ultimately to grow cabbage and similar crops, should be now generously dressed with shell lime or with burnt crushed lime, which should be harrowed in. Later on the seed or plants, if desired, might be' planted, and the drills or holes lightly dressed with calcium cyanamide, or the fertiliser might be broadcasted. But I would prefer the former method, considering that the per square yard dressing would be infinitesimal.” C. P. C., Otautau, asks: “ (1) How would one feed a cow in milk with bran and moose nuts? (2) What quantity of bran should one give night and morning? (3) Should bran be fed wet or dry? (4) Does one soften moose nuts with hot water, or feed same as in bags? (5) Could one give moose nuts and bran mixed to working horses? If so, how should they be mixed?” “Agricola” replies: “(1) I cannot enter into the question as to the efficacy of moose nuts fed in conjunction with bran, being ignorant of the nature of the ingredients, etc., of the former. (2) It is unusual to feed bran alone as a foodstuff unless for some specific purpose. As part or portion of food to cows in full milk it is, perhaps, unequalled, as it counteracts the heating properties of maize and similar meals. A ton of bran is about equal in feeding value to a ton of lucerne, but we do not encourage the feeding of either alone; and, again, bran is too laxative if fed by itself. Given as mashes, or in quantities of 11b or 21b night and morning with other food, it will probably serve your purpose, but this again depends upon whether the cow is getting fresh young pickings in the paddock, etc. (3) Damped. (4) and (5) It is suggested that you write to the agents of the nuts in question, and you might also with advantage discuss the matter with the local stock inspector, who, I understand, is much interested in the feeding of dairy cows.”

LAW QUERIES.

[fMvtrei by a aolicitor of the Supreme Coaet •f New Zealand. Letters and Telegrams must bo addressed te “LEX,” e/o Editor, Otago Witness Dunedin.]

“ Anxious,” Southland. —Your best remedy is to get your landlord to take action in th» matter to prevent your neighbour from allowing the water to flow off his building on to your property. The best course is for your landlord to consult his solicitor in the matter, so that your neighbour may rectify matters.

“ Lessee ” asks: “ I agree in writing to lease a house for 12 months. Can I move on the last day of the term without giving a calendar month's notice to quit? " Y'es. If you remain in the house after the expiration of the term you would require to give one month's notice to quit. “ Waiau.”—lf you had not accepted delivery of the fruit no claim could have been made against you under the circumstances stated in your letter. By taking delivery, however, the vendors can claim against you for the full amount. (2) 2/11 per cent, extra premium. (3) 2/11 per cent, extra premium. “ Pests,” Kopuriki, writes : “An applicant for an old age pension whose position was as follows: —£100 in the bank, £lOO at 10 per cent, interest, 100 paid up shares in a company paying 8 per cent., 100 paid up shares paying 12 per cent.; altogether income about £27 or £2B per annum. He has been 50 years in New Zealand, and has a good character, but the Pensions Department refused his application. Is this right? ” Yes. H. H. asks (1) where could he get a prospector’s license? (2) What would it cost? (3) Could he be stopped from prospecting on freehold property? (4) Could he prospect on leasehold property? (1) Any Magistrate’s Court office or postmaster. (2) ss. (3) He must first obtain the written consent of the freeholder. (4) He must first obtain the written consent of the leaseholder. “ Sky Pilot” asks: " (1) I bought a dog on good recommendation and guarantee that same was working well, and would be a perfect worker in a month’s time. Finding that the dog was a complete failure the purchaser wrote the vendor telling him that the dog was useless, and asking him to take it back. This he refused to do. There was no money paid and no agreement signed. Can the vendor compel the purchaser to pay for the dog? (2) If not. can the purchaser dispose of the dog if the vendor still refuses to take it back? ” (1) No. (2) The purchaser should notify the vendor that he intends to dispose of the dog.

“ Legis ’’ asks : “ If a wife puts £3OO of her own money into a property, and she and her husband jointly sign the mortgage, what claim has the husband got in the property worth, say, £lOOO, the property being in the wife’s name? (2) If she dies with or without making a will in favour of her daughters, there being no sons? (3) If the husband leaves her with or without her consent can she claim maintenance for herself and children?” (1) The husband would require to prove his right to the sum of £3OO, and in order to protect himself he should have the matter rectified. (2) In this case the husband would require to prove his right to the £3OO. (3) If it is proved that the husband is not of sufficient ability to contribute to his wife’s maintenance no order will be made.