Notes and Queries?

Otago Witness, Issue 3881, 31 July 1928, Page 48

Notes and Queries?

Questions for reply in coming issue to be received not later than SATURDAY night. Questions will NOT be replied to through the

Questions must be accompanied by the name and address of the writer, but a nom de plume may be adopted for publication. •

* Inquirer,” Blenheim.—lnformation next • week.

••Seamark,” Oamaru, asks: “ (1) Is there a free mercantile marine'training ship in New Zealand similar to the Amokura? (2) If not, is there one in which one has to pay? (3) If so, what is the cost? ” (1) No. (2) and (3) No. * Curious,” Arrowtown, wishes to know the correct pronunciation of '' Robilliard,” the name of one of the All Blacks. In French this name would be pronounced “ Ro-bee-yarr.” The footballer, we understand, pronounces it as epelt, Roe-bill-yard, with the accent on •’he second syllable. • Moonshine,” Invercargill, wishes to know of a cure, or treatment for a permanent cure, to relieve a patient sufferer from psoriasis, and asks the meaning of psoriasis. Psoriasis is a form of skin trouble, sometimes constitutional. You might try a change in diet and application of one of the many salves stocked by chemists under guidance from a medical man. 11. G., Palmerston North, writes: “As constant readers of your Garden column for many years back we noticed a reference in the Otago Witness of July 3 to the blue poppy (Meconopsis Wallichii), which is grown in Dunedin. We have tried to procure seeds or plants in the North Island and have failed. - Could we obtain seeds or plants in Dunedin" If so, where? ” Seeds can be obtained from Messrs Matheson" and Roberts, Ltd., Octagon, Dunedin. *A One.” Waikawa, asks how many pounds of butter will the average cow give per week. “Agricola” replies: “ It is difficult to frame a satisfactory answer to this question as the yield of butter will depend upon the percentage of butter-fat in milk and the quantity of the latter. The average produce of a good cow is over 2501 b of butter per annum—two months dry.” “Query. M.F.,” writes. “ During a game - of 500 the scores are as follows: —A is 410, and bids 6 clubs. B bids 6 no trumps; the other two players pass, •and A also passes. B plays, and A takes nine tricks. Can A win the game by his 90 points? ” Yes. According to the official rules as given in “ Hoyle Up to Date ” there are' no restrictions in regard to “ pegging out ” under such circumstances. According to Professor Hoffman A wins. 0. M. R. Hawea Flat, asks: “ (1) What cubic space is required by the Health Department per child in New Zealand schools? (2) What chemical is used, if any. in engraving a name on steel? (3) What height is a fence to be to comply with the Fencing Act of 1908? ” (1) There is no definite standard recognised, it being the practice to particularise the floor space, viz., 10 to 12 square feet per pupil, and as the rooms are, as a rule, at least lift high this appears, to be ample. (2) A mixture of one part pyroligneous acid, one nitric acid, and three of wat-’". (3) See Legal Queries. “ Sailor.” Oamaru. writes. ' I desire to become a captain of a liner. Could you please tell ~me from what position one must work up? ” Such, a position is not easily obtained, and certainly cannot be reached at once. Sea experience is necessary, and such study as will give you a first-class knowledge of the science of navigation. Perhaps your best plan would be to 'secure a position on r ship, and this must, of course, be suited to your age and experience. You do not give your age, but if you are young, able, and determined there is no reason why you should not reach your ambition. "X Y,” Dipton. would like to know how a Highland wedding is conducted. The weddmg ceremony is much the same as at any other Scotch wed -ing except that some old local customs may be featured.. Sometimes it may happen that when the ceremony is over the bridal party’, leaves the church preced'd by the two fathers or some “ luck-ensur-ing couple.” and the bridegroom scatters copner money among the children gathered around the church door Firearms may be discharged, and while the piper or the fiddler tunes up the young counle. with shoes- un 1 oos"d. sometimes walk three times “ de : seil,” round the church, and then set out for home. When reached the young wife ih lifted over the threshold, as this is supposed to thwart the power of witches and evil eye. Then the young man’s mother breaks an-oatmeal cake over her head, and for pieces of this there is a scramble. After the wedding feast there is dancing, etc.

HakAtaramea, wishes to know the right way to use a rasp on a horse’s teeth, and asks if the rasp is used bn the edges of the teeth, or whether it should saddle them? The rasp he has -is set in the flanges of the hand’e. and looks as if it sb'm’d sadd’o but it " too narrow. “ Agricol-a ” replies: “In order that mastication and digestion can proceed properly it is essential that the teeth should be kept in good condition, and any abnormal.length of the molar teeth removed? Sometimes the outer margin of (the upper molars protrudes beyond the lower, in which case the inner margin of the lower molars likewise protrudes? In these conditions the are apt to become ragged. The rasp should be

used in such a way that the projecting edges may be filed off, and so permit the animal to grind its food. The rasp is' shaped so that the offending abnormalities may be saddled if opportunely placed, and filed away, and. yet not interfere with the tooth proper nor hurt the mouth. The rasp is not an implement which should be used by one inexperienced.”

“Farmer,” Brighton, asks: “(1) If barley and grass are sown together would it be a success? (2) Would sheep destroy the early grass when eating off the barley? (3) Would it be better to sow them separately and at different times —say, sow the barley first, eat it off, then disc and sow the grass seed? ” “Agricola" replies: ‘ (1) In the ordinary way a good stand of grass can be obtained provided the barley is not sown too thickly and is harvested in due course. (2) It would be decidedly risky to graze sheep on young grass which has not had time to become thoroughly well rooted. (3) Much better, and with advantage, perhaps, some early turnips could be sown along with the young grass in OctoberNovember, say, 2oz to 3oz per acre; not more. One may add it would have been better if the barley had been sown, say, last April or May so that the plants could have rooted well. The barley would then have come away nicely in spring, and stand a considerable amount of grazing without harm. Barley is naturally a somewhat shallowrooting plant.”

“Subscriber,” Waikaia, writes: “Could you give me the correct recipe for cleaning tripe? We often kill a bul’ock here, and cooks seem to have no right method of cleaning the tripe. Perhaps you could give one.” An . English recipe reads as follows:—“The first thing to attend to is to clean the tripes immediately they are taken from the animal. Wash thoroughly, Take, say, three buckets of boiling water, add a little soda and one pail of cold water in a tub. Throw the tripe into this, and stir with a stick until all dirt is removed. Take the tripe out of the tub, hang on hook and scrape with a ■ blunt knife until clean. Rinse the tripe well in fresh water, then throw into a copper with five gallons of water. Add 2oz alum to water, and boil it till tripe is tender. Remove tripe from copper and place in running clear water. When quite cold take out, remove the thin inside skin and trim it. Now throw it into a bath of cold water to which has been added 10 per cent, of trisulphite of lime, and it will be fit for use. Return to water bath at night. -It is washed in summer in order to keep it sweet.”

Constant Reader,” South Canterbury, writes: I have a steam boiler (pressure 1001 b on the square inch), which I use for only three months in the year. Could you kindly inform me as to the best method of preserving it for the remaining part of the year? Some people tell me I should keep it full of water, while others advise me to empty it and keep it dry. I would greatly appreciate an answer.” Mr H. M. Davey replies: “ I consider that it would be better to leave the boiler dry; but it must be really dry, not with pools of water’ in places. I consulted the Government inspector re this, and was told bv an assistant that dry was better than Wet. ■ Leave doors and manhole open so as to let a draught of air through the boiler. You do not mention whether- your water is good or 'lot. An inspector of machinery some time ago told me that some water corroded the metal plates very badly, while other water, even in the same district, sometimes was very pure. You see, nine months is a considerable time, and your engine and boiler should be carefully attended to if you want them to be in good order for restart’ng.” “White Heather,” Otago,’writes: “ (1) I. made some beer, but find it a bit cloudy, with sediment in .he bottom of the bottle. Can j'ou tell me how to make it clear? (2) Can you give me the address of breeders of Sussex hens? (3) I planted some climbing roses last year. They have made good growth. Can you tell me how much they ought to be cut back?” -(1) It is necessary to state the kind of beer. (2) Mr R. Tregea, 60 Royal crescent, Musselburgh; Dr M'Killop, Sunnyside, Christchurch; Mr J. C. Wilson. Seddon street. Ravensbourne; Mr Peter Jack, 112 ' ■ Hall’s road. Hillmorton. Christchurch; Messrs Millard Bros., 16 Queen’s drive, Dunedin. (3) Begin by taking out all dead and weakly wood, then consider which shoots are required for laying in, giving preference to the ripest rather than the fattest, and do not train them too close together if a No’sette or Dijon race. Then cut out the gross shoots if not ample room on the wall, thin out the medium-sired ones, and shorten moderately. The different roses require different treatment. The Banksian roses need special ‘ treatment, for flowers will not proceed from the strong shoots of the year, but from the laterals or side growths, so only thinning and a slight shortening of long strong shoots are requisite. “ St. Andrews ” wishes to know how to remove (1) blackheads and (2) freckles from her face. (1) Blackh-ads a-e caused through a too greasy skin and ineffective cleansing. The quickest way to get rid of them is to hold the face over a basin of hot (not boiling) water for 10 minutes, and then dab on a little astringent, such as camphor water, to close up-the pores. To prevent the surrounding air chilling the steam cover the head and basin with a large towel.. Once, a fortnight is quite often enough for the above treat-

ment. Diet should be considered all the time, and greasy foods and rich pastries taken very sparingly. A’lotion such as the following is of help, and should be applied to the affected parts with a piece of absorbent wool at bedtime: —Sulphur precipitated, l<lr; glycerine. ldr; cold cream, loz. Apply this each night unless it makes the face smart, when it must be stopped for a few nights and then started again. In place of medicine taken ’ internally a course of vigorous exercise is to be recommended, or some game which will encourage perspiration and . stimulate circulation. (2) Take loz of lemon juice, quarter of : a teaspoonful of powdered borax, and half a • teaspoonful of sugar. Let the mixture stand for a few days- in a glass bottle, and then apply at intervals to the affected areas. Another’ remedy is equal parts of lemon juice, peroxide, and boracic lotion. Mr Richard Norman writes: “I notice with interest the statement in the Sketcher column of the Otago Witn ss that painting new boots with three coats of black enamel paint, and allowing each coat to dry, will increase their durability very largely. I imagine that this -ould make them very hard. But what seems to double the life of a pair of heavy boots is to put on them one coat of warmed thick black oil . out of a garage, and then leave them in a warm place for two or three days to let the oil soak in. A rabbit’s or hare’s hindfoot makes a very handy brush for these small jobs. Then in the places where nails in boots are unsafe fasten on a well-oiled temporary sole, with as few nails as possible. The boot then always has a solid sole to work on, and the nails, being few, do not cut round the boot to weaken it. In the country districts old harness and motor car tyres are used for boot soles and heel plates, and when the heels are shod with new motor tyres one lot lasts the boots out. ' Then the new various boot-blacking and shining material on the market costs 2s 6d per ■annum for each pair of boots, while the good old-fashioned kind, which did the job so well, costs only 3d a year. It would be a good idea if the labour unions would comb : ne their requirements so as to produce a better class of boots for their homes, and drapery also. I just heard of a new wrinkle for tanning hides: Prepare the birch bark liquid, and let it get cold; then put the wet or green hide in it. Put it on the fire, and boi’ for a minute; then take it off and let soak till cured. A hide comes off a big animal and a skin off a_small one.”—[lt will probably b<? proved by experience that neatsfoot oil or dubbin is the best pre-

servative for -working boots.—Er. O.W.] S. A. £(.. Lumsden, writes: “ (1) Would you mind giving me a little information on strychnined oats? I noticed in the Otago Witness that your recipe was 241 b of oats to the ounce, and I have been using 141 b to the ounce of crystal, thinking I would get the rabbits nearer the line. But perhaps I have been making it too strong, although I have been getting fairly good kills, and do not like to change to 241 b without further advice. It is mostly boxwood country here, and if the rabbits get into the boxwood they are hard to find. W z ould you kindly advise me if I am makin" it too strong, and whether I should obtain better results with the 241 b, and catch them near the line? (2) Would you also give me a recipe for strychnined carrots? ” •“ Agricola ” replies: “Although no hard-and-fast rules can be laid down in regard to the most effective method of po’sining rabbits with strychnined baits experience teaches that no matter whether we use oats, carrots, apples, swede turnips, etc., it is advisable’ to - handle the baits as little as possible. Special care should be taken that all utensils used in the preparation of the poison are perfectly cleaned, and personal cleanliness should be observed, as the rabbits are very wary. The strychnine should be ground as fine as possible, and no grittiness permitted. The use of oats and molasses as bait has proved very effective at all seasons of the year. There is a risk in making the poisoned baits too strong on account of greater difficulty in disguising the flavour of the strychnine. The method following has proved most effective: — Boil 151 b of oats (Garton’s preferred) with 21b of molasses or treacle and sufficient water until the oats are soft, draining off any surpffis liquid. The oats are then ready to lay for feeding purposes. Run light plough furrows about two chains apart on the land where rabbits feed principally at night, •and lay baits of a dessertspoonful every 4yds apart in the furrows. In country too roush for the plough lay the baits in scranes or spade-chips. Continue this for three nights, and if the rabbits are then eating the sweetened oats well proceed with the poison as follows: — Weigh out 241 b of boiled oats treated as above-mentioned, pour into a wide bath or tub; grind loz of strychnine into fine powder, and sprinkle a teaspoonful at a time over the oats, stirring well after each sprinkling until the strvehnine is all mixed: afterwards add 21b of sugar to give a jjweet coating, as the rabbits having been fed on sweetened oats it is advisable to cover the taste of the poison. (2) The carrots must be fresh and crisp, or the rabbits will not cat them. Cut up 151 b

of carrots into small cubes, add 11b of icing sugar, and drain off any liquid after sugar has d’ssolved. Lay the sweetened cubek in light plough furrows or scrapes, two cubes every 4yds apart. Feed in this manner for three nights, and if the rabbits eat the carrots proceed as follows: —Cut up 121 b of e’ean carrots into small cubes, add lib of icing sugar, and allow carrots to drain until all surplus liquid runs off; grind loz of strychnine into fine powder, and snrinkle a teaspoonful at a time over the carrots until the ounce is all mixed? stirring well after each application of strychnine-; then add 11b of icing sugar, to cover taste of strychnine, and allow carrots to stand for two hours before laying. One poisoned cube -every 3yds is sufficient. Commence operations by

free-feeding the rabbits for two nights in succession with unpoisoned carrots laid 3ft to 4ft apart in plough furrows, scrapes, or spade-chips freshly made. The advisability of liberal free-feeding for at least two nights is strongly recommended—in fact, it is practically essential to success.- The baits in freefeeding should be similar to those which are poisoned, and should be laid in the same way. If the baits free from poison are well taken lay the poisoned carrots on the third day. It has been found advisable to put out about, four times the quantity of freefeed as compared with that poisoned. The poisoned baits should be laid from about 6ft to 9ft apart, according to the infested state of the land.”