Notes and Queries?

Otago Witness, Issue 3882, 7 August 1928, Page 48

Notes and Queries?

Questions for reply in coming issue to be reseived not later than SATURDAY night. Questions will NOT be replied to through th* postQuestions must be accompanied by the name and address of the writer, but a nom de plum* may be adopted for publication. “Sewing Machine.”—Next week. “ Curious,” Gore, wishes to know when the New South Wales footballers play in Dunedin. On September B—the8 —the second test.

" Novice,” Catlins, asks how to plant asters, and wishes to know the kind of soil to use and the time to plant. Seed should -be sown naw. Later on the seedlings can be pricked out into boxes, ard planted out about the middle of October. New soil is best for asters, and it should be heavily manured. “ Elector,” Moa Creek, writes. “ I wish to enrol so that I can vote at the coming election. I am in the' district of Central Otago. To what address should I write for the necessary papers? ” Write to the registrar of electors, Queenstown, who will, on application, supply you with forms of enrolment. “ Amateur,” Timaru, wishes to be supplied with the name of an elementary text book regarding the process of crossfertilising two species of strawberry plants with a view to the production of a hybrid. ‘ Fruit Growing in New Zealand,” bj r J. T. Sinclair, published by Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs; price 2s 3d posted. “Interested,” Adams Flat, writes: “The Otago Education Board is closing a school in a district with an attendance of 17 pupils, and is going to have the pupils conveyed to another school, 11 or 12 miles away. (1) Can the parents be forced to send their children that distance? (2) Can the board not be forced to open the school again with an attendance of nine pupils?” fl) Yes. (2; No. “Dancer,” Waikaia. asks how to do the Charleston, the doll dance, and the Yale blues. Is there a book which she could buy describing these? Where could she buy it? It is not practicable to give in this, column even the mere outlines of the dances named. Foulsham’s “ Modern Dancincr.” by post 2s 9d, is obtainable from Messrs Duncan and Simpson, George street, Dunedin, and should meet with your requirements. Mr Richard Norman writes: “In respect to the editor’s suggestion that neatsfoot oil and dubbin are very' good for boots and harness I would say that the former is too thin and easily washes out, and the dubbin is too dear. The black oil keeps boots soft almost as long as thev last, and sixpence worth of it will go as far as several shillings’ worth of dubbin for harness as well as for boots.” “ Lepore,” Balclutha, wishes to know what will remove grease stains from a taffeta dress. The City Dye Works kindly supplies the following information: — Rub the stain with chloroform or with benzine (chloroform for preference). When it is fairly well removed take a clean cloth and, with more chloroform, work from the outside of the stain into the centre. “ lifting the stain out,” as it were, with the cloth.

C. O’B.. Westport.—Your inquiry in our issue of July 24 with regard to the number of feet of gravel and sand, - equal parts, which would constitute a solid yard of concrete, allowing three bags to the yard, has elicited the following reply from “Builder.” Hawera:— “If the above correspondent wishes solid concrete he should proceed as follows:—Take a petrol tin. fill it with the gravel to be used, and then pour in water till the tin is quite full. The cubic measurement of this water will be the exact cubic measurement of sand required to make the concrete perfectly solid.”

“Argument,” Southland, asks: “ (1) What will remove ink stains from velvet without taking the coffiur out? 12) Do earwigs fly? ” (1) The City Dye Works, whom we consulted about this, says that to remove stains from velvet at any time is difficult. Salts of lemon is best for taking ink stains out. but you would be xvell advised to tell us what colour the velvet is so that more precise advice can be given. <2) This question cannot well be answered with a yes or no. Those earwigs with developed wines sometimes use them, hut such insects -are rarely seen on the wing. Tile maioritv of this snecies nrobablv never make use of the organs of flight, or even go through the process of unfolding and folding' their wings.

“Amateur Playwright.” Waiuta. writes: “I am desirous of sellin- a- scries of farcical sketches to a professional company for production at vaudeville. These sketches are now being produced bv amateurs with marked success, fl) How can T get in touch with professionals? (2) How can I get in touch with enough amateurs to sell them my sketches? I am willing to advertise. (3) Are there anv theatrical magazines in New Zealand,?” fn Write to the manager of Messrs John Fuller and Sons, Ltd... Wellington, who will, no doubt, advise you how to get into touch W’th. the producers of revues. (2) Publicity is the only means, and advertising is. the only method unless you can get into personal touch with performing societies. (3) New Zealand Theatre and Motion Picture Magazine, 98 Waipapa road, Hataitai, Wellington.

“West Taieri ” writes: “I have a gelding that has developed chest founder. What could have brought it on? He is always well, never off his food, and .has a comparatively easy life. Can anything be done for him? ”■

“Agricola” replies: ‘Founder in horses may be brought on by a variety of causes, such as rapid changes of temperature, or unsuitable food, or any other influence which may interfere with the proper circulation of the blood. You apparently have diagnosed the disease to your own satisfaction, but in the circumstances we suggest that you call in a ‘ vet.’ If broken wind is evinced by the expiration of the breath taking two efforts, and the inspiration only one, as seen in the flanks, there may be a rupture of the air cells of the lungs, due to overfeeding with bulky food or musty hay and then overworking. There is no cure, but some relief may be gained by slow work and concentrated moist food.”

“Subscriber” wishes to know (1) how to remove wool from sheep’s pelts for tanning. They are painted with some kind of liquid, but “ Subscriber ” has forgotten what it is composed of. (2) What physical exercises are used to cure dyspepsia. (1) The wool can be removed from sheepskins by using a depilating material such at is used when sheepskins are fellmongered, but the processes involve special technical knowledge and conveniences, and our space will not permit of providing full information. Suffice it to say that the usual mode is to add a given amount of sodium sulphide, say, 25 to 30 per cent., to the weight of rock lime used, ■and to reduce the whole to the consistency of cream. (2) If this refers to ordinary dyspepsia a course of special dieting and massage is recommended. Try a plan of helping your stomach to get rid of its contents. The food of a dyspeptic remains too long in the stomach fermenting and forming acid, and so causing inflammation. Place one hand at the extreme edge of the left side, immediately under the ribs, slightly overlapping them. Then work it around to the right by pressing the fingers as hard as • mi - I ing the hands extended in front. Swing to f e right and then to the left, repeating the process. Practise this daily before meals.

“ Pelton,” Brunner, writes: “In the designing of a pelton wheel of, say, 3ft diameter, with buckets 6in wide by 4in nffih, what would be the most effective angle between the buckets? In an attempt to obtain the best result I arrived at the conclusion that it would tike 24 buckets, equal to 15deg, but I notice that some foundries allow only 18 buckets for a similar case, or an angle of 20deg between the buckets. Do you know of a good book on pelton I would be much obliged to know of same.’ Mi H. M. Davey replies: “ I cannot advise you as to the number and size of the buckets without knowing more about the conditions the wheel is destined to work under. You will perhaps know that a wheel of this sort travels, or should travel, at a definite relation to the speed of water that drives it, and wat_r hits the wheel at vastly different speeds in these wheels, according to the head in the pipes. The head also determines the size, shape, and number of buckets. In the meantime, however, inquiries have been made, and the only work so far come across is that of Professor Parks book on hydraulic mining, price (postage included) 28s 6d. Valuable information can be had by applying for Price’s catalogue (Messrs A. and G. Price, engineers, etc.. Thames, Auckland). If you state the missing particulars better information could be supplied, or Messrs Price might give you a satisfactory wheel if you stated the conditions to them ” , •

“ Inquirer,” Blenheim, asks where Angora rabbits are procurable, and about what price? There are no Angora rabbits procurable in New Zealand at the present . time. The long-haired white, familiar as a children’s pet, : s certainly not the Angora rabbit now being commercialised for wool production. It is a degenerate French type possessing neither the necessary staple nor texture. “ Inquirer ” should be scrupulously careful not to purchase these if he has in mind growing wool for the English mills. Angora rabb ts may now be imported into New Zealand, subject to the restrictions printed below, from either' France or England. English stock is preferable for- the simnle reason that, whilst French stock has been bred for lengt . of wool, the texture is coarser than the English. and brings a smaller price per lb. The English breeders have retained length of wool, bred a finer texture, and are now trying to increase the size of the rabbit to increase the size of the clin. The cost of a first-class pedigree stud buck may be anything from £lO upwards, and a brood doe may 'be anything from £4 unwards. There is a cheaper class of Angora, of course, but these prices refer to pedigree stock bought from reputable breeders in England. To these prices must, be added cost of transport, which, at the lowest, would be approximately another £lO for -a consignment of six rabbits. A quotation for importing six rabbits, given about four years ago. was this figure; to-day it mav be less or more There arc a number of stud farms being planned by Angora exnerts both in the North and South Islands: if “Inquirer ” is not in urgent need of stock it nrqlit be advisable for him to wait and purchase his stoek from stud farms in New Zealand. He would be then able to buy Angoras that had been acclimatised, and at a more reasonable figure. Properlv acclimatised brood does of best English pedigree stock ought to b& on „ale for £3. and pedigree stud bucks from £5. Further, he would escape the risks consequent upon importing delicate animals through the tropics. On the other hand, if “Inquirer. ” is in. urgent need of stock he

should know the restrictions and safeguards compiled by our Department of Agriculture. They are printed herewith:—On receipt of particulars as to the number of rabbits to be imported the Department of Agriculture will issue a permit subject to the following conditions: —(1) Before shipment is effected from Great Britain the written approval of the High Commissioner to be obtained. (2) Each app : ication to the High Commissioner to be accompanied bv a certificate from a local veterinary surgeon as to the health of the rabbits and freedom from ticks, in addition to which the following information is to be furnished:—(a) Name and address of consignee; (b) date and port of shipment; (c) name of vessel by which shipment is to be made; (d) name and address of consignor; (e) port of destination. (3) Litter and food materials to be used on the voyage to be in accordance with conditions laid down by the High Commissioner. (4) If deemed necessary litter and unconsumed food materials to be jettisoned or burned before steamer’s arrival at New Zealand port. (5) Animals to be subject to inspection on arrival before being released to importer, and to four weeks’ supervision by an officer of the Department of Agriculture. (6) Animals to be kept in the Dominion in strict confinement to the satisfaction of the Department of Agriculture. These restrictions and safeguards have been issued under the authority of the Acting Minister of Internal Affairs.