Notes and Queries

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 48

Notes and Queries

Questions for reply In the cofiilng issue of the Otago Witness must be received not later than SATURDAY Night. Questions will NOT be replied to through the post. Questions must be accompanied by the name and address of the writer, but a nom de plume may be adopted for publication. “ Soho,” Glenorchy.—We shall endeavour ’ give you the information next week. “ Contract,” Opuha, sends diagrams of two fields, and wishes to know their area. (1) 113 square chains 6200 square links, or 11 acres 1 rood 18 square polee. (2) 56 square chains 2900 square links or 5 acres 2 roods 19 square poles. D. M‘D.. Otahuti, writes: “At a recent euchre tournament two players won nine games each, and they decided to cut for first place. A cut the ace of snades, and B cut the ace of hearts. Which won, or are they still equal? ” They are still equal. “ Red,” Roslyn, wishes to know if there is any more virtue in red flannel than in white or any other colour. To the person who is wearing it, yes; to another person, no. The virtue of red flannel from the point of view of the patient is that it looks -warm and healthful, and so has a beneficial effect upon the mind. “Historical.” Nelson, asks. “(1) Where is the “ Doomsdaj' Book” kept? (2) In the event of anyone’s desiring to know whether a probable ancestor of theirs dwelt in a certain village or farm at the time the book was compiled would the custodians supply this information if possible? (3) Would there be any fee for such a service? ” (1) In the Public Records Office, London. (2) and (3) We are unable to give a definite reply. You could communicate with the chief of the office. J. H.. Temuka, asks: “ (1) In what way could I obtain a position on the New Zealand railwaj’s to learn to be an engine driver? (2) Where must I apply? (3) Should I have to have any testimonials to Siiow? (4) How much wage would I receive to start with? (5) How long would it be before I should receive a rise in wages? ” (1) Make application on the prescribed.' form obtainable from any station piaster. If your application is succesestart work as a cleaner. 12) The General Manager of Railways. Wellington. (3) Yes, two from wellknown citizens. (4) It depends upon the age of applicant, but ranges from the minimum of Is l|d per hour to Is lid. (5) An increase is secured on each birthdaj- provided work and conduct are satisfactory until the maximum is reached. “ Grasslands ” wishes to sow down in grass a paddock which he does not intend to plough up for some time. What is a _ mixture of grasses which should last in the ground for some years with good top dressing? (1) Is there an evergreen ryegrass? (2) Is imported white clover superior to New Zealandgrown? “Agricola” replies: “In sowing dowr. a pasture local climatic conditions should be furnished, or at least the district indicated in order that one advising a mixture of grasses may be more or. less familiar with the : dominant grass in the locality. If, for instance, ryegrass or cocksfoot constituent found in most successful permanent grass areas it would be a mistake . to neglect, the one bulking largely in a mixture. The following mixture, supposing ryegrass is the dominant grass in your district, is suggested: Perennial r’—crasc <vr,. cocksfoot, 51b; timothy, 21b: crested dogstail. 11b; wh’te clover, 21b; alsike, 31b; cowgrass. 21b per acre. If cocks- ’ , °t. ’ s main grafts used this miglrt be increased and the ryegrass diminished. (1) There is -an evergreen ryegrass (Lolium perenne sempervirens), but we are not aware that it is any better than perennial ryegrass saved from old ryegrass pastures. (2) No; the best white New Zealand clover saved from reliable strains is fully on a par with the imported seed, and possibly 'better in some instances in regard to germination.” Farmer,” Hyde, has a Japanese plum tree on which the plums do not mature, but turn to bladder or pocket plums. What can he do to prevent th : s? “Agricola” replies: “Japanese plums are especially liable to the attacks of this disease. It is caused by a minute fungus that lies in the tissues of the young branches. In the spring, just as the tree begins to blossom, the fungus commences to move, and the mycelium penetrates the tissues and young ovaries of the flower. Trees which are not badly diseased should have all the affected branches carefully pruned back beyond the point where the fungus shows itself, and the prunings should be carefully burnt. If this pruning is systematically carried out the perennial mycelium will, says Professor T. W. Kirk, be destroyed, and thus the disease eradicated. All fallen and diseased fruit should be raked up and burnt, while all very badly affected and neglected trees should be destroyed, as they only serve as nurseries for the infection of healthy orchards. Spraying with Bordeaux mixture is exceedingly beneficial, both in repressing the growth of the fungus and also in preventing the infection of healthy branches and trees by means 'f the spores. All trees should therefore be dressed -with Bordeaux mixture before the buds expand and at intervals until the fruit is set. Directions for making Bordeaux mixture: 41b.sulphate of copper, 41b. fresh lime, 50 gallons of water.-

Dissolve the copper in, say, five gallons of water in a wooden vessel. The best way is to tie it in a loosely woven bag, and suspend the bag from a stick laid aero.. the tub; or, if in a hurry, use hot water, slack the lime in another vessel, and add it to the copper solution; stir well till thoroughly mixed, then add sufficient water to bring the whole up to 50 ga’lons. Now strain out any dirt. Apply with a proper spray-pump with a cyclone or Bordeaux nozzle. This liquid should not be kept for more than a day; after that time any left over should be thrown away and fresh made.”

“Tom Reader,” Timaru, writes: “Can you tell me if I can purchase (1) French, Latin, and Italian dictionaries with phonetic pronunciation, without other elaboration, and in simple form as one finds in English dictionaries? (2) A pronouncing vocabulary of Scripture proper names? (3) A select list of mythological and classical names with phonetic pronunciation? (4) The same of geographical proper names, all in simplified and not too expensive editions. (5) Where could these books be obtained? (6) Could you give me the pronunciation of the following words:—(a) Assisi; (b) Plutarch; (c) Montaigne; x (d) Maman; (e) Voltaire; (f) Chaucer; (g) Dumas: (h) Les Miserables: (i) Holbein; (j) Il Trovatore; (k) Offenbach; (1) Wagner; (in) Charlemagne; (n) Bach; (o') Racine; (p) Iliad; (q) Diderot; (r) Moliere; (s) De Musset; (t) Gautier; (u) Xavier; (v) Dieppe; (w) Velasquez; (x) Tuileries; (v) Alovsius; (z) Rougemont; (a) Gil Blas: (b) Ruff Blas; (c) Milieu? ” (1) to (5) Messrs Duncan and Simpson, booksellers. Dunedin, have some of the dictionaries you mention, and could obtain others if required. You could write to them stating exactly your requirements. (6) (a) a (to rhyme with cat) see-see, with the accent on the second sjdlable; (b) plue-tark, accent on plue; (c) montaip, accent on tain; (d) ma (to rhyme with cat) mong, accent on neither syllable; (e) vol-tare, to rhyme with snare, accent on tare; _(f) chaw (to rhyme with floor) sir (accent on chaw); (g) doomar, accent on mar: (h) lay mee-; .y--rabl, to rhyme with car, accent on last syllable; (i) hol-bine, accent on hoi; (j) eel tro (to rhyme with throw)-va (cat)-toe-ray, accent on toe; (k) the city Offenbach is pronounced off-fen-bark, accent on off; the composer’s name, Off-en-bark. accent on bark; (1) vars-ner. accent on varg; (in) char-le (to rhyme with met) mane, accent on char; (n) bark; (o) ra (to rhyme with cat) see-, accent on seen; (p) ill-ee-add, accent on ill; (q) dee-dro. to rhyme with grow, accent on dro; (r) mow (to rhyme with toe) lee-air. accent on air;# (s) de (to rhyme with met) moo-say. accent on say; (t) go (to rhyme with toe) tee-ay. to rhyme with hay, accent on ay: (n) zay-vee-er. accent on zay; (v) dee-epp, accent on epp; (w) vay-lass-kaith. accent on lass; (x) tweel-ree, accent on ree; (y) al (to rhyme with pal)-o (toe)-ish-ee-us. accent on ish; (z) ruge-mong. accent on mong; (a) geal-blars; (b) ree-blars; (c) mee-lee-ur. to rhyme with her, accent on no syl’able.