Notes and Queries

Otago Witness, Issue 3958, 21 January 1930, Page 46

Notes and Queries

Questions tor reply in the coming 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.

F. YY’. C'.. Kimbell. —We will endeavour to procure the information for next issue. J. 8., Dumbarton, wishes to know the population of San 1-rancisco. 500.007 inhabitants. 11. J. 8.. Southbrook. asks: ‘•'Will you please advise (1) YY hat is the earliest time from now that escalonia hedge plants may be put in. and (2) what distance apart for each plant? ” (1) May. (2) Eighteen inches. O Sport,” Dunedin, asks: “ In playing sixhanded euchre, can you order one of your partners down (the dealer I and take the other with you, not counting it a lone hand? ” X'>. <•’ Cribbage.” Moa Creek, wants to know what cards are necessary to count 25. 20, and 27. It is impossible to hold 19, but the querist would be very interested to know what cards will count to the above figures. -It is impossible to hold 19. and the [flayers we have consulted have never held 25. 26, or 27.

• Oamaru ” desires to know (1) whether the examination “ D ” is to be obsolete this year, also (2) how many years a probationer or pupil teacher serves, and (3) if “ D ” is being done away with what examination do the probationers pass at the end of their probationership. — (1) Yes. it is now obsolete. (2) One year as probationer. (31 The training college entrance examination. W. H. 11.. Akaroa. writes: ‘‘Can you tell me who made the asseveration: ’Non omnis moriar! ’ (I shall not wholly die!)? (2) Who wrote the following lines:

Beware of desperate steps. The darkest day will have passed away—Live till to-morrow. (1) Horace (Odes. Book 3, 30, 6). The whole quotation is: Non omnis moriar; multaque pars mei Vitabit Libitinam. (I shall not altogether die: a great part of me will escape Libitina —death.) (2) William Cowper in " The Needless Alarm.” •Bruce,” Evans Flat, writes: "I have an aged horse that has a .swelling on the sheath and belly, and which when pressed with finger leaves a hollow. The horse is a good worker and in good condition. Please tell me the cause and treatment ? ” “ Agricola ” replies: “The trouble is not an uncommon one with old horses, and is due to impairment. of the circulation of the blood. Reasonable exercise is suggested, while tile giving of some laxative medicine such as one pint of linseed oil (raw) in which is stirred an ounce of turpentine is recommended, and a pinch of saltpetre in the drinking water will not be amiss. The stock inspector has been written to, should you care to call him in, as it is possible that a slight scarifying of the swelling would be advisable after a thorough examination.” •Reader,” Otago, wishes to know whether windfalls of apples can be readily converted into apple wine. Apples which are blown off the trees by heavy gales before they are quite ripe can be made into wine, according to a Home correspondent, by adopting the following method: —“Having gathered sufficient of the windfalls, I cut them in half 'and cut out the rotten parts, then put them into a copper boiler, about halffilling it with apples and nearly filling up with water. The apples are allowed to boil to a pulp and are then taken out and strained through a fine sieve. I next measure the liquid before putting it back into the boiler, and to every gallon allow 21b of granulated sugar . I make 20 gallons at a time, and use 12 large lemons and lib of bruised whole ginger to this quantity. The liquid, sugar, ginger, and rind of the lemons I boil together for an hour, then take out and allow to cool. When lukewarm I add the lemon juice and loz of yeast, then put in a cask and leave to work. When it has finished working I cork it down and leave it for six months. Like all wines, apple wine improves with keeping.” R. J., Waipukurau, writes: “I have a large pond as water supply, and should be glad of the following information: — (1) Jf I stock this pond with perch will they help to keep the water pure and free of insect life, such as mosquitoes, etc.? (2) Are perch preferable to carp? (3) Will perch take a line, and what kind of bait? Will they take a fly? (4) Ditto re carp? (5) What are the respective eating qualities of each fish? (6) Any other useful information that you can supply? (7) Do you recommend any other kind of fish in preference for the above purpose? ” (1) Perch feed on insects, worms, and many small fishes, and to some extent would ensure a decrease in the number of insect life present according to whether they proved palatable or otherwise. (2) Perch will thrive under conditions which would be disastrous to carp. (3) Perch when large are not easily caught, but in days of infancy he bites boldly, particularly’ in ponds, and can be caught with minnows, worms, flies, etc. (4) Carp is the shyest of fish, and feeds generally on larvw, insects, and worms. Ground bait is visually the best of baits, such as par-boiled potatoes placed on a small triangle by means of a baiting hook. Other baits comprise honey-worms,

boiled wheat, green peas, wasp grubs, cheese, etc. (5) Pet-ch is one of the best table fish found in fresh water. Carp in Germany is regarded with a degree of epicurean appreciation which in Britain finds no parallel. (6) In summer perch appear to prefer the rapid parts of the stream and in winter the quiet and deep pools. Carp ponds are somewhat costly to make, for they need separate ponds for spawning, for a nursery, and for the ordinary mature life of the fish. A great deal of revenue is said to be derived by landed proprietors in Northern Germany by the sale of carp. 'They grow to a large size, a 60-year-old fish having a length of Aft. and some have weighed upwards of 381 b. (7) Success will depend upon the management, available feed, and conditions regarding the source ami amount of water flowing: but carp would have no chance of living, while perch would have a reasonable chance of surviving if there is suitable feed.