Science in Play.

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 23 August 1911, Page 3

Science in Play.

(From Magical Experiments by Arthur Goon )

A BOTTLE, OR AN ACROBAT?

How are we going to balance a bottle on its side upon a «cord stretched across the room ? It seems impossible ; yet it is easy. As in the illustration, all you have to do is to insert the curved handle of an umbrella or parasol into the mouth of the bottle. In order to prevent the bottle from slipping, it is sufficient to chalk the cord at the point of support, just as acrobats rub white chalk over the soles of their shoes, and for the very same purpose.

The figure to the right shows us a novel method of decanting a bottle of port-wine without shaking up the dregs. Into the neck of the bottle, instead of a parasol handle, insert the curved handle of a kitchen ladle, such as cooks use in the preparation of soup ; instead of the cord in the first experiment, make use of a wide strip of cotton ; and in order to make the bottle gradually bow toward the ground, you must pour, very gently and without shock, a little at a time, sufficient water into a receptacle that you have suitably hitched on to the ladle.

Let me add, that this experiment is quite safe, in theory: it will be better, in practice, to use a bottle of yin ordinaire, instead of fine old port.