Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-25
ITEMS OF INTEREST.

A GARDENER near Mobile, Ala, is said to
have raised ripe watermelons out of doors
from seeds planted In December.
THE ward locomotives in the Prussian SER
vice are to be provided with a fire eXtinguish
ing apparatus by which they can be con-
verted into fire engines when needed.
THE editor of Russian daily thus ex-
planned the frequent hiatuses in its appear
ance: 1.-The paper is often in want of lnfor-
nation. often in want Of writers, and IN want
of money; and sometimes, when II mas all
these, it is in want of readers"
THE German army has a balloon containing
$4,000 cubic feet of gas, capable of lifting
eight persons. The balloon ropes do not end
in a ring as usual, but are attached to an iron
bar two inches in diameter and thIrty-three
feet long In the centre of the triangle thus
formed is suspended the car or basket, the
result being that 1t hangs perfectly quiet ana
Is not at all liable to throw the occupants out.
AN exchange says that under the laws Of
Pennsylvania bakers cannot, by law, collect
bill for the sale of bread; that all bread shall
be sold by the ponnd; that bread scales shall
be kept on the counter or in some conspicuous
place in all bakeries; that unless the bread be
weighed the sale is illegal and the seller liable
TO a fine of so and costs for each Ohense, and
that half OF this sum shall go to the informer.
GAS is used in a few bed in Europe,
and in very few upper class houses. 1t is being
taken out Of nearly all the old houses in Eng
land and off the continent. 1t is deemed I'M
healthy. consuming the fresh air of the rooms,
hesides being a very hot light, having the
nrODertv of sOiling the ceilings and dimmmg
he paintings Lamps and candles are taking
tho Mace OF gas in all houses, except, pOssi-
bIy In halls, Kitchens and like rooms.
THE latest electric light project Is designed
N iIumine the Atlantic Ocean from the
banks of Newfoundland to the shores of Ire
land Ten vessels stationed 200 miles apart,
each riding al a ''mushrOOm" anchor. which
permits the vessel TO swing round win the
tide, are to display the lights. These vessels
arc also To be connected together ana 10 the
shore by an electric cable, and thus De enaDleu
to send messages to any part OF the Worlu.
CHARLES U. ERWIN, of Painted Post, n. y,
has found by an extended experience that ice
water. or water but a few degrees warmer
than ice water, sprinkled upon cabbages dur
inc tho heat of the day, will kill the imported
cabbage worm. lie found that snch an appll-
cation in the hot sun caused them TO quickly
ict 20 their hold upon the leaves, roll to the
sSroT7,od and die while the cabbage suffered
5otbing' hut looked all the fresher for the ap-
plicatiOn.
JAMES GORDON BENEFITS yacht Namouna
has been provided with one of the dense air
machines, which is able to produce l'OV9
pounds Of ice per day. Yet it is so compact
that il occupies a space only seven feet long.
four wide and four high. The cold ar ABOVE
what is needed for making ice is used l0r cool
ing two refrigerator rooms. one OF Whlch
holds the bulk of supplies in the hold ana the
other contains the temporary STOCK OF proFi-
siOns on the lower deck. The machine IS
worked with steam from the main boiler and
has the advantage OF being easily handled ana
taking up little room.