The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-10-24
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

Of North America TO be 74S feet above |
the sea, and he found that in A. 500, 600 |
years the whole of North America |
might be worn down TO vhc sea level
"A strong wind prevents the forma-
tion of dew, by keeping the air well
mixed, and leaving nc part of IL in con-
tact with the ground long enough to
become cool and deposit moisture.
| --Oregon farmers are coming to the
conclusion that there is more money to-
be made in horticulture than in any
other branch of farming and arerapidly
turning their grain fields into orchards.
1t is estimated that the total tom
mage which will pass through the
Nicaragua canal when completed will
be ten million tons per annum. This
is equal to five large ships, and fifteen
ahips of ordinary size day.
Some plants appear TO be able to
grow and develop in total darkness. A
committee of the Royal Horticultural
society has been told of hyacinths that
developed colored flowers, although pre-
vented by some accident from coming
above the ground.
New Orleans agents Of Louisiana
and Mississippi lumber mills have con-
tracted for the delivery of 5O,OO0,OO0
feet of pine lumber to the German gov
ernment within eighteen months. This
enormous amount is said TO be for the
construction of railroads in that coun-
try.
In sandy soil the greatest success is
met with in utilizing stream of water
from hose to bore the way for the
sinking of piles. The nozzle is secured
to the heel Of the pile and the stream
turned on. The pile sinks rapidly, and
the sand packing about it renders it per-
fectly solid.
In Japan the artists are more num-
erous than the artisans, and receive less
pay. The great wood carvers earn 81
a day, but capable carvers of less bril-
liancy are satisfied with 25 or 80 cents,
upon which they can live satisfactorily
The entire Japanese race is of artistic
taste, and wood carvers have in recent
times entered upon a new era of pros
perity.
) "A long study of the parallax OF
Arcturus has led DIR. Elkin of Yale uni.
versity to conclude that this star travela
with the inconceivable velocity of 3S1
faster than the earth moves in it's orbit
round the sun. Arcturus proves to be
so distant, that its light, travelling
J 100, 900 miles second, must take 1S1
years to reach us.
The aquatic plant, the bladderwort
feeds on animal life. The tiny bladders
attached to the leaves and leaf stalks
! are each furnished with door, the
whole acting on the cel-trap principle.
ANY small water creature that ventures
to peep in is seized in the clutches of
the murderous plant, and is at once
swallowed and assimilated.
"A new departure is being made on
some of the leading railway lines 1t
is found that the great fault of the flag
man is to waste his time and divert his
r attention in conversation with his cro-
/ nies, and at various highway crossings
: two-story towers are being erected for
\ the gatekeepers. From these pneu-
matte gates will be worked, and the
services of the fagmen, though deprived
t Of their amenities, will be more trust
/ worthy from the exalted perch.
Considerable olive oil is manufac-
t tured IN Northern Persia in the prov
: lnCc VI blliu' lucFc are dDOuU one
4 hundred thousand olive trees and these
f produce from six to nine pounds OF
4 olives yearly Only about seventeen
4 per cent. of the weight of the olives OF
4 good oil can be obtained by the Persian
= presses. This gives q crop of about
j, one hundred and twenty-seven thousand
c pounds. After the good oil is extracted,
r the olives are pressed again and the oil
; is used in making soap. The residue is
e used as manure around the trees.
Il The laughing plant is the name of q
d plant growing in Arabia, and, accord
S ing to the Medical Times, is so called
i by reason of the effect produced upor
S those who eat it's seeds. The plant i.
l. of moderate size, with bright yellow
o flowers, and soft velvety seed-pods, each
l. of which contains two or three seeds re
sembling black beans. The natives o.
d the district where the plant grows dry
y. these seeds and reduce them to powder
A dose of this powder has similar effects
to those arising from the inhalation o
laughing gas. 1t causes the most sober
IS person to dance, shout, and laugh with
the boisterous excitement of IL madman
o and to rush about cutting the most re
Il diculous capers for about au hour. A
the expiration of this time exhaustion
!, sets in, and the excited person fall
asleep, to awake after several hours
with no recollection of his antics.