The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-04
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

MILKwEED-F. R., City. The common milk
weed (cornutf, the swamp milkweed Gncar-
natal and four-leaved milkweed (quadrifola)
grow and abound in the San joaquin Valley
and in the southern part of the State down to
the Mexican border 1t is very handsome
border plant, thriving in peaty or light, rich
soil. 1t can be liner eased by dividing the roots
in spring. also by seeds. The doubtfully hardy
or rarer species of milkweed should always be
grown in q peat soil and have little protec-
ton during severe frost by mulching the roots.
In order TO obtain good bushy specimens it
will be necessary to cut back the plants an
nually, after keeping them slightly dry and
resting for O month or two in nidwinteP.
When growth has sufficiently advanced they
should be shaken out and repotted. At this
stage close, moist atmosphere will be needful
to produce the usually very free growth. The
points of the shoots must be nipped out in
order to produce bushy habit When the pots
have become filed with roots liquid manure
may be applied but it must be quite clear and
not over strong. All indoor species grow best
in good, tibry loan and leaf mold. The plants
should be firmly potted.
ITALIAN CITIzENsHIP-D. B.. City. The Italian
Government does not recognize relinquish-
ment of citizenship of her subjects unless GER
tain formalities are complied with. An Italian
who wishes to become O citizen of another
country, if living in his native country, must
make declaration OF such intention before
the Mayor of the districts in which he lives; If
living abroad he must make such declaration
before the nearest Consul for Italy. If he
leaves his native country without having per-
formed military duty and returns TO that
country before be is 40 years of age, he will be
required to perform military duty. irrespective
OF the TACT that he is a citizen of another
country. Al times there is an arrnisuce, lasting
generally two years, during which time the
law In regard TO military service by those who
return from abroad is not enforced. The latest
armistice will expire on the 23d inst.
THE DEFENDER-G. H. W., City. So far as can
be learned the length of the Defender is 1O2
feet; beam 232; draught 10 feet; main BOOM
1O2 feet; meinmaSt from deck to hounds, 70
feet; topmest, including the doubling, so feet;
height from water-line to truck, 1876 feet. Her
sail area is about 400 feet more than that of the
Vigilant, which is given as IL ,272. This, how
ever, will probably be increased.
SPARE THE ROOM. f., Alameda, Cal. "Spare
the rod and spoil the child" was not the saying
of Solomon. Ii is from "Hudibras," part II,
canto l, forty-fifth verse; The language used
by Solomon, to be found in Proverbs xiii ID,
was "He that spareth the rod hateth his son.
UNCLE TOMS CABIE-Reader, City. "Uncle
Tom 8 Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe, first
appeared in serial form in the National Era,
Washington, from June, 1851, to April, 1852,
ana first appeared in book form in the latter
year In Boston, Mass.
THE A. G. RopEs-W. A. c., West Oakland,
Cal. The ship A. G. Ropes, as shown in the
picture published in THE CALL, was, at the time
referred TO. under lower topsails.
SAGE OF AUBURN-S II. NJ, City. It was Will
liam H. Seward, Secretary of State under Lin
coin, who was called "The Sage of Auburn" =