The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-11
SOCKS AND INSURANCE.
An Odd, Though Solemn. Assertion by

An Odd, Though Solemn. Assertion by
Scottish Contemporary.
n Scottish contrinporar! gTavey amt
solCmrly asserts that several Insurance
companies ::r considering the Necessity
Of adding another to Che numerous in
quirics addressed to candidates for their
bone ftS-,iZ: What cu!ored socks d"
yen wear" The hre of ones hosiery,
says this sage. may have Il far greater
effect upon the health than is sometimes
imagined. various colors acting in differ
Ont ways. Some years ago black stock
iEg:' we've denounced as Il source of
hlood poisoning. and thc public. were also
warned against intiulging i'll the luxury
of socks of emerald green.
Now adversely has fallen upon the pop
ular red colors. which both the youth
and Senility of the metropolis have long
favored. An 'oStler employed at Il hotel
not far from London has fallen vic
tim to what most people would regard
as Il harmless piece Of vanity. On high
wear rcd socks. His widow and five
children now lament his loss Brown
hose are extensively worn. Are they
also injurious: Are young men of fash
ion 70 wear these too. at their peril. or
be driven to adopt white stockings, like
their reat-gra ndfatherS: As most Deo-
plt, wear socks nowadays it is a question
Uncertainty may drive anxious health
rcfnrmerS 70 don sandals like the an
cientS-at any rate. on fine dayS-and
thus bring poverty both to hoS!crs and
boot makers.
The Sunf!ower and its Uses.
The suntiowrr is native of America.
In 1863 it was introduced into Europe,
and is now extensively cultivated there,
particularly in Russia. where it has been
grown for fifty years principally for the
oil contained in its seed. The seeds. af-
ter the shells are removed. contain 81
pcr cent. of oil. This oil is clear. light
yellow. nearly odorless' and OF peculiar
pleasing ana mild taste. 1t is said to be
superior to both almond and olive oil
for table purposes. and is used in making
soap and candles: In Russia the larger
seeds arc sold in immense quantities to
the lower classes of the people. who eat
tho kernels us we Ito peanuts. The stalks
furnish a valuable fertilizer and mixed
produce an excellent fiber. 1t is said
that Chinese silk goods commnnly con-
tail. more or less sunt1owcr fiber. The
so-cal.ed Niger seed oil is made from Il
species of the Sunflower family which is
a native Of .Ahyssinia. 1t furnishes the
common lamp oil Of upper India, where
it is largely cultivated.
why Thunder Rolls.
The prolonged roll of thunder is read
lily explained by comparison with Il vol
ley fred along 4 line of troops Sup
pose troops to be drawn up in line in
such runber rs to extend for mile.
and ordered, by signal that all could
see, TO fire IT once. Ono standing at
the cnd of the line would hear the re-
po,t of the musket nearest him instantly.
He would hear the others successfully.
Thus n report $50 feet away would
come TO him in half Il second. and he
world rot hear the last report for five or
six seconds after the gun had been fired.
This Y ould produce Il sort of roll. which
weul,l gradually Increase in intensity.
Flashes of lightning may be considered
as representing .hrec lines of troops
along which the explosions occur at the
sam. fine Consider the variety of
distance and position Of the listener,
and we account for the variety of sound
in thunder. In mountainous regions
the rolling is augmented by reserbera-
items or echoes.
Policeman Brown of Lulington is
glad he tlidil'. Use his teeth on the raw
oyster he ate the other day, for he eA-
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