The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-16
ITEMS OF INTEREST.

Bright colors assumed by NAPLES,
sumacs and ampelopsis during the au-
tumn months are the result of the OK
idizing Of the color compounds, or
color generators, of the leaf cells.
ong-protracted cool weather is most
favorable to the production of autumn
tints and slight frosts that are not
severe enough to kill the cells hasten
the display of beauty by producing an
engine that brings forth the bright
puppies, oranges and reds. Leaves con-
tanning much fannie acid never give
bright autumn tints, while those con-
tanning sugar give the very prettiest.
"A singular scene was presented
recently in Torquay, England. A To-
cal magistrate, passing a well-lighted
house, saw a footman clutching the
gate, while his body writhed in an eX-
traordinary manner. He called out
that he could not withdraw his hands
and the magistrate went to his aid.
AS soon as he laid his hand upon the
gate he found himself struggling
against succession of violent electric
shocks. Not until the lights had been
extinguished in the house were the
two men released. A leakage from
the mains is held responsible for the
occurrence.
There is only one person in many
thousands who does not celebrate a
birthday once a year, but when this
eagerly looked for day comes only once
in four years it seems a long time, es-
pecially with little folks, says the New
York Commercial. But how about a
birthday that comes only once in eight
years? Miss Pauline Stone, who lives
in Seven Hills. Kentucky, was born
Feb. 20, 1888, and, although she will be
sixteen years of age next February,
she has had only two birthdays-in 1892
and 1896. The year 1900 would have
been leap year but for the fact that
it was a centennial year not Invisible
by 400, and, therefore, February had
but twenty-eight days, and Miss Stone
had no birthday. 1t is interesting to
remember that since the beginning of
the Christian era only four centennial
years have been leap years. Next Feb
ruary, however, will give the young
lady birthday, and she is looking for
ward to the time with great interest.
Much effort is being expended in
California for the purchase of the
Calaveras grove of big trees by the
nation, and its setting aside as a ma
t1onal reservation or park, says an
exchange. The San Francisco Cham
Der of Commerce has taken part in
the appeal to Congress-; so has the
California Club of that city, and the
Society of Native Daughters. The
Outdoor Art League is putting in the
chief work, however, and bringing
the matter to the attention of con-
gressmen, senators, and the President
to secure attention to the bill. Twice
the Senate has passed the bill, but Mr..
Henderson, as Speaker of the House.
has not allowed a hearing. Why, no
one can tell, unless it be the lumber
men who are crowding their destruc-
tive sawmills closer and closer. Let
it be hoped that Speaker Cannon will
have more sense than to kill such a
valuable measure by neglect. A coun-
try that is spending it's billions in the
reckless way this country now spends
them ought not to balk at a few hun
dreds thousand dollars to preserve this
wonder of the world. The state of
California itself might afford to. do it,
for it is a commercial asset, but it is
better that the government should pos
seSS the great treeS-nothing less than
national protection is deserved by the
trees, which are, perhaps, older than
the presence of man on this continent,
and are the most majestic plants that
the globe contains. 1t would be a ma
ed in foot values of lumber for some
insignificant human beings, thousands
of whose lives are trivial in compari-
son.
ALL who know South Africa are
aware how greatly that country suffers
from insect pests, says the London
Telegraph. Probably no other land is
so terribly victimized. OF these foes
49, L. Il -
and cattle, is the worst. A we'll known
Natal farmer is reported to have said
IF the government offered me to take
away all the diseases, or the ticks,
whichever l chose, / would say Leave
the diseases and take the ticks :"
Hitherto no remedy for this torment
has been found, but one is reported in
the Cape of Good Hope Agricultural
Journal from Aliwal North. A farmer
writes that he had a flock of goats
badly infected, but happened to drop"
on cure in the shape of wild garlic.
He gave the animals affected a small
quantity; the ticks were not killed, but
they dropped off the goats, and 10
further loss was suffered. Next year
when the tick season came round his
goats escaped injury. If this exper-
fence be confirmed it will be of high
import to all South Africa. The gov
eminent or cape Colony is enforcing
additional stringent regulations to pre-
vent the introduction of plant pests.
Much is to be hoped from the impora-
ton of plants and seeds from other
lands. but it is Of the utmost moment
that the germs of plant diseases shall
not be imported with them. Certain
plants are prohibited absolutely, among
them stone fruits from the United
States and Canada. and peaches from
any foreign country. New plants are
to be examined on landing and disin-
fected, and everything on which a dan
gerous pest is found is to be imne-
diately destroyed. Costly experience
has proved the necessity of these meas
ures.
Cold storage houses of greater or
less magnitude are scattered all over
Greater New York. but the largest
ones are down on the lower part of
Manhattan, on West, Washington
South and the streets in closest prog
unity to the shipping districts, saws
the New York letter of the Louisville
Courier-Journal. Those on West.
Washington and Hudson streets are
convenient to the New York Central
freight lines. If any one were to see
the amount of meats, vegetables. fruits
and other perishable foodstuffs that
go into even one Of those buildings in