The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-02-29
THE IDAHO SCIMITAR.
Curious Facts.


their islands and the tremendous yearly increase
in the population have learned to take cunning adj
vantage of every byproduct of nature They rake
the sea beaches for seaweed to use as fertilizer and
grub the mountains for twigs to burn into charcoal
Now they are turning the many and troublesome
volcanoes to good purpose by manufacturing the
volcanic ash into cement. To them belongs the
credit of discovering that the scora that sweeps
down from volcano vents and sears the neighboring
countryside may at least be tolerated. if it has to
come, an economic asset
James F. Scott to whom the Government has
awarded contract for $4,000 for an aerop1ane has
been working for twenty years upon the problem
of aerial navigation. He has made at least dozen
working models, has made numerous flights up to
200 yards and is convinced the aeropane is the aerial
craft of the future Mr. Scott is a scenic artist and
forty-fve years old. He asserts that within five
years aeroplanes will be constructed capable of car
rying thirty men and flying 1000 miles. The ma
chine to be built for the War Department is to
sist of two MAN, perfectly horizontal planes super
posed, and with several intermediate planes. The
total weight is to be 1,5OO pounds. The required
rate of flight is forty miles hour, and Mr. Scott
asserts his machine will travel sixty.
Frank Seyk ST., celebrated his 1O4th birthday at
the home of his at Keyaunee, Wis, by playing
clarinet solo and singing song to demonstrate that
Notwithstanding his advanced years, his had not
lost their sense of harmony. Mr.. Seyk is the most
unique character in that section of the State His
memory is still keen and he is able to recall incl
dents of many years back with vividness that
arouSes surprise. He is free from all bodily all
ments and attributes his longevity to dieting and
regular habits. He did not take up smoking until
his ninety sixth year, though he has been an in
veterate user of snuff all his life.
Tapans foreign trade in 1907 marked with
some significant features Exports were $215,5oOOOO,
again $212 900 in 1906, increase OF $3,5OOOOO
Imports were $247 100000 against $2O9,5OO0OO an in
crease of $38OOOOOO The total foreign commerce
was therefore, 463,OOO00O, against $421,50O,0OO IN
1906. an increase of Sal 100000. This growth was
in accord with the rule of recent years. Statistics
Of Tapanese commerce are available for only thirty
six wears, or since and including 1872 In the first
sixteen wears of that period the growth very
Showroom S21, 100000 to $48,5O00OO, only 1875
Der cent In the last twenty years it was rapid
from $65, 500 900 to $463, 100000, or 67 per cent
The Department of Agriculture has undertaken a
series of experiments intended to answer if possible,
he old question: "How long can seeds remain buried
n the soil and still retain their power of germna-
ion?" Many extraordinary stories have been told
IF the prolongation of the vitality of seeds during
many years, and even centuries, but very few &C
nal experiments have hitherto been made. DIR. Beal
las reported that he has found seeds that responded
termination tests after having been buried twenty
ears. The seeds buried by the experts of the
Aprcrltura Department at the Arlington farm last
ear were packed with dry clay in porous clay pots,