The San Francisco call., 1909-12-04
Answers to Queries


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MUsHRoOM-ToADsTooL NJ. City. What
is the difference between the true mushroom
and the toadstool?
These are two classes of fungi be-
longing to the same genus. The name
mushroom is given by botanists to all
species. the edible and the poisonous,
but in this country the popular name
applied to all the poisonous is toadstool
(frogstooD, while only those which can
be eaten are called mushrooms. The
species used as food is regularly convex.
fieshy, dry and white. with tinge of
brown or yellow. 1t is smooth or scaly
on the upper part. but not warty on the
under side. The gilis are pink when
young and later turn brown. Toward
the top of the flesh stem is white
membraneous ring. The plant is best
for food when young, being then in the
form Of a ball. covered with a thin
membrane The toadstool resembles
the mushroom but the top is shiny
white, or dark red and the gills are peF-
pendicular. This species is poisonous
The flesh of the true or edible mush-
room on being cut or broken is white
and remains so, or nearly so. for some
time after being exposed to the air.
while the toadstool in such cases will
turn dark colored almost immediately
HuMAN!TIEs-G. P. H., City. What are
the humanities?
Humanities are those branches Of
education or study which are included
in what is called polite or elegant
learning, as languages, grammar. phi
lology and poetry, with what pertains
TO what is called polite literature in
Guiding the ancient classics. The
name implies that the studies of these
branches Gin opposition to the physical
sciences), which especially develop the
intellectual faculties, has a tendency
TO humanize man, that is. to make him
truly cultured
STUMPS-F. A.. Healdsburg. Cal. What is
the method for destroying stumps of trees by
the use of saltpeter?
In the fail bore hole in the center
of the stump about Is inches deep and
1 to " inches in diameter Put in
about two ounces of saltpeter and fill
the hole with water; plug it up tight.
In the spring take out the plug, pour in
to 10 ounces of petroleum. ignite. and
the stump, ii is said. will smolder. but
not blaze. to the cxtremities of the
roots, leaving only ashes.
HORNETS City What is the habit of
the hornet as to retirement and coming out at
certain seasons?
Natural history says: "The nest of
the hornet is in a hollow tree. in an
clubhouse, or other sheltered place. !
community of hornets. it is said, never
contains more than 200 individuals.
which, having survived the winter in
some sheltered hiding place. Law the
foundation of the nest in spring
P0TATo-A. O. s.. Oakland, Cal Where did
the potato originate:
The potato is a native of mountainous
% in troy n
countries of America and is probably
indigenous from Chile to Mexico. X
was used as food in America long he
fore the foreign invasion of the coun-
try
EGGs-subscriber, City. IS there such a thing
manufactured eggs.
There is what is known in trade as
egg powder, used by manufacturing
bakers, composed of sodium bicarbon-
ate, tartaric acid, cream tartar turmeric
and ground rice.
HOMESTEAD Reader, City. There is a home
dispose OF the homestead without the consent Of
the children.
Question of law. Consult an attor-
ney. as this department does not give
legal advice.
LIGHTHOUSES s. ". Port San Luis. Cal.
To whom shall ! write for maps Of the Calf.
fornia sea coast showing the location of light
houses?
Communicate with the United States
lighthouse engineer, Monadnock build
ing, San Francisco.
v0TER-F. A.. Mountain View. Cal. man
lives with his family in one county hut is en-
gagged in business In another county adioinino
Where does he vote: In the county in wbirh 6c
does business or the one in which his family
Is located?
In the one where his family is To-
Gated.
SELF LF-INSTRUCTI0N-w +. F.. CITY wha,
books are essential to self-instruction in the
French language?
A French reader, a dictionary.
grammar and conversation lexicons are
useful.
IMITATION Subscriber. CITY
What is imitation champagne composed of?
Prepared cider. citric acid. simple
syrup, water spirits under 1 o proof and
tartaric acid.
vEsPUCCI--H.. City Was Amerigo vespucei
a member Of Columbus expedition at the time
the latter landed on San Salvador?
He was not.
MISS sIuLoCkr When and where did Miss
Mulock. the novelist, die:
She died at shortlands, Kent October
IL. 1887.