Evening star., 1923-09-22
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

@; Is grapefruit sold in Englaud?-
| f. II. ID.
A. The Department OF Commerce
says that grapefruit is becoming more
and more popular in England. and
now can be- obtained III almost ali
| English cities.
Q. How often does the aurora bore
| alis appear and to what distance
south can it be seen?-L. b.
A. The frequency of the aurora
| borealis varies with the latitude Of
the place. 1t is comparatively rare
within As degrees of the equator, but
more frequent toward the north. IN
to the latitude of about so degrees
where 1t sometimes becomes almost q
nightly occurrence. The aurora is
less frequent near the poles.
Q. Why is a goat always associated
with lodge initiations?-V. NJ. NJ.
a. The association of the goat with
lodge limitations is a result Of super
stitions originating largely in the
middle ages. There was, in 1870, a
society on the continent known as
THE Goats" They used a. goat i'm
connection with their limitations, and
wore imitation goat faces. As their
meetings were veiled in secrecy the
ignorant popuiace believed them TO be
in league with the devil. Since
Masonic limitations are also held Sc
cretly, many persons at the time be-
iieved that Satanic rites were prac-
ticed. Thus the goat came TO he
associated with lodge limitations.
Q. Are the enormous piles of SC
called coal dust which are constantly
accumulating hear coal mines being
used for any practical purposc?---
! W. b. G.
A. Culm banks are being run
through "washeries," the largest sizes
| OF reclaimed coal sold for domestic
coal, the smaller for steam coal and
in some places the dust is mixed with
tar and compressed into ''briquets" or
"boulets."
Q. Has the Ku Klux KIan a wom-
ans organization?-G. Z. T.
A. There is such an organization
known as Kamelia. IT is said that
in Indiana alone 10000 women are
enrolled as members.
Q. Is catalepsy a disease ". X. y.
A. Catalepsy is a peculiar motor
phenomenon, not a disease, found in
consisting of 81 persistent muscular
attitude of some part of the body
Catalepsy may or may not be accom-
panied by unconsciousness.
Q. Is it necessary for cow to
have calf each year in order TO
give the best milk?-I. NJ.
A. The chief factors on which the
propagation of milk depends are
maternity, or the period of lactation:
the capacity of the COW, which IS
largely determined by her breed. her
edity, etc. Cows often secrete milk
continuously for two. three or four
years without producing a calf, but,
on the other hand. the birth of calves
serves to stimulate. the secretion of
milk. Authorities on the subject
agree that the best results are OBJ
tanned when the COW produces a calf
at regular intervals each year.
@. Is there any race of people that is
! immune to tuberculosis III. r.
a. The public health service says
that there is no race nor tribe of
people known that is not subject
| to tuberculosis. In some parts of the
world, due to climatic conditions and
the occupation of the people tubercu-
losts is very rare.
Q. Does the flavor Of grapefruit
| deteriorate when the fruit is kept in
cold storage?-S. l.. T
A The Department of Agriculture
says that grapefruit. will develop a
7 superior eating quality after a period
of one to three months in cold stor-
age if suitably cured before storing.
! One reason for this is that. while the
sugar content. remains ABOUT tne anne,
the acid content decreases markedly
during storage, and apparently the
bitter principle is broken down.
which also enhances the sweetness of
| the fruit. The fruit stores better
when picked about midseason.
If yoN hare question you tCunt
GnstCered send it to The Star In
| formation Bureau, Frederic j. Has
! kin, director, 1920 North Capitol
| street. Gire yoUr tltH name and Gd-
dress so that the information npHy
| be sent direct. IucfoSe Q cents IN