Evening star., 1924-11-22
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN

lands. One species is found in the
Western United States. 1t is about 3
inches long OF ashen color and is a
superb singer. The name SOLITAIRE fs
derived from it's habit of hiding in soli-
tary depths of the forest.
Q. How can fur collars be cleaned
at home?-M. l..
A. Fur collars can be cleaned by
rubbing thoroughly with cornmeal
soaked in gasoline. Afterward give
good rubbing with warm cornmeal:
brush well and hang in the air, but
not in the sun. The fur Will be clean
and stand up like new.
@. What is the origin of the term
"Faience" used in speaking of por-
celain?-P. w. r.
A. "Faience" came into use when
the Italians of Faenza introduced the
manufacture of this variety of porce-
lain at Nevers in the sixteenth cen
tury.
Q. In our colonial days what was
an "ordinary" w. G.
A. This term was applied TO an
inn.
Q. Are there many mineral re-
sources i'll Japan?-P. q.
are extensive and valuable. Gold,
silver, copper, lead, iron, coal and
sulphur are among the valuable min
eral resources found in that country.
Q. Which city ward is the largest
in the United States?-A. p. o.
A. The twenty-seventh ward, in
Chicago. has this distinction, cover
ing more than 20 square miles and
having larger population than
either wyoming or Nevada.
@. How great a pressure Will ice
10 inches thick stand?-W. b. l..
A. Sound ice of this thickness will
bear a pressure of 1000 pounds per
square foot
@. What is the origin of the expree-
sion "buncombe" &C. +. r.
A. This word, meaning empty talk, Or
pointless speechmaking. has its origin
in the name of a county in North Caro-
lima, and came about in this wise
Years ago, in Congress, the member
from this district arose to address the
House. without any extraordinary
powers, in matter or manner, to interest
the audience Many members left the
hall. Very naivcly he told those VINO
remained that they might 60 TOO; ne
should speak for some time, but he was
only talking for Buncombe, the idea
being that the speech would be printed
and distributed back home.
Q. Can stars be seen by the naked eye
during broad daylight, on fair day,
when person is standing at the bottom
of a brick smokestack 164 feet in
height IT VI. j..
A. The Naval Observatory says that
such of the brightest stars as come
within the field of vision as seen from
the bottom of this smokestack should be
visible to the naked eye in daylight,
provided that the sun is not very near
the field of view.
O. When were lotteries first heard
of?-N NJ. Q.
A. The earliest lottery of which all
authoritative record exists was con-
Quoted in Bruges in 1446. In 1880 lot
tsry with money prizes is recorded in
Florence. Long before this time lot
teries were held in Rome as form OF
amusement, Nero having given such
prizes as houses and slaves.
Q. Would 1T be poison to cattle and
horses to brand them with a copper
or brass branding iron III. T. T.
A. The Bureau of Animal Industry
says that using a copper or brass
branding iron will not poison the ami
mails.
(Tnke udpcntcge of the free intoru1G-
ton bureau tDhich this fetcSpGper main
ains II there is q question you rant
aSsu cred don't hesitate to use this sc1-1'-
ice All replies are sent direct to the
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