New Britain herald., 1925-07-03


 You can got an answer to any question of fact or information by writing to the Question Editor, Daily Herald's Washington Bureau, 1929 New York avenue, Washington, D. C., enclosing two cents in stamps for reply. Medical, legal and marital advice cannot be given, nor can ey- tended research be undertaken. All other questions will receive a per sonal reply. Unsigned requests can. not be answered. All letters are con- fdontial. EDITOR.
 Q. Can smyrna figs be grown in this country?
 A. The closing ltears of the nine teenth century witnessed caprifica- ton as result of which the produc- tion of Smyrna figs in California may be accepted as an established fact. Caprificaton is the name given 10 the operation commonly practiced by the natives of fig growing coun- tries. It consists in tho tying of branches of the wild fig, or canrjfig, in the top of the cultivated trees. The caprifig, which is found wild in southern Europe, northern Africa and western Asia, now cultivated in California, is the only fig bearing staminate flowers, It Is therefore absolutely necessary that this vari- cty be planted near cultivated sorts from which mature seeds arc desired. Because of the peculiar structure of the fig fruit, the flowers being borne, as 1t were, on tho in side Of the receptacle, the process of pollination cannot be accomplished either by the wind or ordinary in sects. A peculiar hymenopterous in sect, called Blastophaga, is an inha- hitant% of these wild figs in their native country and also visits the cultivated varieties; it is to them alone that the pollination of the cul- tivated varieties is due. Smyrna fig l culture would be an imposshiIity without this insect. Until this fact Ntto hilO " II tlll iItVlilplo oL NulLlNh~ ting this fig outside of Smyrna were failures, Now, however, these figs can be grown quite as successfully in California as in their native country. Q. What is done with cattle that are found to be tubercular by government inspectors? A. They are killed under ipspec- tion of federal or state officials and the owners are compensated.
 Q. What is the salary of Tom Mix and Gloria Swanson?
 A. Their salaries are s17000 weekly each.
 Q. How much leave is allowed rural mail carriers?
 A. Fifteen days annual leave a year and sick leave not exceedi~g thirty days in three years.
 Q. How many school teachers are there in the United States and how many buildings are used for schools?
 A. There arc 27o,574 buildings nscd for public schools in the United States. There is a total of 752, ,056 school teachers.
 e. Is most of the Roquefort cheese made from cows milk, goats milk or sheep's milk. What is the difference in quality?
 A. Most of the Roquefort cheese is made from sheep's milk, smaller i quantities are made from cows milk and goats milk. The diffcpence in quality is mostly a matter of flavor caused by fats of varying compost l ton.
 Q. What is the total export of pork from the United States?
 A. The United States habitually exports from 12 to Is per cent of it's total production of pork.
 Q. Is there actually a blind spot in the human eye, that is a spot in the eye itself in which there is no power of sight?
 A. There is roundish oval spot in each retina which is blind, It cor responds 10 the place of entry of the optic nerve. The spot is some IS millimotors in width. It las been proven that it is totally blind both to brightness and color.
 Q. What kind of an animal is Bone brcaker"?
 A. This is the name of a giant petrcl which is nearly as large as an albatross and belongs in the South ! Pacific. It breeds upon Kerguelen and neighboring islands and feeds mainly upon the CarCasscs Cf dead seals and cetaceans, the bones of which it is able 10 smash wilt it's powerful vulture-like beak. It is called Nelly" by the scalers. Q. How old is the practice of pugilism?
 A. Certainly as old as ancient i Greece and Rome. In the roll call at the siege of Troy. Pellux is described as good with his fists" There are many interesting details of it at the funeral of Patroclus. including the mention of the belt which is still i the emblem of pugilistic champion | ships. and the custom of having such ; contests as part of the funeral Cele- hration has survived 10 this day in I Siam. Virgirs description of the , fight between Dares and the Sicilian : Entellus is another classical re- ference 10 the sport.
 Q. Is there any mention in inc 1 Old Testament of people wearing bracelets and anlllets?
 A. Bracelets are frequently men