New Britain herald., 1925-09-03
QUEsfIONES ANSWERED

You can get an answer to any question of fact or information by writing to the Question Editor, New Britain Herald, Washington Bureau, l322 New York avenue, Washington, U. C., enclosing two cents in stamps Tor reply. Medical, legal and marital advice cannot be given, nor can ex- tended research be undertaken. All other questions will receive a per sonal reply. Unsigned requests can not be answered. All letters are confidential.-E Editor.
 Q. What kind of fishes are the carp and roach?
 A. The carp is a small fresh water fish from 12 to 17 inches long, weighing a pound and one half to two pounds, with a com pressed body, large scales, a long dorsal fin and a short anal fin. It is usually domcsticated in America and kept in ponds where it feeds on vegetable matter, worms and in Sects. It is much esteemed as a food ill European countries al- though Americans do not seem to care for it. The roach is a European fresh water fish, not much found in the United States. It has a longish body and is a silver and green color. It is usually distinguished by a red dish tinge in the lower fin. It Is much sought after by anglers and tastes something like the brook trout of this country.
 Q. What makes the color in the sky?
 A, The color of the sky depends upon the density of the atmosphere and the eXtraneous matter in it like water, clouds, dust, smoke, etc.
 Q. Can melted alum be moded in any kind of metal or wooden molds without sticking to the mold when the alum is hardened and ready to be taken out of the mold?
 A. Alum has such high melt ing point that no grease can be used on brass or wooden molds. Sometimes analgamated brass mods are used for casting waxy or rosinous materials. They might be suitable for alum but one would h@ to bear in mind that mercury and it's compounds are poisonous, if the alum is 10 be used as a styp- tic. Brass can be amalgamated, after being thoroughly cleaned of every trace of grease, by Wetting it mate. This is easier than trying to do it with metallic mercury. AS it is doubtful whether amalgamatcd molds can be used it is suggested alum solution be used. If this Is compressed in wooden molds that have been well parafflned, it should form quite compact sticks in drying.
 Q, Is the American Federation of Labor incorporated or chartered?
 A. The American Federation of Labor is voluntary organization, q federation of international and local unions. It issues charters to the unions which compose it. but the federation itself is not charter ed or incorporated in any way.
 c. What is the present value Of the Russian gold ruble?
 A, 51,4G cents ill american money.
 c, What is the meaning of the following French terms or express sions: "Cul de sac," "coup de force" and "chevaux de Frise?"
 A. A "cul de sac" Is blind all ley or lane that has only one open ing; a "Coup de force" is a sudden telling blow, a master-stroke; "chevaux de Prise" is 8 stockade having iron spikes on top, so called because used by the Frisans in the wars of the Low Countries.
 Q. How can steel buckles be cleaned?
 A. By rubbing with ammonia and water or with French chalk.
 c. How much soft coal can be stored in a bin 6 6 feet in dimensions?
 A. A bin 6 X 6 6 feet contains c16 cubic feet. Bituminous coal, piled loose, weighs from A to 54 pounds per cubic foot. In a bin containing 2t6 cubic feet, 9,504 pounds of coal weighing A pounds to the cubic foot can be stored. This is S-4 tons. This calculation is made on the basis of the short ton of 2,o00 pounds.
 e. What Is the pay O m en- gineer, 2d class, in the United States navy?
 A. An engineer. 2d class, In the United States navy receives $72.00 per month, base pay.
 Q. What is the best kind of paint 10 Use for painting glass?
 A. A paint made of white lead, linseed oil and turpentine applied to clean dry glass will adhere very well provided it is not afterwards subjected to steam vapors or other condensed moisture to any extent. Colors or paints of lighter gravity than white leads are best mixed with good coach varnish and tur- pentine or benzine for first coat, and little coach japan added will hasten it's hardening. The principal condition for adhesion is perfect cleaning of the surface before ap- plying the first coat.
 Q. Can you name five or six of the latest works or novels of James Oliver Curwood?
 A. A Gentleman of Courage t192D; The Alaskan 1923); The Country Beyond t1o22); The Flam- ing Forest (192D; the Golden l Snare Gq2I); The Valley of Silent |