New Britain herald., 1925-09-01


 Britain Herald, Washington Bureau, lS22 New York avenue, Washington, D. c. enclosing two cents in stamps for reply. Medical, legal and marital itdNlco 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 coniidential.- Editor.
 O. How does the salary of the President of the United States com pare with that of the King of Eng land?
 A.. The salary of the President of the United States is $75,O00 year with $25,OOo year for expenses The King and Queen of England re- ccive 11O,000 pounds sterling for their private purse and a total al- loWance for household and other ex- | penSes, including the above of 470,- GOO pounds sterling. A pound is worth approximately $4.S6 in Amer ican money.
 6. What is the origin of the su- perstition about knocking on wood to ward away bad luck?
 A. The superstition of Knocking on wood'' is q very old one, and its origin is obscure. It is related to a number of primitive supcrsititions, however, where objects are supposed 10 contain spirits which have var ious powers 10 help mankind. This belief is called "animism" and is the most primitive form of religion. An interesting example today is the pro- verbal rabbit foot" and d host of similar charms, which keep away evil spirits. The idea of touching wood may possibly be derived from the early Christian belief in touch ing the CroyS or CruCifiX to bring a blessing. The cross was made of wood, Or the custom may be traced back 10 the days of animism.
 Q. Is it all right 10 transplant Rhodo1cndrons and A2aleas now?
 A, They may be transplanted in the fall but it IS better 10 transplant tI9m ill the spring
 e, Of how many men does the full crew of 9 varsity shell consist?
 4, Of eight oarsmen and a cox swain.
 Q. What is the lowest and what is the highest note capable of pro- 5ICtint, Jv l,,t,,,oo ,.,;1op
 A. The lowest musical sound known to be capable of production by the human voice is the note G be- low the bass staye; the highest is B, an octave above he trchye (B, in alto).
 c, From what source did the state of Rhode Island receive its name?
 A. The origin of the name is not definitely known. According to some the state was named for a small 1s- land in Narragansett Bay named Rhode Eylandt, red island" Ac- COrding to another authority 1t was named for the Island of Rhodes, in the Mediterranean Sea
 Q. What makes of automobiles have climbed Pike's Peak in high gear?
 A, Lexington, Hudson, Stevens, oldsmobiI". Wills Saint Clare and Chandler.
 Q How many colors are there in the rainbow?
 A. Theoretically the rainbow contains all of the seven So called primary colors into which the spec trllm was somewhat arbitrarily di- yided by Sir Isaac Newton. Few per sons can distinguish moro than four or at the most five Colors in the rainbow. This is due in the first place to the fact that there is always a considerable amount of overlapping of the primary colors, as the light does not come from a single point, but from thc various parts of the suns disk, which has an angular diameter of about half a degree.
 Q. Who is eligible to burial In Arlington National cemetery?
 A. Any honorably discharged soldier, sailor or marine may be buried in Arlington. The wife's body may also be buried with the husband if so desired.
 Q. Can you suggest the best way to stcrilize shaving brushes to avoid | all danger of anthrax?
 A. Anthrax is a very hard | sporc 10 kill and the regulations re- garding cheap shaving brushes, and | other usos of horse hair (phich is the principal carrier of the germ) | arc very strict No such brushes | can he imported into this country; | all brushes must be free from the | germ. The following methods may. | however, he used in sterilizing | brushes, CD Boil not less than three hours. t2l Expose 10 steam at 15 | pounds gauge. not less than 30 minutes, with a preliminary vacuum of at least 10 inches.
 Q. Is il possible to obtain the speeches, lectures and papers Of William Jennings Bryan in book form2
 A. These have been published fin several volumes by Fleming II. Re vel company, 156 Fifth avenue, New York city.
 c. What Is the difference in the terms "husking" and "shucking" as applied to removing the husks from corn?
 A. The words arc used synon- ymously for this operation.