Evening star., 1926-01-18
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

Q. Please explain the time signals
as sent out from Arlington.-D. r. s.
4. The time signals are sent out
several minutes before the hour,
making buzz every second. On the
twenty-ninth and fifty-ninth second
they stop and on the thirty-frst sec
ond and the first second of the next
minute they continue. The long
buzz designates the hour.
Q. What is the difference between
novel and novelette?-E. D.
A. Primarily one Of length. A
novelette, usually runs from 5000 to
$1,000 or even 10000 words. while a
novel is from 10000 to 10000.
@. What is the origin of the term
'Shanghied"? "?--R. K.
A. The term was applied to a mode
of forcibly shipping as sailors. men
who had been drugged or made
drunken, because this practice was
largely followed by masters of ships
engaged in trade with China, Shang.
hal being one of the principal ports
of call.
Q. How are pecans cured and
polished for market?-P. s.
A. Pecans may be cured by leav-
ing them exposed to the air in a
partially shaded place for about a
week. then place the nuts in bulk
quantity in a well aired building for
one month. They may then be stored
at temperature between 40 degrees
and so degrees Fahrenheit, in bags
boxes or barrels. The air in the
storage room must not be too dry
Polished nuts as formerly marketed
are now considered undesira BILE, as
only the cheaper grade nuts are
stained. The velvety surface now
often found Is a result of passing
them through a special wire grader
similar to the one used for prunes
u. How many negroes were set
free at the time of Lincoln's Eman-
cipation Proclamation ?-J. D. B.
A. At the time of the Emanci-
patton Proclamation, which became
effective January 1, 1863, only those
negroes who were slaves in the
seeding or rebellious States were
affected. These numbered approx
mately 100000. The thirteenth
amendment. which was proclaimed
December 18. 1866. released from,
slavery all slaves throughout the
boundaries of the United States or
its jurisdiction.
" was OnWHrQ, Christian Sol.
dlers' written by an Amertcan?-M
E. II.
A. The distinguished Anglican
clergyman. DR.. S. Barring Gould
wrote Onward Christian Soldiers"
Q: Is caracul the same as astra-
kan?-M. e. B.
A Caracul is astrakan which is
dyed In platinum and sand shades
TO ~
Tor astrakan. Astrakan Is obtained
from animals of the sheen fsmiIv
found In southern Russia, chiefly the
province of Astrakan. This term is
often used improperly for fur known
as Persian lamb.
Q. How much land does the Gov
ernment own around Natural Bridge
Va. &C. L.
A, The Natural Bridge Forest is
approximately 70 miles long and
from to Is miles wide, with q
gross acreage of $4,000 acres. of
which $4,000 acres is Government
owned land.
Q. How long has the Australian
ballot system been used in this coun.
try?-D. NJ.
A. The Australian ballot was in.
1888. The first law providing for n
was enacted in Kentucky. but it an.
piled only to the city of Louisville.
In the same year Massachusetts
passed law providing for the use Of
the Australian ballot in State cleo
tions, but 1t did not become effective
until the following year.
Q. What is the Cape Henry tablet ?
A K. r.
A. In 1896 the Association for the
Preservation of Virginia Antiquities
erected a tablet on Cape Henry to
celebrate the landing near that spot
of the first Virginia colonists on April
26, 1907.
@. Why was the Platte River Sc
called?-J. S. II.
A. 1t was so named because of its
shallowness, the French word plat"
meaning shallow
Q. How much Of the furniture at
Mount Vernon was there during the