davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

Seeds and plants are not all there
are to a catalogue.
The department of garden tools and
supplies holds much entertainment for
Winters evening.
Before delving into that section let
us take off our collective hats, in
figurative sense to the annual cata-
logues themselves.
Despite their altered covers, from
year to year, these books change very
little, but no devotee minds that in
the least.
The flower and vegetable novelties
listed each season are for many the
least interesting part of the catalogues.
1t is the old which intrigues, the
ever-faithful flowers, vegetables, bushes,
trees, the tried and true things which
have been planted and loved these
hundreds of years by countless thou
sands of human beings.
No doubt it is this sequence OF living
men and women, this human chain,
as it were, which uniteS gardening
hearts, which gives every reader a
sense of renewed vitality as he reads
the catalogues by the firesi6e.
Surely one needs renewal, for VIM
ter is a Stuffy season, at best; not so
sense. 1t is a dangerous season in
every way, one which makes the gar
den-minded long for the first touch.
be it ever so humble. of the authentic
and bona fide Spring.
X X \
The seed catalogue, undoubtedly, is
this first touch.
Christmas is scarcely over before it
begins to arrive. 1t is a collective
lit" presenting many faces and
names, but in every case it is simply
an illustrated list of what the seed
house has for sale.
Yet it has for its devotees a great
deal more than Grass utilitarianism.
While its utility Is undisputed. 1t also
brings to him the first real news of
Spring and renews in his heart and
mind the joys of more beautiful, a
tenderer season.
The seed catalogue is one book which
one may read over and over again.
These descriptions are old, very old;
there is scarcely new word added; We
have read it many times, but it is just
as interesting now as 1t was the first
time We read it many years ago.
The triumphs of this Seedsman's big
tomato, and this ones famous sweet
corn, and this others petunias and
sweet peas-these are perennially real.
All the glory of earth is not reserved
for the foot ball field or the air, as an
reader might sometimes
think, as he peruseS the spread of daily
news which greetS his eye.
Yes, there have been quieter. less
triumphs, done without
or blare of trumpets, but
which have brought fame and money,
too, to their originators.
This great tomato, with likeness in
full color, and we'll enough done to
make your mouth water. too, has been
planted around the earth.
These fluffy sweet peas have placed
their dainty heads against the bosoms
of thousands of sweet ladies. and felt
themselves at home there.
X X X
1t is over in the last section how
ever-the section devoted to the listing
of garden tools and implements-that
one finds matter for endless specula-
ton.
Here are the rakes, the hoes, the lawn
the fertilizers, the Sprayers,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04
EsWater Witch" Theory
Works Successfully
no the editor Of The star:

To the Editor of The Star:
In your issue for January Is is an
interesting item concerning the finding
of water on a school campus by a
water witch" after failure by an engi-
neer. I note that the engineer, wh5
naturally was chagrined over his poor
showing, declared it case of pure
luck
Despite the scornful testing against
"dousing," some we'll authenticated in
stances are on record of the discovery
of oil and water through the exercise
of clairvoyance. among which two out
standing ones may be mentioned. In
the early days of Chicago the city
was without an adequate water sup
ply, and biologists declared that only
top water was to be expected from
such strata. A supplemented man of
Quaker ancestry, Abraham Jones, in
sisted that both water and oil could
be found in a certain tract nearby
but his words were ignored until two
men from Maine, who were making a
business trip to the city, learned of the
man and accompanied him to the loca-
ton suggested He not only assured
them of the presence of an adequate
water supply, but averred that he could
trace the source to the Rocky Noun
tains, 1000 miles distant In Febru-
airy, 1864, digging began and continued
to the following November, when-at
depth of TIL feet-water was struck
which yielded 100000 gallons day.
Seven different strata were pierced the
second and fifth of which were satu-
rated with oil. Later the quantity
from the artesian we'll poured forth
at the rate of a million and a half
gallons day.
In the Gallipoli campaign of the
World War water was precious, and its
absence was one of the greatest diff
culttes in holding the position on the
peninsula. Water was being brought
from Malta in huge barges, and on the
beach steam pumping plant was
erected. Because of the intense heat
the troops were faced with a most
serious condition, when some one sug-
gested that Sapper Kelly, whose sue
cess In hnding water was we'll known,
DE interviewed. He soon located water
Wlthm 100 yards Of division headQuar-
ters, where the resulting well gave
Iuth 1000 gallons an hour of pure,
cold artesian water Later two other
wells were opened up, and within
week Kelly had located 80 wells that
furnished an allowance of one gallon a
Gay for each of 100000 men, not to
mention mules. each of which would
drink as much as 20 men. Previously
tne engineers had sunk shafts in vain
Within so yards of the spot where the
successful wells were dug.
ms Is day when the UNEXPECTED
Is ever happening, and the human
mind should be open to receive new
conceptions of truth based on well
authenticated facts.
WILLIAM j. SEELYE.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04
Protecting Naturalized
Americans.

From the Cincinnati Times-star.
A treaty just signed by the United
States ana % foreign nations, respecting
the rights of naturalized Americans In
their homelands. will remove one chronic
source Of international friction. Sew
eral European powers still adhere to the
doctrine of eternal citizenship. In some
instances naturalized Americans. when
visiting their native lands, have been
seized and impressed into the army.
The practice has always, and quite
properly, called forth sharp notes from
Washington. And when, few wears
ago, American born children of natural
lied citizens were seized and drafted
into a foreign army, diplomatic In
cident was narrowly averted.
Some time ago We secured an agree
men from Italy whereby that country
waived its claims to sovereignty over
Italian American citizens. This prin-
ciple has now been embraced by all
foreign powers which compel military
service. To Secretary Stimson must 90
the credit for having laid the last ghost
OF the issue which led to the War Of
1912.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

were well heated. the ashes and embers
were raked out and the floor swept and
the food to be cooked introduced by
fiat, wooden shovel with a long handle
and the door was then closed.
@. Please give the dimensions Of the
clock on the Houses of Parliament
E. T. r.
A. The dimensions of the clock on
the Houses of Parliament are as fol-
lows; Four dials, each % feet square;
figures, feet; minute hand, IL feet.
The famous bell Big Ben weighs 1872
tons.
@. Where did Hannibal cross the
Alps with some elephants?--o. w. C.
A. Dorothy Giles, in 1.-THE Road
Through SPAIN" says This meant
that we must reach the frontier at lie
Perthus and cross the pass--the same
by which Hannibal brought his army
and his 20 elephants on that amazing
march on Rome. ."
@. OF what wood should chessmen
be made?-W. C. D.
A. The Forest Products Laboratory
says that the best cheSSmen are prob
ably made from genuine lockwood. This
wood is imported in relatively small
quantities because of its scarcity and
high price. 1t probably can be readily
had. however in the small sizes re-
qutred for cheSSmen. West Indian box
wood should also be suitable for chess
men. This wood is dmuch more COM
mon and is considerably lower in price.
Among American species holly is prob
ably best suited for cheSSmen. This
wood is light colored, rather heavy, and
qulte hard 1t carves well and takes a
smooth finish.
Q. How many kinds of euuipment
are used by telephone company? -
N. E. B.
A. About 10000 dissimilar parts are
produced and assembled.
O. What country has a nag most
nearly like ours?-P. L.
A. The flag of Liberia is identical
with ours, except for the fact that it
mas single gar upon its field In
TACT our flag was taken as a model for
theirs.
O.. Has new seal been adopted by
Virginia Pr. H
A. The matter of preparing a new
seal OF the Commonwealth of Virginia
is now under consideration and a sculp-
tor is engaged in preparing a model for
seal which will be presented for APP
prevail by the assembly.
@. Which is rougher, the Atlantic or
the Pacific Ocean?-M. B.
A. The zone of greatest storm fire.
quency lies between ATTITUDES As de-
grees and SIS degrees. The most severe
storms are the hurricanes that begin In
the tropical portion of the Atlantic. The
North Atlantic lies in the path of the
great procession of cyclones and anti
cyclones of the middle ATTITUDES, and
also in the path of the West Indian
hurricanes over its lower ATTITUDES, and
counterparts of these atmospheric dis
turbances in the South Atlantic. The
Pacific is subject to sudden and violent
storms, especially typhoons. but the fire.
quency of storms is not so great as in
the Atlantic.
@. How is the name Of the Chinese
city Peiping pronounced?-E. B.
A. 1t is pronounced as though spelled
in English Pay-ping, with the accent
on the second syllable.
Q. What does mezzanine mean?-
c. P.
A. 1t means story Of diminished
height introduced between two higher
stories. 1t is derived from "mezzo," an
Italian word meaning middle.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

The answers to questions printed here
each day are specimens picked from
the mass of inquiries handled by our
great Information Bureau maintained
in Washington, d. c. This valuable
service Is for the free use of the public.
Ask any question of fact you may want
to know and you will get an immediate
reply. Write plainly, inclose cents
in coin or stamps for return postage
and address The Evening Star Infor-
nation Bureau. Frederic j. HaSkin, d.
rector, Washington, D. C.
@. Which member of the Washing
ton family is helping to furnish the
replica of Mount Vernon in PARISH
r. NJ.
A. Miss Anne Madison Washington.
Observation-Disclosures of the first
President of the United States, is at
present in Paris, where she is super
vising the furnishing and decorations
OF the replica of Mount Vernon which
is being erected in Paris for the Inter
national Colonial and Overseas Expo
sition to be held from May to october
81, 1881.
Q. When was the first radio program
received in the United States from
Italy?-J r.
A. The National Broadcasting Co.
says that the first international pro-
gram ever broadcast from Italy to the
United States was staged on January
j. 1881 when Premier Benito Mussolini,
speaking from Fascist headquarters in
Rome, sent his New Year greetings to
America through coaSt-to-coast net
works. This was the first program ever
heard in this country originating OH
the Italian mainland. Twice before,
however, listeners had heard programs
from italian waters-from the yacht of
Senatore Guglielmo Marconi, the father
of radio, anchored off the coast of the
peninsula.
Q. How many students can West
Point and Annapolis take?-W. G. K.
A. The authorized strength of the
United States Military Academy at
West Point. N. Y, is 1874 cadets and
FflipinoS. The authorized strength
Of the United States Naval Academy at
Annapolis, Md, is 2,743.
Q. Who planned the seal of Virginia?
A. The design of the seal of the State
of Virginia was proposed by George
Wythe. 1t consists of a female figure
representing Virtue, her foot resting
upon figure representing Tyranny.
The motto-"Sic Semper Tyrannis"-de-
scribes this allegorical representation.
@. What book of John Fox's was pub
lished shortly after his death?-S. j. B.
"A. John Fox, jr., died in 1919. The
year following his book called "Erskine
Dale" was published
@. How far inland is Csnberra, the
new capital of Australia ?-J. L.
A. 1t is 10 miles inland. but Is con-
nected with a land-locked bay by
railroad.
@. Does the heat of the sun produce
sunburn?-I. w.
A. 1t is not the heat of the sun but
the ultraviolet rays which produce
sunburn.
@. What percentage of church
membership comes from Sunday
Schools?-E. M. K.
A. 1t is estimated that at least 10
per cent is recruited from the Sunday
school,
@. How was cooking done in the old
brick oven which had no fire under it?
M. L. H.
A. The old-fashioned outside oven
had domed chamber built of brick
and heated by means of light wood and
sticks burned inside When the bricks
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

When the announcement is made by
Mussolini that an incident is closed
there is no doubt about the matter, so
far as Italy is concerned. In this
country the investigation inclination is
so strong that closing an incident is
one of the most difficult Of under
takings.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

The quarrel between the motion pic
ture star and the secretary accused of
differing has brought request to the
court by the forgiving artist and the
incident will doubtless be taken out of
the publicity department and regarded
as closed.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

A devastating earthquake in New
Zealand will command sympathy and
help, If needed, from the people of this
country. Such effort will incidentally
convey a wholesome reminder that our
own neighbors are requiring assistance
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

Relief of human distress is discussed
as duty. 1t is also means Of pro-
lection to the feelings Of honest SYM
pathy. No person of normal sentiment
can be happy knowing that he is sur
rounded by grief and misfortune.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04
A Sad Old Story.

Mistakes are often made. we know.
The record long must leave us sad,
For history will too often show
Experiments gone to the bad.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04
The Right of Pursuit,

From the Shreveport Journal
A court has held that a married man
has a legal right to open his wife's let
tersl Yeah! But he needs something
more tran . court decree itkShe happens
to catch up with him. "
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04
Word of Determination.

Your adversaries say that in spite
of your service you are only begin
ner in the new politics"
IAN right" answered Senator Sor-
ghum. They may refer to me as a
beginner. But they'll never have a
chance to call me a gutter"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04
Even the Stars Are Speeding.

From the Los Angeles Evening Express.
Another speed record smashed. Star
gazers on Mount Wilson recently clicked
heavenly nebulae doing better than 5000
miles a second. The best previous time
was 2,4c0 miles.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled
To the use for republication of all news dis
patches credited 10 it or not otherwise cred
ited II this paper ,and. also the local news
published herein. All rights Of publication of
special dispatches herein are also reserved.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

Communists make fervid speeches
about future intentions, but can point
to no page in history that will give them
credit for benefit to humanity in the
past.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04
Mathematical Slenths,

From the Hartford Times.
A missing Rocky Hill girl was found
since to have married youth who also
disappeared at the same time. De-
tectives made the discovery by putting
one and one together.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

Neither well fed nor we'll clad, all
that Gandhi appears to ask as a reward
Of his endeayors is the peculiar joy
that often attaches to being an uncom-
promising fanatic.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04
Practical Test.

You think that magazine story is
untruthful?" said the editor.
Il know it is" answered the reckless
reader. Every one in it drinks cock
tails continuously. selected a charac-
ter and tried to take drink as often
as he was represented as doing so. I
didn't last through the third page"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04
Large-Scale Sympathy.

From the Savannah Morning News.
A st. Louis woman has been awarded
by the court $4,000 as heart balm
They are big-hearted out in the vastly
West, aren't they?
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04
Always Something.

From the Sioux Falls Daily ArGus-Leadcr.
If farm relief ever plays out as a
political issue. river navigation can be
expected to take its place.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04
Wasted Words.

From the Charlotte News.
A San Francisco judge tells married
couples To- quarrel, and then make up
The first part of his advice is superfious
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

Jud Tunkins says all business needs
now is high-power purchaser to match
up with every high-power salesman.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

1T is better to be lonely" said Hi Ho,
the sage of Chinatown, than to be
among those who find delight in con-
versation that leads to quarreling."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

Never talk rough to mule" said
Uncle Eben, "'cause mebbe he'll lift his
hind feet an show you dat actionS speak
louder dan words" q
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04
Rate by Carrier Within the City.
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
Maryland and Virginia.
All other States and Canada.
Member of the Associated Press

p psIy and and sunday1 yr si2 90 90 mo sls
Sunday only .......1 yr.. $500; l mo-, so
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04
A Chronic Preference.

From the Haverhll Evening Gazette.
A basic trouble with unemployment
insurance is the fact that too many
persons prefer insurance to work.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

II statesmen agree that the program
will be
To stay and keep holding the fort,
With compliment free we will hail this
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

As a glorious Summer resort.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

@. How was cooking done in the old
brick oven which had no fire under it?
M. L. H.
A. The old-fashioned outside oven
had domed chamber built of brick
and heated by means of light wood and
sticks burned inside. When the bricks
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

@. What percentage of church
membership comes from Sunday
schools?-E. M. K.
A. 1t is estimated that at least 10
per cent is recruited from the Sunday
school.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

Twert"-two years ago, in 1909, Her
bert Hoover wrote book called THE
Principles of Mining" The publishers
announce that it's still fairly best
seller. To date, 7,243 copies have been
disposed Of. Of which 726. or about one
tenth, were sold during the past four
years. In 1929, following the authors
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

@. Does the heat of the sun produce
sunburn?-I. W.
A. 1t is not the heat of the sun but
the ultraviolet rays which produce
Sunburn,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

O. How is the name Of the Chinese
city Peiping pronounced?-E B.
A. 1t is pronounced as though spelled
in English Pay-ping, with the accent
on the second SYLLABLE.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

Q. Has a new seal been adopted by
Virginia?-R. H.
A. The matter of preparing a new
seal Of the Commonwealth of Virginia
is now under consideration and a sculp-
tor is engaged in preparing a model for
seal which will be presented for APP
prevail by the assembly.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-04

Q. What does mezzanine mean?-
c. P.
A. 1t means story Of diminished
height introduced between two higher
stories. 1t is derived from "mezzo," an
Italian word meaning middle.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-07-31
Leaf Dropping
 Not a Disease
Is Adjustment Between Top and Root of Tree-Not
 Enough Moisture to Support All Leaves

The dropping of leaves Is occur ring in widely separated areas and is by no means limited to one kind of tree. In most cases this leaf fall may be interpreted as an adjust ment between the top and the root, since a tree cannot support more leaves than 1t can supply with moisture. The attenuation between frequent rains with high humidity and hot, dry spells results in great fluctuations in the rate of evapor- atfon from the leaves, and when the drier weather come 1t is to be expected that the tree cannot sup port as many leaves as when there was an abundant supply of mois- ture and relatively little evapora- ton. It is purely a case of supply and demand and does not necessar- fly indicate disease.
 The leaf fall is more evident, as a rule, on trees growing under con- ditions where variations in mosi- ture supply are greatest. Those To- cated on light, thin soil, especially If they, are on small mounds, em- bankments and the like, are the quickest to feel the change from wet to dry, and naturally drop their leaves earlier and in larger num- bers. In some cases 1t may go 50 far as to result in twig pruning as we'll as the shedding of foliage.
 There are extreme cases where perhaps half, two-thirds or even a larger proportion of the leaves fall. This is much more than can be explained by the usual alter nations from moist to dry. Tn not extreme shedding is due to the trees having developed many more