Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-12

This bureau does not give advice, but
IT gives free information on any sub
lect. OFTEN to be accurately informed
Is TO be beyond the need Of advice, and
information Is always valuable. whereas
advice may not be. In using this serv-
Ice be sure TO write clearly state your
inquiry briefly, and inclose 2-cent stamp
for reply postage. Address The Evening
Star Information Bureau, Frederic j.
HaSkin, director, Washington, D. c.
@. Are lotteries forbidden in some
foreign countries?-T. C. H.
A. Lotteries were suppressed in Bel
GUM in 1880, in Sweden in 1841, in
Switzerland in 1865, but they are still
| common in many Continental countries.
| Usually, however, the lotteries are SUI
Ipervised by the government officials.
@. What is the "empennage" of an
airplane?-B. P.
A. The term is applied to the tail
group of an airplane-the rudder, sta
bilizers and elevators.
@. Why did Rudy Vallee call his or
chestra the Connecticut Yankees"?-
L. M.
was organized while he was attending
Yale University, at New Haven, Conn.
@. Does gravity affect birds while
they are hying?-T. B.
A. Certainly. Birds would fall to
earth unless they exert themselves
against the pull of gravity by flying or
taking advantage Of upward currents of
air.
@. Please give me some information
| about truffies.-B. j. H.
A. Trutfies range from the size Of q
filbert to that of potato. Although
white truffies are somewhat in demand,
1t is the black, or queen, truffies of
England and France which are in most
demand, those of Perigord being con-
sidered the finest. These are of varying
size, and have a gray or seal-brown or
nearly black skin, which is pebbled or
warty, with small angular protuber-
ances. The firm interior, with such a
texture as has an immature puff ball,
Is dark brown, somewhat mottled by
reason of its chambered structure, and
rCtlculated with the white films Of
hyphae. Truffles are practically never
cultivated, in spite of various attempts,
but are occasionally cared for in stu.
They thrive best in limestone soils, and
in such light, moist, but well drained
woodlands as are frequented by the
various species of trees near which the
truffies prefer to exist, possibly on their
decaying roots. The tubers are entirely
subterranean, occurring either deep in
the ground or close to the surface, ripen
in Winter, and are dug out, either labo-
riously by unaided man with sharp
spud or by the aid of dogs and pigs.
@. Is the Vatican City to have mod
ern mprovementS?-N. T.
A. A powerful radio station is under
| construction, electric power and tele-
phone equipment is being installed.
@. What animal is the most intelli-
CENT?. C.
A. Albert Payson Terhune says that
the dog is, although he admits that
horses are often highly intelligent. Va
rious explorers report that many wild
animals show remarkable intelligence.
Q. Which highway is travelled the
moSt?-J. K.
A. 1t depends upon what is meant.
Generally speaking for transcontinental
routes the Lincoln Highway and the
National Old Trails road have the most
trafic. The latter probably has the
greatest, as it Is more or less of an all
the-year highway, and can be
travelled almost any time Of the year
successfully.