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Home My WebLink AboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1927-02-17, Page 7The Story of Sugar * •iT troduced Lt into Spain; and Coiumbus brought it to America on his later voyages-. Five hundred years before the time of Columbus', the Arabs had greatly improved the hitherto crude method® of making sugar; later, the Venetians had made still further Im provements; and sugar had become a staple article of commerce instead of a luxury so rare as to be a curiosity. Sugar cane to being cultivated in the West Indies when the Jesuit ex- The sugar industry has been estab lished well within historical times, se that its whole story can be told; and the two crops from which sugar Is chiefly made are of very different types and have very different his tories. Together they help to make plain much of tho manner In which ag riculture has developed. ' The sugar cane is a native of East Indies, The first accounts of it that Europe had were brought on their re turn by soldiers who bad followed plorers of Canada found the Iroquois Alexander the Great into India.; boiling <]own maple sap to make a Though the East Indians and the pasty sugar. The maple sugar Indus- Chinese had then been growing it for try continued to ilvo, -but it did not centuries, there is no record of their grow much; and so, despite the mak- having made sugar from it—-at least, ing of some sugar from date palms and not on a commercial scale. Honey was other sources, practically all the the great sweetening agent of the an-: world’s1 supply of sugar for three hun- cient world. The cane -seems to have deed-years'after the time of Columbus been eaten at first, and the juice was came from the sugar cane.extracted and drunk “just so,” or fer-1 In 1747, however, a German chemist, m/ented to make a more heady hover- ’ led on to experiment by the sweetish age,; or boiled down to make preserves or sweetmeats. It was apparently some five or six centuries after the time of Alexander that sugaf first be came known as an article of com merce. From India the -sugar cane was carried eastward to the Phillip- pines and the other islands of the Pa cific, and westward by way of Persia and Arabia through Northerfi Africa and Southern Europe. The Moors- in- taste of the garden beet, found that sugar Identical with cane sugar could be. extracted from it. Beets had been grown as a gaid-en crop in the coun tries about the Mediterranean Sea for more than.2,000 years; but they had been only a sort of relish until this time. In 1799 the first beet sugar fac tory was established; now more than one-third of the world's supply of sugar comes from the sugar-beet. known as soapstone. The finest -quality is pure white and a special produce of Italy, wlrlch in 1923 exported 17,600 tops, of which tho United1 States took 5,75-0. Whether the talc, which Can'’ ad-a produces in large amounts for use in th® paper, paint ’and other indus tries and also exports, Ls> of the exact quality required for cosmetics, is a subject for industry. Kaolin, a Canadian inx>duct from St. Reiml, Quebec, is the aluminum silicate known as China clay. An electrolyti- cally purified form of this named “Osmose Kaolin” is well adapted for -usoas face powder and as a substitute for prepared chalk in tooth pastes. Opportunities, in Canada, The chemical synthetics which naw play so large? a part in the perfume in dustry and dye chemicals of all shades can be manufactured in Canada as well1 as elsewhere. The necessary alco hol is an unfailing native product. It i-s officially stated in 1924 that "essen tial oils are for the m’ost part imported and synthetic perfumes are not known to be made here, with the exception of methyl salicylate,” i.e., artificial Win tergreen, Under present conditions of lack of experience and- cost of labor, to devote any considerable acreage and capital to growing peppermint or other aro matic plants and extracting the per fume even under expert advice would be hazardous, but it might be other wise in the case of individual growers provided with a simple still. Co- operation. between a number of local growers owning or supporting a cen tral distillery for essential oils, as prac tised in parts of the United States might also succeeds 4 fa which Ils grown successfully at the Ottawa Experimental Farm. Other plants of the mint family cap able of culture in several districts are sweet basil, an annual, summer sav ory, an annual, and sweet marjoram, a perennial. The horse mint or balm and the wild bergamot are both -hardy perennials and produce oils useful as antiseptics in tooth paste. A'1‘1 the above .plants belong to the Lablatae or mint family, but those of this family which are commercially culti vated to supply the peppermint oil in dustry., of Michigan, Indiana and New .York, are the peppermint and spear mint. They .have been grown in the United States for distillation for the last one hundred years, and could be grown commercially in Canada, where tho wild mint is» abundant. In 1922 there were 15,500 acres in the U.S.A, used for peppermint and 2,000 used for ■bergris;, among minerals tale and kie- spearmint. Tho United States- Bureau seliguhr. This experience of the United ! of Plant Industry, Bulletin No. 454, States, in spite of a much wider range'-along with the United States Farmers of temperature than in Canada, shows ; Bulietiin 694, fully describe the method that, except for the products of citrus plants, eucalyptus and peppermints, the animal and vegetable raw ma terials for the perfume industry have to be imported tom Europe and Asia, and that the most valuable natural re source is found in -the human brain which invents* chemical synthetics and the S'ki-ll to use these either as substi tutes or la conjunction- with what, for economic or other reasons, is not forth coming a.t home. According to a statement by the Natural- Resource® Intelligence Ser- of the sweet birch, sometimes- called vice tho resources of Canada, whether actual or potential in relation to the Industay are these: Animal Origin. Gastoreum, a valuable product of the Canadian 'beaver, has long been prac tically a monopoly of the Hudson’s Bay Company, which auctions it once a LIST OF ACTUAL OR PO TENTIAL RESOURCES. Essentials for Perfumery In dustry Found from Atlantic to Pacific Coast. It might be suppo-sad that a basis ►for the perfumery industry in Canada would be found in the natural re sources- which include among -the flora a variety of acentefl'Tlowers and aro matic plants, • native cr Introduced, -among animal pro-duct®, musk and' am- of culture. Other plants which could be used in Canada arc: Canadian snake-root or wild ginger, the dlstillbcboll from which, gives a &pe- icial -tone to -the eau-de-cologne made by American perfumers and is used only in high class toilpt soaps because of its cost. Creeping Wintergreen, known also as “tea-berry,” yields the true winter- green oil. A nearly identical oil is distilled from the inner bark and twigs “chenry birch,” found in Quebec and New Brunswick near the United States boundary. A variety of goldenrod yields from its leaves an oil -with a f-ragrancy like anise-seed, and is a native of Canada. Giant Hyssop yields an “intensely fragrant odor” from its flowers leaves, and grows abundantly on and thei Af ^51'w tV'O' <X JJHilt*cXilA'Ulx. year in London to the weight, e.g., iniPac.ifl.c .c^t. ,of north America. 1916 of 1,073 pounds. Gastoreum con-1 sfets of the dried mambi'aneous fol licles obtained from beaver of either eex, with their contents, of an oily, viscous substance secreted by two- pairs of glands. These follooles are re moved after the,, death of the animal and dried either by smoke or lnjthe sun. -It is one of tho four or five ani mal fixators indispensable to the per fumer, as giving the “life” to a per fume. There are only two commer cial varieties of castoneum, tho Rus'- elan, which seldom appears on tine London market, and the Canadian. Though the sperm whale is not com mon in the north Pacific ocean, its ‘ - bilious secretionxalied “ambergris” j is found floating in Whaling areas or j states, it does not seem profitable that taken from the carcass- is a by-product! saffrol could- be pro fl ably made in Can- of the Canadian, whaling industry. The ada, especially as the price is as 'low price varies -from about $25 a pound te a® 38 -cents a pound. its weight in gold. It is- one of the Anise, -caraway,, coriander and fen- most valuable materials used by the ne-1 might a-lso be cultivated for the perfumer owihg to its- marvelo-us- fixa- toils distilled from the-seeds and i>lant, .......—-----«— though climatic and other conditions would make it difficult for a large scale production to compete with other ■countries. Carrageen or Irish Moss gathered from tho rocks of the Atlantic coast tivo properties especially adapted for old-fashioned eau-de-oologne. * The -civit of the perfumer is a yel lowish fatty, glandular secretion dis charged by the civet cat of Abyssinia and the Indian Archipelago, and also theUse might also be made of leaves of -the Douglas Fir, which yield an aromatic oil with an odor of pine apple. The fragrant flowers -and loaves' of the yellow clover yield an oil used for flavoring guye-re cheese. Calamus oil is distilled from the aromatic root stock of the common sweet flag and) sell® in Montreal) whole sale at $5 a pound. Sassafras is a. tree found in South ern Ontario, the inner root bark, leaves and wood of which yield saffrol, an oil used as a cheap perfume for soap. A® a substitute is made from crude camphor oil and the sassafras so abundant in the south-central The Improvement of Crops. The wlieattof Neolithic times was like the wheat of to-day. The varieties of Indian corn we plant to-day may be new as varieties; but the Indians, be fore Columbus came, had every type ■of corn wo now have. Dent and flint, sweet and flour, pop and pod, early and late, white’ and yellow, and red and blue corns—they had them all. The original wild wheat; if there be such, from which the wheat of cultiva tion came; the primitive type of corn, from which all the various types are developed, is yet to be found.. On the other hand, we can trace most of the fruits of our temperate clime back to their wild originals, and we can' trace the process of their improvement from generation to generation almost. The apples and peaches and strawberries of to-day are very different from, and much better than, the apples and peaches and strawberries of even a hundred years ago. The tomato has been so Improved within the memory of men now living that it may be said to have been made over. ’ In the same space of time the sugar content of the sugar beet has been doubled, and great new crop bwuglit into being.____ To Birds. Go if you will and must, Your round bright eyes Will look on many marvel® Without surprise. And you wl'll rest in jungles And peer down crater.s . And see slow ant-eaters And alligators. Then you will come some morning To your old tree And set your old example Of domesticity. —Elizabeth Coatsworth, in “Voices.” .... . Wishing Away Time. You hear a lot of people saying they wish it was Thursday, or they wish it was their birthday or that It was summer or that this job was done. Now we never could get the idea of wishing away time. You might as well wish away one of your legs; Every time a day goes -past there’s just so much less of you left. IDDU—* » o I h I... 1l i a A MACKINAW FOR .COOL DAYS. Tho boy who wears the mackinaw1 pictured here will find it indispensable for cool days, yet not burdensome in any way. The shawl, collar may be worn as illustrated or rolled open at the front. There are muff and patch- pockets, two-piece sleeves, and a belt. No. 1495 is in sizes 8, 10, 12 and 14 years. Size 10 requires 2% yards 44- inch material, or 1% yards 54-inch. Price 20. cents tlje pattern. Home sewing brings nice clothes within the reach of all, and to follow the mode is delightful when it can be done so easily and economically, by following the styles pictured in our new Fashion Book. A chart accom panying each pattern shows the ma terial as it appears when cut out. ■Every detail is explained so that the inexperienced sewer can make without difficulty an attractive dregs. Price of the book 10 cents the copy. ■ HOW TO ORDER PATTERNS. Write your name and address plain ly, giving number and size of such patterns.„as you.want. Enclose 20c in stamps or coin (coin preferred; wrap it carefully) for each number and address your order to Pattern Dept., Wilson Publishing Co., 73 West Ade laide St., Toronto. Patterns sent by return mail. Of Interest to Motorists i/ CUJLUI uut? AjUjU-ICUII XXL ‘VIAAJJ OACTfi U, ktuti dJ&U I . - -- V *by a variety of muskrat and other; an^ Vancouver Island and containing species. It is not unlikely that the | I’®1’ oenJ'' mucilage, lsi used Canadian muskrat might be found to ' ~ .......------ yield a similar product. It might even be the case that the discharge of tho Canadian skunk might -be of value; Lanolin, the anhydrous preparation from wool fat, is useful in toilet pre parations, being readily absorbed by the skin and freo from a tendency to rancidity. Vegetable Origin. The English lavender oil distilled from the plants grown at Mitcham, Surrey and o-ther places brings a high er price than the French oil. The very large lavender industry in Pied* mont owes its great prosperity to the transplantation of Mitcham roots to Italian soil. There seems to be no reason why, in a mild climate such as that of tho Pacific coast, Mitcham lavender should not be grown in Can ada. The same is true of rosemary, a porennlal, another specialty of Eng- Jjanrii and of thyme, another perennial, ’ as the basis of ohoap skin creams where tragacanth gtif (from Asia Minor) would be to expensive. Maize starch is a useful basis for cheap face powder as a substitute for rice starch. The bark and leaves^ of Hammelis- Virginiana, growing from New Bruns wick t^Ontario, yield the well known Witch Hazel, which is used as an as tringent in hair lotions and in the com position of face creams. Directions and advice as, to growing harvesting and distillation of most of the above plants ami trees are to be found in Bulletin No. 195 of the United States Bureau of Plant Industry. Other aromatic plants: of Canada aro named in Bulletin No, 88 of the Dominion De partment of Agriculture (p.30) such sweet s-lcel, vanilla leaf, etc. Mineral Origin. The talcum powder, largely used face powders, is- a refined quality tho hydrated silicate of magnesium Canada's Potential Rmouiw of OiL , The petroleum oil field® that have so far been found and developed Can ada- have produced, during a period of 65 years, some 27,000,000 barrels of before tho machine W thoroughly'crudo petroleum, or less than 2% per warmed up. Carburetor adjustments' present annual world out* ------ put. i it is evident that, in Canada, oil <wu4tuV fields have not yet been found that I To keep the battery plates covered'111,^ compared in extent of output ...........................- ,, with the great oil fields of other parte ; , of the world. Intensive prospecting is J under way at the present time, the w results of which, particularly those of . the Turner Valley field In Alberta with I its phenomenal individual well output of light oils and gas, are highly en couraging, and indicate possibilities for the future discovery of natural oils in gieat volume. Canada, however, is rich in poten tial resources of oil which will un* . doubtedly bo utilized when the world’s petroleum fields begin to show actual* ly serious diminution of output and ap* preaching exhaustion. ' Processes for the complete liquefac tion of coal by means of high pres- t sure® and temperatures and by cataly- tlo action were prominent In the papers and addresses presented at the, recent International Conference on Bituminous Coal held at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A, Indeed the out standing feature of this meeting is re ported to have been a practically un animous conclusion that the solid fuels, including the bituminous and lignite coals of a all kinds, will, when natural petroleum sources are ex- : haused, prove to be the principal sources of oil. This conclusion is of the greatest significance to Canada, in view of the country’s enormous coal resources. The rapidly Increasing demand for liquid fuel® of all descriptions, coupled care of motor repays OWNER IN EFFICIENCY, Automobile o-jyners need to consider are usually best made by a service; and adopt some practical program for mechanic. See that there is always ‘ operating aqd taking care of the valu. sufficient fuel in the gasoline tank, able machines they acquire, I Among the most essential features with electrolyte, distilled water may which should be incorporated in such need to bo added every week or two. a program perhaps first in importance All connections should be adequately is lubrication. A sensible plan of lu- J brication calls for maintaining an oil level in the crankcase sufficient to keep the engine functioning properly, It is usually considered advisable to change this oil about once in every 5-00 miles, Manufacturers usually furnish a lubrication chart which comes with tho car. This should be studied- and its recommendations followed system- oughly oiled, ■atically. Another important item is the cool ing system. The radiator should be given a good bath frequently kept filled with clear water in the enoUgh to keep the finish free from summer within three inches of the top ffrea^ anfi airt and AVitl! a good non-freozing mixture | n is impOTta'nt not onl ft.om the in tho winter. The to bolt need,.to'stod ln/of insaii th/rider com. bo kept tightened, part.eularly in hot fOTt als0 from maximum r>6r. weather. The water pump packing vjce rf aatoaraW!e to ive tI)em vniTi wAArfe Ti*A*mAT»r. imqtwatiaii onrl .. . _ z tightened. Batteries should be tested occasionally. When going up a steep hill or hav ing a hard pull relieve the engine of unnecessary strain by going into first or second speed. Be sure the clutch pedal is fully depressed when shifting gears. Keep the spring clips tight and the shackle bolts free and thor- GIVE CAR “I’ATH” FREQUENTLY. To protect the beauty of the car it weather, ' nut needs" frequent inspection and tightening if necessary. KEEP WHEEL ADJUSTED AND OILED. Th'e steering apparatus is a vital v..v part of the automobile and its mcnhan- too low, with the result that the fabric ism must be kept properly adjusted-........................................... and well lubricated. The alignment of. in rapid., deterioration. Th® manufac-, the, front wheels is another matter to turer’s instruction book usually states' watch. Of course, the brakes should the best number of pounds of air pres- always bp kept in proper adjustment' to perform effective service. It is con sidered undesirable to form the habit of riding the cluteh pedal. When starting the car the foot should be moved from the starting pedal as soon as the engine begins to fire. The choke button should be push ed in before the cylinders begin to flood with gasolifie. It is undesirable to race the engine just after it has started or to undertake high speed Garnet Wheat Proves Itself. Gairnbt wheat has proved itself equal to its reputation, says the experts of the Federal Department of Agricul ture. Hon. W. R. Motherwell, Minister of Agriculture, avers- that -the reports , from scores of farmers who grew Gar-: • net wheat last year are unanimous on I the one vital claim of the wheat—that it ripen® ten days earlier than Mar quis. It Is, therefore, highly suitable for growing along the northern littoral of the wheat belt. And It was to farm ers -in those northern latitudes that the Government sent seed for plant ing. Yields Lave also been high. One farmer, having only .twelve- acres avail able for sowing harvested 64 bushels to -th-e acre—a crop worth $2,000. frequent testing as to the -air pressure. Now that balloon tires have com© into general use, there is sometimes a tend- ehcy to allow the pressure to become in the sides of the tires is encouraged Officer DeadCrimean War General Sir George W. A. Higginson, who won promotion for his service in the Crimean war, died recently at his , Gyldernscroft, Marlow - on - i Thames. He celebrated his 100th : birthday last June by reviewing the | Grenadier Guards, which he joined 82 I years ago. He held decorations from I the French and Italian governments. sure to carry in tires under various circumstances. ■ I While there are numerous minor de tails concerning which the owner of an automobile should be familiar, these wlth^tim" Threatened7cpYe7iok"of‘the which have been givemare most essen-• natural oil resources of the United tial from the standpoint of operation states, from which Canada derives the and care. If they are^given adequate major portion of her oil supplies, has “ (already directed attention to the enor- ; mous bituminous sand deposits of the province of Alberta and the oil shale areas of tho Maritime Provinces. The development and perfection of crack ing processes, which make it possible to recover high percentages of motor spirits and other oils from petroleum residuum, the bitumen of bituminous sand and shale oil, has brought Into prominence the possibility of utilizing the bituminous sands of Alberta and - the oil shales of the Maritime Pro and care. 1_ __o_______ ____ attention by owners of automobiles it can be taken for granted that their automobile experience during 1927 will be satisfactory.. » Rural Adversity and Compensations. By C. W. Peterson.. i Vanllla Ice Cream. Fifty-five per cont. of all ice cream manufactured is flavored with vanilla. The chocolate variety is a poor second with 10 .per cent, and strawberry third with 8 per cent. is ADAMSON’S ADVENTURES—By O. Jacobsson its ■rn tost decade, has been a difficult one for agriculture, not alone in Can-}^1^ ada, but the world ever. But we might as 'well take all the comfort out I of the past unsatisfactory agricultural [ situation that we can. The most de moralizing infiuence any business or calling could possibly be subjected to is without a doubt continued pros perity. On the other hand, the most potent business tonic is a reasonable, measure of adversity. Prosperity leads to extravagance in management, carelessness in business relations and in product Ion. Why worry? We have- the world by the tail! But when ad versity comes we focus our attention on the apparently trivial things. How can we cut down expenses? How can we improve the quality of our pro duct? Wo aro forced to go over every item in our operations and apply the search-light in places where it other wise would never be seen. Adversity is a great teacher. Adversity general ly lays the foundation for future hap piness and prosperity. Therefore, ad versity must not be regarded in the light of a calamity, but must be ac cepted as discipline. Frequently, much needed discipline. We have all felt its heavy hand during the past few years1, and only a fool will main tain that those who survived the stress and strain aro not beter off for it. Two conditions are facing us now. First, a run—by ail the rules, a long run—of favorable seasons. Secondly, the wisdom and balance, born of ad versity, to make the most of the good fortune in store for us. Without the latter., the former would be of small] ultimate use. Farmers are prone to take the pes simistic attitude and—God knows—we we,usually have ample cause to com plain. But we must not run away with the idea that we are, and have been, the only sufferers, and the wear and tear in town life during the past strenuous period of depression has been almost beyond belief. Unem ployment has been rampant and star vation fax from unknown. Only those With, fixed salaries and permanent em ployment—a small proportion of tho whole—-have escaped most of the strain. Turning our oye® to Europe, we find a condition, rural and urban, in comparison with which our past troubles seem childish and petty. And it is only by drawing comparisons that we aro able to form an estimate of our own lot in life. The Canadian farm is a pretty good place after all. It has its conpensating advantages; The obstacles in the way of a reasonable measure of mral prosperity are grad ually being ironed out in accordance with immutable economic laws. It may take yeai® to restore normal economic adjustments, but the fact re mains, that the process is at work and tho tendency is in tho right direction. Wo are looking for a larger immigra tion to Canada in tho immediate future, which will add its Invigorating touch to Canadian agriculture. . It has been ! estimated that the bituminous sands of Alberta can supply raw material for manufacturing motor spirits and other oils -sufficient to supply -the demands of the world for many years. The oil shale resources of the Maritime Pro vinces, though they have not been ex amined in sufficient detail to permit of even a rough estimate of their total oil content, axe believe to bo of enor mous extent. These great resources in coal, bitumen and oil shale thus con stitute most valuable assets as poten- tial resources of oil. Special Glasses for Children With Physical Handicaps. In Toronto crippled children are given the same opportunity of acquir ing an education as normal children. Hitherto a teacher has visited tho children in their own homes, giving each one a few hours of instruction a week. Many of them have been so eager to learn that they made proper- portionately far greater progress than others who atteifded school every day. A new policy with regard to these children has been decided on, since their number has so greatly increased. Instead of being taught at home they j are to have special classes in a school, ; and are to be given free transporta tion in busses. These classes are be held In Wellesley School. When it is considered that In rrral district having 5000 children school age, there would not be more than five children so badly crippled a® to be unable to walk to school, it is easily seen why the large cities have been the first to establish special classes. Tho cost and difficulty of transportation have be-en the great obstacle in sparsely settled communi ties. In Ontario during the past year a numbei* of associations have attack ed tho problem of rendering practical assistance to the handicapped child. to a of Canadians Own Their Homes. Sixty-two per cent of 'Canadian families own their owh homesi, no. cording to a brief bulletin issued by “ the Dominion Bureau of •Statistics. It shows that of the 2,001,512 families Ln Canada, 1.239,160 own their own homes and 762,362 rent, urban those while living their own domiciles. There are 1,023,736 ’ families in the country and of 46 per cent, own their homes, 78 per Cent, or 977,776 families in country districts posses® Heard In the Country. A teacher was instructing her class In the use of antonyms. “Now, child* Iren,” she said, “what is the opposite > nf sorrow?” • &of sorrow?” ‘ * “Joy,” shrieked the class In.* unison. 1 “What is tho opposite of pleasure?” “Pain.” “And what is the opposite of woo?” “Giddap.” It has taken fifty years to provide a telephone exchange for every county in Great Britain and Ireland, but with tho provision of exchanges in County Mayo and Sutherlandshire the chain is now complete. • I Quebec, Quex«—T’Cie Ste. Anne Paper Company’s buftdln;$i at Beaupre are 1 nearing completion and will be toady to receive tho paper machines at any , time now1. The work on the Anglo- Canadian Pulp and Paper Co. millf has started well rm-d some of tho steel for tho framework ha® already been received, "« *