26 SECOND THOUSAND QUESTIONS IN AGRICULTURE 



The amount of walnuts is too small to warrant fitting up any 

 bleaching process. If you have a sulphur box such as is used in fruit 

 drying, you can brighten the nuts by sulphuring. Let them get thor- 

 oughly dry after gathering, then moisten the surface of the shell by 

 very light spraying, using a spraying nozzle and not a sprinkler. When 

 thus slightly moistened on the exterior of the shell, they are treated 

 to sulphur fumes in the same way that cut fruit is before drying. 

 Sulphur carefully, for an overdose is not desirable. 



Polishing Pecans. 



Please inform me how to polish pecans. 



Pecans are polished by putting them in a revolving barrel only 

 partly filled, so that as the barrel turns they fall upon and rub each 

 other, producing a beautifully smooth surface. When it is desired 

 to give an artificial color, a little "Spanish brown" dry paint is put 

 into the barrel. If the natural coloring is desirable, a little sharp 

 sand put into the barrel assists in the scouring and produces the 

 desirable uniformity of color. This barrel is rigged up like a revolv- 

 ing churn, with a side door in the staves and a gudgeon on each head 

 which is fitted into proper bearings on two posts; proper arrange- 

 ment being made for a pulley or crank by which the apparatus is 

 turned either by hand or motor power. 



Making Cider, Wine and Brandies. 



Would it be profitable to make cider and wine and to distill all 

 kinds of fruit brandies? What regulations have to be complied with? 



The establishment of a distillery for all kinds of fruit brandies 

 would require so much capital and would have to be so carefully 

 located in order to be sure of a supply of fruits that the undertaking 

 would be hazardous. Cider and wine, which do not require distilla- 

 tion, can be made without reference to the revenue department, but 

 whenever you distill anything, you must make registration. You can 

 get information about the manufacture of denatured alcohol from 

 various waste products by writing to the Division of Chemistry, U. S. 

 Department of Agriculture. Washington, D. C. It is very hard, to 

 say the least of it, to make it cheaply enough to be profitable. 



Fruit Blossom Honey. 



Do almond blossoms make bitter honey? 



Honey more or less bitter, though not always objectionable to 

 all tastes, is made from deciduous fruit blossoms. Citrus fruit blos- 

 soms yield a fine grade of honey. 



Planting Willow Posts for Growth. 



What is the best time of the year to plant willow posts to have 

 them grow? 



