Random Comments (RH)

[Locutus]

I may be wrong, but I thought he was talking about how students these days are taught how to take and pass tests rather than having much knowledge imparted to them.  You could present that test above to just about any high school student in South Florida and I would be surprised to see how many can muster a 75% on it. 

If I'm wrong about that HH, then speak up! 

[Bo D]

Notice that #8 under geography would have a different answer today than it did in 1912. 

And number 8 under History - last battle of the War of 1812. If you answered New Orleans, technically you would be wrong. The war ended before that battle took place.

[Locutus]

And number 8 under History - last battle of the War of 1812. If you answered New Orleans, technically you would be wrong. The war ended before that battle took place.

Well at least some things don't change with time.

The answer to #8 under arithmetic is the same today as it was 101 years ago. 

[Bo D]

Well at least some things don't change with time.

The answer to #8 under arithmetic is the same today as it was 101 years ago. 

Notice the cultural differences between then and now, i.e., #10 under Arithmetic - back then you should have known how many cubic feet of wood are in a cord. I would have to look that up.

Have you ever heard of 'kalsomining' before? (Arithmetic #3)

[Locutus]

Notice the cultural differences between then and now, i.e., #10 under Arithmetic - back then you should have known how many cubic feet of wood are in a cord. I would have to look that up.

Have you ever heard of 'kalsomining' before? (Arithmetic #3)

That is indeed interesting.

I was talking to an older gentleman last week who had just returned from vacationing in upstate New York at his brother's house.  While there, he told me that they cut and stored "75 cords of wood."  I too had to look it up. 

I have never heard of kalsomining, although the context leads me to believe that it's related to painting or treating a finish in some way.  I'll look it up here shortly.   

[Palehorse]

. . .
I have never heard of kalsomining, although the context leads me to believe that it's related to painting or treating a finish in some way.  I'll look it up here shortly.

Today , if I recall correctly, it would be a finish applied to plastering. . . it's mixture of glue and gypsum or some other chalk like substance. They used to coat the walls with it; at times as a finish to real plaster in order to make it appear smooth. . . I think that's why plastered walls always have a thin layer on the top. . . (the part that isn't actually paint.)

Or I could be wrong. . . 

[Palehorse]

[me]

 Kalsomining parlor walls 1870
The March 1870 issue of manufacturer and Builder explained how to do this.

IT is a popular error to believe that the materials for kalsomining are very expensive, and also that few men have sufficient skill to apply the liquid even after it has been properly prepared. For this reason, people are frequently deceived into paying exorbitant prices for this kind of work. The materials employed are good clear glue, Paris white, and water. Paris white is sold here in New-York City and Brooklyn for two to three cents per pound. itinerant kalsominers frequently charge twenty-five cents per pound, as "they use nothing but the genuine silver polish, which is scarce, and very expensive." In case the wall of a large room, say sixteen by twenty feet square, is to be kalsomined with two coats, it will require about one fourth of a pound of light- colored glue and five or six pounds of Paris white. Soak the glue overnight, in a tin vessel containing about a quart of warm water. If the kalsomnine is to be applied the next day, add a pint more of clean water to the glue, and set the tin vessel containing the glue into a kettle of boilng water over the fire, and continue to stir the glue until it is well dissolved and quite thin. If the glue-pail be placed in a kettle of boiling water, the glue will not be scorched. Then, after putting the Paris white into a large water-pail, pour on hot water, and stir it until the liquid appears like thick milk. Now mingle the glue-liquid with the whiting, stir it thoroughly, and apply it to the wall with a whitewash-brush, or with a large paint-brush. It is of little consequence what kind of an instrument is employed in laying on the kalsomine, provided the liquid is spread smoothly. Expensive brushes, made expressly for kalsomining, may be obtained at brush-factories, and at some drug and hardware stores. But a good whitewash-brush, having long and thick hair, will do very well. In case the liquid is so thick that it will not flow from the brush so as to make smooth work, add a little more hot water. When applying the kalsomine, stir it frequently. Dip the brush often, and only so deep in the liquid as to take as much as the hair will retain without letting large drops fall to the floor. If too much glue be added, the kalsomine can not be laid on smoothly, and will be liable to crack. The aim should be to apply a thin layer of sizing that can not be brushed off with a broom or dry cloth. A thin coat will not crack.
Labels: history, victorian

http://grazhina.blogspot.com/2008/08/kalsomining-parlor-walls-1870.html

[me]

[Locutus]

AMEN, and AMEN!  And Praise be to Jeebus!

[Locutus]

Today , if I recall correctly, it would be a finish applied to plastering. . . it's mixture of glue and gypsum or some other chalk like substance. They used to coat the walls with it; at times as a finish to real plaster in order to make it appear smooth. . . I think that's why plastered walls always have a thin layer on the top. . . (the part that isn't actually paint.)

Or I could be wrong. . . 

Yeah, given the context that it was in on the exam, I assumed it to be something like that.  I just didn't have time to look it up at the time.

[Palehorse]

Dear Friend Followsthewolf:

It seems like forever since you last graced this place with your wisdom and wit, and I still find myself hoping to see your postings here. And about the time my expectations begin to wane, up you pop from the past with commentary that strangely enough, remains applicable despite the change in seasons your physical being has undergone.

Once again, this day, you are in my thoughts.

Your words and thoughts are apparently timeless, despite the passing of your shelf life; and missing you apparently has no such limitation. . .

May your spirit rest in eternal peace; or whatever facsimile of that phrase the place where you are has. . . 

[Locutus]

Notice the cultural differences between then and now, i.e., #10 under Arithmetic - back then you should have known how many cubic feet of wood are in a cord. I would have to look that up.

Have you ever heard of 'kalsomining' before? (Arithmetic #3)

I looked it up again to refresh my memory.

A cord of wood is 4 feet deep X 4 feet high X 8 feet long. 

128 cubic feet. 

http://www.woodburning.org/wood.htm

[Locutus]

Dear Friend Followsthewolf:

It seems like forever since you last graced this place with your wisdom and wit, and I still find myself hoping to see your postings here. And about the time my expectations begin to wane, up you pop from the past with commentary that strangely enough, remains applicable despite the change in seasons your physical being has undergone.

Once again, this day, you are in my thoughts.

Your words and thoughts are apparently timeless, despite the passing of your shelf life; and missing you apparently has no such limitation. . .

May your spirit rest in eternal peace; or whatever facsimile of that phrase the place where you are has. . . 

He is indeed missed. 

[Sandy Eggo]

Dear Friend Followsthewolf:

It seems like forever since you last graced this place with your wisdom and wit, and I still find myself hoping to see your postings here. And about the time my expectations begin to wane, up you pop from the past with commentary that strangely enough, remains applicable despite the change in seasons your physical being has undergone.

Once again, this day, you are in my thoughts.

Your words and thoughts are apparently timeless, despite the passing of your shelf life; and missing you apparently has no such limitation. . .

May your spirit rest in eternal peace; or whatever facsimile of that phrase the place where you are has. . . 

I was hiking the other day and thought of him a lot.