This thesis is comprised of a collection of stories concerning big-shot morticians and their futile quest for a perfect flute made from a pelican bone.

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Thesis (M.S. - Renewable Natural Resources)--University of Arizona, 1981. / Includes bibliographical references.

Vad hindrar svensk julgransodling från att växa och bli en egen näring på motsvarande vis som i Danmark. Den svenska julgransmarknadens storlek har undersökts och det har visat sig att den är mindre än man tidigare trott. En stor del av skogsägarna säger sig vara intresserade av julgransodling och bedömer lönsamheten som högre än i traditionellt skogsbruk. Skogsägarna upplever svårigheter med att klara av skötsel på grund av att den är tidskrävande och att dessa tjänster inte finns tillgängliga på marknaden. Ytterligare ett hinder upplevs vara att nå ut till marknaden och få betalt för kvalitetsprodukter. En skillnad jämfört med Danmark där julgransodling är en exportindustri är att det finns en aktiv branschorganisation, utbildning, kompetens och företag som säljer maskiner och tjänster till näringen. Baserat på intervjuer med producenter, grossist och detaljister verkar prisnivån vara densamma för svenska odlare som för danska med korrigering för logistikkostnader. Kalkylräntan som beräknads med nuvärdesprincipen landade på 11,4%.

Fraser fir [Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir.] is an important Christmas tree species in Virginia. Because it is responsive to fertilization, and because most Fraser fir growers fertilize their crop, a scientifically-based nutrient diagnosis and fertilizer recommendation system is needed. The objective of this study was to develop and test DRIS norms for Fraser fir Christmas trees grown in Virginia for the ultimate purpose of establishing a nutrition diagnosis and fertilizer prescription system. A total of 107 Fraser fir plantations were sampled for foliage, soil, and diameter measurements. These plantations represented the range in site conditions and management practices for Fraser fir Christmas trees grown in Virginia. Foliage was analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, and B. Soil was analyzed for extractable macro- and micronutrients. DRIS norms were developed from these data using standard DRIS procedures. A total of 42 nutrient ratios were significant discriminators of tree performance as measured by variation in ground line diameter. The norms were tested using sixth year data from a factorial fertilizer trial. Nutrient limitations due to both deficiencies and imbalance were detected and correctly diagnosed using the newly-derived norms. A complete validation is required, but this preliminary test showed that these norms are useable and useful in their present form. In the process of developing and testing the norms, modifications to traditional DRIS methods were used to meet the special conditions of this crop. DRIS symmetry was maintained by including non-significant ratios, but setting their standardization functions equal to zero. This reduced the influence of the non-discriminating nutrient ratios on the DRIS analysis. Norm ranges as opposed to discrete norms (ratio means) were used to correct for the influence of extremely variable micronutrient ratios on the DRIS analysis. Soil norms did not enhance diagnoses over and above using foliar norms alone. This is due to soil sampling variation, poor correlations of extractable nutrients with tree performance, and an incomplete understanding of fertilizer reactions and uptake chemistry in a variety of soils. Each crop presents unique challenges in the application of DRIS. DRIS should not be naively applied without investigating these problems. The DRIS norms established in this study, and the modifications to standard DRIS methods, provide a sound scientific basis upon which to build a nutrient diagnosis and fertilizer recommendation system for Fraser fir Christmas trees grown in Virginia. / Master of Science

Abstract not available

of thesis children's knowledges of words accociated with Christmas The thesis is concerned with Christmas traditions, particularly from the point of view of children. The thesis presents the evolution of Christmas celebrations, some of the traditions, and it also compares certain Christmas songs and carols, and thus demonstrates the evolution of Christmas related vocabulary. Furthermore, the thesis also presents a brief overview of the evolution of children's vocabulary. In the practical part, the thesis attempts to answer the question of which Christmas related words children aged 9 - 12 years are familiar with. For the purpose of this practical research, the author of the thesis created a questionnaire containing 10 specific Christmas related words that children were asked to explain. The research results show that children seem to have a relatively good passive knowledge of commonly used words associated with Christmas, but in many cases they find it difficult to actively demonstrate this knowledge, i.e. to define, explain those words. In general, the girls describe the meaning of words better than boys. Children attending religious schools have apparently greater knowledge of words associated with religious meaning of Christmas than children from state schools. Comparison of age do not show...

In 1974 the Australian Government decided that from 1975 all education on its Territory of Christmas Island, Indian Ocean, would be integrated into a single service. It further decided that all schools would be staffed by Australian teachers from its recent1y established Commonwealth Teaching Service and would implement a curriculum closely reflecting those on the Australian mainland. These were decisive shifts from the previous system of separating the 'Asian' education system from the 'European' (Australian) system. This thesis sets out to find the reasons for these decisions and the expectations, or objectives, of those who made them. The changes to education had many Impacts on the Christmas Island community - both intended or unintended. These impacts are used to assist in evaluations of the policy objectives. The thesis uses the methodology of public policy analysis to examine the links between the government's education policy and its other broader policies regarding the Island. It thus examines operational decisions in the context of strategic considerations. The mid 1970s saw rapid changes in many Australian Government policies. Its new Christmas Island policies were responses to a range of complex, interrelated problems which emerged in the early 1970s - only 15 years after it assumed sovereignty. At the centre of these policy responses was Resettlement. The government's education decisions are examined in the light of the objectives and implications of its Resettlement policy as well as other inputs to the policy problem.

Thesis (MMus (Music))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Kersfeesorkeste is ‟n Christelike tradisie binne die Kleurling-gemeenskap van die Wes-Kaap wat dissipline en goeie waardes by lede van hierdie gemeenskap inboesem en musiek in voorheen benadeelde en minderbevoorregte sektore van die samelewing bevorder. Die geskiedenis en agtergrond van die Kersfeesorkeste is soortgelyk aan dié van die Kaapse Klopse en die Maleierkore, wat veral prominent na vore kom tydens die Kersfees- en Nuwejaarsfeestelikhede in die Kaap. Alhoewel hierdie drie groepe ‟n nou verbintenis tot mekaar het en dikwels deur die publiek saamgroepeer word, funksioneer hulle onafhanklik van mekaar en is daar beduidende verskille in kultuur, repertoire, kleredrag, organisatoriese struktuur en samestelling. Hierdie studie fokus op die Perseverance Kersfeesorkes en ondersoek dié orkes in sy vele fasette binne die raamwerk van wat in die musiekwetenskap deesdae “gemeenskapsmusiek” genoem word. Die kenmerke van die begrip “gemeenskapsmusiek”, soos dit in die laaste 15 jaar in ander lande geformuleer is, word aan die hand van die Perseverance Kersfeesorkes getoets om uit te vind of die Perseverance Kersfeesorkes as ‟n voorbeeld van gemeenskapsmusiek beskou kan word en, omgekeerd, of die begrip “gemeenskapsmusiek” aan die hand van hierdie geval in alle opsigte gepas is of dalk aangepas moet word. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Christmas Bands are a Christian tradition within the Coloured community of the Western Cape that instils discipline and values amongst members of this community and promotes music within previously disadvantaged and under-privileged sectors of society. The history and background of the Christmas Bands is similar to that of the Cape Minstrels and Malay Choirs, who are very prominent during the Christmas and New Year festivities in the Cape. Although these three groups have a close connection they function independently of each other. There are significant differences amongst these groups in respect of culture, repertoire, uniform, organisational structure and composition. This study focuses on the Perseverance Christmas Band and examines this band in all its different facets within the framework of what, in current musicological terminology, is called “community music”. The characteristics of the concept of community music, as they have been formulated in other countries over the last 15 years, are tested against the Perseverance Christmas Band to determine whether the Perseverance Christmas Band should be understood as a example of community music and, vice versa, whether the concept of community music itself is valid when measured against the Perseverance Christmas Band or whether it needs adjustment or expansion.