provisions
In the story "The Hickory of Toothpick," the trough refers to a container typically filled with water or used for feeding animals. It is where the animals in the story drink from, emphasizing the natural setting of the hickory tree and its importance to the animals' survival.
In the story "The Hickory Toothpick," the word "plumb" refers to the act of measuring the depth of something vertically, typically using a plumb line or a similar tool. It is often used in construction or carpentry to ensure that structures are perfectly vertical or aligned. In the context of the story, the protagonist uses the word "plumb" to describe the precise and careful nature of his craftsmanship in making the hickory toothpick.
The name Hickory means caring, kind, loving
Rations where nicknames for the portable meals the soldiers carried. There were C Rations and K Rations. So when an officer says "Preserve your rations" he means use them sparingly so you don't run out of food.
Hickory dickory dock (the mouse ran up the clock)
the stage;station, stop; rations given to troops in the field
It would depend on the size, shape, and weight of the water bottle, and whether you mean a glass or plastic container. Also, if you mean a 'hot water bottle', that uses different material and holds more or less weight depending on how full it is.
rations rhymes with fashions, passions, brass 'uns
To declare to be hateful or abhorrent; denounce.
I assume you mean C rations. In cans, mostly.
As slim as a stick, as slim as a toothpick, as slim as a pencil
The letter "C" doesn't actually stand for anything. Fresh food was given an "A" nomenclature (A-ration). Packaged but unprepared food was given a "B" nomenclauture (B-ration). C-rations designated prepackaged, prepared foods which were ready for consumption upon opening. The survival rations were given a "D" or "K" nomenclature.