Housekeeping Hints.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 289, 11 August 1888, Page 5

Housekeeping Hints.

To Cube Hams. — Cover the bottom of a large cask with coarse salt ) on this lay the hams skin side downward, sprinkle over them fine salt, in which has been mixed a handful each of mace and cloves, then another layer of hams sprinkled with the prepared salt, and so continue until the hams are all packed. Make a brine in the follow* ing proportions : Six gallons water, nine pounds salt, four pounds of brown- sugar, three ounces saltpetre, one ounce saleratus ; scald and skim ; when cold pour over the hams until they are completely covered. Keep the hams under the brine by laying upon them a large, round, flat stone. About three months' time is required to cure. To smoke meat after it is cured, cover it with bran or wrap in a cloth to protect from soofc ; hang in the smoke-house and smoke very slowly with smoke from oak or beach wood. A flavour similar to that of smoked meat is produced by soaking the meat a few hours in diluted pyrolygneous acid. Liquid Glue. — With any desired quantity of glue, use ordinary whisky instead of water. Break ohe glue in small fragments and introduce these in a suitable glass vessel, and pour the whisky over them, Cork tightly and set aside for three or four days, when it will be ready for use, without the necessity of applying heat. Thus prepared, the mixture will keep unaltered for years, and will remain permanently liquid, except in very cold weather, when it may be found necessary to place the bottle in warm water for a little time before using. The vessel in which it is kept must, of course, be kept always tightly corked, to prevent) the volatilising of the solvent. A French formula for a liquid glue directs that a solution of eight ounces of glue be made in a half -pint of water, in the usual way, by placing it in a vessel of water until solution is affected. To the solution it is directed that two and a half ounces of strong aquafortis (nitric acid) be added, stirring all the while. Effervescence will take place with the evolution of orange nitrous fumes. When all the acid has been added, the liquid is allowed to cool. lfc should be kepb in a well-stoppered bottle, and will remain permanently liquid. Hi will neither gelatinise nor putrefy, and is said to make a very serviceable cement for various domestic uses, such as repairing cabinet work, china-ware, etc. Another formula directs that a jar or bottle be filled with glue broken into small fragments, and the same covered with acetic acid. It •hould then be placed in a vessel of hot water for several hours until all the glue it dissolved. Choosixu Wisely. — A girl may feel cerlain on this pomt — that, as a man treats his mother and sisters, so he will treat his wife six months after marriage. A ghl has a choice to make upon which the happiness of her whole life will depend ; and I there is always a time, before she parts with ! the control of hor heart, nb which she cughl to listen to her judgment. If she can assure 'herself that her lover is a man who is respected and liked, and is a favourite at home, she may be pretty sure that in listening to his love she is choosing wisely.