HINTS FOR HOUSEWIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5039, 7 March 1885, Page 4

HINTS FOR HOUSEWIVES.

So much information about everything is now so easily obtainable that there is little excuse for enduring many of the small domestic worries to which housekeepers and others are subjected,. Why, for instance, need anyone be inconvenienced by damp cupbsards, when we read that a bowl '■ qf quicklime placed therein will speedily absorb the moisture? Some of us are nervous about beds not being well aired, and yet we have only to fill a stone bottle with boiling water and put it into the bed; pressing the bolster [and pillows round it in a heap. By this simple contrivance, it is comforting to learn, no one need fear giving a friend a damp bed, even if this is done only once a fortnight. F.lies are a familiar nuisance ; but we are told of a foreign remedy in laurel oil, which, better than glass fly-catchers and others, will not only rid us of these pests, but preserves looking-glasses and pictureframes when coated with it. Jane the " help" should derive satisfaction from the assurance that beetles may be effectually got rid of by sprinkling once or twice on the floor a mixture of pure carbolic acid and water, one part to ten.

It is not frequenters of restnrants only who wonder why the simple precaution of throning red pepper pods or a few pieces of charcoal into the pan—said to prevent odours from boiling ham, cabbage, &c,— is not oftener observed. 'Cooks are fur- ' ther reminded that in roasting meat, salt should .not .be put upon the joint before it is put in the oven, as salt ex-

tracts the juice; and thai lime-water will improve the condition of old potatoes in boiling..

' Eggs could be purchased with greater confidence ifthe German method of preserving them by means, of silicate of soda was generally followed. A small quantity of the clear syrup solution is smeared over the surface of the shell. On drying, a thin, hard, glassy film remains, which serves as an admirable protection and substitute for wax, oil, gums, &c. . - Economy in- housekeeping would be facilitated by the better observance of what are known in common parlance as 1 wrinkles.' .For example, why purchase inferior nutmeg^ when their quality can. be tested by.pricking them with a pin ? If they are good, tho oil will instantly spread aroun4 the puncture. It is worth •recollecting that bar-soap should be cut into square pieces, aod put in a dry place, as it lasts better after shrinking. If we wish to keep lemons fresh for some time, wo have only to^Jplace them in a jar of water and change it every morning. Iv selecting flour, we are advised to look at the colour, If it is while with a yellowish tint, we should buy it; but if it is white with a bluish cast, or with black specks, we should refuse it. - Broken china can be mended with a useful glutine made with a piece of old cheese mixed with lime; and the wooden palings of the garden may be preserved from the weather by coating them with a composition of boiled linseed oil and pulverised charcoal, mixed to the consistence of paint. In this way wood can be made to last longer than iron in the ground. If, we. consult our health, we should plant the garden with^doriferous plants, such as I wall flower*, mignonette, and other old English flowers and herbs, which have a \ remarkable power of developing ozone , and purifying the atmosphere from mias> matic poisons. Amateur joiners may derive comfort from the knowledge that nails and screws, if rubbed with! a little soap, are easily driven into hard wood. The same house* hold commodity, of a fine white quality, if rubbed over new. linen, will enable it to be more easily embroidered, as it prevents the threads from cracking. "■A deal of breakage amongst glass and ' crockery can be prevented by the simple ' precaution of placing lamp»chimneys, tumblers, and sach articles in a pot filled with cold water to which some common table-salt has been added, j Boil the water well, and then allow it to cool slowly. When the articles are taken out and washed, they will resist any sudden changeß of temperature.