The "Distaff."

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2322, 28 May 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

The "Distaff."

Autumn' Leaves (American Method of Varnishing.)—" Tho leaves should be gathered (snys a correspondent) before the frosts come, and placed at once between books or newspapers to he pressed. They should be kept in a cool place, and changed ever} , .alternate day, for two or three weeks, until thoroughly dry. Varnish with a mixture of 3oz of spirits of turpentine, 2oz of boiled lineeod oil, and -Joz of whits varnish. Lay the leaves on a .per.; feclly smooth board, and apply the varnish with a soft cloth, a brush will not do it as evenly, and there must be no streaks." I have dried them iu thoir natural shape, in a box with silver sand scattered in carefully and kept in a dry place." Paiktkd Lack.—Effective trimmings for bounets, aprons, drosses, mantel borders, biskots, &c. , can be made by paint ing black lnco of the required width, and of a suitablo floral design. Required, an oblong board of soft wood, to the surface of which a piece of blotting or brown paper is fixed with iruin ; ordinary camel, hair brushes of various sizes, and either body colours or water colours mixed with Cremnitz white. Unroll tho lace to the length of one yard, and pin it to the board. The best colours to paint with are vermilion, two shades of chrome yellow, Prussian and cobalt blue, burnt sienna and flake white. Tho woven flowers and stalks and leaves are painted over as much as possible in their natural colours, but in bright hues. The lower edge of the lace is jrilt with gold-bronze powder, which has been previously been mixed with gramwater. Parts of the floral design which require brightening can be treated in the same manner. When finished, the painted piece is unpinned, and the sequel fixed on the board, the underlying blotting paper being renewed, if necessary.. Pire Rack. —A rolling-pin is converted into a pipe rack as follows:—Paint it all over in oils any colour required and then on this foundation paint sprays of flowers ; a row of brass hooks are inserted in a line and in such a way that they will hold up the pipes. These rolling-pins are also used for key racks ; they are suspended by ribbou at either end* RECIPES FOR CLEANING. To Take Oil and Grbase out of Woods. —Cover the spots with a paste made with fuller's-earth and warm water. Allow it to dry, and soour if off at the expiration of twentv-fout hours with soap and water. To " Clkan Marble.—The simplest method of cleaning marble is as follows: — Take two parts of common soda, one part of chalk, finely powdered. If possible, pass them through a finn sieve, and thoroughly mix them. Make it into a paste with water, and rub it over the marble. This will remove the stains. Now wash ir. off with soap'and water, and the surface of the marble will be restored to its original pnricy. To Clean Japanese Waiters.— W«eh the waiter clean with white soap and lukewarm water, applied with a spsnge. Never use hot water, as it will cause the japanning to scale off. Wipe it dry, and sprinkle a" little flour over it. Allow it to remain on a short time, and then rub it ofE with a soft dry cloth, finishing with a silk handkerchief. If the waiter shows white marks produced by heat, it will prove a difficult task to remove them. It may be tried, however, by rubbing them with a soft flannel dipped in sweet oil and afterwardu in alcohol.

To Clean Hair Brushes and Combs. Many ladies find it a difficult matter to properly cleanse these articles of the toilet. The following recipe is simple, and will give satisfactory results :—Make a weak solution of ammonia and water, about a teaspoonful of the former to a pint of the latter, and wash tho bristles for a few seconds in it. Ba careful not to wash the back and handle of the brushes, for ammonia sometimes discolours the woods of which they are made. Then rinse in clear, cold water, and dry. Do uot place it near tho fire or iu the sun, hut stand the brush on the bristles in a cool, shady place, thus making the bristles as stiff as when new. Combs may be cleaned in the same manner, observing the precaution not to wash them in warm water.

The Value of Spirits of Hartshorn. —Ammonia is an invaluable aid to the housekeeper, if its properties be fully understood. "A little of it, put in the water on wash days, will prodnee the desired whiteness with a great deal less rubbing on the washboard than if it were not used. It will remove grease, &c., from any clothing. Diluted, it Avill clean paint without any rubbing. Its pungent odour, when inhaled, will frequently cure a headache Applied to a mosquito bite, it stops the itch sensation. A few drops used in a hath will deaden and almost totally destroy tho odour by excessive pre-ipiration. In short it is an article which ,when once used by a housewife, is never allowed to be out of the house.