Domestic

New Zealand Tablet, 24 July 1913, Page 57

Domestic

BY MAUEEBMi

Spiced Fruits. . '-' r t For. this receipt one may use peaches, pears or crabapples. Put into a preserving-kettle four pounds of granulated sugar/ a ; quart of vinegar, two sticks of cinnamon, and two tablespoonfuls of. cloves. For pears or crab-apples tie the cloves into a small, bag. .When spicing peaches stick four cloves into each peach. Boil sugar, spices, and vinegar together for fifteen minutes, and 'add seven pounds of fruit. Peaches should he peeled and left whole; pears, peeled and cut into halves, but not cored crabapples, washed and left'whole with their stems on. Simmer the fruit until tender, : but ; be careful not to let it get very soft, as it will continue to cook in the hot syrup after the kettle is taken from the range, and may fall to pieces. The fruit should; removed from the syrup as soon as it is tender enough to pierce easily, with a straw. Fill jars with the fruit. Boil the syrup until it is thick, then fill jars to overflowing with it. Wipe the jars and put on, rubbers and tops while' very hot. ''■ ■":.''' :'■'■•' "'" Tomato Figs. - .'••'*';'*".'"'■ Add six pounds of sugar to one peck—or sixteen pounds—of tomatoes. The pear-shaped or single tomato is the best for the purpose. Scald them and remove the skins in the usual way. Cook without the addition of water—their own juice is sufficient—until the sugar penetrates and they are- clarified. Remove the tomatoes, spread them somewhat flattened on dishes* and dry them in the sun. A small quantity of the syrup should be sprinkled over them occasionally while they are drying. When thoroughly dried,- pack them in layers in boxes, treating each layer with powdered sugar. Tomato figs keep well from year.to year and retain to a surprising degree their flavor, which is very much like that of the best quality of fresh figs. Ordinary^brown sugar can be used instead of granulated sugar. As a large portion of the sugar is retained in the syrup, it is worth while to boil it down and bottle it for use. c "•'-'•

Household Hints.

To remove a fishbone from the throat, cut a lemon in half and suck the juice slowly. This will dissolve the fishbone and give instant relief. ' %l< Hot lemonade is one : of the best remedies in the world for a cold. It acts promptly and effectively, and has no unpleasant after-effects. : . .? Cheese may be kept from going mouldy by wrapping it in a cloth dipped in vinegar and wrung nearly dry. Cover the cloth with a wrapper of paper, . and keep in a cool place. ~ Tar may be removed from the hands by rubbing with the outside of fresh orange or lemon peel and drying immediately. The volatile oils dissolve tar so that it can be rubbed off.. ','

To clean knife-handles or any bone article,, it is a good plan to use salt and lemon-juice.- First rub the article well with lemon-juice and then with the • salt.This will remove stains and grease spots.-. v •

Brass Curtain Rings.

To clean dirty brass curtain rings, etc., use equal proportions of vinegar and water, and put into an old saucepan. Take articles to be cleaned and put them into contents of saucepan. Bring same to the, boil, and allow, to boil for one hour. Take out and dry, polish with ordinary metal polish, which will render them quite bright.