The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1870-12-15
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.

smoky chimneys, condensed from new
work on the subject, published by Long
mans, of London, which seems certainly
very comprehensive as well as concise:
"Want of sufficient height in the fiue.
The outlet OF the chimney being placed
in an exposed and cold situation, while
the air with which the fire is supplied
is drawn from warmer and sheltered
region. Excessive width in the hue,
by which large volume of cold air is
drawn in and allowed to lower the tenn
perature of the ascending column. Low
temperature of the interior of the ilue
in comparison with that of the external
air. Humidity of the air. Too accurate
fitting of the windows and doors, and
joints of flooring. The draft of one fire
injuring that of others in the same
house. A current caused by the heat of
the fire circulating in the room. A 1lue
of insufficient size A foul fue. Displace-
ment of masonry, or accumulation of
mortar within the hue. The sudden
obstruction Of the draft by gusts of
wind entering the chimney top. In
crease of density of the air at the Chin
ney top, due to effect of wind in CHM
neys rising from the caves of roofs.
| brdllS WlJuln lue TOOIl, WulCl luIOW
the smoke out of the influence Of the
ascending chimney current Of course
the remedies consist in the removal
of these causes; but the suggestion
given that the kitchen hue should be
at the north or east end of stack is
slgacious; also, the recommendation to
supply fire with air for its own consump-
ton, drawn from the coldest side OF the
house. The arrangement proposed with
this aim is ingenious, and no doubt capa-
BILE of easy and effective application in
a large proportion OF cases; but the
question of the exact position, size and
adjustment of the air inlet near the
hearth appears to us yet open to further
investigation and it must not be for
gotten that any such arrangement di-
minishes the efficiency of the open fire
as ventilator of the ROOM"
VIRTUES OF BoRAX.-It may not be
generally known how very valuable
borax is in various purposes Of household
sse. We find it the very best cockroach
exterminatUr yet discovered; one half
pound has completely cleared large
house, which was formerly swarming
with them, SO that the appearance of one
in month is quite a novelty. The va
rious exterminator powders puffed and
advertised have been found not fully eff
fective, tending rather to make the
reaches crazy than to kill them. There
is something peculiar either in the smell
or touch Of borax which is certain death
to cockroaches. They will flee in terror
from it, and never appear again where it
has once been plact d. 1t is also a great
advantage that borax is perfectly harm
less to human beings; hence, no danger
from poisoning 1t is also valuable for
laundry purposes. The washerwomen
of Holland and Belgium, SO proverbialy
clean, and who get up their linens so
beautifully white, use refined borax as
washing powder, instead of soda, in the
proportion Of large handful of borax
powder to about ten gallons of boiling
water-they save in soap nearly half.
All the washing establishments adopt
the same mode. For laces, csmbrics, &C.,
an extra quantity of the powder is used
and for crinolines, requiring to be made
stiff, strong solution is necessary.
Borax being natural salt does not in
the slightest degree njure the texture
/ of the linen. Its effect is to soften the
= hardest water, and therefore it should be
r kept on the toilet-table. AS q way OF
| cleansing the hair nothing is better than
a solution of borax In water. 1t leaves
I the scalp in most cleanly condition
and the hair is just sufficiently stiffeneo
. to retain its place. This stiffness, how
L ever, can be readily removed if objection
e able by washing with water. Borax il
also an excellent dentritice. Dissolved
r in water, it is one of the best of tooth
i washes. In hot countries it is used il
Q combinations with taitaric acid and bi
4 carbonate of soda as q cooling beverage
LETTING LIVE SToCK.-The COuntr!
! Gentleman discourSes rs follows in regarC
= to the English system of letting animal
for breeding purposes, recommending tn
plan to our own farmers "We hav
> often advocated the adoption III thi
Il country of the English system OF lettin,
both bulls and rams for their services b.
the year or through the season, and hav
;, been surprised that our farmers an
J breeders al generally so slow i'll adopting
= a mode of changing the blood or promot
- ing thelmprovement of their stock whic
promises such manifest advantages.
:, has been practiced to some extent, indeed
u to the great satisfaction of those VIII
I have tried it, and some would hardl
8 know how to conduct their affairs witt
= out it. Fresh blood is not only thus OF
= tanned from year to year, but the sele'
L ton is made with direct view to CORE,
! the defects and raise the standard Of ii
breeding animals, or to adapt them mol
:, nearly to the exact wishes and tastes
- the owner When the sire is done wit
~ he is returned to his owner, and the e:
=" pense of longer keeping him is save
g g The price paid for his use, divided amor
u the calves or lambs he will sire, adds b
ts Il fraction to their cost, that is amply I
~ y, paid in beauty or value. This system
W more largely practiced with rams thu
a d. bulls, although quite prevalent with t
~ latter"
in There is no investment which repa
,f- the farmer 50 liberally as planting go
SO fruit trees We have witnesses all ov
o. the land to this assertion. Mr.. j.
ce Price, Alabama, writes us that he h
eir measured t'centy.fce bushels of app
Ie- from one tree this season. This tree "
ce, transplanted at a cost not exceeding
N. cents it did not occupy more grou
to than 20 by 20, and not more than
ng hours labor has been given to it g
in nually, for the past five years-all