The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-12-19
HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

RICE PUpD1xG.-One cup of rice,
which should be soaked over night in
enough water to cover it SIX eggs, one
cup white sugar, five quarts sweet milk.
Rake two hours, stirring often till near
ly done flavor with nutmeg.
TOMATO LmY-Take one peck green
tomatoes, cut them in slices and sprin-
kle with salt; put them in a jar and
press them tight let them remain over
night. Next morning drain through
colander add to them twelve onions,
sliced, one and half ounces black pep
per, teaspoon of red pepper, one ounce
mustard, one-fourth pound mustard
seed, one pound of brown sugar, one
ounce cloves, one ounce of allspice.
Put in a kettle, cover them with good
vinegar, and boil till tender.
GINGER CAKE, PLAIN AND Good
Into two quarts of -four rub well tea
spoonful of soda, and when well mixed,
two teaspoonfuls of cream tartar then
either powdered cloves or ginger to
taste cut fine. To one teacupful of but
ter, or lard and butter mixed, add two
teacupfuls of molasses. If too stiff,
add little more molasses if too soft,
add -four until of the proper consis-
tency to roll out. Cut IN round cakes,
and bake in quick oven. Cloves and
no ginger make delightful cake.
A SUBSTITUTE FOR CoFFEE.-Grape
stones are said to be better substitute
forcoffee than chickoryis. When roasted
and ground, they are said to possess an
aroma very much like that of East India
coffee, and the beverage obtained there
from is about the same as coffee in taste,
though inferior in quality. The beve-
rage furnished by many of the restau-
rants is very far from being "about the
same as coffee in TASTE" and it is pro-
bable that decided improvement could
be made on the present article by the
use of grape stone.
To REMOVE IRON RUsr.-Wet the
spot with cold water and place the cloth
in the sunshine. Then mix equal guam
titles of cream tartar and table salt,
and sprinkle the mixture upon it until
the dampness has absorbed great deal,
then lay on enough to hide the spot.
Wet the spot with cold water every half
hour, and, if the stain is then seen,
cover 1t again with the cream tartar and
salt. Keep it in the sunshine, and con-
tinue these applications till the stain is
gone-if recently contracted, two or
three applications will remove it.
COFFEE WITH BRICK.-Chiccory is
said to contain properties positively in
furious to the health. Yet ground
coffee, as sold by grocers, is often adul-
terated with the substance, and many
persons insist that it improves the fla
Yor of the coffee. We are informed, in
a recent work on coffee, that the coffee
dealer adulterates his coffee with chic
cory to increase his profits the chicco-
~ dealer adulteratcJ his ehiccory with
Venetian red to please the eye of the
coffee dealer; and lastly, the Venetian
red manufacturer grinds up his color
with brick-dust, that by its greater
cheapness, and the variety of shades
he offers, he may secure the patronage
of the trade in chiccory.
WATERING HoUsE-PLANTs.- The Eng
lish Garden is inclined to dispute
the rule that water should be given in
moderately small quantities, ard sup
piled frequently. If the causes of
failure where plants are cultivated in
windows are infinitely investigated, the
drlbbing system of watering would be
found to be the principal cause. A
plant ought not to be watered until it
is IN tit condition to receive a liberal
supply of that element, having pre-
viously secured a good drainage in
order that all superintendent water NAV
be quickly carried off. Those who are
constant dribbing a moderately small
quantity of water upon their plants will
not have them in a hourishino condi-
ton for any length of time. This must
be obvious to all, for it is quite evident
that the moderately small quantity of
water frequently given would keep the
surface of the soil moist, while at the
same time, from the effects of good
drainage, which is essential to the we'll
being OF all plants in an artificial state,
all the lower roots would perish fer
want of water, and the plant would be-
GENE sickly and eventually die.
HARDENING STEEL Tools, ETo.-The
following secret, unpatented compost
ton, suggested by the chemist Kulicke,
has been employed with success at
Saarbrucken for restoring burned steel
to Its primitive condition, and as it af-
fords a peculiar hard metal, it is also
used for tempering steel tools that are
too soft, or may become so by use. as
chisels, saw-blades, etc. AItbouob
rather expensive, it is really an eco
nomlcal treatment where large numbers
OF steel tools are used. Burned steel
heated to a cherry red, and forged
somewhat on an anvil, is plunged into
well-mlxed doughty mass, in a box
near by, composed of tartaric acid, 6
ounces; cod oil, 80 ounces; charcoal
powder, ounces bone black, 8 ounces !:
beef tallow, 10 ounces yellow prussiate
OF potash, ounces, aud burned harts-
horn, 3 ounces, and is then completely
cooled IN water. Steel tools are SINH
!arly treated. Small articles of cast
iron, such as wheel-boxes, axle-bearinps.
ETC., may be successfully case-hardened
by being plunged red hot into mixture
OF 10 buckets of urine, 5 pounds of
whitening, and 4 pounds of salt.
How TO Cook A BEEFsrESK.-A beef
STEAK is always best broiled; but the
following method is recommended when
broiling is not convenient The irving
pan being wiped dry, place it upon the
stove to become hot. In the mean time
pepper and salt the steak, then Law IL
on the hot, dry pan and instantly cover
as tightly as possible. When the raw
flesh touches the heated pan. of course
1t seethes and adheres to it, but in a
few seconds it becomes loosened and
Juicy. Every half-minute turn the
steak, but be careful to keep it as much
as possible under cover. When nearly
done lay small piece of butter upon
II, and II you want much gravy add
tablespoonful of strong coffee. This
makes the most delicious, delicateIv
brolled steak, full of juice, yet retain
ing all the healthy, beefy flavor that
any John Bull could require. The
same method may be applied to mutton
chops or ham, only they require more
cooking to prevent them from being
rare. An excellent gravy may be made