The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1875-10-02

PRACTICAL INFORMATION.

ThACIICAL lNfUhMAIlUNs
From the Rousekeeper.
"A newly patented dust pan Is pro-
vtded at its upper end with a sunken
chamber, which has its bottom elevated
from the floor by hand and foot looped
handle, so that when the foot Is ap-
piled to the loop-handle the sunken
part will rest on the floor, and after the
dust has been swept into it the front
edge will raise.
TO make varnish for maps, draw
ings, &C., boil parchment cuttings In
water, in gleazed earthen vessel,
till they produce very clear size
strain it, and keep it till wanted then
give the work two coats of the size pas
sing the brush quickly over the work
so as not to disturb the color.
For common prepared glue dissolve
two pounds good common glue In three
pints of warm water, and and one
quart of strong vinegar. Ready to use
after twenty hours.
To stop cracks in walnut furniture,
take equal parts of beeswax and seal.
ing wax, and mix them by melting
them together, or dissolve in alcohol.
Color with umber.
To prevent moths in carpets, wash
the carpet before laying them with
spirits of turpentine or benzine.
Straw mating should be washed
with cloth dampeued In salt water.
Indian meal sprinkled over 1t and
thoroughly swept out will also cleanse
it finely.
In washing windows, narrow.
bladed wooden knife, sharply pointed,
will take out the dust that hardens in
the corners IT the sash. Dry whiting
will polish the glass, which should first
be washed with weak black tea mixed
with u little alcohol. Save the Tea
leaves for this purpose.
"A chalk mark, at least half an inch
in depth, around the upper edge of
sugar buckets, barrels, &C., will not
admit one ant into the interior. The
same mark drawn on the edges OF
shelves, will also prevent the approach
of an ant, AS they are not able to crawl
over the chalk.
Gilt metallic articles may be clean
ed by rubbing them very gently with
soft sponge or brush dipped in a solu-
tion of one-half an ounce of potash, or
one ounce Of soda, or still better, OF
one half an ounce of borax in pound
OF water, then rinsng them in pure
water and drying with soft linen rag.
Their lustre may be improved In special
cases by warming them slightly and
then rubbing them very gently. Gilt
frames, &C., should only be washed
with pure water, rubbing very gently
with soft sponge or brush.
.-Papering aud pain ing are best
done In cold weather, especially the lat
ter, for the wood absOrbs the oil OF
paint much more than in warm wealth.
or while In cold weather the Oil
hardens on the outside, making coat
which will protect the wood instead OF
soaking into it.
Never paper a wall over old paper
and paste. Always scTape down
thoroughly. Ol paper can be got of
by damping with saleratus and water,
Then 90 over all the cracks of the wall
with plaster of Parls,and finally put on
a wash of weak solution of carDolic
acid. The best paste Is made out of
rye flour, with two ounces of glue dis
solved In each quart OF paste half an
ounce Of powdered borax improves the
mixture.
TO remove paper from walls satur-
| ated steam Is Introduced into the rooms
until the paper is thoroughly moistened
and limp.
Clean all diamonds and precious
stones by washing them with soap and
water with soft brush. adding a little
ammonia in the water, and then dry In
fine box wood sawdust.
One who has tried 1t says that a
cup Of coffee is q sure barometer, II you
allow the sugar to drop to the bottom
of the cup and watch the bubbles arise
without disturbing the coffee. II the
bubbles COLLECT In the middle the weather
will br fine If they adhere to the cup,
forming ring, IL will be rainy, aud N
the bubbles separate without assuming
any fixed position, changeaols weather
may De expected.
"A little. eanphene dropped be-
tween the neck and stopper Of a glass
bottle VIII reniier the latter easily re-
moved II jammed fast.
"A French paper says that petroleum.
destroys all insects, and Oanishss rats,
and uice.
Paste Is kept moist aud especially
sweet and free fionh smell by mixing
glycrrns with it in tue proportion Of
about one teaspnonful OF glycerine to
half u pound of ps,te.
If you have crack m the wall,
get tive or ten cents worth Of dry plas--
ter ot Paris wet with cold water; then
take your finger and Tu0 it into tho
creVlcu till It Is, smooth. Bad nail
holrs in the wall eau ba done In the,
aAlIlla N.aR