The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1875-06-24
USEFUL KNOWLEDGE.

by DlnDglUP tHe lhDTlc lHbo u hOluV'
containing 20 per cent. OF soap a
afterward into another solution contaa
ing the same percentage Of snlphate
copper. Wash, and the operation
finished,
A SIMPLE mode Of keeping butter
warm weather is to set over the d
containing it a large hower'pot or
glazed earthcnware crock, inyertt
Wrap n wet cloth around the covert
vessel, and place the whole where the
is n draft Of air.
WHEN it il not convenient 10 tnk'
lock apart to fit a new key, the
blank shonld be smoked over a cand
inserted in the key.hole, and press
firmly against the opposing wardsoft
lock. The indentations in the smok
portion made by the wards will sh
where to file.
TO extract rust from steel immeI
the article to be cleaned in n solution
half ounce cyanide OF potassium to-
wine. plassful OF water until the dirt tnu
rust disappear. Then clean by means
of n tooth brush with a paste composed
OF cyanide OF potassium, CASTLE soap
whitening and water.
The best Pine wood evaporateS ive
pounds OF water per pound WOOD con
sumcd in a steam boiler furnace. one
cord of wood IN be consumed per hOuf
on sixty square feet OF CRATE. one
pourd carbon burnt to carbonic acid
requires the oxygen of lob cubic ieet OF
atmospheric air.
Mr.. JAMES HrSroS, in his "Physiol-
opy," anirms that the passages OF the
ear does not require cleaning by us.
Nature understands that task, and IN
the healthy state fulfills it perfectly
Her means for cleansing the ear Is the
wax, which dries up into thin scales,
and peels off and falls away imperceptl-
bly,. In health the passage OF the ear
is never dirty, but an attempt to clean
it will infallibly make it 70. Washing
the ear ont with soap and water IL BAD !;
it keeps the wax moist when it ought TO
become dry ind scaly, and makes II
absorb dust. But the most hurtful
thing is the introduction of the corner
Of II towel screwed mp, and twisted
around. This proceeding irritateS the
passage and presses down the wax ana
flakes Of skin upon the membrane OF the
tympanum, producing pain, and milan,
nation and deafness. Washing should
only extend TO the outer surface, as lar
as the finger can reach.
"CurrING A DIDO. This phrase Is
older than most people imagine. DO
Won call 10 mind the story OF DIDO,
princess Of Tyre? Her husband, Arce,
bas, priest Of Hercules, was murdered
for his wealth by King PygmalIon,
brother to Dido. The widowed princess
succeeded SO well in hiding her sorrow
that she was enabled to escape from
Tyre, bearing with her the wealth OF
her husband, and accompanied by q
number OF disaflected mobiles. After q
variety of adventures they landed upon
the coast Of Africa, where DIDO bar
gained with the natives for rs mucl
land ns she could incloso in u bullt
hide. Selecting n large, tough hide
she caused it to be cut in the smallest
5 possible threads, with which she IN
l closed a large tract of country, on whlcl
t the city Of Carthage begant to rise. The
natives were bound by the letter of theil
e bargain, and allowed the cunning queer
to have her way and after that, whel
any one had played a sharp trick, they
said he had cent a Dido" That wal
6 almost three thousand years ago, ant
t the saying has come down to our day
l A FRENcu journal says that, of TIT
v score of iireproof co1npo itlou8 tina
have been brought forward within Il
{ many years past, there is scarcely on
; that possesses superior or even eqla
! adaptation to the purpose as the follow
ing: Dissolve in cold water, as muct
y pearIash rs it is capable of holding IL
: solution, and wash or daub with 1t al
the boards, wainscoting, timber, etc.
then, diIuting the same liquid with Il
little water, add to it such a portion OF
fine yellow clay ~ will make the mix
tnre of the consistence of common
paint, and then stir in a small quantity
of paper hangers flour paste to com
bine both the other substances. Give
three coats of this mixture, and, when
dry, apply the following composition
Put into n pot equal quantities OF finely
puiverized iron filing, brickdust and
ashes, pour over them size or glue
l water, and set the whole neal q fire,
and, when warm, stir them well to
gether. With this liquid composition
or size, give n coat, and, on its get
ting dry, give l. second cont. 1t resistI
Il fire for five hours, and prevents thu
wood from ever bursting into flames
8 that il, it Sc resist the ravages OF tirt
T. rs, at most, only to be reduced to coal
or embers, without spreading the con
Migration by additional flames. 1t is
t found that n quantity equal to twenty
r pounds of finely sifted clay, n pound
and II MALT of tlodr for making the paste,
and II pound of pearlash is sufficient
to prepare II square rood of deal
boards.
PAINTING OF Floors. Having had
some experience with both oiled and
painted floors. | unhesitatingly recon-
mend the former. II some uniform
dark tint is wanted, like black walnut,
mix burnt lumber with boiled linseed
oil, and rub it in thoroughly with a
wooden cloth. Tho lumber can be bought
in boxes, containing a pound and up
ward, already groun in oil, which is
most convenient, as that sold in n dry
state is apt to be coarse and rough.
The depth of tint is varied by using
more or less of the color, while the tone
l may be warmed, if desired, by adding
, burnt sienna. II an imitation Of the
! handsome ash and walnut floors is pre-.
! rred, rub every alternate board with
pure linseed oil, and usc a pa int-bmsh
to apply the dark staining, taking care
not to have enough in the brush 10
spread on the part intended " be light.
l Leave the floor for a day Or twO 70 dry,
, though the only harm done by using il
, immediately is that the oil is liable b.
be tracked over the other parts Of the
| house. The great advantage an oil
: iioor possesses over a painted one il
that when marked or sc,atcbal somo