The free citizen. (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-07-17
USEFUL KNOWLEDGE.

n PUTTY OF starch aud chloride of
zinc Eardens quickly, aud lasts, as a
stopper of holes i'll metals, for months
FROSTED GLASS, useful for screens,
etc, is made by laying the shcets hori-
zontally and covering them with q
strong solution OF suiphate of zinc The
salt crystallizcs on drying.
VAKN1suES, LIMPID AND FLEXIHIE.-
Anhydrous alumina stereate, dissolved
III turpentine, IS an article much recon-
mended for tits purpose and it is said
to be unalterable by high temperatures.
A GOOD welding composition is made
of borax fused with one. sixteenth its
weight of sal ammoniac, cooled, pulver-
lied and combined with an equal weight
of quick lime. The compound is
sprinklcd on the rcd-hot iron, and the
later replaced in the fire.
MAnoGANY YSTAINISG.-Washth tho wood
to be stained with diluted nitric acid,
ten parts of water to one of acid. For
rosewood, glaze the same with carmine
or Munich lake. Asphaltum, thinned
with turpentine, forms an excellent ma
hogany color for new work.
LAND DRAINs.-An excellent subsoil
drain may be made by digging trench
and filling in the bottom with sticks of
wood, compresaing them together with
the feet, and then covering them with
tue mold. The effectiveness Of such n
drain will endure for several yca-s, and
the final decay Of the wood will serve to
enrich the soil.
SPIRITS of turpentine poured upon
seed corn before planting, and thor
nughly mixed by stirring, so that all
the seeds shall be imprcgnatcd with it,
is specific for the terrible ruvages OF
tho cit-worm. Put one quart of tur.
pentine to bushcl of corn, or in that
proportion, which is sufficient. and corn
comes up two or three days quicker
whom thus treated. Besides the scent
of the turpentinc, which can be detected
several weeks after the planting, aids
much in keeping crows Mt distance.
SAYS the Massachusetts, ploughman
Green rye or clover may bc cut green
and fed to the horse in tho stall to
better advantage than turning out to
pasture. BUT probably liberal supply
ot Swedish turnips or rutabagas cut in
slices and literally covered with Indian
meal will lay on fat rs fast as it is de-
slrable. 1t is, we think, about the best
substitute for green food, gives soft
and glossy coat, an elastic step and fine
spirits. We do not think the yellow, or
Swedish, turnip is appreciated as it
ought to be, as a food for horses.
FLINT AND POTASH IN PLANTS. They
have many experimental farms, gardcns
and orchards in Germany, to which we
are in the habit of looking for new facts
in agriculture and horticulture. An ex-
pert says: "Divest the soil of all silica
(lint) and alkali were useful plants and
beautiful flowers are to be grown, and
not one would attain to perfect develop
D1anf cin,n1C ,,l
are eminently essential to impart stiff.
ness to the stems and elasticity and
tenacity to the leaves. When grape
vines, for example, which are growing
in sandy soil, have access to potash j.
abundance, the leaves will appear as
t'nch as leather, and no miIdew or rust
Will ever affect the foliage"
FISH CAKES. Take Goldfish, either
fresh or salt, that has been boiled the
day befor,. Carefully remove the
bones and mince the fish Mix with a
quantity of mashed potatoes, mashed
with butter and milk in tho proportion
of one-third Goldfish und two. thirds
mashed potatoes. Add sufficient beaten
eggs to mako tine whole into a smooth
paste. Season with cayenne, and if
the mixture seems dry, moisten and
enrich it with little butter. Make it
large round as the top of a common
sized tea-cup, or into round balls.
Sprinkle them wcM with flour. Fry
them IN lard or beef dripping. When
one side is done turn them over. If
approved, you may add to the mixture
two or three onions boiled and minced.
Any large Goldfish may be dressed in
~ manner for next mornings break
fast
SALT RAISING BREAD.-A contributor
to the st. Charles Cosmos writes: s"ri1a
night before you wish to make bread
boil one-half pint Of milk put one tn.
blcspoonful of corn meal into a pitcher
or bowl and turn the boiling milk over
1t, stirring we'll !; let it stand until morn.
ing, then add sufficient warm water to
this batter to make it sluke.warm then
put i'll pinch of salt the came of
sugar, and thicken with -four to the
consistency OF good batter; set the
prcher or bowl into kettle OF warm
water, not hot enough to scald, and aim
to maintain the same Temperature bv
keeping it on the stove-hearth when i
has been risen to top of pitcher, make
your sponge in large pan of flour,
with two plnts or more of warm water
(nart milk is bctter) then stir the
rising in, first adding tablespoonful or
more of salt; let it rise, then mold into
!oaVes; do not mold 30 stiff as Yeast
bread. by closely following these di-
rect'ons, will guarantee good bread
In summer L have my rising up by s
o'clock IN cold weather it REQUIRES
more timo for fermentation.
A BEAUTIFUL ornament for the sitting
room can be made by covering com
mon tumblcr with moss, the latter f,,s-