Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-01-08
FARM AND FlRESIDE.

IA
USE OF NUTMEGs.-If a person begins
to CRATE nutmeg at the stalk end, it will
prove hollow throughout; whereas the same
nutmeg grated on the other end, would
have proved sound and solid to the last.
This circumstance may thus be accounted
for: The centre of nutmeg consists OF
number of fibres issuing from the stalks
and it's continuation through the centre OF
the fruit; the other ends of which fibres,
though closely surrounded and pressed by
the fruit, do not adhere to it. When the
stalk is grated away, the fibres, having lost
their hold, gradually drop out in success
ion, and the hollow continues throughout
the whole nut. By beginning at the con-
trary end, the fibres above mentioned are
grated off at their core end, with the sur
rounding fruit, and do not drop out and
cause hole.
MENDINa WITH PLAsTER.-If you have
a crack in the wall in the corner of the
room, OF anywhere else, do notsend for the
plasterer, but get five or ten cents worth
of dry plaster of Paris; wet with cold wa
ter; then take your finger and rub it into
the crevice till it is smooth. Bad nail
holes in the wall can be done in the same
way. Should the top Of your lamp become
loose, take it off and wash it with soap;
wash the glass also, then put the plaster
around the glass; put the brass top on
again, let it stand until hardened, and it is
ready for use again. A lamp never should
be filled quite full, as the kerosene softens
the plaster.
LOOKING GLASSES SPOILED BY SUN
sHTNE.-It does not seem to be very gen.
orally understood that the amalgam of tim
foil with mercury, which is spread on glass
plates to make looking glasses, is very
readily crystallized by actinic solar rays.
A mirror hung where the sun can shine on
it is usually spoiled; it takes a granula-
ted appearance familiar to housekeepers,
though they may not be acquainted with
the cause of the change. In such state
the article is nearly worthless; the con-
tinuity of the surface is destroyed, and it
will not reflect outlines with any approach
to precision.
MARX Your TooLs.-You can easily
mark your name upon steel bya process
called etching. Coat over the tools with a
thin layer Of wax OF hard tallow, by first
the steel and rubbing on the wax;
warm until it flows and let it cool. When
lard, mark your name through the wax
With a graver and apply some aquafortis
nitric acid; after a few moments wash off
he acid thoroughly with water, warm the
aetal enough to melt the wax, and wipe
off with a soft rag. The letters will be
ound etched into the STEEL
FAnAnsIE mo hex i1aaI
arache. & take piece Of salt pork, say
N inch OF more long, half inch square, cut
Lown one end to fit the ear, and insert it,
aking care not to slip in. l use it inmy
amily and always find it gives almost in
tant relief. Tie handkerchief to keep it
n place, if the child will allow it. 1 also
Use pork for sore throat, Group, and lung
olds. Cut slices full half an inch thick,
lip in warm water, sprinkle on little
,epper, and sew on flannel.
BUYING PATENTs.-The Patrons of
Iusbandry are now the owners of several
PATENTS, namely, harvester-the Werner
"a hay-rake, and a seed-drill. They also
control self-raker and mower, which sells
or $40. The hay-rake is sold for $25 and
he drill for $40. Other patents are being
Examined by the Executive Committee of
he National Grange, and will beIsecured
f found worthy, says the Farmers
Union"
PRESERVING HAMs.-In answer to the
ecent query of S., Dover, Tenn, we are
,iven the following: Put into the centre of
ach ham a piece of saltpetre about half
ne size of Il hickory NUT Let them lay in
tery strong brine four weeks. Then smoke
hem we'll, and pack them in a box Of fine
Try salt, having each ham surrounded by a
aver Of not less than two inches of salt.
cannot get them too salt, as you al
ways freshen the slices before using.
FENCE PosTs. posts will not
make them more durable to any eonsidera-
Die extent. The outside charcoal thus
formed will not decay, but there is no
strength in it, and it is only at the sur
face. Being porous, it allows the water
TO pass through it into the central, I'M
:harred wood, and cause it's decay. Soak
ing the lower ends Of dry posts in kettle
Of hot tar gas is far better.
MOTH PREvENTIvE.-MiX half pint
Of alcohol, the same quantity of spirits of
and two ounces of camphor.
Keen in stone bottle and shake before
using. The cloths or furs are to be wrapped
in linen, and rumpled up pieces of blotting
paper dipped in the liquid are to be placed
in the box with them, so that it smells
strongly. This requires renewing once a
year.
POLISHING TINs.-First rub your tins
with damp cloth, then take dry flour and
rub it on with your hands, and afterward
take an old newspaper and rub the -four
off, and the tins will shine as we'll as if
half an hour had been spent in rubbing
them with brick-ddst or powder, which
spoils the hands.