The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-09-27

The pticticed Ell cab tell ripe
melon when strHck with tie fingers, but
hb One cth describe that sound infinitely.
There may be rules for catching the sound
Of tuning fork, but the watermelon rules
are yet unwritten.-Iosca State RSeister.
For tomato preserves, choose small
greeh tomatoes; pierce each one with 3
large darhihg needle; allow four pounds
Of sugar and 4 pint Of vinegar to every
seven pounds of fruit. Heat all slowly
together, and boil until the syrup has
thoroughly penetrated the fruit, and it
looks clear. Season to taste with ground
spices. cloves, cinnamon, ginger and
mace; add q pinch of salt. When the
tomatoes are done skim them out; boil
down the syrup and pour 1t hot over the
fruit. Lemon juice can be substituted for
the vinegar If preferred, the Juice of four
tf 1--WE lemons would be sufficient for the
above quantity Of tomatoes.
% A Housekeeper,' writes to the New
York Ad5otate: Having long used borax
fer various domestic and hygienic pur-
poses, l have come to regard it necessi-
ty. H0usekeepers who do not use it have
something yet to learn concerning very
convenient and useful article. In laun-
dry it is economical, as it saves both labor
and soap, and is really cheaper than the
latter. For blankets and other large arti-
cles it is especially valuable, and in all
cases the use of a little borax will save
half the labor when articles are much
soiled, while it is not injurious to clothes.
1t is perfectly effectual in driving away
red ants, cockroaches, ETC., ETC., if spIin-
killed. around on pantry shelves, or put in
small quantities on paper, and placed on
the runways of the insects. Borax is also
Of great value for toilet uses. For re-
moving dandruff and cleansing the hair
it is unequaled. 1t is also good remedy
for rough face and chapped hands. It's
application to wounds, sores, bruises,
sprains, ETC., proves very salutary, and is
often tine only remedy required, even in
severe cases. Indeed, borax is one of the
best remedies for many ailments in our
whole hygiene, and for that reason alone
should be kept ready for use when
wanted.
Picking geese should be done in a
close room or every breath of air will
scatter the feathers and down. Having
taken up your bird, draw long stocking
over its head and down on the neck, to
prevent its wreaking its vengeance on you
by its merciless biting. The wings are
formidable weapons also, and must be
held, or their blows will leave many a
black and blue mark as evidence of their
power. Pick when the quill of the feath-
er is ripe, that is, clear; while the feathers
are developing the quill is filled with
bloody matter. which shows their unfit
ness for picking. When picking, take all
the small feathers, leaving all the large
ones, except four or five under each wing,
which must be plucked to keep the wings
from dropping. Take off the down only
in warm weather. The number of times
it is best to pick geese in a season depends
upon the climate. The rule we have
given above will enable any one to de-
termine when the feathers will do to
pluck. Keep the geese in a warm place
when they are out of water, if the weather
is cool after picking. The early goslings
might be picked when their feathers are
grown and ripe and yet grow out full in
time for fattening for the holiday mar.
ket. The yield Of feathers will be about
one-quarter of a pound from each goose
and these alone will very nearly pay fol
rearing them,-Chic1oo Inter-Ocenn