The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-06-01
Science for the Household

WASHING CoLORED CoTToNs.-Boil
two quarts of bran in water for half an
hour, let it COOL then strain it, and mix
the liquor with the water in which the
things are to be washed. They will only
require rinsing, as the bran will stiffen
them sufficiently. For colored muslins
rice water is very good, as it helps to pre-
serve the color; but, although it makes
white muslins clear, it sometimes gives
them yellow tinge. When used it
should previously be boiled in the pro-
portion of Que pound of rice to one gal
lon of water. No soap is required.
How TO WASH NET.-Net should be
washed in lather of fine soap and warm
water, then dipped in water very slightly
blued, and again dipped in either sugar
and water, weak starch or gum arabic
and water; it must be pinned out to dry
after being well clapped with the hand
This clapping is one of the greatest Sc
crets of clear starching; nothing clears
nets, muslins, ETC., better, for it removes
the sticky portion of the stiffening mat
ter without lessening it's crispness Net
should be ironed on the wrong side with
a very hot iron, which brings up the
stiffness; but ironing renders tarlatan
limp.
HARD SoAP.-Pour four gallons of
boiling water on to four pounds of wash
ing soda and three pounds of unslacked
lime; let it stand until clear, then drain
off; place it on the fire in an iron pot
put in six pounds of good clean fat; boil
two hours-stir most of the time; pour
one gallon of cold water on to the mix
ture of soda and lime that has been once
used; let it settle clear, and add this cold
solution to the boiling soap whenever it
Is IN danger OF boiling over: add only a
pint or SO at time; try the soap by cool
ing a little IN saucer; about thirty
minutes before removing from the fire
add four ounces of boraX; wet tub to
prevent sticking; turn in the soap, and
let 1t stand until solid cut into bars.
SUBSTITUTE FOR GREEN PEAs.-An
excellent substitute for green peas for
use in soup may be found in the young
tender tops, which may be had all
through the winter by sowing few pans
or boxes at short intervals. The peas
should be sown in light, loose soil, and as
soon as they show through be placed in
narrow pits or frames near the glass,
where they can get plenty of light to
impart the requisite color and flavor.
Choice garden peas are too dear and
scarce to use for the purpose, but the
! field kinds will do almost equally well,
and may be had at such price that any
one having the convenience of growing a
! few need not be debarred from ENJOYING
soup almost as delicious as any that can
| be made in the summer. The canning
process, SO successful in the case of
meats, appears failure with vegetables,
| especially green peas, the skins of which
are hardened thereby, and the fleshy
part done to pulp, while their whole
sOmeness as an article of food is ques-
| tionab1e, whereas there can be no doubt
as to the nutritive properties of the
young green tops, which are tender and
succulent, and very digestible The
sowing may be made thick, so that little
room need be occupied at any time; but,
as the terminating power of peas is at
low ebb, at this season, especially in the
case of old seed, very careful watering is
necessary, or they will be found to rot
off, Gardeners Chronicle.
| WASHING LACE-Washing valuable
! lace should be labor of love; time and
patience are important requisites to do it
we'll, and it comes especially within the
province of the gentlewOmen who pos
sess it. A long wooden board, say two
yards by one, will be necessary for deep
founces. For smaller pieces one yard
by half yard will do, but the larger
size is preferable, as several pieces can
be done on it at the same time. The
board must be covered with thick fan
mel, and slightly stuffed to form sort of
cushion. A good supply of fine long
lace pins, with small round heads, will
be required, as well as an ivory punch
or an ivory knitting-needle, with a
round point, Holsters claw or a dogs
tooth. Before washing, the yellow stains
sometimes observable in an old lace
should be removed by placing the dis
colored portion on hot iron covered
with linen moistened with a solution of
be stepped in luke-warm water. Tepid
water expels the starch or stiffening, hot
water shrinks the thread, whilst cold
water sets the dirt. Having we'll soaked
the lace, wash it in lather of purest
white soap and luke-warm water. This
must be done with great deiicacy of
touch, and rubbing must not be at
tempted; it must be merely dabbed or
patted, and pressed between the hands
gently to and fro liz the water When
the dirt is we'll out, rinse it several times
in luke-warm water, and if any stiffness
is required pass it through water just
sweetened with the finest white sugar
candy. In drying, the moisture must
be expelled by gentle pressure, hand
wringing must never be resorted to for
any of the finer kinds of laces.