Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-05-16
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HOW TO KEEP A PIANO,

HOW TO KEEP A PIANO.
Otto Drumming, writing to the Journal d.
Musiqae, of Paris, says: The piano is con
structed almost exclusively of various kinds
of woods and metals cloth, skin and fell
being used also in the mechanical portion
For this reason atmospheric changes have q
great effect on the quality and durability oi
the instrument, and it is necessary to protect
it from all external influences which might
effect the materials of which it is composed
1t must be shaded from the sun, kept out OF
draught, and, above all guarded against
sudden changes of temperature This latter
is most frequent cause of the piano getting
out of tune, and the instrument should be
kept in temperature not lower than ID deg.
and not higher than 86 deg, Fahrenheit
When too cold the wood, cloth and skin swell
and the mechanism works badly; when too
warm theso materials shrink and produce
clicking, squeaking aud other disagreeable
sounds. Moisture is the greatest enemy OF
the piano, and cannot be too carefully guard.
ed against. In a very short time damp will
destroy every good point about the instrument
The tone becomes dull and fiat, the wires rus.
ty and easily broken, the joints of the mechan'
ism stiff, and the hammers do not strike with
precision, and if these symptoms are not at.
tended to at once the piano is irretrievably
spoiled. Therefore, do not put your piano in
damp ground.foor room, or between two
windows, or between the door and the window
where there is through draugbt. Never
leave the piano open when not in use, and
above all when the room is being cleaned.
Do not put it near the stove, chimney, or hot
air pipes. Always wipe the keys after play
ing. Never pile books, music, or other heavy
thing on the top. Be careful when using the
soft pedal not to thump the notes. Do not
allow 6ve.note or other exercises of a small
compass OH piano you have any regard for.
A. leather co7er should be kept on the instru-
ment when not in use, and removed every day
fer the purpose of dusting. A cushion of
wadding or strip of flannel laid on the keys
will help to keep them white and preserve the
polish. Never leave the piano open after a
musical evening or dance: If you are OBJ.
liged to have it in damp room, do not place
it against the WALL and raise it from the floor
by meaas of insulators, and always cover it
after playing. Employ the best tuner you
can get, and if new instrument, let it be
tuned every two months during the first year,
and at least three times year afterward.
| Always have it tuned after soiree if the
room has been very hot
DRIVING RATS AWAY WITHOUT POISON.
We know of three methods First, the
old French plan. This is followed, chiefly in
Paris, by men who make it special business.
they take deep tub, with water on the bot
tom and little elevation in the middle like
an island on which is only a place for just
one rat to sit on. This trap is covered, and
has large balance valve opening downward.
Oa the middle of the valve piece of fried
pork or cheese is placed, and when the rat
walks on it to get the cheese the valve goes
down, drops the rat into the water, and moves
back into position. A road is made from the
rat-hole to the top of the tub by means of
pieces of board rubbed with cheese, so as to
make the walk more attractive for the rats.
In the course of the night some ten, twenty,o or
even more rats may 60 down, and if the island
was not there they would be found NEST all
alive in the morning, quietly swimming
around but the provision of the little island
saves the trouble of killing them, because
their egotistic instinct of preservation causes
them to fight for the exclusive possession of
the island, on which in the morning the
strongest rat is fonnd in solitary possession,
all others being killed and drowned all around
him. Second. the New York plan, invented
by one of the Friends. The floor near the
rat hole is covered with thin layer of a
most caustic potassa When the rats walk on
this it makes their feet sore; these they lick
with their tongues, which makes their mouths
sore, and the result is that they shun the To-
cality, not alone, but appear to tell all the
rats in the neghborhood about it, and event
ually the house is entirely abandoned by
them, Notwithstanding the houses around are
full of rats. Third, the Dutch method.
This is said to be used successfully in Holland
We have, however, never triedit. A number
of rats left to themselves in very large trap
or cage, with no food whatever, their craving
hunger will cause them to fight, and the
weakest will be beaten by the strongest.
After short time the fight is renewed, and
the next weakest is the victim, and so it goes
On until one rat Is left. When this one has
eaten the remains of the others it is set loose.
The animal has now acquired such taste for
rat flesh that he is the terror Of all ratdom,
going about seeking what rat he may devour.
In an incredibly short time the premises are
abandoned by all other rats, which will not
come back before the canibal rat has left or
died.-Ezchange.
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