The Portland daily press., 1878-06-10
AGRICULTURAL.


superstitious, for those who start on a jour-
ney, or commence any undertaking on this
ill-omened day. Possibly the origin of the
idea may have been in the brain of some
thrifty, systematic body. who disliked to see
work begun at so late period in the week,
with the prospect of Saturday night having it
still unfinished. Criminals consider the in.
suspicious day especially unfortunate, mas
much as it is usually recognized as hangman's
day. Aside from this ignominious associa-
ton, we see no reason why Friday should not
hold its own in the calendar when compared
with Monday and Its accompanying discom-
forts. Second only TO the woes of house
cleaning are those of washing-day. Where
the former is semi annual scourge, the lat
ter is sure to prove weekly afiiction, with
its sudsy atmosphere, and scrambly dinners;
its over-taxed nerves, and tired-out bodies; its
cloudy faces and snappy voices, made doubly
SO, if by chance, Dame Nature takes that oc-
casion for an especial exhibition in the way of
weather.
In the "good time coming" when co .oper-
alive laundries, and similar philanthropic in
situations, shall render feasible the removal of
the all-pervadlng suds, and its eXasperating
accompaniment to some remote location, we
may be spared the infection. Until such time
and may 1t come quickly-washing-d
must Enthusiastically remain domestic neces
sity; and SCOT, and dust, and treacherous
clothes-lines will still have their mission,
which is the disciplining of weak tempeIs, and
the cultivation of the divine gift of patience.
We follow in the beaten track which our
mothers trod before US. never SO much as
questioning the choice of other than Monday
for doing the family washing, and on the con-
trary feeling quite put out, and as though the
week was all turned topsy-turvy, if by chance
Mondays particular duties are interfered with.
We are creatures of habit, and it is natural to
do as we have been taught, but probably, if
there had been any day in all the week more
suitable for this especial labor, sensible house.
keepers would have discovered it long ago.
and custom would not have so fully estab-
lished Monday as washiDg-day.
Now and then we hear few feeble voices,
urging reasons for choosing Tuesday, Wednes-
day or Thursday; but their arguments,
though weighty in their swn estimation, fail
to convince the multitude, and chaotic Mon
day still holds sway.
There have been many inventions in the
way of washing machines, some OF them re-
quire more labor and strength, and doing the
work less satisfactorily than the old-fashioned
way, while others, really what they are rep
resented to be, are only locally known, or fail
to receive their just deserts, because of the
worthlessness Of similar contrivances.
The labor of washing is very much aug
mented by having to use thard water; in a
country where rain falls, and houses have
roofs, men should be ashamed of themselves,
who have not sufficient forethought and in
dustry to construct cisterns, with pump and
sink in the kitchen. Where hard water has
to be used, it is best to break it with wood
ashes. Scald the latter with little boiling
water, then fill up with cold water. and when
settled dip of and strain through cloth be-
fore using.
Many housekeepers have great prejudice a.
4f,<,,, IF 40 @1u
and very justly so, as its indiscrminate use
will turn the clothes yellow, and in time will
rot them. There are good washing COM
pounds, which if used carefully are less harm
full than severe rubbing, and will at the same
time save deal of hard work.
WASHING FLUID.
Pour four quarts of boiling water on one
pound of unslacked time, in ian iron kettle.
Dissolve two pounds of washing soda and
pound of borax in another gallon of water,
then mix with the lime and boil for five min
utes. Remove from the stove, and when set
tied, pour the clear part into jug and cork
tightly. Use pint OF this mixture to eight
gallons of water, and a teacupful of soft soap,
or hard soap melted. Soak the clothes in wa.
ter over night, in the morning drain them,
soap the soiled places and put them into the
boiler while the water is still cold, but before
doing %, mix in the soap and fluid. Let them
boil for ten or fifteen minutes-no longer.
Take them out into tub of clear water, and
examine, rubbing any spots which are not
quite clear. Rinse through two waters and
then blue. Much of the clearness and white
ness of the clothes depends on thorough
rinsing. For second boiling add a little more
water, fluid, and soap to that left in the boil
er, being careful to preserve the proportions,
as toe great strength woald injure the
clothes.
In putting clothes to soak, they should be
sorted, the finer things in one tub and the
coarser and more soiled in others. Ii posi-
Bile the water should be lukewarm, but it is
better to put no soap in it, as spots and stains
are liable to be set by soapy water. Fruit
stains should be removed from table linen be-
fore soaking, by pouring boiling water through
the spot until the last trace of it disappears.
When the clothes are all out, the tubs and
boiler should be well cleaned, dried and put
away; the blueing, starch and other etceteras,
be deposited in their places, and the floor
scrubbed with some nice hot suds. A little of
the washing fluid is excellent for cleaning
white wood, and stone, but must not be used
on paint.
WASHING BLANKETS.
Thissls formidable task to many house
vile, but with the use of the fluid it is rem
dered comparatively easy. Prepare the wa
ter the same as for boiling, and when it is as
hot as can be borne by the hands, put in the
blankets and let them remain an hour, then
squeeze and draw them through the hands
repeatedly so as to remove a portion of the
water, then hang them up to dry, first pull
ing and stretching them well into shape. Do
not rub soap on the blankets, and use no
dashboard or wringer in handling them, as it
will render them less feecy and soft. Ii very
much soiled, they may require rnsing wa
ter; be sure and have it OF the same tempera-
ture, and put in a little soap and fluid, but
much less than in the first water, and add
also few drops Of blueing.
WASHING FLANNELs.
There is diversity of opinions as to the
best method of washing flannels. Some per-
sons contending that boiling water shonld be
used; others advocating cold water, while still
others advise lukewarm. All agree that rub
bing on board, or tight wringing are injuri.
Gus, and it is equally true that flannels should
never be sprinkled, but ironed while still
damp with moderately heated iron, as too
much heat tends to render them harsh and
stiff. Ii garments are very much soiled it
may be necessary to use hot water, but it
should never be too hot for the hands. Fine
fannels, and those which are but slightly
soiled, will keep whittier, and remain soft and
feecy if washed in cold or tepid water, in
which is dissolved enough soap to make
good suds. However they are washed, be
sure that the rinsing water is of the same
temperature; put very little soap and few
drops Of blueing in it, or use enough of the
washing fluid to make it soft. If hard water
is used, it is absolutely necessary that some
thing of the kind should be put in, or the
fannels will be harsh and stiff. Rain water
and soft soap will answer without anything
urthef.-Prairie. Farmer.
What HI AmOuufs fo
Double the amount of land soWn and
planted this spring that there was three or
four years ago." ga greater breadth of
ground put to wheat this year, than in any
one season for the past item years." 'sMore
wheat sown this season than ever" ga
great revival of wheat sowing and corn plant.
ing has taken place this spring, in this county
and less potatoes have lhean nlanted ),