The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-11-18
AGRICULTURAL.
Table Linen. Glass and China.

There is no detail of Housekeeping which
SO clearly indicates the taste of the mistress
of the establishment as the table linen. If
economy is still to be consulted in supplying
1t, and II the painest patterns and most in
expensive fabrics are used, it can be chosen
with taste, and always be placed upon the
table spotless and untumbled. To have a
fresh table cloth and napkins as often as the
most fastidious person could desire would
entail, perhaps, an hours extra work in the
day; but often less time will be consumed in
putting the linen 10 order, and how infinitely
Is the satisfaction OF the meal increased when
it is immaculate.
When taste may be made the standard of
purchase, there need be no limit to the
beauty of the table napery, The most ex-
quisite designs and the most delicate finish
are lavished by the manufacturers of this
line of goods; but styles change occasionally.
For breakfast perfectly white linen is in good
taste, as, in fact, it is for all meals; but a
little dash of color is permissible, and serves
to tighten up the dniDg-room. Some time
ago colored cloths were extensively used
bnt of late they have been abandoned, on
account of their tendency to fade, and brown
or unbleached linen with woven border of
some fast color, or with an embroidered one,
done In crewels, have been substituted. They
have the merit of accommodating themselves
entirely to the purse and fancy of the pur-
CudStT duu IL buO CuUIClucIy Is uSSuslI eau
be made either simple or elaborate, and can
be done at home, if desired.
GLASSWARE.
If the cheaper sort OF glassware is used, it
is best to choose it of the plainest pattern,
because if it Is broken it can easily be re-
placed, and its very Observation-Disclosures re.
commends it. Cut glass is too fragile and ex-
pensive'for the care of ordinary servants and
the chances it may undergo dnring changes
of weather. In. frosty weather glass will
crack if suddenly exposed to hot water much
sooner than in summer. 1t should therefore,
never be washed in very hot water. In fact
I the best way to cleanse glasses is to use plen-
ty of clean cold water, washing them with
the hand, nst with cloth, and turning them
mouth dowHte dry. When they are dry they
can be polished with piece of clean channels
skin. Cut glass should first be washed and
drained, then polished with chamois and
with a soft brush dipped in finely powdered
whiting.
The finer kinds of glass are seasoned or an
nealed before they are placed on sale, and
consequently do not stand in so much danger
of breaking when they come in contact with
warm water but the cheaper sorts are often
sold without having undergone this operation
If this sort of glass is seasoned at home, 1t
will become quite durable. The articles to
be seasoned should be placed over slow fire
in large pan full of cold water. The water
should be brought slowly to boil, and then
the pan should be pushed to the coolest part
ofthe stove, and the water allowed to cool
gradually, the glass remaining in it until il is
quite cold.
China and crockery ware wears better
when it is submitted to the same process.
There is great deal of discrimination to be
displayed In choosing china. 1t should be of
simple pattern, without any twisted orna-
ments or grotesque figures upon it. 1t should
be plain white, or colored in soft and har-
monious tints. Glaring contrasts of color
should be avoided, as should also gliding, for
gilded china always wears unevenlv. Some
parts are sure to rub off while others remain
good. If you have gilded china, be careful
never to rub or scratch it. Wash it with the
hand in hot water containing little borax
or soda, rinse it in clean warm water, and
drain it until dry. If the gilt has become
tarnished with long usage, rub it very lightly
with clean, soft cloth or chamois, dipped in
fnely-powdered whiting, which has been
sifted through thin silk; but do not repeat
this process oftener than once or twice a
year. Keep the china in dry closet, for
dampness furnishes the gilt; and put piece
of soft paper between the dishes, to- prevent
scratching or rubbing.
These same remarks will apply to any
richly decorated china. We have already
said that the simplest forms and most modest
patterns are in the best taste. Some of the
most beautiful Oriental china is of deli
cate, even hues, without line of decoration
or tint of contrasting color; but this effect
is admissible only when the coloring is unex-
ceptionable. Personally we prefer graded
flower or sea-she!l tints, with light ard grace
full ornamentation. To give our readers an
adequate idea of the variety and beauty of
china would occupy an entire ARTICLE, instead
Of the space we can now devote to 1t, and we
must end this part of our subject by remarking
that for afternoon teas the rather grotesque
harlequin sets are much favored by some
fashionable persons, each article presenting
q different color or design.
China or crockery should never be allowed
to get very hot, either in washing or during
its use at table. for excessive heat cracks the
glaze upon its surface. When once this en-
amel is impaired both water and grease
penetrate the dish, either in washing or using
it and it becomes discolored and gradually
so porous that it breaks easily. Besides, the
grease which is absorbed gradually becomes
rancid, and is likely to destroy the favor of
any delicate food which may be served upon
it. A wooden bowl is the safest utensil to
use in washing glass and china, as there is
less danger of chipping or crackin than
when metal one is mploped.-Americon
CuLtiuat0r.
Poplar Trees as Lightning Conductors
An eminent scientific authority in Europe
states that fresh proof is afforded that the
upper part of trees, especially of poplars, is an
excellent conductor of electricity (which only
rends or skaters the wood when it finds a
passage in the trunk, in an account of the
effects of lightning on an aspen situated in
wood near the chateau of Grams, on the shore
of the lake of Geneva. The lightning
chooses by preference the poplar as conduc-
tor to reach the ground, and the case under
consideration is striking one, as the tree
was surrounded by other kinds, particularly
frs, taller than it. Two great branches, OF
eighteen and twenty inches diameter, which
surmounted it, were struck by the lightning
and led it to the ground without having re-
ceived the least apparent injury. while the
trunk below them was absolutely shattered.
Other recent observations prove the prefer
ence of lightning for trees situated near the
streams or reservoirs of water, so that the
best conductor for house is lofty tree a
poplar especially, situated between the house
and well, pond or neighboring stream.
Silver Ware.
As almost all housekeepers pride them
selves upon certain pet pieces of silver or
plated ware, and as the latter class of goods
is now manufactured at such low rates as to
be within the reach of all, except the poorest
persons, a few words concerning their care
may be acceptable to our readers. When
they are dull, and even slightly furnished,
they may be restored by washing for few
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