Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-08
TIL e HOU s EHOLD.
AN INEXPENSIVE MASTEL ORNAMENT

THE HOUS EHOLD.
AN INEXPENSIVE MANTEL ORNAMENT.
When you are strolling through the woods
and come across the usual numberlesS amount
of acorns strewn on the ground under the leaves.
select a few large nice ones, in good condition;
take them home and by following the given
directions YOU can make quite pretty mantel-
suitable length and attach the acorn to one end
then take a small receptacle, -either vase, tum-
bier or saucer, or some brightly decorated article
OF pottery OF small siZe,-and fill it with water;
then place the receptacle on the mantelpiece,
and, after suspending the acorn over the water
so that it will be within quarter or half inch of
the surface, let it remain in this position undis-
turbed for several weeks. In a short time it
will burst Open and tingy roots will seek the
water and spread themselves in the vessel.
slender stem will shoot upward and ere
Gmg aoretbe glossy leaves e %
and pleasing appearance. The water should
be changed at least once month, at the
same time taking care to supply water Of the
the temperature Of the water will be apt to
blight and kill the tender. tilmy roots. The
water can be prevented from souring by putting
few drops Of charcoal in the vessel; and if the
tiny leaves turn any ways yelOW1Sh drop
grain of nitrate of ammonia in the water and
they will very soon renew their former luXu-
lidHCc anu SlOSSy appearance. NJ
NEwTREATMENT OF CoNsUMPT1oN.-The Medical
Record describes new theory OF cure in the
case of consumption, which is to clear the lungs
by mechanical effort, chiefly by manipulating
the muscles Of the throat, so as to cause more
forcible breathing; second, to establish perfect
digestion: third, to promote a process Of healing
the tubercleS, so that they shall become chalky
or calCified masses; fourth, to compel the pa
tients to take abundant fresh air, sunlight, and
outdoor exercise. To secure perfect digestion,
special diet is ordered In each case, and the
food is changed as the power of asSimilatng 1t
improves. To promote the calcifying of the tu-
most vegetable and animal food, are supplied in
a soluble cOndition-the theory being that too
much heat In ordinary cooking destroys the
natural combination of these salts with albu-
gestiOn. Outdoor exercise is held to be so i'm
portant that the patients are expected to go out
in rain, snow, dampneSs and even the night air
or dew, the habit thus acquired neutralzfng the
danger OF taking cold from such exposure. Only
strong head winds and extreme hot weather
are to be guarded against; and the patients
sleep with the windows open summer and
winter.
credit for the Bridal Gifts " that have for
many years been accustomed to make, (Which
eau call. "H9usekeeper,s Outfits and being re.
them, to give her list of the articles comprising
them, thought it might be well to send you a
copy 1or your paper Sm which
i
country, might have the benefit Of it:
would remark that the articles made Of old
materidls, such as sheets, pillow.slips, table
young house-keepers, but my list comprises !:
One dozen new brown d1sh-towels; one dozen
new brown hand-towelS for the kitchen. For
dining-room use: One dozen good toweling, for
china: one dozen linen tumbler napkins; one
dozen cotton diaper, or towelng, for silver
these last two to be made square; one dozen
or more square, according to the size of the
sheet marked with indellible ink 'sW. C.'D; one
.wash-stands napkins for wiping the dishes on
the stand, made of old table cloths, 20 inches or
more square marked sW. ST These last two
articles to be slightly hemmed. One doz. busters,
made double, OF old paper cambria; one doZ. dish
cloth cloths or washers, made OF towels, worn very
and quilted from corner to corner; one dOZ
China and w1ndow-washers made in the same
way, Of old damask or linen towels, and table
napkins. One dozen iron holders and wtpers-
these last two made of old ironing sheets, and
one dOz. scrubbing cloths, made Of new or old
bagging, or any coarse brown stuff. These ar
dozen each; tie them up with red tape, which l
procure from the merchants string drawers;
label them with visiting cards, according to
among the other ''brtdal gifts;;' and Thave had
young housekeepers that had fitted out in this
way, after they had been keeping house for sew
eral years, tell me that their stock of conven-
found these things among their greatest house
hold comforts.-[A american Ag7'ic,atu,'tst.
CIDER AND IT'S UsEs.-The juice of apples is
very abundant this season, and the housewife
that are both healthy and palatable Jellies
made from cider are very nice, and it is little
trouble to make them. Take gallon of cider.
before fermentation has commenced and boil il
down in porcelain kettle to two QUARTS skim
it frequently and then strain it through jelly
bag. Add one quart OF graduated sugar, and
boil slowly for fifteen minutes and dip into jelly
glasses. 1t is pure fruit jelly that is remark
ably nice for eitherinvaidS or table use. Those
who do not like very sour jelly can add more
sugar.
CIDER WNE.-To three gallons Of new, un-
fermented cider add nine pounds OF sugar; dis
sweet key and let it stand four weeks; then
strain it through a cloth Strainer and put it
either into bottles or jugs, cork tightly and it
VIII keep for any length of time, as age i'm
proves it. Every housekeeper knows what a
luxury and convenience a pure unadulterated
wine is in family, either for cooking purposes
or medicinal uses. Maple sugar is as nice for
wines as any other
BOILED CIDER.-This is prepared by boiling
sweet cider down in the proportion OF four gal
Ions into one. Skim it well during boiling, and
at the last take especial care that it does not
scorch brass Kettle, well cleansed with salt
best thing to boil it in. For tart pies for sum-
mer use 1t Is excellent; and for m1nce pies 1t Is
superior 10 brandy OF any uStllleQ liquor, ana Id
fruit cake, it is preferable to brandy. 1t is a
very convenient article In family.
CIDER VINEGAR.-This is almost necessity in
Housekeeping, and is easily prepared. After
cider is fermented, draw it Off into a key, and
take strips OF straw paper, dipped either into
West India molasses or maple syrup, put them
into the key Of cider and set in warm place,
near stove or chimney where 1t will not freeze,
and in few weeks you will have sharp, pure
vinegar. II one needs it to use In a shorter time
they can fill Jug with cider, and turn into each
gallon Of cider a pint Of mOlaSSeS and cupful
Of lively yeast. Have the Jug full Of the liquid,
let it stand uncorked back of the cook stove
where it will keep warm. 1t will commence fer
menting In twenty-four hours, and Will not take
over week to make splendid sharp vinegar. II
must be drawn of into another Jug, leaving the
dregs, and kept In tight corked jug or bottles
where 1t Will not freeze. II one has good cider
there need be no trouble about vinegar, as 1t can
be made into sharp vinegar In a short time by
using little labor, and taking care of it. Straw
paper, saturated with molasses, acts upon cider
like mother. and in few weeks has every ap-
peaTance Of that article, only little firmer In
consistency, and rather thicker in texture
country Gentleman.
A MISSING JoURNALIsT-Chief Of Police Given
received a dispatch from Harrisburg yesterday
stating that James NJ. Miller, city editor Of the
Iele0a dph, of that city, has been missing since
october Is. On the latter day he left home for
the purpose OF attending meeting Of secret
beneficial society in this citV Subsequently, hts