The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-07-17
Hints to the Inexperienced.
Concluded. !

IOHctuIe0-
Cof : starch IS much used for all dark
s~alicoes. ~percales and muslins. Wet two
t~ablespoonfuls of the best starch IN enough
cold water to stir into a smooth paste.
When free from any Jumps, and perfectly
smooth, stir in a pint OF clear coffee, boling
hot. Stir over the fire till thoroughly
mixed, then let it boil slowly ten minutes.
Stir it occasionally with a sperm or wax can
die, stain and use not too not.
We do not like this as well as bran-water
and hav-tea, but it IS preferred by many.
Flour starch is much used by those who
Ike their c~alicoes or muslin dresses very stiff.
They may keep clean longer when thus
stiffened, but the rustic of a stify starched
dress is annoying, and certainly no one would
mistake such a dress for new.
Wet four tablespoonsfuls of flour in enough
sold water to mix it perfectly smooth and
fee of humps then put one quart OF boiling
water into a clean tin or porcelain kettle, and
STIR to this the paste of -four and water.
Stir steadily until it boils, and after that
eften enough to prevent Its burning. 1t
should boil about five minutes; then strain
through a towel kept for that purpose, or a
coarse and slazy linen bag. This is sufficient
for one dress.
Fine starch. Pour a quart Of boiling
waser on three tablespoontuls OF best fine
starch that has been made into a smooth,
thin paste by wetting In cold water. Stir
rapidly while pouring on the hot water. Put
il over the fire and continue to stir till 1T be-
gins to boil. Let it boil slowly fifteen min
utes, stirring it often enough to keep from
scorching. A little salt, butter, pure lard or
sperm candle is stirred in by some, but one
~teaspoonful of kerosene oil to every quart of
starch is better still, as it entirely prevents
the iron sticking, and makes the articles
clear and glossy. But care must be taken
not to have more than that proportion of oil
used, else it will injure the clothes. The
mistress should look after this, because
starched things iron so much more easily,
and polish so much better, that la addresses
who have used kerosene are inclined to feel
that they cannot have too much Of a good
thing.
Either kerosene, salt or sperm should be
used in -four starch. We think butter yell
lows white goods.
Tlret, if wet, becomes hard, knotty and
shiny, and to all appearance, spoiled, but can
be fully restored, looking as well as when
first taken from the store, if it is made quite
damp, wet thoroughly-only not enough to
drip-on the wrong side, and then with the
assistance of another held over a very hot
iron, but not allowed to touch the iron at all.
bIlc SlloUlu tIu tlC ~ HUI ldCC uDDcI-
most, while another holds the damped vel
vet close to the iron. Ia a few minutes the
pile rises, and the velvet become like
new. The heat of the iron sends the water
through the tissues of the velvet, forcing
the steam out at the upper side, thus sepa-
rating the small glossy fbres that, having
been dampened or wet on the surface, flatten
down and adhere together in hard punches.
If one should attempt to o the velvet
where it has been wet, it would only fatten
these fibres still more and make the surface
harder for this reason it is important that
the velvet should not touch the hot iron.
After the velvet assumes its proper ap-
pearance, it IS we'll TO spread it over a skirt
board, or table, and brush gently with a soft
brush. Be sure that it is thoroughly free
from dampness before putting it away IN its
proper place.
When velvet is crushed by packing or use,
hold the parts defaced over a basin Of hot
water-the lining, or wrong side, next to the
water-and the pile Will soon rise up and
look ike new.
Washing soda veakens the fabric of goods
washed III it, and a German chemist advises
the use of hyposulphite Of soda instead of
the common washing soda. He assures us
that 1t does not injure the strength of any
goods, but has some peculiar bleaching
properties py WHICH linen anu callcoeS are
greatly improved in appearance.
The 'ctckS of kerosene lamps should be
changed frequently, or if not too short,
washed In strong, hot soapsuds, with some
ammonia III the rinsing water. We think
the trouble with poor light from kerosene
lamps, probably arises from the wicks being
full of the sediment or refuse matter which
ONE from the oil, and that impedes the
free passage of the kerosene through the
wicks.
Wien acrdtjng has .fadeR, if the paper is
moistened with water and then brushed over
with a solution of sulph-hydric-ammonia, it
will be restored. This article can be OBJ
tanned of any druggist.
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