The Portland daily press., 1880-12-31
Worth Knowing.

To Keep Grapes. Select nice, fresh cus-
ters, and cut the end of the stem smooth,
and dip 1t into melted sealing wax; then put
it into cotton batting; pack them away In
wooden boxes; keep them in a dry, cool
place. In this way they will keep fresh all
winter. Another way-Take full punches,
ripe and perfect seal the end that is cut
from the vine so that no air can get in, or
the juice of the stem run out, and let them
stand one day after sealing, so as to be sure
they are perfectly sealed, (if not, they will
shrive up); then pack in boxes of dry saw
dust and keep in a cool place. They will
keep nicely all winter without losing their
flavor. 10 packing do not crowdlthe bunch
es; sprinkle the sawdust over the bottom
OF the box, then lay the grapes carefully,
a bunch at time, all over the box, then
sawdust and grapes alternately, until the
box is full.
The Coffee Pot. When putting awav the
silver tea or coffee pot which is not used
every day, lay a little stick across the top
under the cover; this will allow fresh air to
get in and prevent mustiness: it will then
he ready for use at any time. after shaving
first been thoroughly rinsed with boiling
water. Nothing is better to clean silver
with than alcohol and ammonia; after rub
bing with, take little whitening or soft
cloth, and polish in this way; even frosted
silver. WHICH is SOsululculC 10 clean, may be
easily made clear and bright.
To Restore Faded Hangings. Beat the
dust out of them thoroughly and afterwards
brush them; then apply to them strong
lather of CASTLE soap, by means of hard
brush; wash the lather off with clear water
and afterwards wash them with alum water.
When dry the colors will be restored in their
original freshness. When the colors have
faded beyond recovery they may be touched
with pencil, dipped in water colors of
suitable shade, mixed with gum water.
Remoual of Spots. A French Journal
says that spots of coffee or chocolate, con-
water alone was present, but they may be re-
moved more easily. For this purpose they
are washed with yolk of egg dissolved in
lukewarm water. If they do not entirely dis
appear the same mixture is applied again,
with the addition of little alcohol.
Polish for Walnut Wood. Mix with two
parts of good alcoholic shellac varnish, one
part of boiled iinseed oil, shake well and ap-
ply with a pad formed Of MeH1lsn MHss1. cloth.
m;ytnre .,..-.sSsne - polish appears. This is
,,.ocabfy .sacsfbfy as good as the more complicated
polshes.
Economy. When ravelling out fringe
on mats or tides made of Java or honey
comb canvas, save the threads; they are
very good to darn stockings With. You
may also use them to feather stitch bands of
white cotton cloth for trimming. They are
serviceable on children's underwear, at the
top of Hamburg ruffles, and will last longer
than insertion.
To Preuent Rust. A composition may be
made for this purpose consisting of fat oil
and varnish, mixed with four-fifths of high.
ly rectifed spirits of turpentine. If the
metal be covered with the varnish put on
with sponge it will never become rusty.
1t is very useful for copper also, and will
likewise preserve philosophical instruments
and prevent their being tarnished from con-
tact with water.
Antidole for Poison. An instantaneous
remedy for one who has swallowed poison
is a heaping teaspoonful of common salt
and as much ground mustard, stirred rap
idly in teacupful of water, warm or cold,
and swallowed Immediately. After vomit-
ing swallow half teacup strong coffee.
Use Of Ice. The source of ice is often SO
questionable in its purity that it is doubt
less the safer way to cool ones water for
drinking without direct contact with the ice.
Any metal that is difficult to corrode, like
copper, is good to put the ice in, and if
made double on the outside with an air
space between the plates, it will not absorb
much heat from the outside air.-Boston
Cultivator.