The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-06-02
Mseful aud Curious.
MOTHS RAvAGEs.
Hsw Purs, Rag, Hebes, and Wraps May BE
saved.

In the matter Of moths the traditional ounce
Of prevention is worth many pounds of cure; the
best way to prevent their rayages being to lay
away furs and woolens Just as the season for
wearing them is over. The worst month for
moths is said to be June, aud before that time
all articles likely to be molested by them should
be securely packed away.
Fortunately fnrs, which are the most difficult
thing to protect from the moth, are also the inst
which may be laid aside for the season. Before
this is done have them beaten thoroughly, !. G.,
whipped well with a small rattan, which is what
furriers for the same purpose. Then examine
the felt carefully, and where you find the hairs
matted tightly together part them and wet the
spot thoroughly, yet daintily, 50 rs not to touch
the adjacent hair, with spirits of ammonia.
After this fold the garment, with layers of news
papers between each fold, and gum eamphor
sprinklesl on the fur, and, finally, either sew the
bundle in an old sheet wrap il in newspapers,
FASTING the edges. If carefully and speedily,
your goods are beyond reach of the small des-
troyer.
THE BEST MOTHERHOOD CHESTS
are those made of cedar, to the odor of which
the insect has an uneonquerable aversion, and
the eamphor-wood chests which seamen bring
from the East Indies. The genuine cedar chest
is a massive and costly affair, made Of inch cedar
plank, with walnut holdings and iron clamps.
Fortunately for people of moderate means, Yam
kee ingenuity has contrived cedar packing
trunks, which answer all purposes of utility and
which are far less expensive. These are the or
binary packing-trunk lined with n thin veneer
ing of cedar, which, though less than the eighth
of an inch thick, fits closely in every crack and
corner, and renders the trunk at oncemoth- proof
and air-tight. No camphor is needed in such
chest: only be careful TO that no traces of
moths are in the garments before packing and
lay away smoothly with newspaper layers he
tween each strata of clothes additional
precaution.
another eficetuaily moth-proOf case. The paper
of which these are made is thoroughly impreg
mated with coal-tar, and whatever is put into
them is practically safe from the ineursion Of the
moth miller. Tar paper is sold by the sheet as
moth preventive, and any one may make for
herself moth-proof chest by lining an ordinary
paeking-box with this paper, putting layer
also under the lid.
COMMON NEWSPAPER
is also valuable moth preventive. The moth
miller is said IN dislike printers ink. For adj
ditiOnal security it is wiser to lay the parcel
away in n closed trunk, but where packing
chests run short it is generally safe to put them
on shelves in a mouse-proof closet, the danger
being that the mice may cut the paper, and the
mothrnillcr thus effect an entrance.
In the case of valuable furs about which there
is cause for uneasinesS, examine them three
weeks after storing. The eggs of the mothmil-
Ter hatch out in from fifteen 10 twenty days, and
the moth begins at once its destructive work.
Therefore, by this second inspection assurance
may be made doubly sure.
Carpets keep best on the floors with crash over
them and bits of camphOr under the edges. 1t
is where the carpet is folded under, where the
foot does not tread, and under heavy pieces of
furniture that the moth usually makes its nest,
and where il must he looked for. A hot flat-iron
and wet cloth is sufficient to destroy them in
an ingram or Brussels carpet, pressing the carpet
with the iron through the wet cloth.
If CARPETS ARE TAKEN Up
during the summer it is wiser not to beat them
before putting them away, provided, of course,
that there no moths in them. The dnst in
the carpet keeps the moths, TO some extent, from
cutting it. On the other hand, spots of grease,
and, still more those made by sugar or strip,
attract the moth-miler. To put away n dirty
garment is to offer premium to the moths, who
much prefer il to a clean one. The lint which
accumulates at the head of ilOunces and under
the folds of pleating forms admirable mothnests;
therefore, winter dresses should be carefully
busted before putting away. Garments which
are to be made over should be ripped apart
they keep fresher, are easier TO pack, may he
readily cleaned, and last, but not least, are
all ready for work in the fall. So, also, if all
garments are examined before packing, those
which arc worthless may be left out aud Others
mended, so that when needed in the fall they
will be ready to put on, saving great deal of
trouble.
THE MOST FERTILE SOURCE OF MOTHS
is the rubbish which insensibly accumulates in
every household Scraps of flannel, old bits of
carpet, old feather pillows stored away in the
garret-these are the breeding places of the pest.
II would in many eases he economy to burn
them all, but in all events the law Of sef-preser
walton requires that they should be looked to i'll
the early spring. A small eedar-lined trunk is
the best receptacle for WOODEN scraps which must
he kept for mending, but close packing trunk,
with camphor freely scattered among the con-
tents, will serve the same purpose. Bits of car
pet keep best if made into rugs and laid on the
fioor, where they may save the carpet which
they match, and where the colors fade to keep
pace with the original, so that, when needed for
mending, the pieced place is not glaringly ap-
parent. Old flannels are always useful in a FAM
lily, and your housemaid will probably all
you allow her. 4 few should he kept in ease of
sickness, and your surplus will be a welcome
gift to the hospitals, where clean old undergar-
ments, whether of wool or cotton, always
useful. If your closets are infested with moths,
empty them, whitewash the walls, and scrub all
the woodwork with yellow tnrpentine soap.