Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-04-30
THE HOUSEHOLD.
DOMESTIC ECONOMY AND HOME DgcoRA-
TON AND FURNISHING.
The Parlor, Kitchen. Store-room, Studio,
Library, Nursery. Sewing room,
Garden and Poultry Yard.

Garden and Poultry Yard.
BREAD CAKE.-Can the Household De-
partment Of the REcoRD-UN1oN give me
a reliable receipt for what is known as
bread cake! S. s.
Ansarer.-A pint bowl two-thirds full of
bread dough; add to it one teaspoonful of
dry soda, two thirds of cupful of butter.
one cupful of sugar, three eggs one cupful
of chopped raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg and
cloves to TASTE no extra -four is required,
but it must be well mixed or there will be
streaks in it. Bake as soon as mixed III
patty pan or biscuit-tin. Gretchen.
EBoNIzING.-Will you please give me
directions in the Household Department
for ebonizng white woods? Can l do it,
or is it an art limited to the skilled only
MARY L. C.
AnSaoer. In its perfection it is limited
to experts. But you may do it in very
acceptable way if you have patience and
use great care. 'The Household" has fol-
lowed the annexed rules and has had sue
cess, and Others with like rules have done
even probably because more patient.
When the article you desire to ebonize is
made, examine it TO see if it has a per-
fectly smooth and even surface 1t is far
better if it is of hard wood, and the finer
the grain the greater your success and the
less your labor. If the surface is not
smooth and the grain close reduce it with
fine sand paper, and finally with rotten
stone and water. Now sheliac it and rub
that down to fill the grain completely.
Same use glue-water we prefer shellac
Next prepare this mixture, and in doing so
use close gloves, as also throughout in
handling, as it is bad and enduring
stain to the skin. Procure handful Of
steel filings at machine shop, or saw filers.
Put them into full Tor morel half pint of
best vinegar in a glass or glazed earthen
vessel. Let it stand at least twenty four
hours-two days will give better results
stirring once or twice meanwhile. While
this is standing procure OF the extract of
logwood half a pound, of green copperas
two ounces, Of China blue one ounce, of
nutgall half an ounce TIE blue may be
had alta pain5store, the other ingredients at
a chemists. Put the whole into full
quart of vinegar in an iron vessel, and boil
gently until the articles are all dissolved.
This will take some hours. 1t is not de-
sirable that it boil so as to loose much by
evaporation, When cool pour into
the pot all the vinegar in your
jar with the steel filings, tax
ing care to prevent the filings
from running into the pot, and using bit
of muslin as strainer. Add to the filings
a little more vinegar, barely enough to
cover them half inch, stir, and when
settled pour in that liquor also Now Sc
cure your decoction in vessel for use, but
do not stopper it too tightly. You will
find that you have made a liquid that will
answer. by adding little sugar, for ink
but as you use it for different purpose
the sugar is omitted. With brush anoint
your wood and set aside to dry. In an
hour give it another coat and dry again.
If The wood absorbs it fully it will take
other coats. When dry you will find the
wood stained q rich blue black, and
now all that remains is to polish
In this you must be guided largely By
taste. good Judgment and the character OF
your wood. Ii the grain has Sc risin" you
must dress down with the finest sand papsr.
After which wipe gently with sponge and |
water, and see if any of the stain has been |
rubbed out Ii so, repair and dry. Then |
make pad of wooden, and with rotten |
stone and sweet oil gently rub down again |
until the surface is all one and the gram |
of the wood hidden as nearly as may be. |
Wipe off and set aside day for the oil to |
dry out. Then make new pad. Get some |
shellac, reduced very much, made very |
thin. Put little shellac in one dish and |
q little oil in another, to which is added |
small dash of vinegar. Dip the pad alter
nately in either dish and polish. Rub per-
but not too hard. You must
avoid getting a yarnish glaze Oh the work,
as when done 1t must appear a rich, deep /
blue-b black, with faint polish. As you
apply the polish it viii appear as if the
glaze will be glaring. but if put on
right it should fade in one day in
d dry warm room to the desired tint. The
staining and polishing may all be done in
two days, and Gu the third the work ought
to show up completed, and the stain cease
to crack or mark when touched. One word
more AS you polish do not touch with
the hand any finished part if you do so, it
will leave spot and have to be done over
Throughout glove your hands Or you VIII
regret it.
SPINACH. - French physician has
called spinach .. the broom of the stom.
ach, for it cleanses and purilies this father
OF a mutinous family when badly treated.
This vegetable has delicate flavor and
needs careful washing it is then boiled
in a small quantity of salt water for fifteen
minutes. When drained and pressed from
all moisture it is placed in dish and
served with melted butter or egg sauce
there may be dash of tarragon vinegar
added. The spinach is garnished with
rings of hard. boiled eggs. After dandelion
is carefully washed, pour boiling water
over it and let it be STEPPED until the
strong, bitter taste has disappeared then
after straining boil the greens fifteen min
utes with some salt; drain off all the wa
ter and serve with vinegar or lemon juice
and water