The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-04-07
USEFUL HINTS.

To PURIFY sink or drain: Dissolve
one-half pound Of copperas in two gal
Ions Of water. Pour half Of this liquid
one day and the other half next.
Coal oil will take out ink stains. even
after they have been washed with soap.
Pour on the oil, and rub the spot in the
hands II it does not remove II the fret
application, try more the second appli-
cation will remove it entirely.
TAKE wineglass Of cologne and an
other Of lemon juice, then scrape two
cakes Of brown Windsor soap to q pow
der. and mix we'll in . mold. When
hard this will be found both pleasant
and efficacious In rendering tho hands
smooth and white.
An experienced book man says that
books should never be allowed TO get
really cold, for when thaw comes and
the weather sets in warm, the air. laden
with damp, penetrates the inmost re-
cesses, and working it, way between the
volumes, and even between the leaves.
deposits upon their cold surface its
moisture. A steam-heated library is
said to be safest for books. Librarians
do not favor glass-doored bookcase as
preservative Of books, as the dampness
will penetrate in spite Of the glass. and
the absence Of ventilation will assist in
the formation Of mold. Ornamental
brass wire work is recommended instead
Of glass.
VERY pretty vases can be made from
long-necked bottles as follows Sat.
lrate candle-wicking or string with
kerosene, wrap it around the bottle
twice, and tie it, placing il where you
want the neck Of the bottle to be broken
off. Light the wick all around, and in
few minutes cracking noise will be
heard, which tells you the bottle is
severed in two, and will leave you On
article shaped like q tumbler. It is
preferable to have them as long as pos
sible, unless you desire more than one.
If 30, two tall ones and one about two.
thirds their size make q pretty set.
Cut out bands Of gold paper and
paste around near tho top and
bottom, also . circle for the center.
Or, should you desire, they can be
painted any color and ornamented
with gilt stars and embossed pictures.
after the manner Of decorating pottery.
USE water Of about the same
temperature as the room plants
are growing in. Even if anybody
tells you that you can grow them
better or bloom them quicker by
setting their pots in saucers filled
with hot water, do not practice any such
nonsense. In applying water, do not
pour it on in. the middle of the pot
Just at the base of the stem.
but near the side Of the pot in
stead, and as far from the stem rs you
can. The stream may be us large rs you
please, providing you pour out gently.
Always use soft water if you can. WASH
ing tho leaves, 50 as to remove dust,
dirt and insects, will promote health !;
therefore, do it often. Use q sponge,
clean water and little soap, and, us you
finish washing each plant, shower il
with clear water. In washing plants
lay them on their sides, SO as to keep the
dirt and insects from the pots and the
water from saturating the soil. If there
should be = crust of honey-dew or
black stuff" on the leaves or stems.
do not scrub it of, but rather keep those
leaves and stems thoroughly wetted for
three or five hours, then wipe off with
your sponge. In this way, stubborn
cases yield easily.