Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-08-24
THE household.


We find a new use for kerosene nearly CIV.
cry day, aud cannot help thinking some ways
we have learned to turn il to account may be
new to others. It's vile odor is the only Oh.
lection, but as that evaporates 30 quickly and
is gone, It is not insupportable.
It's most common aud legitimate use-in
tho lamps of our country homes, where gas
Is unobtainablo--is known to all, and good
housokoopors need fow hints about It's proper
use in that direction. Lamps should be kept
shining clean, should have an especial place
for keeping, like tho match safe no that the
hand may be placed on one instantly in the
dark, in case of emergency. They should be
filed, each day, to within about an inch Of
the top, and no fuller. Economy is good
thing, but economy should never go 80 far ~
to suggest turning the wick Of a kerosene
lamp down low to save oil. The saving is so
trivial in comparison with tho vile and un.
healthy gases generated to say nothing of
the danger of 'xplosion that ii never should
be thought of. Extinguish it and relght it
when wanted.
About lighting fire with kerosene hest.
tate to speak. There have been so many ia.
tai accidents that it seems like tempting
Providence ever to use II in that way. Aud
yeti have never yet heard Of AN accident
il tho fire were entirely out, to the very last
spark, aud only the cold kndlings saturated
with tho kerosene. The oil can should thon
be replaced in its keeping place, tho cover
put ON the stove tho door of the stove open.
ed and lighted match applied in that way,
80 there is no direct draughi up the chimney.
II l am not perfectly sure the last spark Of
fire is out, take a few kindings to the iron
sink, there saturate them with the oil, aud
use them like ordinary shavings. Our best
friends in the elements around US are our
worst and most TO be dreaded enemies when
wrongly used, and too much care and too
much common sense cannot be exercised in
the use of anything so innammable rs this
oil.
find it TO be very fine furniture polish.
Especially is this the case when applied to
high-backed rocking chairs, where the hair
has combined with the varnish aud dust to
form disagreeable, gummy surface. The
kerosene will entirely remove it, II spot
of fresh paint has been dropped upon floor
or wood work or glass, by careless or mex
pericuced painters, kerosene oil, and soft
flannel cloth will readily undo the mischief
When our men come in from logging, or from
piling spruce or pine wood, with their hands
covered with pitch, we only tell them to hold
their grimy hands over the iron sink while
we pour kerosene over them. If we'll rubbed
in it will take it completely OF, as it will also
paint Of any kind, or varnsh. This last, 20
q woman who docs her own painting, white.
washing aud vanishing is very important,
and if tho oil Of our common can were some
scarce and high priced compound we should
be besot by peddlers selling it to US in four
ounce walls, as thing Indispensable to the
household for removing tar, pitch or paint
FROM my surface.
Does your little boy investigate the wagon
wheels, and come in with hands, face and
clothes smeared with wagon grease, Just give
him sponge. bath OF kerosene oil, followed
by one Of soap.suds, and the trouble is over.
l only wish 1 had known this sooner, for my
boys have always had very inquiring minds.
For years | have oiled my sewing machine
with sperm oil and kerosene, half and half
well shaken together in my oil can. My ma
chine never rusts or gets gummed, aud runs
very easy, though Singer" which is called
one of the hard running kind
When the iron sink gets a little greasy in
the corners, as it will sometimes do with the
best of care, pour little oil out of the can
and rub it quickly-you will be surprised TO
see how quickly it will cut the grease, which
will disappear, leaving tho iron beautifully
smooth and clean. The same is true of fiat
irons aud iron pots and kettles which have
become gummed by ill.use around their earp.
1t is 30 much easier to make use of sim pie
things like ammonia aud kerosene. always
cheap and handy, than to send away for
patent nostrums which may not be- after all
one half so good. Mrs Janet it " r. Far
mfT.