Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-02-27
Household Hints.

A VALUABLE HINT.-Here is some
thing worth knowing: That fruit which
has begun to work industriously unless
actually sour, can be transformed into
pickles. The housekeeper who con-
tributes this knowledge vouches for its
merit. Drain out all the liquor from the
fruit, and let it come to boil. Skim off
all the scum that rises, add half tea
cupful of vinegar for every two quarts
and half, or even three quarts
of the liquor, with sugar enough
to make a good rich syrup; add
spices to suit your taste; tie them us in
muslin cloth; when the liquor looks
clear add the fruit; let it heat gradually
and then actually boil for three or four
minutes; then can it. Another way to
use fruit that is just beginning to fer
ment, and which makes its condition
known by great many air bubbles on
the top of the can, is to make it into
pies; red raspberries especially have an
indescribaly good flavor.
To REMOVE A MUsTY ODoR.-Musti-
ness is produced by the presence of the
germs of mold or mildew in damp, con-
fined air. The so-called ground or earth
smell which comes from confined places
where there is no ventilation is caused
by the air which percolates through the
ground constantly and rises from it, and
being unable to escape remains charged
with the germs of various fungoid plants
which exist in the soil. These are
exceedingly dangerous to health, produc-
ing so-called malaria and various fevers,
diphtheria and other serious dis
orders. The best method of remov-
ing and preventing such odors
is to give good ventilation under
the building so as to have good
current of air blowing through at all
times; also, to burn sulphur matches
house when the odor is the most percep-
tible. A sulphur match is made as fol-
lows: A teaspoonful of flowers of
sulphur is scattered over sheet of
newspaper, which is then rolled up
loosely in long roll: this is set on fire
in an iron pot or pan and burns slowly,
giving off sulphurous acid, which is one
Of the most effective antidotes to these
fungoid germs of all kinds, and an eX-
cellent antiseptic.-N. Y. Times.
Uses OF AMMONIA. - Ammonia is
cheaper than soap, and cleans everything
it touches. A few drops in a kettle that
is hard to clean make grease and sticki-
ness fade away, and robs the work of all
its terrors. Let it stand ten minutes
before attempting to scrape off, and
every corner will be clean. 1t cleans the
sink and penetrates into the drain pipe.
Spots, fnger-marks on paint disappear
under its magical influence, and it is
equally effective on floor and oil cloth,
though it must be wiped with care on
the latter, or it will injure the
polish. There is nothing to equal
it in cleaning the silverware,
and it gives a higher polish
and keeps clean longer than anything
else. If the silver be only slightly tar
nished put two teaspoonfuls of ammonia
into quart of hot water, brush the tar
nished articles with it and dry with a
chamois If badly discolored, they may
need little whitening previous to the
washing. An old nail brush goes into
the cracks to polish and brighten. For
fine muslin or delicate lace it is invalu-
able, as it cleans without rubbing the
finest fabrics. Put few drops into youl
sponge bath in hot weather, and you will
be astonished at the result, as it imparts
GOODNESS to the skin. Use it to clean
hair brushes, and to wash any hair OIL
feathers to be used for beds or pillows.
When employed in anything that is not
especially soiled use the water afterward.
for the house plants that are taken down
from their usual position and immerse in
the tub of water. Ammonia is q fer.
tilizer, and helps to keep healthy the
plants it nourishes. In every way, in
fact, ammonia is the housekeeper's friend
-Anaie l.. Jack.