The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-04-17
SPRING FEVER.
Spring housekeeping and How 1t should
BE Done.


BE Done.
10 matter how regularly the routine
OF daily work has gone on, during the
winter months, the opening spring re-
-veals to the ambitious housewife the
absolute necessity of thorough over
hauling. Don't be too eager about it,
sisters. unless you are exceptionally
strong. A clean house. however. salts
factory of itself, will be dearly pur-
chased at the expense of health. Let
some strong-armed, humble worker
lend a hand in the trough of it, if the
services of q domesticated Bridget are
not available. Begin in good season,
undertaking one or two rooms only,
ut time, instead of having the whole
house in confusion at once. The cellar
is a good place in which to begin hos
Utilities. The ash-bin should be emptied,
the furnace cleaned and every bit of
useless rubbish disposed of. A faithful
search for overlooked and decayinG
vegetables is necessary. for they are a
prolific cause of disease. Hneedful, the
air of the cellar may be purified and
parasitical growth destroyed by burning
birthstone in an old pan, closing doors
and windows closely, meanwhile. for a
few hours. After the floor has been
sprinkled and swept coating of white
wash should be applied to the walls
and woodwork. Add to the wash
copperas, which is cheap
article, in the proportion of six
or eight pounds to half bushel of
,quick-lime This has fine cleansing
and disinfecting properties, and is a
sovereign prophylactic against the raw
ages of rats and mice. Once year is
none too often for this to be done,
The drain of the kitchen and sink must
never be neglected. Dissolve few
cents worth Of coppcras in a pailful of
hot water and pour II little of this liquid
into the drain-pipc daily, and it will be
freed from its noxious odors. The
grease from dish-water often clogs the
pipe. Ammonia, used instead of soap
for dish-washing. would soon clear
away the obstruction, as it works chem
ically upon grease and kills" it. A
solution of I've would have the same
effect. On examining the accumula-
tons of supertluous furniture or cast
off clothing in the attic, sort out, with
free hand, what may be spared for the
greater needs of others. Winter cloth
ing must be cared for before the insidi-
Gus moth-miller claims it for its home
and matches those destructive little
worms that live but to destroy. Hang
the garments on the line out doors and
beat them well with Il whisk, then en-
velop them il brown paper and mark
the name of garment and its owner with
ink on each package. Carpets infested
by buffalo bugs should be steamed with
Il damp cloth and hot flat-iron, which
will kill the eggs, and the adult miscre-
ant that shows himself will, no doubt,
meet the fate he deserves, on the spot.
The steaming operation should be re-
peated frequently. Bedsteads washed
occasionally with kerosene will never be
troubled with vcrmin. Dalmatian
powder sprinkled in the way of ants,
when their visits begin, will cause them
TO disappear. Powdered borax also is
said to be good. When room is to
have new paper, the old ought to be
ren,oved first A boiler of hot water
set in the room, and the doors closed
for awhile, will cause the paper to
loosen so that it may be taken off with
out difficulty The woodwork may
then be cleaned easily, while
the dirt is softcned by the steam
Weak lyc is Invaluable for clean
ing painted woodwork, and saleratus
water is good, but both must
be thoroughly rinsed off before the final
wiping. Whiting or finely powdered
quartz is serviceable for the most soiled
spots. Ammonia, used in the proper
ton of a tablespoonful Cor less. if very
strong) to a quart of hot water, is an
excellent cleanser. Afterwards use it
still more diluted for the plants. Pub
the nickel stove trimmings and the
plated handles and hinges of doors with
kerosene and whiting, and polish with
Il dry cloth. Ten cents worth of
.Oxalic acid dissolved in pint of hot
water will remove paint spots from
the windows. Pour a little into a cup
and apply to the spots with a swab, but
be sure not to allow the acid to touch
the hands. Brasses may be quickly
cleaned with it. Great care must be
exercised in labelling the bottle, and
putting it out Of the reach of children,
as it is deadly poison. Spots in var
nished furniture are removed by rub
bling them with the essence of pepper
mint or spirits of camphor, and after
ward using furniture polish or cold lin
seed Obituary Winchester, IN Good
housekeeping.