Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-03-19

winter months, the opening reveals n
the ambitious housewife the absolute ne
cessity Of thorough overhsuling. Don't
be too eager aboutit, sisters, unless you
are exceptionally strong. A clean house,
however satisfactory of itself, will be
dearly purchased at the expense c!
health. Let some strong-armed, humble
worker lend hand in the trough of it, "
if the services of domesticated Bridget
are not available. Begin in good season,
undertaking one OF two rooms only at q
time, instead of having the whole house
in confusion at once.
The cellar is good place to begin hos
tilities. The ash-bin should be emptied,
the furnace cleared, and every bit of use
less rubbish disposed of. A faithful
search for overlooked and decaying vege.
tables is necessary, for they are prolific
cause of disease. If needful, the air OF
the cellar may be purified and parasitical
growth destroyed by burning birthstone
in an old pan, closing the doors and win
dows closely, meanwhile, for few hours.
After the floor has been sprinkled and
swept a coat of whitewash should be APP.
piled to the walls and woodwork. Add
to the wash copperas, which is a cheap
article, in the proportion of six or eight
pounds to half bushel of quicklime.
This has fine cleansing and disinfecting
properties, and is a sovereign prophylac-
tic against the ravages of rats and mice.
Once year is none too often for this to
be done.
The drain of the kitchen sink must
never be neglected. Dissolve few cents
worth of copperas in a pailful of hot
water, and pour 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 chemically upon
grease and "kills" it. A solution of lye
would have the same effect.
On examining the accumulations of
superfuous furniture or cast-off clothing
in the attic, sort out, with free hand,
what may be spared for the greater needs
of others. Winter clothing must be cared
for before the insidious moth miller claims
it for his home, and matches those de-
structive little worms that live but to
destroy. Hang the garments on the line
out doors, and beat them we'll with a
whisk, then envelop them in 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 a damp cloth and hot
fiat iron, which will kill the eggs, and
the adult miscreant that shows himself
will, no doubt, meet the fate he deserves
on the spot. The steaming operation
should be repeated frequently. Bedsteads
washed occas onally with kerosene will
never be troubled with vermin. Dalma-
tan powder sprinkled in the way OF
ants, when their visits begin, will cause
them to disappear.
When room is to have new paper, the
old ought to be removed first. A boiler
of hot water set in the room, and the
doors closed for while, will cause the
paper to loosen so that it may be taken
off without difficulty. The woodwork
may then be cleaned easily while the dirt
is softened by the steam. Weak I've is
invaluable for cleaning painted wood
| WOIh, anu SttltIdIuS WdtCl Is SOOOt, Du'
both must be thoroughly rinsed off be-
fore the final wiping. Whiting or'fnely
powdered quartz is serviceable for the
most soiled spots. Ammonia, used il
the proportion of tablespoonful (or less
if very strong) to quart of hot water, il
an excellent cleanser Afterward use il
still more diluted for the plants.
Rub the nickel stove trimmings anC
the plated handles and hinges of doors
with kerosene and whiting, and poisf
with dry cloth. Ten cents worth o.
oxalic acid dissolved in a pint of hot
water will remove paint spots from the
windows Pour little into a cup anG
apply to the spots with swab, but bt
sure not to allow the acid to touch thu
hands. Brasses may be quickly cleaned
with it. Great care must be exercised il
labelling the bottle, and putting it out o
the reach of children, as it is a deadl,
poison. Spots in vanished furniture arr
removed by rubbing them with essenc,
of peppermint or spirits of camphor, ant
afterward using furniture polish or colo
linseed oil. Good housekeeping.