Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-03-12
TIE HOUSEHOLD.


The spring Fever.
No matter how regularly the routine Of dai.
ly work has gone on during the winter months
the opening spring reveals to the ambitious
housewife the absolute necessity Of thorough
overhauling. Don't DO too eager about II,
sisters, unless you are exceptionally strong.
clean house, however satisfactory Of itself,
will be dearly purchased at the expense Of
health. Let some strong armed, humble
worker lend hand in the trough Of it," IL
the services of a domesticated Bridget are not
available Begin in good season, undertak-
ing one or two rooms only, at a time, instead
OF having the whole house in confusion at
once.
The cellar is good place in which TO begin
hostilities. The ash-bn should be emptied
the furnace cleared, and every bit OF useless
rubbish disposed of. faithful search for
overlooked and decaying vegetables is neces
sary, for they are prolific cause of disease
II needful, the air Of the cellar may be puri.
fed and parasitical growth destroyed by burn
ing birthstone in an old pan, closing doors
and windows closely, meanwhile, for a few
hours. After the floor has been sprinkled
and swept, a coating of whitewRsh should be
applied to the walls and woodwork. Add to
the wash copperas, which is a cheap article,
/ IN the proportion Of six or eight pounds to a
half bushel of quicklime. This has fine dis
injecting properties and is a sovereign pro.
! phyaotc 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 oil
copperas in pailful Of hot water, aud pour
a little Of this liquid into the drain pipe daily
and it will be freed from its noxious odors
| The grease from dish water often clogs the
pipe. Ammonia, used instead of soap fol-
dish-washing would soon clear away the OBJ
struction, ~ il works chemically upon great,
and "kills" it. A solution OF lye would hav,
the same effect.
Ga examining the accumulstious Of super
fluous furniture or cast of clothing in the at
tic, sort out with free hand what may be spared
for the greater needs of others. Winter cloth
ing must be cared for before the insidiou,
moth. miller claims it for its home, and batch
es those destructive little worms that live bu
to destroy. Hang the garments on the liu
out of doors, and beat them well with
wbisk then envelop them in brown pape
and mark the name Of the garment and il
owner with ink on each package
Carpets infested by buffalo bugs should b
steamed with damp cloth aud hot fiat iron
which will kill the eggs, and the adult mis-
cresnt that shows himself will, no doubt, NEE
the fate he deserves on the spot. The steam
ing operation should be repeated frequently
Bedsteads washed occasionally with kerosen
will never be troubled with vermin Dalms
tian powder sprinkled in the way OF ants
when their Wits begin, will cause them +
sappear. P&Tdered borex also is said to b
good.
When a room il to have new paper, the oil
ought to be removed first. boiler of no
water set in the room, aud the doors close
for a while, will cause the paper to loosen ;,
that it may be taken of without difficulty
The woodwork may then be cleaned easil
while the dirt Is softened by the steam. Wea
I've is invaluable for cleaning painted wood
work, and salerstus water is good but bot
must be thoroughly rinsed of before the fms
wiping Whiting or finely powdered quart
is serviceable for the most solled spots. Au
mona used in the proportion Of tablespoon
full Cor less II very strong to quart OF he
water il an excellent cleanser. AfteTward
use it, still more diluted, for the plants.
Rub the nickel stove-trimmngs aud ID
plated handles and hinges Of doors with kei
T osrne and whiting, and polish with dr.
- cloth. Ten cents worth Of oHalic acid dil
solved in a pint Of hot water will renoy
t paint spots FROM the windows. Pour a lit
into a cup aud apply to the spots with asEat
3 | but be sure not to alloR the acid to touch ID
hands. Brasses may be quickly cleaned wit
it. Great care must be exercised in labelin
the bottle and putting it out OF the reach
children, a. it is deadly poison. Spots
varniehed furniture are removed by rubin
4 them with essence of peppermint or spirits
4 camphor and afterward using furniture pc
- ish or cold linseed oil. - Mary winchester,
i Good housekeeping