The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-11-27
HINTS TO ~HOUSEKEEPERS.

Dry paJnS CenQ 10 COm1Ort outside the
house and cleanliness within.
A w~ineglass of strong borax water in
a pint of raw starch will make collars and
cuffs stiff and glossy.
Grained woods should be washed in
cold tea, and then, after beng wiped dry,
rubbed with linseed oil.
When eggs are scarce cornstarch is a
good substitute; one tablespoon Of the
starch is equal to one egg.
Bent whalebones can be restored and
used again by simply soaking in water a
few hours, then drying them.
To beat the whites of eggs quickly put
in a small pinch of salt; do not have one
particle of the yolks with the whites, or
they will not froth nicely.
A faded carpet will get a somewhat
new lustre by putting a ~half-tumbler of
spirits of t%urpentine in a basin Of water
and keeping the broom wet with it while
sweeping.
Hold your breath and contract your alb
dominal muscles, is the remedy for sea-
| sickness suggested by an English ply
stefan, DR.. E. P. Thurstan, who speaks
from experience.
Kerosene will remove spots from furni-
ture; it is excellent to clean oil cloth or
zinc. If you spill it on you clothes hang
them in the air and the spot and smell will
both o disappear.
Tough beef is made tender by laying a
few minutes in vinegar water, or put a
spoonful of vinegar into the water in
which fowls or meats are boiling, and it
will make them tender.
To raise the pile of plush or velvet,
dampen on the wrong side with clean
cold water, her hold tight across the
face of a hot iron and rub up the crushed
spot with a clean, stiff brush.
To keep lamp chimneys from breaking
put a cloth in the bottom Of a large pan,
fill the latter with cold water. and place
the new chimney in it; cover the pan and
let it's contents boil one hour, then take
from fire and let the chimney remain in
the water until it is cold.
The best method for cleaning old brass
is to pour very strong ammonia over the
brass, and then thoroughly scrub it with
a regular s%crubbing brush. After five
minutes of labor the brass will become as
clear, bright and shining as new metal.
Then rinse it in clear water and wipe dry.
Keep your stove backing brush and
plate handy, and after dinner each day
brush off your stove, and you will find it
much nicer than washing it off; besides,
with an occasional brushing your stove
will always look nicely, and if your stove
is not kept looking clean, the whole
kitchen looks untidy.
Sprains are among the most severe &C
cidents to which we are liable. When a
joint is sprained swelling comes on grad
ually. In dislocation the swelling and
loss of motion of the joint happens i'm
mediately after the accident. A sprained
limb should be kept perfectly quiet. To
prevent Inflammation, use poultices of
NORWOOD, hops or tansy.
The following often acts satisfactorily
in removing old ink stains from polished
mahogany and cherry. Add a very few
drops of nitre to a teaspoonful of water,
dip a feather into this mixture and touch
the ink spots with it. When the stain
disappears rub the spot at once with a
rag wet with clear water, then dry the
polish. This is to prevent a white mark
coming in place of the stain.
Soup should always be clarified by the
following rule: Just before the soup
boils the scum that has risen to the top
during the process of heating should be
carefully removed. A little cold water
poured in will assist the particles that
compose the scum to rise. After the
soup has been boiled it should be strained;
this may be repeated, then if the soup is
not as clear as you would like to have it,
mix one egg and it's broken shell with a
teacupful of cold water, then to this add
a t%eacupful of hot sOun. then stir 1t all