The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-26
THE HOME.
THE o1LcLoTH.


clean and bright, never use mop when
washing it. as this is sure to leave it grimy
and streaky. Have pail of clean, luke
warm water or milk and water, and use two
clean flannel cloths, one for wash cloth
and one to wipe with. Go over the whole
surface of the oilclotb, washing a small
space at time, and drying it thoroughly.
When dried well, warm some linseed oil, and
with soft cloth rub it over the oilcloth,
using very little oil and rubbing it in well.
This will improve the appearance of the
carpet wonderfully. If linseed oil is not
convenient, kerosene may be used, but the
linseed is much better for this purpose.
Equal quantities of beeswax and linseed oil
melted together is used by many as a good
dressing for ollcloth, applying it the same
as the plain oil. a little at time.
Sometimes painted carpet that has been
neglected will have grimy look, owing to
bad washings not removing the dust that is
sure to settle in the corrugated surface, and
in such case 1t Is next to impossible to i'm
prove its appearance without the use of a
brush. A soft brush and some pure white
soap will do all that can be done to remove
the CRIME. As a general thing a brush or
soap is not to be commended for cleaning
oilcloth, but If used only once month they
will do no harm, but keep the oilcloth clear
of CRIME. Never use ammonia in the water
for washing oilcloth, as it will surely re.
move the gloss.
Although many housewives use broom
for sweeping painted carpet, it is poor
plan, as long-handled bristle brushs is the
only thing for this purpose. The corn broom
is too stiff. as 1t is SURF in a short time to
scratch off the paint. neither does it do the
work well, for it cannot get into the creyices
to remove the dust. After sweeping, the
oilcloth may be made to look much brighter
II busted with clean cloth. Put q soft, dry
cloth into long-handled mop and go over
the whole surface of the oilcloth, shaking the
mop cloth frequently to remove any dust that
adheres to it while using. This will improve
the appearance of the carpet very much.
Once year the carpet should be vanished
and it will last much longer and wear better.
Use some good white varnish, and with fat
brush 60 over the surface of the carpet, using
only little varnjsh at one time, as it dries
very quickly and is hard to work when much
is used. Work the yarnish in smoothly and
quickly, and when all Is done let the carpet
remain for a day at least. to dry thoroughly
before walking on it. This will make much
worn carpet present very respectable APP
pearance.-[American Cultivator.
COLOR IN FURNISHING.
In furnishing, the matter of coloring is
point that should be carefully studied. A
confusion of colors will spoil any room, and
this holds good even to the smallest appoint
ment and decoration. A chair covering or
even a cushion can prove almost as complete
Disagreement as a carpet which does not ac-
cord with the paper, curtains or wood work.
Colors possess character, and that of the
most divers sorts. Some hues. suggest
warmth and cheer, while others breathe of
GOODNESS and repose. Blue, gray, drab and
fawn are the proper colors for sunny cham
bers, while red, pink and buff belong to north
rooms or any into which the light comes in
stinted way. Even gloomy places can be
made cheerful by employing right colors, es-
pecially when there can be added an open
FIRE with bright brass fender.
There is one rule In furnishing which
people OF moderate means ought always to
obey, yet they are usually the least inclined
to carry 1t into practice. This rule is, not to
be hampered by the fashion Of the moment
or afraid of making ones rooms look unlike
those of ones friends
The fact that several ladies in ones mar
row visiting circle possesses certain style
of carpets. chairs, tables, ETC., ought to prove
q good reason for buying articles entirely
different In shape or color. Furniture not
house So like that Of the right and ieft hand
neignpor that a new acquaintance can
scarcely tell which of the three domiciles he
has entered.IPeterson's Magazine.
BAD AIR PRODUCES BAD HEALTH.
If you find frosted window panes, damp
pillows and walls, land feel languid, with
probably slight headache, when you wake
on cold morning, you can feel pretty sure
that the ventilation is imperfect. AT this
time of year the air is frequently shut out to
keep out the cold, and many suffer from the
i'll effects of an insufficient supply of oxygen,
and the breathing of air charged with car
bonic acid and other deleteriouS substances
thrown off by exhalation. The evidences of
bad ventilation may not be decidedly marked
goes on. A family can be comfortable with
less heat and more fresh air than is general
ly supposed. ana in rooms heated by furnace
or stoves, and lighted by gas, too much care
regarding ventilation cannot be exercised
I American Cultiyator.
FASHION NOTES.
Broad-brimmed hats or low toques will
probably be rivals, and bonnets will differ
from those of previous seasons only in size
as they will be a trifle smaller.
A favorite flower is the rose, and its buds
blossoms. leaves and thorns are all chosen
for decoration.
Black lace will be made up into both hats
and bonnets. thus giving the favorite black
hat without weight. On these, roses are es-
pecially appropriate.
MANY OF the hats are shaped so as to show
the hair little when worn. TINS is more
becoming than brim shadlng the
face.
Colored borders to your handkerchiefs are
passe; so is the fashion OF tucking
them In the front of the corsage. The cor
rect thing now is a fine white kerchief. with
border Of embroidery, or else narrow edge OF
fine Valenciennes lace, and carried as lncon-
spicuously as possible.
Young girls are 10 wear cloth jackets with
out trimming or Connemara cloaks, this
spring. The cloaks are in large plaids, like
those worn forty years ago, but the material
is thinner. Little girls wear long tight coats