The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-12-31
Hints About Stockings.

hlutS AUOuJ OlOChihSSs
The stocking is entitled to more thar
a passing notice, since its relation tt
the foot and the shoe is so intimate
and so much of the comfort of tho
former and the satisfaction of the lat
ter depend upon it. The fit of the
stocking must be perfect if that of the
shoe is to be tolerable; while nothing
is more discomforting to the person of
sensitive nerves than feeling of
wrinkled slouchiness about the toes.
under the heel, or in the hollow of the
foot. A great deal depends upon
properly changing the stockings, both
as to their comfort and the wear which
may be expected from them. No stock
ing should be worn for more than a day
or two without washing, even on the
best of feet; while in all other cases a
daily change should be insisted upon.
They are then easily cleansed, the
proverbal "stitch in time " can be
taken when it will save the greatest
number of mines, and at least twice the
wear may be looked for which will be
possible if they are worn till the fibres
dampened by absorption, are ground
ruthlessly into irrecoverable lint. There
is luxury, positive and grateful, in
clothing the feet each morning with
shoes and stockings that are clean, dry
and perfectly fitted, and the faithful
members respond with an exhilarating
vigor which is too pleasing to be re-
manded to special and rare occasions.
AS to the quality and material of the
stockings to be worn, so much must
necessarily depend upon the current
fashion, the physical temperament of
the person and the occupation, that
common sense and appreciation of the
needs of each individual must be the
only adequate criterion. The foot
should be kept warm and comfortable
this is in all cases the first requisite.
Stockings which do not meet this de-
mand are to be discarded, and those
selected which have the proper quail
tiles. If worsted or wooden
stocking is more comfortable and sat
isfactory, let it be worn; but to many
people firm, well-made cotton article is
by far the most satisfactory. This is es-
pecially the case with people employed
indoors, whose feet would be very I'M
comfortable if clad in wool. Perspira-
ton, even in a moderate degree, will
dampen the stockings to a point where
exposure to the outer and cooler air
will insure chill, resulting in colds,
with all their attendant evils. Let it
again be repeated that a cotton stock
ing can be thick, firm and warm, as
well as the reverse; while worsted and
wooden, if care be taken in the selec-
ton, may be light, soft and cool, pro-
vided the right material is used. In
color, nearly everything is worn, ex-
cept white; the latter, indeed, is worn,
though it is held by most people to be
out of taste Gas well as out of fashion,.
1t is, in fact, a maxim among shoe deal
ers that woman wearing a white
stocking will want cheap shoe, while
black stockings and the best grade of
shoes are naturally associated. Black
is indeed the fashionable color at this
time, to an unusual degree, but it is re-
garded with distrust by some purchas-
ers on account of the liability, real or
supposed, of fading. 1t is claimed by
those who should know that the original
washing may be so done as to prevent
much fading. The formula is thus
given: Both cotton and wooden
should always he washed before they
are worn. Lay them all night to soak
in cold water. Wash them next day
by themselves in two waters, warm, but
not hot, the soap being previously
rubbed into the water 50 as to form a
lather before the stockings are put in,
and mixing with the first water table
spoonful of gall. Then rinse them,
first in lukewarm water, until the dye
ceases to come out and the last water
is colorless. Stretch them, and hang
them out Immediately in the air to dry
as fast as possible. Good HouSekeep-
ing.