The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-04-29
Putting Away Winter Clothing.

In the first place, it should not be put
away too early, especially winter under
clothing. When the fires are put out,
and cold, damp evenings come, one
needs flannels indoors much more than
when the mercury is driven up towards
eighty by stove and furnace. Outer
garments can be much more safely
lightened if only wraps are kept handy
as indeed they should be all sum-
mer-for driving aud sudden changes
of weather. Before putting garments
away let them be mended and thor
oughly cleaned-sent to the cleaner if
need be. Dirt invites moths; and be-
sides. what satisfaction there is in
taking out clothing that is all ready to
put on! The moth is the bane of the
housekeeper, but, after all, it is not
difficult to escape its inroads. The
mother moth flies about in search of a
suitable place to deposit her eggs, and
she selects wooden fabrics or fur, and
likes it all the better if it is soiled.
The grub once out of the egg feeds on
what is nearest it, and so we find an
assortment of holes where we left solid
cloth. Now if garments are put away
clean and absolutely free from moths
eggs, and are protected from the flying
moths, they are safe without camphor
or any of the disagreeable odors that
are resorted to. A number of stout
calico bags sewed up with double seams,
and tied tightly at the top with tapes,
are most useful. Let all be distinctly
labeled, and not be so large but that
each can be devoted to one class of
garments. For instance, imagine the
convenience of row of bags hung up
in your storerOom, one labeled, chill
dren's wooden stockings; another,
wooden hoods, tippets, gloves and nit
tens, and so on. How easy to get them
the moment they are wanted, without
diving to the bottom of a miscel-
laneously-flled trunk. Coats, dresses,
etc., that must not be tumbled, may be
nicely folded, wrapped in newspaper.
and laid in large paper boxes, labeled
and put on the closet shelf. Long
bags, the full length of dress or cloak,
with hanging loops at top, save from
creasing as well as from dust and moths.
Blankets should be washed in the
spring rather than the fall, and put
away in bags, always leaving out
enough for the cod nights that occur
even in summer. They can be kept
safe and neat in pillow cases, always
within reach when needed. The win
dows of storeroom or closet should be
protected against moths and flies by a
fine netting. A good way to discover
the presence of moths, and also to de-
stroy them, is to place a lighted candle
in basin of water; the moths will be
attracted by the flame and will drop
into the water. The burning of cam
phor gum or sulphur will destroy in
sects. The basin of water is always
necessary as safeguard against fire.
In that place your little iron pot, half
filed with ashes, and the camphor or
sulphur. Saturate this we'll with alco-
hol and set it afire. Have the room
closed tightly while the smoking is
going on, and be sure that no one in
hales the fumes. Next in efficacy to
this is the Persian insect powder But
after all these precautions, one moth
may find its way into closet or chest,
and the close bag or wrapper is the only
safeguard. -NeiO York Examiner.