Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-05-16
HOMEMAKERS COLUMN,

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HERE AND THERE ABOUT THE HOUSE.
Prussian blue enters Into The compo'
sition Of 20 much Of The bluing used ID
the laundry that housskeepers cannot b
too careful TO secure pure indigo when
purchasipg. A simple test u 70 turn
Few drops Of the bluing into cup, add
water, then drop Into e . lump Of wssh-
ing-soda. II Prussian blue y present,
the mixture win take on reddish hue.
Many mysterious rust-spots on clothes
arc caused BY Prussian blue, the ele-
ments Of whIch-cyanide Of potassium
and iron-are separated BY the action Of
soap and produce rust.
White serge 10 best cleaned By using
decoction Of soapwort roots. This 10
places soap, which stinens and yellow1
wooden goods. The gown when washed
10 this way will Be white, and soft to the
touch.
II It y impossible to spread your UNI
brella when Il 10 wet, be sure 70 stand u
on the handle 90 the water will drain TO
the points instead of the center, whore
II the moisture collects, It will soon rot
the fabric.
A good remedy for freckles Il In de-
mand now, and Il Il well to have one
In the emergency book. Mix well To-
gether one ounce Of elder-nower olnt-
meut and twenty grains Of sulphato Of
zinc; rub this Into the skin ut night, and
wash In the morning with Q little soap
aud warm water, after which apply q
lotion made Of one-half pint Of rose
water, and thirty grains Of citric acid.
This ls said to be efficacious and harm
less.
A large rug Of linen crash to spread
under the sewing -machlne, when this
has to stand In the. livlng-room, will be
found great convenience. With little
care all the threads and scraps from rip
ping and cutting can be made 70 fall up
on il, and Il will be tho work OF only y
few moments to remove all evidences OF
disorder and litter from the room.
Scatter salt over SCOT when II falls up
on carpet. The SCOT will adhere to the
salt when brushed up lightly, and leave
the carpet perfectly clean.
Crackers which are not perfectly fresh
should be placed In an oven for q few
minutes before being served. This Will
restore their crispness, In which condi-
ton alone they are nc to eat. /.
Early flowers for the house can be had
by cutting branches from fruit-trees or
towering shrubs and putting them IN
vases Of water. Select those with plump
flower-buds, and place the vases In sun
NY windows. Under favorable cOndi-
lions the branches will soon burst Into
full bloom.
Half teaspoonful Of sugar will revive
a dying fire; and, unlike the kerosene
which housemaids are prone to use, Is
absolutely safe.
A small herb-bed Il q comfort and
convenience that most housekeepers In
small towns and villages could have II
only they realized Its Importance. II b
strange that we Americans are 90 greatly
behind the French In understanding the
use and value Of some OF the best and
most delicate herbs. TSrragon IL q
bushy plant. resembling thyme, but
with much larger leaves. Its flavor is
unlike anything else, and 1t gives to let
tuce salad that peculiar and delicious
SAVIOR which surprises one In France. IL
is perennial, and II the roots be pro-
tected will last for years. Cheryil 10
somewhat like parsley, but more delicate
In texture and more agreeable In flavor;
Just q sprig or two Of II greatly I'M
proves a salad. IL Is easily grown from
seed, which should be sown In May.
Chiyes are q species Of onion. The
delicate green tops only are used, and
should be cut frequently but not close
to the ground. They are delicious in all
kinds Of vegetable salads, and also very
nice for flsvorlng soups, stews, and ONE
lets. Chlyes are grown from small bulbs.
They need slight protection In winter;
but bed once started lasts several years.
For winter use, gather marjoram,
savOry, sage, thyme, chervil, tsrragon,
and parsley, before they 60 to seed; tie
In punches, and hang In shady place
to dry. 4 few roots Of cheryil and
parsley can also be taken up aud put In
boxes. II placed Ia q sunny window
they will afford few fresh leaves all
winter.
A peck OF fresh lime In an open box
placed In a damp cellar will soon absorb
all the moisture.
Make pudding-bags of heavy jean.
The bag should be well creased aud
dredged with -four before the pudding
Il put In, and space equal to at least
third Of that occupied by the pudding
should be left to allow 1t to rise.