The Portland daily press., 1893-10-20
THE HOME.


ON The Care of the Pianoforte.
Beware of strangers who go about with
no Recommendation, and who represent
themselves special experts travelling IN
the inter ests of we'll known manufac
turers. Such adventures are not only
incompetent, but are very likely to do
your piano permanent injury. 1t will
suffer less from neglect than from mex
perienced or careless tuners.
Owners often let their pianos go month
after month simply from neglect to give
orders for tuning. This is mistake, as
your piano may become seriously in
iured. Have your piano regularly tuned,
and if a reliable make, it will last for
years.
1t is impossible to, specify any number
of times per year that the instrument
must be tuned. Generally speaking most
pianos require attention three or four
times annually. So much depends, how
ever. upon temperature, as well as the
make Of instruments, and kind of use and
condition, ETC., that where one piano
needs five or six tunings yearly another
might do equally we'll with but Two tun-
ings during the same time.
4 competent tuner will attend to the
regulating of the action and volclng,
which is quite as important as the tun-
ing.
the coolest part of the room, and the
temperature as even AS possible. Never
set It close to register, as too much
heat is liable to shrink and crack the
sounding board Dampness is one of the
greatest enemies to the piano, therefore
The instrument should be closed in damp
weather when not in use. In dry, pleas
ant weather leave the piano open, so the
dry air can get to the action and the key
board. This will keep out the dampness
from the action, keep the keys from stick
ing, the worries from turning yellow and
trouhles are liable to occur if the piano
is kept closed too much.
Never allow the sun to shine on the
piano. as it will surely blister and turn
The color of the varnish, which can new
er be remedied unless the piano is scrapcd
and re-varnished, and this necessitates a
heavy expense. Watch the piano care
f1 I that the moths do not get into it,
as they will also do the piano serious
injury.
Every first-class piano undergoes a
process of vanishing that requires from
six to ten weeks time, and receives half
a dozen heavy coats OF fine varnlsh,
which are in turn rubbed anu pollSneu
until the surface is as smooth as glass.
Every one has observed after purchasing
a piano, especially in damp. weather, that
it soon takes on dull smoky appearance
This is the effect of the dampness on the
surface of the varnish. 70 remove this,
use fne sponge and tepid water. A
chamois skin as dry as it can be wrung
out of water should be used to dry the
surface after using the sponge: This
will usually be sufficient. Should you
wish a higher polish oil the case with
piano oil, and remove the oil thoroughly
from the varnish with piece of cot
ton flannel, moistened little with al
cohol. Never allow the alcohol cloth to
be left any length of time on the varnish,
as the alcohol would burn il. -Chandler
w. Smith, in Boston Budget.
Griddle Cakes.
One Quart of sour milk. one quart OF
flour; mix them in the morning if the
cakes are to be baked for tea; beat and
let it stand in a warm place until evening.
Then dissolve the soda in one table
spoonful of cold water and add to the
batter together with teaspoonful of salt.
Fry as usual on griddle and butter and
sprinkle with sugar.