The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-07-23

weather cheeflnesS. Ii you live in the
country, or just upon the suburbs of a
big city, you will not have much trouble
to secure fresh looking grasses and bits
OF fourinhing greernery, the only outlay
being little time. strength and energy.
You can fit up a fireplace fernery at a
comparatively small cost by using a
little Judgment Select your ferns, and
let them be har dy ones. The tender
varieties are worthless. You must first
get a box long enough and wide enough
to fiji the fireplace. This rests upon the
hoor. 1t is also punctured with several
holes for drainage, and a shallow pan is
placed under th e box to receive water.
The front of the box may be decorated
IN any way pref erred. Sometimes it is
enameled in pre- ,tty shade of green, and
sometimes decor ated with brush and
paints. Fill the box nearly to the top
with rich soil, tllen plant your ferns.
Vines that thrive in the shadiest forest
hooks are the mes to select. Let them
be good runners. so that they may be
trained to climb over the mantel. wv is
especially pretty for this purpose. New
England Farmer.
OIL Stoves.
The frequent changing of the wicks
will prevent the slightest odor. One
feed the flame: and if the fame is put
out without the wicks being turned be-
low the surface of the wick holder, the
feeding goes on, and the flame not being
there to consume the oil, the oil burns
down on the base, and the next time thu
stove is lighted an exceedingly unple IS
ant odor is sent off from this evaporating
oil. If such thing should occur, wipe
the tank perfectly dry before lighting
the stove.
The oil tank should be covered with
perforated cap. This is of the utmost
Importance. If the cap be solid there
is no vent save through the spaces of the
wick threads. If these are close the pres
sure will increase and force out the oil
and vapor, and your flame will burn
irregularly. smoke and give frequently
little explosions.
Ii the pressure lis greater than the SOL
idity of thescap, a n explosion will occur.
Most accidents that occur with stoves
or lamps occur from filing them while
burning. This is most dangerous and
wicked proceeding. The vapor from the
open can is fired, and, of course, an ex-
plosion results. IN. E. Farmer.
Hints to Housekeepers
White silk lace may be cleaned by
spreading it out upon white paper that
has been.covered with calcined magnesia
placing another sheet upon it and laying
it away for three days between the pages
of large book.
Perspiration stains may be removed
from the arms of white woollen or silk
dresses by spongIng with warm water into
which ammonia has been poured and
then with clean water. Press the place
before it becomes quite dry.
Little red ants cannot travel over wool
or rag carpet Cover the shelf in a closet
or pantry with flannel, set whatever you
wish to keep from the ants on it, and
they will at once disappear. They may
be caught also in sponges into which
sugar has been sprinkled; then the
sponge sshould be dropped into hot
water. The best thing for cleaning tins
is common soda; dampen az cloth and
dip in soda, rub the tin briskly after
which wipe dry, and black and dirty
tin ware can be made to look like new.
To take rust out Of steel, rub the steel
with sweet oil; in day or two rub with
finely powdered unslaked lime until the
rust disappears, then oil again, roll in
wooden and put in 81 dry place, especially
if it be table cutlery.
For sunburn and to whiten and soften
the skin there IS nothing better than
slices of fresh raw cucumber. The Juice
is cooling and is an excellent cosmetic.
After it has been on the face while
wash it off with clear soft water.
Black cotton hose should be dried and
ironed on the wrong side to prevent fad
ing.
Black and white caIicoes are benefited
by having a handful of salt added to
the rinsing water.
Red tablecloths keep their color if
little borax is added to the rinse water
and they are dried in tie shade.