The Portland daily press., 1894-01-22
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Cleaning Old Material,

in this water, and then rinse slightly,
hang up to dry without wringing, and
when the cloth ceases to drip iron it
on the wrong side with as cool an iroz as
will take out the wrinkles by patient
pressing. Remember that silk and
wool are animal fbres, and scorch easily.
For sponging the same materials use the
soap park tea, or dissolve one tablespoon
ful each of boraX and indigo in d pint
OF water: the borax cleanses the cloth,
While tho indigo brightens the color.
Some colored woollens and cottons are
successfully washed III bran water.
Put some wheat bran in cloth bag,
and boil III in water for an hour, strain
it and use instead of soap and water.
An old fashioned aud at the same time
a good way to clean black silk that has
become glossy from wear is to sponge 1T
with water to which little ann on d
has been added. This process cleanse, 1t.
Then sponge it with cold coffee aud the
glossy spots will disappear and the
whole surface look bright and clear.
But the silk ought not to be ironed after
this treatment. Stretch it out-smooth,
ly and pin it to the carpet or something
that will hold it firmly. Black or blue
cashmere, henrietta and serge can be
washed in soap and water, rinsed we'll,
and then put into water that is made
almost black with blueing. The black
goods may lie in this water for hours,
but the blue might become spotted.
Half dry the cloth in the shade and then
iron on the wrong side.
Sometimes old material cuts up well
into trimmings; for instance, the old
black silk will refurbish the cashmere.
Do not make the mistake of over-trim
ming, just because you happen to have
enough pieces to use up in that way.
For double-shirred ruff1e to be used
on the edge of the skirt, cut the cloth
into bias strips five inches wide, and al
low twice the length round the skirt;
seam the pieces together and press the
seams open. Turn both edges under to
the centre, where they should lap a lit
tie. With strong silk run through this
centre lap, also at a little space each side
OF the centre run two other threads.
Draw up the fullness till one quarter of
the ruffie measures one-quarter of the
skirt. Basic the ruffie on and stitch it
through the shirrings to the skirt CD the
machine. Do not try to make this ruffie
with but one shirring.
The zouaves or Elton Jackets, various
patterns of blouses and the large sleeves
that may be made of two materials are
great aids to using up old materials,
and also OF concealing the half-developed
figures of growing girls. Frills and bal
loon sleeves give the tall, awkward girl
a suitable width, and in the same way
little jackets are kind to the over-stout
and clumsilyb built girls, who may have
superior figures later, but as yet are the
despair of the mother, who wishes her
plump little daughter to have some
style. But the coveted "style" can be
found in some of the present fashions
if she selects the correct patterns and
keeps to.that simplicity that belongs TO
the correct dressing of children and
youth. Cottage Hearth.
The Uses of Ammonia.
This is one of the most valuable of
household assistants, and, judiciously
used, is great labor saver. An excel
lent washing fluid is made by melting
one bar of good soap, a cup of borax and
a handful of saltpetre in hot water.
When this is cold, put six ounces of con-
centrated ammonia into the water, bot
tie Immediately and set away for future
use. A teacupful of this preparation put
into the water in which the clothes are
soaked, and another added to the boil
ing suds Will greatly facilitate the
operation of washing. A cupful of this
liquid in couple of gallons of water
will, with very little abor, cleanse laces
and all fine wear that needs 10 be
cleansed without much rubbing.
1t is excellent for washing silk under
wear and hose, chamois skins that are
used for cleaning windows or other pur-
poses; also chamois vests may be reno
waited in the same way. To clean paint
aud remove spots from carpets this COM
pound is invaluable. A few spoonfuls in
the dish water prevent the sickness
and grease that are the bane of the dish
washers existence. A small qantity
thrown into water in which glass is
washed geatly assists in Frightening and
polishing the glassware.
AS remover of bad odors ammonia is
especially efficacious, and should be in
the kitchen cupboard Of every family.
It is we'll to keep this chemical, or it's
compounds, on high shelf, far removed
from the reach of little fingers. as even
a fewdrops OF strong ammonia taken into
the mouth will cause serious, if not fatal
consequences. ledger.
Mind and Body
The present year offers superior oppor-
tunities to those who are in position to
embrace them; but at time when every
faculty is kept on the alert, when SO
much is crowded into short period
that the years come to be counted rather
by moments than by day, it is of prime
importance that the resources of the
human economy should be kept at the
highest point of development. Nor can
we, if we would not eventually fall
short of our desired achievements,
afford to discriminate in favor of either
mind or BODY. The development of each
is equally essential to the greatest and
best results from the other.
We have had much instruction Of late
as to the advantages accruing in daily
life to The possessor of a well-developed
physique. And this has been well. It
should be part of our daily religion to
give such attention and care to the body
as is becoming to the temple of the
SOUL" 1t is with the body as with any
delicate and intricate piece of machinery;
it's value is only maintained at the ex-
pense of constant care.
But to whatever extent we may incor.
porate these truths into our daily lives.
we cannot fail to appreciate the i'm
mense influence, either for good or evil,
which is exerted upon the human econo-
my by the intellect. We must remember
that intellectual development may itself
be potent influence in the maintenance
of a we'll -ordered physiqne.
1t is when the various organs OF the