The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-10-05


Mix a pound each of soda, soap and
whiting in quart of water, and boil the
whole until it is thick. When it has
reached this stage, turn it out in a
SQUARE oornered tin, and cut it into little
squares when half cooled.
A Useful Device.
A convenient little tool to have hanging
near the kitchen sink, is made from
brace taken from an old um brella frame
with bit of sponge fastened upon one
end, says the Rural New Yorker. The
sponge, which should be, when damp
about the size of an Enlgish walnut, may
be sewed securely in place with thread
and needle because of the eye in the end
of the brace. If the BRACE which is, of
course u-shaped at its other end be
broken from its place in the frame with
out removing the rivet, it will hang con-
yeniently upon Il small nail; but bit OF
wire twisted in it makes handy ring for
hanging. Numerous and unexpected uses
will be found for this tool. With it bots
ties may be thoroughly washed On the
inside and vases, which, without extra
care become discolored and foul inside,
NAV by its aid be kept sweet and clean.
A Corn HusIk Basket.
Such a basket is useful for many pur-
poses and the girls may like to try hand
at weaving and sewing the husk braids.
Select the fine, inner husks and wrap
them in a damp cloth, let them remain
two hours and then cut them into strips
about one inch wide. Take six of these
strips and tie together at one end with
strong thread; separate the strips into
three strands. two strips to a strand, and
braid.
In the beginning do not choose strips of
the same length, as they will have to be
pieced out to make the braid the required
length, and all the piecing ought not to
be done at the same places. When you
have reached nearly the end of your short
est strip open it out fiat, lay the end of a
new strip over it and fold together. In
this way the piecing goes on as the
braid grows in length. When you have
about q yard of the braid dampen and
begin to coil it, fastening the edges to-
gether with needle and strong, waxed
thread, in the way braided rag rugs are
sewed.
1t will require yard of braid for tho
bottom of the basket, which should meas
IRE aboutyfive inches in diameter. Before
YOU have coiled quite all of it piece the
strips again and make yard or SO more
of braid. Dampen the new part and be-
gin to coil once more, this time turning
the braid up on it's edge, and running 1t
around horizontally to form the sides Of
the basket which may be about four
basket could be made larger and the sides
lower and form pretty work basket
Canning Fruit.
Use reliable make of glass jars and
test the alright quality of each by
pouring a little water into it, adjusting
The rubber and cover, and standing it
upside down.
Thoroughly cleanse all jars that have
been used, by washing them first in
warm water then filling full of scalding
hot water to which borax ammonia OF
washing soda has been added, and allow
ing them to stand at least two hours be-
fore rinsing.
Reject all old rubber bands that are
stretched out, discolored, or in the least
hardened.
Use firm, large fruit Of suitable varie-
ties, and having it under rather than
over ripe reject all that are crushed,
over ripe, stunted or knotty, and care
fully preparing the rest