The Portland daily press., 1896-03-14
THE HOME.


CAipcp not4AS'
The carpet moth IS the great enemy to
be fought and defeated. There are effica-
cious remedies. two of which are here
given from Good Housekeeping. One is
to steep one quarter of a pound of cayenne
pepper in one gallon of water, then add
ing two drachms of strychnia powder.
Strain and pour this into a shallow
vessel. such as a large tinned-iron milk
pau. Roll the carpet up and set each end,
alternately, in this mixture for ten min
utes, or long enough to insure the satu-
ration Of it's edges for about an inch. Do
this after beating the carpet. The ends
should be likewise treated. Be sure the
carpet is dry before taoking down, as the
while lacking. When done with the
liquid throw where it cannot possibly
harm anybody, or bottle and label for
future use, marking it Carpet Moth
Poison" This preparation will not stain
the carpet nor corrode metals in contact
with the carpet.
Another mixture calls for one pound
of quassia chips, one-ouarter of pound
OF cayenne pepper stepped in two gallons
Of water strained and used as above. When
the carpet treated is not to be taken up,
spray ends, edges, margins and corners
with an atomizer. Perhaps two or three
applications might be better than one
with the atomizer
The carpet moth loves the bindings
and margins of a carpet. Ingrains or
three-plys may be treated successfully
while down by wringing cloth out of
hot water, laying it over the bindings
and edges and ironing it with hot iron.
This will destroy both moth and eggs.
This method is not effectual with Wiltons
Moquettes or other heavy carpets, as
the heat will not sufficiently penetrate
them besides which ironing Injuries the
pile of velvet; still the tacks can be
drawn occasionally and the carpet laid
over on its edgs-on side at a tine-and
steamed on the wrong side. Then wipe
the floor under the carpet as far as the
arm can reach with hot cayenne tea.
Also wipe the edge and bindings of the
carpet with the hot cloth, rubbing hard
before re-nailing. Some recommend
sprinkling salt around the sides of the
room before mailing down the carpet but
this seems wrong because the salt will
surely attract too much moisture.
We should be on the lookout for the
buffalo carpet beetle as early as February
and March, Then we should look for
them on the windows and window stills
and over all wooden clothing not in fire.
quent use. The moth has a special liking
for red carpet. But the pest comes also
later in the year being sometimes
brought into the house in flowers; 1T has
particular love for, the blossoms of the
spirea. 1t is good plan where the moths
are unusually bad to saturate the floor
with benzine or preferably we think with
spirits of turpentine which is not SO in
fiammable or volatile and then lay news
papers down under the carpet. This pre-
vents an attack from the under side. 1t
is important to remember that the moth
always abhors the light which is death
to the eggs and larvae and is really the
them.
Corrosive sublimate and alcohol in the
proportion of sixty grains of the former
to pint Of the, latter is useful for treat
| ing the edges and seams of the carpet
where the pest is bad, but the poison is
| in its use, especially where children are
| around.
| The moths deposit their eggs in the
early spring. This, therefore, is the sea-
son to put away furs and wooden goods
for the summer. 1t is not the moth, but
oughly heat the goods with rattan and
air them for several hours in the sun
| light If possible. Furs should, be care
fully combed Wrap up in newspapers
perfectly tight. II this work is done
properly there will be no need for air
tight chest or cedar chast. Moths do not
have any fear of cedar or mothballs, but
they will not go through paper or cotton
| textiles. Indeed, a cotton bag or other
| wrapping is just as good as paper. Once
month take out the goods and examine
them in the sunlight, and give them a
good beating. When the moths are not
so bad, as in some seasons and locations,
this monthly inspection may not be neo-
essary. But this is really the fur dealers
secret of preserving their stock. Camphor
is bad for furs, as it impairs their beauty
by turning them light. Camphor may
be sprinkled among the woolens, but
secure wrappings of cotton or paper are
enough The above method may be used
to preserve feathers.
Marsh Mallows,
Those who.have not tasted toasted marsh
mallows have yet something in the way
of sweets to live for. The girls at Vas
sar, not to mention some that are less
known, have had many publication
toasting them, stuck on u nat pin, held
T