The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-02-09

possible. But one soon finds that 1t re
Quires q well Allied pbcketbook to pur
chase the handsome affairs of this kind
that are displayed in the show-windows
and a large amount of good judgment
to choose one that will not be too daint,
and frail for everyday use.
After looking in vain for what was
wanted a mother recently decided tt
make n from the materials already al
hand, and the result was SO thoroughly
satisfactory in every way that Other
mothers ought to know of it. Two large
plum baskets were selected, that hai
been saved after using the fruit; not the
straight wooden ones, but those made OF
woven strips. They were eighteen inches
long, ten inches wide and about seven
inches deep. with nicely rounded bot
toms. -Four broomstick handles were
sawed twenty-eight inches in length,
These were used as the four upright
posts to support the baskets, and were
placed two on each side of the baskets
ten inches apart. After removing the
handles from the baskets they were
fastened securely to these posts, above
the other, the top of the lower basket
being nailed to the four posts twelve
inches from the floor, and the top of the
upper one twelve inches from the lower.
This left the tops of the posts four inches
above the upper basket. After the baskets
were both securely nailed to the four
broom-stick posts in this manner, the
result was a good stout piece of furniture
which could be readily carried from one
room to the other and stood by the
mothers chair when ready for the bath
or the dressing.
Now came the question as to how 1t
should be decorated. The posts were
| painted white and the woven strips of
the baskets were painted yellow and
white, so that the alternating strips Of
white would overlap the yellow ones.
After the paint was thoroughly dry the
yellow strips were painted in gold. US
ing a fine gold powder. mixed with varnish
as a medium. The effects of the gold and
white was very attractive and easily kept
clean, as both the white and the gold
painting could be washed without in
jury.
The inside of the baskets can be finish
ed with satin and thin null, but a more
durable finish and quite as pretty is an
inner lining of c~hintz-bright red or light
blue-tacked on plain, with a lining of
dotted null, quite full, over this. In this
instance the null was laid in plaits on the
bottom and sides of the baskets and
tackled securely otter gathering it in a
frill to hang over the edge. A narrow
ribbon was stretched along this gathered
frill. ending In bows of wider ribbon of
the same shade at each of the four posts.
The lower basket is used to hold the
bibs, the bands and the skirts and socks
and diapers. On one side of the upper
basket is fastened an oblong cushion large
enough to hold t a plentiful supply of all
the different sizes of safety pins n the
little gold pins for the bfbs. This cushion
is covered first with the chintz, then with
the null and finished with ribbon bows
for attaching it with the basket. On the
other side of the basket is a pocket form
ed from stiff pasteboard, also finishing
with the chintz, null and ribbon, to hold
the comb and brush. This left room in
the centre of the basket for the towels,
powder-box, etc.
A basket arranged in this manner can
easily be kept clean and fresh looking,
as the null can be removed and washed
when soiled, and the outside painted sur
face needs only occasional wiping with a
damp cloth to keep 1t fresh and free from
dust, and taking it altogether it is the
most complete affair imaginable.
So
Many would probably resent the in
situation that they do not keep their
hngernails clean who really understand
very little about their proper care and
cleanliness. A good nail brush and
warm, soapy water should be used on
them once daily, or oftener as the case
Once each day at least
wiping the hands after washing them
and while they are still soft from the
action of the water the free edge of
the scarf-skin should be gently loosened
and pressed back in a neatly rounded
form, and a graceful, oval form ending
in a crescent like space of white will
be insure This skin, as a rule. should
never be cut, pared or picked, and the
less it is meddled with, except as above.
described, the better. The ends or points
of the nails should be pared once every
week or ten days, according to their
growth, which varies somewhat with the
season of the year and the habit of the
individual. A finely made, sharp nail
scissors is the most convenient article
for cutting the nails, unless one can
handle skilfully a sharp penknife. The
length of the nails should correspond
exactly with the tips of the fingers, and
not protrude in q point beyond them, as
is the custom of many. whose fingers
thus armed, suggest claws. Polish your
nails occasionally by rubbing them smart
ly with a closely rolled pad of chamois or
wash leather. 1t is best not to indulge
in the use of so called manicure pow
ders, as frequently these substances prove
injurious to the healthy growth, strength
and permanent yigor and beauty of the
nails.
Be sure never to bite the nails or to
cut them shorter than the finger tips;
both are bad practices. Never scrape
the nails with knife or scissors or other
instrument, as this takes off their nat
ural enamel, but they may be occasion
ally polished with a little putty powder.
As sanitary notions govern our house
keeping more and more absolutely, rugs
will grow in favor for floor coverings
rather than the dust-harboring carpets.
If one cannot afford the costliest Persian
weaves, Shirvan or Carabagh rugs are
no mean substitute They are most rich
and soft in coioring, and not SO horribly
&c 80 he hnxro1l 49,