The Mena star., 1898-12-07
DOMESTIC SCIENCE.

Soft newspaper or filling is one of the incest things to clean lamp chim- neys with.
 With all its inconveniences, winter is q cheerful season to people who are in comfortable circumstances and have open freplaces.--O. W. Holmes.
 If grease is spilled upon the kitchen floor do not pour hot water upon if, but cover the spot with strong solu- tion of unslacked lime and sal soda dissolved in cold water and scrub wig orously with clean scrubbing brush.
 When space is desideratum in a pantry groove should be made at the back of one of the lower shelves so that the platters can be stood mp. shelf above will permit the hanging of all cups that have handles
 Dried or evaporated apricots should be soaked in cold water, allowing to two pounds of the fruit three pints of water. Tn the morning theS should be simmered in thp water they were soaked in for four or five hours, allow ing two pounds of fruit An excellent way to cook them gently and without fear of burning is to put them in an earthern jar, cover and cook in the oven.
 While the California prune does not make as rich sauce as the French, it is cleaner and cheaper Wash care fully one by one. in tepid water, allow ing the prunes to stand in the water for two or three minutes to plumb. Wash agaln and put in a saucepan, allowing to every cup of prunes cup and half of cold water. These sim mered-not boiled-from two to two emerge tender. sweet and with the real prupe flavor, totally at variance with the much-derded prune of board ing house celebrity.
 To the housekeeper whose daily life is 'confict with Satan and sin," as embodied in the encroachments of va rious species of vermin in the kitchen and servants rooms, this warming of a practical architect to women anticipa- ting building will be both timely and helpful. "The woodwork" he says, sin kitchens. bathrooms and servants quarters should be reduced to a mlui- IL um It is rank heresay using wains- coating in the kitchen. Tiled walls and floors are most beautiful and ap- propriate. but, if too expensive, use hard plaster and paint. Even wash boards. with careless servants pro- clvities, become hiding and breeding places of vermin. Small moulding also is objectionable. In the hospitals of to-day there is no question as to doing away with every possible turk ing place for infectious germs, but few think of the kchen. which we have ever with us.
 Tn series Of parlor talks given to young mothers, by skilled physician, number of practical suggestions were laid down regarding the sleep necessa- rv for infants and growing children Never wake a child unless absolutely necessary Good sleep IS a necessity if health and growth arc to be man. tained. A healthy normal baby will sleep eighteen out of twenty four hours, which gradually dimln;shes, until at 2 years, fifteen out of every twenty-four hours will suffice. This amount of sleep is gr dually reduced until at 15 years old, eleven out of the twenty-four should be spent in bed The midday nap for babies is most de- sirable. At this time they should be uudresscd and nut to bed. After the fourth or fifth year children will not sleep Tn the daytime. In regard to child's bed, good spring bed a hair mattress and blankets not too heavy should be provided. A feather bed should never be permitted, except when a child is delicate and difficult to keep warm. Otherwise it is too beating. Children should be put 10 sleep Ia comfortable room, not too warm. If possible. they should al. ways sleep by themselves, and never in any case with sick person.
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