The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-04-08
Our Social Chat.


In the blossoming OF the early
flowers, the bursting of the buds on
the trees, and the ploughing in the
fields, we have enough to remind ue
that spring is really here, and know
ing this the good housekeeper Will
avail herself of every opportunity
to prepare for summer. Moths are
one of the greatest nuisances of sum-
mer housekeeping. To prevent their
future depredations prepare for
their attacks now by thoroughly
airing, brushing and shaking every
article that is to be packed away.
Replace lost buttons and mend gar
ments that will be first needed next
fall. This done, they will be per
fectly safe from moths if you will
procure stout paper sacks, place the
articles to be kept in them, then
seal the sacks and put them away.
If you cannot get the bags, you can
buy at the drug store oil of red cedar
and with a little paint brush apply
it TO all cracks in trunks, boxes and
drawers, thus rendering them moth
proof for quite a while. Our grand
mothers had cedar chests in which
TO pack the most costly apparel, but
we must content ourselves with this
simple substitute. Occasionally
through the summer months saturate
email pieces of cotton with the cedar
oil and place in the reoeptaoles where
the clothes are stored, being care
full, however, that it does not come
in contact with the goods, as it
makes a reddish yellow stain which
is hard 80 remove.
Before beginning TO pack things
thoroughly, clean every closet, war
drobe, etc. then Use some insect,
eide in every orevioe, and if the ar
ticles n properly cleaned, you
need have little fear of insects of
any kind. I have found kerosene
oil and borax both every e%fioacious.
By the way, be SURE to get q sup
ply of borax this spring TO sprinkle
in ~pantries, safes and wherever food
articles are kept thus forestalling
the little ants that are always busy,
you know.
Minnie furnishes us this week a
thoughtful comparison of an inoi-
dent in nature with an incident in
human life.
Ruby, who has eve written a
dull paragraph for our department.,
discusses the topic suggested by Mr..
Parker. Do not forget that the
prize tucker will be awarded May 1st.
Those that wish to compete for it
have little time to lose.
The two members of our Circle
who were called on to award the
prize offered by Editor Poe for the
best letter for Chat written in Feb
ruary or March, found the task
somewhat troublesome by reason of
the rather indefinite wording of the
announcement of the competition,
For the best letter. was the phrase
used. Did that mean the most
helpful, the most thoughtful, the
most enter tanning, or the best in
style and language? They were I'M.
able to say as to this, but finally
CATER examing all letters received
by me in February and Maroh)
agreed that the book should go TO
Rebecca, whose letter was written
March 9th, but was crowded out
of our last issue. In order that our
readers may know the real name of
the successful competitor, I should
be glad if Rebecca would give me
permission to publish her name and
postofice, if she has nc objections ;
this is optional with her.
And by the way, I sometimes
think it would be nicer if more Of Us
gave our real names. Would it not
add weight to some of the letters?
I speak of the matter now because
IKE almost Unexoeptional g of pen
names may cause some writer's to
think this compulsory. The writer
may use his or her own pleasure as
to the matter only please do no not
choose very odd or very sentimental
names.
But I must not forget to say that
the editor has sent q copy of ''The
Princess, Maud, and Other Poems,
By Tennyson, to Rebecoa, as the
prize.
l am also authorized to announce
that comnetiOn for another book "a