Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-25

HOLD
| LINTS

Ian
Every careful housekeeper at this time Oh
the year has to become Nimrod, whether
she enjoys the role or not.
While man, the mighty hunter, seeks his
prey in Yellowstone Park, the reedy shores
of Chesapeake, the forests, the mountains,
the plains, the deep sea, woman is also on
the war path, though in a vastly more
utilitarian way. Her field is confined to the
four walls of home. Her prey, the willy
moth-miller, the predatory mouse, the ubi-
quitous fly, that scourge of the night whose
title is rarely mentioned in ears polite
unless by its old Roman name, cimex-the
busy ant, the agile cockroach and the ma
larial mosquito. Although her weapons
the broom and dustpan, the mop and scrub
bling brush. sand and soap, naphtha and
benzine, the kerosene can and the mouse
trap-are not as spectacular as sword and
spear. rod and gun, they are every whit as
efficacious, and her bag of game at the end
of the season will tally highest, as far as
the comfort of the home is concerned.
Were she to write a true account Of her
forayS, attacks, marches and counter
marches, the stalking of her prey by day,
and the midnight reconnaissance 1t might
prove as wildly exciting and hard to be-
lieve as the tales set down in Thompson
Seton's wild animal book.
Every species of her game has its own
habitat, its own methods of offense and de-
Tense, and she who would cope with them
successfully must study the foe and the
situation and plan her campaign according
ly. Above all things. she must remember
that eternal vigilance is the price of lib
erty." For instance:
Mother Moth is a willy individual, seeking
not what she can devour. but what she
thinks her offspring, who will appear in
June, will enjoy. Nothing is too good for
them. but anything at all soiled is consid-
cred specially delectable. The conclusion,
therefore, is plain. See that all temptation
is removed Reams of tar paper and pounds
of moth balls will not avail If garments are
moths or moth eggs. When putting furs
and wOolenS away for the summer, the first
thing Is to make certain that the receptacle
in which they are to be stored is absolutely
clean. If a trunk or closet has once been
'alive" with moths, heroic efforts may be
needed for their clearance. Mere brushing
or soap and water cleanliness, will not be
enough. Trunks or boxes used for storing
garments should be refined with the heavy
tar paper used in building every year or
two. Closets after being thoroughly cleaned
should have benzine or naphtha sprayed in
all cracks and crevices; then have tar paper
pasted on the walls and over the floor The
walls may be covered again by newspapers
or new unbleached cotton.
.Old paper-l1ned trunks are very objection
able, as the moths get in behind the paper
and leave their eggs. A new tight barrel,
paper lined, is an excellent thing to pack
away clothes in.
In packing away clothes select a bright
day. that you may see what you are doing
Have the garments on a line in the air;
then take them, one by one, turning ali
pockets inside out. shake, brush, clean all
spots, fold carefully and pack smoothly,
laying the heavy garments at the bottom
Between each package put moth or cam
phOr balls; but wrap them in tissue paper
as they are apt to affect some colors Do
the smaller articles up in newspaper writ
ing the name of the contents on the out
side
Spread furs on bare table and beat Wig
orously with a slender cane or stiff switch,
in order to dislodge all loosened hair, and
moths and larvae, should there be any.
Then go over them with steel comb or
whiSk broom, brushing up and down. If
soiled about the neck get some fine white
sand, such as they have at the bird stores
heat in the oven until hot as you can bear
your hand in it. then rub through the fur
up and down. When quite clean brush we'll
with a soft whisk. Put in boxes paper bags
or clean cotton cloth, and then in the box or
barrel that is being packed. Cover closely
pasung paper around the edges so as to
seal the receptacle. and leave no cracks.
A few bits Of charcoal scattered among
the contents of a box that Is not to be IN
packed for some time will prevent the
clothing from which the air has been ex-
cluded for some time. This Is specially to
be commended where things are to be put
in storage.
Another thing that will simplify matters
in unpacking or in listing things for stor-
age is list made out Of the contents OF
each box. Number the boxes, and keen a
small blank book. into which all lists may
the cover Of the box.
Moths may be driven from upholstered
furniture or cloth-lined carriages by spray
Ing with benzine or naphtha. convenient
way Is to put the fluid in small watering
pot, such as Is used for watering house
plants. They will not injure the most deli.
cate material. but on account of their in
nammability care must be taken not to
carry on the work near fire or flame
In closing the house for the summer I'M
holstered furniture should be we'll brushed
and busted. then sprayed with benzine or
naphtha and covered with soft, old muslin
To make assurance doubly sure, piece of
tar roofing paper may then be laid on each
article and again covered with newspaper
Rugs, pOrtieres and loose carpets NAV be
| shaken, cleaned. then wrapped in tar paper
and newspaper.
The edges of the carpets should be often
examined at this season. II there are any
| signs of inhabitants. lay wet cotton cloth
over the carpet and press with an iron hot
enough to thoroughly steam. This will de-
strOy both moth and larvae.
For the buffalo bug, spray around the
edges OF the room with diluted turpentine
| If this Is done now, again in June and once
more in August the carpet may be consid-
cred immune.
The most unpleasant creature to be taken
into account is he who chooses the bed for
| his base of operations. Time was when the
appearance of this disgusting insect was
| held to be the earmark of most indiffer-
emit, slovenly housekeeper. The time now
| Is when 1t is an accepted fact that
/ the housewife no matter how care
| ful, may find an occasional specimen intro
duced to her home. brought in from the
carr, the school or the street. To find 60