Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-23
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The realization that there may be too
much of even a good thing Is gradually
dawning upon the compre hension of many
of the members of women's clubs, and
designations from overworked women are in
order.
While the women's club movement has
been of distinct advantage in some ways its
tendency has been to overdo the matter and
many homes as we'll as their mistresses
have been actually dubbed" to death.
Women, as a rule, are extremely conscien-
tious. If they are in a club they wish to
do their share of the work. A man goes
to his club for rest or pleasure. woman
to work either for others or else for the
very works sake If one club or even two
sufficed then it would not be SO bad; but
in the multiplication of clubs there Is no
end, each with it's divers demands upon
time and strength. Cases of nervous pros
tration brought on by OVERRIDING no longer
count. They are far too common; but when
the ambitious little president of one of the
largest women's clubs In the country goes
all to pieces her mind an absolute and
hopeless wreck, it is time to call a halt
Home and its duties come first; after that
much as one has time and strength for
without OVERRIDING. The letter of the law
in the management of home-clean beds,
a carefully appointed table, speckleSs glass
and welldarned stockings-is not all. There
must be the spirit which includes the low
1t takes time to- listen to the children'S
condolences given freely now. 1t takes time
to talk over old days and associations with
the aged father or mother, who live in the
past 1t takes time to entertain the widow
the stranger and the fatherless whom
Providence brings to your door, often sorely
in need of a sympathetic adviser, but all
these things make a person comfortable TO
live with, and render the home what it is
designed to be-the place of peace.
Time to Gather Simples.-One of the de-
lights of the summers outing in the coun-
try is the opportunity it affords for garner
ing in all sorts of simples-and other field
and woodland treasures that may be of
service or give pleasure in days to come.
Fifty years ago knowledge OF the cura-
tive properties of roots and YARDS form
ed one of the good housewives chief ac-
complishments Today, except in remote
places the quaint old remedies and vege-
table curealls that used to hang in dry
punches from the garnet rafters are quite
forgotten from a medicinal standpoint,
though there is a great revival in the use
of all sorts of sweet or spicy herbs for pill
lows and sachets for the linen press, and
a growing appreciation of herbal havorings
for use in soups, sauces and savories.
Herbs that are to be dried should be
gathered just at blossom time.
Sweet Clover.-Sweet clover is now in
prime condition Cut the stalks, tie in
punches, and hang heads down In the sun
y.
sons crumble and tie in japanese napkins
to be used for sachets in the linen drawer
Panacea for Headache and Sleeplessness.
An effective panacea for sleeplessness and
headache may be found in a pillow filled
with a mixture of hops. tansy, bergamot,
sweet clover, catnip, lavender, lovage, bal
sam, southern wood, snuff grass and sum-
mer savory. Dry, pick off the leaves and
flowers then put in pillows or bags for the
linen chest or bureau drawer
Life Notwithstanding pearly blossoms of
the immortelles or life everlasting make
pleasant pillow. contributing a delightfully."-
clean" fragrance while a tea made from
the blossoms is held to quiet the nerves.
Boneset, or Thoroughwort.-In the open
fields and along the fences in early August
appear the fat-topped clusters of small
white flowers supported on sturdy stems
about two feet high. This is the boneset,
whose bitter tea is still considered an un-
excelled tonic and a cure for dyspepsia and
influenza. Unlike most of the herb teas
boneset is taken cold In doses of wine
glass daily.
Mullen Leaves.-These- gray green vel
vety leaves. dried and stepped in vinegar,
are as effectuaI today in subduing sprains
they were in grandmother's time; while
powdered and smoked they afford relief
from asthma.
Cat Tail.-Where the cat tail is intended
for dec0rd tons 1t should be gathered while
still rather green AS they grow older and
begin to "fuzz'' the down will be found a
standard remedy for burns mixed with
enough lard or butter to hold it together.
Shepherds Purses.-This is another val
liable little plant that may be found
along the roadside. Its green seeds
stripped from the stem and strewn
over lettuce or tomatoes make a piquant
addition to salads that. tried once, will al |
ways be welcome again. 1t has a sugges-. |
ton of cress, and this account Is some |
times known as wayside cress. 1t is said |
to be a sure remedy for disordered diges- |
ton eaten green, while boiled in milk 1t
affords relief to child with Group.
Other Good Salads of Weeds.-No one |
needs go without a piquant. tender and
wholesome salad in the summer, If they |
will take the trouble TO gather wild chic
DRY, young dandelion, lambs lettuce or
hampton. All these should be young and
tender.
Pot Greens.-For pot greens the list is
still longer. Purslane, the farmers pest,
resembles beet green's in delicacy of favor,
while mustard, the young leaves of milk |