Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-13
HOUSE,
HOLD
lINTS

about this time" in the old almanac
vernacular, look out" for moths and other
insect pests. April is their busy month
and If the housekeeper can circumvent
them now she will not have much trouble
during the rest of the season. Before
packing furs and woolens away, be sure
they are perfectly clean. Garments that
are to be made over in the fall should be
ripped up now, washed or dry cleaned
then folded in newspaper or new factory
and pinned or tied securely, leaving no
crevice exposed; mark legibly with the
name of contents.
In the large cities owners of handsome
furs are generally sending them to the cold
storage warehouses arranged especially for
their care. Extreme dry cold is fatal to all
insect life, while the return to their native
climate. as it were, of the various pelts and
hides, has the effect of Frightening and
restoring their original luster. Ordinary
cold storage with damp air and dripping
pipes are not beneficial. to furs The air
must be as dry as the proverbial bone"
To this end, the storerooms for furs have
hardwood ceilings, side walls and floors
while from beams in the ceiling depend
steel racks or shoulders, as they are called
upon which the shrouded garments hang
Nickel-plated arms are arranged for holding
muffs, while fur rugs and carriage Blankets
handsome curtains of plush and velour. and
other draperies are suspended without
folding from rods or by the use of clips
Shelves are laden with boxes containing
small fur articles. There is constant cur
rent of cold dry air passing through the
ROOM the vents being arranged so that the
old air is forced out to admit the constant
influx Of the new. FurS are stored at prices
which correspond to their real value. For
instance, a sealskin cloak worth 500 Is
stored for the season for Sc. This includes
~, ia gal
owner from loss by fire or other accident
and the CLOSING of the garment before 1t
Is returned in the fall to its owner. In the
smaller towns where each family cares for
its own furs and woolens the preliminary
treatment afforded in the large storage
warehouses may be put into effect.
The first thing after fur garment has
been received and properly checked and
labeled Is to send it to the beating room.
This. as it's name implies. Is department
given to the thorough cleaning OF the gar
ment. In front of long tables placed before
wide opened windows a number of men
stand at a distance of four to five feet
apart Each holds thin, strong wooden
rod with which he vigorously beats the gar
ment spread on the table before him. 1t
is surprising to see the clouds of dust that
arise After this the garments are turned
over to another set of men who turn tubes
filled with compressed al rupon them, 1orc-
ing 1t through by machinery. In this way
all moth larvae are effectually routed ana
the fur becomes thoroughly renovated and
freshened. The garment is then ready for
it's shroud Of slate colored muslin. For
the housekeeper, thorough Gaming with
rattan is the initial step. Then hang the
garments on line where the air can blow
freely through them. After being exposed
in this way for hour or longer, cane
again. place on a hanger and cover with
a bag Of unbleached cotton large enough to
hold the entire garment-if a coat or wrap
without folding. Pull tight about the
neck with a gathering string. and then to
make double sure take a piece Of stout
cord and blink the neck of the bag closely
to the hanger. If the articles are thor
oughly clean before putting in the bags
there is no necessity Of employing the mall
odorous moth balls. Moths dislike the
smell of new cotton, and also printers ink.
Lavender is also one OF their pet aversions,
and fur and woolens packed away in laver-
der are certainly more agreeable than those
that have been put away with any OF the
tar preparations. Camphor is efficacious in
warning off the moth flies. that lay the
eggs. but should never be laid directly
against a garment for fear of changing the
color. Wrap each bit of camphor gum In
O piece of tissue paper before laying IL
near the fur.
Examine the Carpet.
1t is the part OF discretion to, examine the
edges Of the carpet often in the spring. II
the carpet is not taken from the floor, turn
the edges back brush under. then wipe
x.rit, cloth darnpened with kerosene Re-