Middletown transcript., 1908-06-13
USEFUL THINGS TO KNOW

When ironing, the best thing with
which to rub the irons is fairly large
pad of folded brown paper. This will
also serve to test their heat Besides
this cloth should be kept at hand on
which to wipe off any flakes of SCOT or
dirt. A small piece of wax is excellent
for producing gloss when rubbed on
the iron, and paraffia has the same effect.
Sour milk should be added to the water
with which linoleum and oilcloths are
washed, and this will make them look
new.
Melted butter is a very good substitute
for olive oil in salad dressing. Many pre-
fer the butter to oil.
Fish that is to be tried should be order
ed to be sent early, as it cooks much bet
ter if previously rolled some time in
clean cloth to insure perfect dryness.
When vegetables cook dry and seorch
or burn, set the vessels at once in little
cold water, and they will taste very little,
if any, of the scorching.
Constant backing is likely to .ipjure
the leather of boots before very long but
this evil may be guarded against by oc-
casionally (about once in three weeks)
washing off ali the backing and rubbing
oil into the leather.
For disposing Of frying-pans, etc.
take an ordinary piece of wood the
length of the side of the stove, about
8 inches wide and l inch thick. Nail
this at the side of the wall near the
stove, fasten in it either nails or
screw eyes, and you have an excellent,
strip on which to hang the tinware; it is
out of sight and space is saved
Some cooks claim that the flavor of
cocoa is improved by little cinnamon
sprinkled over the top just before serving.
The best way to keep windows from
steaming or frosting is to clean the inside
of the windows with a cloth moistened
with pure glycerine, wIping it SO as to
leave only trace of the glycerine.
Old stockings make excellent floor
polishers. Split open and sew two to-
gether, cutting off the feet if they are
much darned, They are also excellent
for polishing shoes.
To clean venetian blinds, wash each
lath separately with water, to which a
little ammonia is added. Sponge with
clean water and dry with soft cloth.
When parsley is not obtainable for garn-
ishing use the tips from the celery, or
fneIy-sliced outer leaves of Brussels
sprouts.
Hot milk, slipped slowly, is eficacious
for relieving the throat irritation that
frequently follows a severe cold or is an
accompaniment of bronchial cough.
The use of creams on the face sometimes
causes hair to grow. This is due more to
the massage that is used with the creams
than to the creams themselves.
Don't forever be doing something; have
Intermittent attacks of idleness. To un-
derstand how to relax is to understand
how to strengthen the nerves and to re-
tain youth.
If hands were dried more carefully
there would be less roughness of the skin.
A good plan is to dry the hands with the
towel and then with an old, soft silk
handkerchief.
A baby's nurse should be required to
wear a clean apron, or even a cotton
dress, while in charge of the baby, thus
lessening any risk with regard to the
baby's health.
1t is impossible to make naturally dark
complexion light without iDiuring
the skin. Face bleaches will gradually
tighten the skin, but they also destroy
the texture of 1t.
The skin of boiled egg, moistened
and applied to boil, will cause suppura-
ton and relieve soreness in few hours
1t is also an excellent application for
ETY. or infamed eyelids.
1t is occasionally desirable in bath
room window or in one having an objec.
tional outlook to have an Opaque pane.
A pretty frosted effect can be readily pro-
duced at home at little cost. To pint
of stale ale add handful OF EPSON salts.
Mix and apply with brush. This
makes hard finish that will remain in
definitely, or, if desired, may be removed
by scrubbing at any time.
Down quilts and small feather or down
pillows which have become soiled can be
washed at home, with very little trouble
and expense. First choose a good day,
for the drying is half the battle, and you
need plenty of sunshine and gentle
wind. Use lukewarm water and one of
the many pure soaps that are in the mar
ket just now, and avoid washboard. 1t
will not be Of any help and it will certain
Iy pull your quilt or pillow out of shape.
Rub thoroughly with the soap, squeezing
and pating with your hands as you might
fine wooIlen underwear. Rinse in two
or three clear waters and hang up to dry
in the sunlight. A dash of salt in the
coIors from fading.
CAKE HINTS