Middletown transcript., 1908-07-25
USEFUL THINGS TO KNOW


shake thoroughly. Repeat the process if
necessary.
Although the use Of spices for the pur-
pose of heightening the favor of food is
almost universal, it is generally recognized
that their i, fdence on digestion is detri-
mental. Some experiments recently car
ried out tend to prove that, while spices
stimulate the motor functions of the
stomach, they progressively impair the
secretory functions and in the long run
inhibit the production of hydrochloric
acid. On the whole, therefore, the in
gestion of spices hinders rather than
accelerates digestion, though an exception
may be made in respect of persons in
whom slowness of digestion is due to
deficiency of muscular activity on the
part of the stomach, and also possibly of
the victims OF hyperacidity.
Some reader may be helped by learn
ing that sweet oil stain on russell shoe
was removed by placing a small glass
bottle filled with hot water in the shoe
under the stain and covering the latter
with French chalk. The warmth dis
solved the grease and the chalk absorbed
it. One must repeat the process until all
the oil has disappeared, and if a stain is
left then rub with naphtha.
Tea leaves are invaluable as means of
cleaning vanished paint. When sufi-
cient have been laid aside they should be
placed in tin basin fnll of water and
soaked for half an hour. The tea, when
strained, should be used instead Of soap
and water to clean the vanished surfaces.
The careful housewife has a use for
everything, and newspapers are by no
means an inconsiderable factor toward
insuring a clean kitchen. For instance,
supply of paper folded in eight and
hung up over the kitchen sink will be
found most convenient to slip under a
hot kettle that has just been lifted from
the stove. A store of full-sized printed
sheets should likewise be kept in the
kitchen table drawer, so that there is
always one handy to spread over the
table if necessary during work, which can
afterward be burned.
When musty odor is perceptible in a
room place some charcoal in dish or
hang it up in little bag of net or cheese
cloth. This will purify the air and alb.
sorb the odors.
A preparation for washing rugs and
carpets is made of four ounces of good
white soap dissolved in four ounces of
boiling water; when cool add five ounces
of ammonia, two and one.half ounces of
alcohol, two and one-half ounces OF gly-
cerine, and two ounces of ether or chlor-
oform. Bottle and cork tightly. To
clean a carpet add teaspoonful OF the
preparation to a pail of tepid water and
wiring the soap from this. The same
preparation will also clean mems clothes.
According to a successful cleaner, this
process should be followed when cleaning
madras curtains Make suds with warm
water and white soap. Then the water
is put into an immense tub or vat that
has revolving arms something like those
found in washing machines. Next the
curtains are thoroughly shaken in order
to free them from dust. Then they are
placed in wide meshed bags like the
string shopping bags. The revolving
arms send the water through and through
both bags and curtains. When clean,
they are taken from the suds and, still in
the bags, are rinsed in clean water. The
bags are used to protect the curtains from
the revolving arms, which, of course,
might catch the meshes and tear them.
This authority advises home cleaners to
| make the suds, then immerse the curtains
(not using bags) and souse them up and
down with the hands, without rubbing,
until all the dirt has disappeared. They
must then be rinsed in clean, cold water,
hung up to dry and well shaken when
they are ready for use again.
Stains on willow or wicker furniture
may be readily washed off with hot
water and soap, and when thoroughly
dried in the sun the cleansed parts If
shellacked with white will look just like
the rest of the chair, table or settee.
This treatment is only for the pieces that
have natural finish.
When cleaning glass, put little am.
monia or soda in the water. When
washing glass in warm water, dry it at
once. Cut glass should be scrubbed with
a soft brush and dried, then put in box
of sawdust for half an hour.
If you spill ink on your mahogany
table dilute half a teaspoonful of sui
phuric acid (oil of vitroD with table
spoonful of water and apply with soft
brush. Wipe mahogany with a damp
cloth after the stain has disappeared.
The noises of squeaky hinges may be
stopped by putting on kerosene oil.
Americans should cultivate a taste for
olive oil, as it lubricates the system and
is one of the most wholesome of all fats.
It is easily digested and assimilated.
Some doctors declare tablespoonful OF
oil day will ward off appendicitis. 1t
is more wholesome than animal fats, es-
pecially in hot weather. It must be pure
however, and absolutely unrancid. Pure
olive oil has little taste beyond pleasant
oiliness. 1t should be kept in a cool
place, but not allowed to freeze. Some
of the best oils have q slightly greenist
tinge. If bought by the gallon can, as is
frequently done, it should be bottled in
pint or even half pint bottles and tightly
corked. Oil exposed to the air gets
rancid more quickly than if sealed. Never
let oil for French dressing stand in the
cruit in the dining-room or other hot
place. Oil is more wholesome used in
the form of French dressing than as may.
onnaise.