Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-04-18
Hints.
A SIMPLE TABLE DECORATION.

Did you ever try planting grapefruit
seeds? Not for the purpose of raising the
fruit, but for the foliage. Idined with q
friend and her flower decoration-I
should say foliage decoration-for the
table was so unusual that l ventured to
remark upon it. A short fOwer.pot OF
quite wide diameter contained mass oil
glossy, dark green leaves. The
leaves were quite small, upheld by slen-
der stems that suggested the foliage Of an
orange tree. Upon questioning l found
this plant to be the outcome OF some
grapefruit seeds planted in the fall. The
result was charming. And would sug-
gest that you set about planting some.
Then when flowers are at q premium
later on, you will fluid yourself supplied
with very pleasing substitute.
A pair of old white canvas shoes, too
disreputable to wear with anything
white, and so good and comfortable as
to be valuable, decided to color so that
could wear them in the house with
darker things. Ordinary blue paint
made very thin with gasoline was used to
paint them, and they resulted In blue
that was an exact match for blue skirt,
and SO pretty that they continued to be
dress-up shoes. Be sure to use plenty OF
gasoline 80 they will not look panty.
When am tired of the shoes as they are,
I shall paint them darker color OF
black. Remember to use plenty oil
gasoline.
In my northeast kitchen window 10 q
hof a
stout shelf two feet wide was placed out
side the window-sill. Above this q
frame was built of narrow Stats about
three inches apart, that reached to the
top of the lower sash. This frame was
then lined with wire screen. As It is
nowhere near the street 1t is free from
dust, and here set cakes and puddings
to cool, keep the table butter and milk
except in the hottest weather, and find
many uses that save going to tho cellar.
In the Tall the slat frame 10 replaced by
q tight one that is weather-proof for
winter.
For washing floors, wood work, shelves
etc., nothing better can be used than
sponges. They rinse out more quickly
than cloths and will certainly wear
longer. Buy two sponges and use them
in the following manner: Have the first
In basin Of water In which soap has
been dissolved. This Is for the dirty
work. Then take the other sponge, dip
in basin Of clear water and 60 over the
same places the second time. Solid.
compact sponges arc preferable.
To avoid making tucks In tho sleeves
of dresses for growing children, run a
piece of tiny linen tape through the
French seam on tho inside of the sleeve.
Fasten this at the wrist, and another
shorter piece at the armhole. Draw up
tho tape to a desired length and tie at
the armhole. In this way the sleeves
may be heightened or shortened a. need
be.
When baking l used many valuable
minutes glanoing at the clock for the
time to open the oven, and then very
often I would forget until Suspicious
odor Of burning was waited from the
kitchen. All trouble is avoided now "a
l set the alarm clock for the scheduled
time and Its warning ring Is mover mis-
taken.
To sweep bare floors and those cover
cd with mating, I first sprinkle damp
sawdust around and then sweep briskly.
No dust Is raised and tho floor 10 streak.
less aud much cleaner than when swept
with dry or even dampened broom.
The sawdust must not be vet, Only
dampened.
Fill two-Ounce bottle two-thirds full
Of fragrant leaves or flowers. With
some instrument that will enter the bot
tie crush the leaves, then I'll tho bottle
with glycerine and cork tightly for few
days. This makes delicate perfume
for the bath.
Sheets, tablecl0tbs, spreads and the
like are difficult to fold when taking
from the line, but II you will uupiu one
end, thet pull ovor from, line, catching
Ia center and take fastened end from
line. you will discover 1t very simple
method.
Iustead Of filling the salt and pepper
shakers with the tedious means Of o
spoon, have made two small paper
for this purpose which help
wonderfully. Tho tunnels are glued to
make them firm.
A large pocket tackled on the back Of
your ironing. board 10 useful to drop
ironing wax, iron handle, stand, ETC.,
into when you are through With them.
When preparing apples for baking,
ha, found that an ordinary clothespin
may be used quickly and efficiently to
take out the cores.
Before taking pictures down for the
walls to be cleaned, always put small
pencil mark BY the picture hooks 20 that
they can lbe rehung quickly.