The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-09-12
FIRST-AID
4sir 70 the
AILINC HOUSE
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by Roger 3. Whitmon
20 Roger b. whitman-wNU service)

Colored Fireplace Flames
QUESTION: How can ! treat pine
~ cones so that they will burn with
colored flames?
Answer: Heat them on radiator
or otherwise to make them open,
and then soak them in a solution OF
copper chloride in water, letting
them dry naturally. The color will
be q rich blue. Pine cones burn
quickly. For more lasting flame,
soak paper toweling in water until
It becomes pulp; squeeze handfuls
into Jumps and let them dry. Then
soak in the copper chloride solu-
ton, and again allow to dry. Drying
should be on strips of wood; not on
metal, because of the corrosive eff
feet. The stronger the copper chlor-
ide solution, the better. Because OF
the poisonous nature of copper chlor-
ide, rubber gloves should be worn
when handling the wet Jumps. Other
chemicals can be used to obtain diff
ferent colors, but to my mind the
intensity Of the copper chloride col
Disposal Plant
Question: What is the advantage
of a septic tank over a cess-pool?
When we built our house two years
ago we were advised to install a
septic tank to avoid the trouble of
cleaning the cesspool. Now we are
told that the septic tank must be
cleaned, for which the cost would
be $40. We cannot see any advan-
tage in having septic tank.
Answer: You are evidently the
victim of a poor installation. Prop
erly put in, septic tank should go
for many years without requiring
attention. A septic tank has many
advantages over a cesspool, and
should be used whenever possible.
With cleaning necessary at the pres
ent time, l should have the job done
by someone who is thoroughly ex-
pert and able to make the changes
that seem to be necessary.
Tar ON Sidewalk
Question: Some tar or roofing
compound was spilled on my side
walk by some mischievous boys.
Turpentine and scraping do not
seem to help. Could you advise me
of anything that would remove this
unsightly blotch?
Answer: First soften the tar by
covering it with few drops of oil,
(engine or olive oil will do.) After
several hours scrape off as much OF
the tar on the surface as you can.
Then, cover the stain with paste
made of fuller's earth or powdered
chalk and a half and half mixture
of carbon tetrachloride and benzine.
The paste should be put on at least
one-quarter inch thick. Place a
piece of metal over the paste to
prevent fast evaporation. When dry,
remove the powder, and repeat the
process, if necessary.
Radiator Finish
Question: With which finish does
a radiator throw off more heat;
paint, or bronze or aluminium? Has
the difference actually been proven
by tests?
Answer: The National Association
of Heating and Ventilating Engi-
neers, New York city, announces of
ficially that an oil paint finish radi-
ates about one-sixth more heat than
q metallic paint finish. Color of
the paint makes little difference.
Grimy Andirons
Question: My brass andirons are
blackened near the bottom. Brass,
polish has no effect. How can I
clean them?
Answer: Add salt to vinegar; as
much as will be dissolved. Mix.
with flour to make paste and
spread it on the brass. Allow to re-.
main for an hour or two, and wash
off. Be sure to remove all traces
of the salt. If necessary follow with
polish.
Paint on Screening
Question: When painting the
moulding of the galvanized screens
for my porch, black paint was
touched to the screening. How can
] remove It? ''''' - ~"
"F Answer: Wipe the screening with
strong solution of washing soda in
water; this will soften the paint
which can then be washed off. Fol-
low by rinsing with clear water.
Painted Telephone
Question: How can a couple of
layers of paint, lacquer, and alumni
mum be removed from the base Of
q telephone hand-set?
Answer: Your contract with the
telephone company forbids any work
on the telephone instrument; paint
ing, or anything else. You should
ask the company to replace your IN
Strument.
Venetian Blinds
Question: What are the essential
good qualities to demand when buy
ing venetian blinds; type of wood,
finish, metal parts, etc.
Answer: Your best move will be
to buy the blinds from reliable
manufacturer or from a dealer of