The Sidney herald., 1957-08-01
HOmemaker'S
Column
BY Janet Redgren
Grass Stains

GraSS Stains
All stains II removed better
and quicker if they are fresh. To
remove grass stains from wash
able fabrics, rub the stain with
soap or detergent. Then wash the
stained fabric.
If alcohol does not affect the
dye Of the fabric, sponge the
stain with it. To use alcohol on
acetate fabrics, dilute the alco-
hol with water.
If stains are hard to remove,
sprinkle the moist stain with So
dunn perforated leach. Then le.
the garment soak for several
hours or overnight in a solution
Of l tablespoon sodium perborate
mixed with / pint Of water. Use
cool water for fabrics that are
wool, silk or dynel. Use hot wat
er for other washable fabrics.
Rinse well. Some stains may re-
quire dipping the fabrics in hot
or boiling water and using a
stronger solution of sodium per-
borate. Chlorine bleaches will
remove grass stains, but can only
be used on white materials with
out a resin finish.
CuttingF Flowers So They Last
How many times have you cut
flowers from the garden to find
that they begin to wilt and droop
after only a few hours time?
Proper handling of flowers so
they will last longer is known as
conditioning. 1t is not desirable
TO cut flowers out of the garden
and Immediately place them in a
bouquet OF arrangement. A few
hours proper treatment will in
sure a longer life for these flow
IT'S.
Early evening or early morn
ng are good times to gather
lowers. Use a knife rather than
if possible, for cutting the
Unless very sharp, shears
re apt to pinch the stems and
log up the vessels and interfere
With the take-up of water. Cut
he stem slantwise; this allows
Or a greater surface for the In
axe of water. If stems are cut
traight across and the stems rest
t the bottom of the container
lere may also be interference {
18th take-up of water. With hol-
Nv stemmed flowers it is desir- !
Die to cut the stem at the node I
lther than through the inter
odal, hollow area. r
Flowers are usually cut at an G
ivanced bud stage, or when the
.ossom just begins to unfold, or |
hen the lower florets on a flow t
spike just start to open. AS S
'on as cut, plunge the flowers
to deep containers Of water. a
lace the flowers in a cool place C
here there is a free circulation 1
air but no drafts. Allow the b
overs to soak up water in such
place before using them in flow
arrangements. Adding mois- t
re to the air with a mist spray
or a similar piece of equip il
ent, will aid in reducing loss a
water from the flower and Ii
ilage parts. 8
Keep all containers and equip s.
ent clean, by washing thorough Fl
with soap and water and little g
nmonis, to reduce the number g
bacteria responsible for rapid :"
terioration of flowers h
Dip the ends of stems of flow y
that have milky and color ly
IS saps in boiling water mo- ic
entarily to prevent loss of this
p. Poinsettia, peoples, and milk al
seds fit in this category. Anoth- q
way of doing this is to burn
: ends of the stems in a flame !
: a few seconds. Be sure the 9
at does not damage the upper II
raj parts.
is good to strip the lower
lage OF stems that will be I'M I
water. Foliage breaks down
oidly under water and causes To-
wers to decay more rapidly. M
Many of the chemical preser- no
ives sold by florists to add flu
the water will help prolong a
life of flowers. Their effec- ca
eness will vary with the kind dit
flower used. Some household fu,
such as aspirin and cop pa
pennies seem to be of little az,
ue. A little charcoal in the ma
ter does help to reduce odors. |
I the flowers are to be kept Ac
II several days, cut the stems ia,
change to fresh water daily. spe
CARD OF THANKS uo