USEFUL HINTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 81, 30 December 1907, Page 3

USEFUL HINTS.

A very easy way to make a bias fold' of silk that is to simulate a tuck, fit a circular skirt, is to press it with a fairly hot iron before sewing it on, pulling it on tho upside, so that tho lower sido stretches much moro. . Tho osoreiso of a littlo dexterity can shapo the fold to curvo to any degree desired, tho curve lasting for an indefinite time. For useful and pretty tablo covers in tho bachelor girl's bod room, whito galatea with a border of . flowers-striped cretc-iuio_ is always attractive and can bo washed with fre(juoney. _ For window hangings tho samo idea is effective and inexpensive as the galatea is sufficiently firm to uso unlin&l. It also comes in palo colours so is available to carry out a schomo of pink or bluo shades, and looks very well when laundered. Tho nicest wash silk for tho very necessary high ncck and half sleevo nnderbodices, for beneath lace or lingcrio waists, is white poau do crepo which washes just as a batiste or lawn ono would aud is blued before ironing also. Tho- restlessness and wakefulness " of' .children causcd by close hot nights in summer can often bo relieved by giving tho hot littlo body a cool sponge bath. Whenever this resourco fails try tho _ old-fashioned remedy of sweet spirits of nitre. To tho eagerly demanded "drink of water" add (according to age) from ten drops to half a teaspoonful of swbot spirits of nitre. Tho nitro acts upon skin and kidneys and speedily' relieves the tense feverish condition. To. many peoplo tho crisp, raw cucumber, appetising as it is, proves very indigestible. Let theso unfortunates try theirs cooked. Cooked cucumbers may be served hot, with a cream sauce, or cold as a salad. Rather ripo vegetables should bo selected, and they should bo stowed very slowly. 'Finely shredded chile peppers added to tho sauco improve its appearance and tako away from the slight insipidity of tho cooked cucumber without destroying its natural flavour. When tho cucumber is to bo served as a salad, cut it lengthwise instead of across, as pne does the raw cucumber.

1 Many a child has had its pleasures in sea bathing destroyed by tho well-meant but misguided efforts of its elders to make it onjoy tho o.\'i>orienoe. Who has not seen somo unfortunate little child borne, kicking and yelling, into deep water and dipped into what must seem to it fathomless depths? Tho shock thus given to "1110 sousitivo' nervous organisation of a child is a thing not to bo treated lightly. That tho little crcaturo may bo racing merrily on tho beach within ten minutes after its immersion is by no means proof that no harm lias been dono. It'is much better to let children choose their own depth near the shore, and paddlo about at their own sweet will. When an anxious mother fears a chill from this partial bathing, baby can usually bo coaxed into sitting, down in tho\ .-'shallow .".water, and then bo gently wot all over.