THE HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11200, 21 October 1899, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE HOME.

Things a WOMAN wants TO know. If one's clothing catches fire the thing to do is to smother the flame. If the lower garments have ignited, sit on them; if the upper garments, then a blanket, or even a hearthrug, may be wrapped round, and one should roll on the floor to crush out the flame while shouting for help. Many valuable lives have been lost by people running for assistance, and thus fanning the flame, instead of beginning the work of extinguishing it for themselves. A waterproof cement which is very useful for mending broken and cracked ware, and which will stand a considerable degree of beat, is made as follows: Mix equal parts of vinegar and milk, turn off the whey, and mix it with five eggs. Beat the whole together, and then add sifted quicklime till the mass acquires the consistency of thick paste. A cracked iron vessel, stove, or pipe may be patched with a cement made of ashes, salt, and water. Soft snap is a handy kitchen remedy for burns and scalds. To k°ep a room cool in hot weather shade the window from the sun, and throw up the lash as far as it will go. Cover the opening with a thick cloth wrung out of cold water. If the cloth be constantly kept damp the air passing through it will be wonderfully cooled. To keep meat fresh in hot weather cover it with bran, and hang it in a current of air. Coloured silk handkerchiefs and shirts should be washed thus: Have ready two hot irons and two pans of water. Into one pan pour hot water and into the other cold, adding a small wineglass of vinegar to every three quarts of water. Make the hot water into a creamy lather by the addition of soap jellv. Soap jelly is made by finely shredding half a pound of white soap into three pints of water and boiling it till the soap is dissolved. When cold it will be readv for use.) Wash each article separately in the hot water, and then rinse quickly. Do not wring them, but press them between the hands to rid them of moisture. If stiffening is wanted, pass them through a solution of gum water. This is prepared by pouring a quart or so of boiling water over an ounce of gum arabic. Now fold the silk as smooth as possible, and pass it through a mangle, and roll in a clean cloth ready for ironing. Take care in ironing not to scorch, for silk is easily damaged. White silk may be washed in the same way, but then the vinegar is unnecessary. HOUSEHOLD HINTS. Fighting the Moth Fiend.—No matter how carefully furs are stored, they need constant attention if they are to emerge in good condition next winter. Valuable ones should he examined, well beaten, pockets turned inside out, and repacked every three weeks. Rather a nuisance, but worth doing, if you value your possessions. Wardrobes and cupboards should occasionally be washed out with water to which a little carbolic acid has been added. If tliev are allowed to thoroughly dry afterwards before the things are replaced, there will be no unpleasant odour. Naphtha is an excellent thing to kill moths, and any article they have got into should be well brushed, thoroughly rubbed with it, and hung in the open air. Remember that naphtha is highly inflammable, so don't use it near a fire or light. Never store things in drawers or boxes over the inside of which paper has been pasted. It is quite possible that moths' eggs may already be laid underneath, and, will hatch out later on. Before packing, all drawers and boxes should be wiped out with a cloth wrung out (if a solution of carbolic acid, and allowed to dry thoroughly. Newspaper is capital for wrapping. For come reason moths have a strong objection to printers' ink. Moths often attack carpets that are nailed to the floor, especially in dark corners. Spirits of turpentine will remedy this, and all infested patches should be well rubbed with it occasionally. Wet Umbrellas.— wet umbrella should never be stcd ferule end downwards to dry, neither should be opened. Instead, shake it well, close it loosely, and stand it handle downwards till dry. Never roll a parasol or .umbrella tightly when putting away. Tight rolling makes the silk press on the wires and wear out. THE CONTROL OF CHILDREN. Discipline is very necessary for children, and they should be taught early in life that, however much they are loved and petted by their parents, still mother and father are reigning monarchs in the home, and that their word is a law to be obeyed without delay or question. Some mothers very foolishly over-indulge their children, and take no trouble to make themselves obeved, but are content with threats of punishment to be administered by the child's father. i have a case like this in my mind's eye at the present time. There the child is a little boy. who completely rules his mother, and makes himself a perfect nuisance to her numerous friends and relatives. The child only behaves himself properly when l in his father's presence, and he, good kind man that lie is, is regarded as a sort of ogre by his little son. for whenever the boy's naughtiness is too bad to be tolerated by his mother, he is carried off to the study for paternal chastisement. This is distinctly unjust to both father and son. and unless the mother sees the error ot her ways and amends them, she will bitterlv repent of her folly later on in having thus sown the seeds of dislike towards bis fathe • in the heart of the child, from whom he deserves so much love. TOILETS HINTS. To Impro\; the Comnlexion—Oranges eaten before breakfast have a wonderfully beautifying effect on the cnnmlexion, and can do no harm if ea'en in moderation. For " Sallov Complexion.— is better for this than oathing it in elderflower water. At night this should be allowed to dry on the skin. In the morning wash the face in the usual way, bathe with the elderflower lotion foi a few minutes, wipe with a soft towe', and finish off with a soft, clean chamois leather. Stains on the Nails.—Try lemon juice to remove these. It must be well rinsed off afterwards, and the miners carefully dried. Soap for the Face.—The Erasmic Herb Soap is quite the nicest 1 have ever used for the face. It is delicio'isly scented with violets, and is altogether delightful. So, also, is the Erasmic per'ume prepared by the same firm. Do try it. To Soften the Face —Sweet-almond oil alone agrees excellently with some skins. Try it for a day or two. Nearly every skin requires different treatment, and the only plan is to experiment t'll you find out what suits yours. HOUSEKEEPF RS' HELPS. To take a glass-stopjer from a decanter, drop a little oil with :i feather between the stopper and the deea iter neck, and stand near the fire. If hot sealing wax i ; dropped on the hand, it will not make a jainful burn if allowed to remaiD on till it cools. Rain-marks may D; removed from cloth by damping the part narked thoroughly, then ironing it with a l ot iron. Paper may be zade transparent by spreading over it with « feather a thin layer of resin dissolved in soirits of wine. A little powdered washing soda applied 011 a damp flannel will successfully polish tin ware. .a piece of charcoal in the water containing cut flowers will keep the water fresh for some time. ' Flowers, in the summer especially, should be watered before sunrise or after sunset. | DON'TS FOR WIVES. Don't be jealous because your husband is 4:, a gentl-man, and consequents polite to other women Don t bother him with details of dressy\ „ making, but put on your prettiest clothes V for him. Don't have Bridget's'-and Mary Anne's failings and shortcomings for dinner. •*i ' Don't attempt to outdress /Airs. Smith fc-V': when her husband has twice as much income - as ynurs has. I • '' ■ Don't talk about your old lovers; your i'i husband may eventually wish one of them Ite H had you,-; .* Don't leave the children entirely, to the ££'<• nurs?/and then wonder at their behaviour. t