HOME TOPICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15174, 13 December 1912, Page 4

HOME TOPICS.

BLEMISHES REMOVED.

If I come across any spots on clothes and do not know what caused them I always put kerosene on them, using a small brush dipped in the oil to scrub the spot with. I find that in about 99 cases out of 100 the kerosene will remove the spot without further effort. So says on expert. THE HAREM VEIL. Take many yards of a filmy material, such as chiffon, and arrange it in what is called the harem way. Place the top edge across the face just at the bridge of the nose, then lift it. towards the brim of the hat, gradually, so that just a little of the hair near' the ears can be seen. Towards the back of the hat, roll the veil slightly over the edge of the brim, but not tightly enough to destroy its flowing effect.. The scheme of drapery leaves the eyes uncovered, and is convenient, therefore, to those who want to see the view whilst driving in the country. BRONZE SHOES. A revival is being made of the oldfashioned bronze shoes with bronze silk stockings to match. Nothing looks more pretty with nattier blue, pale pink, or pale mauve evening gowns, as well as with the pale sulphur and primrose shades, so fashionable now, as bronze. And as bronze kid shoes, like gold or silver brocade, can be worn with any colour, and last much longer than brocade, they ought to be assured of a warm welcome. NURSERY TALK. A little exercise the first, thing in the morning is excellent for the children, and when a child wakes up it should be encouraged to roll and tumble about to its heart's content. Protection for the Adventurous: If the nursery window is not protected by outside bars put a large screw or nail into the groove of the lower sash so that the window cannot be raised more than six inches. When the top sash is drawn down this is quite enough ventilation, and no matter how ingenious or venturesome the little ones may be they cannot wriggle through the smail lower opening. Milk from the Cup: Giving babies their milk from the cup as they grow older saves a great deal of trouble when the child is taken out, and, moreover, the little one will often be induced to take the milk in this way, which in the bottle be will firmly refuse to touch.

The Baby's Ears: When there is any danger of baby's ears growing out it is a good plan to let him wear at night a small open-work bonnet of cambric or nainsook, which will help to keep the ears fiat., Oaro should be taken that it is not in the least tight, and so prove uncomfortable for the little sleeper. No Force Necessary: Do not force a cliild to stand alone. Wait until he does so of his own free will. Many healthy babies do not walk until they are 18 months old. especially if they are at ail inclined to be heavy, and it is far better for them to continue crawling.

FIRE ECONOMY. The housewife's chief winter regret is the necessity of fires—the addition of coal bills and wood billa to the household accounts. How to economise in this direction is a problem. It is not economy to have poor firesnot at all— it is economy to make the best of them. It ie not wisdom to buy cheap coal, butgood coal goes three times 'as far used m conjunction with —broken coke. It is often possible, too, to buy wood suitable for firewod from some timber place at a much lower price than would be paid for the same amount of ordinary firewood properly cut. Fire-economisers, fire quick-lighters, and what not, are extravagant things to use. For starting a fire, in the first instance use only paper, wood, and good-shaped lumps of coal—no cinders., ashes, or odd remains. A good fire made at the outset is twice as economical 50 times more cosy than a pokey little fire which has 'to be repeatedly "made up." Never try to light a fire in a grate which has a pile of cinders beneath it.

Cinders should always be sifted when taken from a grate, even the cinder dust need not be wasted. Both cinder and coaldust can be made into balls with a Jittle clay and used on a bright fire. This alone effects a big economy m a few months. Newspapers, too, are very useful. A number of papers soaked in water, strained and squeezed into bails and used while damp, make a first-rate backing for a fire. Not .only is coal saved, but these paper balls send all the heat out into the room.

Once a fire has burnt clear, the coke before-mentioned can be used for making it up. It burns quite clear and gives a Kooa heat.