Household.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 976, 14 November 1890, Page 5

Household.

By washing the face in watermelon juice freckles are said to be speedily removed.

Black ink spots may be taken from white goods by dipping the soiled parts in melted tallow, letting it lie for a while, and then washing the ordinary way.

Jewellery can be made to look like new by washing with ammonia and water or alcohol, then drying and polishing with prepared chalk applied with flannel or chamois skin.

A new oontrivanae has been applied to watches called an ‘ appointment reminder.’ A small dial is set into the watch’s face, upon which one can set the hands at any hour required.

If the material is washable at all, black dye can practically be rendered a fast colour by the help of the salt water bath before general washing is commenced upon. After such a treatment faded black caused by washing will never occur.

h-o house should be inhabited which is not cutoff from the street sewers by an intercepting trap, preventing sewer gas from gaining access to the house, and which ensures that fresh air, and not foul vapours, are circulating through the drain-pipes.

Never wash cups, plates, spoons, and knives used in the sick room with those of the family, Scarlet fever andother infections diseases have been spread this way. Do not eat in a sick person’s room, or partake of anything that has stood there.

Whenever eggs are used in baking it is better te beat them thoroughly before any other ingredients are added. This is especially true when baking powder is used, as too much beating after the powder is added seems to kill its essential qualities.

The beat remedy for cold feet is to bathe them daily in hot water first and then in cold, and wearing woollen socks, and good comfortable boots, and taking plenty of exercise in the open air. See that yonr diet consists of pla n but nourishing food, avoiding all that is indigestible.

There is no opiate more sure to induce sleep and quiet than a low monotonous sing, song, without words, accompanied by a gentle rubbing o! the limbs or patting of the hand. If the child is old enough to realise that the watcher must of necessity be weary, and occasionally rise to say ‘ Poor mamma ?' giv* a cheery response, for positively no pathos mast be allowed in the sick room.

Shoes that are worn regularly, if cared for will last much longer than if neglected. A French kid shoe, if kicked on the closet floor or under the bed, will not last as long or look as well as one inferior in quality if properly cared for. When shoes are taken off they should be wiped with a soft cloth, and, after airing a little while, oiled or polished and put in a box by themselves or a shoebag, and when wanted for use can be taken out ready for wear. It is not advisable to use much of the dressing so fashionable for ladies’ and children’s shoes, as most of them crack the leather and ruiu it.

Spinach has a direct effect upon the kidneys. Asparagus purges the blood. Celery acts admirably upon the nervous system and is a cure for rheumatism and neuralgia. Tomatoes aot upon the liver. Beets and tnrnips are excellent appetisers. Lettuce and cucumbers are cooling in their effects upon the system. Onions, garlic, leeks, olives and shalots, all of which are similar, possess medical virtues of a marked character, stimu. lating the circulatory system, and the consequent increase of the saliva and the gastric juice promoting digestion. Red onions are an excellent diuretic, and the white ones are recommended to be eaten raw as a remedy for insomnia. They are a tonic, and nutritious.

To make a scent jar or pot-pourri procure a large quantity of fresh gathered rose leaves ; dry them in the sun continually turning them so that they may' be perfectly dry, as they will mildew if there is a drop of moisture left. Mix with them scented geranium. lemon thyme, lavendar, verbena, and any other scented leaves, all of which must be very dry before the powder is added. In about a week or ten days spread them out, sprinkle over them powdered orris root, powdered cloves, ground cinnamon, and bay salt, about half an ounce of each ; then drop over the whole 20 drops of oil of cloves, 20 drops of oil of lavender, 10 drops of oil of cinnamon, and as much oil of mask as you can afford, as it is very expansive. Mix all well together and put them in a wide mouthed jar ; stir it from time to time. It will give its perfume for many years.

One of the greattroubles in preserving frnit in glass jars is to prevent the formation of mould on the top. and the consequent spoiling of fruit when it rises above the top of the syrup. A very effective, cheap, and simple device is a disk of thin veneer of wood, from one-sixteenth to one-twentieth of an inch thick, and from two and three quarters to three inches in diameter, for one-qnart jars, made from beech, birch, elm, or ash, as these woods have no taste or flavour, and will not injure the fruit. To use dip in hot water to prevent cracking ; slightly bend, so as to slip in the neok down below the shoulder of the jar ; press down on the fruit, so as to allow the syrup to rise over it. The shoulder will keep it down and in place. When you wish to use the frnit, remove by .running a fork under and picking it out.