HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5427, 30 November 1895, Page 3

HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

To Pbevent Patent Leather fbom Cracking.— Always slightly warm the leather before inserting the foot into the shoe. ,

Fish-bone in thb Thboat.— When a fish-bone has Btuok in the throat a raw egg should be immediately swallowed, for it will almost always detaoh it.

Insects in "a Wardbobb.— Moisten a smalPpiece of paper with turpentine, and place it in the wardrobe for a day or two. This is an effective way of killing moths also.

Watercress fob Table should always be soaked in strong brine to kill all amaU insects. Thiß is not possible by ordinary washing in oold water, even when carefully pioked over.

A Tainted Eabthenwabe Jab.— Sweeten it by filling with dry earth and burying it in the ground tor a few days. Then rinse clean in cold water, and after* wards scald m soda water.

Window Plants. — These should be repotted every year; they will then grow well and look healthy, however old. Ferns of all eorta should be repotted in July or August; other plants when not in blossom.

White Paint, which is now ao fashionable for all woodwork in sitting-rooms, &c, may be easily washed with ammonia water or with whiting and water. The latter method ie not so trying to the hands as the first, ahd iB very effective.

A Nourishing Dish. — Eggs poached in gravy are very nourishing, and form a pleaßant change in the ordinary diet. The egga will be a better colour if poached in water aud then served in the rich brown gravy, or they may b 9 poached in clear gravy, and served iv it. A Valuable Stimulant.— Coffee stimulates the brain and nerves, thongh it has only a slight amount of nutriment. Mixed with more than half its quantity of milk, it forms the most perfect breakfast beverage for hard-working men and v/omea, especially those who lead a sedentary lifo.

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with wear, they should be washed with a weak solution of oxalic acid and water, and then with saddle soap and warm water. Black spots will readily yield to this treatment, and after the leather is dry it should be polished with a good leather cream.

To Sweep Walm.— Have flannelette bags made to fit your sweeping broom—* a string should be run in, and then be tied round the handle of the broom. This covered broom will be found very useful for wiping down walls, high. wardrobeß, and also polished floors. The bagß may be washed out easily, and dried before use. Linen is sometimes used for broom covers, but it is not equal to flannelette. Fob' the Fubnittjbe. — A Japanese furniture polish, said to be exceptionally valuable for its purpose, is prepared hy mixing well together one pint linseed oil, one pint strong cold tea, the whites of two eggs, and two ounces spirits of salt. When thoroughly combined pour into a bottle, whioh must be shaken each time before the polish is used. Make a pad of soft linen, pour, on a few drops of liquid, rub well over the artiole to be polished, and finish the process with an old silk handkerchief or dry chamois Bkin.

Cbeau Lettuce Soup.— The green leaves of two large lettuces are cut into shreds and put into one quart of stock, made preferably from veal or mutton bones, though water may be used, and simmer gently for half an hour. Press through a colander, return to the fire, mb a tablespoonful of butter and two of flour together, add to the soup, stir until it thickens, add a tablespoonful of grated onion, a half pint o! milk or cream, and a seasoning of salt and pepper. Put the yolk of one egg into a tureen, beat it lightly, ponr in the hot soup, add a tablespoonful of chopped parsley, and serve.