HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XII, Issue XIII, 31 March 1894, Page 310

HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

FROSTED LEAVES AND BERRIES. Make a strong solution of gum arabic in water (common mucilage is hardly pure enough), dip berries in that, and let them dry ; they are then in a fit state for decorative purposes at any time during winter ; you must use artificial leaves. To ‘ frost ’ leaves, paint or touch them with gum, then dust powdered glass over them, made by putting glass in the fire, allowing it to melt, then bruising it to powder with a smoothing iron. TABLE DECORATIONS. As a matter of fact, the coloured table centre is not fashionable, though it is still used in many houses where it is liked. The truth is, there is no definite ‘ fashion ’ in decoration ; the one thing desired is beauty, and if originality can be secured at the same time, so much the better. For everyday use I know few things prettier than the large rush or wicker baskets with zinc linings filled with ferns, and trails of clematis, ivy, or blackberry, a large ribbon bow giving colour to the whole. For instance, have a basket in the centre of the table thus filled, and scattered down the table, one for each guest (or if the table is a small one, one at each corner), have specimen glasses of the green or citron art glass, with a single dahlia and a spray of fern or asparagus. Or, if you like, have a plain round basket, such as is used for fruit, enamelled and gilt lightly, and set in this a row of fernsof any light feathery sortyou choose, and stand the lamp in the centre of this (small tobacco or cocoa tins make excellent receptacles for the ferns, and are easily hidden with a little moss). Have small baskets at each corner of the table with a small fern in each, and either the specimen glasses, or trails of greenery laid along the cloth tied with a bright-coloured bow. I once saw a very pretty decoration which consisted only of strawberry boxes, carrot tops, and fungi. The strawberry boxes had been gilded, a saucer was placed in each filled with moist sand, and in these were planted the top of a carrot with its plume of green—this lasted for weeks ; then round it was laid some light, fernlike moss, and in this were set the tiny scarlet and pink fungi one finds on old walls, etc., at this time of year. The effect was charming ; I must add that the carrot tops lived long enough to be trimmed up with Christmas roses, violets, and snowdrops in turn. The tiny dishes of bright-coloured bonbons now so much used at dessert are also a great help in the table decoration. The boxes, I should add, were sawn in half, so as to stand about three inches high. REMEDY FOR FRECKLES. A balsam which is said to remove and prevent freckles is prepared by uniting, at a gentle beat, 4oz of the finest pale honey and loz of Price’s glycerine. Allow the mixture to cool, and then add 1 fluid ounce of rectified spirit, six drops essence of ambergris, and 3dr of pure citric acid. Bottle at once, and apply in the usual manner. A lotion is also recommended. This is made by dissolving 3gr of borax in sdr each of rosewater and orange-flower water. This should be applied every night, and allowed to dry on the skin. DISPOSITION OF HOUSEHOLD REFUSE. ‘Hall housekeepers followed my example, theashman would have most of his trouble for his pains,’ remarked a clearheaded woman as she dumped a bundle of odds and ends into a kitchen range. ' I never have anything for the ashman except at house* cleaning time and on unusual occasions, save the ashes and cinders. I have several reasons for this. One is, that I excessively dislike the smell of kitchen refuse, and never allow it to stand about if I can help it. After my meal is prepared I gather up everything that is useless and put it on to the coals in the range, then turn on the draughts full. In fifteen minutes, all other

things being equal, there will not be a scrap of objectionable material left; everything is reduced to clean ashes. I consider it an actual waste to throw out the refuse into the garbage can. It is j ust so much good fuel to me, and I never think of doing it. Icankeepa fire for hours on potato-parings, apple cores, peach-pits, and similar stuff that is ordinarily thrown away. I never allow the yard or area way to be cumbered up by trash of any sort, dust sweepings, leaves, dried-up flowers, everything goes into a receptacle, and in due course of time finds its way into the capacious throat of the kitchen range. I find that this sort of thing makes quite a bit of difference in my coal bills, and that, to me, is an item of some importance. I am forced to admit, however, that the average servant is no good whatever as a consumer of odds and ends; indeed, it is scarcely safe to expect her to dispose of things in this way. One whom I attempted to teach dumped the remains of Sunday’s roast, half a plum pudding and a goodly quantity of stale bread into the fire, and with it destroyed my ambition to teach help to do anything out of the beaten track.’