Domestic

New Zealand Tablet, 30 November 1911, Page 2441

Domestic

By Maureen.

Indoor Plants. A great many indoor plants die off every year just because they are not properly watered. To tell if a plant wants water, press the finger firmly into the earth round the roots. If the earth is dry and does not soil the finger, the plant needs a good soaking. A good soaking two or three times a week is better than daily dribbles of water. Wash the leaves of all indoor plants once a week. If they are not kept clean the piano will never thrive. The tiny pores ,in the leaves need to be kept open, just like the pores in the human body. When the plants have been watered keep them in the shade till the leaves are dry. Palms and aspidistras should be carefully sponged before the leaves are watered. Use slightly warm water, and support each leaf with the hand, so as it will not get bruised. Aspidistras thrive better than any other plant in a living room. If they look dull, take a bucket of soapsuds to which a little ammonia has been added and let the plant stand in it for half an hour. This will act as a tonic on the plant. To Treat Bruises. If a child fall and bump the forehead bind a piece of flat metal on at once to prevent swelling. If already swollen apply either very hot or very cold water to bruised parts. Either extreme heat or extreme cold is very good in such cases. If a horse or cow step on a person’s foot apply hot water at once, soak for at least a half-hour, keeping the water as hot as can be endured. If the injured member swells badly wrap a bandage, made from a long strip of strong muslin, tightly about it. If the ankle is sprained or injured so that the weight cannot be put upon it, keep it on the seat of a cnair and do not attempt to walic upon it until a doctor has examined it, as some small bone may be broken or ligaments torn loose, which, if aggravated, may make you lame for life. If the skin is broken wash out clean with warm water. If you have boracic acid or borax, put a level tablespoonful into a basin of water and let it dissolve, and bathe the cuts with this. If you have not anything in the line of medicated salves in the house plain castor oil applied to the bruised, cut surface will be found very soothing. If the bruise is on the shin bone or front of the leg between the knee and ankle it must be watched very carefully; clean the wound out well every day . If matter begins to form or the leg swells and the skin gets red or purple and shiny all about the sore spot, then do not delay, but have a doctor at once; it does not pay to delay too long. Savoury Omelette. Melt three or four ounces butter in a large enamelled frying-pan. Break four eggs into a basin and season with salt, pepper, and chopped parsley or other savoury herbs. Beat up the eggs well and pour into the frying-pan. Allow it to cook till slightly brown underneath, passing a large knife round the edge to prevent it from sticking to the pan. Hold the pan under the griller to allow of the top part becoming brown, and serve immediately on a hot dish. The great secret of successful omelette-making is to use plenty of butter and to beat the eggs well. Never attempt to turn an omelette like you would a pancake, or it will become flat, and never allow an omelette to stand; it must be served at once. ’

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