K. DOMESTIC AND HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY. 455 



suspicions to the collector that there was at times a strong 

 smell of mash from the drains. This led to inquiries and an 

 inspection of the premises, when the still was found. The 

 experience of the Metropolitan Association is that the 

 ground-rents of cottages in the country are three and a half 

 pence per family per week, while those of London average 

 eight pence per family per week. Cottages in the country 

 can be constructed at 34 per room, while the construc- 

 tion in London costs 36 per room. 



RENEWING WRINKLED SILK. 



It is said that silk which has become wrinkled may be 

 made to appear like new by sponging the surface with a 

 weak solution of gum arabic or white glue, and ironing on 

 the wrong side. 18 A, May 21, 1875, 242. 



WASHING WOOLEN CLOTHING. 



It has been found on trial that woolen articles treated by 

 the following method, suggested by Dr. Tillmann, do not 

 shrink, and remain unchanged in color. The garments are 

 to be soaked for several hours in a warm, moderately con- 

 centrated solution of soda, to which about half a tumbler of 

 ammonia water has been added, more or less, according to 

 the quantity of clothing. They are then to be washed out 

 after the addition of some warm water, and rinsed in fresh 

 water. The same result may be reached by adding a tum- 

 bler of ammonia water to a small tub of water, soaking: the 

 articles for half an hour in this, and then rinsing them in 

 pure water. 5 (7, IV., 1875, 32. 



AUSTRALIAN METHOD OF OBTAINING COOL WATER. 



A simple method of obtaining cool water, practiced very 

 extensively in Australia, seems worthy of introduction into 

 the United States, in localities where ice is not readily pro- 

 curable. This consists in the use of a large bucket, made of 

 sail-cloth or stout canvas (somewhat like that used for fire 

 buckets), about four feet high and ten inches in diameter. 

 A thick piece of flannel stretched across the top serves as a 

 strainer, and an open cock, a siphon, or some similar arrange- 

 ment, answers to draw the water. This is to be suspended 

 in the shade, under a tree or elsewhere, where the constant 



