22 ALUM. 



cultivated in most common garden soils. Some of the 

 varieties are very beautiful, and any are desirable for a 

 flower-garden. It can be propagated from seed, or by 

 cuttings and layers. Seeds are thought to produce the best 

 plants. 



ALUM (Lat. Alumen). A mineral or earthy salt of an 

 acid taste. It is a sulphate of alumina, combined usually 

 with a sulphate of potash. ( Worcester.) 



This mineral salt contains, according to chemical results, 

 in different proportions, sulphuric acid, alumina, potash, and 

 water. Its cleansing qualities often tend to dissipate inflam- 

 matory sores and ulcers which have already reached the crisis. 

 It is rendered milder by burning a bit on a shovel or iron 

 plate, and reducing it to a smooth powder. 



Alum Lotion, or water impregnated with alum, is some- 

 times, among other minerals and earths, used by florists in 

 watering the Hydrangea, to change the pink flowers to blue. 

 It does not always succeed. (Mrs. Loudon's Gardening for 

 Ladies.) 



Alum Whey is made by mixing half a pound of powdered 

 alum with one pint of milk. Strain, and sweeten it with 

 white sugar, and add a little nutmeg. It is efficacious some- 

 times in diarrhoea, and in cases of colic. 



Alum is much used in dyeing processes. A good domes- 

 tic dye, for homely purposes, is made by boiling sugar-loaf 

 paper with vinegar in an iron vessel, and fixing the color 

 with alum. This liquid is carefully strained before any cloth 

 is boiled in it, and the cloth to be dyed should be wet. 



Alum is sometimes put into rinsing-water in washing cali- 

 coes where green and yellow colors predominate. 



A very little alum is frequently put into vinegar for pickles, 

 to harden them and improve their color. 



