76 BED-CLOTHES. 



to the rind. Pour boiling water over them, and bake five or 

 six hours ; or if you have a good brick oven, keep them in 

 over night. This constant change of water which is recom- 

 mended has a tendency to diminish the flatulency of this 

 vegetable, which too often induces gripings. 



BEDS. Modern practice eschews the luxurious feather 

 bed, and mattresses made of wool for winter use, and of horse- 

 hair for summer, are mostly considered desirable beds. But 

 though these materials largely supply the market, palm-leaf, 

 cut straw, cornstalks, and various mosses are often used for 

 filling mattresses. Springs are inserted in nicely made hair- 

 mattresses to give them elasticity. 



A large bed, to be comfortable, requires about sixty pounds 

 of wool. If constantly used, it will need to be taken out 

 every two or three years, carded, and a few pounds of wool 

 added. Linen ticking is much nicer than cotton. Poland 

 starch put on wet, and dried in the sun, will remove oil spots, 

 and cleanse a ticking which may not need to be washed all 

 over. 



Pillows and bolsters, whether filled with feathers, or stuffed 

 with hair, should be generously plumped, both for econ- 

 omy of wear and for comfort. Small pillows stuffed with 

 hops sometimes quiet nervous headache, and induce sleep. 

 Square pillows stuffed with horse-hair are prescribed for 

 persons afflicted with weak or disordered eyes. 



BED-CLOTHES. Linen sheets, excepting for a New 

 England winter are much to be preferred. Russia sheeting 

 is very substantial in wear. Sheets should always be made 

 a little larger than the bed they are to cover ; pillow and 

 bolster cases should always fit easily. In covering pillows, 

 a case of strong thick muslin slipped on before the linen one 

 has a comfortable clad look. Pillow-cases are often made 



