154 THE FARMER'S AND 



good one. The wicks should have been previously pre- 

 pared, in a way familiar to almost every housekeeper. 

 Should any emigrant not understand it, any neighbor 

 will show him how it is done. Candle-wicking can 

 be procured at any of the country stores. It is necessa- 

 ry to keep the liquid hot while the dipping is going on. As 

 the tallow decreases in the pot by dipping, hot water 

 should be added to keep the tallow at the surface. The 

 candles should not be cooled too quickly, lest they should 

 crack. 



A better description of candles may be thus made. 

 Melt together ten ounces of mutton tallow, a quarter ol 

 an ounce of camphor, four ounces of beeswax, and two 

 ounces of alum ; and then run it into moulds as usual, 

 or dip the candles. These candles furnish a beautiful 

 light. 



TO MAKE HARD WATER SOFT. 



While the water is heating, take two quarts of wheat 

 bran, put this in a bag and place it in the water, and the 

 water, when hot enough for use, will be soft. This is 

 enough for a common washing. 



Another method is to use soda. A few ounces of this 

 will soften a hogshead of water. It will give a delicate 

 whiteness to the linen, without the slightest injury, and 

 will not affect the hands. It costs but little, and is a great 

 relief to those who cannot procure rain or other soft water. 



TO MAKE VINEGAR. 



Take a clean oaken-barrel, or wine-cask, place it in a 

 warm room ; if in the summer time, in a hot place where 

 the sun will strike on it ; put in one, two, or more gallons 

 of clear fermented cider ; leave the bung out, so that the 



