MISCELLANEOUS. 621 



BOOTS AND SHOES— Cement for Patching Without Sew- 

 ing. — Pure gutta percha, eschewed or cut fine, )^<i oz., sulphide of carbon, 13^ 

 ozs. is about the right proportions. It should be the consistence of thick 

 molasses. Keep corked when not in use, as the sulphide is very evaporative. 

 Directions — Cut the patch the right shape, pare the edge thin, remove all dirt 

 and grease from the place to be mended. Apply 2 or 3 coats of the cement to 

 boot and patch,, with a suitable spatula or flat stick, as a brush soon dries up; 

 heat each and press on the patch with a warm burnishing iron, as shoemakers 

 understand. 



Remarks — The sulphide of carbon, has proved the best solvent for the 

 gutta percha. If well done, it will prove permanent and satisfactory. I have 

 had them thus applied, and they kept their position for many months. 



Boots — To Make Water-Proof. — Farmers and others whose business 

 calls them into wind, snow, etc. , ought to have their boots made purposely for 

 them, not of thick, heavy cowhide, but kip or some soft and pliable leather, a 

 kind the shoemakers know as a " nmner," is good, and the soles should be double 

 the whole length, and of firm and well tanned leather, and before wearing the 

 soles should be well filled with tallow, heated and dried in; then oil the uppers 

 with castor oil, also heated in, at least, a tablespoonful of it to each boot; then, if 

 out in muddy or damp weather, or snow, or if you are compelled to stand or work 

 in water during the day, wash oflf the boots clean at night, warming them by 

 the fire while wet, and rub in the castor oil, a teaspoonful at least to each boot, and 

 there will be no shrinkage, nor hard boots to get on in the morning. Do this 

 twice to thrice a week all vdnter, as the snow or mud demands. 



Remarks. — I have condensed this from a reiwrt of one Delos Wood, 

 address not given, to the Indiana Farmer, retaining all that is essential to 

 understand it. He says, "I have stood in mud and water 2 or 3 inches 

 deep, for 10 hours a day for a week, without feeling any dampness or having 

 any difiiculty in getting my boots on or off, by this heating every night." He 

 had previously tried one of the water proof receipts containing rosin, tallow, etc., 

 but found this the best plan. I will, however, give one of this kind, that any 

 one may suit himself as to plans. The compounds containing rosin, how- 

 ever, must have a tendency to harden the leather, but kerosene, as mentioned 

 below, is now said to soften them as soft as when new, so suit yourselves as to 

 •which shall be used. The oil dressing and blacking for leather, carriage tops, 

 etc., below, must, from the nature of its ingredients, prove a good dressing for 

 boots; but if I was making it expressly for boots, I'd leave out the Prussian 

 blue. Neat's foot-oil, and castor oil are both very softening for all kinds of 

 leather. Still, it is considered that rosin, and Burgundy pitch both have a ten- 

 dency to harden leather; but, as seen below, it has recently been discovered 

 that kerosene will soften old boots equal to new. 



Boots— Water-Proofing for.— D. S. Root, of Grand Rapids, Mich,, 

 a traveling man, whom I met at Eaton Rapids, after learning that I was the 

 author of the Receipt Books bearing my name, and that I am preparing my 

 Third and Last, desired to give me the following receipt, hoping it might 



