1868. 



NEW ENGLAND FAEMER. 



675 



Softening Cotton Cloth. 



We have a way of shrinking and softening 

 cotton and linen cloths to prepare them for 

 sewing, which I find is not generally known. 

 As it is much less trouble than the method in 

 ordinary use, it will, undoubtedly, be welcome 

 to such of your lady readers as are in favor 

 of labor-saving. Lay the cloth in smooth 

 folds — as it comes from the shops — in a tub, 

 and cover it entirely with boiling water. (The 

 suds in which washed clothes have been boiled 

 are nice for this purpose.) Cover the tub 

 closely and let it stand till cold. Then drain 

 off the water sufficiently to allow the cloth to 

 be hung up to dry without wringing. Pin the 

 first end to the clothes line firmly, by the sel- 

 vedge, carry it along the line, pinning it se- 

 curely at short intervals till it is all hung up 

 smoothly. When dry, fold it carefully as you 

 take it off and it will be smooth enough to cut 

 without ironing. 



Book Shelves. 



Very pretty book shelves to hang upon a 

 wall may be made of any light soft wood by 

 covering strips of graduated lengths with 

 bright fine flannel to match in color the carpet 

 or furniture. Thin boards seven inches wide, 

 cut in lengths of twenty-seven inches for the 

 lowest shelf, twenty two inches for the second 

 and seventeen inches for the top shelf, with 

 two holes in each end large enough to receive 

 a picture cord will be sufficient. Nail the 

 flannel on the side and ends with brass headed 

 nails. Have cords of the same color, long 

 enough to hang the shelves from the top of 

 the wall at a convenient distance for use. 

 Tie knots in the jords for each shelf to rest 

 upon. The four cords may be joined above 

 the top shelf and only two be carried up to 

 the ceiling. Mary. 



Parsonsfield, Me., Oct. 8, 1868. 



Mr. Editor : — Having never seen a receipt 

 in the Farmer for making sweet pickle, I 

 thought I would send the one I have, as I 

 think it an excellent one. 



Sweet Pickle. 



Three quarts of cider vinegar; three lbs. 

 of brown sugar; three ounces of cinnamon; 

 three ounces of whole cloves, to seven lbs. of 

 Iruit. The fruit should be boiled until tender. 

 Seed cucumbers are used by some, while oth- 

 ers use the rind of watermelons or other melons. 

 Apples, peaches and pears are used also. 



Cooking Salt Pork. 



Perhaps some of your lady readers would 

 like my way of cooking salt pork. Our family 

 are all very fond of it. 



Cut the slices small and thin ; fry them 

 brown ; then have ready a batter made of two 

 eggs, milk and flour, the quantity you desire ; 

 cover the pork with this batter, and fry brown 

 again, turning the pieces to brown each side. 

 This is an easy dinner to prepare, when the 

 meat man disappoints you by not making- his 

 appearance, and you are making calculations 

 for him to bring the dinner. 



Bleeding at the Nose. 



I have also, an excellent remedy for bleed- 

 ing at the nose, which I have never known to 

 fail in our family. I have never seen it in the 

 Farmer, and think every one ought to know 

 so simple a remedy. Take a piece of brown 

 paper, fold it several times until it is the size 

 of a small penny, then wet it in cold water 

 and apply it to the little string under the 

 upper lip, holding it there until the blood 

 ceases to flow, which will be almost immedi- 

 ately. 



I have a little girl who is frightened almost 

 to death when she has the nose bleed, which is 

 quite frequently, and she always says, "Oh, 

 mother, do put some paper on my mouth 

 quick." for she well knows the result. 



I fear I have written too much for this time, 

 but it is two years, I think, since I have taken 

 my pen to address you. Respectfully yours, 



Millville, Oct. 12, 1868. Jennie. 



Julia's Apple Pudding. 



Pare and slice six good sized apples ; add 

 two spoonfuls of Indian meal ; three spoon- 

 fuls of sugar ; one tea spoonful of cinnamon ; 

 the same of salt; then add some crumbs of 

 nice wheat bread or crackers ; stir these all 

 together, and pour on one quart of boiling 

 milk. Now add one quart of cold milk and - 

 two spoonfuls of flour. Bake one hour in a 

 quick oven. E. c. M. 



Corinth, Vt., Sept. 28, 1868. 



Remarks. — Our contributors to this depart- 

 ment are always welcome, and frequently give 

 us some very valuable hints and receipts. We 

 hope "Jennie" will not allow so long a tune 

 to elapse before writing again. "A young 

 lioiisekeeper" desires us to say to some of the 

 ladies who have received first premiums for 



