HELPFUL HINTS. 425 



either by itself, or used in connection with one of the other 

 stuffing materials ; but it is the least desirable. 



As to the making of the mattress, here are directions 

 furnished by one of our Florida housekeepers, which have 

 borne the test of eight years' experience : ' ' Make the tick 

 for a double bed in two sections, it is so much easier to 

 handle, and then there is never any sagging or ridge in 

 the middle of the bed. If possible, buy a good article of 

 ticking, for, if properly made, it should last a life-time. 

 In cutting, allow a good margin both in length and breadth, 

 else it will draw up in the stuffing, and be too short and 

 too narrow. 



" Cut out and sew up, box shape — a glance at a ready- 

 made mattress will show you how ; put the seams inside to 

 avoid harbors for insects; leave one end half open in the 

 middle of the seam. Have ready strong tape or strips of 

 ticking cut in lengths of about six inches ; sew these to 

 the wrong side of the tick with stout thread, about nine 

 inches apart ; place a folded bit of the ticking or bright- 

 colored cloth or leather on the top side, and sew through 

 all very securely. Be very careful that each strip on the 

 top-side is exactly opposite the corresponding one on the 

 bottom side. K^ow, keeping your tick wrong side out, or 

 rather, turned back to the first row of strings, stuff the 

 interval between these and the end with your moss or pal- 

 metto, or whatever else you use, and do not spare it, stuff 

 in all you possibly can — remember it will settle with use ; 

 then tie the strings securely, slip the ticking along to the 

 next row of strings, and proceed as before, and so continue 

 until the stuffing is completed ; then sew uj) the end, and 

 your mattress is an accomplished fact." 



In lieu of springs, an under-ticking may be made, leav- 

 ing one half the seam oj)en in the middle of the top, and 

 filled with pine needles. The odor of the pine is very pleas- 



