494 THE HOUSEHOLD. 



will be bnrned, and tlio interior will stand little chance of being cooked. 

 The old plan of feeling the handle of the oven door to test the heat, is not 

 always successful; it is better to sprinkle a little flour inside, and shut tha 

 door for about three minutes; if at the end of that time it is of a rich light 

 brown, the cake may be put in; but if burned, the heat must first be lessened. 



Ilonseliulfl Conveniences. — There are many little contrivances which 

 add much to the comfort of the household, and cost but little money. A 

 little forethought often saves time and labor. A calico curtain tacked over 

 the wheel of the sewing machine, protects the operator's dress from grease. 

 A small wadded quilt made and kept especially to cover the bread when it 

 is set to rise, is much nicer and more cleanly than the old coats and shawls 

 which perform that duty in too many households. 



Mothers with several little children who attend school, will save time and 

 money by securely fastf^uing each child's glove to its coat by strong tapes. 

 A small table provided with a support which reaches to the floor and 

 steadies it, will bo found very useful in a crowded kitchen. It should be 

 attached to the wall by hinges, and when not in use can be folded up, thus 

 leaving the 8i5ace it occupied for other purposes. It can be used for dish 

 washing, is a capital place to mold the bread, or to U"on upon. A large 

 dining-table may bo made in the same way, only it must be fastened up 

 against the wall and secured by a button or bolt. 



Mending Rubber Boots. — Procure some pure gum, which can be 

 bought at any wholesale rubber house, or you can have your druggist order 

 it for you at a cost of about five cents per ounce. At the same time order 

 patching, and it is well to have two thicknesses for mending different goods. 

 Put an ounce or two of giim into three or four times its bulk of benzine, cork 

 tightly and allow it to stand four or five days, when it will be dissolved. 

 Wot the boots with benzine for an inch or more around the hole and scrape 

 with a knife; repeat this wetting with benzine and scraping several times 

 until thoroughly cleaned, and a new surface exposed. Wot the cloth side of 

 the patcliing with benzine and give one light scraping, then apply with a 

 knife a good coating of the dissolved rubber, both to the boot and patch, 

 and allow it to dry until it will not stick to your fingers, then apply the two 

 surfaces and press or lightly hammer into as perfect compact as possible, 

 and sot away for a day or two, if possible, before using. If you do not suc- 

 ceed it will not be the fault of the process. 



UpUolstering Old Cano Cliairs.- WTien the cane seat of a chair ia 

 broken, it may be made as good as now, or bettor, by upholstering it at 

 home. After removing the superfluous bits of cane, cover the space with 

 matting formed of three-inch wido canvas belting woven together. Tack it 

 temporarily in place. After placing over this some coarse muslin, draw 

 both smooth, and secure at the edge with twine, making use of the perfora- 

 tions. Eemove the tacks, turn the raw edge over toward the center and 

 baste it down. Arrange the curled hair and wool, or whatever you propose 

 to use for stuffing, and keep it in position by basting over it a piece of mus- 

 lin. Then carefully fit the rep, jiin it in different places until you arc certain 

 it is in perfect shape, and tack it permanently, following, of course, the 

 tracing made for the cane. Cover the edge with galloon to match the rep, 

 nsing tiny ornamental tacks, and tie with an upholsterer's needle in as many 

 places as is desirable, leaving a button on the upper side. Wlion the back 

 of the chair is to be repaired, a facing must be ti^cked ou tho out«idc, 



