HINTS AND HELPS. 499 



a solution of chloride of lime. Foar ounces of the chloride of lim« is to be 

 put into a quart of water, in a bottle, and after thorough shaking allow the 

 dregs to settle. The clear U(jaid will remove the stains as readily as Javelle 

 water, but, ia using this, one precaution must be observed. Be careful to 

 thoroughly rinse the article to which this solution has been applied, in clear 

 water, before bringing it in contact with soap. When Javelle water is used, 

 thbi precaution is not necessary; but with the chloride of lime Uquid it is, or 

 the articles will be harsh and stiff. 



How to Clean Marble-top Farnitnre. — It may be of some value to 

 ho isekeepers who have marbl«-top furniture to know that the common 

 solution of gum arable is an excellent absorbent, and will remove dirt, etc., 

 from the marble. The method of applying is as follows: Brush the dust 

 oft the piece to be cleaned, then apply with a brush a good coat of gum 

 arable, about the consistency of thick office mucilage, expose it to the sun 

 or dry wind, or both. In a short time it will crack and peel off. If all the 

 gum should not peel off, wash it with clean water and a clean cloth. Of 

 course if the first appUcatirn docs not have the desired effect, it should be 

 applied again. Another method of cleaning marble is to make a paste with 

 sott soap and whiting, wash the marble with it, and then leave a coat of 

 paste upon it for two or three days. Afterward waah off with warm (not 

 hot) water and soap. 



IIo«v to Dresi a Fowl Properly. — In a large majority of households, 

 poultry La thought to be sufficiently cleansed when thoroughly washed, and 

 riused, in cold water, often after the fowl is cut up ready for cooking, thus 

 seriously injuring the flavor of the meat. The proper method is to scald, 

 ])ick, and singe the fowl as usual, and then to soap the fowl thoroughly, with 

 the hand or a cloth, rubbing it well. You will be surprised to find so much 

 impurity in the soapsuds, in which the fowl has been washed. Use two or 

 three rinsing waters and immerse in pure cold water for a few momenta. 

 Drain and wipe dry. The skin of the fowl is now deUcately clean, and if 

 placed beside a fowl, dressed in the ordinary way, a vast differeuce is ob- 

 served in favor of the clean fowl; be very particular to remove the entrails, 

 crop, and gall, without disturbing thqir contents, and one sUght rinsing ia 

 sufficient, and the delicate flavor presers-ed. 



Discolorations from Matches*. — ^Whatneat housekeeper is not annoyed 



when she sees on the spotless woodwork of her door or windows those long 

 dark scratches which reveal that some one has tried to light a match by 

 drawing it across the paint? Now this is sometimes our experience, for ser- 

 vants will be forgetful or careless, and the teU-tale scratches g^eet our eyes 

 in most unlooked-for quarters. But we have found a remedy for the marks, 

 which, as every one knows, quite defy soap and water. Cut a sour orange 

 or lemon in half, apply the cut half to the marks, rubbing for a moment 

 quite hard; then wash off with a clean rag, dipped first in water to moisten 

 it, and then iu whiting. Kub well with this rag, dry thoroughly, and nine 

 times out of ten the ugly mark will vanish. Of course, sometimes they are 

 burned in so deeply that they cannot be quite eradicated. All finger-marks 

 on painted walls, etc., should be rubbed off with a little damp whiting in 

 tlie same way, and never washed mth soapsuds, which destroys the paint. 



Preserving Olassware. — Almost every drawing-room nowadays has a 

 la.iip of some rich design upon the center-table, and to careful housekeeper* 



