498 THE HOUSEHOLD. 



it is a vexed problem how to keep lamp chimneys from cracking. The 

 Diamond is aLeipsic journal devoted to glass matters, and from that we 

 clip the following bit of useful information: " Place your tumblers, chimneys 

 or vessels which you desire to keep from cracking, in a pot filled with cold 

 water and a Mttlo cooking salt; allow the mixture to boil well over a fire, 

 and then cool slowly. Glass treated in this way is said not to crack, even if 

 exposed to very sudden changes of temperature. Chimneys become very 

 durable by this process, which may also be extended to crockery, stone- 

 ware, porcelain, etc. The process is simply one of annealing, and tlie 

 slower the process, especially the cooling portion of it, the more eflective 

 will be the work." 



A Good Cement. —A good cement for mending almost anything may be 

 made by mixing together litharge and glycerine to the consistency of thick 

 cream or fresh putty. This cement is useful for mending stone jars or any 

 coarse earthenware, stopping leaks in seams of tin pans, wash-boilers, cracks 

 and holes in iron kettles, etc. Holes an inch in diameter in kettles can bo 

 filled and used the same for years in boiling water and feed. It also may 

 be used to fasten on lamp-tops, to tighten loose nuts, to secure bolts whoso 

 nuts are lost, to tighten loose joints of wood or iron, loose boxes in wagon 

 hubs, and in a great many other ways. In all cases the articles mended 

 should not be used until the cement is hardened, which wQl require from 

 one day to a week, according to the quantity used. This cement will resist 

 the aetion of water, hot or cold, acids, and almost any degree of heat. 



The Best Kno-ivn Receipt for Corning Beef— Cut the beef in small 

 pieces, leaving out the lai'ge bones, pack solid in a six-gallon crock with a 

 weight on top. Pour over the beef boiling-hot brine made as follows: Two 

 gallons of water, three pounds of salt, one ounce of saltpeti-e, a pound of 

 sugar and two large spoonfuls of baking soda. After two weeks, heat and 

 slum the brine, aod repeat the process whenever you think necessary, but 

 never put the brine on hot after the first time. If the weather is hot you 

 can add a handful of salt and soda at any time, and like all pickling be sure 

 the brine covers the beef. If packed in a barrel, a large cloth should bo 

 eecurely tied over it in summer, to secure its contents from flies. The 

 nicest vessel to put it into is a half barrel earthen jar. 



The Use of a Broom. — As simple as the advice may seem, but very few 

 people handle a broom properly, although they are accustomed to sweep 

 more or less every day of their lives. There is science in handling a broom, 

 as well as in many other kinds of labor. Always draw your broom, by lean- 

 ing the handle forward, because the position of the broom will take the dirt 

 along more gently; it will sweep cleaner; it will not wear out the carpet so 

 fast. Your broom will bo kept in proper shape and not half so much dust 

 will bo raised to be afterward wiped from your furniture. Most carclci^s 

 B weepers thrust their broom forward of tlicm in a sort of a digging way, 

 with the handle inclining towardfj them. Tlus way you will find breaks j-our 

 broom, flirts up more dust, and makes the sweeping much more laborious. 



To Render I^eather "Wn,terproof._(l) This simple and effectual rem- 

 edy is nothing more than a little beeswax and mutton suet, warmed in a 

 pipkin until in a liquid state. Then rub some of it lightly over the edges of 

 the solo where the stitches arc, which will repel the wet, and not in the least 

 prevent the blacking from having the usual effect. 



