[HIJtfTS AND HELPS. 4&0 



(2) Gum copal varnish applied to soles of boots and shoes, and repeated 

 as ii dries until the pores are filled and the surface shines like polished 

 mahogany, will make the sole waterproof, and it lasts three times longer for 

 the appUcation. 



A Good Paste. — To make a paste that will keep, take of wheat flour, one 

 ounce; powdered alum, one-half drachm; water sufficient, or eight ounces; 

 oil of cloves, or wintergrcen, three or four drops. Hub the flour and the 

 alum with water to the consistence of milk; place this over a moderate fire 

 and stir constantly until the paste drops from the wooden paddle in jelly- 

 like flakes and has the appearance of starch. While the mass is still hot, 

 add the essential oil and pour the paste into an earthenware pit or open jar. 

 In the course of about an hour a crust forms on the top; pour gently on this 

 an inch of water, more or loss. When some paste is wanted, decant the 

 water, take out the quantity needed and put some water again on the re- 

 mainder, repeating the operati»n each time. Paste may be kept in thia way 

 for months, aud will never be tronbled with flies. 



To AVo-sli Graining. — Use clear, warm water, no soap, a clean, white 

 cloth. Wash only a small place at a time, and wipe dry with another clean, 

 white cloth. Do not wet more space than can be dried immediately with the 

 dry cloth, as graining must not be left to dry in the atmosjthcre. It must l>e 

 rubbed drj*; hence the necessity of white, dry cloths. If the graining has 

 been neglected, or soiled with greasy fingers, or specked by summer growth 

 or flies, a little hard soap may be necessary in the first water, but must be 

 speedily rinsed oflT in clear water and wiped dry. But, if possible, avoid 

 the use of soap, as it deadens the varnish, however carefully handled, and 

 on no account must any soap be rubbed on the cloth. 



To Make a CItenp Telephone. — Take a wooden tooth-powder box and 

 make a hole of about the size of a half crown in the lid and the bottom. 

 Take a disk of tinned iron, such as can be had from a preserved meat tin, 

 and place it on the outside of the bottom of the box, and fix the cover on 

 the other side of it. Then take a small bar-mague", place on one end a 

 small cotton or silk reel, and round the reel wind some iron wire, leaving 

 tlic ends loose. Fix one end of the magnet near, as near as possible without 

 touching, to the disk, and then one part of the telephone is complete. A. 

 similar arrangement is needed for the other end. With this one can con- 

 verse at a distance of about one himdred yards. 



Mosquito Remedy. — To clear a sleeping-room of mosquitoes, take a 

 liiece of paper rolled around a lead-pencil to form a case, and fill this with 

 very dry Pyrolhrum powder (Persian insect powder), putting in a little at a 

 time, and pres.sing it down with the pencil. This cartridge, or cigarette, 

 may be get in a cup of sand to hold it erect An hour before going to bed 

 tlie room is to be closed, and one of these cartridges burned. A single car- 

 tridge will answer for a small, room, but for a large one two are required. 

 Those who have tried this find that it effectually disposes of the mosquitoes. 



To Hrevent Fruit Jars Breaking. — Canning fruit is hot enough work 

 without any hot water or hot jars around. Instead of this, wrap the jars 

 ^•ith a towel saturated with cold water, and pour in your hot fruit. Any one 

 who has not tried it will naturally say: " That is the sure way to break jars." 

 I would say, just try one jar and Bcc. We have caimed hundreds of jars. 



