500 THE nOUSEliOLD. 



one and two quarts, and liavc never broken one in filling. I can't explain 

 why, but simply know that it is the fact. 



To Cleanse Woodwork. - Save the tea leaves for a few days, then 

 steep them in a tin pail or pan for half an hour, strain through a sieve and 

 use the tea to wash all vai-nishcd paint. It requires very little " elbow 

 polish," as the tea acts as a strong detergent, cleansing the paint from all 

 impurities, and making the varnish equal to new. It cleans window sashes 

 and oil cloths; indeed, any varnished surface is improved by its application. 

 It washes window panes and mirrors much better than water, and is excel- 

 lent for cleaning black walnut picture and looking-glass frames. It will not 

 do to wash unvarnished paint with it. Take a small quantity on a damp 

 flannel, rub lightly over the surface, and you will be surprised at its effects. 



To Clean Silver Plate. — Hartshorn is one of the best possible ingre- 

 dients for plate-powder in daily use. It leaves on the silver a deep, dark 

 polish, and is less hurtful than any other article. To wash plate carefully 

 is first to remove all the grease from it, and this can be done with the use of 

 warm water and soap. The water should bo as nearly hot as the hand can 

 bear it. Then mix as much hartshorn powder as will bo required into a 

 thick paste with cold water. Smear this lightly over the plate with a piece 

 of soft rag, and leave it for some little time to dry. When perfectly dry, 

 brush it off quite clean with a soft plate-brush, and polish the plate with a 

 dry leather. If the plate be very dirty or much tarnished, spirits of wine 

 will be found to answer better than water for mixing the paste. 



To Clean Velvet.. — Velvet reqiiires very careful manipulation, as it 

 loses its fine appearancs if wrung or pressed when it is wet. To remove 

 dust, strew very fine dry sand upon the velvet, and brush in the direction of 

 the lines until all the sand is removed. The brush must be a now one. To 

 remove dirt, dissolve ox gall in nearhj boiling water, and add some spirits 

 of wine; dip a soft brush in this solution and brush the dirt out of the 

 velvet. It may require repeated brushing. After this, hang the velvet up 

 carefully to dry. For finishing, ajjply a weak solution of gum, by means of 

 a sponge, to the reverse side of the velvet. 



Canning S-weet Corn. — The "Oneida Community" preserves sweet 

 corn by cutting the corn raw mto tin cans; then fill with cold water even 

 with the top of the corn; soLierupthe can, pricking a small hole in tho 

 cover; solder that also. Boil the cans and contents in boiling water two and 

 a half hours; then with a hot iron open the small hole and let the gas blow 

 out, after which solder up and boil again two and a half hours and set away 

 for use, Peas, string beans, and lima beans can bo put up in this same 

 iiiannor, and they certainly pay for the trouble of putting up. Every family 

 should have a soldering a])paratu8, as it M'ould pay for itself in a very short 

 time, and save many trips to the tinner's. 



To Remove Grease from Carpets. — The following mixture is rccom- 

 mcnded'for- taking grease out of carpets: Aqua ammonia, two ounces; soft 

 water, one quart; saltpetre, one toaspoonful; shaving soap, one ounce, 

 finely scraped. Mix well, shake and let it stand a few houra or days, before 

 using, to dissolve the soap. When used pour on enough to cover any grease 

 or oil that has been spilled, sponging and i-ubbing well and applying again 

 if necessary; then wash off with clear cold water. It is a good mixture lo 



