THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



155 



prepared in this waj^, is quite as good as a white 

 one. But you rnay bleach it by adding to the 

 water, when boiling, a few drops of oil of vitriol. 



After using a sponge, always wash it imme- 

 diately in clean water; squeeze it out, and let it 

 dry. 



To Clean Looking Glasses. — Take a newspa- 

 per or a part of one, according to the size of the 

 glass. Fold it small, and dip it into a basin of 

 clean cold water. When thoroughly wet, squeeze 

 it out in your hand as you would a sponge, and 

 then rub it hard all over the face of the glass, 

 taking care that it is not so wet as to run down 

 in streams. In fact, the paper must be only com- 

 pletely moistened or damped all through. After 

 the glass has been well rubbed with the wet 

 paper, let it rest a few minutes ; and then go 

 over it with a fresh dry newspaper (folded small 

 in your hand) till it looks clear and bright — 

 which it will almost immediately, and with no 

 farther trouble. 



This methed (simple as it is) is the best and 

 most expeditious for cleaning mirrors, and it will 



be found so on trial — giving a clearness and 

 polish that can be produced by no other process. 

 It is equally convenient, speedy, and elfeciive. 

 The inside of window panes may be cleaned in 

 this manner, to look beautifully clear; the win- 

 dows being first washed on the outside. Also, 

 the glasses of spectacles, &c. The glass globe 

 of an astral lamp may be cleaned with news- 

 paper in the above njanner. 



Dusting Furniture. — If a hand-brush is used 

 for dusting furniture, it should always be fol- 

 lowed by a dusting cloth. A brush merel}^ dis- 

 turbs the dust without taking it up or absoibing 

 it; and is only useful in dislodging it from cre- 

 vices. Therefore, if the dust is not afterwards 

 wiped up in a cloth (which shoidd be frequently 

 shaken out of the window) it floats about the 

 room, and settles again ; being only removed 

 from one place to spread itself on another. A 

 yard of sixpenny calico will make two small dust- 

 ers, or one large one. They should be hemmed, 

 that the servants may not regard them as mere 

 rags, to be torn up, or thrown away when dirty. 



For the Southern Planter. 

 CHEAP AND DURABLE HINGE 



/ 



Mr. Editor^ — Permit me to describe to yoiu' 

 readers a hinge applicable to gates of every de- 

 scription, which in point of durability, simpli- 

 city and economy excel any others 1 have ever 

 used or seen. 



The part to be inserted in the gate-post is to 

 be made of seasoned oak, locust, or any other 

 hard wood, 8 inches long and shaped like Fig. I. 



The hole in the gate-post to be bored with an 

 inch and a half auger, and one inch of the outer 

 part to be mortised square, to prevent its turning. 



The part to be inserted in the frame of the 

 gate is to be made of three-fourths or one inch 

 square iron, five or six inches long, the upper 

 surface at one end flattened, and a hole punched 

 through the other end, as represented in Fig. 2. 



Oak or iron pins, in the shape of Fig. 3, pass- 

 ing through the holes in the two parts, hang the 

 gate — it can be shipped or unshipped in half a 



minute. The bottom hinge to be placed some 

 distance above the ground, to prevent rust or 

 decay — a small piece of old shoe sole, greased, 

 to be placed between the parts to make the gate 

 open and shut more easily by relieving the fric- 

 tion. 



The part required to be of iron ought not to 

 cost more than twenty-five or thirty seven cents ; 

 but even this may be made of luood^ by those 

 who prefer keeping their money to parting with 

 it for any thing that can be made at home, and 

 there are such. The part to be inserted in the 

 gate-post may be secured by a nail or pin driven 

 in obliquel3^ 



Yours, A. TUNSTALL. 



We had the pleasure of making the acquaint- 

 ance of Mr. Tunstall, who was present at our 

 fair on the first of June. We gathered from 



