i89i 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
567 
don’t fret at him; this is the first gate to 
the paradise of rest. Don’t worry; it wears 
you out without helping on the work. 
Don’t stop work to visit with idle or gar¬ 
rulous callers, and then neglect baby or 
husband to make up lost time. Make your 
family care more for a half hour of your 
company than for pie for dinner, and you 
are through the second gate of domestic 
paradise. The other five are easily passed, 
for where there is perfect love it “ casteth 
out all fear,” and the other annoyances do 
not eat into the soul. 
I once called upon the learned Prof. B. It 
was Monday, but I was detained to lunch. 
Said he as we entered the dining room : 
“ It’s wash day.” “Yes ” replied his wife 
smiling, “ but I have not served the wash¬ 
ing for dinner.” Don’t eat the washing and 
ironing; they are Indigestible. 
I iry to remember that my chileren are 
my jewels and that a happy home is better 
than a pampered vanity. MRS. J. A. K. 
* * * 
I used to make the first shoes for baby 
from the uppers of my worn kid ones; they 
were nice and soft and lasted well. They 
were not very ornamental, but were a sav¬ 
ing. * * * A. large wooden store box is 
one of the nicest arrangements for baby to 
play in, when one has to have him in kitchen 
or yard; it should have smooth sides. * * * 
A carpet too much worn to be darned can 
be mended by cutting pieces to match, and 
pasting them on with boiled flour paste. 
MRS. E. s. J. 
VISITING THE SICK. 
OW often we hear people say: “ I 
wish I did not so dislike to call on 
the sick. It sounds heartless to admit that 
I do, bat it is not because I do not sympa¬ 
thize with them ; It is only that I never 
know what to say or do.” This is an almost 
universal trouble, but it is only necessary 
to behave with perfect naturalness when 
calling upon one’s invalid friends. 
If one tries to plan what to say or to do 
when about to make a call, the result will 
often be ridiculous. No doubt this is the 
reason that so many really kind-hearted 
people, whom we have always credited with 
a good share of sense, make such laughable 
blunders when calling upon invalids. Why 
say anything different to them from what 
you would say to well people ? If you wish, 
you can show by your manner that you 
sympathize with them, without saying 
anything. A few of the “don’ts” are: 
Don’t comment on their looks, thinking 
it makes them feel more comfortable; it 
only reminds them of their aches and 
pains, and oftentimes the greatest service 
you can do an invalid is to bring about 
self-forgetfulness for a little time. Don’t 
inquire too pointedly into the cause and 
consequence of their illnesses, or suggest too 
many remedies. For if your friend is under 
a doctor’s care, he will doubtless attend to 
these and will not take an outsider’s ad¬ 
vice, or even thank him for it. Don’t tell 
your friends what this or that one says 
about them. If a person is nervous it often 
does him harm, and if not it does him no 
good. 
Some may say that if one must be so 
careful about the remarks to be made, it 
will make the task of calling on invalid 
friends more disagreeable than ever. Bat 
it need not. We invalids don’t wish our 
friends to be so careful; we only want them 
to treat us just as they have always done. 
If an invalid is able to receive calls, it will 
be a pleasure to see friends ; if not able to 
be treated like other people the friends will 
do the greatest kindness by remaining out¬ 
side the sick room. 
Strangers, if ever so kind, will be fully as 
welcome after a person is convalescent, as 
one does not have to make as much of an 
effort when receiving old friends, though 
it is often a comparative stranger who takes 
the most pains to provide some pleasant 
little surprise for an unknown invalid. 
Your old friends, often knowing how much, 
you have to be thankful for, do not realize 
that oftentimes you appreciate something 
that you do not need, and would not think 
Please mention The R. N.-Y. to our adver¬ 
tisers. 
When Baby was sick, we gave her Castoria, 
W ben she was a Child, she cried for Castoria, 
When she became Miss, she clung to Castoria, 
When she had Children, she gave them Castoria, 
of asking for, when it comes in the form of 
a surprise. And when you have been “ shut 
in ” for weeks how glad you are, when 
convalescent, to meet those who have taken 
the trouble to make those weeks seem 
shorter and pleasanter 1 
Above all, don’t overwhelm an invalid 
with expensive favors, as a grateful per¬ 
son will often fret for fear of never being 
able to repay the kindness in any way. 
Many a time a friend is quite as welcome 
empty-handed, if led by a loving heart. A 
few flowers are always acceptable in a sick 
room, but there Is a great choice in them, 
as very fragrant flowers, although beauti¬ 
ful, often have to be banished. A simple 
cluster of pansies, marguerites, bright 
geraniums, etc., is often more appreciated 
than tuberoses or more expensive varieties. 
Often a simple nosegay of wild flowers will 
bring to an invalid pleasant thoughts of 
green meadows and broad pastures and 
wood scenes, so that the deprivation of 
such out-door joys will be almost forgotten. 
The old-time theory that flowers in a sick 
room are Injurious has taken its departure. 
Sensible physicians now consider flowers, 
or anything which gives a patient happy 
thoughts, a benefit. When a friend is con¬ 
valescent the loan of a book is often a great 
pleasure, but the selection needs to be made 
with care. If one is fond of poems they are 
pleasant to read when one can read only a 
few moments. Frank B Stockton and 
“ Mrs. Josiah Allen ” are always safe. But 
a sad book, however well written, is not 
likely to make an invalid more cheerful. 
When calling on invalids try always to 
leave them something pleasant to think of. 
Don’t burden them with your cares and 
troubles. Tell them something nice that 
you are doing or about to do, or some 
amusing little experience that has hap¬ 
pened, even if it is of no more importance 
than the baby’s painting his face with 
shoe-blacking or washing the pet cat with 
soap-suds. One of the most amusing things 
(as it seemed to me then) that I ever 
heard when I was ill, was about how a 
friend’s husband made an attempt to set a 
hen in a box on top of a wood pile. The 
termination was rather tragical, but it was 
attended by no serious consequences, and 
she related the occurrence in such an amus¬ 
ing manner, that I laughed heartily every 
time I thought of it, for days afterwards. 
It was worth more than all the sympa¬ 
thetic condolences I received from a dozen 
other callers. 
To a lover of music, a musical friend can 
do no greater favor than to give a little 
treat of that kind. And it is often a great 
pleasure to have some one read aloud for a 
little while. Don’t be afraid to offer to do 
things of this kind, even if you are not 
asked, for many times invalids are afraid 
of being tiresome, and they hesitate to ask 
such favors, even if they desire them very 
much. 
Don’t think you must wait for a pleasant 
day. You may prove to be more of an an¬ 
gel of mercy if you happen in on some 
gray, cloudy day in midwinter, when even 
a well person might feel blue, than if you 
called on the pleasantest day in June when 
the air is sweet with the fragrance of roses 
and musical with the songs of birds so that 
even an invalid feels that it is good to be 
alive when God has made everything so 
beautiful for the enjoyment of all. 
ALICE E PINNEY. 
A SUCCESSFUL CANNER’S 
METHODS, 
FTER reading the method of canning 
green corn, published in a late issue 
of The Rural, I am moved to give my ex¬ 
perience, inasmuch as you say successful 
home canners may speak next, and I can 
safely say I come under that head. My 
method in cutting off and packing the corn 
is the same as that given, only that I do not 
add salt. I use an old-fashioned potato 
masher to press the corn into the can until 
it cannot hold another kernel and the milk 
runs over the top. Never use a rubber that 
has ever been used before, and do not take 
the can out of the water to tighten the 
top. 
I have never found it necessary to wrap 
the cans in cloths. I simply set them on 
the home-made article which I use in cook¬ 
ing nearly all fruits by steam, namely, a 
number of slats nailed to an inch and a 
half by two inches cross piece, leaving a 
half inch space between,and sawed to fit per¬ 
fectly my wash boiler. Do not boil too hard: 
allow two hours for pint cans and four for 
quart cans. I use pint cans largely for corn 
and string beans. The latter are treated 
in the same manner as to the cooking 
of them. In preparing them I cut as for 
table use and pack as closely as possible, 
then cover with water, and screw the covers 
down tightly, as for corn. 
When done, remove the boiler to the bick 
of the stove, allow the water to cool gradu¬ 
ally, and do not remove until somewhat 
below the boiling point, then as taken from 
the water screw the covers as tightly as 
possible. I have canned peas with as good 
success as usually attends the efforts of 
canning factories, but I am never so ceitain 
of success as with other vegetables. In an 
experience of canning by the above method 
for at least 10 years I have lost but one can. 
I neglected to say that the cans must ba 
nearly covered by cold water and allowed 
to come gradually to the boiling point. 
MRS. J. F. WHITE. 
HOME-MADE PICTURE FRAMES. 
M OST women know the embarrassment 
of owning really pretty pictures, 
which for want of means to pay for suit¬ 
able frames, are of no earthly me. Will 
such please try the following pretty frames, 
which have a decidedly “ shop ” look, and 
not that objectionable air which marks the 
work of the ’prentice hand ? 
Make a rough board foundation—no mat¬ 
ter if a little uneven, if strong. Cover 
this smoothly with old curtain lace—the 
only particular part of it is to make this 
lace cover entirely smooth and free from 
wrinkles. Now give it a couple of coats of 
shellac : when perfectly dry, gild it; if not 
bright enough to be satisfactory the first 
time, give it a second coat. The result will 
be a really beautiful frame if carefully 
made. 
If you have a winter scene, try the fol¬ 
lowing frame for it, and let The R. N.-Y. 
know if you are not satisfied with the re¬ 
sult. The foundation is a strong board 
frame as before—or, better, a plain, un¬ 
painted moulding such as can be bought 
for next to nothing per foot. Give this two 
smooth coats of white paint, drying each 
thoroughly ; then varnish with any good 
colorless varnish; before this last coat is 
dry, sprinkle it thickly with diamond pow¬ 
der. The effect Is that of a heavy frost, 
which completes the wintry aspect of the 
picture. I have one picture—old snow- 
covered logs and stumps, with a ruined 
mill and water-wheel in the distance— 
framed in four inch moulding, which cost 
here, in Canada, three cents per foot. It is 
finished as directed above, and people ad¬ 
mire it much more than other more costly 
frames near it. FLORENCE H. 
Quebec. 
One of the ways of using spinach is also 
acceptable with beet greens for a change, 
if the family is fond of the flavor of nut¬ 
meg. Boil the greens In the smallest con 
venient quantity of water, as they are very 
juicy of themselves. When tender, drain 
them well, chop, and return to the kettle. 
Add butter and a grating of nutmeg, stir 
for a moment, and take up. Vinegar msy 
be added as served, to suit the individual 
taste, but it is unnecessary. 
Readers of The R. N.-Y. will please the 
advertisers and benefit the paper by always 
mentioning it when writing to advertisers. 
That Your Hair 
may retain 
its youthful color, 
fullness, and beauty, 
dress it daily 
with 
Ayer’s Hair Vigor 
It cleanses the 
scalp, cures humors, 
and stimulates a 
new growth 
of hair * 
Dr. J. C. Ayer & Co. 
Lowell, Mass. 
YOU NEED NOT FEAR 
tliat people will know your hair is dyed if 
you use that perfect imitation of nature, 
Tutt’s Hair Dye 
No one can detect it. It imparts a glossy 
color ami fresh life to the hair. Easily ap- 
plied.JPrice, »1. Office, 3D l*ark Place. N. Y. 
Dairymen 
C'S.ysserJiLL’S milk aerator 
for freeing milk of odors of animal or feed, without use 
of ICE or WATER. 
PAINTroofs 
DIXON S SILICA GRAPHITE PAINT 
Water will run from it pure and clean. It covers donblo 
the surface of any other paint, and will last four ortlvi 
times longer. Equally useful for any Iron work. Sendfoi 
circulars. Job. Dixon crucible Co., Jersey City, N. J, 
D’ye see those 
skates ? The Pitts¬ 
burgh lamp is 
iahead. It gives 
> magnificent light. 
It is easy to 
: care for. 
It keeps itself clean—all 
but wiping. 
Send for a primer—can’t 
tell it all here. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. PITTSBURGH BRASS Co. 
UfAl I PAPER of attractive styles, at ex 
*•*••*“ rMrfcll tremely low prices. KorSc. post¬ 
age we will send to any address samples with borders 
to match, of papers runglug lu price from tic. to .ytlc. 
a roll. A. L. DIAMENT & ~ .. 
Philadelphia Pa. 
CO., 1206 Market Street 
How to Multiply Plants. 
How to Graft. 
How to Bud. 
How to Seed. 
How to Inarch. 
How to Increase by Cuttings. 
How to Increase by Layers. 
Howto Increase by Separation. 
How to Hybridize. 
How to Produce NewVarieties. 
How to Propagate over 2,000 
varieties of shrubs, trees and her¬ 
baceous or soft-stemmed plants: the 
process for each being fully described. 
All this and much more is 
fully told in 
The Nursery Book. 
A new book, by L. H. Bailey, 
assisted by several of the most 
skillful propagators in the 
world. In fact, it is a careful 
compendium of the best prac¬ 
tice in all countries. It con¬ 
tains 107 illustrations, 
showing methods, processes 
and appliances. 
Over 300 pages. 16mo. Price, library 
style, cloth, wide margins, $1.00; Pocket 
style, paper, narrow margins, 50 cents. 
THE RURAL PUBLISHING CO., 
Times Building, New York. 
General Advertising Rates of 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
T1ME8 BUILDING, NEW YORK 
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