Oxydized silver is brought out in all man- 
net" of strange design's as ornaments for bon¬ 
nets and hats. It is t he most popular metal 
in chatelaines, which are move worn than 
ever, barge oxydized silver buttons are very 
stylish on camel's hair polonaise. 
Hashes are all lined. For muslin dresses 
they will be of contrasting colors, as pale 
pink and light blue, prune and blue, green 
and salmon. They are fringed at the ends. 
Spanish combs are worn so much that they 
come for bonnets, and coniine flowing ends 
of tulle, which are knotted under the chin. 
This fashion will scarcely obtain popularity. 
The prettiest ties are China crape with 
Valenciennes. Straight grenadine ties in bars 
before one is aware of it, one will have a car¬ 
pet ready for the wea ver ; and I am satisfied 
it pays well. Mrs. H. S. Brown. 
Cats kill, N. Y. 
AMERICAN SILKS, 
MORE ABOUT WASHING 
HOW TO PREVENT LONG CHURNING 
Among the newest things offered this 
spring are American silks in colors. They 
come in the fashionable shades—gray, ecru, 
reseda, the various browns, bronzes and pea¬ 
cock-are of excellent quality, but have not 
the luster of the French silks, though they 
out wear them, and, moreover, clean beauti¬ 
fully. Many object to them for the reason 
that they look so much like French poplins ; 
but, it must tie said, they are much hand¬ 
somer made up than in the piece ; particu¬ 
larly is this the case in the greenish browns. 
They are the width of Lyons silks, and cost 
There has been, and is, too much prejudice 
against washing machines, which probably i 
arises in a measure, from the fact that we 
are apt to c.epee/ too much of eveiy labor- 
saving machine ; consequently if one fails to 
do everything as easily, and perfectly as we 
had imagined it must, we discard it as useless. 
The introduction of a washing machine into 
my kitchen, eight years ago, was an innova¬ 
tion that conflicted with my prejudices, but 
one for which I have learned to be vory 
grateful. For that number of years I have 
used one of the Palmer machines, which, we 
consider, accomplishes all that any washing 
machine can, within as short a time, and 
with as little expenditure of time aud strength. 
I soap carefully all very dirty articles, re¬ 
moving stains, &c., as directed in the laundry 
recipes accompanying my machine. I then 
fill my washer two-thirds full of boiling 
water, add soap enough to make a good 
suds, then pul in pillow-slips, kerchiefs, 
sheets and the like, wash five minutes or 
more, wring out, soap carefully and boil, and 
so on, until all is washed. If I have very 
dirty shirts, I rub them on the board in an¬ 
other tub before boiling if convenient; if 
not, I do it in the sudsing water after boiling, 
and if hard soap is used for the boiling, the 
dirt that then remains is very easily removed. 
After the white fabrics are washed through 
the first suds in the washer, it is then cool 
enough to put in the calicoes, &e,, and it is 
surprising how quickly and with how little 
labor the dirt, is removed from them in this 
way. Nice flannels I wash in a clean suds in 
the washer, and rinse in clear, soft, warm 
water. 
Very dirty colored woolen stockings Should 
be put into a pail, and boiling water poured 
over them when first the washing is begun ; 
when ready to wash colored clothes, drain 
them out, soap, and put them in with other 
wash thoroughly in the washer, 
I no not have any difficulty in churning, 
winter or summer. My secret is this :—To 
have my cream Hour enouyh in winter time 
and not over sour in summer. Now, I think 
this is something all farmers’ wives and 
daughters should know. You will have a 
hard time churning, and not get more than 
t.wo-thirdsof the butter in winter if you churn 
your cream when too sweet. In order to 
have my cream m a good condition for churn¬ 
ing, I bring my cream jar, when full, from 
the milk room, turn the cream into a tin pail 
or pan, and place it. on the stove ; let it re 
main there until it is milk-warm, stirring it 
every few minutes. Then set it. by to cool 
and sour. If kept in a moderately warm 
room, it, will he ready to churn in from eight 
to ten hours. One of my neighbors com¬ 
plained to me of having the same trouble 13. 
M. T. had (see Rural New-Yorker, March 
1, p, 13!i.) Upon inquiry. I found she did not 
have her cream properly soured. Now, 1 
tliinlc that if Miss E. M. T. will give our di¬ 
rections a fair trial, she will have no need of 
a nap in her rocking chair before her churn¬ 
ing is done ; if she does, I hope we shall hear 
from her. Mrs. I. N. McMillen. 
We have already spoken of the great im¬ 
provements in American black silks. They 
now have a luster equal to the Lyons silks, 
and are remarkable for their durability. 
That quality sold at $2 makes a very hand¬ 
some costume for general wear, and repels 
the dust, as the old manufacture of Ameri¬ 
can silks did not. 
Wc saw a costume made of bronze Ameri¬ 
can silk which was especially noticeable. A 
side plaiting, nine inches in depth, trimmed 
the front width at the bottom. Above an¬ 
other was placed, leaving an interval be¬ 
tween 
TO SMOKERS 
u It is impossible to quit tnc use oi. loluuau 
after it has become a settled habit, without 
less bad feeling and prostration. The 
ho would free himselt from the cuise 
t 7 must mako up his mind that 
hard struggle to puss through, call 
hie aid, and resolve 
The leaving off 
It is better to 
more or 
man w 
of tobacco-using 
he has a l- 
all his will and power t. 
to quit it. once and forever, 
by degrees seldom succeeds, 
make the battle short, sharp and decisive. A 
thorough course of bathing, to eliminate the 
tobacco from the system, will make the 
struggle much less severe, aud prove the 
greatest aid that cun be given. The Turkish 
baths arc best, if they can bo had. If not ac¬ 
cessible, the wet sheet, pack, or vapor bath 
should be taken instead. There wilt not be 
much appetite, and but. little food should be 
taken. Fruit is best. No drink but water, 
and that may be drank as freely as desired. 
To allay the craving for tobacco, hold cold 
water or pieces of ice in the mouth.” 
each flounce, was carried around with 
a gathered flounce trimmed with a ruffle, 
with a standing ruffle as a heading. The 
upper flounce served as the overskirt, which 
it simulated. The waist was made with a 
vest anil loose basque, which almost reached 
the upper flounce ; the neck had collar and 
revers; the sleeves were coat., with a ruffle 
falling over the wrist, a quilling of silk and 
two standing ruffles. 
One feature of many costumes this spring 
is the absence of an overskirt. Ruffles are 
placed at, intervals up the back breadths ; 
the front is ornamented to the knee, with 
two, or at most three, raffles, and it must be 
observed, the ruffles of the front and back 
are always different, the distinction gener¬ 
ally being that the front are fide plaitings 
DOMESTIC BREVITIES 
To Dye Wool Scarlet ,—Take one gallon of 
water to one pound of cloth or yarn ; also, 
one ounce of cochineal, two ounces cream of 
tartar, and two and a quarter ounces mu¬ 
riate of tin ; when the water boils, put in 
the cream of tartar, then the cochineal pul¬ 
verized ; when dissolved, add the muriate of 
tin, and then the yarn, stirring all the time. 
Let it boil fifteen minutes, air it once or twice 
aud rinse well in soft water ; wet the goods 
in warm soap suds before putting them in the 
dye. I have used this recipe many times, and 
always had a beautiful color.—M. r. u. 
To Wash Black Calicoes .—The first, time 
black calico is to be washed, t ake the suds in 
which your white clothes have been boiled ; 
let it come to a boil, and put in your dress, 
or other art icle, pressing it down m the suds, 
so that all parts will be alike saturated ; boil 
three minutes, take out, wash and rinse as 
other calico. The article to be dry when put 
in the boiling suds. Never boil after the first 
HEALTH OF FARMERS’ WIVES. 
The Science of Health is credited with the 
following paragraph “ Farmers’ wives are 
not as healthy and red-cheeked as city people 
suppose them to be. In a journey of a hun¬ 
dred miles, we may see a few J'osy, blight- 
eyed, happy women ; but as a rule, fiom 
Maine to California, care-worn faces, sunken 
eyes and compressed lips, tell pitiful tales of 
disturbed rest, of weariness and .suffering. 
VVe do not attribute this to the tyranny of 
husbands. We have yet to see the man who 
does not pity his sick wife.” The above 
named journal is not., however credited ,witli 
stating to what these care-worn faces and 
sunken eyes, &c., are to be attributed. Is it 
to lack ol' knowledge of the way to live, and 
care for health ? Ur what is it ? Will not 
one tell us ? 
things and 
then turn and wring them and throw them 
Into clear, hot, soft, water, run them through 
the wringer, and they arc clean, and will 
keep soft aud free from fulling. 
A very valuable qualificat ion of my washer, 
is, that bedding, carpets and rags can be 
easily and perfectly cleaned in it. If I use 
soft soap, I mix with it a solution of borax, 
as directed In the little book accompanying 
the washer, which aids in removing dirt, and 
keeps white fabrics clear. I f lunk, however, 
that every good house-wife owes a note of 
thanks to the manufacturers of our modern 
hard soaps, they are so efficacious for all 
purposes where soap is used, and like a good 
washing machine are a great saving of time, 
strength, aud labor. M. E. AVellis. 
Dakota Co., Minnesota. 
square cult, on wuwn tno emuroiuery is un it¬ 
ed to make a point and inserted in the cuff. 
The skift has a side plaiting of ten inches, 
and above that an embroidered ruffle four 
inches deep. All are made in the same style. 
On one, the embroidery was only a series of 
leaf-like scallops in dark blue, which any lady 
could imitate. The prices of these costumes 
were from #20 to $35, according to the em¬ 
broidery. 
A HEW MATERIAL FOR SPRING SUITS 
is Japanese serge. It comes in grays, with 
black stripes and browns. It is very lus¬ 
trous, looking almost like silk ; price, 50 cents. 
French poplin in mixed browns aud grays 
will be very popular for costumes ; it washes 
well; costs <j 5 cents. Wash poplins of all 
kinds are equally desiyible, and cost 40 cents. 
In making these dresses, flat trimmings are 
the most suitable, such as side plaitings or 
bias bands with cords of color. The prettiest 
waist is the French, with wide box plaits, 
and belted in. 
PERCALES. 
Percales, whether figured or plain, are ex¬ 
quisite. A popular design is t he solid blue, 
with a large white polka dot, which, at a 
distance, looks like foulard, having a soft silk 
finish. They are made, with a Spanish flounce, 
belted polonaise and a sailor collar. More 
lady-like are the white grounds with delicate 
flowers, which are made up in the same way. 
i A new make of white percale is quite lus- 
trous, with figures having the effect of chene 
silk. Other varieties have stripes and checks. 
| These goods are quite light, and more suit¬ 
able than the thick percales of former years ; 
price, 50 cents, 
j NOVELTIES, 
i ! On many of the bonnets long scarfs of 
tulle, edged with thread, hang down the 
5 back of the bonnet, and are gathered around 
- the neck in front and fastened with a rose. 
The effect is very becoming. 
some 
A PLEA IN FAVOR OF RAG CARPETS 
HYGIENIC NOTES 
In Rural New-Yorker, March 15, Jane 
Brandon writes the history of a rag carpet, 
and as this is the season for carpet making, i 
thought a few timely suggestions would not 
be amiss. She gives ratlier a glowing pic¬ 
ture of rag carpet making. Now, I have 
just brought from the weavers as nice a car¬ 
pet as I and many others wish to look at. I 
washed, colored only unfading colors, and cut 
my rags very fine, superintending it all my¬ 
self, not even allowing my servant girl to cut 
or sew any when I was away. I had consid¬ 
erable red and blue flannel, bought two yards 
of orange-colored calico at ten cents per yard, 
washed it in soft soap suds to set the color ; 
consequently, I have a very nice carpet, be¬ 
sides having a very durable one ; I was not 
four years doing it, either. I was, with a 
very little help, about two months getting it 
ready for the weaver, and all it cost me for 
the weaving and warp was thirty-two cents 
per yard, the weaver finding the very best 
warp and putting the warp very close and 
beating.the rags up well; and I have a cai*- 
pet that will last as long as, or longer than, 
have failed. Home of the time the child has 
been unable to walk; her limbs are weak 
and inclined to bend. The mother asks,— 
4 ‘What may she ealf What can she eat I 
Her physician almost starves her. Sometimes 
we despair of her recovery.” We have pub¬ 
lished in former volumes several recipes for 
diarrhea, some of which some of our readers 
may have tested. 11’ they can aid the suffer¬ 
ing child and relieve, the mother, let them 
do SO. 
Croup Remedy .—I have used the following 
simple remedy for years with the happiest 
results :—A tea made of the inner leaves of 
the million, and the blossoms, too, if they 
are convenient. I gather and dry them in 
the Autumn from plants that have come up 
the same. year. It is not unpleasant, and will 
I not sicken children.— F. s. 
Remedy for Jtch.—G. H. R., writes “Isee 
by Index in 1H7U you published a remedy for 
itch. 1 have not the copy. Will you repub¬ 
lish Put one ounce of lard in a teacup, 
add a small teaspoonful of sulphuric acid, mix 
well and apply sparingly twice a day. 
Tetter Salve.—% ounce flour of sulphur ; '4 
ounce lavender oil of the best kind ; 2 drams 
of white precipitate ; 2 drams of gum guiae ; 
1 tablespoon of hog's lard, or sufficient to 
