APRIL U 
iatipit and Useful. 
MONOCHROMATIC OR CRAYON PAINTING. 
The materials l’of crayon painting are, 
first, the monochromatic board. Procure the 
best quality, as a good picture cannot be 
produced with inferior board. Tints of va¬ 
rious kinds for giving expression to the 
scene, such as red for a sunrise, or sunset, 
and brown or purple for moon—light scenes 
can be procured ; but white is the best for j 
all beginners. 
Port Crayon. —Two of these are required ; ! 
they are used to hold!Crayon in one end and j 
cork in the other. One must be kept with a 
fine point for drawing and fixing the finer 
parts ; the other is used to place oolor on the 
pallet, and for the coarser parts. Tne crayon 
and cork are. pointed by whittling from the 
point backwards. 
Crayon)!.— The round varnished French 
crayons are the best. No. 1 is hard and only 
used for drawing fine lines. No. 2 is com¬ 
monly used and is all that is actually neces¬ 
sary for beginners. No. 8 crayons' are soft 
and are only used whore an intense black is 
wanted. Black crayons are all that arc 
wanted ; never use colors. 
Cork should be fine and close grained — 
that which cuts like a piece of rubber is the 
best; cut into slips and place a piece in one 
end of each of the port crayons, one to be 
sharpened with as Hue a point as can be pro¬ 
duced, the other with a coarse point ; it is 
u-ed to rub over and fix the oolor of all parts 
drawn with the crayon. 
Sponge must bo thoroughly washed to 
free it from sand ; the fine grained is the 
best cut into piece3 one and u-luilf or two 
inches square. 
Buckskin should he well dressed, soft, 
smooth, and of good thickness. The backs 
of old mittens and gloves can bo used by 
washing in soapuids, dry slowly, and rub 
in the hands occasionally to make soft. Cut 
into pieces about an inch square. When 
ready to use, double over one corner to the 
center, bring over the next one on the same 
side to meet it forming a point—use the right 
side. 
Knife. — A large sized, spear-pointed, sin- 
glc-bliided pan knife is best ; the blade should 
be firm in the handle, and middling sharp ; 
it is used for engraving. Keep a whetstone 
and sharpen occasionally to keep the edge 
smooth and true. 
Dividers.— Select a pair of small brass 
dividers ; those which fasten with a screw 
are bettor than those which fasten with a 
rivet, as they can be tightened or loosened 
at pleasure. They are used for measuring 
and testing distances. 
Pallet. —An inferior piece of the board Is 
selected for this. It should be two or three 
inches wide and of any convenient length. 
A couple of lead weights are useful to stand 
upon this and keep it ia place. It is used to 
place the color upon by simply rubbing the 
crayon in a circular manner on itthe color 
is taken oil with the sponge and buckskin. 
This completes the list of materials ; they 
should all be of the best quality, as a good 
artist cannot produce a beautiful picture 
without good articles to work with ; nor can 
a beginner. 
Where to Commence Painting a Land¬ 
scape. —In the first place we will have un old 
newspaper to place upon the tabic, and a 
small piece for a thumb paper to keep all 
tilings neat and clean. In Monochromatic 
painting, always, as a rule, commence with 
the most remote objects and finish with 
those nearest to the observer. 
Sky. —As this is considered the most re¬ 
mote of all objects in picture representation, 
it is the first to be painted. Place some color 
on the pallet by rubbing the crayon lightly 
upon it, take some of this color on a piece of 
sponge and commence at the top left hand 
corner, brushing in a horizontal manner, very 
lightly, working down with each stroke ; 
take more color and continue until it is dark 
enough. Be careful and not get it streaked. | 
Wetter. —Take a piece of buckskin, flat 
between the thumb and finger ; get some 
color on it by rubbing on the pallet aud com¬ 
mence at the lower left hand corner ; work 
in a horizontal manner across the board, 
working upwards with each stroke until the 
natural horizou is reached. In waterfalls 
work in an oblique or curved manner to 
correspond with the direction of the falling 
water. Soften it by working the sponge in 
the game manner, to render the more trans¬ 
parent ; engrave some light places in it with 
the knife—horizontally if level or curved if 
in falling water. 
Clouds come next. Paint with the buck¬ 
skin folded to a point, moving the hand in a 
MOORE’S RURAL MEW-YORKER. 
circular manner, soften with the sponge and 
engrave the light edges with the knife. Re¬ 
member that clouds are vapor with light 
shining upon them 
Remote Distance, in the scene is the next, 
in order, as mountains, hills, or heavy masses 
of timber which are sufficiently near to ex¬ 
hibit any marks of light and .shade should be 
pointed with the buckskin in a parallel man¬ 
ner, corresponding with the angle and shape 
of the ob ject represented. Keep the edges 
Of distant mountains soft and not too dis¬ 
tinct, according to their distance. Remem¬ 
ber that lights and shades are always 
opposite to each other. Tone down by rub¬ 
bing lightly with the sponge, and engrave 
out the light parts with the knife very softly. 
Observe the time of day, distance, state of 
the atmosphere, aud direction in which the 
light shines. In the central parts the lights 
and shades are clearer and more distinctly 
defined. 
Distant Foliagels painted witk the pointed 
buckskin in a circular manner to produce 
clumps, masses, &c. If the tree stems are 
visible, draw with the pointed crayon and 
fasten with the pointed cork ; engrave the 
foliage lightly. 
Distant Buildings and Vessels, where 
there is sufficient shade, may be engraved 
out with the knife, touching windows and 
doors with the pointed crayon and cork ; 
the hulls of vessels may need a touch of the 
crayon. 
Bocks. —Rocks should be worked with the 
buckskin in the direction Of their strata ; if 
they have any fissures or other characteristic 
parts, t-hc shaded or dark part s may be done 
with the crayon and fastened with the cork ; 
engrave the light parts with the knife. 
Land is painted in the same manner as 
rocks, keeping tha elevations and depressions 
in their relative position. 
Tries.—Paint the foliage first, using the 
pointed buckskin iu a circular manner and 
engrave out the light part3 with the knife ; 
next come the tree stems, these are drawn 
with the orayou anrl fixed with the cork ; 
place them In the open spaces in the foliage 
and in proper position to balance their foli¬ 
age gracefully ; the branches are seen only 
in flic dark or shaded spaces; the gradual 
tapering of tree stems upwards from the 
ground must be observed ; also the direction 
of the branches must be attended to. There 
is always a light side to tree stems which 
may be engraved lightly with the knife. As 
thedilferont species of trees are often dis¬ 
cernible at a distance, as the form of a fir or 
Lombardy poplar is quite distinct from an 
oak or an apple tree, their proportions must 
be observed in painting them. You have 
nature before you ; keep your eyes open. 
Fences, Lf dark, are painted with the 
crayon and cork white, as picket or hoard- 
fence, can be done by painting a smooth 
ground ami engraving out. with the knife ; 
stone feuco the same as picket, and point out 
the stones with the crayon and knife. 
Buildings, Ruins, Ac.—First draw their 
outline and then fill with the buckskin if not 
very dark ; if an intense black is wanted, 
use the crayon and cork ; engrave out the 
doors and windows. If the buildings are 
sufficiently near to discern their particular 
embelishmjnt, markings and material, char¬ 
acter may be given to them by pointing out 
with the knife or crayon the brick, stone or 
clapboards. Ruined builcllugs, old castles, 
<&c., look milch prettier than perfect speci¬ 
mens of architecture. 
Grass, Plants, Flowers , Ac.—If over a dark 
ground, are engraved out with the point of 
the knife; upon a light ground use the 
pointed orayou and fix with a pressure of the 
finger; be careful aud not make grass too 
distinct. 
Animals. —The figures of animals, persons, 
&o. f may be drawn with the pointed crayon 
and finished with the cork. Be careful to 
preserve the relative proportion of all figures 
and objects ; for instance do not delineate a 
horse before a barn any larger than the 
bam ; as in that case your horse would have 
to stay out in the cold. 
Smoke is painted with the pointed buck¬ 
skin, giving it a circular motion ; it sb >uld 
not be quite as dense as clouds. 
Reflections , when well managed, con¬ 
tribute very much to the beauty and appa¬ 
rent reality of the landscape. Place in an 
opposite direction from which the light 
enters the scene. Reflections if level are 
painted with the buckskin ; their edges must 
be kept soft and fading, not making too 
sharp outlines ; reflections of grass, bushes, 
stumps and tree stems, if small, may be 
made with the pointed crayon and cork or a 
pressure of the finger will fasten them. 
Moonlight Scenes. —Monochromatic paint¬ 
ing is well adapted to landscapes by moon¬ 
light ; the lights are soft and fading ; the 
shades u e dark and gloomy ; the objects a re 
less distinct aud the moon shining through 
the clouds gilding with its silver rays a part 
Of the objects, is a study well worthy the 
attention of idl observers of nature. Moon¬ 
light scenes an; executed the same as those 
by daylight , keeping the shades darker, more 
indistinct and failing into the lighter parts. 
Engrave out the moon with the knife ; den’t 
make the edges too sharp and distinct, la 
shining across water, engrave the reflection 
lightly. Study nature in all things aud try 
to produce a natural life-like appearance of 
all objects which you attempt. 
Copying, Enlarging anil Diminishing .— 
The beginner will find many pictures that 
he would like to copy and it is a very good 
exercise for a person who has token up 
monochromatic painting as a study, to copy 
some of the pretty scenes to be found in the 
papers and magazines of the present day, 
Make two frames of lath or pasteboard, one 
the size of the picture to be copied, the other 
the size of the board on which you wish to 
transfer the engraving ; make three holes at 
of|ual distances from each other in each of 
the two shortest, sides and four in each of the 
lougeat sides ; stretch fine threads through 
them, dividing the frames into squares ; 
now number the squares on one of the long 
and one of the short sides ; place one frame 
ovor the engraving, the other over the board 
on which you wish to transfer the sketch. 
Commence with square No l, sketch the 
outlines of all objects contained in it on the 
board in square No. 1; proceed to No. 2 and 
continue until all objects are sketched ol 
the board, then fill up according to previous 
directions. The skv must bo painted on the 
board before the sketch is commenced. To 
diminish a picture reverse tho frames. 
Removing Color.—It through any mistake 
color ls placed on the board where it is not 
wanted, it can lie removed with a piece of 
dean buckskin or it may bo blended in with 
a piece of clean sponge ; if on the sky, it may 
be formed into a cloud. 
There may bo objects found In landscapes 
not named in the foregoing directions ; it so, 
select, an inferior piece of board and practice 
it separately and the judgment of the learner 
w ill soon find the right manner of executing 
it. R. C. Curtiss. 
HINTS ABOUT TRUE ECONOMY. 
The most expensive kinds of food are not 
necessarily the most nutritious or whole¬ 
some, aud “ the cost often spoils the relish.” 
Those who wish to economise Bhould re¬ 
member that true economy consists in being 
equally saving in all things, and that as much 
depends on the manner in which food is 
cooked as upon its quality, though there is 
no reason why both should not he the very 
best if the attention is given which is due to 
culinary affairs and waste aud extravagance 
is banished from tho kitchen. There are 
people who are “penny wise and pound 
foolish,” and it Is those who use bakers’ 
bread instead of home-made. Some people 
think “timeis money,” and that the labor 
and fuel expended in heating ovens and 
making bread is extravagance, therefore 
think it is economy to use I takers' bread ; 
but it is not because it is neither nutritious 
nor wholesome. Biscuit dough, rolled very 
thin and baked on a griddle, is much better 
than bakers' bread, and is very toothsome 
and will satisfy every craving of hunger, 
which bakers’ bread will not. do. 
When the seasons change there should be. 
appropriateness in the kind of food used aud 
in the manner of cooking it. Waffles, cukes 
with a plenty of soft-boiled rice stirred in 
the Imttcr, make a good substitute for bread ; 
or, if preferred, the batter can be baked on 
the griddle; and almost any kind of meal is 
good if fried in a tablespoonful of lard with 
flour and cream added to the gravy ; and 
butter can almost wholly be dispensed with. 
If cream cannot be procured, milk can be 
used instead, Soup should be made of tha 
bones of beef and veal; it is much better 
Havered and stronger when made of two 
kiuds of meat boiled together. 
Graham flour contains more nutriment 
than white flour, therefore is cheaper. Buck¬ 
wheat is not expensive, as no meat is re¬ 
quired when it is used. It is a very strong, 
rich article of food aud is wholesome if corn 
meal is added aud no soda used. The cakes 
should be made fresh often. 
The nitrogenous elements contained in 
corn-meal make it too stimulating to be used 
as constant food, unless a small quantity of 
flour ia added to it. It can bo cooked in a 
variety of ways and made very palatable by 
adding milk, eggs, etc. 
Corn Bread.—Take equal quantities of 
corn meal and flour (or rye flour) ; scald the 
meal by pouring a little boiling water on It; 
when nearly cold add tho flour, the same 
quantity of yeast as used for other kinds of 
bread and a little melted lard and salt; 
make the dough stiff and knead It ; put it in 
a warm place to rise and bake it longer than 
other kinds of bread. 
Graham Bread. —Add to Graham flour 
warm water, yeast, salt, a large spoonful or 
two of molasses ; make the dough still and 
ku*md it and bake two hours. 
Buckwheat Cakes. —Scald 1 pint corn meal; 
when nearly cold, add 1 pint oat meal aud 1 
of buckwheat, a tablespoonful molasses, a 
li ttle, salt aud a half pint yeast; add water 
of tho same temperature until a thin batter 
is made ; keep ic warm until very light ; 
then bake quickly. 
Milk Cakes .—Take 1 egg and a. pint sweet 
milk ; add buckwheat flour until the batter 
ia rather still'; then add 1 teaspoonful yeast 
powder, a little salt ; bake quickly. L£ liked 
very light, add more yeast powder. 
Corn Meal Pudding.—2 pints meal, 1 pint 
grated bread, 1 of molasses, 1 of brown sugar, 
1 of sour milk, two tablespoonfuls butter, a 
half teaspoonful of ginger and 2 of cinnamon, 
8 eggs, half a teaspoonful soda ; slice soft, 
juicy apples and add 1 loaoupful if liked ; 
bake halt an hour. Sauce, cream and sugar. 
Cheap Pudding.- Put iu a tin pail 2 quarts 
of skimmed milk and set in a kettle of boil¬ 
ing water ; when very hot, stir into it 1 pint 
of meal ; take from the fire and add l teacup 
molasses, 1 teaspoonful salt and 1 of cinna¬ 
mon ; bake in a buttered cake-pan ; use 
cream sauce, flavored with nutmeg. 
Mush.— Fill a kettle half full of boiling 
water; add salt ; when the water boils stir 
in meal until it is still; then add I teacup 
flour ; cook very slowly half an hour ; when 
coir?, slice and roil in flour and fry, brown in 
2 spoonfuls hot lard ; or eat warm, with 
sugar and butter or sweet milk. 
Dome-Made Hominy .—Put in an Iron ket¬ 
tle 3 quarts clean wood ashes ; fill tho kettle 
with boiling water and boil half an hour ; 
then taka it from the fire and let it stand 
until cold ; then pour oil the lye aud boil the 
corn in it until tho hulls begin to come off ; 
then rub and wuslrthoroughly 3 or 4 times, 
and boil until very tender (it can be made in 
large quantities) ; then take a small portion 
and put in the frying pan and add 1 pint of 
milk ; when it boils mash it. fine and add but¬ 
ter, salt and cream or, if preferred, warm it 
in milk and add salt without washing it. 
Vinegar. —Take 2 gallons water and add 
2>}' U)s. brown sugar and 2 gills fresh yeast. 
Keep Warm 8 or 4 days—then draw it off 
and add 2 ounces each cream tartar aud 
chopped raisins ; It will be ready for use in 
a few weeks if kept very warm at first. 
A. E. L. 
DOMESTIC BRRVTTIE3. 
Cocoanut Cake Recipe.— Having noticed a 
request for a cocoanut cake recipe, I send 
you the following. I know it i3 good;—Four 
eggs, V4 coffee cups sugar, 1 cup butter, I 
cup sweet milk, 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoonsful 
cream tartar, 1 teaspoonful soda; bake in 
four long tins; iceing and cocoanut sprinkled 
overt.he top of each layer.—M rs. H. 
To Clean Gloves make a thick mucilage 
by boiling a little flaxseed, to which add a 
little dissolved soap, and when the mixture 
cools wipe the gloves with a piece of white 
flannel, previously fitting them to the hand. 
Use only enough of the cleansing mixture 
to takeoff the dirt without wetting through 
the glove. 
Cocoanut Cake.—I send a recipe which I 
think is splendid. 2 cups sugar, 2 cups but¬ 
ter, 1 cup sweet milk, 1 teaspoon lemon, % 
nutmeg, 4 eggs, 1 grated cocoa, 8 teaspoons 
yeast powder, as much flour as will make a 
stiff batter, improve by icing.—0. C. II., 
Cherry Tree, Pa. 
Corn Salad. —In the English agricultural 
papers I have the privilege of reading, I sea 
frequent allusions made to “com salad.” 
Canuot some Englishman or woman among 
your readers tell us what it is and how it is 
prepared ! —Mrs. C. S. D. 
White Cream Candy. — N. T. Hamilton 
asks Rural readers tor a recipe “ with full 
particulars for making white cream candy, 
as seen in all groceries where they keep can¬ 
dies for sale.” 
Rice Boiled Slowly will swell out better 
aud not adhere to the kettle. Heat milk 
slowly to avoid burning,—A. n. 
