4688 
of grass, and trees and shrubs. Our little girl 
is two-and-a-half years old,an only child, and a 
bouncing romp and she can talk very plainly. 
Just for the baby’s sake and so that she might 
see and enjoy them, and pluck them if she 
wanted to, I got a 1 t of snowdrops, crocuses, 
Silurian squills, daffodils and the like, last 
faff, and planted them here and there in the 
grass in front of the house. How she watched 
for the coming of these flowers! And when 
they did come how many times a day she 
would run out to see them and show them to 
her dollies, and lead her mother there in 
triumph! And papa, every day had got to go 
around and see and tell her all about them. 
And the neighbors who dropped in to make a 
call were taken by the hand to see her snow¬ 
drops, “kokuses” and “wills” She knew they 
were her .flowers and the interest she displayed 
in them was very great. 
And now that the weather has got warmer 
she goes across the lawn to the garden, and 
finds daisies and pansies, and primroses, and 
forget-me nots, and many other common 
flowers, all of which she knows and speaks of 
with as much familiarity as I do. And the 
more she knows about them the more inter¬ 
ested she becomes in them. And every day I 
bring her home a few flowers, tell her about 
them and give them to her to put in a glass of 
water; indeed, tho first thing she does with 
flowers when she gets them in the house is to 
put them in water. Although brought up 
among flowers she has always been taught to 
admire and love them, and this she does truly, 
and it is a pleasure to her. And the more she 
knows about them the more she wishes to 
know. Her mother and I teach her in tho 
easiest and most pleasant way we can, and 
associate little rhymes and stories with many 
of the flowers, but always confining ourselves 
to fact, not fancy. And wo trust her abso¬ 
lutely—let her run around am^ mg the flowers 
wherever she pleases, and handle and smell 
anything she wants to, and of some flowers as 
pansies, daisies, arabis, bloodroot, primroses, 
violets and daffodils, she can pluck what she 
desires and do with them what she pleases. A 
handful suffices and they are always brought 
home and put into water. 
But it is not tho child alone that profits by 
these flowers. Tho pleasure they afford the 
child is to the parents joy a hundred-fold 
Oh, how it behooves us every father and every 
mother to soften the path of our children, 
to lead them among the beauties of nature and 
interest them in the beautiful, and to do it in 
such a simple, easy, happy way that it shall 
be to our little darlings a joyful recreation 
and not a task. Papa. 
MORE ABOUT ASPARAGUS. 
As wo had an asparagus bed in our garden 
there was the more necessity for my ringing 
these changes on this vegetable, and. besides, 
my husband was really very fond of it. For 
a lunch dish with cold, boiled, or baked ham, 
or with a breaded vjal cutlet, there is nothing 
nicer than the following, which is so hearty 
that it is almost a meal in itself: Take a half 
dozen stale rolls, or one for each person; cut 
off a bit from the top to serve as cover; take 
put the crumb, and set them in a very moder¬ 
ate oven to heat and get crisp, laying the tops 
in with them. Heat a cup of milk and pour 
it over two bea f en eggs; stir over tho fire un¬ 
til they begin to thicken, and season with pep¬ 
per, salt, and a teaspoonful of butter cut in 
bits and rolled in flour. Add a large cupful 
of the tender part of asparagus boiled, and 
cut small—about one bunch. Fill the rolls 
with this mixture, put on the tops and serve 
at once. 
This is delicious for breakfast. Make a cup¬ 
ful of drawn butter as follows: put a table¬ 
spoonful of butter in a saucepan’and when it 
bubbles sprinkle in a heaping teaspoonful of 
flour; stir until thoroughly cooked without 
letting it take color, and pour in slowly a cup¬ 
ful of boiling chicken or veal stock, or failing 
that, of hot water. Add to this the stalks of 
a bunch of asparagus cut into inch lengths 
and boiled tender (leaving out the hard parts) 
and turn into a buttered baking dish. Break 
as many eggs over the top as there are mem¬ 
bers of your family; put a bit of butter on the 
top of each, season with salt and pepper, and 
put in a quick oven until the eggs are set. 
Another breakfast dish is I think known to 
the readers of the Rural— an omelet made 
by adding a few spoonfuls of cooked aspara¬ 
gus cut m dice, and heated with seasoning in 
a little butter, to an omelet just before fold¬ 
ing. This is one of the most delicate and de¬ 
licious of omelets, and makes a nice entrde at 
dinner with veal in any shape. 
Asparagus on toast is merely boiled, and 
well drained asparagus laid upon slices of but¬ 
tered toast that have been quickly dipped in 
hot milk. Eat with Hollanaise sauce which I 
have seen described in the Rural. 
A curious pudding, which is, however,very 
good, is made by beating together two eggs 
and a teaspoonful of melted butter; add one 
THE RUBAI. «EW-Y©RRflt. 
34*'$ 
and a half tablespoonful of prepared flour 
and a scant or small cup of milk with a tiny 
pinch of soda stirred in, the tender cooked 
parts of a bunch of asparagus, and salt and 
pepper to taste. Pour into a well-greased 
mold; cover and boil for one and a half h' ur 
in a pot of constantly boiling water. Turn 
out on a hot dish and pour a drawn butter 
sauce over it. 
“Dear,” said my husband one day—but oh, 
so meekly! “I think I should like some plain 
boiled asparagus, and I don’t want any sauce 
with it, if you please, just melted butter to 
which I can add salt and pepper; but you are 
a jolly little cook just tho same, and Mrs. R. 
can’t hold a candle to you.” 
There is this comfort in Tom’s fits of tem¬ 
per, they areas short-lived as an April shower, 
and he is always ready to own it when he has 
been in t' e wrong, and to apologize in the 
prettiest and most manly way. I think little 
Tom is a chip of tho old block, for he came to 
me the other day with liis dimpled fists shut 
tight and a look of d< termination written all 
over bis sturdy little frame and honest face, 
and said: “Mamma, when a fellow has done 
wroqg, isn’t it the best thing he can do to 
apologize and say ho is sorry.” 
“Well, I’m awful sorry, but Joe Brown said 
I didn’t dare to lay my new roller skates on 
the railroad track as we came home from 
school, and I wouldn’t bo dared, and they’re 
all smashed.” I’m such a poor disciplinarian 
that I don’t feel bound to tell the Rural 
mothers what I said or did to the little culprit, 
but when I told Tom he said, “Poor child! we 
can’t always comprehend the interior work¬ 
ings of a child’s mind. Probably he was so 
disgusted with his want of proficiency in the 
art that it was a relief to him to see them 
crushed.” And yet (on the word of a mother) 
little Tom isn’t altogether a spoiled child. 
MRS. NELLIE B. 
- ♦ ♦ ♦ - — 
SAUCE FOR COLD MEAT. 
In spite of Mrs. Poyser, in the “Mill on the 
Floss,” who said, “It is a poor meat that finds 
its flavor in the cruet,” most of us will agree 
that a good sauce is a great adjunct to cold 
meat, as well as to many kinds of hot meats. 
Horse radish is callable of being made into 
several nice sauces. Simmer a cupful of 
grated radish in half a pint of chicken broth 
for 20 minutes; beat up the yelks of three eggs 
with two teaspoonfuls of vinegar, and add 
them very slowly to the radish and broth; 
season with pepper, salt, a trifle of grated nut¬ 
meg, and serve in a boat. This sauce is for 
hot meat, preferably beef. A half-pint of hot 
cream makes it a richer, but less piquant 
sauce. For cold meat mix a cupful of grated 
horse radish with a gill of mayonnaise, or 
with the same quantity of cieam mixed with 
one tablespoonful each of sugur and vinegar. 
MRS. G. 
-- 
WORTH KNOWING. 
That a solution of chloroform and water 
applied to a wound will check the bleeding. 
That the suds from the weekly wash are of 
great benefit to house plants. 
That raisins allowed to stand for 10 minutes 
in boiling water are easily stoned by rubbing 
them between the thumb and finger, when 
the seeds come out clean. They must after¬ 
ward be dried and dredged with flour before 
using. 
That a clothes-basket makes one of the 
nicest possible cribs for a baby. All of the 
little Smiths were raised in a clothes-basket 
and a hammock, with never a cradle ora crib 
until they wero three years old. It was a 
large-sized one, with handles at the ends, and 
for the first baby was covered with blue silo- 
sia and white dotted swiss. When babies be¬ 
came an old story, bright cretonne for the in¬ 
side and out was considered good enough. The 
sides wero padded with a piece of old bed 
quilt, aud a little mattress made for the bot¬ 
tom. When baby fell asleep the basket was 
easily carried into a quiet room, which could 
be made dark, and a high-backed chair at the 
head and foot served as a support for a canopy 
of netting to keep off the flies. 
The basket is still in use in the laundry. 
That soiled and faded black cashmere may 
be made to look almost as good as new. Wash 
in a suds of soap bark, and rinse in a clear 
water; then in a second water to which a 
strong bluing lias been added. If much fuded 
let it lie in this over-night. Lift it from tho 
water without wringing, and dry in a shady 
place. Press while damp. Dark blue cash¬ 
mere may be treated in tho same way. 
MRS. SMITH. 
-- 
ACID, SODA, SALERATUS. 
In answer to T. M., page 257 of March 14, I 
would say that while I am quite willing 
to make all explanation wished, I dou’t know 
whether I can make the matter more plain or 
simple than l expressed it in the original when 
I stated: “Add to the batter hydrochloric acid 
in bulk, the same as that of soda used.” Bulk 
would imply measure, not weight; so if a level 
spoonful of soda were used, use a level spoon 
ful of the acid; but if a piling spoonful of soda 
wire used, then use of the acid what would be 
a piling spoonful provided it could be piled up, 
it being a fluid. I never measure either, but 
guess them both off; can guess of the two 
whether they are about equal bulk. 
I don’t know of any simple way to distin¬ 
guish between soda and saleratus, both being 
so nearly alike in every respect. The metals, or 
bases of both, are remarkably chemically alike 
—a grayish dull silver color. Both lightertlrin 
water and both liavo so great an affinity for 
oxygen that they will decompose water while 
swimming on its surface and take fire from 
the heat generated by its union with the oxy¬ 
gen. 
It will be safe to presume that the packages 
marked soda are soda, as soda is much more 
cheaply made and the material from which it 
is made (common salt) is more abundant than 
that from which saleratus is made. This is 
made from the leacliings of wood ashes, and is 
not as plenty as in years past. A. a. bisbee. 
COOKING PEAS. 
Persons who have never liked peas have 
learned to like them at our table, cooked by 
the following method: Pick when scant full 
grown before they become at all tough; alter 
they attain any degree of ripeness they are 
unfit for use as “green peas.” Put them to 
cook in boiling water. A pint for two quarts 
of peas is sufficient. Add a dust of pepper, 
and an ounce of butter. Boil briskly for 10 
or 15 minutes, then add salt to taste aud in 
another 10 minutes or 15 minutes at most, 
they should be done. Then pour in creamy 
milk enough to cover the peas well, adding 
more salt and pepper if necessary, when they 
may be served immediately,or leftover the fire 
merely long enough to begin to simmer. Tho 
more “creamy” tho milk, the better tho peas. 
Fora change,peas prepared in this way may be 
poured over bread toasted to a light brown, 
and served instantly. This is excellent. 
GLADDYS WAYNE. 
Harper’s Bazar says that the revolt 
against basques seems more decided than 
hitherto, and that as a consequence polonaises 
are gaining in popularity. All that we have 
seen were of cashmere (to be worn over silk 
skirts) and favored those worn a dozen or 
more years ago. 
Emmeline Raymond says that corsages are 
still long-waisted, but to take away the long 
effect, and give the eye a change, a very wide 
ribbon is folded and passed around the waist, 
knotted at the side, and falls in two long, 
floating ends on the skirt. This is the Empire 
sash, which will bo much worn with thin 
dresses this season. 
We believe that boiling water is tbo only 
effective remedy for ants. A dish of baked 
apples placed in a kitchen closet was found, 
when wanted, covered with red ants. It was 
but the work of an instant to throw the 
apples into the fire and hot water over tho 
dish. Then boiling water was thrown by the 
cupfuls over the i>antry shelves, the wall, base¬ 
board, and floors. This was repeated every 
day for a fortnight with the result that from 
that time until this, ten or more years ago, 
wo liavo never seen an ant in that closet. 
Black ants, which crawl up through a window 
into the kitchen sink, are subdued every spring 
by the same treatment. 
Your Life 
Is in danger while your blood is impure. 
Gross food, careless personal habits, and 
various exposures render miners, loggers, 
hunters, and most frontiersmen peculiarly 
subject to eruptive and other blood diseases. 
The best remedy is Ayer’s Sarsaparilla. A 
powerful alterative, this medicine cleanses 
the blood through the natural channels, and 
speedily effects a cure. 
Ayer’s Sarsaparilla, 
Prepared by Dr. J. O. Ayer & Co., Lowell, Musa. 
Price $1 ; six bottles, $5. Worth $5 a bottle. 
PEERLESS DYES Sold by Duuguists. 
Wells,Richardson & Co’s 
rSTRENGTH 
EXCELS IN \ PURITY 
( BRIGHTNESS 
Always gives a bright natural color, never 
turns rancid. Will not color the Buttermilk. 
Used by thousands of the best Creameries and 
Dairies. Do not allow your dealer to convince you 
that some other kind is just as good. Tell him the 
BEST is what you want, and you must have Wells, 
Richardson & Co’s Improved Butter Color. 
Three sizes, 25 c. 50 c. $ 1 . 00 . For sale everywhere. 
WELLS, RIC HARDSON & CO. Burlington, Vt. 
(33 Colors.) DIAMOND DYES 
gS l-- are tho Purest, Cheap- 
est,Strongest, and most 
WSetrsf Durable Dyos over mado. 
„ ""' v ^ Ono lOc. package will color 
1 to 4 pounds of Dross Goods, Garments,Yams, Rut's, 
etc Unequalled for Feathers, itihhons. and all Fancy 
Dyeing. Also Diamond Paints, for Gilding, Bronz¬ 
ing, etc. Any color Dye or Paint, with full instructions 
and sample card mailed for 10 cents. At all Druggists 
WELLS, RICHARDSON & CO., BURLINGTON, VT. 
EPPS’S 
CRATEFUL-C-OMFORTINC 
COCOA 
FOLDING 
OPY 
TOP. 
Just the thing foe all styles 
and sizes of wagons. LIGHT, 
HANDSOME. Easily attached. 
Send for circular and prices 
of this and other canopies. Local Agents Wanted State 
where you saw this. ]). (j. BEERS & CO. Newtown, lit. 
A. $125 
Top Buggy 
FOR $85.00. 
Other Buggies, Car¬ 
riages, fileighs, Har¬ 
ness, and a thousand 
useful articles in the 
same proportion. Send 
for Illustrated Price- 
Lists. CIIICAUO SCAMS 
COMPANY, Chicago, lit 
SHERWOOD HARNESS C0. f 
Syracuse, N.Y. 
S' .t'ittji-', ■ 
ACTS. WANTED. 
BAPCr. .. PURE RAW BONE MEAL. Also 
$25 
PHOSPHATE "W 
Send for Prices, Samples ami nil Information. 
llAUtill «fc SON* CO . Nfm.. Phi :*<!«• 11 ,1 -• 
r/DTM ITCDt FOK SPRING CROPS. SEXD 
rsw I I LI&EH * for Circulars and Prices. 
YORK CHEMICAL WORKS York, »'a. 
Llvo at homo and make more money working for up, than 
il jit anything ol«o in the world. Either Hex Costly outfit 
yitKK Terinrt FRICK. AddreHH, TllUtt & Co.. Autfuatu, Maine. 
SOLD, 
(State. 
FLANS MADE and CONTH ACTS taken for tho 
DKAINAdE nml HKCI.A IDTION <>l 
I'A RM I N <« LANDS. 
M, K A It < JI’SSO v , Civil Engineer and Conti act or, 
Room Produce Exchange, New York. 
EOT SAT.E.—Th« Johnnie llnrck Grist 
mill, at North Hoostck, New York. A grand chance 
at a low price. Address for full particulars, 
Chan. U El dredge REAL ESTATE BROKER, 
48 Church Sireet, Hoosiek Kails, N. Y. 
FARH FOR SAFE. 
One of the finest and most highly improved STOCK 
aud DAIRY FARMS lit Minnesota IK/) Acres, fenced, 
drained, under thorough cultivation. Carries at pre¬ 
sent 200 head Cattle and Horses New Dwelling 
House. Farm House, well-designed Barns and stables, 
etc., in perfect repair. For full particulars apply io 
LEWIS II, STANTON, Morris. Minnesota. 
FOIL SALE— Eight Hundred and Forty Acres of 
Land in one tract-forty miles from Pet rsburg, Vir¬ 
ginia. and 15 miles from R. Road. One half land clear¬ 
ed, balance heavily wooded. Soli adapied to growth 
of wheal, tobacco and corn Fine grazing land and 
most excellent ranges for stock. Well watered—two 
unfailing streams running through the farm and one 
skirting Its boundry. Improvements—large dwellings, 
10 rooms, outhouses, and ofllces. etc . etc. Fruit abun¬ 
dant, location exceedingly healthy, mill and churches 
convenient, and society unexceptionable, same plen¬ 
tiful—deer, turkey, quail, etc Land to be sold to 
settlo up an estate. May be bought for one half Its 
value. Address .1 NO- II. LEWIS. Executor, care 
I)r. Jno. II. t! I airborne. Petersburg, 
All Wanting Farms. 
Good land for Fruit. Grapes Peaches, Vegetables, 
Poultry, Grain and Tobacco: 80 miles South of Phlla 
delphia, on a line with Baltimore. Md. Best of Mar¬ 
kets, Mikl Climate. Healthy, no Malaria, wild Land. 
*25 per acre. Town Lots, <150 Easy terms Also Im¬ 
proved farms. Prosperous busmess place. Better 
than the cold Northwest For circulars, etc., address 
C. IV . LANDIS. Proprietor, Vineland. N. .1 . 
XA VI ltd 1 N 1 A IM PltdV ED FARMS In my 
hands FOIt SA i.E, all lying In LOUISA coun¬ 
ty, Virginia, near railroad. Address 
J. J. PORTER, Clerk, LOUISA C. H„ VA, 
