1911. 
Tx-TE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
«33 
Fixing Old Floors. 
When old and poor floors and a scar¬ 
city of dollars confront the housewife, 
patience and labor added to a very slight 
financial outlay for materials will work 
wonderful improvements. Whatever 
treatment is to be given the floor, the 
first step is to have it thoroughly cleaned 
and dried. If the boards are smooth 
enough to permit using a stain instead 
of paint, a good one may be had at al¬ 
most no expense. Dissolve an ounce of 
permanganate of potash in a gallon of 
water and, using a brush or swab, give 
the floor one, two or three coats accord¬ 
ing to the shade desired. The color will 
be red at first but turns brown gradu¬ 
ally, facts to be remembered when 
working. After the stain is on give a 
coat of burnt oil, or melted beeswax. 
If wide cracks call for filling, a cheap 
one may be made by tearing old papers 
into bits, adding water and boiling to a 
pulp. When soft, add two tablespoon¬ 
fuls of gum arabic to each quart of pulp, 
and simmer slowly, stirring often, until 
as thick as heavy cream. Fill all cracks 
solidly and make as smooth as possible. 
Another good filler is made by putting 
sawdust into an earthen dish and pour¬ 
ing boiling water over it (stirring well 
as the water is poured on) and letting 
stand for 10 days, with a daily stirring 
up. At the end of the 10 days boil the 
mass until like paste, then turn into a 
bag and squeeze as dry as possible. This 
part of the work may be done at any 
time and the sawdust allowed to dry 
out. When the filler is needed mix the 
prepared sawdust into some thin glue 
until of the consistency of cement and 
pack into the cracks. If the fillers or 
the boards need sandpapering, begin 
the work with a coarse paper and finish 
with a finer, as it will make the work 
much easier. 
For a good, though cheap, floor paint 
that hardens quickly, put two ounces of 
glue into a quart of rainwater and keep 
warm until dissolved, then let cool and 
add enough yellow ochre to bring to a 
consistency that it will spread like paint. 
After the paint is dry on the floor go 
over it with a liberal coat of boiled lin¬ 
seed oil. If a different shade is wanted, 
burnt umber or other color in powder 
may be added to tone down the yellow 
of the ochre. These directions are for 
the housewife to whom economy is the 
all important feature, but the results 
will be such as to pay for the time and 
labor expended—especially on poor 
kitchen and pantry floors. It should 
be remembered, however, that stained 
and painted floors should be cleaned 
with cold water and occasionally wiped 
over with an oiled cloth. 
Where a floor is too rough for any 
such treatment as described, a very 
satisfactory result has been obtained 
by laying discarded oilcloth or odds 
and ends of pieces, face down, and paint¬ 
ing the backs. Most oilcloths have the 
red-brown back that is very nearly 
the same shade and sometimes can be 
used for a border where a rug is to be 
used without any preparation, but will 
last much longer if painted and oiled. 
If evenly cut and matched and fastened 
down with the double tacks (like tiny 
staples), this method of work will 
utilize all odds and ends of oilcloth that 
may be on hand and save the work of 
filling cracks or otherwise preparing the 
floor. EVA RYMAN-GAILLARD. 
We say that we “make up our minds” 
to do a certain thing or not to do it, to 
resist a certain temptation or to yield to 
it. It is true. We “make up our minds” 
in a deeper sense than we remember. In 
every case the ultimate decision is be¬ 
tween two future selves, one with whom 
the virtue is harmonious, another with 
whom the vice is consistent. To one of 
these two figures, dimly concealed be¬ 
hind the action, we move forward. What 
we forget is that, when the forward step 
is taken, the shadow will be myself. 
Character is eternal destiny.—Henry Van 
Dyke. 
The Rural Patterns. 
When ordering patterns always give 
number of patterns and measurements 
desired. 
The first group includes 6983, blouse or 
shirt waist for misses or small women. 
14, 16 and 18 years. 3)4 yards of ma¬ 
terial 27 inches wide, 2 yards 36, 124 
yards 44, for 16 year size. 6988, fancy 
blouse with sailor collar. 34 to 40 bust. 
4 yards of material 27 inches wide, 3% 
yards 36, 224 yards 44 inches wide for 
medium size. 6993, girl’s dress with 
straight gathered skirt 10, 12 and 14 
years 5% yards of material 27 inches 
wide, 424 yards 36 inches wide, 3% 
yards 44, 20 yards of insertion, 4 yards 
of edging, for 12 year size. 6982, six- 
gored skirt 22 to 32 waist 5)4 yards of 
material 27 inches wide, 3)4 yards 36, 
234 yards 44 or 52, width of skirt at 
lower edge, 2)4 yards, for medium size. 
6709, boy’s middy blouse, 6 to 12 years 
224 yards of material 27 inches wide, 2)4 
yards 36, 1 §4 yards 44, 1 yard 27 for 
collar, cuffs and tie, for 10 year size; 
price of each 10 cents. 
The second group shows 6904, tucked 
over-blouse, 34 to 42 bust. 2)4 yards of 
material 27 inches wide, 124 yards 36, 1)4 
yards 44, )4 yard 27 inches wide for 
trimming portions, for medium size. 
6921, plain house jacket, designed for 
ribbon and insertion. 34 to 42. 8)4 
yards of ribbon, 10 yards of lace inser¬ 
tion, 1)4 inches wide and 6 yards of edg¬ 
ing to make as illustrated; 3 yards of 
plain material 27 inches wide, 2)4 yards 
36 or 124 yards 44 inches wide, for 
medium size. 6914, house dress with 
four-gored skirt, box-plaited or gathered 
back. 34 to 42 bust. 7 yards of material 
27 inches wide, 5)4 yards 36, 424 yards 
44, 24 yard 27 for trimming, for medium 
size. 6906, circular walking skirt, in one 
or two pieces, with high or natural waist 
line. 22 to 30 waist. 4 yards of ma¬ 
terial 27 inches wide, 3 yards 44, 224 
yards 52, width of skirt at lower edge 
224 yards for medium size. 6923, single 
button coat for misses and small wo¬ 
men, 14, 16 and 18 years. 324 yards of 
material 27 inches wide, 2)4 yards 44, 
124 yards 52, for 16 year size; price of 
each 10 cents. 
Hulled Corn. 
I enjoy the household part and the ques¬ 
tions and answers, so am going to ask for 
help. I would like information about mak¬ 
ing hulled corn. Can you help me? 
MRS. O. L. C. 
New England taste demands a well- 
ripened white flint corn for hulling; 
other sections prefer yellow, but it is al¬ 
ways flint corn. Babbitt’s potash is used 
to remove the hulls, the proportion being 
one full pound to a bushel of corn. Of 
course, when preparing corn for home 
use, the same proportion would be ob¬ 
served in smaller quantities. An iron ket¬ 
tle half filled with water is put on the 
stove, the potash added when the water 
warms, and the corn put in when it comes 
to a boil. In about an hour the starch 
will come out of the corn, thickening 
the lye. The corn must be well stirred 
from the bottom, to avoid burning, and 
the kettle kept back on the stove, so the 
corn will simmer without boiling hard. 
After the first hour the corn must be 
dipped out and tested in cold water, to 
see if the hulls slip. If left in the potash 
too long it becomes dark and sodden; if 
too short, it cannot be cooked tender. 
About 1)4 to two hours is the usual 
time. The corn is then washed in clear 
water. When made in large quantities a 
clean, new broom, with about six 
inches of the straw cut off, is used to rub 
off the hulls; a stiff whisk would answer 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you’ll get a quick reply and a 
“square deal." See guarantee editorial page. 
HOUSE GOWNS 
The correct 
S^3=material for cotton 
1 u house gowns is 
» j ' ./universally con- 
V/| ceded to be the 
l]4 high quality, al¬ 
ii' 
ways dependable 
(Fifty Year* the Standard!) 
Each design is a clever 
artistic creation so fascina¬ 
ting to women of taste — 
there’s a pattern to suit 
every occasion and every 
taste in bright, strong, as 
well as refined tints. It is 
the percale that won’t fade 
nor wash out, because fifty 
yearsof Pacific quality goes 
into every yard. 
„The Pacific Mills 
trade mark vj|My on every 
piece of the genuine 
Refuse the imitations, for 
(ioc and up a yard.) 
If your dealer doesn’t carry Pacific Percales, 
write us for free samples and list of rei.alers 
who will supply you. 
PACIFIC MILLS - BOSTON, MASS. 
guarantees this, 
they disappoint. 
CLOTH 
FROM 
THE 
MILL 
Best Values in Woolen ami Worsted 
Cloths tor Men’s, Women’s, and Chil¬ 
dren's Wear. lUIIKCT FROM Till. MILL 
AT MILL PRICES. Est. 1862. Always reli¬ 
able. Satisfied customers ever,' where. 
Suitings, Skirtings, Trouserings. Dress 
Goods, Etc,, Wasli Goods and Linings. 
SAMPLES FREE. State garment 
planned, color preferred. RIDGEWOOD 
MILLS, No. 671 Main St., Holyoke, Mass. 
SAVE HALF Your 
Paint Bills 
the same purpose with small quantities. 
A quantity of water will be used during 
this scrubbing, the hulls being poured 
By using INGERSOLL PAINT — proved 
best by 66 years’ use. It will please you. 
Only Paint endorsed by the “Grange.” 
Made in all colors,—for all purposes. 
off with the water. Put the corn on to 
boil in clear water; when it reaches the 
boiling point draw it back, so that it may 
simmer. It should not be stirred, as this 
makes it mushy. It requires long, slow 
simmering; when sufficiently cooked it 
may be salted to taste, and drained in a 
colander. When served it is either eaten 
with milk, or warmed up with butter in a 
frying pan, and served like a vegetable. 
In the Summer hulled corn would fer¬ 
ment very quickly, so its manufacture 
takes place only after hard freezing has 
started in the Fall. 
Hulled corn may also be prepared as 
follows: Wash two quarts of shelled 
corn to remove loose bits; then place in 
a large iron kettle with two heaping table¬ 
spoons of saleratus, cover with cold 
water, let come to a boil slowly and 
cook about an hour. Remove the kettle 
from fire, drain off the water, then pour 
the corn, from which the hulls will al¬ 
ready be loosened, into a large pan of 
water. Rub the corn between the hands 
to loosen the hulls; after taking off all 
those partly loosened put it on again in 
warm water, let boil about half an hour, 
then try to remove the rest of the hulls 
by rubbing as before. After all hulls are 
removed, wash the corn in at least half a 
dozen clear waters,- then put on once 
more in warm water, and when it boils 
drain and add fresh water. Let the corn 
cook in this last water until tender, salt¬ 
ing to taste. If the hulls do not come off 
readily let the corn boil an hour longer, 
adding a teaspoon more saleratus. 
DELIVERED FREE. 
From the Mill Direct to You at Factory Prices. 
INGERSOLL PAINT BOOK —FREE 
Tolls nil about Paint and Painting for Durability. 
How to avoid trouble and expense caused by paint* 
fading, chalking and peeling. Valuable information 
free to you. with Sample Color Cards. Write me. DO 
IT NOW. I can «ave you money. 
0. W. Ingersoll, 246 Plymouth St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 
Direct from Factory, Freight Prepaid 
and Guaranteed by the Manufacturer 
You can buy a Gold Coin Stove from us to 
#20 less than dealer’s 
prices. We pay freight; 
safe delivery insured, 
pol ished and alJ ready 
to set up. 
‘‘Satisfaction or your 
money back any time 
within 1 year” 
is our written 
guaranty. 
Ereo Catalog 
—/llus t rates 
all our Storm. 
Gives Price 
List and tells our 
PIan and Offer. 
Send for it. 
Gold Coin Sfove Co. 
? Oak St. Troy. I 1 . Y. 
Electric Lights make the brightest, safest, 
cleanest and most reliable lighting system 
known for farms and country homes, i The 
Dayton Electric Lighting Outfits are low in 
cost, easy to install, cost almost nothing to 
operate. Give you better lights than most city 
people enjoy. Write today for complete illus¬ 
trated catalog showing outfits, fixtures, etc. 
DAYTON ELECTRICAL MFG. CO. 
231 8t. Clair Street Dayton, Ohio 
The Greatest Home Comfort 
does not come from wealth or large income. It comes from 
having the home evenly, cleanly and economically heated. 
I he proper kind of a furnace costs less than stoves or grates. 
XXth CENTURY FURNACE 
is used and praised so universally by so many thousand home 
owners everywhere—in every climate. It is made right, it 
has the only sensible and Economic Fire Pot over made. It 
burns all kinds of fuel—even cheap grades of soft coal, slack, 
etc., with perfect combustion and yields one-third more heat 
at one-third less cost than any other made. 
The Cheapest Heat for Any Home—Country or City 
and yet clean, healthful. No work, no repairs; sanitary 
ideal. Write us, giving a sketch or plan of your house, in¬ 
dicating the number of rooms to be heated, and let us tell 
yon how you can get a XXth CENTURY FURNACE, and 
try it on our Common-Sense Guarantee Plan. Ask for our 
little booklet on the Homes, No. 19. 
The XXth Century Heating & Ventilating Go. 
citron, OHio. 
