Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 August 1879 — HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY. [ARTICLE]

HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY.

I’OTATO SALAD. Chop cold boiled potatoes very fine; add enough minced raw onion to season, and pour over a good salad dressing. CATCHING MOSQUITOES. Nail a small cup, like the cover of a blacking-box, on the end of a broomstick and fill it with a small quantity of kerosene; then hold it under the mosquito on the ceiling, or press it up quickly so as to cover him, and the fumes of the kerosene will-cause him almost at once to drop into the oil dead. This plan will save the disfigurement caused by killing the insects on the ceiling, as it is generally done. TO DESTROY LICE ON FOWLS. Grease the top of the head and under each wing with an ointment of mercurial ointment, two parts; lard three parts; crude petroleum, one part. Apply in half-melted state. BEAN SALAD. String young beans, cut into small pieces, wash and cook tender in salted water, drain well and add so much finely chopped onion as liked, with pepper, salt and vinegar. Serve when cold, and add a little olive oil or melted butter. ESSENCE BOUQUET TOILET WATER. Attar of roses, 3 drams; attar of bergamot (fresh), 8 drams; attar of lemon (fresh), 2 drams; extract of musk (simple), 2 ounces; extract of orris root, 8 ounces; cologne spirits, 8 pints; rosewater, 1 pint. Mix the oils and extracts with the spirits; then add the rosewater; shake well, and, after standing a few days, filter through paper. This is a very fine toilet water, but it is rather expensive. It can bo diluted with a mixture of three parts cologne spirits to one of water, and still have the true odor. RASPBERRY VINEGAR. Put two quarts of fresh red raspberries into a jar and pour over them a quart of good vinegar; let them stand twenty-four hours; strain through a flannel bag; pour this liquid over two quarts of fresh berries and again let it stand twenty-four hours, and strain again; allow a pound of sugar to every pint of juice; put into a stone jar and cover closely, and set it to stand in a kettle of boiling water, to be kept boiling for an hour; strain and bottle ready for use; a teaspoonful to a tumbler of ice-water is the manner of using. SMILAX. With very little care, smilax can be grown successfully as a house plant. The seed should be sown in a box, or in pots in tHe house; should be kept moist till the young plant appears. The seed being rather slow to germinate, you must not think it bad if it does not make appearance in two weeks. The young plants should be potted off into three-inch pots as soon as they are three or four inches high. Once a year the bulbs should be allowed to dry off and rest; they will start into growth again in about six weeks. ROSE LEAF PILLOW. For the few who have the opportunity and desire to possess the latter, the following directions are given: Gather the leaves when they are about to fall, and save those from faded bouquets. Spread them on a frame covered with mosquito netting and lay another piece over the top, or, place them on paper in an occupied room where there is no dampness. Stir frequently and be sure they are thoroughly dry before patting them away, as any damp ones would cause the whole to mold. When sufficient are gathered—it will require a great many—put them into a thin muslin case, five-

eighths of a yard square; over this put an ornamental cover, the same as any sofa pillow; place it on your lounge, and when mid-day finds you tired and worn out, and nervous, rest your head on it, if for no longer than fifteen minutes, and dream of the perfumes *f Araby and rise refreshed and strengthened, if not by virtue of the rose leaves, at least by that of the “forty winks." The neighbors may criticise as sharply as though you had taken forty drinks, but that is no matter, so long as conscience bears no reproach for neglected duty and squandered time.