Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 January 1883 — SUGGESTIONS OF VALUE. [ARTICLE]

SUGGESTIONS OF VALUE.

The greatest distance that should be allowed between the under edge of a picture-frame and the floor is fifty-two inches. In button-hole stitching the bottom of a flannel skirt, double the flannel as if to hem it, and baste it in place. This will give firmness to it, and it will last twice as long. To Whiten and Soften the Hands. — Four parts of glycerine, five parts yolk of eggs, mix thoroughly and rub on after washing the hands. Good also for abrasions of the skin. To protect tea-roses they may be potted and placed away in a light, warm cellar. Hardy varieties should be covered with coarse litter from the stable; but this should not be done until the ground begins to freeze, and the protection should not be removed until the ground is completely thawed. A Philadelphia bird fancier says: “You can tame a canary inside of six hours by depriving it of food for that length of time, and then putting your hand filled with seed into the cage. Repeat this at intervals, And the bird will soon become tame enough to fly about the room and come to you when you whistle for it.” To Clean Gold. —Jewelers often clean gold by washing it first in a little lukewarm soft water and soap. Then, after wiping, shaking it about until perfectly dry in a Wash-leather bag filled with finely powdered boxwood. When taken out of the bag the gold, if embossed or raised, must be gently brushed clean of the wood-dust with a diamond brush, or, if smooth, polished with a leather. White worms, which infest occasionally all soils where plants are kept in pets, jnay be removed as follows: Lime water may be sprinkled over the soil, or a little slaked lime may be sprinkled also on the earth and in the * saucer of the pot. Lime water may easily be made by slaking a large piece of lime in a pail of cold water, letting it settle and then bottling for use. Give each pot a tablespoonful twice a week. To Clean and Revive Old Furniture. — A piano-maker gives the following- directions for removing fingermarks from and restoring lustre to highly polished but much defaced furniture : Wash off the finger marks with a cloth—or, better a chamos skin—wet with cold water; then rub the surface with nice sweet oil mixed with half its quantity of turpentine. A liberal rubbing of this mixture will reward your labors. Stained Floors. —Beeswax and turpentine rubbed into the floors twice a week keep them in beautiful order. Melt a quantity of beeswax in a jar, by placing it for a short time in an oven. When warm add to it a little turpentine, and stir them together. When cold this ought to be of the consistency of pomatum. If too hard, melt Again, and add a little more turpentine. To be used cold. After carefully removing all dust from the boards, rub in a very little of the beeswax and turpentine with a coarse flannel. Oil for dull woods may be made by melting two ounces of yellow wax in a clean earthen vessel, and when hot Adding four ounces of best spirits of turpentine, stirring till the mixture cools. This polish should be rubbed on the wood with a flannel cloth, and it will penetrate tlie pores of the wood, leaving a little coat of wax, which will brighten with a slight daily rubbing. This care 4 in old times gave the fine luster which made plain, substantial oak and cherry furniture so handsome. A good polish to keep wood in order is also made of equal parts of sharp vinegar, spirits of turpentine and sweet oil. Half a pint of each is enough. Rub the furniture or wood with this, and go over it with a clean soft cloth.