Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 April 1891 — THE HOUSEHOLD. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE HOUSEHOLD.

Convenient Table for the Kitchen. Nowhere do conveniences for doing work pay better than in the kitchen, on the smooth running of which department the greater part of domestic comforts depend. Where space is not abundant, a combination of table and drawers, illustrated and described as follows, will often prove very desirable, and will save many steps in a large kitchen.

The top has a leaf behind it that can be raised by drawing out the table, when more room is desired for ironing or other

work. A portion of the top lifts np, disclosing a place for flat irons, Ironing cloths or other articles. At the right and below are drawers for articles used in cooking. A closet or other drawers can be constructed in the same position at the other end. A shelf for water palls is placed by iron brackets on the right hand side. If a closet be placed at the other end of the table a similar shelf could also be attached to them, on which to place some of the more bulky articles used in cooking. These conveniences may servo as suggestions, for one should be continually on the lookout for means by which housework can be made lighter, and there are usually many ways if sumo thought and study be given to the matter. Hint* to Hoiutekeepori. Beef marrow is excellent for frying purposes. Use turpentine and machine oil to polish your sewing-machine, and rub briskly. Never hang a mirror where the sun’s rays will strike upon it. It acts on the mercury and clouds the glass. For small holes in plastering take one part plaster of parts, three parts of fine sand, and mix with cold water. Yellow soap and whiting inixedjto a thick paste with a little water will stop a leak as effectually as will solder. Bent whalebones can be restored and used again by soaking them for a few hours in water and then drying them. It is never safe to remove wool stockings from an infant till it has passed its “second summer,” or cuts its canine teeth. A short nap after meals Is strongly to be advised; bodily or mental exertion, at least, should never be attempted at this time. It is not generally known that chamois money bolts are worn by a great many New York women of means. The girdle is close-iittlng, and provided with pockets for carrying money, jewelry", and keys. * Hollow teeth, and the bad odor caused by them, could easily be avoided by proper cleansing of the mouth. The teeth should bo protected from vegetable parasites as well as from the accumulation of tartar; these should be removed as quickly as possible, or their bad effect counteracted. After each meal the teeth should be brushed with alcohol or water, to prevent the particles of food remaining in the mouth from decomposing. After this some innocuous powder, such as chalk, egg shells, bicarbonate of soda or other alkali, may be used with the brush, in order to prevent the formation in the mouth of acids which will attack the teeth. The simplest means of purifying water Is by filtering it. For this purpose the best substances are charcoal, or a combination of clay and charcoal, because this material has the property of separating from the water all impurities, especially those decomposed materials which give It a bud smell and taste. An Inexpensive but thoroughly effectual filter may be constructed in a flower-pot, by lining it with a layer of flannel, and then filling in successively three Inches of gravel, three inches of white sand washed perfectly clean, and four Inches of anima) charcoal. A clean sponge may be placed across the top.