Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1882 — HOUSE AND HOME. [ARTICLE]

HOUSE AND HOME.

When washing greasy pots and kettles, first take a handful of meal or bran and rub all around, which absorbes all the grease and leaves them perfectly clean, except wiping out with a clean cloth. A large picture ring screwed into the top of the handle is the nicest thing made by which to hang up a broom. A strong screw, with a small head, should be placed in the wall at proper height to receive it. Many people in the country who are compelled to drink well water are boiling all that is used in the family. The question is frequently asked, how long should it be boiled? The best chemists say that a half hour’s boiling is considered sufficient to destroy diseased germs, if any exist in the water. The taste of ginger cookies can be improved by using half a cup of cold coflee instead of water. There is almost always at least so much left after breakfast; or, if not, put a little water in the pot aud let it Doil a minute or two, and strength enough will given to flavor the cookies. A good dusting cap is made of two pieces of cambric of any color preferred, cut perfectly round, stitched together dr bound with some bright color, with two rows of stitching about an inch and a half from the edge to form casing, into which an elastic cord is’to run to draw it up to fit the head and form a frill about the face.

Whipped Potatoes.— Boil potatoes that have been pared, in salted water; when nearly done pour off the water and put salt over them and steam for ten minutes. Shake the kettle till the potatoes are broken up, and then with a fork whip them to powder. Beat in a large piece of butter and salt to taste. Pile on a dish and set in the oven to heat through, but not to color. The boneMtnd teeth are strengthened by food containing many salts, especially those bf lime and magnesia. Thus oat meal is a good food, for the reason that it contains much salts, the same being the case with meat and fish. The lime and the salts are deposited, and increase the width and strength of the bones. Hard water, which contain lime salts, are in this respect better than soft water which contain none, it is from this reason that persons in ceitaiu localities are said to suffer from weak teeth and bone*. Milk is also ajgood supplier of salts.