Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 May 1882 — MOUSE AND HOME. [ARTICLE]

MOUSE AND HOME.

Housekeepers should &memt>er; That if we wish to prolong our lives, we should put onerday between washing and ironing. • That people who chew plenty of good beef and eschew pork are sensible. That.tough beefsteak may be made eatable by mincing it pretty fine with sylth a chopping knife, and cooking quickly in a pot with a close cover, to prevent the steam from escaping. ' That salt pork will be as nice, nearly as fresh, if soaked in sweet milk and parts. Thht clabbered milk is better than for freshening salt fish. That half a cup of vinegar in the water will make fowl cook nearly as quick as a young one, and does not injure the flavor in the least. That liver should be thrown into boiling water after being sliced thin, and then fried in lard or dripping. . That pie crttst will not be soggy if it is brushed over, with the white of an Cgg before the fruit is put in. Zinc can be brightened by rubbing it with kerosene oil, but it is muon better to have it painted, as this wi’l save much labor, After you have swept your carpets quite clean, you may brighten them with a flannel cloth wrung out from beef’s gall and water. That a piece of Cork is better than eloth-for applying brick to knives. —- That ripe cucumbers make a good sweet pickle. ‘ /' That applet which take, a long whilero bake should have a little water in the pan. Stove blackeqed when entirely cold will keep the clean look a very great dteal longer than when they are polished When the stove is warm. White paint may be cleaned as well aS windows, by using whiting and water, while grained woodwork should be wiped-gfitp a flannel doth wrung ou t /red cold- tea. ... Wash pantry shelves with hot alum and wafer to ml tjheito of qnts, waterbugs anfl Other troublesome insects. A stWtig deififent Is made by dissolving caustic lime with boiling water. When dry mix with the white of an egg to a thick paste,' It sets instantly-

A palatable drink for a fever patient is made by peeling and slicing some good tart apples, scattering white sugar over them and pouring boiling water over them. When cool, pour off the, water and drink. To keep knives In good condition mb bright and wrap in thick brown paper. Never let knife-handles lie in watCr, and do hot let their blades stay in very hot water, as the heat expands the iron and makes the handles crack. . ,• ;l ~ V f In buying fish, one test applies to all, whether large or small. If fresh, the eyes are full and clear, the fins are at iff and the skin and scales bright. If the eyes are dim and sunken It is not fit for use, and no protestations from the fisherman should induce one to buy it.. Baking Pies—To prevent the juice of pies soaking into the under crust, beat the white of an egg and brush the crust with it. To give a rich brown to the upper crust brush that with it also. At house-cleaning time it is well to have an eye to and close up all cracks and crevices, whether in the floor or between that and the base-board, where insects may harbor, as well as larger ones in closets through which mice may enter. For cracks, common hard soap, which is usually soft enough for the purpose, may be used to fill them. It is usually soft enough to be pressed with the fingers into crevices, and no insect will venture to make its way through it. For larger holes, through which mice may come, plaster of paris mixed with water to the thickness of batter and quickly applied, will soon set and stop the opening. Thin sheet-tin, from old fruit cans, may be tacked over the larger holes. In the spring cleaning we must consider the question of moths. The common clothes moth was formerly the only one that troubled housekeepers, but of late years the “buffalo” or “oarpet moth” has in many localities come to plague them. To keep woolens and furs from moths, two things are to be observed- First, to see that none are in the articles when they are put away, and second, to put them where the parent moth cannot enter. Tin cases, soldered tight, whisky barrels headed so that not even a liquid can get in or out, have been used to keep out moths. A piece of strong brown paper, without a hole through which even a large pin can enter, is just as good. Put the articles In a close box, and cover every joint with paper, or resort to whatever will be a complete covering. A wrapper of common cotton cloth, so put around and secured, is often used. Wherever a knitting needle will pass the parent moth dan enter; carefully exclude the insect and the articles will be safe. As to the buffalo or carpet moth, this fortunately exists in but a few localities. No better remedy than we gave a year or two ago has been offered. Wet a folded sheet or other cloth, lay it over the place near the edge of the carpet, and use several hot flat irons, moving them about from time to time no as to send the steam down throuirh the carpet and into all the cracks of the floor, and it will kill the moths. Where this has been properly tried it has been effective.