Rensselaer Union, Volume 5, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 May 1873 — Washing Calicoes and Muslins. [ARTICLE]

Washing Calicoes and Muslins.

The first requisite is plenty of water; this even more essential for colored than for white clothes. It should not be hot enough to scald, and should have a mod. erate suds of hard soap before the garments are put in. Very white and nice soft soap is preferable to hard for flannels —does not shrink them as much : but the latter is best for cotton goods. Wash calicoes in two waters, using but little soap in the secomL-When clean, rinse them two or even three times in tepid water. Good laundresses always assert that the great secret of clear muslin is thorough rinsing. The quality of starch used also affects light colors, and for muslins dresses especially only starch of the purest quality should he used. When no great stiffness is required, it is a good plan to stir the starch into the rinsing water; it assists in setting the colors where they show a tendency to run. For setting the colors of fading goods I have used ox-gall, alum, borax and salt—all with good results, though they will not “clinch” green and blues that are determined on taking French leave. One benefit in using a strong; solution of alum water is that it will "positively make cotton fire-proof. Mothers who “sit on thorns” at school concerts and exhibitions, watching the dangerous proximity of gossSmer dresses to the foot-lights, will appreciate this advantage. And! so far from injuring the looks of the muslin, there is no olher treatment that will so brighten and improve the colors. Colored clothes should be wrung very thoroughly, dried in the shade, and turned about two'or three times while drying.— Ohio Farmer. —A few days ago a citizen of Detroitmade a wager with a gentleman that Mr. Jones, a mutual friend and an influential gentleman, would sign any petition pre seuted by a reputable person. Accordingly, a petition was gotten up, prating for tiie abolition of the Fire and Police Departments and for the prompt execution of Mr. Jones. This petition was presented to Mr. Jones, who, after glancing at the first few lines in an absent-minded way, affixed his signature thereto. When chatting over the champagne he provided for his friends be-solemnly promised to eschew petitions forever after. —A grand fete is to take place in Paris, in the month of 'September, on the occasion of the evacuation of the territory. This fete will be the first celebrated since the declaration of war,