3790. Cleaning Knives.—Mutton fat made hot, and put on a leather or buff-board, with emery-dust—not powder, as that is too sharp—well rubbed in with an old brush, is the best way of giving a knife as good a polish and edge as any razor.
3791. To restore the Color to Mahogany.—Wash well with soap and water, and then polish daily with the following oil: Take half an ounce of alkanet root, cut small, and add to a pint of linseed oil; when this has stood for a week, add half an ounce of powdered gum-arabic, and an ounce of shellac varnish; let them stand in a bottle by the fire for a week, then strain. Rub well in.
3792. Rice Flour Cement.—An excellent cement may be made from rice flour, which is at present used for that purpose in China and Japan. It is only necessary to mix the rice flour intimately with cold water, and gently simmer it over a fire, when it readily forms a delicate and durable cement, not only answering all the purposes of common paste, but admirably adapted for joining together paper, cards, &c., in forming the various beautiful and tasteful ornaments which affords much employment and amusement to the ladies.
3793. When made of the consistence of plaster-clay, models, busts, bas-relievos, &c. may be formed of it, and the articles, when dry, are susceptible of high polish, and very durable.—(See [p. 70].)
3794. Oil of Lavender.—A few drops in a library will keep the books from moulding. A single drop of the same will prevent a pint of ink from mouldiness for any length of time. Paste may be kept from mould entirely by this addition; and leather is also effectually secured from injury by the same agency.