As disfigures humanity's race,
Or could character taint with disgrace.
Receipts, &c.
Iron-Moulds in Paper.—When paper is disfigured with iron-moulds, it may be restored by applying to the stained part a solution of sulphate of potash, and afterwards a weak solution of oxalic acid. The sulphate attracts from the iron part of its oxygen, and renders it soluble in the diluted acids. This is applicable to other substances; but care must be taken to place the oxalic acid in a safe place, and to mark the bottom containing it "poison."
Knives and Forks.—Handles of ebony should be cleaned with a soft cloth dipped in a little sweet oil; and after resting awhile with the oil on them, let them be well wiped with a clean towel. Ivory or bone handles ought to be washed with a soaped flannel and lukewarm water, and then wiped with a dry towel. To preserve or restore their whiteness, soak them occasionally in alum-water that has been boiled and then grown cold. Let them lie for an hour in a vessel of this alum-water. Then take them out, and brush them well with a small brush (a tooth-brush will do), and afterwards take a clean linen towel, dip it in cold water, squeeze it out; and, while wet, wrap it round the handles, leaving them in it to dry gradually—as, if dried too fast out of the alum-water, they will be injured. If properly managed, this process will make them very white.
Expelling Insects generally.—All insects dislike pennyroyal; the odor of it destroys some and drives away others. At seasons when fresh green bunches of pennyroyal are not to be obtained, get oil of pennyroyal, pour some into a saucer, and steep in it small bits of wadding or raw cotton; lay them about in corners; closet-shelves, bureau-drawers, boxes, and all places where you have seen cockroaches or ants, or wherever they are likely to be found. If the insects do not speedily disappear, renew the cotton and pennyroyal. It is also well to place some of them about the bedsteads, between the sacking and the mattress. Bunches of pennyroyal are excellent for brushing off that very annoying little insect, the seed tick.
How To Preserve Eggs.—Take a half inch board of any convenient length and breadth, and pierce it as full of holes (each 1½ inches in diameter) as you can. A board two feet and six inches in length, and one foot wide, has five dozen in it, say twelve rows of five each. Then take four strips two inches broad, and nail them together edgewise into a rectangular frame of the same size as your other board. Nail this board upon the frame, and the work is done, unless you choose to nail a heading around the top.
Put your eggs in this board as they come from the poultry house, the small ends down, and they will keep good for six months, if you take the following precautions: Take care that the eggs do not get wet, either in the nest or afterwards. Keep them in a cool room in summer, and out of the reach of frost in winter. If two boards be kept, one can be filling while the other is emptying.