Recipes for the million

IRISES.— Sow in a light sandy soil, allowing six or seven inches every way between the bulbs. They should be taken up every second or third year, as soon as the foliage is withered, laid aside till sufficiently dry to remove the offsets, and replanted in September. IRISH STEW. — Carve into cutlets about three pounds of the best end of a neck of mutton, saw off the chine bone, and trim the fat; season the cutlets well with pepper and salt, and put them with the bones into a stew-pan, just covering them with cold water ; stew gently for half an hour, remove from the fire, skim the fat from the gravy, and then return it with the chops into the stew-pan ; add six or eight potatoes cut into halves, four onions sliced, a couple of turnips, and a pint and a half of stock or water ; cover the stew-pan, and simmer gently for two hours. Serve with the potatoes in the centre of the dish, the cutlets arranged all round, and with the onions and gravy poured over. IRON AND STEEL, To Clean. — Mix into a paste two parts fine emery powder and one part soft soap. Rub the polished iron or steel with the mixture, and finish off with whiting and wash-leather. IRON AND STEEL, To Preserve from Rust. See Rust. IRON AND STEEL, To Remove Rust from. See Rust. IRON (CAST), To Render it Less Brittle. — This maybe accomplished by putting the iron into a very hot furnace, and allowing it gradually to grow cold. IRON CEMENT, for Stopping Leaks. See Cement To Unite Iron. IRON (CORROSION OF), To Prevent. — A writer in a scientific journal gives the following: — “I invite all parties interested in preventing the corrosion of iron to give the following composition a trial. It will be found an excellent substitute for copper sheathing. Melted pitch, six pounds ; linseed oil, half a pound ; brick dust, five ounces ; finely pulverised iron filings, five ounces ; ashes, six ounces. Mix. Apply one coat, and when dry apply a second. If any rough timber is coated with this composition (taking care previously to wash it over with glue), it will resist the effects of fire for upwards of five hours ! " IRON, Ebony Black for. — Mix four ounces of iron rust with a gallon of strong vinegar ; let it stand for a week, and then add a pound of dry lampblack and three-quarters of a pound of copperas, and stir it occasionally for a couple of days. Lay five or six coats upon the iron with a sponge, allowing each to dry between. Polish with linseed oil and a soft woollen rag. IRON, HORNS, OR HOOFS, To Mend. — Melt over a slow fire in a tin-lined vessel, one part of coarsely-powdered gum-ammoniac and two parts of gutta percha cut into pieces the size of a hazel nut, stirring constantly till they are thoroughly mixed. Before applying, all grease must be carefully removed from the articles to be mended by the application of sal ammoniac, or ether. Will keep good for years. IRON MOULD, To Remove. — Ink spots and iron mould may be removed from linen in the following manner:—Stretch the linen tightly over a basin containing boiling water ; wet the stain with water, and then apply a little salts of lemon. When the spot has disappeared wash the article in clear water.