Recipes for the million

CLOTH (BLACK), To Remove Stains from. — Boil a couple of handfuls of fig or ivy leaves in half a pint of water, till the liquid is reduced to half the quantity. It may then be allowed to cool and bottled for use. When required apply with a sponge. CLOTH (BLACK), To Renovate. — Mix a tablespoonful of oxgall with a quartern of warm rain-water ; sponge the cloth first with the mixture and afterwards with clear rain-water. A weak solution of ammonia is also often recommended, but this has a tendency to turn the cloth brown in a short time. See also Black Reviver. CLOTHES, To Remove Shine from. — Corkscrew and other cloths which quickly acquire a glazed appearance may be restored by being well rubbed with a little turpentine. The smell will soon go off if they are hung in the air. A solution of ammonia or some strong coffee will sometimes have the desired effect. CLOTH, To Draw Patterns on.- This is best accomplished by mixing blue-stone and a little sugar with water, and drawing the pattern with a quill pen. CLOTH, To Raise the Nap on. — Soak the damaged part in cold water for half an hour, then lay it on a board and rub it until the nap is raised with a half-worn hatter's card filled with flocks. Hang the cloth up, and when nearly dry lightly brush the nap the right way. CLOTH, To Take Grease out of. — Dip a piece of felt in turpentine and rub the cloth gently until the grease is removed ; brush well, and hang in the air to take away the smell. COBCEA SCANDENS. — This climber, which bears large, dull, purple flowers, is useful as a covering to walls or trellis-work, on account of its rampant growth. It may be made to survive our winter if the roots are well protected, but it is safer to raise fresh plants every year from layers or cuttings, which should be kept in pots till the spring, when they may be planted in a warm aspect, in good hazel loam. COCHINEAL, To Improve the Colour of. — A little nitrate of tin added to a solution of cochineal will change its colour from a dull crimson to a bright scarlet. COCK-A-LEEKIE. — Put a knuckle of veal, or some scrag of mutton, into a stew-pan with a fowl and six leeks sliced about two inches long ; add three quarts of good beef stock and a little pepper and salt, and stew gently for an hour and a half. Serve the fowl on a separate dish. COCK-CROWING, To Prevent. — If a small lath be loosely suspended about a foot and a half above the perch of the bird, so that it wall come gently in contact with his comb when he stretches his neck to crow, it will effectually stop the noise. COCOA NIBS. — To a quarter of a pound of cocoa nibs add half a gallon of cold water ; boil it steadily for five hours, allow it to cool, remove the whole of the fat, boil it up again, and let it simmer till reduced to a quart. COCO AN UT BISCUITS. — Grated cocoanut, six ounces ; caster sugar, nine ounces ; eggs, three. Whisk the eggs, then add the cocoanut and sugar, so as to form a paste ; shape into small cones, place them on tins covered with greased paper, and bake in a moderate oven to a light colour.