The century cook book

Good Blueing. One ounce of Prussian blue, one-half ounce of oxalic acid; put in a quart jar and fill with boiling soft water. Let stand two or three days before using. To Glaze Linen. The gloss, or enamel, as it is sometimes called, is produced mainly by friction with a warm iron, and may be put on linen by almost any person. The Irons. linen to be glazed receives as much strong starch as it is possible to charge it with, then it is dried. To each pound of starch a piece of sperm or white wax, about the size of a walnut, is usually added. When ready to be ironed, the linen is laid upon the table and moistened very lightly on the surface with a clean wet cloth. It is then ironed in the usual way with a flat-iron, and is ready for the glossing operation. For this purpose a peculiar heavy flat-iron, rounded at the bottom, as bright as a mirror, is used. It is pressed firmly upon the linen and rubbed with much force, and this frictional action puts on the gloss. "Elbow grease" is the principal secret connected with the art of glossing linen. To Remove Grease from Cloth. Take soap and Fuller's earth, of each half a pound; beat them well together in a mortar, and form into cakes. The spot, first moistened with water, is rubbed with a cake and allowed to dry, when it is well rubbed with a little warm water and afterward rinsed or rubbed off clear. Wax Stains on Cloth. An old-fashioned way of removing wax stains from cloth is the following: Lay over the stains two thicknesses of blotting paper, and apply for a moment the pressure of a moderately hot iron. The wax becoming melted will be absorbed by the two layers of paper, and the stains will be instantaneously and entirely removed. Holes in Stockings. To mend large holes in stockings or merino underwear, tack a piece of net over the rent and darn through it. To Take out Spots and Stains from Dresses. in a mortar, and form into cakes. The spot, first moistened with water, is rubbed with a cake and allowed to dry, when it is well rubbed with a little warm water and afterward rinsed or rubbed off clear. Wax Stains on Cloth. An old-fashioned way of removing wax stains from cloth is the following : Lay over the stains two thicknesses of 'blotting paper, and apply for a moment the pressure of a moderately hot iron. The wax becoming melted will be absorbed by the two layers of paper, and the stains will be instantaneously and entirely removed. Holes in Stockings. To mend large holes in stockings or merino underwear, tack a piece of net over the rent and darn through it. To Take out Spots and Stains from Dresses. .To remove grease spots from cotton or woolen materials, absorbent pastes, purified bullock's blood, and even common soap, are used, applied to the spot when dry. When the colors are not fast, use fullers' earth or pulverized potter's clay, laid in a layer over the spot, and press it with a very hot iron. For silks, moires, and plain or brocaded satins, begin by pouring over the spot two drops of rectified spirits of wine; cover it over with a linen cloth instantly. The spot will look tarnished, for a portion of the grease still remains; this will be removed entirely by a little sulphuric ether dropped on the spot, and a very little rubbing. If neatly done, no perceptible mark or circle will remain; nor will the luster of the richest silk be changed, the union of the two liquids operating with no injurious effects from rubbing. Eau de Cologne will also remove grease from cloth and silk. Fruitspots are removed from white and fast-colored cottons by 252 The Care of the ClotJies