Twentieth century home cook book

Ink for Zinc Labels. — An ink for zinc only, that will endure for years, cuts slightly into metal, has a black color, and is as legible after a dozen years as when newly written, is made as follows: One part verdigris, one part sal ammonia, half part lampblack, and ten parts of water; mix well and keep in a bottle with a glass stopper; shake the ink before using it. It will keep any length of time. Write it on the label with a steel pen, not too fine pointed. It dries in a minute or two. — Homesteader. XXVI. Recipes for Glue. Isinglass and Spirits. — A strong and fine glue may be prepared with isinglass and spirits of wine, thus : Steep the isinglass for twenty-four hours in spirits of wine and common brandy; when opened and mollified, all must be gently boiled together and kept well stirred until they appear well mixed, and a drop thereof, suffered to cool, presently turns to a strong jelly. Strain it while hot through a clean linen cloth, into a vessel, to be kept close stopped. A gentle heat suffices to dissolve the glue into an almost colorless fluid, but very strong, so that pieces of Avood glued together with it will sooner separate elsewhere than in the parts joined. A Strong Cement. — Mix a handful of quicklime with four ounces of linseed oil; boil them to a good thickness, then spread it on tin plates in the shade, and it will become exceedingly hard, but may be easily dissolved over a fire, as glue, and will join wood perfectly. This glue will resist fire and water. Cheap Water-Proof Glue. — A glue that will resist water to a considerable degree is made by dissolving common glue in skimmed milk. Fine levigated chalk added to the common solution of glue in water makes an addition which strengthens it and renders it suitable for sign-boards and things which must stand the weather. Paste That Will Keep. — Dissolve a teaspoonful of alum in a quart of water. When cold, stir in as much flour as will give it the consistency of thick cream, being particular to beat up all the lumps ; stir in as much powdered resin as will lie on a dime, and throw in a half dozen cloves to give it a pleasant odor. Have on the fire a teacupful of boiling water, pour the flour mixture into it, stirring well at the time. In a very few minutes it will be of the consistency of mush. Pour it into an earthen or china vessel; let it cool; lay a cover on, and put in a cool place. When needed for use, take out a portion and soften it with warm water. Paste thus made will last. It is better than gum, as it does not gloss the paper, and can be written on. — Amanda D. I., Madison, Wis. XXVII. The Dyer's Art. The time is long sinc5 past when spinning and weaving constitute an important part of rural economy. It will no longer pay even to dye old fabrics at home, except in those sections far removed from dyer's establishments. It will not pay at all, except for the most common fabrics Eag carpets, however, have not gone out of fashion, and they never should. If tastefully made, they are pretty, and for kitchen and general family wear, certainly lasting. The recipes givep by contributors fairly include all the regular colors, and will show that this department of rural art is still extensively practiced, for many still keep up the knowledge of the art as much because it amuses them as for any other reason. XXVIII. Coloring Dress and Other Fabrics. As to the stability of dyes imparted to silks, damasks and fabrics, used in furnishing, an eminent French chemist has found that the blue colors produced by indigo are stable; Prussian blue resists moderately the action of air and light, but not soap; scarlet and carmines, produced by cochineal and lac-dye, are last; the most stable colors on silk are produced by weld