Miss Corson's practical American cookery and household management

For the brilliant yellow color of painted floors, use three pounds of yellow ochre, powdered, to three quarts of soft water, and three ounces of common glue. Dissolve the glue in the water by gentle heat ; then take the liquid from the fire, stir in the paint, and apply it at once to a clean dry floor, using a large flat brush. When the paint is dry, put on a thin coat of boiled linseed-oil, and let the floor dry before walking upon it. When a light lemon-color is desired, use white glue, and two pounds of white lead powdered in place of two of the three pounds of ochre. Paint the floor on a clear, bright day. THE DINNER-TABLE AND ITS APPOINTMENTS. THE extension-table has already been referred to as desirable, because its size can be suited to the number of guests. Usually this sort of table is comparatively long and narrow, and does not admit of as acceptable decoration as the round or square table. Then, too, at a long table the guests are less favorably placed than at either of the others. A perfectly appointed square table is pictured in the frontispiece, reproduced from the dining-room of a Euclid-avenue house in Cleveland. The first glance will show its admirable arrangement. The space included in the area of the apartment and the table permits the placing of six, eight, or ten guests, the ideal numbers for enjoyable dinners, the less number giving variety enough to obviate sameness, and the greater not being too large for perfect sociability. The breadth of the table permits the distinguished guests to sit side by side with the host and hostess, and affords room for effective placing of the necessary table appointments, specified in detail a few pages farther on. Delicate napery, flowers enough to add color to the glitter of silver and the sheen of glass, dainty receptacles for salt and pepper, and light candelabra make up a perfectly enticing picture : such surroundings would tempt an anchorite to feast. This table is laid for the American form of service ; the various dishes composing the dinner being placed upon the table in their proper succession, as will be hereafter indicated. TABLECLOTHS. In choosing ' table-linen, it should be remembered that heavy material wears longer than the lighter fabrics, and presents in the draping much more effective hnes ; it does not rumple or crease so readily as sheer material ; it needs but little starch when it is done up, and is therefore more pleasant for the user. After a certain point, the price of heavy fabrics is not greater than that of fine goods ; but if it were, the difference would be warranted to an economical buyer by the relative results. When from personal preference a very fine, light kind of napery is used, there should be a thick under-cloth : indeed, the under- cloth is always desirable for the protection of the table, as well as for the improvement in the appearance of the cloth ; heavy canton flannel makes the best under-cloths. The tablecloth proper ■ should be of wash- material. If the table is large, the cloth may be made in several sections, for convenience in changing it during the dinner, and in washing it.