To Preserve Herbs. — Suspend them in a dry, airy place, with the blossom downward. The medicinal ones, when dry, should be wrapped in paper, and kept from the air. To Clean Glass. — Water-lime, applied with a soft, dry cloth, will give glass a nice clear cast. To Remove Paint-stains from Glass Windows. — It frequently happens that painters splash the plate or other glass windows when they are painting the sills. When this is the case, melt some soda (550) MISCELLANEOUS HOUSEHOLD RECIPES. 55 1 in very hot water, and wash them with it, using a soft flannel. It will entirely remove the paint. To Sweeten Old Lard. — Take a small bunch of slippery-elm bark and put it in the lard, and cook one hour. To Take Marks Off of Varnished Furniture. — Wet a sponge in common alcohol camphor, and apply it freely to the furniture. It has nearly, if not quite, the same effect that varnish has, and is much cheaper. A Teaspoonful of Borax added to an ordinary kettle of hard water, in which it is allowed to boil, will effectually soften the water. Potatoes cut in small squares, and put into cruets or bottles with the water that is to wash them, will clean them quickly and thor- oughly. Dishcloths and Iron-holders should be made neatly and kept clean. The former is best made of worn cotton flannel. Dishcloths should never be used about the stove or range, and iron-holders should not answer for stovecloths even on ironing day. Soap would not be required in washing dishes if a stone jar was kept at hand filled with lye, and the greasy dishes were dipped into it. If this lye becomes greasy, it should be poured into the tub into which all bones and extra grease is put, and, when a sufficient quan- tity is accumulated, it could be boiled and good soap be made. Zinc may be nicely cleared by putting soft soap on it with a cloth, and rubbing it on carefully. After remaining on a few minutes, wash off, and the zinc looks fresh and clean. A Strong Alum-water is sure death to bugs of any description. Take two pounds of pulverized alum, and dissolve in three quarts of boiling water, allowing it to remain over the fire until thoroughly dissolved. Apply while hot with a brush, or, what is better, use a syringe to force the liquid into the cracks of the walls and bedstead. Scatter powdered alum freely in all the places they have appeared, and the house will soon be rid of insects of every kind. Never buy cheap tinware ; the best double plate will last a life- time ; the cheapest will wear out in a year. The same truth applies equally to earthenware, iron and woodenware. 552 THE hearthstone; or, life at home. A Mixture of Oil and Ink is a good thing to clean kid boots with ; the first softens and the latter blackens them.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

To Preserve Herbs. — Suspend them in a dry, airy place, with the blossom downward. The medicinal ones, when dry, should be wrapped in paper, and kept from the air. To Clean Glass. — Water-lime, applied with a soft, dry cloth, will give glass a nice clear cast. To Remove Paint-stains from Glass Windows. — It frequently happens that painters splash the plate or other glass windows when they are painting the sills. When this is the case, melt some soda in very hot water, and wash them with it, using a soft flannel. It will entirely remove the paint. To Sweeten Old Lard. — Take a small bunch of slippery-elm bark and put it in the lard, and cook one hour. To Take Marks Off of Varnished Furniture. — Wet a sponge in common alcohol camphor, and apply it freely to the furniture. It has nearly, if not quite, the same effect that varnish has, and is much cheaper. A Teaspoonful of Borax added to an ordinary kettle of hard water, in which it is allowed to boil, will effectually soften the water. Potatoes cut in small squares, and put into cruets or bottles with the water that is to wash them, will clean them quickly and thoroughly. Dishcloths and Iron-holders should be made neatly and kept clean. The former is best made of worn cotton flannel. Dishcloths should never be used about the stove or range, and iron-holders should not answer for stovecloths even on ironing day. Soap would not be required in washing dishes if a stone jar was kept at hand filled with lye, and the greasy dishes were dipped into it. If this lye becomes greasy, it should be poured into the tub into which all bones and extra grease is put, and, when a sufficient quantity is accumulated, it could be boiled and good soap be made. Zinc may be nicely cleared by putting soft soap on it with a cloth, and rubbing it on carefully. After remaining on a few minutes, wash off, and the zinc looks fresh and clean. A Strong Alum-water is sure death to bugs of any description. Take two pounds of pulverized alum, and dissolve in three quarts of boiling water, allowing it to remain over the fire until thoroughly dissolved. Apply while hot with a brush, or, what is better, use a syringe to force the liquid into the cracks of the walls and bedstead. Scatter powdered alum freely in all the places they have appeared, and the house will soon be rid of insects of every kind. Never buy cheap tinware ; the best double plate will last a lifetime ; the cheapest will wear out in a year. The same truth applies equally to earthenware, iron and woodenware. 552 THE hearthstone; or, life at home. A Mixture of Oil and Ink is a good thing to clean kid boots with ; the first softens and the latter blackens them.

The hearthstone; or, Life at home