Success in alum baskets depends upon chance, for the crystals will
form irregularly, even when the utmost care is taken. Dissolve alum in
a little more than twice as much water as will be necessary to cover the
basket, handle and all. Put in as much alum as the water will dissolve✪ Alum Baskets.
The water should be hot. When the water is entirely saturated, pour
it into a saucepan or earthen jar (by no means put it into an iron ves-
sel) and slowly boil it, until it is nearly evaporated. The basket should
then be suspended from a little stick, laid across the top of the jar, in
such a manner that both basket and handle will be covered by the solu-
tion. It must be set away in a cool place, where not the slightest
motion will disturb the formation of the . crystals. The frame may be
made in any fancied shape. It is usually made of small wire, woven in
and out like basket work ; but a common willow basket may be used as
a frame for either the coral or alum baskets. Whether it is of wire or
willow, a rough surface must be produced by winding every part with
thread or worsted. If wire already covered is used it will save the
trouble of winding. Irregular knots of the worsted left all over it with
a few ends is quite an improvement. Bright yellow crystals may be
produced by boiling gamboge, saffron or turmeric in the alum solution.
Litmus boiled in will give bright red crystals ; logwood will form purple.
The colors will be more or less deep, according to the quantity used.
Splendid blue crystals may be obtained by preparing the sulphate of
copper, commonly called blue vitriol, in the same manner as alum is
prepared. Care must be taken not to drop it on the clothes.
Allspice baskets are made of the berries. They should be soaked in
spirits to soften them and then holes made through them. They are
strung on slender wires✪ Allspice Baskets, which are twisted or woven into diamonds or
squares and then formed into baskets. These can also be strung on
thread and made over a circle of wire, forming long loops like a tassel.
A gold band twisted between the berries gives a lively effect. Around
the top are sometimes twisted semi-circles of berries, from which are
suspended festoons of berries strung on silk, drooping over the outside.
The baskets may be lined with bright colored silk and ornamented with
ribbons. Baskets can be made of cloves in the same way, by taking off
the berry and soaking the long part in spirits. Bead baskets are also
made in the same way ; the wire should be the color of the beads.
Cut-glass beads are most desirable, as they glitter prettily and are of
great beauty in a Christmas tree.
BIRDS.
BIRDS.
PAIRING BIRDS
For pairing canaries the best time is the last of February. Birds
which are to be paired for the first time should be previously placed in
the same cage for seven or eight days, in order to become acquainted
and accustomed to live together. Either one male and one or two
females are placed in a large cage, or many of both sexes are united in
a room or aviary, having the advantage of a south aspect.
Page 12 · 2 recipe records on this page
Presented as published in 1886. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Success in alum baskets depends upon chance, for the crystals will form irregularly, even when the utmost care is taken. Dissolve alum in a little more than twice as much water as will be necessary to cover the basket, handle and all. Put in as much alum as the water will dissolve. The water should be hot. When the water is entirely saturated, pour it into a saucepan or earthen jar (by no means put it into an iron vessel) and slowly boil it, until it is nearly evaporated. The basket should then be suspended from a little stick, laid across the top of the jar, in such a manner that both basket and handle will be covered by the solution. It must be set away in a cool place, where not the slightest motion will disturb the formation of the crystals. The frame may be made in any fancied shape. It is usually made of small wire, woven in and out like basket work ; but a common willow basket may be used as a frame for either the coral or alum baskets. Whether it is of wire or willow, a rough surface must be produced by winding every part with thread or worsted. If wire already covered is used it will save the trouble of winding. Irregular knots of the worsted left all over it with a few ends is quite an improvement. Bright yellow crystals may be produced by boiling gamboge, saffron or turmeric in the alum solution. Litmus boiled in will give bright red crystals ; logwood will form purple. The colors will be more or less deep, according to the quantity used. Splendid blue crystals may be obtained by preparing the sulphate of copper, commonly called blue vitriol, in the same manner as alum is prepared. Care must be taken not to drop it on the clothes.
Allspice baskets are made of the berries. They should be soaked in spirits to soften them and then holes made through them. They are strung on slender wires, which are twisted or woven into diamonds or squares and then formed into baskets. These can also be strung on thread and made over a circle of wire, forming long loops like a tassel. A gold band twisted between the berries gives a lively effect. Around the top are sometimes twisted semi-circles of berries, from which are suspended festoons of berries strung on silk, drooping over the outside. The baskets may be lined with bright colored silk and ornamented with ribbons. Baskets can be made of cloves in the same way, by taking off the berry and soaking the long part in spirits. Bead baskets are also made in the same way ; the wire should be the color of the beads. Cut-glass beads are most desirable, as they glitter prettily and are of great beauty in a Christmas tree.
PAIRING BIRDS
For pairing canaries the best time is the last of February. Birds which are to be paired for the first time should be previously placed in the same cage for seven or eight days, in order to become acquainted and accustomed to live together. Either one male and one or two females are placed in a large cage, or many of both sexes are united in a room or aviary, having the advantage of a south aspect.
Records on this page
Alum BasketsAllspice Baskets