v _’ ' 7/ , / QKEM 4 ?7«//// ////z//' ’;////// L 1—. ..,_ Ml: \ \ I, DETROITiJUNE 10, 1884. THE HOU§EHOLDmn§uppllememm COUNTRY GIRLS. Up in the morning early. Just at the peep of day, straining the milk in the dairy, Turning the cows away; Sweeping the floor in the kitchen, Making the beds up-stairs; Washing the breakfast dishes, Dusting the parlor chairs. Brushing crumbs from the pantry, Hunting for eggs at the barn; Cleaning turnips for dinner, Spinning stocking yarn; Spreading the whitened linen Down on the bushes below; Ran sacking every meadow Where the red strawberries grow. Starching the fixtures for S’nday, Churning the snowy cream, Rinsing the pail and strainer, Down in the limpid stream. Feeding the geese and turkeys, Making the pumpkin pies, Jogging the young or e’s cradle, Driving away the flies. Grace in every motion, Music in every tone, Beauty in form and feature, Thousands may covet to own, Cheeks that rival spring roses, Teeth the whitest of pearl; One of these country maids is worth, A score of your city girls. * ONE REASON. "Old School Teacher” asks why, if a mother can train her sons to be good husbands as easily as she can educate her girls to\be excellent wives, there are .not as many good, true husbands as wives. It seems to me that at least one great reason is because mothers do exactly as “ Old School Teacher” says, lose their influence over the boys when they go in- to the fit 1d, and leave the husband to give the "training ” alongwith instructions in husbandry. It is very far from my thought to say that unkind and careless husbands are such through the mother’s influence, but I do say that unthoughtful, unappreciative husbands are sometimes such for want of proper training at a mother’s hands. When the boys go to the field with the men is the time for the mother to double, not relax, her vigilance, and strengthen her hold on those boys by every means in her power. Undoubtedly in her "boarding round,” " Old School Teacher” has known, as I have, mothers who would not exchange a dozen words with a dozen year old boy in all day, ex- cept to direct him to geta pail of water or an armful of wood. ' I call that a practi- \ odmoral abandonment of the child. It was not that the mother had no affection for her son, it was simply that he was “out of her way, ” her many cares had put him away from her. If he had missed his dinner, her maternal instincts would have led her to provide him a nice lunch: but, present, there was not a question as to his day’s experiences, no interest in his employment, not a loving word to show that he was more toher than one of the hired men, who came and went with him, and whose influence was already undermining hers. I admit that this is an exceptional case, yet it is a “picture from life,” and it goes to prove that the mother’s influence is usually lost through her own fault; the many duties which press her on every hand conspire to this neglect. And, how can a mother reprove or punish a child for imitating a bad° habit, in which the father indulges? What is she to say to the little fellow, when he brings up that unanswerable argument, ”Papa does so!” especially when she is not sure it may be a vice to which he is naturally disposed by thelaw of heredity? What a lesson to fathers lies in those youthful ambitions to have boots and pantaloons and moustache “like papa’s.” And what a mistake a man makes when he lets his boys grow up without winning their confidence? I once heard a gentle- man say that he never got really acquaint- ed with his own father, till he (the son) was about to be married, at the age of thirty-eight. The conversation in which he told his father his intention revealed depths of feeling and sentiment in the elder man’s heart, which the son had never suspected. Yet that man’s mother was very near his heart. Whether be- cause of more natural talent in that direction, because she is better fitted for the task, more patient and painstaking, certain it is that the mother’s influence is in most cases, that which controls and moulds the child; yet surely “ Old School Teacher” is right when she says if fathers were as careful in precept and example as mothers, we would have better men and happier women. To my mind one of the pleasantest pic- tures of domestic happiness poet ever portrayed, is Longfellow’s "Children’s Hour.” When the “ darkness begins to lower,” the “ blue-eyed banditti” assault the arm-chair fortress of the white haired rhymer, carry it by storm, and established in the citadel, claim the father from the world, and the twilight. the “ blind man’s holiday,” is spent in loving converse, in story telling. and all that sweet compan- ionship which makes the young hearts glad, and the old hearts young again. It is a pretty custom, that of gathering the family together at twilight, fora “re- union” after the day‘s duties are done, and its influence tends to strengthen family ties and home affections. 1m , BEATRIX. w HIT AND MISS. How did people manage to keep hoase oefore “ Households " came into fashion? Surely they are and have been of great service to me. A woman’s life “on the farm" is such a nunnery like sort of an affair that she has little chance to gather any new and helpful ideas as to the hows. whys and wherefores of the never to be neglected army of manual labors and mental cares and tangles that hedge her about, except as she originates them or gathers them from consultations held in these same little useful and attractive Household conventions. The day seems near when the family newspaper that fails to go forth bearing on its forehead a “With Household” proclamation will take the back track. Beatrix asked recently if any one could not do as good general cookery after a half dozen lessons as after years of practice? No one has answered yes or no; I answer “ No,” not by a good deal of bad cookery and any amount of dismay and vexation of spirit. The establish- ment of scientific schools of cookery, so numerous and so liberally conducted as to give all a chance, would of course go very far toward making Beatrix’s hypothesis a sound one. But as things are now—the most of us getting our lessons in a word here and a line there, a failure yesterday and a success to day—it is not possible to attain even a reasonable degree of the desired and desirable perfection so swift- ly. Example: I have been trying at odd times for ten years to become mistress of the cue that turns “yeast” bread out of the oven in loaves that are perfect speci- mens of that variety. But there was al- ways a discouraging fault somewhere in the bread. N ow ’tis not as ’twas. Thanks to E. S. B. and the other ladies who have so patiently written out their “How I make bread” articles, my yeasty ambition is satisfied. Surely “in multitude of counsellors there is wisdom.” No one tells all that should be told to the novice, but each tells something that the others forget, and so at last the said novice gets 2 THE HOUSEHOLD. the whole story. I have two conveniences that I use in bread making which the re- porters have. not reported: they are a soap-stone On 'which all emptyings, yeasts, sponges and many (but for lack of size in 3 stone, not all) loaves of bread are raised. This is a great convenience. as its easily maintained equable temperature saves much wa’ehful care. Next I have a a ‘ bread pan.“ which" llzu‘t‘lware“ made to order tor me. It is a pan holding about fourteen quarts. made like a dish pan‘ and has a tight fitting cover like :i steamer. This is also boss, and sures ini.ici1v:tnity . and vexatipn of spirit. Next I have a fioursifterzantl tin “stew cups ' which I ‘ also order " llaltlw;:rt,-'_~ “ in i: in V place of iron kettles. hgnre been a ptrt of 1 my “pet et.'ono:iiies"ii; :hc culinary ile- - partmen: for tire )‘(‘2‘tl'>. I nerd saw my 1 ”ms: they ,‘lii'. ll till 7-“ >(‘ one else have ztil)‘. i lingual“ would s :it my "style." Ul-it‘l‘i‘ti SullLiL. order-til a set» till lll"_‘§7 Wz’l‘t.‘ (lone for, months start cm the V’th’. i call a set is titres.- cups—a: . two and 2‘: three quart i)‘:li3-—lllrttl!: ot' the ‘ very nest. tin. with irtnrlles and tight»; fitting covers. :1 gener ' ous chap. and allows Scriptural Elull'l’i. - In thesc and my porcelain kettle I cook ' everything that otherwise would have. to be cooked in the “‘01) kclitCS except "boil ed dinners“ and now and then when an extra big cooking of something is requir- ‘ ed. Uh, but they’re neat. ladies, try ’em, L and give the old pots and kettles a rest! We fancy that food is better cooked in them than in the heavy. black iron ket- tles, t0). When the ” tin " is oil too much to suit your ideas of what is the proper thing in " tin." the men folks appropriate them, and find them as handy around the the barns and sheds as we rind them at the house in the days of their savory brightness. Who is it that is sorry for. the woman whomikes bread every day: because "John's mother did 'r" Poor thing‘ Has she no spirit? Why don't she say: “John, my father was a man. and I ‘ 'r"1_‘\\"(E- ill’t x“! \Vi’al z“; ES " 11 21rd ware can’t help thinking what a blessed good ‘ thing i: would have been for me if either you or your mother could have been one too?" Inever hear of, or run across such a . sample of the masculine biped of the genus homo as is th at same " .lohn " with out thinking of that dry old joke that the ' Lord perpetrated when he had finished his work on the first specimen. We are ‘3 told, you know, that he made man in his ' own image, and pronounced his work‘ "good." but his opinion of the character 1 of the work that the man would do is facetionslv implied in the name he gart- him— " A-dam. " A. L. I... you have given " our girls" some sound advice. I haw tward some boys praising.r it, too: but I must beg , , leave to differ somewhat with. Beatrix}. _ opinions on "our b 'ys" side of the ques tion. She says, "Wheel a mother's mani- fest- duties is to teach her sons respect for I all other women.” Now I would as soon i say “ It is one of a father‘s manifest du- 1 ties to teach his danghters rt spect for all other men." The statements fairly gauged l , r'dlllij. ' lit .n‘ . Frames '-u ', thought i t such little measure exactly the same. No; rather teach the boys and girls alike to respect real merit in men and women the same. 1 It will be a better day for the world when women are entitled to and receive “re- ? speet” because their worth and works command it,and not for the mawkishpiti- , ful reason that they did not happen to be men. No; on this poin: teach the boys and 1girls alike to discriminate between the ;trne and false. the noble and the base ; and then. after all, "Moses” and "Ma- tilda." too. Will make plenty of “mis- talks.” 13. L. NYE. llHHb-IN-THE~IIIL1,i-. June 2.1884. i". S. The bread confahhas not only been of profit to me, but also to many of my itczpmintances, who do not write for the Household. but who are carefully 1 re- :e v31): it~ numbers for binding. all the And now Who will lczlvd off in a lime; l link-e Bum-r" Let crusade? us ' fruit " therarncry." l5. --—~ov+—~~ MORE PICTURE FRAMES. After readingthe article on “Picture week’s llmsehold. I \r-luid, like to tell how I once ids”. a, ? made it novel andpretty rustic frame for ; an engraving. whi h was much admired, and drew 3 "what is out a goon many queries as to it made 0:. anyhow?” In one of my country rambles “nought back a quantity of the grey and brown lichens which are found on trees and fence-rails, I had no purpose in gathering them, then, but afterward the thought occurred that I might perhaps utilize them. I made a rough pine frame about three inches wide, to fit my engraving.- and arranged the lichens on it, filling the interstices with the grey moss which grew in tufts among them, and then gave ‘ it a coat of varnish, a thick sort which i i We had in the house, and which I believe ; had been bought to varnish our "One hoss shay." The frame was really pretty, " it i do say it as shouldn’t,” and hung in my sittingeroom till the lichens, which iwere fastened on with flour-and water ‘, paste instead of glue, which would have L been preferable, dropped off. I think gold powder might be applied to such a frame with very good effect. A lady in this city has a large fungus growth—“toadstool." as they are com- monly called-“which is very much like a. ‘ bracket in size and shape. and which. af- ter drawing an outline‘ sketch of a rustic : scene on it in crayons, she nailed to the . wall. where it supports a small iiiajolica I pitcher full of pressed ferns and autumn 3 leaves. Generallyspeakingldon’t go much Z on cheap adornments, but think a few : things make a room look V ‘ ' homey." Calling on a friend the: other day, I no ticed her canary, just taking a hemp-seed i lunch, scattered seeds and husks all over ; = her clean floor and windov-sill. A piece of coarse muslin, long enough to sur~ round the cage, With a strong stringrun in the top edge, and gathered and tied with a ribbon under the bottom of the cage, will keep the litter within due bounds and save work with broom and dust-pan. Not being one of those who had “no‘, ticed the frequent occurrence of wine or brandy in Miss Parloa’s cooking school recipes," as commented upon by some of our Household writers, and wondering if I hadindeed carelessly overlooked them, I got out my " file” of Households—4 am keeping them all, and mean to have them bound——and looked them over. I found one recipe, that for Imperial Pudding, in l | i, the. paper for May 6th, which calls for l l wine in its proportions. none which re quire brandy. In the cookery for the sick, iwhich embraces food we would not set i before our families under any conditions ‘ except thoSe of sickness, there are three dishes, out of directions lor thirteen. in which Nine is used, none where branly is used, One of these three dishes is a jelly i‘( commended for patients who are too feeblemew-allow. Eggnogund Wine whey are ordered by phys clans for those who are unable to e-lt suilieient fOod to recruit. their strength, but both arcdishes no sane woman would some as family food. I believe in temperance; temperance in matters of belief and opinion, and state ment, tee. is Well as in abstinence from intoxicants. nnonnrrrmn lirz'rnorr, .l lint‘ 4131. _.____n,____..__.___,..._.___..____.._,._.___. ._L..— .__.._. ------- 4o-———-—-———- ONE PHASE OF [NTESTATE LAW. In a late issue of the Farmer. the in. quiry was made of the Law Editor. whether real estate could be sold for the. support of a widow. she being old and helpless. the personal property having been used up, and the income of the real estate being insufficient to pay for her care and maintenance. It was stated that the property had been acquired by herself ‘and husband. jointly. Ibelieve. and the answer was, thatthe real estate could not be sold. and it was added: “The heirs ought to take care of her.“ But if they do not choose to do as they ought, what. is the result? Must the aged and infirm lady be sent to the county house, while her unnatural children enjoy the fruits of her hard earned toil‘.l This phase of law is certainly not justice. If a woman dies the law gives to the man in fee, the whole product of their joint earnings, with no delay or expense of probate, or fear that the children will be defrauded. Ru: in its tender care of the children, its i fear th u the mother may wrong them by a foolish marriage. or bad bargains, the . property for which she has jointly labor- . ed with the father goes to them in fee, (a two—thirds share) on their becoming of , age. while she can only have the. use or rental of one-third, with no power to sell it, no matter how sore her need, or how j great the inconvenience, should she from any cause Wish to change her residence. It may be said that she has the use of all until the youngest child comes of age. ébut until that time she is charged with 3 their maintenance, and it is then she is most able to help herself. Itis when age makes her helpless that she most needs the avails of the labor of earlier BUi- But the question ofright underlicsth it ) ' THE HOUSEHOLD. 3 need. If a father is not bound by law to divide his property with his children, neither should a mother be. A change in thelaw that would vest the title of pro :perty acquired together,. solely in the survivor, would be only manifest justice. There are many who are reaching this point by holding their property by joint deeds. but a just law would make such forethought unnecsesSary. .x. 1.. 1.. GREENFIELB. June ill: 4..- F‘LOW'ERS FOR TH E SCHOOL. A. L. Ls ideas on fixing up and em~ ': ellishing the school grounds are excel- )ent. If those who read them Would (nly .ractirc We should soon scedii’t'cr en? surrauludingi about our country‘ school houses, which are too often oases, learn. An education which teaches habits of observation and thought dis- counts the alleged simon-pure article, which seems to principal‘y consist in training the memory. If a teacher can reuse the children’s enthusiasm and in- terest by her talk. and enlist their aid and support, she has engaged a force of “suppers and miners" who will under- , mine the old prejudice, sooner or later, or at least be amenahh to argument 1n ol h trrenncssamong fertiletieids and tree 1 innit-red highway.» Thanks to the work :-i war Slate lloiiit ultural Society and its ;iil“lll:eizt:$~. through the persistent efforts ..f the secretary. Mr. (T. W. Garfield, cl. more attention is bring paid to it making the. school property an ornament ' the district. Where new St hool houses are being built, more ample grounds are secured, more commodious and finer buildings are put up, growing trees are spired and others are planted. The movement is slow, hut sure. The plant- ing of tree s is the first step. We 88k how dear'sunlight must have been to the first settlers of a heavrly timbertd region, by the remorselessness with which they cut down every tree in (nearing up. The pioneers dethroned the old woodland kings. and planted aliens about their houses. (like the ‘p‘ American Acacia,” under which grandiloquent name the common locust first was introduced into Michigan). The school grounds were neglected, on the theory that young plants are benefited by the sun. In very conservative neighborhoods. where new ideas take root slowly, and are yet more tardy in bearing fruit, the pro- position to plant trees and flowers in the school yard would be considered evident-e of a deep laid scheme to waste the people’s money. Here eloquence would be wasted; works, not words, are wanted. Can the teacher, coming for a few months and then drifting to new fields of labor, do anything in the interests of pro- gression? That many think so is evident from the fact that our Teachers Asso- ciations are discussing the subject, and are already beginning to work with tor ticultural societies toward the beautify ing of barren places. The teacher can at least sow the little seed smaller than a mustard seed." and leave it to be smothered by indifference. or bear flu” abundantly. as Fat“ and set of rules, and lam sure there is more Circumstance will have it. She has the means at her hund,,and it is through her " influence it )on - ‘ 1 - . . . 1 - . - I the ('hlh'r‘n ”‘8‘ thé work i lessons right at her hand: she can teach is to be begun. The low of beauty exists 1n all children. llOWCVUX‘ it may have been dulled by unlovely surroundings and I would not give much for the child who cannot be interested in talk about the wonderful things in nature. Her processes are wonderful mysteries to childish eyes, which thr y are glad to .. 1 the latte 1' is no.1: ~ 3 older years by it"i'i‘ti of early training. It is not an encouraging prospect to the tenth r as sin: surveys her desolate dominion, U‘t‘L‘it‘SS unt'eru'cd, with the f t'w/l/‘z’soi‘ lasr \\’int«:1":: xvanst’lpilc and r--~ ; suiting ash iit‘HLI littering the yard. ._-.:(i. ~hz- can do little it? or nothing that n Ill :1 1’. lie (il:~‘-it':>_\’t‘ti by but by her own enthusiasm, her own in- telligent talk of them, by the informa‘ tion she gives about how other plants in ,far olf countries grow, she is to rouse in- terest and enthusiasm in these small peo ple. and thrill through them the slow pulse of the fathers and mothers. It takes time; great bodies move deliberately, but it is being done all around us: everywhere we see how a “ little leav<-n works to great results. And the :eac‘ncr, who gave of her strength and \ itality to help com- pass. it, shall long be remeinbcrml as ”that, dear Miss Blank, who had the flow {’«}'~ and kept such a. good school." BEA'l‘lUX. _,-.__—-——--O§— ~ » C . BUFFER-MAKING. " ir‘.tt‘1nei’;~5 ‘iVil‘e " suggested the butter mtqzi-‘g. but I do not know; whether she (namedt11e¢i1~zni~~iun as we tliii not re mire our l“.\1m1~:n--t‘.‘vl,;ty lilzh. It is a stray arimli- or the ‘.\:ll1it)llllt~}> ot' tramps. it It‘ll‘flt‘d. she can d1.- a little. lly d1nt oi." hard work she e in nudge :t i tlower bed or two. 1 plant a [rt-e. which shall stand it} a iiiel’ltnl‘iztl of "her term.” It inning. yet is imi 'rl. lice " work 1 begun is half thine" The average spring term in our country Schools is so arranged that it is not easy to grow annuals out of doors with reason to expect blossoms before school closes. Perennials, which bloom in May and June, are better and more ornamental for the school yard. and poss1ss the added merit of requiring less care and atten- tion. In almost any neighborhood enough such plants may be gleaned from somebody‘s garden to fill a bed or border. The window culture of plants still remains, a dernier resort. Any man who can drive a nail (believed to be a purely masculine prerogativel,can make window boxes. which, filled with fertile soil and securely fastened to the windows, afford room for slips and seeds to develop into blossoming plants. (Anda man who won't do such a little thing as that for a cheery, pleasant faced school ma’am, who asks as a favor what she assumes it will bea pleasure to him to do because she asks it, deserves the epithet of “cross old bean”) A zonal geranium, a fuchsia, heliotrope, a rose or. two, or a carnation, with seeds of afew annuals, as candy- tuft, rocket, petuniahageratum. an ivy and a. morning glory vine, all to be bought for a very small sum, will trans- form a dull, dingy educational battle field into a cheerful school room, with a bright spot around which are eager questioncrs and quick eyes alert for every change. I believe it. will "pay" every teacher who has a. difficult school to manage, to divert the inherent antagonism of the children into floricultural channels. I would make a window box rather than a educational benefit in the first. It gived the teacher material for a series of object the chillren what they want to know what they ought to know. and what is of much more value to them than lists of adverbs and prepositions or the intermin able “cases" of fractions. She need not expect the flowers to exert the sub- duing influence of Mr. Simon Tappertit’s eye: it is not enough that they are there, i should in: it‘litrl‘cStt‘ti. well 5 wci'y farmer‘s Wife as no ore likes to think she sells below her neighbor. 'We keep from time to eight cows. and use the cabinet ereamcry live cans; let the milk set twenty—four hours, then draw oii': I let the crcrm become sour, then churn itmnediately. When the butter becomes granulated I stop churnin‘r, take up and wash. salt with Ashton’s dairy salt, and work only enough to mix the salt. I let it stand about twelve hours, and finish working, unless it is too warm weather, when I partly work it and let it stand until morning to finish, as too much working when soft will ruin it, and I think many are inclined to work too much. It only wants working enough to press out the buttermilk. {get a good price for my butter, but I hardly know whether my husband is proud to take it to market, asI do not think he takes it twice a year. He seems to relish it Very much. butI use the money as I like, and he thinks I can sell it. I supply two families in Detroit. the rest i sell at our local market. OLD SPHI’ML TEACHER. Tmmrssn, May 29th. duration in which (_I i ace—~— EGG-EATING FO“’LS. Will the people who are troubled with egg-eating fowls, give them vinegar three timesa week, for two weeks. and report success to Household? One quart for 50 fowls given in water or mixed with bran- mash; or anything they will eat. Onions are nice for chicks mixed withtheir fdod. Please do not find fault about advertise- ments in the'Household: but let each one send something to benefit her “ fellow woman." H. PORT].me May 28th. -~4e§——————— SCRAPS. THE prettiest dresses for girls of eleven to fourteen years of. age which I see upon our streets, are those with round twists and full skirts with ample draperies; but they are invariably worn over a hustle, and often With small hoops. The signs of the times” seem to in-licate that we will soon all be wearing crinoline, and in spite of all that is said against it. the small 4 THE HOUSEHOLD. hoop is far preferable to the many skirts necessary to give the same efiect. The round waists mentioned above are some- times plain, oftener shirred or pufi‘ed in light wool goods, tucked or gathered in wash materials. The fullness thus given is very becoming to the slender, unform- ed figures of growing girls. The skirt is sometimes perfectly plain and straight, quite full, with boufiant apron draperies, or again is laid in kilt or box pleats. For younger girls the princesse dress seems to serve as a foundation, on which is laid a kilted .or box—pleated skirt. with full blouse-like waist pleated, shirred or gath- ered, cut long enough to fall in a puff over the seams which unite it to the skirt. No sash is necessary. This style is varied in many ways. Little girls’ hats are of all conceivable shapes, and simply trim- med with a band and ends of ribbon. There are quaint “ Mother Goose ” shapes copied in pique, edged with embroidery, with crown buttoned to the front, under which tousled yellow “ bangs ”are plainly to be seen. ‘ Fasmonanm young ladies of the city no longer wear the symbol of betrothal on Engagement rings ,are voted irls do not like to “ give themselves away” by showing by the suggestive circle upon the forefinger their finger. out of fashion. The that they are “particularly interested” in any young man. They say it gives them no chance to flirt, as the other young men of their acquaintance are shy of atten' ions when warned that they are interfering So a bracelet which can he slipped under the sleeve 1s preferred, and many of them are The fashion at first was to have the bracelet lock"with a tiny gold key which the gentleman wore on his watch-chain, but now a chain circles the wrist so securely that to remove it it is J ,’ with “some other fellers schemes. very beautiful. necessary to open a link. -———+oo——— HOUSEHOLD HINTS. HELEN CAMPBELL, in her washing greasy pots and kettles. washing these dishes. “Atmr ADDIE,” in the Country Gentle- man, says to rid the house of cockroaches, the best thing is aregular cockroach trap; the next best contrivance is a common tin basin. Put a little molasses in the bot- tom, and a piece of board for the in sects to walk up on, when they will slide down the slippery sides of the basin in- They will be unable to crawl up and get out of the sides of the basin, and they can then be destroyed by emptying them into the fire. If you have a sufficient quantity of An- their eagerness to get at the sweet. molasses, they will smother in it. other correspondent says cucumber par- ings, scattered about their haunts, will rid the house of them. AVERY vile decoction of some bitter herb is seemingly often substituted for “Easiest Way in Cooking and Housekeeping,” recommends a few drops of ammonia in She says the bottle of ammonia should always behandy, asit saves half the work of the poet’s “cup that cheers.” A really good cup of tea is a rarity. Either it is black and bitter, or too weak to have sufficient grounds for existence. Never use a tin teapot if you can get any other. The tannic acid of the tea acts upon the tin, making a chemical compound which is unpleasant to the taste and injurious to the stomach. Never boil tea. Scald the teapot with boiling water and pour it out. Putin one even teaspoonful of dry tea for each person, if you desire the tea “ strong.” Pour in a teacupful of boiling water and let stand a minute for the leaves to swell; then fill up with boiling water. Let stand, covered closely, five minutes. English breakfast tea requires ten minutes. Taken in reasonable amounts, and not boiled till it is a slow poison, tea is not hurtful. It acts partly asa sedative, partly as a stimulant, invig—~ orating the nervous system. IF we find that our time passes slowly and heavily, we may be sure there is somethin g wrong within. Either we have not enough to do or we work mechanical- ly, without heart or energy. prast time looks short or empty, it is because it lacks a distinct record of noble aims, definite resolves, worthy endeavors; if the imme- diate future looks tedious and uninterest- ing, it is because we are not living full, rich and earnest lives. A CORRESPONDENT of the Husbandman says ham can be kept through the hot weather by cutting it as for frying, pack— ing closely in jars and covering with melt- ed lard. If desirable to keep a part of the ham in ‘shape convenient for boiling, cut from the bone such pieces as you pre- fer, leave the rind on, put some lard in the place where the bone was, close it up, pack in jars, cover well with lard; when taken out it will be found all right. JUST at this season of the year, the housekeeper is at her wits’ ends to think up new dishes to please jaded palates. Rice, which is too frequently boiled in water, and served with syrup or molasses, or serves as the basis of a watery pudding, can be better treated bya good cook. It may make amost accep- table relish at the supper table, eaten with cream and sugar, or appear on the breakfast tablea la “ Spanish eggs,” after Miss Parloa’s recipe, or with apple and tapioca as dessert at dinner. The South- ern method of preparation is as follows: Wash through two waters. then put the rice into an ordinary two-quart saucepan, cover it to the depth of a half inch with cold water, stirr in a little salt, fit on the top carefully, and put the saucepan over a quick fire for twenty minutes. The rice will then be done, but not ready for the table. Pour off the water which is left, stir thoroughly from the bottom, lay atin plate lightly on top, and set the saucepan where it will keep hot and steam very slowly for one or perhaps two hours. It will then be so dry that you can eat it with your fingers, but at the same time thoroughly done, and soft through and through. Useful Recipes. PINE-APPLES, now in season, very plenty and quite cheap, make a delicious preserve, far ahead of the tasteless citron in flavor, and as beautiful in appearance. Juliet Corson, a well known “ professicnal ” cook, gives the follow- ing methods of putting them up: PINE-APPLE JELLY.—Choose perfectly ripe pine-apples, pare them thinly, remove the eyes and grate them; to each pound of fruit add a half a pound of white sugar, and let them stand two or three hours; then put them over the fire in a porcelain lined preserving kettle, and let them slowly approach the boiling point, and boil gently until the fruit is tender; hang a jelly bag over an earthen bowl, pour the hot pine-apple and syrup into it, and let the syrup run through‘the bag without pressing it; do not squeeze the bag, and let the pineapple re- main in it until every particle of the juice or syrup has drained from it; it is well to let it drain over night. To each pint of the juice add half apound of sugar, and boil it gently and steadily, removing all scum as fast as it rises; after the jelly has boiled about fifteen minutes, take up alittle on asaucer and cool it, to seeif it will harden; if it does not harden, continue ' the boiling afew moments, and then test again: when the jelly hardens upon cooling remove it from the fire, cool it until it is lukewarm, then pour it into glasses and let it get quite cold; when the jelly is quite cold and firm, cover each glass with a piece of white paper dipped in brandy, and then paste over the tops of the glasses pieces of white paper dipped. in the white of egg, slightly beaten, taking care to completely exclude the air from the glasses. Keep the jelly in a cool, dark, dry closet. PINE-APPLE PRESERVES. —Pee1 ripe pine— apples, remove the eyes, and slice them in en tire slices or in pieces. Put the fruit into a preserving-kettle, atter weighing 1t, and for every pound add half a pint of cold water. Set the kettle over the tire, cover it, and, after the pine-apple begins to boil, let it cook very slow- 1y until tender. When the fruit 1s tender, take it out of the water with a skimmer, and lay it in a bowl, add to the water as many pounds of sugar as there are fruit, and then stir over the fire until the sugar is dissolved; then put the pine- apple back into the syrup thus made and continue the boiling at a moderate rate until the fruit looks clear and semi-transparent. When the pine-applo has boiled until it is clear, remove the kettle from the fire and let the reserves cool' in it, keeping the cover on the ettle. When the preserves are quite cold put them in jars, put over the top of the preserves a piece of white paper (11 §ped in brandy, and close the jars air-tight. eep the preserves in a cool, dark, dry closet. 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