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DETROIT, MARCH 30, 1889.

 

 

THE HOUSEHOLD-"Supplement.

 

 

A BED-TIME 8050.

 

Sway to and rro in the twilight gray;
This is the ferry for Shadowtown;

It always sails at the end of the day,
Just as the darkness is closing down.

Rest little he ad on my shoulder, so,
A sleepy kiss is the onlv fare;

Drifting away from the world we go,
Baby and I in the rocking chair.

See where the firelogs glow and spark,
Glitter the lights of the Shadowland;

The winter rains on the window, hark!
Are ripples lapping up its strand.

There, where the mirror is glancing dim;
A lake is shimmering cool and still:

Blossoms are wavi-ig above 1 s brim,
Those over there on the window sill.

Rock slow, mire slow in the dasky light.
Silently lower the anchor dowu, .

Dear little passenger, say “ good night,"
We‘ve rzaehsd the harbor of Shadowtown.

-—————-ooo-—-———-

BLACK DRESS GOODS.

Black, once the almost exclusive wear of
mourners, is now so universally adopted
that no wardrobe is complete without at
least one nice black dress, which may be of
silk or wool, according to the means of the
wearer, but which " fills the bill ” because
it is black. Our leading stores have a
department exclusively for black goods, so
well is this demand recognized. Young
and old wear black; the young with the
adjuncts of gay Persian braids and the
glitter of tinsel, the old with the sparkle of
jet or the sombre richness of satin cord
passementeries; it enhances the fresh bloom
of eighteen, and relieves the faded skin of
thirty-five; beauty is more beautiful and
ugliness at least bearable in a color which
does as much for the wearer as does this.
It is universally becoming; it is worn by
everybody, and one is always safely “ gen-
teel” in black.

So firmly is the popularity of black goods
established that manufacturers make their
You
can find more handsome fabrics in black
The finest of nuns’ veiling
and wool batiste, the richest of cashmeres
and Henriettas, are found in black; you
cannot find the same quality in colored
goods; and drap d’ etc, a very heavy, rich
goods used for mantles, etc., which is worth
from $2 to $3 50 per yard, cannot be had in

finest and best materials in this color.

than in colors.

colors.

I have never seen black silks so cheap
and so good for the money, as they appear
Grosgrain, which has been
out of favor for some little time, preference
being given to the newer faille Francoise,

to be this year.

seems to be experiencing a revival. Har-
per’s Bursar has said it is to be “again
a favorite ” and the Bursar is standard
authority. Very good, rich—looking
American silks can be bought for from 3'51.
to $1.25 and $1.35; these are warranted
not to crack or break. “Will they wear
shiny?” I queried, more to test the truth-
fulness of the salesman than because I did
not know. “There are no silks made
which will not grow shiny with wear,” he
replied. “Our finest imported goods at
$3.50 a yard we could not warrant in that
respect.” He was a “cannot tell a lie"
man, after all. I chanced the other day
upon a Guinct silk, 18 yards for $20, an
average of $1.11 per yard, which seemed
most excellent value for the money, and
would make a beautiful dress made up
plainly with a little jet as garniture, or a.
very dressy one with a vest and panel of
black lace laid over colored or white silk,
with ribbons to match. A pretty good test
of the wearing quality of silk is to crush it
under the hand, then shake and smooth it
out; if the wrinkles and creases disappear,
it will probably wear well. This $1.11 silk
stood the test well and had also a good
lustre. There are rich, heavy silks for
$1.75 to $2 per yard which would un—
doubtedly give more wear, but for those
who prefer cheaper goods and more he
quent renewals, or who wear a silk dress
but seldom and then carefully, these low-
priced silks are desirable.
Satin de luxe is a new silk goods, with-
out the rep of ‘ grosgrain, a smooth satiny
finished material, which is soft and rich-
looking. It comes at from $1.10 to $1.25
per yard. Surah seems to have become as
standard as grosgrain; in low qualities it is
not to be recommended, either for appear-
ance or wear; that which sells at $1.25 to
$1.50 per yard is of excellent quality and
as durable as the best black silk. It is
wider than the average grosgrain. Faille,
which is a heavy rep silk, the silk warp
being thrown up over a heavy cotton and
linen thread, can outdo grosgrain in the
way of wearing shiny, and its heavy rep
predisposes it to crack and break; it is also
said to pull off at the seams more readily.
BEATRlX.
A VERY excellent likeness of “ Old
School Teacher” is the latest addition to
the HOUSEHOLD album, for which she will
please accept our thanks. That album is
by no means full yet; plenty of room; do
not hesitate to send along your ” counter-

 

RAG CARPETS.
It is about this time in the year that the
rag carpet grows. ()ne of the most un—
pleasant things about. its manufacture is the
coloring of the rags. One important thing
to remember is to always wring the rags
out of clear water before putting them in
any dye. They must be wet or they will
not take the color evenly. You can make
shaded stripes out of any color by remov-
ing portions of the rags from the dye at in-
tervals; those left in it longest will take the
deepest color. To color green, rags must
first be dyed blue or yellow, then dipped
in the yellow or blue dye. If dyed blue
first, then dipped in yellow, you will have a
blue-green; if yellow and then blue, the
result is a yellow'green. For orange, dip
yellow rugs into red dve, after using it for
the red rags. Choose a bright day for
coloring. A pound and a third of finely
cut rags will make a yard of yard wide car-
pet. There is no economy in scrimping
the warp in a carpet; get a good quality,
and use enough of it so the carpet will not
be sleazy.
If you wish to manufacture. a real “tony”
rag carpet, and are willing to take pains
and not spare your labor, here is how to
do it. But if you undertake it and find
you are involved in a labor of considerable
magnitude, in the way of calculation, es-
pecially, remember “ I told you 50:”
The plan contemplates a carpet with a
hit-and-miss centre, and a border of
matched stripes. Measure your room ac-
curately. Decide how wide you will
have your border. Dcduct the width of
your border from the dimensions of‘your
room, and you will have left the size of
the part to be covered with the hit-or-miss
centre. Calculate the width and length of
the breadths that, sewed together, will
cover the centre, and have them woven to
those dimensions, instructing your weaver
to allow liberally for shrinkage, both in
length and width, when the fabric is taken
from the loom.

Color the rags for the border, in any
colors you prefer, and wind on a shingle a
pattern stripe for your border—which
should be about five-eighths of a yard wide.
Arrange your colors so that the darkest
color will come at the outside edge or next
the wall, and have this woven the same
width as the centre breadths, with a plain
strip woven in between each repetition of
the pattem,to cut it on. These, cut off
and sewed together, will give a striped

 

feit presentment ” on that account.

   

 

border to surround the centre. The border


  

 

Q ’ ,T_HE HOUSEHOLD.

 

._.___._..___. v ..V _ -7 .._ ”I.

may be woven on each end of the centre
breadths, if preferred, but in arranging for
the side border, remember to' add enough
in length to turn the corners.

I hope this is plain enough so those who
may happen to wish to undertake it will
understand what is meant.

A good way of using up the remnants of
rags left from a carpet is to select the best
colors, take the little balls left over, unwind
and sew them hit—or—miss, then have your
weaver weave you a rug—four feet long by
a yard wide is a good size——using the colors
for stripes at each end and making the
centre of the. hep-hazard. n.

___..._____
ABOUT ROSES.

Roses have been the pride and adorn.
ment of the flower garden since time im—
memorial, and are likely to always hold
their own in the. floral kingdom. In what-
ever form they may be presented us,
Whether the old fashioned hardy sorts, or
the improved varieties of our professional
propagators, they are always beautiful, and
to profess to not “ just love" roses would be
to confess ourselves lacking in good taste
and—smell.

As common as roses are and have been
so long, there are comparatively few but
florists who really know what they are
capable of doing if properly cared for. It
is just as easy to have a bed of tea roses as
a bed of geraniums, and to obtain as free

loom. But neither will be satisfactory
without abundant food and water, and the
frequent removal of seed vessels. A de-
cayed sod, thoroughly enriched, is the. best
soil for roses, and there should be occasional
applications of liquid manure.

When cold weather approaches, the
plants may be lifted, the oldest wood
pruned away, and set in boxes of sandy
or mellow soil in the cellar, giving only
enough water to keep them from shrivel-
ing; they will be ready for duty in the
border when spring comes. They may be
set out quite early, as cold snaps will do
them no harm. In a season of drouth
mulch with well rotted manure. It is a
good plan to plant verbenas, petunias, or
similar low-growing plants among them.

The hybrid perpetuals are perfectly
hardy, and when given the requisite care
will prove perpetual bloomers, which they
are only in name with ordinary treatment.
A spot having good drainage should be
selected; a quite heavy clay soil suits them
very well, but always remember they must
be well fed. If necessary, remove a quan-
tity of soil and replace with that which is
rich; when well established, keep a few
inches of mulching of part horse manure
about the roots, and from time to time
fork into the soil. As often as a flower
fades remove it bcfore it hasachanee to
form seed; allow no dead or straggling
branches to remain, but encourage the pro-
duction of blossoms by inducing new
growth. Those who know “only a little
bit ” about roses know the bloom is always
produced on new wood. Under this
treatment, the hybrid perpetuals 'will

The rose is a gross feeder, but only well

rotted manure must be applied.

Moss roses, though so delicate in appear—

ance, are as hardy as the sweetbrier and

can be made to bloom as freely. The buds

are far more beautiful than the opened

roses, veiled as they are in the mossy calyx,

The old wood should be pruned away, and

the same methods of fertilization and treat—

ment employed as With the hybrid per-

petuals. ’

Many of the hardy climbing roses are
said to be constant bloomers, but Ihave
not found them so, though I have tried a
dozen varieties. They do well trained on
a trellis, but better still around ahouse,
forminga screen for a veranda or porch,
but this is objected to by the men, who
insist that climbers, by shading the cornice
and other wood work, create dampness
and consequently decay. I think differ-
ently; the shade is never so dense as to im-
pede the circulation of air, and the vines
form a protection from sun and storm, and
if they did not I would have them just the
same. This brings to mind the perfect
bower I made of our log house years ago.
How the honeysuckles glowed in the morn-
ing sun all summer, and roses raced over
the walls and over the eaves! Ampelopsis
filled in every space until the house was
literally covered; Ihad a huge sweetbriar
at my north window; and this reminds me
to tell A. H. ‘J. not to set one where it will
be watered by house-slops, but where there
there is fresh turfy loam for the roots, let
the sod surround it, and see if it does not
thrive. Awilding unchanged by human
skill, I dearly love its fragrance, so unlike
that of any other rose.

In selecting roses, unless one has ac-
quaintance with varieties, it is just as well
to send an order to a reliable firm, stating
the colors desired and whether for bedding
or house, also Whether the ever-blooming,
climbers, moss roses or perpetuals; the
result is quite as likely to be satisfactory as
if we attempt to select from catalogue
descriptions and unfamiliar names. Just
think of over a million rose plants chang-
ing hands in one year; and twenty-four
millions of cut roses handled, in the same
time! What an indication of the exceeding
popularity of the rose, the queen of flowers!

anron. MR3. M. A. FULLER.

“wk—~-

THE SECOND WIFE.

There are so many members of this large
Housnnonn of ours, and all with different
shades of opinions, that it is sometimes very
amusing to the silent ones who read it from
week to week; but if silence is golden
speech is silver, so I must speak up in be-
half of a certain portion of womanhood. I
quite agree with Ella R. Wood, that. she
had better use her silver and china and fine
linen daily, for the chances are good that
she can live to wear them out, and even if
she does not, “ Wife No. 2” as she sarcas-
tically calls that imaginary individual, may
not care to use second hand ware; or quite
possible she may have some of her own,
more to her taste. Who ever heard of 9.

tion, 2'. 8., after she was dead. Now if the
husband had such excellent judgment in
his youthful days, is it not fair to suppose
that it is just as good at middle age? A
woman may be everything that is praise-
worthy and lovable, yet no one ever speaks
of it unless she is taken away and in time
is succeeded by another, perhaps just as
good, when lo! they suddenly discover that
she was a paragon. Gossips shake their
heads and sagely remark, "' She is not such
a woman as his first wife was,” implying
every fault. of human nature, besides some
never known of until “ No. 2 ”appeared on
the scene. .

Criminals are not condemned until they
have a fair trial, but the second wife re-
ceives her sentence before she crosses the
threshold of her new abiding place. ‘ No
word of encouragement or sympathy does
she ever get from that self-elected jury who
sits in judgment over her, no matter how
hard she may strive to do her duty to her
family, her home and society.

Let us be just and remember that “ No.
2 ” may possess principles of right and
justice as well as others.

Lapnnn. OBSERVER.

—-— ———-ooo——-———
LETTERS FROM THE LONE STAR
STATE.

 

MY DEAR SISTER: My first stopping
place in Texas was reached early Friday
morning, when I caught a. glimpse of the
beautiful Texan hills. The sun shone
brightly during the day and lighted up the
hills till they fairly glowed in light, and as
we rushed on to Temple, a ride of three
hours, they formed a grand background
for the smooth rolling prairies, on which
hundreds of cattle and horses were grazing.
The prairies were dotted here and there
with live oaks, large wide spreading trees
of the most beautiful green, presenting a
striking contrast to the short prairie grass
that at this season of the year looks sere and
faded, while now and then we would pass a
tree that to me is very beautiful, which is
common to Texas, the Umbrella Chine. It
does not grow very high, not as high as
our northern peach tree, the branches
'spread wide, the leaves are deep green, in
shape like a palm leaf. Thetree is well
described by its name.

Thus was the scene enlivened by the
clear sky, immense hills, prairies and green
trees, till we arrived at Temple, 8. small
town where we were obliged to wait a few
hours for the train for Coleman, the last
stopping place and end of our long journey.

From Temple to Coleman I had the com—
pany of a party from San Antonio and
Santa Anna. The ladies were from the
north and were glad to see some one from
home, as they said. Toward the end of
our trip, as all our lunches were low, we
divided up. The gentlemen got off and
bought some oranges, and we were just
tired enough to be silly. We had ajolly
ride all the way. The hotel where we
stopped over night at Coleman is a fair
sample of southern hotels. Wide, rambling
halls, long low galleries, running all the
way round the house, where'the people sit
in pleasant weather, large rooms on either

 

 

bloom from spring till autumnal frosts.

first wife who was not a model of perfec-

 

 

 

 

 

 

     
    


 

T.HE HOUSEI—IOLD.

  

 

3

 

side of the broad hall, with open fireplaces
that look cheery and inviting to a tired
traveler.

In the twenty-five mile drive across the
country to this ranche, we only passed two
houses, which circumstance, to me, coming
from the prosperous, thickly settled North,
alone seemed sufficient to make the fact
that hundreds of miles had been passed
over seem very real. The ranches are large,
consisting often of thousands of acres, one
pasture containing fifteen thousand acres.
They are known and spoken of by the
name or symbol with which the horses or
cattle are branded, each ranche owuer
having his stock branded with some symbol,
letter, or letters. The one I am visiting is
known as the M. pole ranche, the adjoining
one as H. R. X. 6.: C., and so on. Some
ranch owners cultivate a farm of perhaps
two hundred acres, separate from their
ranche, which is simply a grazing place.
Land is very cheap, the price ranging from
$1.50 to $5 per acre, so it is comparatively
easy for aman with limited means to obtain
a home, but with thieving, accidents from
wire fences, drouths and bad storms, there
are many losses, and a man may be rich
this winter and before spring lose a large
portion of his property. It is a common
saying among Texans, “ Either a feast or

famine.”
This ranche is a very pleasant one. There

are large hills in every direction; the sides
of some of them are smooth, others are
covered with great ledges of rock piled one
upon another so evenly it seems as though
'they had been measured and laid up by
rule, while at the foot flow most beautiful

creeks; the water, clear as crystal, runs.

along over pebbles and rocks, disappears
and breaks out again a half mile away,
chatters on again, at some places becomes a
wide stream, and washes out a nook in the
high bank forming a ravine, as suddenly is
out of sight under the ground, then springs
up again in some unlooked for spot, and so
“thus on forever.” It seems to me im-
possible that one could live among these
grand scenes of nature, and not believe in
Nature’s God.

The air is very clear, the country open,
and as I sit by my window looking west-
ward I can see the range of Brady moun-
tains very plainly, although they are thirty
miles away. They loom up like a blue
roll, and at sunset the gaps are very plain
to be seen. Our plan is to make up‘a party
and go there for afew days’ camp in the
spring. If we do, you may expect to hear
more of them.

About six miles west of us rolls the
Colorado river in all its beauty. Have
visited it three times, in as many different
spots, and each has its own beauty. The
river is winding, running in and out among
high rocky banks; and the water is so clear
the bottom can be plainly seen. At one
spot we clambered down over rocks and
through ravines for a long way before we
came in sight of the water, then almost in-
voluntarily said “Ohl how lovelyl" The
western bank is very high with its ledges
of rocks and ash trees; the eastern is a
pebbly beach, enabling you to go down to

stones, which are rocks that come far above
the water’s surface, one can walk out more

than half way across. As I stood thus one
bright afternoon, with the river flowing be

low the rocks, and on either side of me,
singing its lullaby as it rippled over the
stones, the sun in all its glory beautifying
hill and ravine, I marvelled not there were
poets in the land, and I realized how great
must be the mind that formed and kept in
place all these grand things through all the
ages.

One day last week we had the excitc'
ment of seeing a prairie fire. Announce-
ment was made at dinner that a large
piece of prairie grass was to be burned that
afternoon, so we all went to see the sight.
The grass was long and dry, and the flames
leaped and ran in all directions. The sight
was grand, but awful. It was easy to
imagine how terrible the fate to be caught
in such a fire when traveling over the
plains. As soon as the fire had died out
the ground was cool, and we drove around
over it. The burned grass looked black and
curly, as nearly like ostrich tips as one can
imagine. It was a sight well worth seein g
and one I had hoped to see.

MRS. C. E. DECKER.

_—————...—~_ —~-.-..'

MICHIGAN GIRLS.

[Paper read by Miss Mollie Carruthers at the
Farmers‘ Institute at Bancroft, March 9th.]
A short time before the Institute held

here about two years ago, while in conver-
sation with a very agreeable woman of my
acquaintance, I received an idea which has
often recurred to my mind since. This
lady, knowing that I had been invited to
assist at the coming entertainment, asked
me upon what subject I intended to write.
I told her what my subject would be, and
she tersely rejoined: “ Well, that may be
appropriate, but if you would write some-
thing about the farmers going to these in-
stitutes and associations, and learning to
do all their work scientifically, while their
wives stay at home and do theirs in the
same old fashion, I think it would be a lit-
tle more to the purpose.”

At the first session of the Institute I was
surprised to find so large a portion of the
audience composed, not of farmers, but of
their wives and daughters, and I arrived at
the quick conclusion that my friend was
wrong, that the ladies were quite as much
interested in institutes as their husbands.
Again, last year at the Owosso meeting,
the faces fair among the brave were in al-
most equal proportion, but then I changed
my mind again. True, the ladies do not
stay at home as was averred, but perhaps
they might as well for all they get out of
the entertainment of direct benefit. To be
sure, one must admit that whatever aids an
industry is, or should be of, interest to all
dependent upon that industry. Therefore,
perhaps the silo and ensilagc talks and the
“ plowing by moonlight” discussions ought
to be entertaining to farmers’ wives, but I
almost doubt that they are. And the reason

8 obvious. Though such things are unques_

tionably of importance to them, they are a

little out of their line of business. 0f

 

- the water’s edge, and by large stepping

course they know that it is a farmers,
meeting and you gentlemen may well say,
with the truth of the argument on your
side, that they are well aware what will be
talked about, and that if they do not ex-
pect to find it entertaining they have an al-
ternative.

But they will go. Moreover, you like
mmensely to have them, and what I want
to ask is that you devote a little time to
them and their work. You know a farm-
ers’ wives’ institute would be alittle im-
practicable just at present, and won’t you
be kind and give them a small part of
yours? I would not ask that you devote
to this subject one whole session, nor a
large part of it, but that in making out
your programme you stipulate that one
paper shall be exclusively about woman’s
work. Nor would I ask that you listen to
long arguments about how many times
bread should rise, or which washing
machine has the most merit, but I mean
woman’s work for revenue only.

I know woman’s work in the arts and
sciences and in commerce is receiving much
attention, but woman’s work on the farm
which brings money as a recompense is not
so widely discussed. There is a vast
amount of work on the farm done by
women alone, which brings returns only
through the work naturally credited to the
farmer himself. But it seems as if a busi.
ness of such infinite resources ought to fur-
nish a chance for each member of the
family to have an individual work that
shall be of profit. What these separate
industries may be I do not propose to ex‘
plain. You who know so well what the
farm will or will not furnish, arc the ones
to do that. I can only suggest the need
and ask you to supply the remedy. On
many farms, of course, the dairy is under
the exclusive management of the farmer’s
wife and the profits entirely hers, but not
all farms will support large dairies, and
there surely ought to be other ways in
which women will find their work rcmun~
erative.

And there are the girls, too, such a num-
ber of them, growing up on the farm. Of
course many of them leave and engage in
different kinds of business, but we well
know that all avenues of work in which
women are employed are over supplied,
and a place not easily obtained.

Commissioner \Vright, of the Depart-
ment of Labor, has recently published the
report of an investigation of the condition
of workingwomen in twenty-two large
cities, that is not encouraging to say the
least. A surprisingly large percentage of
women who clerk in stores and do similar
work, live at home, thus making it possi-
ble to work for rates that defy competition.
And this is among the reasons why a great
many girls wro would like to be self-sup-
porting nzzl.~‘-t remain on the farm, and it is
in them that we are interested at present.
The number is not so small as might be
thought by a careless observer, and I am
convinced that it would be much larger if
there were any way in which they could
make it pay to stay. The girl who does

 

stay grows up in a state of financial un-

  


  

 

4:

 

THE HOIUSEHOLD.

      

 

certainty, not calculated to develop her best
business faculties. If her father is well
provided with worldly store, I will trust
the average Michigan girl to get her full
share; but if he be not so well off, she
simply has to do without. In any case,
she takes what some one else finds he can
spare for her. I will admit that what a
girl gets at home is usually willingly given,
but that does not alter the dollars and cents
view of the case, nor that while farmers’
sons are brought up to be of real help and
value to them, their daughters are so only
in theory.

Now I know the girls are not entirely
satisfied with this state of things. The
majority of them would be glad to do
something to swell the family income as
well as expenses. But they are not trained
to practical things as their brothers are,
they do not knowwhere or how to begin,
and it is for you, their fathers, to think, to
plan and to advise if you would have them
take some of the weight of their support
off your already burdened shoulders. I
believe it can be done right at home. I be-
lieve there are many undiscovered ways in
which to make farm 'life pay. One of
them in which I have an abiding faith, but
no experience, is silk culture. I am aware
that this industry has been discouraged by
high authority in the Agricultural College
of another State on the grounds, I believe,
that the food could not be grown in this
climate. However, I have seen mulberry
trees in Shiawassee County, grown to a
size quite sufficient. If those can not be
procured, osage orange is the second best
food known, and some of you have recently
learned what a valuable shrub this is.

Now givea girl with any business talent
plenty of materials, a good deal of instruc-
tion, six weeks of summer weather, and
just one help more—her father’s sympathy
and assistance—and I will. vouch for her
making a success of silk culture the second
year. if not the first. I have freauently
heard this question discussed by men who
remember a spasm of interest in this busi-
ness experienced by American agricultur-
ists about two generations ago. They in-
variably say it was a failure because some
man invested thousands of dollars in the
enterprise and failed. I believe that was
just the reason he failed. He invested too
much before he had experimented. A
woman wouldn’t have made that mistake,
because she would not have had the money
in the first place, and then she knows bet-
ter anyway. My dear men, if you want
an example of patience, perseverance and
success, just watch some little woman peg
along all the year with twenty old hens,
buying all her own clothes and half the
groceries. A few years ago American
manufacturers imported over thirteen mil-
lions of dollars’ worth of raw silk, and I
do not believe the importation has decreased.

The day is nearly past I think when men
can even be accused of fearing that their
wives will be too independent, if capable
of supporting themselves. And there is
little cause for apprehension. You seldom

find the most radical woman’s rights ad-
vocates among the busily and happily em-

 

 

ployed women, and there is little wonder
that you do among some others. I am not
going to assume the responsibility of say-
ing that only discontented women are in
sympathy with the equal suffrage move-
ment, because some of us might want to
take the sneaking privilege after the more
enthusiastic ones have secured it for us; but
let me assure you, farmers, it is not the
franchise that women are so anxious to
obtain, not political glory they are thirsting
for, nor to usurp any of your established
rights that they want. I know that some
of you have said that what a woman wants
is the treasury surplus, and though that is
unkind it is nearer the truth, for what she
does want is money, and the chance to earn
it herself.

Oh, there is a. vast amount of business
talent lying undeveloped in your homes.
Study your daughters and see if they would
not with the same opportunity he just as
able to take care of themselves as your sons
are. You are sure to do that for the boys,
and the girls need it more. I know you in-
tend to be kind, but you assume too much
of the burden. Give the girls employment
at home, letting them take their own
chances of profit and loss, and you will find
it is the best antidote to frivolity yet dis-
covered. But it must be employment with
a motive. Combine your experience with
their youth and energy, and you will find
the result surprising. You will find it of
benefit to them, of assistance to yourself
and of good to America’s future, may be.
Make the experiment anyway, and take the
blessing of at least one Michigan girl, who
knows whereof she speaks.

»-—— Mr

. CLEANING WINDOWS.

 

As it is almost housecleanin g time I will
tell the readers of the HOUSEHOLD an easy
way to clean windows: Clean the wood-
work first; then mix whiting and water,
adding a little ammonia if you like, until it
is about as thick as cream; rub over the
glass and let stand until by rubbing off a
little it leaves the glass clear. Usually
after putting it on three windows or one
room the first will be about dry enough;
then rub off with a clean cloth or chamois
skin.

If you have a few heads of cabbage left,
when it is too late to keep them longer in

the head, chop fine, season the same as for

table use, put in cans without cooking,
taking care to have it covered with vinegar.

Those of you who use Royal baking
powder will find advertised on the little
paper in the top of the can the “Royal
Baker and Pastry Cook,” to be had by
simply sending a postal. I have one, and
I think it quite a nice little recipe book; its
recipe for muffins I think extra good, so
will give it for the benefit of others.

We do not wonder M. E. H.’s family did
not grow tired of her graham cakes; they
have driven buckwheat clear into the shade
at our house.

I wish to thank those who have advised
me what to do with my cactus.

I never have very much time for writing,
but when I have anything I think good I
wish to divide, and especially with the

  

 

 

HOUSEHOLD, for I think it is always good
and helpful. A. B. 0.

ANN ARBOR.
———«o—-——-—

HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

LADIES who keep birds will be interested
in the following from the American Agri-
cultun‘st: All cage birds should be allowed
only a plain diet. It is the “ extras” that
make sick pets and discouraged women.
Take, for instance, the seed-eating birds:
they thrive all the better on plain canary
seed, with a little millet and rape. The
less hemp fed the better. Never feed
sugar and cake; give very little green food.
For an experiment, five years ago I pur-
chased a canary and gave it nothing but
plain canary feed, a little millet and rape:
no greens, excepting occasionally a bit of
sweet apple; no bird manna nor patent
foods; 3 good supply of gravel, and cuttle
fish all the time; fresh water every morn-
ing; about once a week a few rusty nails or
a piece of copperas the size of a pea, put in
the drinking water; and on warm days a
bath. That bird has not been sick a day,
and has been almost constantly in song. ,
More birds are killed by kindness than by
neglect. Do not handle the birds. They
will often stop singing if played with or
fondled.

Contributed. Recipes.

 

GRAHAM Emma—Three cups buttermilk;
half cup sugar; one heaping teaspoonful salt:
three level teaspoonfuls soda; six cups graham
flour. Stir with an iron spoon; after it is in
the baking tin wet the hand and smooth it
over on top; this is good hot or cold, and I
should think it would be good baked in gem
pans. When we had our own wheat ground
for flour, I always had the cannelle saved
separate; and used three cups of cannelle and
three cups of white flour in place of graham:
and many thought it better than graham.
Another way I sometimes use is one and a
half cups of Cozette's kind of yeast, and one
cup water; half cup sugar; one teaspoonful
salt; meuld into a soft loaf; let rise, and bake
slowly. POLLY.

 

Bnnr Prcxnn.-—To one hundred pounds of
meat allow six pounds clean salt; two ounces
saltpetre; five pounds good brown sugar.
Sprinkle salt on the bottom of the crock or
barrel, and also a little between each layer of
meat. To water sufficient to cover the meat
add the sugar, salt and saltpetre. let boil,
skim, let it get cold. then turn over the meat.
After the blood is well drawn out. pour oi!
the brine, boil. skim, let cool and turn over
the meat again. We have used this recipe
for years in our family and find it perfectly
satisfactory. Never pack beef in a barrel
that has had pork in it. I think J. B. Jones
will find this recipe 8. good one.

Canaan. Mas. E. P. 8.

 

ROYAL EGG Muslims—One quart flour; one
tablespoonful sugar; one tablespoonful salt;
one large tablespoonful lard; two teaspoon-
fuls Royal baking powder; three eggs; one
and a quarter pints milk. Sift together flour,
sugar, salt, and baking powder: rub lard in
cold; add beaten eggs and. milk; mix quickly
into smooth hatter, a little firmer than for
griddle cakes; fill cold. carefully greased.
mumn pans two-thirds full; bake in a hot oven
fifteen minutes. A. B. 0.

All Anion.