DETROIT, SEPTEMBER 21., 1888.

 

 

THE HOUSEHOLD-"Supplemefit.

 

THE TR UE’ WIFE.

Flowers spring to blossom where she walks
The careful ways of duty;
Our hard, stifi‘ lines of life with her
Are flowing curves of beauty.
Our homes are cheerier for her sake,
Our door-yards brighter blooming.
And all about the social air
Is sweeter for her coming.
Unspoken homilies of peace
Her daily life is preaching:
The still refreshment of the dew
ls her unconscious teaching.

And never tenderer hand than hers
Unknits the brow of ailing:

Her garments to the sick man‘s ear
Have music in their trailing.

Her presence lends its warmth and health
To all who come before it.
If woman lost us Eden, such
As she alone restore it.
And if the husband or the wife
In home's strong light discovers
Such slight defaults as failed to meet
The blinded eyes of lovers.
Why need we care to ask?-who dreams
Without their thorn of roses,
Or wonders that the truest steel
The readiest spark discloses!
For still in mutual sufi’erance lies
The secret of true living;
. Love scarce is love that never knows
The sweetness of forgiving.
—John G. Whittier.

—————_...___.

THE NATIONAL SOLDIER’S HOME.

From May until November, excursions
from every direction pour into Dayton, 0.,
to visit the National Soldiers’ Home,
which is situated about three miles from
the heart of the city. We infer from fre-
quent scraps of conversation overheard
from the excursionists that there is a gen-
eral impression that the Home is confined
in one or two large buildings. Never was
there a greater mistake. It is a city itself,
of over seven thousand population, all
oflicers, soldiers and the various attaches.

It goes without saying that all govern-
ment grounds, roadways, etc., are kept in
exquisite order and repair. Broad macadam-
ized streets extend in every direction, or
wind about to the numerous points of
beauty. Down long straight avenues,
shaded by beautiful trees, cluster the low
white barracks, the clean stone curb fre—
quently lined with sitting boys in blue,
listlessly gazing at the passers-by, a goodly
portion of them ruminating like the ox over
huge quids of tobacco. Here and there
are idle groups, lounging under the shade
trees, and on the wide verandas, other
groups who seem to be forever fighting over

 

again the old battles. Men with one eye,
seventy men with no eyes, and hundreds
with one limb gone. many more with two
limbs gone, and a few who have given
three of their members to their country;
While yet other hundreds seem to be
there simply on the ground of “constitu-
tional fatigue.” As you wander from
group to group, you are struck with the
painful fact that “Uncle Sam” provides
for a. great many foreign children, very
few Americans claiming a home here.
Entering at the Third Street entrance,
guarded by a pretty Gothic porter’s lodge,
all overrun with clambering vines, and
adorned with brilliant blooming plants, you
drive slowly along the winding road, taking
in a fine view of the entire grounds. Off to
the right stands atall soldiers’ monument,
and at its base gleam long radiating rows
of white boards which mark the many
quiet sleepers in God‘s acre. A gentle
turn into a circular drive brings you in
front of the hospital, a long red brick three
story structure. its handsome facade pre-
senting five towers and an imposing ap-

 

pearancegenerally. It is the finest building, l
apparently, on the grounds, and at the time é
of our visit four hundred soldiers were
being cared for. Passing dmvn the long;
wards, two emotions struggle for promin- i
ence in the mind; one pitiful sympathy for

evident suffering, the other supreme dis-_
gust for the causes which have brought

many of them there, causes that lower

men below the beasts of the field.

A square or so beyond the hospital is the
chapel, built of gray stone, gothic in
style and impressing you with the idea that
it is an Episcopal chapel, but in reality it
is non-sectarian. It contains lovely stained
glass windows, is handsomely finished and
furnished, and regular services are held,
which are well attended. Beyond, scarcely
astone‘s throw, is an opera house, about
the size of the Detroit opera house, and
containing a stage which is a gem in its
way. First class talent is employed, and
the Soldiers’ Home entertainments are al-
ways popular, and well patronized both by
the soldiers and townspcoPle.

Across the street from the opera house is
acommodious headquarters builling with
broad verandas, in the second story of
which is alarge, well lighted library and
reading room. Newspapers are sent free
from all parts of the Union, and are weekly
filed for the us: of all who wish to read
them. Strictly speaking. there are three
libraries here, named respectively "The
Home,” the “George H. Thomas,” and

 

the “Putnam library” the lattercalling for

more than a mere mention. Mary Lowell
Putnam, one of America’s noble women,
losta son at the battle of Ball’s Bluff, a
youth of beautiful promise, not yet 21 years
of age. As a fitting monument his gifted
mother has established this free library for
the use of the war-scarred comrades of her
darling boy. A fine life size portrait of the
young man hangs above the book-cases, and
at each anniversary of his birth, an ex—
quisite wreath of flowers is sent from Boston
in time to reach the Home on the morning
of that day, when with reverent hands the
wreath is appropriately placed. The
library is composed of the rarest books,
which have been collected by herself and
her agent from all parts of this country
and Europe.

There are many other buildings, both
handsome and large, that will attract at-
tention, but which I have not space to de-
scribe, believing that the HOUSEHOLD
readers will prefer a peep at the lovely
landscape gardening here exhibited, though
before doing so I must not omit to mention
one thing which proves the strongest at-

, traction of all to the majority of the old

soldiers, and that is a first class saloon, re-
cently opened by the authority of the gov-
ernment and official board. Here, from
eight o‘clock in the morning till six o'clock
at night, an average of twelve men are kept
busy passing over the counter glasses of
beer, no other beverage being sold, and
here our noble veterans, whom the people
support, and to whom the government pays
a pension, revel in the foamy liquid to their
heart’s content. Possibly President Cleve-
land visited a Soldiers’ Home before he
went into the wholesale pension veto
business; anyway, he showed common
sense, methinks.

Less than twenty feet from the summit
of the ridge on Which the Home stands, and
only a short distance below the hotel, there
is a fine spring of almost ice cold water
pouring out from a rocky grotto, and from
this point the gardener’s art begins. The
little glen has been transformed into a per-
fect garden of Eden. The waterfalls intoa
large rocky basin, anl thence trickles out
in a tiny rivulet and flows on into an arti-
ficial lake which 5 but a beglnning of a
series of little lakes, all connected with
each other and affording picturesque water
ways for the tiny fleet of boats rocking
upon their smooth surface. One grows
wild over the beauty and innumerable
variety of trees, shrubs, andplants. Broad-
leaved bananas, orange and lemon and
fig trees in flower and fruit, nod to you in
the warm sunshine, Blossoms peep saucily

 

 

 

 


  

2

THE HOUSEHOLD.

  

 

at you from every cleft of the rocks, long,
lush grasses and ferns dip over the brim of
the mimic lake, where myriads of fat fish
troop to the surface for the crumbs you
offer them. You escape the heat and glare
of the sun by entering a semicircular walk
leading to the spring, where trees and
rollicking vines make a charming nook for
rest and floating day dreams. Here upon a
convenient bench you may look out upon a
_ charming panorama, laughing boating
parties upon the lakes; strolling groups
everywhere in the summer houses, under
the trees or along the winding walks.
Yonder are the large conservatories, which
even in summer are not without attractions
and in winter are gorgeous with delicate
exotics. Between you and them are many
curious, quaint flower beds, prominent
among which is a triangular mound proba-
bly eight feet high. From one of its sides
stands out in tri—color the words, “ Our
Home,” made from growing plants. On
another side the Father of his Country
seems to wink at you in a wonderfullv life
like manner, and on the third side atiger,
ready to spring, is startlingly realistic.
Over in the large lake is a picturesque
island, which a large flock Of swans have
appropriated, and who just now are training
their babies in all the mysteries Of house-
keeping and aquatic sports and devices.
Beyond that rise the tall trees Of the park,
where picnic parties daily congregate.

There comes the man with the inevitable
hose, and if we would escape a mimic
shower we must leave this delightful retreat.
Shall we go across the rustic bridge to the
pavilion and revel in watery ice-cream and
watch that ridiculous flirtation? No! well
then, let us climb the rocky footpath to the
drive, thence up to the hotel veranda, and
secure a good seat before sunset. It is
Saturday afternoon and at six o’clock the
concert will begin. See! over there in the
square the band are already assembling
and the bugle call sounds out melodiously
clear on the soft summer air. Carriages
filled with the elite of Dayton are rolling
rapidly along the avenues and congregating
about the square. Everywhere, in all
directions, crowd the “boys in blue.” Now
the band begins to play, and “Yankee
Doodle with Variations ” seems to put
everybody into smiling good humor. As
the exquisite strains of Strauss’ waltz
float dreamily to the ear, your eye wanders
over a surprisingly beautiful landscape.
Down there in the valley winds the Miami,
almost encircling the city, and beyond it
rises amisty range Of hills, just now re-
flecting the glow of the setting sun. N ow
the sunset gun booms out good night, and
soon after, while the soft strains of “Home,
Sweet Home,” are pulsing upon the air, we
join regretfully the throng that turns city-

ward. I. F. N.

DAYTON, O.
-——-.OO—

The lady who sent us the article signed
“A Church Member,” is reminded of the
rule which obtains in the FARMER Office, as
also in all newspaper oflices, to publish no
communication unless accompanied by the
name and address of the writer. The
omission will explain why the letter was
not published.

0
COMPANY TEAS.

 

I come this morning on purpose to thank
Mrs. F. McP. for the recipe for those Drop
Cookies. I have made some and they are
simply delicious; just what I wanted. If
all her recipes are as good as that, I advise
her to send them to the HOUSEHOLD, and
thereby set her candle on a candlestick
instead of hiding it under a bushel.

I am glad to see that Evangeline and Old
School Teacher are in favor of visits with-
out sending word. I for one enjoy a visit
much better where word has not been sent
either way, for then I think people did not
come or will they think I go to get the best
the house affords to eat. I almost always
have cookies of some kind, and one kind Of
cake; and have, or try to have, good bread.
If I-have not I stir up the cake that is the
easiest made and some biscuits, have some
jelly, sauce and pickles if handy and let it
go, never making excuses, as it spoils the
whole meal and makes one feel that they
were not wanted. If the conversation is
what it should be and the tablecloth clean,
we will scarcely know what we are eating.
I forgot to mention, if you have any cold
potatoes chop them well in the chopping
bowl, have the spider very hot, put in a
generous lump of butter, mix pepper and
salt well with the potatoes, put in the spider,
add one half cup of sweet cream and milk,
wait till it boils, stir well and in two
minutes they will be done and ready to be
eaten. See that the company are all ready
toeat them, and take my word for it they
will not stop to think that potatoes are not
stylish for tea, and if there are hungry men
they will enjoy it much better than so much
cake. Right here I would ask, do we take
enough pains to please these men; we get
so tired standing over the hot stove that
nothing tastes good to us. Not so with
them; they come into the cool shady dining
room, with a good relish for almost anything
that is prepared neatly by loving hands. If
we do not enjoy our dinners we will get the
the work out of the way, and scarcely any
one but what has, or can have with good
management, an hour or two to rest before
supper time, so we can eat that meal with
a relish. Let us bring pleasant faces and
our best thoughts to the table and not save
them all for company, for you know how
apt we are to give “to our own the bitter
tone, though we love our own the best.”
If you have silver knives and forks use
them; don’t lay them away in tissue paper
to beused only on state occasions; they will
last for years if properly taken care of. How
many times we sit down to a table spread
with frosted cake, but if we eat the sauce
served it must be with a brass, tin, or iron
spoon. As for me, I would rather go with-
out the sauce and cake a few weeks and
save the money to buy a set of plated
spoons. You can get good plated ware for
two dollars that will stand ten or more
years’ constant wear. I have already said
too much, but I would like to ask how
many have tried Mrs. Fuller’s way of can-
ning tomatoes? She gave last year her
method; it does not take much longer, and
they are so much nicer. I send the recipe,
believing it will bear a repetition.

 

BATTLE Gun.

X. Y. Z.

 

WHISTLING, AND OTHER THINGS-

 

Has any one noticed the growing fashion
of whistling among the young girls of the
period? At home, in the street, railway
station, hotels, at excursions, the listening
ear is often saluted by abar of the “catch
songs” of the day, given in merry, rollick—
ing style by the rosy lips of maidens, and
the watchful eye will often catch the in-
voluntary pucker of the mouth, quickly
banished as the thought of impropriety sug-
gests itself.

It is an impish sort of custom, even
though the air be ever so happily rendered.
It grates on prejudice, for whocan putout Of
mind the venerable wisdom of the old saw:
“Whistling girls and crowing hens, al-
ways come to some bad end.” Just to
think of the fate impending over our
young and helpless maidens, drives one
into melancholia. But up comes one of
these tuneful whistlers and gayly strive to
break the omen by quoting the other an-
cient classic: “Whistling girls and jump-
ing sheep are the best produce a man can
keep.” But the first mentioned has the
sanction of ages as a truism; while the last
has been considered as an impertinent
parody. So I shake my head with un-
wonted gravity and she turns impatiently
away, and in a moment saucily repeats the
offence, and musically enough the notes are
rendered.

What can we do about it? I expect to
be shocked next with the exhibition of
some girls throwing a ball equal to a boy.
The aphorism that girls can’t whistle being
disproved, what is there to prevent other
dividing lines being broken, and who can
predict where or when a stand for defence
can be made?

Ever since history began we have found
well understood limits over which neither
sex could with propriety climb. But a new
era has dawned, and girls bang their hair, .
(I wonder if this rage for short hair explains
the whistling business) and set up to secure
their rights, or rather assert them. Women
have found out how tremendously they have
been tyrannized over, are determined to
vote, and be “afther the spiles ov oflis.”
They employ men to make their pantaloons
and dresses, by the way of humbling their
pride, I suppose, andalso Of Opening up
another avenue for their industry. Men
are to be compelled to become the workers
in life’s hive, while all the women are to
be queen bees, and managethe political and
scientific world.

But the dude! what is to be done with the
“deah fellow?” I saw a few specimens of
the genus not long ago, gotten up in fault-
less style, trim, straight, corseted, and
listen—painted and rouged! Their hats
were tilted to just the right angle, their
clothes fitted perfectly, eye-glass and cane
were a—la-mode, eyebrows were pencilled,
and moustaches dyed, their gloves showed
no wrinkles, and their Dundreary whiskers
added to their general style. Their affected
drawl and simper proved their addle pates
would not disparage their general make-up.
Some future Barnum may utilize the animal
as a “What is It?” as an attractive feature
of some “Greatest Show on Earth.” Well!

 

wellll the world moves, §and fashions

 

 

 

 

 

, as: a 1‘
: f: ewe-3.. - <

Eifii

 

  


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

  

THE HO USEHOLD.

 

 

change. Perhaps, as in the savage state
men do the posing and fighting, it will
come to pass in our extreme civilization
that woman will wear the honors, dictate
law and and custom, while men will attend
to the menial pursuits, wait in abject sub-
mission the will of the honored sex, and
humbly hasten to do their bidding, thank-
fully accepting the crumbs that may be
grudgingly accorded them.

Ah then, when woman comes to her
kingdom, what a happy time there’ll be!

. What joy when a daughter is born to a

house, and shamefacedness when its “only
a boy.” Then the girls can whistle, drive
the horses tandem, climb trees and fences,
without provoking the adjuration: “What
a tomboy!” In that day of emancipation
the young lady can select her attendant,
overwhelm him by her great condescension
in noticing a being of such inferior caste.
Ah me! I wonder if we would be any hap-
pier for living in such a topsy-turvy world?
The whole world seems to be in a throe of
great unrest, and what the outcome will be
the future must determine. If the fashion
is to prevail of women wearing short hair,
and doing the whistling, let us hope the
other sex may find equal pleasure in deck-
ing heads with plaits, coils and curls, and
if they can attain to the high state of ex—
citement women now show over the advent
of a mouse, they may console themselves
with the happy thought that they have
“nerves,” and that they have not lived al-
together in vain. A. L. L.

INGLEsInn.
-———‘w——————

HAY FEVER.

 

Co-chee! Co—chee!! Oh, this abominable
hay fever! Of all the pests that ever tor-
tured a poor body I think this the most pro-
voking; coming on without a moment’s
warning, the poisonous water gushing from
eyes and nose until the former get so weak
one can scarcely see, and the latter looks
like the proboscis of an old toper. In this
section those who can rush oil? to Petoskey,
or some other resort up north, where they
find relief, while those who cannot leave
home just stay and sneeze and wipe and
fret it out. I say fret, for it is a very ner-
vous complaint, and if continued long
weakens the system very much. I find
taking quinine in small quantities very
beneficial; also smoking dried mullein leaves
and letting the smoke pass out through the
nostrils will soothe the affected parts. Of
course it does not look very pretty to see a
lady with a' pipe in her mouth, and if any of
the HOUSEHOLD readers know of anything
better I hope they will make it known.

As some of the readers have been telling
how to make grape wine, I would like to re-
late my first experience in that line: It
was shortly after being married and I had
plenty yet to learn, but I thought I knew
how to pack grapes, for some one had told
me to put a layer of grapes and a layer of
sugar. I did so; but instead of leaving
them in bunches, I picked them ofi the
stems. When winter came and I looked at
my grapes I found them very much shrunken
but swimming in rich, delicious wine. I
bottled it and kept some of it for several
years, using it as needed in sickness, but I
have never given my friends a chance to

 

laugh at me again for packing grapes in
sugar.

I enjoy the talks on books, as my time for
reading is rather limited and by exchanging
remarks on different books we can form bet-
ter ideas of what to purchase. I think too
much novel reading hurtful, but there are
those that do not hurt any one to read. The
best novel I have read lately is “Beulah,”
by Augusta J. Evans. It is old but very
interesting.

I would also like to have the ladies give
their choice in musical selections. My latest
favorite is “ Heavenward.” Though not

new it is a lovely march. “ Silvery Waves ”
is also a beautiful piece.” 0. B. B.
VICKSBURG.
-——¢oo———

USE FOR THE USELESS.

 

Mrs. W. J. G. wants to know what to do
with old plug hats. I’ll tell her. I am al—
ways willing to part with any information I
possess which may benefit my fellow women
and advance the cause of true culture;
“there’s nothing mean about me,” and I
will tell exactly what to do with these
relics. Choose an early day, the earlier the
better; select a safe and secure spot out of
doors, and gather there a lot of shavings,
chips, and dry bits of wood. Arrange
them symmetrically, and ignite them by
means of a lucifer match. When com-
bustion is complete, as indicated by copious
flame and smoke, place the best hat of the
lot squarely upon the apex of the funeral
pyre, and in virtuous consciousness of well
doing await its cremation. Repeat the
process till the accumulation is disposed of,
gather up the ashes tenderly—and “if ye
have tears prepare to shed them now”—
and scatter them gently upon the soil above
the roots of a peach or plum tree. This
recipe, carefully followed. will effectually
dispose of articles, which, having served
their purpose as head-covering, are of no
further earthly use, either economical, dec-
orative or useful. Try it, dear Mrs. W. J.

G., I’m sure you’ll be pleased.
BEATRIX.
”HO-—

A SALVATION ARMY PICNIC.

 

Happening to be staying near “Shady
Side” when the Salvation Army had their
picnic there, a party of us strolled down to
the grounds in time for the prayer meeting,
which followed the festivities. The women
were, of course, attired in the regulation
uniform of straight skirts and poke bon-
nets, and were not particularly interesting;
but the costume of one of the men attracted
our attention at once. His hat was covered
with white tarletan with long streamers,
and on his red flannel shirt was embroider-
ed in blue. “The Lord’s Own Boy!” The
meeting was opened by the leader‘s asking
all the sinners to come and sit on the
penitent seat—the drum! It was a pretty
good crowd, for no one accepted the invita—
tion. After singing “Lower the Chariot,’
a man began to pray. He announced that if
the “chariot” should be lowered at that
moment they would all be ready to step in.
“ But,” he continued, opening his eyes and
fixing them on our party, “All those
who laugh and scoff will take the down-
ward pa .” Iam sorry to say that this
terrible warning had little effect, for at that

    

 

moment a small boy, a recent convert, ex-
claimed, “Praise the—Lord!” clapping his
hands and bringing out the last word as if
he had been successful in capturing a
mosquito in his frantic claSp. This was
repeated several times, in fact, as often as
anyone got excited. They wound up by
singing, “You must be a lover of the
Lord, or you won’t go to Heaven when you
die.” The Conger arrived, and they were
taken aboard, with numerous cases of
empty beer bottles, and with a farewell
glance at “The Lord’s Own Boy” and his
girl, we wended our way homeward.
PORT HURON. E. C.
__.__...____
INFORMATION WANTED.

 

In organizing a Farmers’ Club. of course
all are invited to join, but are all invited to
attend merely as spectators?

Will Mrs. Fuller give directions for the
care of a wax vine; and tell me if the
lantana is considered a house plant.

Will some one tell me how to start potato
ball yeast.

Those who are fond of tomatoes may find
a new experience if they will try them with
sugar and cream.

I will send directions for knitting quilled
lace. which is pretty for children’s collars,
knit of fine thread or linen. Any desired
width may be knit by adding more stitches.
Knit or crochet a narrow edge for the neck.

QUILLED LACE.

Cast on eighteen stitches.

1st row, knit across plain.

2nd row, purl fourteen, leaving four on
the needle.

3d row. turn the work and knit fourteen.

4th row, purl fourteen.

5th row, knit fourteen, this ends one
quill.

6th row, knit across plain.

7th row, knit four, purl fourteen.

8th row, knit two, thread over, narrow six
times; this makes a. row of eyelets.

9th row, turn, purl fourteen.

10th row, knit across plain. Repeat from-

first row. Bass.
PLAINWELL.
- ——-—-¢o.————

A VISIT TO A CEMETERY.

 

.Near our place is an old cemetery. I loves

to wander among the tombstones and read

the iDSCriptions thereon. One little grave

in particular attracted my attention. 1
knelt beside it, and on the tombstone,
nearly covered with moss, I found these
words: “Little Willie, only son of
, aged five years.” Underneath was:
“Farewell, our sweet boy.”

My thoughts went back to the time
when those fond and loving parents stood
beside the open grave of their only boy.
How their hearts must have been wrung
with anguish when they realized that never-
more they would hear the patter of those
little feet, or receive its sweet childish
caresses, so dear to parents’ hearts. Could
they look through their tears and say “Thy
will be done?” Then unconsciously the
thought came to me, could I, if God saw fit
tocall away our little one, say, “Thy will
be done?”

Oh God forbid! take everything else, but
spare us our baby boy, the bright sunbeam
of our lives! How could I lay my little
darling away and know that never more
his little arms would twine around my neck,

 

 

     
  
   
  
   
   
  
  
   
   
  
    
   
 
  
 
 
   
  
    
  
       
   
  
 
 
   
   
   
 
  
  
   
     
    
     
   
  
  
   
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
    
   
  
   
   
   
  
  
   
 
   
   
    
   
  
   
    
    
   

    

 

 


 

 

THE HOUSEHOLD.

 

nor his lips murmur the name of mama;
that my bright dreams for his future were
forever ended! May God spare us from
that trial; but if it should come, may He en-
able us to say: “Thy will be done;” for
he has said: “Suffer little children to
come unto me and forbid them not, for of
such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Yes,
dear sisters, those of you, who have little
ones among the angels, there is comfort in
those words, and to know that ‘.‘ What-
ever is, isbest.” Unconsciously tears filled
my eyes, and as I arose, I pressed my oaby
closer to me and murmured a prayer that

God would spare him to us.

BONNIE SCOTLAND.
MASON.

-.. O».

F LORAL. OBSERVATIONS.

 

I am “sick unto death” of the scarlet
geranium as a bedding plant. It has be-
come commoner than the dandelion on our
city lawns, and with its garish blaze of
crude scarlet, is not half as beautiful as
that despised flower. I have nothing to say
against it as a single specimen, or in groups
of even ahalf dozen plants in the lawn; for
a winter house plant it is eminently desir-
able, but when planted in beds from six to
fifteen feet in diameter, as I sometimes
see it here, it becomes emphatically “too
much of a good thing.” Its brilliancy be-
comes offensive; it hurts the eves. A bed of
Phloa: Drummondz'i, of Petunias, of Ver-
benas, is far more restful to the eyes and
hence more beautiful.

The Salvia makes a beautiful bedding
plant; It has a deeper, richer hue than the
scarlet geranium, is less dazzling, the foliage
is to my taste more harmonious with the tint
of the flowers, its habit of growth more grace-
ful. Of course it blooms later and is less con-
stant, but it is worth growing. A fine bed
of it is just in bloom in one of our city gar-
dens which I pass daily. and is a constant
pleasure to me. - B.

——————— - 00¢»----—-

HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

 

IT might prevent the indulgence in a lit—
tle “choice early English ” on the part of
the “man of the house” if the wife would
remember to set the chairs back against the
wall after the family circle about the sitting-
room table has dissolved. If one has oc-
casion to enter the room in the dark, it is
not very pleasant to run against a chair or
two, since it is always one‘s favorite corn
that suffers.

 

IT drives a conscientious cook “wild”
to read some of the recipes given for pre-
paring food. We read directions for cook-
ing beefsteak recently, given by “an es-
teemed contemporary,” in which a piece of
lard was to be put in the spider, the meat
put in, a cover put on, etc., etc. It is awful
that such dreadful methods of cooking
should be practiced in this age, and still
more “awful” that the domestic depart-
ments of our agricultural press should dif-
fuse such doctrine. A woman who would
set before a confiding family a steak cooked
in that fashion ought to be sent to a lunatic
asylum. A gridiron for steak; if not that,
a hotspider, in which the meat is laid with-
out an atom of lard, or grease of any kind,
only the tiniest bit of butter to prevent its

 

 

sticking, and then turned as soon as it is
seared, the process repeated about once a
minute till it is done.

 

WE are led to again mention the possibil-
ities of “ Kentucky jean ”—blue deninr—for
draperies. The color is a fashionable shade,
the material drapes beautifully, and another
virtue is that it is inexpensive. It can be
used for portieres, window lambrequins, etc.
to good effect, and be decorated in any de-
sired fashion. It makes an excellent back—
ground against which to place open shelves
laden with a bric-a-brac.

A CORRESPONDENT of the Indiana
Farmer says one of the small leaks which
carry off the pennies might be stopped by
learning to mend the tinware at home, not
t) speak of the convenience of so doing.
She says:

“ Get five or ten cents worth of muriatic
acid and put into it all the zinc it will dis-
solve. You can probably get scraps of zinc
from some tinner. Then get some solder-
ing; I prefer the hard soldering. Whenever
a leak makes its appearance in any of the
tinware, scrape any rust off that may be
around it, then drop some of the acid upon
it to clean it; cut a piece of the soldering
and place upon the hole and hold the vessel
over a burning lamp, or set on the stove so
that only the place at the hole will be ex-
posed to the heat; let it stay until the
soldering melts, and spreads enough to
cover the hole, then remove and hold in
position until the soldering cools enough to
harden. If you want to mend any part
that cannot be be exposed to the lamp or
stove, then have an iron Spoon in which to
melt the solder; treat the leak in the same
way as to cleaning and applying the acid;
have a rod of iron heated at one end and
hold it on the leak until the parts around
are heated and then pour the solder on.”

 

“MEDDLESOME MATTIE,” in the 002m-
try Gentleman, thinks tomatoes, both for
the table and canning, are cooked ,too
much. She cans the fruit as follows: After
peeling crush each tomato in the hand; this
wrings out the juice in a way that cannot
be accomplished by slicing or mashing.
When enough are prepared for a can or two,
let them stand, while preparing more, when
much of .the juice can be poured off; then
press a plate well on them, and pour off all
the juice that can be obtained. After they
have boiled up well, and have been stirred
down once or twice, they may be canned,
with little or no morestewing than is given
berries or any other fruit, and in my
Opinion, the less fruit of any kind is
cooked, the more natural is its flavor. All
that tomatoes canned in this way require
before serving is to heat them only Suf-
ficiently to melt the butter and other season-
ing into them, adding a few split crackers
or thin bits of toast, as thickening them
with flour greatly detracts from their flavor.

—-—-—-‘OD—-—-—-—

THE HOUSEHOLD Editor wishes to
acknowledge the receipt of a cabinet photo-
graph of C. B. R., of Vicksburg, who thus
makes amends for her long silence.

—v—-¢o§—

WE are indebted to Mr. C. M. Starks for
a report of the discussion by the ladies of
the Webster .Farmers’ Club at the. recent
meeting of that flourishing organization.
The manuscript was received a little too
late for this issue of the Hosssnorm, but

 

 

 

will appear next week. Our thanks are
due the secretary and we would be glad to
have future discussions on women’s affairs
reported for our “little annex.”

90" . ———'

Contributed Recipes.

 

CANNED TOMATOEs.—Wash, slice and cook,
and put through the colander. (I believe Mrs.
F. did not cook). Heat up and can. '

TOMATO Crusoe—Scam one-half peck good
ripe tomatoes, strain through a fine colander
to remove the seeds and skins. Let cool;
then add four tablespoonfuls salt, three of
ground mustard, one of black pepper; one
teaspoonful of cayenne pepper, two of cloves,
and one pint best cider vinegar. Boil slowly
two hours; bottle and cork. X. Y. Z.

BATTLE CREEK.

 

MOUNTAIN DEw.—Four crackers, rolled
fine; one pint milk; teaspoonful butter; yolks
of two eggs; scant cup sugar; flavor. Bake
twenty minutes. Whisk the whites of the
eggs to a froth, stir in one heaping tablespoon-
ful sugar, and spread on the pudding when
done; return to the oven to brown.

MADE CREAM.—Half pint new milk; white
of one egg beaten to a. froth; stir into it one
heaping tablespoonful of powdered sugar and
a little nutmeg; then stir into the milk. Nice
for apple puddings, dumplings, Brown Betty,
&c. -

PLUM AND CRAB-APPLE JELLY.-—Use about
one-third plums to two-thirds crab—apples;
make as any other jelly, allowing a pound of
sugar to a pint of juice. The juice of the
plums colors and flavors the jelly very nicely.

MIXED PICKLES.—-Three hundred small cu-
cumbers: two quarts small onions; two heads
cauliflower; two quarts string beans; a few
stalks of horseradish and of celery. Soak in
brine twenty—four hours; rinse with boiling
water. Heat two gallons of vinegar with one
ounce each of white and black pepper, and a
quarter pound white mustard seed. Cook the
pickles in the vinegar for half an hour; put
in jars for use.

CAULIFLOWER Plexus—Make a syrup of
sugar and vinegar, as for any sweet pickle.
Four pounds of sugar to a quart of vinegar;
one tcaspoonful each of cinnamon and nut-
meg, one-half teaspoonful cloves. Tie the
spices in muslin bags. Cook the cauliflower
in this syrup till it is clear, and can.

PORT HURON. AL'NT L.

PEACH Meniscus—Stew peaches with as
little water as possible, and sweeten to taste.
Line apie—plate with a nice crust and bake.
Fill with the peaches and cover with a mer-
ingue made by beating to a froth the whites
of two eggs with two tablespoonfuls of sugar,
and a little lemon or vanilla extract. Set in
the oven to brown. Serve cold. The crust
can be omitted if desired. This is delicious.

CANNED GREEN GAGE PLUMS.—T0 every
pound of plums allow a quarter ofa pound of
sugar. Put the sugar and plums alternately
into the preserving kettle. first pricking
the plums to prevent their breaking. Let

them stand on the back of the stove for an
hour Or two, then put them over a moderate
fire and allow to come to a boil; skim and can
at once.

B.

 

 

SPRING-BLOOMING .BULBs

I have spring-flowering bulbs for sale at “it;
following rates: Hyacinths, double 1," : .isut,
20c each: one each of red. blue .«v-,.ovv and
White, 750. 1:1)11‘2112 livacmtne 7.5.1, Tulips,
single. scarlet, white £1.41 renew, 52-, double, Sc;
mixed, 500 per dozen. Narcrssus, double or
single, Sc; mixed, 50c per doz. Crocus, mixed,
20c per doz. Lily of the Valley, 25c; Day Lily
white or blue. 250. Paeonies, red, white and
rose, 250 each. MRS. M. E. FULLER,
Feuton, Mich.

 

 

 

 
 

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