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DETROIT, OCTOBER 19, 1586..

 

 

THE HOUSEHOLD-"Supplement.

 

 

THE CHILDREN WE KEEP. !
__ I
The children kept coming one by one.
Till the boys were five and the girls were three.
And the big brown house was alive with fun
From the basement door to the old roof tree.
like garden flowers the little ones grew.
Nurturr-d and trained with the tender-est care.
Warmed by love‘s sunshine, bathed in its dew.
They bloomed into beauty, like roses rare.

But one of the boys grew weary one day.

And leaning his head on his mother‘s breast,
He said: “ I am tired and cannot play:

Let me sit awhile on your knee and rest."
the cradled him close in her fond embrace.

She hushed him to sleep with her sweetest song,
And rapturous love still lighted his face

When his spirit had joined the heavenly

throng.

Then the eldest girl, with thoughtful eyes.
Who stood where "' the brook and the river
meet,”
Stole softly away into Paradise
Bre “ the river” had reached her slender feet.
While the father’s eyes on the grave are bent,
The mother looked upward beyond the skies;
-‘- Our treasures," she whispered, “ were only
lent,
Our darlings were angels in earth’s disguise.“

The years flew by and the children began

With longing to think of the world outside:
And as each in his turn became a man,

The boys proudly went from the father's side_
The girls were women so gentle and fair,

That lovers were speedy to win;
And with orange blossoms in braided hair.

The old home was left, new homes to begin.

So. one by one, the children have gone——
The boys were five and the girls were three:
And the big brown house is gloomy and lone.
With but two old folks for its company.
They talk to each other about the past,
As they sit together at eventide,
And say, “ All the children we keep at last.
Are the boy and girl who in childhood died.“

—-—-—-¢o¢——
“WILD GIRLS.”

 

The “wild” girl is a purely American
instantiou. In every other country young
femi iinity is tamed being turned loose in
Society; in America we let down the bars
and it cavorts at will in social pastures till
caught by the lasso of marriage. Henry
James gave us one type of American girl-
hood in “Daisy Miller,” and American girls
were not particularly pleased with the de-
lineation; yet “Daisy Miller” is not a
typical “wild” girl, only an unconven-
tionxl one. And I think that if some clever
satirist were to draw us a pen picture of the
gen'iine untamed, as she is met with in
circles which if not the most refined, the
most exclusive, or the highest, are yet
fairly representative of the great middle
stratum of Society, we would very probably
declare the likeness a caricature or a libel.

remr at the outset, in mistaking con—

nence in some circle or "set." She is in
spicuousness for pronrnence. She espec—
ially covets admiration, and her “wildness"
is assumed for the purpose of drawing
about her the young men, and gaining at-
tention. She discovers early in her career
that flippaucy and pertness will provoke
laughter, she cares little whether men laug hs
with her or at her. She finds that girls
who ”push” and crowd themselves for-
Ward get the attention and the compli-
ments; what does it matter that the latter
are “fished for,” and the invitations ex-
torted? The young men laugh and are
amused; and often, I am sorry to say,
provoke her from one excess of folly to an'
other, to see how far she will go, till that
respectable sober-minded class whom she
designates "old fogies" and “loves to
shock,” are really aghast at her indelicacy
and daring defiance of even ordinary
etiquette.
But there are some disadvantages in
being a “ wild ” girl; for even “ old fogies"
have considerable weight in Society, and
their disapproval is sometimes in the end
too strong to be ignored. These antiquated
ones are so unappreciative of the beauties
of “wildness” that they accuse her of
bad manners in interrupting her elders in
conversation, in running shrieking through
a crowded parlor, in telling young men to
“dry up,” “put up or shut up," or to
“skip out,” or trenching on the privileges
of the other sex in saying “Now Charley,
you’re going to take me tothe opera, are at
you?” These “poky old folks” have a
way of condemning street flirtatious and
“pick-up ” acquaintances, having such old-
faslrioned idea about introductions; and
sometimes these middle-aged tongues can
make quite sharp, biting remarks; though
generally she is too absorbed in devices to
be seen to care particularly how she is seen.
The wild girl has about her a train of
youths, often quite callow and unfledged,
who know a great deal more now than
they will ten years later, who satisfy her
longing for notice; she does not see
that the “nice” young men, whose ad-
miration she covets, pay butterfly visits to
her and soon flutter away, first amused,
then disgusted. Her court is constantly
changing; it is as disorderly as King
Petaud’s; there is nothing to hold but noise
and nonsense, the jingling bells and motley
garb of Folly. She devoutly desires to
make an advantageous marriage, but rarely
does so. What sensible man wants a

 

The wild girl usually aspires to promi-

leering, frisking giggler for a wife? She

beautiful lips will weary; even a rnuskal
voice is unrnusical in loud laughter, While
always favors that are free to all are
lightly held.

So the wild girl’s lot, Ts, after all, "not at
happy one.” She sees other girls mar-
ried, while she still lingers. u tlower pretty
well gone to seed in the "rosebud garden
of girls." She hears remarks about herself
which cut through even a wild girl’s
seasoned cuticle. Too late she realizes that
a young man who is worth having does not
choose a wife who has been Tom. Dick and
Harry’s "' best girl,” and that always to a
man with the normal complement of good
sense, there is a vast ditfercnce between the
girl he seeks and tries to win, and the one
who seeks to win him.

Our wild girl labors under a further dis-
advantage in being often misunderstood.
She may be simply silly or imprudent,
disregardful of social conventionalities,
without being bad in heart or morals. But
she is constantly liable to be mistaken for
one of the bad ones. because her loud talk
and laughter in public places, her freedom
of speech and manner, and conspicuous
dress, are after the fashion of Phyrne of.
the brazen stare. She thus encounters
dangers the modest, quiet gir never ex-
periences: in fact, she invites danger. She
never knows the respect and admiration in
which these lady-like girls are held. Some
one has compared the American girl to a
flower, saying: "Nothing can be freer
than the wild rose dancing in the breezes
and sunshine; but then, nothing is sweeter
or more natural. It needs no tall hedges
for protection. It has its own little thorns
and can use them." And yet. half the
beauty of the wild rose is in its environ—
ments, its retiringness, its inaccessibility.
When its' petals are crushed apart. as
thorns bent and broken down, who Utkrdb‘
for it! '

The career of the wild girl is not fit subject
for connnendation. She makes her friends
ashamed of her, and till she becomes so
brazenly defiant that she really cares no th—
ing for the opinion of others. conscience
and good sense goad her with innumerable
tiny stabs of shame and regret. And when
she gets grey and wrinkled, and sees other
wild girls making iliots of themselves,
just as she used to do, the sight would
seem to call an autumnal blush to her
hardened cheek as she recalls her own
career.

No, girls, it does not “pay,” in any
sense, to be “ wild.’7 Better be “wall-
flowers” than resort to the wild girl’s

 

may be pretty, but srlly platitudes from

methods. Better keep the respect and ad-

    
  
   
       
  
   
   
  
  
    
    
    
   
   
   
    
 
    
  
  
    
      
    
   
   
   
  
  
    
  
  
  
   
  
 
     
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
    
    
   
  
       
     
     
     
         

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2 THE HOUSEHOLD-.

 

miration of the “old fogies” than be re-
nowned for flippancy. There is one thing
we are none of us strong enough to do, and
that is defy Mrs. Grundy by reckless dis-
regard ot' decorum and good manners. We
may rebel inwardly, but we must obey ont-
wardly, and none of you can afford to be

“wild." BEATRIX.
-——-—<o
AMUSEMENT FOR THE LITTLE
ONES. ‘

 

I have been looking over some back
numbers of our IIOUsEHOLn, and read
Mrs. W. J. G.’s mode of amusing children
in pleasant weather, (viz., a pile of sand or
fine gravel, and small shovels or Old iron
Spoons). My thoughts went back many
years, to the time when there was a little
buy, an only son, in our home, and when
the weather was too severe for out-door
Sports, I furnished him with several small
bags, made of stout twilled cotton cloth,
each one holding half a pint of corn, or
other grain. These he would fill from a
box or small pail of grain, and load his
little cart, going tO imaginary markets
many times a day.

Another in-door amusement is a box
made of planed pine boards, and the size
used for a foot-stool, a paper of tacks,
and a good-sized tack—hannner, with a
claw. A child will soon learn to drive the
acks in the farm of letters, a star, or
;ome design that mamma can draw with
her pencil, cautioning him to not drive the
tacks in too far, so he can draw them out
easily, thus making one paper of tacks last
a long time. When tired of it, turn the box
over, and place hammer and tacks within.
What if I did have to sweep up a little corn
sometimes, or pick up a stray tack!

Since those days. that boy grew up to
manhood, graduated from the high school
at Ann Arbor, afterward from the law
school in the same city, practiced his pro-
fession with success a few brief years at
our county seat, and only two months ago
was stricken with disease, and after a few
days, Death took him, and we laid him
beneath the sod. None but those who
have been thus afflicted can know the
depth of our sorrow. DO you think I now
regret any labor performed,_ or sacrifice I
may have made? Mothers! be patient with
your restless little ones, and do not think
an hour lost you spend trying to amuse or
interest them in the long winter that is
coming. A FARMER’S WIFE.

PINCKNEY.
———+o¢——-—

THE SICK ROOM.

We have had some excellent letters in the
HOUSEHOLD on the care of the sick, and
toothsome recipes for dainties to tempt a
variable appetite. Yet nothing has been
said with reference to two most important
points, the arrangement of the sick room,
and what should be done after the con-
valescence or death Of the patient. Many
a serious illness has followed neglect of
proper disinfection of the sick room and its
contents. and some hints as to what should
be done may be timely.

In the first place, as soon as a person is
known to be seriously ill, he should be re-
noved, if possible. to a room remote from

the family living rooms; if such removal is
impossible, then the noise and bustle of
the home should be transferred to other
rooms. The most commodious and airy
room in the house should be chosen for the
sick, even if it be the sacred best parlor.
Most of us know instances where a sick
person has been nursed in a bedroom off the
d'ning room or kitchen; this is cruel to the
sick and most imprudent for the living.
The air from the sick room, laden with the
imperceptible emanations from the feverish
patient, is diffused through the rooms and
breathed into healthy lungs, while the
odors of cooking, etc., annoy the sick. I
heard of an instance, once, where awoman,
sick Of a dropsical affection, occupied a
room off the living room, which was used
for kitchen and dining room, and from
which opened another bedroom, occupied
by other members of the family. A safe
containing milk was kept in the living-
room, and the butter-making continued as
usual. No wonder that “a visitation of
Providence ” removed the sick woman to a
better world, and that others in the family
had a “close call.” The unnecessary fur-
niture, pictures, draperies, etc., should be
removed, a bed put up, placing it so that
the light from the window will not dazzle
the eyes of the occupant, and if the disease
isaontagious, the carpet, and everything
except what is absolutely essential, must be
removed Rugs, or strips Of old carpet,
may be laid down about the bed to deaden
the footfalls of attendants, or better, the
attendant may wear soft list slippers.
which are next to noiseless.

In the case of contagious diseases, isola-
tion Of patient and attendant should be as
complete as possible. N 0 article should be
taken from the sick room to other parts of
the house, after use in the sick room, un-
less disinfected. The linen from the bed,
and that worn by the patient, should be
washed by itself, and the water used in
washing it not thrown into the usual drains,
but emptied in a place by itself, and liberal
applications of lime or copperas water made
there. [I am writing this more particular-
ly for the residents in farm houses, where
there are no sewers] In case of diphtheria,
small-pox, scarlet and typhoid fevers, all
alvine discharges from the patient should
be disinfected with copperas water, or
some equally powerful disinfectant, and
buried, while those from the mouth and
nose should be received upon soft cloths
which should be promptly burned. The
dishes used in the sick room should be
washed by themselves, the towels, etc.,
kept separate from those used by the
family. Every possible precaution against
the spread of the disease should be taken.
No visitors should be allowed in the sick
room; it seems hard to deny the dying
mother a last look at her beloved children,
whom she must so soon leave, yet the last
fond caress is often death—laden. Princess
Alice, daughter of the Queen of England,
took diphtheria from her little daughter’s
lips inalast kiss, and mother and child
sleep together.

And after the patient has passed into
that stage of convalescence which permits
removal to another apartment, or after the

 

solemn commitment of “dust to dus

..

ashes to ashes,” has been made, what is to
be done? Whether the disease is conta-
gious or not, cleanliness and a regard for
the health of the survivors demands im-
mediate and complete purification of the
apartment and its contents, even at the
cost of an entire renovation. A room that
is not papered is best for a sick room, then
the cleansing whitewash can be liberally
applied; boiling water with copperas or
carbolic acid in it should be used upon the
floor; and the carpet—well, there ought not
to be a carpet to clean, but if there must
be, a thorough beating, sunning, or ex~
posureto the air for some time, should be
given it. If strips of old carpet are used,
they can be effectually purified by boiling
water and copperas. carbolic acid, or the
like, and kept for use again. The bedding
should be washed, every bit of it. A
straw mattress with several thick comfort-
ers spread over it, makes a comfortable
bed, especially in hot weather, and one
easily purified. I hardly know what to
advise in reference to a feather bed, par.
ticularly if the disease was contagious I
would not use such a bed.

We cannot be too careful and painstaking
in time of sickness, and I am well con-
vinced that the “ all run down ” condition
which prevails in a family after the serious
illness and perhaps death of a member, is
due not entirely to the physical fatigue and
strain upon the nerves of the survivors, but
is intensified by the carelessness or want of
knowledge which neglects proper sanitary
precautions after death.

Were I building a house, I think I would
try to have one room which should be con-
veniently situated and furnished for use in
case of sickness. It should be known as
“the hospital,” have an outside entrance,
as well as communication with other rooms,
and especial attention he paid to ventila-

tion. BEATRIX.
-————OO.—-———'

COMMENTS.

I have long thought I would mingle with
the HOUSEHOLD contributors, but time and
matter seemed to be lacking. Of late my
stove has seemed inclined to rust, and as
it is new I would like to have a little infor-
mation as tO the best method of keeping it
clean and black. It is 3. Garland cookstove
and has never been washed. I have used
the Rising Sun polish mostly. I have not
kept house many years, so do not know it
all.

I like the HOUSEHOLD very much. I cal-
culate to take in the whole of it, and as
much as I can of the Advance. My read-
ing seems to stop about there, for the past
few years; as I can not read to rest, like
many.

We were at the St. Johns fair, and I
wonder if I met Oriana? I wonder if she
felt I did, disgusted with fairs. Will the
time ever come when farmers will have a
fair to compare farm products, stock and
skilled work, one which will improve as
well as please, instead Of these side shows
and gambling dens, which are furnished by
the powers that be? I would say that I used
to teach school. Would you think it?
Alas, I seem to be one of the “has been’s.”
I used to love the work too, so much I fear

 

I. am a little like Lot’s wife, but the passion

  
 
 
 

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THE HO U‘SEHOLD.

3

 

 

is somewhat assuaged by the weekly meet—
ing with some little folks in the Sunday
school.

I do not think it at all out of place for a
girl to play ball, if she is reasonable; she
can be a lady on the play ground; in fact I
have set the example, and never felt that I
compromised my dignity. An appropriate
time and place should be chosen, it seems
to me. and no harm need be done.

VICTOR. TRI’DE.

——-+09——————-——
ALL FRAU DS.

 

A correspondent wishes to know Beatrix’s
opinion of the firms in our large cities which
advertise to send work to be done at home,
promising good pay and light work. Bea-
trix’s opinion is that they are frauds, and
she would not waste even a two cent post-
age stamp on such advertisements. General-
ly the schemes are worked thus: A circu-
lar is sent in reply to each application say-
ing the work is coloring photographs, or
Keusington or other embroidery, as the case
may be, which the firm agrees to pay for.
liberally; but either a “ small deposit as evi
deuce of good faith,” to “secure the firm
for the goods,” or some such excuse, is de-
manded, or else the applicant must pur-
chase the materials for doing the work.
Whatever the scheme, the too-confiding in—
dividual who forwards the “ small deposit ”
either never hears from it again, or receives
in return some trash which is far below the
worth of the money sent. A young lady
of this city obtained “work” in this way,
and in return forthe small amount of money
sent received a small piece of cotton velvet,
stamped with a half-obliterated pattern, to
be embroidered. Though she does beauti-
ful work, she was notified, per postal, after
several letters asking for the money deposit-
ed and the pay for her labor had been de-
spatched, that the work was so poorly done
they could not pay for it.

In another instance the money was to pay
for materials, which were sent and proved
to be worth about one quarter of the sum
charged for them. The work was returned
but pay was refused, “ the execution not
being up to the standard.” Some of the en-
terprises may do a legitimate business, but
their methods render them justly objects of
suspicion.

In one of our interior towns, not long
since, a young man worked this scheme at
shorter range than usual. He induced a
number of ladies to take lessons in coloring
photographs, promising them steady work at
good prices, and collecting his pay for les—
sons, materials, etc., in advance. As soon
as he had his victims “trying their ’pren-
tice hand” on cheap pictures, he left town
and has not since been heard from.

I would not advise any one to put faith
in these advertisements. The advertisers
are cunning, they keep within the limits of
the law, transgressing its spirit, not its let-
ter. They usually receive mail at a box at
he post-office, or hire desk roomin some ob-

cure building on a well-known street.
When they have gathered in the harvest of

small coin—for their bait is skillfully man-
aged, they ask but a small sum from each,
but which collected from their many
Victims aggregates a good income for them
—-they are as easily lost to their dupes as the
proverbial “ needle in a haystack.”

 

Last winter an agent with a seductive
smile and talk enough to crack ice, victim-
ized a number of ladies in this city in this
fashion: For a small subscription, two dol-
lars, I think, he promised the reading of all
the issues of the Franklin Square library.
This includes not only much good light lit-
erature, but also a considerable portion that
is “solid” and not obtainable in cheap form
elsewhere. The books were to be kept at a
certain locality and new ones to be added as
published. The project looked “lovely.”
He took the two dollars in every instance
where he could get it, and if his victims
could not or would not pay it down he ob-
tained their signatures to his book and would
“ call later.” He “called later” on a friend
of mine, who said her cash would be forth-
coming promptly when the “ library” was
established and the books ready for perusal.
He blustered awhile, then left, only to call
a few days after, and repeat the bluster.
She refused to pay until the books came.
Shortly afterwards she received a letter say-
ing suit would be begun to eniorce payment
unless payment was prompt, on which the
agent received an invitation to begin suit at
his earliest convenience. A letter from a
well-known legal shyster was received in a
short time threatening prosecution, to which
no attention was paid, and that was the last
of it. No books were received; no “library”
has been started.

Keep your money, unless you know where
it is going, and have reasonable hopes of
dealing with responsible parties. And re-
member, in a wicked world like this, where
saints and sinners are jumbled together,
with an alarming superabundance of the
latter, that you need never expect to get
“something for nothing” from even these
philanthropic individuals who labor to do
good to humanity.

.M.._____
WHISTLE IF YOU LIKE.

 

Well! to be sure! how many random shots
will strike a mark, and how many un-
suspected corns we tread upon in walking
about “promiscuous like.” Oriana can’t
see any harm in “girls whistling at home,”
and H. A. B. R. confesses to “whistling
softly.” It may be these mild statements
will be taken as tacit admission of a doubt
of the propriety of the custom, as a
general performance. Don’t be bashful,
ladies; A. L. L. is ready to face any music,
even whistling; and you may speak out
loud in meeting, and not put yourselves to
the trouble of whispering.

To avoid all possible chance of miscon-
struc'tion, I assure the HOUSEHOLD ladies
that I am not critical as to the fashions fol—
lowed by our young people; or older ones,
either, so long as they are kept in modera-
tion. I have no objection to bangs, if they
will leave a suggestion of a forehead. I
admit short hair to be becoming to some
heads, and the wearing of it in that way
more sensible and healthful than the way
described by H. A. B. R... but “allee samee”
in my observation whistling and short hair
go largely together, and with all deference
to dissenting voices, I am not convinced
that whistling and singing are as near
alike as a “ fiddle and violin.”

I fancy the most ardent advocate of

 

whistling would, in practice, find many
places where she would sing where she
would not whistle.

I am heartily glad that the starting of
the question has added another able con-
tributor to the columns of the HOUSEHOLD,
one of firm convictions and fearless mind;
ready to defend them and given areason
for her faith. Such unprejudiced, fair-
minded people are needed in every com-
munity and circle, to keep lesser lights
from being befogged in their own mists,
and lost in their own misconceptions. But,
let me explain that indigestion was not the
cause Of the criticized article. I am not of
a bilious temperament, nor and subject to
the bonds of gall and bitterness; but am
always amenable to discipline, frankly in-
vite criticism, and thoroughly enjoy a good
literary “rubbing down,” as it conduces to
variety, which is the spice of life.

So, H. A. B. It, sing with or without
"accompaniment,” whistle to your heart’s
content, but do not forget to visit the
HOUSEHOLD again.

I would say to Oriana I do not Object to
girls playing ball, but if they learn to
“throw balls like a boy,” a hitherto ac-
knowledged impossibility of nature is
overthrown, and an avalanche of other un-
suspected possibilities invited.

Although 11. A. B. R. “sees no signs of
topsy-turvy conditions,” she gives very con-
vincing testimony to its truth, in saying,
"Old things are passing away, all things
are new.”

I cordially congratulate the voting lady
on her escape from a hirsute chin, and
advise her to keep it in motion if that will
save her. She will not envy the gentleman
his “full set of wisdom teeth,” in her
gratitude for his valuable suggestion.

INGLESIDE. A. L. L.
-——¢o¢———

BUTTER-MAKING.

This topic is one of interest to most
farmers’ wives, to the older ones, who wish
to keep themselves conversant with the
new methods, and eSpecially so to the
younger, who have much to learn, and wish
to know the best ways. From an article in
the U. S. Dairyman we take the following,
not because the ideas are new, but because
they are worth a practical application:

“From the fact that sweet and sour
cream require different temperatures for
churning, the two should'never be mixed.
They cannot be churned together with-
out loss. At least twelve hours should
intervene between the churning and the
last addition of cream, that the whole
mass may become in the same condition.
Thorough mixing of the cream by stirring
helps secure a uniformity of condition,
but time or oxygen is an important elemen
in the problem.

“Use only the best salt in your butter
and incorporate it with the butter in the
best manner. Do not grind it into the
butter by working the salt in while un-
dissolved, but keep the mass of butter in a
granular condition, sprinkle the salt over i
and carefully stir it in. The butter should
beat a temperature of 58 degrees or below

“ The use of brine among butter makers
is much more popular than it used to be.
It is now used by many in washing butte

 
 
 
 
 
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
     
    
 
 
 
 
  
   
    
   
    
   
  
  
    
    
    
 
     
    
     
     
      
      
     
      
    
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


4:

THE HOUSEHOLD.

 

and some salt their butter only by brining
it. If brine is used in washing and fresh
water is not subsequently used, brine salt-
ing will make the butter as salt as it ought
to be, or as most people like it. But if
washed with fresh water, more or less of the
water will remain in the butter, and this
will weaken the brine. A better way of
salting is to leave the butter in a granular
form, and drain out the water until just
enough is left to dissolve the salt, then
sprinkle on the salt and carefully stir it in
at a temperature of 58 degrees or below.
This will give an even salting and obviate
working. All that will be needed willbe
to press the butter together into a solid
mass. But only fine. even-grained and
easily dissolved salt should be used, and
that of the finest kind.

“ A good way to prepare brine for salting
butter, or for any other purpose where a
pure brine is needed, is to first boil the
water, skimming off any scum, and 'then
dissolve in the water all the salt that it will
take up. Let the brine itself come to a
boil. Put in salt enough so that a little
will settle on the bottom, in an undissolved
condition. In this way, the brine is sure
to be a saturated one. Then let the brine
cool and settle, taking the scum off from
the top with a skimmer. When thoroughly
settled and cooled, rack ofl the brine and
put it into a clean, sweet tub or jar for
future use, being sure to keep it carefully
covered so that no specks, dirt, dust, flies,
bugs or other insects can get into it. In
this way a quantity of brine may be made
and always kept on hand for use. It is
good to work or salt butter with, and is
specially handy and useful to pour over the
tops of packages that are to stand, so as to
exclude the air.

“The secret of packing butter and keep-
ing it in good condition consists in making
the packages air-tight or in excluding the
air from the butter. In wooden tubs, of
course the air will come in contact with
the contents. But let the tub be thoroughly
saturated with pickle, and over the top of
the butter spread a thin cloth (which ought
to have all starch or dressing washed out of
it and then be scalded before using,) letting
the edge come up a half inch or more
around the tub. Then cover the cloth with a
half inch or more of salt and moisten it with
pure water—indeed, put on water enough
to make a brine, and keep it there, but not
water enough to dissolve all the salt. This
will almost completely exclude the air and
put the butter in the best condition to
keep, but a cool sweet place to keep it in is
necessary. It kept very cold, however,

as in cold storage, it will soon go off flavor
when exposed to a high temperature.”

..- ”—49%”—

YEAST FROM THE START.

Not long ago one of our correspondents
made inquiry about the right way to start
yeast “from the beginning.” No one has
made answer, hence we give the following
from an exchange:

“Boil for one half hour one ounce of hops
in two quarts of water. Strain and cool to
milk warmth; then add half a handful of
salt and one-quarter pound of brown sugar.
With this mix smoothly one-half pound of
flouer. Cover and keep where you would

 

bread to rise, stirring frequently. The eighth
day wash and boil and mash without paring
one and one-half pounds of potatoes. When
milk warm add to the yeast and return to
its place, stirring as before. Let it stand
till the next morning, when, after straining
through a fine colander, it is ready for use.
One large spoonful of yeast to a pint of
water for bread. Keep the yeast in a jar on
the cellar floor, covered with a plate. It will
keep three or four weeks in warm weather,
and in cold till used up. Even when it
seems quite sour it does not affect the sweet-
ness of the bread.”

We would be glad if our friends would
kindly send us replies to the inquries made
through the HOUSEHOLD. Do not think
others will write and you can be excused.
If all act on that thought our young house-
keepers will not get the help they ask for.

_...____..,. w“—

HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

A FEW fine clusters of grapes may be
preserved for dessert on Thanksgiving. or
for some other great day, by selecting those
with long stems, carefully removing every
broken or imperfect grape, and then en-
closing each cluster in a paper bag, tying it
closely and hangng it to a nail in a cool
room.

['1‘ is said that the very finest coal ashes,
that deposit of dust which settles on the
ledges of the stove, is “the very nicest thing
in the world ” to clean discolored nickel or-
naments. The HOUSEHOLD Editor can bear
witness that such ashes are very effectual in
brightening silver, and in her limited house-
keeping economy are preferred to whiting,
etc.

SALT pork will sometimes get “rusty,”
the usual name applied to a somewhat taint~
ed or soured condition. This is Sometimes
due to impurities in the salt, too weak brine,
or to the meat not being entirely under
brine. As in many other cases, “ an ounce
of prevention is worth a pound of cure,”
but a remedial measure is to soak the meat,
after it is cut for frying, in water in which
a teaspoonful of soda has been dissolved.
Rinse in clear water afterward, before frying.

THERE is not much encouragement to
the ladies who have taken up silk culture to
enlarge their incomes in a recent circular
sent out by the Commissioner of Agri-
culture, who is desirous of buying
a few thousand pounds of dry co-
coons for which the highest price which will
be paid is 31 15, and this only for such as
will produce one pound of silk from four
pounds of raw material. He further says
that in this country but few raisers produce
cocoons of such quality as will command the
maximum price quoted. The charges of
transportation must be borne by the shipper,
who is instructed that it is advisable to send
a sample of the cocoons before shipment.

How many of our HOUSEHOLD readers
examined the “ Eureka dishwasher,” ex-
hibited at our State Fair? N 0 one has told
us anything about it. Here is a description
of it taken from an exchange. How do you
think you would like it? “ The dish-wash-
er was a tub or tank about 9% feet in diam-

 

4

eter and 20 inches in height, made of gal—
vanized iron, from the top of which project-
ed a shaft with gearing and crank a la ice
cream freezer. Near the bottom of the tub,
attached to the shaft, was an agitator, which
might be compared to a turbine water—wheel;
or, perhaps more properly, to an iron tur—
bine windmill, and when the shaft was
turned rapidly by means of the crank and
gearing, the arms of the agitator ‘scooped
up ’ the water that had been placed in the
washer and threw it upward with consider-
able force. Just above the agitator, upon a
rack made of wire, are placed the dishes
upon edge. When the dishes are in place

the covers are closed and the crank turned
about two minutes, when it is claimed that
the dishes will be perfectly cleaned. If the
victuals have been allowed to dry upon the
dishes before they are washed, it will be
necessary to give the crank a few turns,
then do some other work while the dishes
are ‘soaking.’ After the dishes are thor-
oughly cleaned, the water is drawn off,
hot water put in, the crank given a few
turns, the water drawn off again, the cover
raised, and the dishes wipe themselves.”

M. W., of Ionia, would be glad if some of
the HOUSEHOLD readers will tell her how to
make an afghan, and also a lamp-mat. The
prettiest mats for this purpose the Housm—
HOLD Editor has ever seen, to her taste, are
those in shades of red or green, which are,
we believe, known as “ moss” mats. They
are made by tying strands of the wool with
the same color, and cutting it, but we do not
know just how. Will not some one give us
directions for this and other styles?

Contributed Recipes.

Boss GINGERBREAD—One cup molasses;
one tablespoonful sugar; one ditto butter;
two teaspoonfuls soda; two-thirds cup boiling
water; one-fourth teaspoonful salt; spice to
taste. Put the molasses and sugar in a bowl,
add one teaspoonful soda, then the butter,
mixing well. Stir in flour until it is very stiff,
as stiff as it can be stirred. Dissolve the other
teaspoonful of soda in the boiling water, stir
this into the other ingredients; it will be like
rich cream; bake immediately. This will
make two tins-tn].

SPONGE (Lure—One tumbler sugar; two
eggs; two teaspoonfuls baking powder in one
tumbler flour; half tumbler water. Flavor
with vanilla. This is excellent to bake in
layers for jelly cake.

CORN STARCH CAKE—TWO cups sugar; one -
cup butter; whites of six eggs; three tea-

spoonfuls baking powder; one cup sweet milk;
one cup cornstarch; two and one-half cups of
flour. Flavor with lemon.

GRANDMOTHER’S Commits—One and a half
cups sugar: two eggs; one cup butter; 01.."
cup sour milk; one teaspoonful soda. N ut—
meg.

FRENCH CAKE.—-TWO cups sugar; half cup
butter; three cups flour; three eggs; one cup
sour milk; one teaspoonful soda.

MRS. C. W. J.

DETROIT.

 

 

SPRING-BLOOMING BULBS

Ihave spring-flowering bulbs for sale at the
following rates: Hyacinths, double I“ ‘ . ,
200 each; one each of red. blue w and
white, 750. rtrrmau n‘ .~.u~.ntns. Er. Lullps,
single, scarlet, white &.;J ren JW, 5?: double, Sc;
mixed, 500 per dozen. Narcissus, double or
single, Sc; mixed, 500 per doz. Crocus, mixed,
$0 per doz. Lily of the Valley, 250; Day Lily‘
white or blue, 25c. Paeonios, red. white and
rose, 250mb. MRS. M. A. FULLER.

Box 297, Fenton, Mich.