71.  Broom Bags.—­Good material for a broom bag or cover is old gauze underwear.  The goods takes up dust very readily, and is easily rinsed out; or a piece can be thrown away without waste.

72.  To Settle Coffee.—­An economical and satisfactory way to settle coffee is as follows:  Beat one egg well with an egg beater and pour over one pound of freshly-ground coffee, mix very thoroughly and no trace of dampness then remains.  The coffee may then be put away as usual, and when used it will be found as clear as amber.

73.  Stocking Tops for Convenient Holders.—­For soft, convenient holders use old stocking tops.  Take two thicknesses, cut in squares, bind all around with some bias pieces left from calico dresses and sew a brass ring on one corner.

74.  Hat Hangers.—­It is often convenient to hang up hats, even “Sunday-go-to-meeting ones.”  To make sure that everyone will stay hung up, and not fall to the floor to be soiled or crushed under foot, sew a loop of narrow ribbon or elastic braid or even shoestring, to the middle of the lining, making the loop long enough so that it will reach to the edge of the hat crown when the loop is pulled out.  This can be done and passed over hook or nail or peg, and the hat hung over it, and even if the hat gets a hard knock, it’s a case of “sure on” every time.

[Miscellaneous recipes 865]

75.  To Freshen Bread.—­To freshen bread pour cold water all over the loaf, drain quickly, and place in the oven.  When the outside is dry and hot remove the loaf and it can scarcely be detected from a new one.

76.  Renewing Wringer Rollers.—­A neighbor rejuvenated a worn-out wringer the other day by covering the rolls with white felt.  She cut the felt so that it would just come together, not overlap anywhere, and caught the edges together with close stitches.  It bids fair to last her as long again, and it is certain that just now the wringer does as good work as any new one.

77.  To Prevent Cake Tins Sticking.—­Flour the baking tins after greasing them.  If the flour is shaken all over the grease, and the tins rapped, you will have no difficulty with sticky cakes which break when you try to get them out.  Lard is just as good as butter, for it will not taste through the flour.

78.  Substitute for Chopping Bowl.—­When chopping mincemeat, tomatoes, or large quantities of other fruit, you will probably find that your chopping bowl is a good deal too small.  Get a clean wooden box with a thick bottom, from your grocer and use it instead of your bowl.  You will notice a great saving of time is effected.

79.  Save the Gas.—­Cut strips of asbestos paper an inch and a half wide and long enough to go around the burners of the gas range.  Pin together to form a ring, slip over the burner, and all the heat will be concentrated where wanted.  In this way the gas can be half turned off and the same results obtained.