[Miscellaneous recipes 871]

135.  Hemstitching.—­When hemstitching wears out, take serpentine braid and stitch it across twice on the sewing machine.  This makes the hem look neat and last a long time.

136.  Moths.—­When moths get into dresser drawers, sweep them clean, expose the wood to the sunlight and with an atomizer spray turpentine where the pests are liable to be.  A lighted match or sulphur candle will kill them.

137.  To Remove Putty.—­To remove putty, rub a red hot poker over it, and cut off the putty with a steel knife.

138.  New Method for Sprinkling Clothes.—­Turn the nozzle of the hose to a fine spray and sprinkle the clothes while they are on the line; a very quick and good method.  All plain pieces may then be rolled up and laid in the basket as they are taken down, while starched articles need but a little further hand sprinkling on portions not exposed.

139.  To Open Packages of Breakfast Food.—­To open packages of breakfast food and keep boxes in a dust proof condition until empty, make an opening in the side of box close to top by forcing a tablespoon through cardboard and turn flap downwards.  The flap will fit back snugly in place each time package is used.

140.  Preparing Oranges for the Table.—­In preparing oranges for the table take a sharp knife, cut the skin straight around, insert the handle of a spoon turned over flat to fit the orange and loosen shell by forcing spoon to within one-half inch of the end, around one side, then the other, after which cut the orange through the center, making two parts.  Then turn the skin back in cup form, making a pretty decoration for the table and serving as handles.  Always serve in halves.

141.  To Make a Muddy Skirt Wash Easily.—­To make a muddy skirt wash easily and look white, take sour milk and dilute with water; soak the skirt in it over night, then wash in the usual way; the skirt washes easier and looks white.

142.  To Make Stained Water Bottles Clean.—­To make stained water bottles clean and bright, put in salt and pour on vinegar, let stand a few minutes then shake.  Rinse in clear water.

143.  Sanitary Window Screen.—­Try tacking cheese cloth on the pantry window screen frame.  This admits air that is sifted free from smoke and soot, before it comes into the pantry.

144.  Cheerfulness at Meals.—­Cheer during the meals will do away with the need of digestive tablets.  Make it a rule to come to the table smiling, and continue to smile, though the food does not suit you and everyone else is down on their luck.  Your smile will prove contagious.

[872 Mothers’ remedies]

145.  Uses for Stale Bread.—­Take stale biscuits and grind them with a food chopper; toast in oven to a delicate brown.  Serve with plenty of sugar and cream.  Makes fine breakfast food and saves the stale bread.

146.  Washing Lemons.—­Always wash lemons before grating them, not only to remove any foreign matter sticking to them, but in order to remove the tiny insect eggs so often seen on them in the disguise of black specks.  They may be kept fresh indefinitely, if wiped perfectly dry and placed in a sealed top glass jar.