Tobacco for Plant Insects—­One tablespoonful of smoking tobacco soaked in a quart of water for twelve hours or more makes a solution that will destroy insects and promote the growth of the plant.  It must be poured on the soil about every two months.

When a Wax Candle is Too Large for the holder the end should be held in hot water until it is soft.  It can then be pressed into shape to fit the hole and there will be no waste of wax, as when slices are shaved off the end of a candle.

Salt Water to Clean Matting—­A cloth dampened in salt water is the best thing for cleaning matting.

To Lay New Matting—­Cut each width six inches longer than necessary.  Then unravel the ends and tie the cords together.  When the matting is taken up to be cleaned it cannot unravel and there will be no waste.

To Clean White Furniture or Woodwork—­Use clean turpentine and a soft cloth to clean white enameled woodwork or furniture.  It will remove all spots without removing any of the gloss, as soap is liable to do.

To Remove Spots from Varnished Wood—­Spots made by water on varnished tables or other furniture may be removed by rubbing them with a cloth wet with camphor.

To Clean Greasy Woodwork—­Paint or woodwork that has become greasy can be cleaned with a cloth dipped in turpentine.  Then wipe with a cloth dipped in water to which a little kerosene has been added.

To Clean Soiled Marble—­Pound two parts of common washing soda, one part each of pumice stone and finely powdered chalk, mix together, sift them through cheesecloth, and make into a paste with water.  Apply thickly and let it dry on; then wash well with soap and water and rub well with a soft cloth.  Never use acids on marble as they destroy the gloss.

To Clean Oil Spots from Marble, first wash the stone thoroughly; then place a sheet of blotting paper over the spots and set a hot iron on it; this will draw the oil out and the blotting paper will absorb it.

Handy Fruit Picker for Farmers and Suburbanites—­Take a large tomato can or other tin can and cut a V-shaped hole in one side at the top, about 1-1/2 inches wide and 2-1/2 inches deep.  On the opposite side of the V-shaped hole, nail the can to a long pole.  This device is useful for picking apples and many varieties of fruit from upper branches where it is almost impossible to reach them by ladder.  It also prevents damage to the fruit by falling.

To remove stains, etc.

All spots and stains can be removed much more easily before washing.  Fruit stains are probably the most common and they will usually disappear if the stained portion is held taut over a basin and hot water poured over and through it.

Butter or Salt for Stains—­To remove fruit, tea or coffee stains from cotton or linen goods, rub butter on the stains and then wash with hot water and soap.  Remove wine stains by sprinkling salt on them and then pouring boiling water through them.