Original in GOOD HOUSEKEEPING. RECREATION FOR LEISURE HOURS. wool twelve inches wide and nine inches long; spread thickly ERY pretty hair-pin receivers are made of of the pond-lily, fasten these round the top of the basket, so Pine cones are very decorative. They may be bronzed or gilded, and then a small picture frame screw and eye fastened in one end and placed among loops of ribbon to decorate fancy baskets or wall pockets. On wood baskets they are very appropriate. There was a lovely one at the "Art Rooms," made of the woven mats that raisins are bought in. The mats are about two yards around. Make two loops of one-third of the distance and of the remaining part form a circle. They must be lined with some stout material and have a wire band round the top to keep it in shape. Make a handle of heavy hat braid and then bronze the outside and paint an appropriate quotation in black or a different colored paint from the ground. Fasten the cones at the top of the two loops, or a pretty border of the small cones might be put around the top of the basket. MAY BLOSSOMS. Ah! through all those dreary moments, Thou child of beautiful May time Must thou my little darling, Bend 'neath the winds that blow Strong as my love might be It could not hold thee the sunshine Manicure cases may be made at home much more cheaply than the regulation ones found in the stores. A piece of plush or satin, seven by twelve inches, makes a pretty size. Quilt a silk or satin lining the same size. Make a full pocket across one end for the chamois, emery paper and small pad. Stitch a strap made of satin-covered canvas at intervals, for the other implements. When these are finished, place the right side of the lining and outside together and sew all around, leaving room enough to turn it on to the right side and blind-stitch the opening. Sew a ribbon to the center of one end, to tie the case with after it is finished. Very pretty Collected for GOOD HOUSEkeeping. wall cushions are made in the shape of a four-leafed clover. Pretty bon-bon baskets are made by taking little fancy shaped wicker baskets,—those shaped like hampers are the prettiest. Some have covers, others do not. They should be gilded both inside and outside, and when dry trim with gay satin ribbons. When filled with candy, are quite pretty for gifts. Sachets in egg shape are pretty. Cut two pieces of thin card board in the shape of a large egg; cover one side of each with satin; place several layers of scented cotton between and sew together very neatly. Paint some pretty designs on one side. A handsome cloth for the center of the dining table is of twilled linen, eighteen inches square. Around the sides are traced large maple leaves; one leaf at each corner underlopping those on each side of it. These are outlined with different shades of heavy gold or copper-colored floss. The veins are worked in stem stitch and the space in the leaves are filled in with different lace stitches. Cut the outer edge of the cloth close to the embroidery. Small napkins have a drawn work border and the centers are thickly sprinkled with daisies, overloping each other somewhat. The daisies are outlined in stem stitch with gold-colored silk, and the center loosely filled with French knots. For a very lovely handkerchief case, take a piece of lamb's 'Tis thou must abide the night; -Katharine Irving. SPARE MINUTES WITH AUTHORS. Reticence, concentration and continuity are characteristics which cannot influence one part of a man's life without influencing the rest as well. Nature does not do things by halves, and the nerves which animate the gesture at the table are the same which guide the chisel at the work bench. The habit of studying before proceeding is co-existent with the necessity of considering before acting; and a man who is reticent concerning one half of his thoughts is not communicative about the other half. Whatever temper of mind we choose will surely become chronic in time, and will be known to those among whom we live as our temper, our own particular temper, as distinguished from the tempers of other people. He who seeks peace will find that with advancing age the peaceful moment, that once came so seldom, returns more readily, and that at last the moments unite to make hours, and the hours to build up days and years. Lovers wish that the whole earth might be one garden, crossed and recrossed by silent, moon-lit paths; and when love has taken the one and left the other, he who stays behind would have his storm-beaten rocks, that he may drown in the depths, or be dashed garden changed to an angry ocean, and the sweet moss-banks to to pieces by the waves, before he has had time to know all that he has lost. -F. Marion Crawford, in Marzio's Crucifix. Original in GOOD HOUSEKEEping. W FLOWERS. VI. May, thou month of rosy beauty, May's the month that's laughing now, Than it seems as though it heard Like a sweet face, rosily- Like a bride who knows her power Startled in a summer bower.-Leigh Hunt. HILE riding through the country in summer time, one often sees by the doorway of a miserable shanty, a straggling rose, growing in an old paint or nail cask. Still oftener in village or city, through the dirty windows of an unkept tenement house, are seen whole rows of tin cans, decorated indeed, but with flaming tomatoes or sprawling lobsters, in which are trying to thrive sickly looking plants. Most pitiable proofs of how strong the love of flowers is, even with those living in the most adverse circumstances! Gardening without a garden may seem rather parodoxical, but want of garden or ground room is a serious drawback with many, who would delight in the cultivation of plants and flowers. To those who may be in this situation I have some suggestions to make. Try an upland garden, or a garden above ground. "How?" I hear some one say. Simply, my dear woman, by making a whole flower-garden in boxes and pots. There is nothing neater and prettier than the common red earthen flower jars; but even to these there are objections. The large ones when filled with earth, and growing or large plants, are too heavy for you to lift without help, and with help awkward to handle. Besides as many as you would like for an upland garden, would be quite an expense for, because "money answereth all things" you may not always have it to spend for coveted luxuries. You will find at the hardware, grocery and drug stores, wooden boxes of different sizes and shapes; these boxes, when nicely painted, with strong iron handles on the ends, you will find inexpensive, cleanly, and comfortable to handle. First, select your boxes-after fully deciding what and how many plants you wish to grow in them. You will need strongly made boxes, though they need not be made of heavy or thick boards. They should be nailed boxes, instead of being made with locked joints without nails. For sowing seeds and for holding small pots, shallow boxes you will find useful, but for regular plant boxes, the smaller ones should be seven or eight inches deep, and the large ones from ten to twelve. This depth will secure room for deep drainage, more imperative in boxes than in the earthen flower jars. After you have bought or begged your boxes, you will need to buy a good, though not large paint brush, and a can of prepared paint, also a bottle of turpentine, some iron handles-much like what are used for kitchen drawer pulls, a few round iron nails with flat heads, a good sized gimlet and last, though not of the least importance, hunt up a pair of old kid or leather gloves with long wrists. You are now ready to begin the painting which is best done in a clear day. Before painting your boxes, make a few gimlet holes in the bottom of each box. Choose a room or place to work where your painted boxes can be left to dry. When you have a shelf or table on which to stand them as soon as they are painted you are all ready to put on your gloves and button them as carefully as for a dress party, for you will find paint most provokingly insiduous. I quite forgot to tell you, or rather to ask you to desist, however strongly you may be tempted, from buying red paint in any of its alluring shades. "Burnt Umber" is a good color, not only wearing well but, pleasant to the eye, and the rich handsome brown blends so well with the different shades of green, and also with the bright or pale flowers. Now we have the color settled beyond question, we will proceed to open the can of paint, which can be done with a can opener or an old vegetable knife. A deep plant saucer is a good thing to mix the paint in which you will do by first dipping out a small quantity of the thick paint and make it the right consistency by adding turpentine, a little at a time, constantly stirring until very smooth. Dip your brush in daintily at first, you will soon get the knack, even if you have never taken "lessons in painting," and surprise yourself that the whole job will be so quickly done. After a few days drying add a second coat of paint, painting the top edge and for an inch or two down the inside. When well hardened after the last coat of paint, fasten the handles on to all the boxes that you think cannot be easily moved about with one pair of hands. Now you can plant your garden, if you have provided yourself with suitable soil and plenty of good light drainage. Broken crockery, oyster shells, which of themselves furnish a little plant food, and a generous share of charcoal. Be careful that your soil is neither cold nor sodden. You would better wait until the sun has well warmed and dried it, then you can rub it through your hands, or sift it, which is perhaps the best way. Heliotrope-Whatever, my dear woman, you have or fail to have in your portable garden, be sure to have one of your largest boxes filled with heliotrope. For this you will need very rich soil, or some good fertilizer applied often enough to insure luxuriant growth. Such clusters of flowers as you may have by midsummer! If left to grow naturally is such a graceful plant, to say nothing of its wonderful fragrance. Mignonette will thrive well in boxes, as it does better grown where the seeds are planted. It will hang prettily over the edge of the box, and though it has no striking beauty of form or color, its sweetness compensates for both. In the same box with your mignonette, plant a few flax seeds broad-cast and its light foliage and small, delicate blue flowers will contrast well with the mignonette. Geraniums, some of the sweet-scented varieties have very lovely bunches of flowers which, with their fragrant leaves, are of the greatest value. Bone-dust, or something of that nature, will be needed to make them grow in the greatest perfection. Fish geraniums, there is no question about these common plants. They are too well known to need any praise If you have a good supply of heliotrope flowers, and a little bunch of mignonette, any color of geranium, will if well arranged, show to good advantage either in your garden of boxes or when used for indoor decoration. There are now, double dwarf growing geraniums with white, pink and also with very dark flowers that will doubtless give more real satisfaction than any plant of the same money value. Strong, rich soil and not much box room, and you are quite certain, if you water freely, to have flowers in abundance. Agapanthus, is a most excellent plant (for growing in large pots and boxes) of which there are several varieties. One with flowers of a rich, unusual shade of blue, is more com mon than the others, sometimes called "Blue Lily of the Nile." A very rare and lovely variety has flowers of white with a distinct stripe of lavender through each petal. These flowers are borne in large umbels, and with stems on each single flower long enough to pick for small bouquets; and if each flower is picked before it fades, the plant itself will remain an object of beauty for weeks. The leaves of this variety are more graceful than can be described, curving from the center of the plant and worth growing if it never flowered; a small root of agapanthus is not sure to flower before the third year; but as it will live in the cellar or adorn any window in the house, it is worth waiting to see it throw up flower-stalks of a yard high, crowned with quantities of delicate flowers. They require ample root room, but if given good soil and room enough for their large, white, horny roots, they are satisfied with very little attention, although always grateful for a sponge bath and a refreshing drink. Amaryllis, is another desirable plant, very old-fashioned, but always handsome with its stalks of rich bright lily-like flowers, late in the summer, and its dark glossy leaves. This plant can also be kept in the cellar through the winter. A box of sweet herbs, if one has not a garden, and is a housekeeper, a few sweet herbs will be a very great convenience, besides saving a good many pennies. For summer use, or to use green, a few seeds of parsley and sage will give all the plants needed, and thyme, both plain leaved and also a variegated (golden, glossy yellow, and dark green, variety) are both very pretty plants and either green or dried, the leaves are prized as a seasoning. A box of lettuce and peppergrass you will find of the easiest culture and with its growth you will have such a sense of safety in case of an emergency and if you also have a box of small growing nasturtiums, you will never be at a loss to know what to pick for your dining table. The small juicy stems, and likewise the small seeds of the nasturtiums are good mixed with the lettuce, and the rich, brilliant colored flowers always handsome any where, but especially on the dinner table in small or large bunches. Scarlet runner, is a clean, pretty ornamental vine and a great favorite in European gardens. As it possesses so many charms, it is a wonder that it is not more common. It will grow in a sunny rich bit of earth, to a height of from ten to fifteeen feet, and covered with dazzling flowers from July to October. Last summer a bean planted in one corner of my box of agapanthus, which stood by my door-step, made such rapid, growth that from early summer until frost came, our door-way and portico were covered with the showy, dark green vine with its bunches of fine scarlet flowers. O'Rielly was right in saying, "They'es growing while you are on duty. The flowers are the right soldiers color; and when it comes to the beans, ye may put your hand out of the window and gather them, and no trouble at all." Original in GOOD HOUSEKEEPING. PANSIES. These pansies in my garden bed, Sweet pansies nodding low, Greet me with just the self same look They wore ten years ago. Do not boil Ginger tea is an old-fashioned stomach warmer. aromatic teas or other preparations because that would drive off their volatile oil which is their active principles. Glycerine. A'sweet, transparent liquid obtained from fatty substances. It is principally used externally. It abstracts water from the tissues, the hands and face, it will make the skin rough. Adding equal and for this reason should not be used pure, for when applied to parts of rose water makes a very nice preparation. Glycerine and borax mixed make a good paste to put upon sores in the mouth. Gum Arabic. A soothing (not nourishing) material for a drink in cases of irritation of the throat and stomach. Dissolve a tablespoonful in half pint of warm water, and let it cool. Witch Hazel. (Hamamelis Virginica.) Its most important use is in the treatment of sprains, bruises, excoriations, cuts, burns, ulcers, and bites or stings of insects. It restrains hemorrhage and allays pain. Heat. painful and inflammatory affections of the abdominal organs. Dry Warm applications possess a high degree of utility in various heat is a very important remedy in sudden and alarming depres sion of the system, with feebleness of the heart's action, and cold- Compound spirits of ether. A stimulant to the nervous system. Tincture of hops, a mild hypnotic or sleep producer. It is a stomachic tonic, as serviceable in dypsepsia, flatulent colic and mild diarrhoea as many more rare and costly medicines. DoseOne teaspoonful thrice daily. A hop pillow is sometimes used for sleeplessness. To prepare it, fill a small pillowcase with hops -Esther Paige. which have been sprinkled with alcohol to bring out the active principle. "These are for thoughts," what thoughts they bring, And ten long years ago; And I still keep some withered ones You gave me long ago; A knot of blue that matched your eyes, A little knot or so. These are my treasures, these my gold, Put them away, the tale was told Ten long long years ago. -Myra C. Durfee. THE COZY CORNER. [In this corner we propose to have pleasant gossip with our readers ana correspondents, in passing matters of household interest, and that it may be made an instructive and profitable Household Exchange, we invite correspondence of inquiry and information on all subjects of general interest and value to the Homes of the World.]-GOOD HOUSEKEEPING. prick them with a sharp fork, and bake in a hot oven,-one much quicker than for bread risen with yeast. For success with these biscuits the shortening must be firm, kept in a cool place in summer until needed, the oven quick, and, lastly, they must be worked out and shaped by hand. They are sometimes, to save time, cut out, and are thus formed by those who object to hand working for any bread, but the result is inferior in every way. This hand work We have several contributions for our "Cozy Corner" departing is an art, awkward at first, but worth the trouble to acquire. ment, every way worthy of publication, which do not appear for the reason that the names and addresses of the writers are not given. Only such contributions will be printed in any department of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING as are accompanied by the name and address of the writer.-Editor of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING. BREAD-MAKING AND CLEAN HANDS. Editor of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING : I notice in the "Cozy Corner" of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING for March 31 a letter by "Regie" on "Dish-towels and Breadmaking," in which she deprecates the use of one's hands in breadmaking. It is well to be as neat as possible in this world, for even then we shall find our share of the dust from which we possibly have been evolved; but being too fastidious is a different trait. I certainly agree with your hope, Mr. Editor, that "Regie" does not have to eat often away from her home. I want to disagree with her communication. In my experience with bread-making, I have never discovered that my hands were any cleaner or whiter after kneading the dough, after I had washed off the flour which clung to my hands; therefore I think it is a "cleaning process," or a whitening process, only so far as the flour is absorbed by the pores of the skin. If the hands are thoroughly cleansed, nails included, before the work is begun, and then rubbed well with flour, there is no occasion for the bread becoming impregnated with substances foreign to itself, provided the worker understands her work and is reasonably careful, although, if one prefers "machinery" in making bread, it is doubtless well to use it. E. L. M. MANCHESTER, N. H. BEAT BISCUITS. Editor of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING: Mrs. A. C. S., of Kalmazoo, Mich., asks in your " Cozy Corner," March 31, for a receipt for "beat biscuits." I send one that has been in use nearly a hundred years in our family in Virginia. One quart of flour, in which a teaspoonful of salt has been sifted, one tablespoonful of butter and lard (mixed), half a pint of sweet milk, or, if butter and milk is not abundant, one-fourth pound of sweet, firm lard, with a pound of flour (down weight), and one-half pint of cold water, makes, well worked and baked, a delicious biscuit. Sift the flour, with the salt, into your mixing bowl; chop into it with a sharp knife the shortening; add by degrees the milk or water until it forms a stiff dough (it must not be so soft as in bread risen with yeast). When well mixed, turn it into your machine and work it for twenty minutes by the clock. In that time the dough blisters; then break it off in small bits, taking each one into the fingers. Work them into shape, put them into a baking pan, My first biscuits were so shockingly misshapen that I was in despair, until an observant child of six exclaimed: “Grandma, you must work it out to a little pig-tail at the back; then press that in!" This accurate description gave just the needed infor mation. Now for the machine: It is in box form; two-grooved rollers run across the box, with a crank for turning it. This box is screwed to any table. Flour both box and rollers well before using, put the dough in between the rollers, and turn forward and backward for twenty minutes by the clock. A top to this box is a much-needed addition. Any carpenter will put one on for fifty cents, and the benefit will be appreciated by neat housekeepers. "Beat biscuits" in perfection came in times past out of Dutch ovens, with their lids covered by glowing coals from a wood fire, while they rested in a bed of the same. The modern stove, however, produces a very fair substitute, and we must rejoice in the relief it affords to toiling women. C. H. G. RICHMOND, VA. BUFFALO BUGS. Editor of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING: Believing buffalo bugs to be a subject of great interest to all readers of your welcome magazine, I would like to give a little experience with regard to the beetles referred to by Mrs. Gamwell. Last May, while visiting a friend, my attention was called to a tumbler turned over a few pieces of soft flannel, the whole resting on a square of board. Looking through the glass, I saw four lively and well-developed beetles. On asking an explanation, my friend gave me the following account of her "pets:" While house-cleaning the fall previous, she found four full-grown buffalo bugs, and, wishing to know what did finally become of them, she determined to watch. A home was arranged for them under the tumbler, and they were left to their own devices. As a result of her experiment she had four skins, such as all housekeepers are familiar with, and four beetles. As it was impossible for the bugs to escape, and equally impossible for anything to get beneath the tumbler, the answer to the question what became of the four bugs is simply this: Four bugs = four beetles × four skins. During my stay we watched the tumbler very closely, and at length discovered eggs, very minute particles something like grains of red pepper, and which, when crushed, leave a red or brick-colored mark. After laying the eggs, the beetle's work is done, and death seems to follow. Now having found these eggs in my own house, I know the rest of the process. A small white louse is the next stage; then a dark streak down the back appears, followed by dark stripes on the sides like ribs. Then, though very small, they turn the well known dark-brown color, and from this soon pass into that most abominable of all pests,—a full-grown buffalo bug. I have found them in all stages, and during the month of September the white and slightly marked ones are most numerous. If these can be disposed of, and the beetles cared for in like manner, the number of bugs to be looked after will be decidedly less. I feel that my experience certainly adds truth to Mrs. Gamwell's statement that it is very important to kill the beetles. The common lady bug is, I am quite sure, often mistaken for the beetle, but there is a decided difference between the two, the lady bug being larger and brighter colored. The uniform color of the beetle is black or dark brown, well covered with white and bright spots. Although Miss N. quotes high authority, I cannot regard the beetle as such a useful member of society, and my conscience does not trouble me as having sacrificed innocent victims, while my peace of mind with regard to my rugs and carpets is certainly greater than if these same beetles were allowed to roam over my house at their own sweet will. M. J. P. WORCESTER, MASS. 1. Her cow blent. 5. O dear, deal unit last. 7. Tame gnus in Reno. 8. Yet Race sent. 9. Bias came. 10. O warm shirt. 11. Be as stain. 12. The Normal Brund. 13. Mr. Balltar's shin. 14. In ye mellow dice. 15. Kill braver calfs. 16. Oil casks at Tumlinn. 17. N. G. to memory. 22. Bring a rent rag to. 23. Fred Blake is. 24. Her kerb is. 25. Ask for a bulse. 26. Lone times. 27. Lowery, stove liner. 28. Big Tony Stice. 29. But hard nobs. 30. O, her faun. 31. As brave fell. 32. Not one drawl. 33. War I dare revel. 34. I can't pity Pecoe. 35. We tend morals. 51. Pile Mansion. 52. Our grain spars. 53. Eat curd. 54. Dame Herbal. 55. Iron Temple. 56. Tar wharves. 57. A cool rod. 58. I tunnel a tomb at. 59. Neat Whop. 61. With some tan in U. 62. Ann Moat. 63. Susy Race. 64. Nun a verb. 65. Cape whip. 66. I lure a ace. 67. Strainer cover, Ma. 69. A lion horn cart. 72. Better lack E. 73. Jot no news. 74. Con, keep red vail. 75. Crane last. 76. Shot an wing. 78. Ben's liver led. 79. No pigs has rid. 80. Oh, Jo back rugs. 81. An O. K. I must cry no. 82. Glean soles. 83. Red ran, I go. 84. Mint eater. 85. Walls of bells. SECOND.-COLTON'S CELEBRATED EXTRACTS. A prize that will please all housekeepers is a fine assortment of Colton's Celebrated Extracts, which are noted for their purity and strength, and will consist of a half-pint bottle of lemon, vanilla, orange, rose, almond and Jamaica ginger, and a four-ounce bottle of nutmeg, clove, wintergreen and cinnamon. This complete assortment of as pure extracts as can be made will be enclosed in a handsomely polished black walnut case, with a separate apartinent for each bottle, plainly labeled so that each can be seen at a glance. The whole will make an extract cabinet that will delight any housekeeper fortunate enough to win it, and is valued at twelve dollars. THIRD. SILVER-PLATED, SELF-POURing coffee pot. We have a very handsome and useful prize to offer, and a new thing to most housekeepers,-a silver-plated, self-pouring coffee pot, which pours out the coffee by simply pressing the lid, and does away entirely with the drudgery of lifting the coffee pot. No one who has seen it but admires it, and we are as pleased to offer it as one of our prizes, as we know the fortunate one will be who receives it. It is manufactured by Paine, Deihl & Co., Philadelphia, Pa., who have the reputation of making some of the most useful housekeeping utensils that gladden the hearts of the housekeepers of the present day. FOURTH.-GOODHOLME'S DOMESTIC CYCLOPEDIA. This Domestic Cyclopedia is a most valuable book of reliable household information. Published by C. A. Montgomery & Co., New York. 1-To escape insensibility. 2-To forfeit. 3-A mythological goddess. 4-A plague. |